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."

Persistent Prayer

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

On Thanksgiving Sunday, our sanctuary is adorned with the fruits of the harvest. Thanks to all who contributed goods and service. Your generosity makes for a joyful time of worship.

Thanks also to Rev. Grant Wilson for filling in at the pulpit while Rev. Irwin is away.

The Bible contains many examples of persistent prayer; the widow in Luke 18: 1-7 (the persistent widow), David in Psalm 17:1- 2 (prayer for deliverance from his enemies,) Paul to the Philippians 4:6.  In every case the petitioner is commended for persistence. The judge eventually gives the widow what she wants, David is kept from the wrath of his enemies, and the Philippians present their prayers and petitions to God.

I don't know if incessant whining falls into the same category but I'm very good at it. Last summer/fall I complained without ceasing about the poor harvest. The fruit trees produced only a few apples each, the carrots were stunted. I even had to beg friends and neighbours for zucchini.😲

  

But this year--what a difference. The fruit trees produced so abundantly the branches bent to the ground. The shelves of preserves are full and the freezer will barely close, it is so stuffed with the goodness of the garden and the orchard. Having spent a year complaining, I now take heed of Philippians again and present my prayers with thanksgiving. 

In this Thanksgiving season we are reminded of God's abundant providence. Again, there are many examples, but Psalm 65: 9-13 (that we read on Sunday) echoes with praise for the Lord of abundant harvest. We gardeners like to take credit when the crops are good, and blame God (the weather) when they fail. But the psalmist knows better. It is God who waters the land and fills the streams, who crowns the year with abundance, and for whom the meadows shout and sing with joy.

We sing "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come." Our table is laden with the goodness of God's creation. Our hearts sing in thanksgiving to His grace and mercy. 

Another reason for Thanksgiving this week is the 65th wedding anniversary of Ann and Alan. I heard early in the week that there would be no cake. I couldn't believe SPPC would let an occasion pass without cake. Fortunately, the rumour proved false and we delighted to celebrate the long marriage of Ann and Alan with cake! 

Congratulations, Alan and Ann. And thank you for gracing SPPC with your presence.