Big Celebrations

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

The biggest celebration at SPPC this week was for Bill and Nancy on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. What a milestone! Congratulations, Bill and Nancy.

I suppose we could treat this happy event as ho-hum, since we have celebrated another 65th anniversary and a 70th in the congregation over the past twelve months, but I think we should take every opportunity to celebrate good news. Besides, we got cake!

Last Sunday marked the end of our summer drive for the food bank. So there was a draw for a beautiful floral basket. Joan brought the flowers. Grace did the drawing, and Carol won the prize. Thanks to all who gave so generously and congratulations Carol. May you enjoy the flowers.

Of course, just because we ended our special drive does not mean we ended our support for the Food Bank. There are donation bins in the narthex and contributions are welcomed throughout the year. Summer has only just begun and kids out of school need snacks and meals more than ever. How else will they grow strong and healthy?

 Grace and Joan                                                                 Carol and Joan

And while we are in the mood for celebration, we welcome Rev. Irwin home. His vacation included a lot of hiking so I don't know if he is refreshed and rested, but he has certainly had a change of scenery.

And, just to make this a special Sunday, Larry provided music with his cello. What a treat. 

The take home assignment from the sermon this week was to write down a sentence beginning with "If the Lord had not been on my side. . ." and then finish the sentence naming a time when God brought you through a crisis. You are encouraged to share your completed sentence with another person before next Sunday. 

 "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow."

Little Deeds of Kindness

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

This Sunday we welcomed Pastor George Hodgson to the pulpit -- again. Pastor George has shared his time, his wisdom, and his humour with SPPC so often we think of him more as a favourite uncle than as a visiting pastor. 

His sermon on Sunday focussed on the little errors we make through life -- and the excuses we use to justify them -- that lead us away from God. An unkind word, a rude joke, a turning away from someone in need--little by little these actions separate us from God and from our neighbours. Little by little they erode the Kingdom of God on earth.

We can all relate to Pastor George's theme. 

But what if we turn it around and look at little deeds of kindness?

Twice last week strangers invited me to step ahead in the check out line as I had only one item and they had a basketful. I promise I had not made the suggestion or even looked meaningfully at their piled high grocery carts and the single package in my hands. 

As a result of those small kindnesses, we all shared a smile and a laugh. I felt connected to my community and I was inspired to give another driver a break and let them nose into traffic ahead of me. Kindness begets kindness.

I had two visits with friends over the week. With one I talked books, with another sewing. Nothing profound. Nothing to change the world, but a tiny effort that cemented and enhanced existing relationships, and brought joy into my life.

At Butchart Garden's I listened to a concert and learned that one of the instrumentalists runs a mentorship program for young musicians. What a gift she has bestowed on those youngsters -- a gift they will carry for the rest of their lives. By building up others, she creates a community of good will.

Also, at Butchart's I watched a toddler's delight as he danced with his father on the beautiful lawn. What a privileged to witness such joy -- a refreshing change from the anger so often manifested on social media. Praise God for fathers who dance with their children.

Most surprisingly, at the same concert, I chatted with a stranger, extolling the delights of gardens in Victoria, only to learn that his mother and my husband had sailed on the same immigrant ship seventy-odd years ago. Who is my neighbour? 

In the parable of the Good Samaritan as related in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asks that question of a teacher of the Law. The answer is "the one who showed mercy." Luke 10:37 I checked various translations and found "compassion" and "kindness" as well as "mercy." But, the important line is what Jesus says next - "Go and do likewise."

Thank you Pastor George of reminding us of the awful consequences of little errors. On the other side of the coin, small acts of harmony and mercy - point the way to the awesome Kingdom. 

Little Drops of Water  

        by Julia Carney

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the beauteous land.

                                                So the little moments,                                                       Humble though they be,

    Make the mighty ages,

Of eternity.

So our little errors

Lead the soul away

From the paths of virtue,

Far in sin to stray.

Little seeds of mercy

Sown by youthful hands

Grow to bless the needy

Here, and in all lands.

Little deeds of kindness

Little words of love,

Make our earth an Eden,

Like the heaven above.

Celebrations

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

Thanks to Pam Day for this week's post.

O Canada, what a week of celebrations!

 

Canada’s Soccer Team gained a victory over South Africa on Sunday, with much rejoicing and renewed hope for their next game against Morocco. [Not a win, but still an achievement.]

And of course we all celebrated Canada’s Birthday on the 1^st July.

But, for me, the most enjoyable celebration happened between those very public events, it was Elizabeth Small's 94^th  birthday.

Now Elizabeth only recently moved into Resthaven Lodge after living in the home her late husband built, so you can imagine that it has been a real struggle for her and her family to deal with the changes this brings, the dislocation and deep sadness that comes with the feeling that her “normal” life is over.

But thanks be to God, Elizabeth is a blessed child of a loving God and she has a strong faith, a wonderful supportive family, her best friend Joan, and many others too.

This 94^th birthday gave us all a golden opportunity to make it a memorable one and cement some “happy times” into her strange new life, and Joan and I set about doing just that. Feeling the love!

It started off with a 1 hour ride in a Triobike Taxi around the streets of Sidney with her best friend Joan. They had a blast! Doing the “Royal Wave” to passers-by and chatting to Jon their driver. Elizabeth thought that was just fine, but it was only the beginning! 

Birthday ride

A surprise party was set up with her Cousin Jennifer, and friends Sally, Josephine, Hilda, Carol, Norma, Joan and myself and later Janet M and Darlene  stopped by.

The party was complete with party hats, tooters, balloons and of course a wonderful cake thanks to Darlene.  Once the delicious cake had been consumed there were cards and gifts to open, and much to Elizabeth’s delight, lots of chocolate!

It was a truly festive day, but even good things
must come to an end. I was amazed at Elizabeth’s stamina – but Joan tells me that she crashed after the party ended, not surprising it had been a long and exciting day for sure.

Let’s hope this gave a new perspective to Elizabeth, and opened up the possibilities for a good life at Resthaven with more happier days to follow. And if the only thing that Elizabeth remembers tomorrow is the warm happy feeling of being loved by many, that will be just fine too.