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!