The Spirit's Calling

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Last week we heard an appeal from the pulpit for helpers with the Blue Bus Ministry. A few days later, I received a newsletter from the Blue Bus. I took these two reminders as a nudge to write about the big Blue Bus again. It has featured on this blog numerous times, but ministry is never a one-and-done event.

The Blue Bus is a mobile ministry serving Indigenous youth on the Saanich Peninsula and in the Cowichan Valley. Its director, Rick Wismer, has frequently visited SPPC (with his big blue bus) and spoken from our pulpit. 

For many years SPPC has supported this ministry with cookies and snacks and financial donations. The appeal this time is for able-bodied helpers. We can supply "snack grannies" but not many in our congregation are up for a game of soccer. So, if you, or anyone you know, has the energy, the muscle, the lung capacity, and flexible joints, you are encouraged to get in touch. 

The newsletter included some heartwarming stories of the Blue Bus making a difference in the lives of youth and elders. It also put out a request for garden implements. These tools will allow youth to help out their neighbours on "serve" days. Anyone downsizing from a house to an apartment might have serviceable rakes, hoes, shovels, and shears. To donate, you can contact Rick of drop them off at SPPC and we'll see to it that they find a new home.

To read the entire newsletter, click this link.

For the past several weeks, Rev. Irwin has been including "homework" -- or, as he likes to call them, "invitations" at the end of his sermons. In some ways, this practice is a bit like an altar call but instead of congregants coming forward to testify within the sanctuary, we are asked to take the message out to the world, into our families and our community. 

On Mother's Day the first invitation asked us to "choose one person outside these walls--a neighbour, a colleague, a family member--and pray for them by name, every day this week . . ."

I'll admit, I took the invitation casually, but a name popped into my mind that surprised me--a family member but not someone I'm particularly close to--but I took the sermon to heart and have prayed for this man all week. I don't know if my prayers have affected his life,--this is where the third invitation comes in, ". . .trust the One who finishes what He starts" -- but they have touched mine. 

Thanks to Rev. Irwin for his specific invitations. I encourage all of us to take them to heart and respond.

Mothers of Salem

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

This week we celebrated Mothers' Day, with cake. Yay!

When I was a child, we wore a flower to church on Mother's Day, a coloured one if your mother was living and a white one if your mother had passed away. In northern Ontario, finding flowers in bloom in early May was a challenge. We often resorted to the potted geraniums on a sunny windowsill. Not exactly a fashionable boutonniere but it did the trick. The actual flower wasn't important. What mattered was the symbol of love and respect for mothers. 

Fathers' Day didn't carry the same cachet. And there was no "children's day." Perhaps that is why the church, in her wisdom, has moved to "Christian Family Sunday," so we can celebrate the special kind of love that binds kith and kin together.

As part of the Sunday service we sang, When Mothers of Salem, a favourite with our clerk of session. We use the 1972 Book of Praise at SPPC. The hymn did not make it into the "new" Book of Praise, published in 1997. In fact, many of the hymns I sang as a child are omitted from the latest version of our hymnbook. Anyone remember "When He Cometh?" It's not in the new hymnbook either, yet, while I was pulling weeds in the flower bed and thinking about this blog, I discovered I remembered every word. What we teach children really matters. Those lessons and poems will last a lifetime.

"When Mothers of Salem" was penned by  William Medlen Hutchings, in 1850. It was was written for the anniversary service of St. Paul's Chapel Sunday School, Wigan, in 1850, and was published in a revised form in the Juvenile Missionary Magazine of June 1850. The text is based on the Biblical story told three Gospels, Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18

Although the text is a retelling of the Biblical story, it was seen as a "missionary" hymn, due to these lines in the last verse, "O soon may the people of every land and nation, /Fulfil Thy blessed word, and cast their idols all away;"

The new hymnbook does not have a children's section, but it has an index of "Items for Children and Youth." The index includes everything from Christmas carols to communion. The segment on Mission contains seven suggestions, including "Jesus bids us shine." That's one I recognize from childhood. 

Neither our "old" nor our "new" hymn books list "mothers" in the topical index, but both refer to "family," and both include the hymn, "Happy the home when God is there." That hymn is a great reminder that giving mom a day off and maybe breakfast in bed, is a great way to show her love, but it is God who makes a home truly happy. Another memory from my childhood was that the whole family pleased mom by going with her to church on Mothers' day!

Western culture has secularized many of our holy days, while the church has taken the secular Mothers' Day, and shaped it into a celebration of family with God at the heart of our human relationships. 

I hope everyone had a Happy Mothers' Day and that the children did the dishes. I also hope we all gave prayers of thanks to God for His divine love.

Let's Party

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Q. What happens when you throw a party and the guest of honour does a "no show?" 

A. You blow out the candles and eat the cake!

That's what happened at Bible Study this week. One of our members had a birthday on that day, so we organized a cake, candles, card and pretty house plant to congratulate her on another year. 

And what happened? She skipped Bible Study that morning.  Sometimes "surprise" backfires.

Even without birthdays or cakes, our Bible Study is a jolly gathering. We start with a video from The Bible Project with Tim Mackie, but discussion can wonder far afield. On Wednesday, after we ate the cake, we ended up talking about Robin Hood. Hero or villain? After all, "thou shalt not steal," but were Robin and his merry men stealing or were they merely returning goods, stolen from the poor by the wealthy, and returning them to the rightful owners? The discussion continues, whether we have cake or not.

At the same time, Norma and Linda were having their own party, clearing out the cupboards in the hall. Apparently there is stuff in there since the establishment of our building. Why does SPPC have two bags full of florist marbles?

On Thursday lots of people came to the party, otherwise known as Friendship Coffee. Discussions around the tables here can range from gardening to travel to taxes. What is constant is the building of camaraderie. Friendship coffee may be one of the longest running programs at SPPC, a measure of its value to the congregation and the community.

On Friday the worship committee met. This is not supposed to be a party, but inevitably there is laughter. After all, we want our worship to be joyful. It is a small committee, but there is opportunity for congregational input. A list on the bulletin board invites members to nominate favourite hymns to be included in the services at the appropriate time. I promise you, all requests are considered.

On Saturday, Tore cut the grass, after fixing the lawnmower. That's a party of one but it is a task joyfully undertaken to bring beauty to our grounds and to honour our physical place in the community.

Like every week in the life of SPPC, the past week held sadness as we learned of the passing of two of our members. But, because Christ conquered death, we can temper our sadness with joy. Our beloved brothers are free of pain and weakness. Our Lord has called them home to a party beyond our imagining. We hold their families in our prayers.

What a Wonderful World

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Sitting in the dirt, digging in my garden last week, the words of old Louis Armstrong song came to mind, "what a wonderful world." I wholeheartedly agreed. The sun was warm on my back, an eagle soared overhead, my cat chased bugs under the bushes and the soil beneath my fingers promised an abundant harvest. What a wonderful world, indeed.

But there is another verse to that song that is often forgotten.                                                                      

I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying
I love you

 It was that part of the song that resonated on Sunday after worship, when the congregation gathered to share lunch together. 

We talk a lot about fellowship, about the example of the early church meeting in houses, but I think all the smiling faces around a common table  are "really saying, I love you."

Thanks to Barb and her friends for organizing and serving the meal. There is nothing quite so "family" as sitting down to a meal together.

Give Yourself Space

The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Imagine opening your closet and having space to see what is in there, and to know every item fits! SPPC can help you clear the clutter.

The "Bring and Take" event on Saturday was an opportunity to swap your useless stuff for someone else's useless stuff. I missed it. I had my second shingles vaccination earlier in the week. I woke up feeing awful and then I remembered that when I'd had the first shot, I'd had the same reaction. I hurt everywhere! Even the spray from the shower felt like a blast of buckshot against my skin. If the vaccine makes me feel like that, I'd hate to experience a full-blown case of shingles.

On top of that, my husband had only a nasty cold to bring to the event and we doubted anyone would want to take that home. 

But, thanks to our intrepid and diligent clerk of session, I have pictures to share. 

Enjoying a chat and a cuppa

Something for the outdoorsman

Good thing I missed it. I'm a sucker for pretty china

We have another opportunity to clear the closets coming up in May. SPPC is holding a clothing drive for the Mustard Seed Street Church. Here is a chance to donate those pants, in your bottom drawer, that you are never, ever going to fit into again. I have a lovely pair I've been hanging onto because they have an Eaton's label. I must resist the urge to turn my house into a museum and give those slacks to someone who can use them. 

I'll hang onto my worn out t-shirts and shorts as they make good gardening outfits. I find it impossible to buy something new and then kneel in the dirt or snag them on the rose bushes. However, there are still useable coats in the front closet and sweaters on a shelf that deserve a new life with someone else. 

All that stuff you have held onto for years, "just in case," could be a life changer for clients of the Mustard Seed. Plus, you'll have space for new stuff.

The Mustard Seed suggests sweat pants, jogging pants, rain jackets, shorts, tee shirts, coats, underwear, socks and shoes. If you want to contribute these or other useful items, just bring them by the church during the month of May. 

Report Card?

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Did you achieve gold stars on your report card in school? Were the teacher comments glowing? Like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, did you see A+ + + + running off the page of your assignment?  Or did report cards fill you with dread? Did you hand the document to your parents with a sinking heart, head bowed, waiting for words of disappointment, or punishment?

Whatever your experience in school, forget it. This post is not about winning or losing, excelling or failing. This post is about the challenges Rev. Irwin has presented to the congregation over the past few weeks leading up to Easter. 

In case you missed them, here they are in simplified form:

• Service: Christ washed the feet of His disciples, a lowly servant's task. The challenge: Look for and do one hidden act of costly service in the next seven days.
• Truth: Identify an area(room) in your life, that you have been avoiding. Write down why you don't want to go there. Then invite Jesus to go into that room with you. Just stay there, in His presence. Maybe say a prayer. Remember His kingdom is not of this world.
• Name your Caesar: At this point in the trial of Jesus Christ, the chief priests reject Him as Messiah, assuring Pontius Pilate "we have no king by Caesar." Before we pass judgement on the Jewish officials, we must remember that we too have other kings, e.g. security, comfort, ideology, the church institution itself.  Now, quietly, name your other "king." Write it down. Sit with the knowledge for a time, then complete this sentence "Jesus, I trust you with everything except . . ."
• Proclaim: Pilate wrote "King of the Jews" on the plaque above Jesus' head on the cross. The Jewish officials wanted him to change it to "He says, he is King of the Jews," but Pilate insisted, "What I have written, I have written." Now look for your own "cross" moment. Identify a place where God is at work in your life. Then tell that truth to one person. Don't worry about sounding profound, or crazy,  or naïve, just bear witness to one person. Proclaim that Jesus is King.
• Transformation: Easter Sunday, the empty tomb, He is Risen. This is not the end of the story, this is the beginning of something new. Homework: Whatever burden you carry, name it. Bring it to God. Pray it out loud if you can. Then make space, sit quietly, listen for God's response, be present and expectant for what the risen Christ will do.

Although these "assignments" have been couched as "homework," this is not school. There is no judgement here, no grades attributed. But, if you attempted the tasks, there is Jesus, present in your life, taking your burdens on Himself, cheering your feeble efforts, shining through your clumsy words.

Thanks for the challenges, Rev. Irwin.  To listen to previous services from SPPC, go to our youtube channel.

When we walk with the Lord

In the Light of His Love

What a glory He sheds on our way

When we do His good will

He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey.

Editor's Note: Thanks to Linda for suggesting this topic.

Easter 2026

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

In case you missed the one for Good Friday, you can find a video of the service here

As usual, SPPC held a "Sonrise" service in Cy Hampson park at 8:00 am Easter Sunday. In a very unusual way, the weather was lovely -- sunshine, no rain, and mild temperatures. Wow!

The photo above shows all the happy faces squinting into the sunshine. 

Another happy participant was this little bird. Every year since Rev. Irwin began this custom there has been a songbird in a nearby tree. Last year I noted the tree had died and I worried about a twig for the songbird. This year we found him in a different tree, still singing to the morning light. 

Upon returning to SPPC we enjoyed coffee, fruit, hot cross buns, eggs and other breakfast goodies. 

Then we repaired to the sanctuary for our usual Sunday service, ending with a celebration of the Lord's Supper. 

Happy Easter, everyone,

He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Hallelujah!

                                              

The Lord's House

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

The term "Lord's House" is more Old Testament than New. Among other references, the Bible gives a detailed description of God's instructions to Moses, after the Israelites were delivered out of slavery in Egypt for the building of the Tabernacle, a tent where the Ark of the Covenant was housed, a place of worship, sacrifice and divine revelation. 

The Tabernacle was to serve as the dwelling place of God among His people. 

In indication of the importance of this dwelling is given in Exodus 25-31-- six chapters of precise instruction from God.

Later, in Israel's history, Solomon built a temple to be "The Lord's House." Again, our Bible, in 1Kings 6 gives a blueprint of the construction of this place. Most importantly we learn that God promises to dwell among His people. 

if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfil through you the promise I gave to David your father.  And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.’  

When that was destroyed a second temple was erected, when the exiled Jews came back to Jerusalem. The prophets Haggi and Zechariah encouraged the building of the second temple, but the Roman emperor Cyrus decreed that it should be built. "in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. (Ezra 5: 13) You can read all about it in Ezra 5-6.

In the New Testament, the concept of the LORD's House transitions from a physical structure to a spiritual one. Believers in Christ are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:16  The Church, as the body of Christ, is seen as the spiritual house where God resides, with Jesus as the cornerstone.

The church is NOT a building but “a people who gather to worship and serve Jesus Christ” and that gathering can occur anywhere. 

So, while we recognize that it is faithful followers of Christ who make up the church, we also know that "wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I also, in the midst of them." Matt 18:20

Our church building has been dedicated to be one of those gathering places. 

The Presbyterian Church in Canada declares:

 

A Service of Dedication in The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a formal worship service conducted by the Presbytery, typically with the Moderator presiding, to set apart a building for worship, thanksgiving, and mission The service of dedication is primarily one of thanksgiving to God for all the gifts given to the people and which they in turn return to God with joyful and grateful hearts.

Thus, although our building is not the Lord's House in an Old Testament sense, it holds a special place in the life of our congregation and merits our care and attention. In the past few weeks we've been doing just that.

Our building is cleaned weekly, but we held a spring deep cleaning bee with extra volunteers to scrub out the forgotten corners. We washed windows, polished the wood fixtures and scoured the kitchen and bathrooms. Spiders are the fastest spinners in the West, but we swept out their webs, at least for the moment.

We had a good time doing it, too.

  

The light on the outdoor cross has not worked for a while. In the month of March, that was rectified with the installation of strip lighting around it. What a striking addition to our building!

Finally, since the rain has, at last,  let up for a bit, the skylights are being replaced. One in the sanctuary had cracked and several had broken seals, so the time was right. We now have new glass installed in 28 sealed units.

Our Book of Praise includes a hymn for the dedication of church buildings. It could also serve as a reminder to dedicate ourselves as the spiritual house of God.

Be with us, gracious Lord, today;

This house we dedicate to Thee;

O hear Thy servants as they pray,

And let Thine ear attentive be!

Within these walls let holy peace,

Let love and truth be always found;

May burdened hearts find sweet release,

And souls with richest grace be crowned.

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was the start of Holy Week. 

SPPC offers these special services as we mark Jesus' road to the Cross.

• Maundy Thursday Communion in the Upper Room—April 2 at 6:00 p.m. This service of readings and communion will take place in the Ross Lounge (classroom).
• Good Friday Service of Hymns and Readings—April 3 at 10:00 a.m.
• Easter Sunday “Sunrise” Service—April 5 at  8:00 a.m. at Cy Hampson Park (8891 Lochside Drive, North Saanich)
• Easter Morning Breakfast—April 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Molloy Hal. All are welcome!
• Easter Sunday Celebration and Communion Service—April 5 at 10:00 a.m.

Legacy

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

During the days of endless rain last week, I dutifully wrote in my gratitude journal, praising God for filling the reservoirs, restoring the rivers and streams, and degrading the risk of drought and wildfire this summer. All good reasons to be thankful. Yet, I confess, that was a more intellectual gratitude than a visceral one.

Then, on Friday, the clouds lifted. I took myself off to the Butchart Gardens and filled my senses. The fragrance of hyacinth lifted my spirits with every breath. The daffodils nodded their heads, cheering my soul. Blossoming trees against a blue, blue sky invited me to look upward. No need to work at gratitude when visiting the Gardens in spring. God's goodness is on full display.

The story goes that Jennie Butchart was appalled at the ugliness left behind from the family business of quarrying limestone and making cement. Then, one day while surveying the limestone pit, she had a vision. 

"The perpendicular quarry walls, twisted from dynamite blasting, dropped sixty feet to a quagmire of two and a half acres of clay. Out of a subterranean spring percolated a muddy creek which fed a deep pond on the quarry floor. A hummock of grey rock, unfit for cement, rose like a spire from the centre… Jennie Butchart stood and cried.

It was then an inspiration came to her, ‘Like a flame’ she was to say, ‘for which I shall ever thank God.” 

It was in that moment that the seed of what would become the world famous Butchart Gardens was planted.

I also gave thanks for Jennie Butchart and her descendants for making this jewel accessible to local residents. The cost of a yearly pass (equivalent to two regular admissions) is the best deal around. In the spring I can visit for the daffodils, a week later for the tulips, and a week after that for the azaleas. In summer I can enjoy the many concerts as well as the rose garden, the lilies, the sweet peas, and the zinnias. Come winter, I'm welcome to take in the Christmas light up or the Spring Prelude in February. All on my yearly pass.

The home the Butchart's built on this site was named "Benvenuto," meaning welcome in Italian. A highly fitting name since they welcomed thousands of visitors to enjoy the garden. The transformation of the limestone quarry began in 1904 and by 1915, they reported 18,000 visitors. By 1925 the yearly total was more than 50,000. During that time, the Butchart's did not charge admission, but offered all these visitors a cup of tea.

On Saturday we held a funeral at SPPC for Erma, a member of our congregation who had lived a "long and adventurous life." The pews were filled with folk from many walks of life -- Erma had broad interests. There were young and old and in-between. There were relatives by blood and "family" by choice. She left a legacy of affection and example.

We heard over and over that she greeted life, whether it be hard or pleasant, with a smile on her face. We heard of the stream of people who passed through her front door and shared a meal at the family table. We heard of her general belief in "love your neighbour" and we heard of instances when that love was shown, as a teacher, a volunteer, a shoulder to lean on. 

She lived life with kindness, curiosity and love for others. 

In an age when one the world's richest men is campaigning against philanthropy, we need role models like Jennie Butchart and Erma. We need the example of those who walk with God and hold out a helping hand to a neighbour.

When our time on this earth ends, would we rather be remembered  for amassing measureless wealth or for our kindness, and generosity, and faithfulness? 

Rooted in Faith

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Browsing through the latest edition of Presbyterian Connection I noticed a familiarity about the shared photos of church life. There was the Sunday School Pageant, the candlelight service, the white gift packaging, the neighbourhood lunch, birthday cakes . . . It struck me that the church names under the photos could be rearranged, and the story would still make sense. All that baking, knitting, quilting, feeding, nurturing--it's what we as churches do.

Then an article on Elmvale Presbyterian Church caught my eye. The congregation is 165 years old. It existed before the Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed. History fascinates me, so I read the article in full. The writer pointed out that the long history of this congregation, was a history of faith. No doubt they have been involved in "works" but what has sustained them and kept them vibrant for generations is their faith. They be before they do.

Last week we held a memorial service for one of SPPC's long-time members, Anne MacKinnon. The words spoken reminded us of her long service and the "works" she performed, as greeter, elder, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, and as a welcoming presence in our fellowship. Her legacy shows in our library, in the piano in the hall and in the lives of those she touched.

The service contained several hymns, hymns that Anne selected. Here she revealed what lay closest to her heart.  If we consider the words of her choosing, we see again, that "works" flowed from faith. 

"He shall not suffer that thy foot be moved/Safe shalt thou be."
"O Thou who changest not, abide with me."
"Death's mightiest powers have done their worst;/But Jesus hath His foes dispersed;"
"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, /Yet will I fear none ill;/For Thou art with me:"
"Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,/All who live in love are Thine."

Our Sister, Anne, had busy hands and an active mind, but when we examine her choice of hymns, we see she had a heart for faith that triumphed when her hands lay still and her mind slowed.

As our congregation seeks to serve and encourage at home and abroad, we must remember that our works must flow from our faith, or we become just another helping agency. Works are important, no doubt about that, but they are for a season. Faith is eternal. Like Anne and like Elmvale Presbyterian, let us hold that faith as a high beacon to light the ways of our doing.

 

Conversations

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

 The photo at left shows a letter written to SPPC from Zach, age 8. Zach attends Jesus is Lord congregation, that meets in our sanctuary on Sunday afternoons. 

Zach says he "works" at JIL. I think there is a lesson for us there. Most of us "attend" church, a much more passive activity than "working" at church. I know, lots of us, maybe all of us, volunteer in some capacity, but the idea of working during worship intrigues me. Do we work at listening to the service? Do we work at taking the message from Rev. Irwin's sermons? Do we work during the prayers and hymns to make the words our own? Do we work to make our corporate worship a true connection to God and His people? Does Zach have something to teach us?

Zach says he loves to "praise God and that is all," but it is not all. He goes on to ask God's blessing and Jesus' protection on SPPC. 

Last Sunday, Rev. Irwin challenged us to do "one hidden act of costly service" over the week. Zach's letter of encouragement is not hidden, but his costly service of penning it brought cheer to my heart. Thank you Zach, and to the congregation of JIL for their praise to God and their prayers for SPPC.

                                                               

This Sunday, SPPC received another blessing, Rev. Wes Denyer filled the pulpit while Rev. Irwin ministered to St. Andrew's Presbyterian in Victoria. 

The sermon was "Talking about important things." Those important things turned out to be conversations about faith. Those are difficult discussions to have at the best of times, but when folk are divided by age, or gender, or nationality, or traditions, they can be even more fraught. 

We often avoid those talks by changing the subject, remembering an "urgent errand," or hiding behind a coffee cup. 

The scripture passage for the sermon was John 4, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Here a Jewish man and a Samaritan woman -- that's an enormous social gulf -- have a meaningful conversation about faith. Not a lecture, not an argument, not a trial -- just a conversation, both spoke, both listened. 

Next time the topic of faith arises in discussion, we would do well to remember Jesus' example, and engage in meaningful conversation. 

Zach has done that, reaching across a gap in ages, a difference of denomination, and a difference in culture. (The JIL congregation comes mostly from a Philippine background.) He speaks of faith with a heart for praise and prayer. Zach's note is the start of an important conversation.

***

On a side note, I wish to commend everyone who moved the clocks ahead on Saturday night and still made it to worship on Sunday morning. Praise God the day was filled with sunshine.