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.

Welcome to June

 

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

It has been a busy weekend at SPPC. Saturday evening we were all entertained with a lovely dinner, prepared and served by Barb and her crew.  The event was a fund-raiser for the new heat pump, and an excuse to "break bread togther." Our congregation savours any opportunity for fellowship. Throw in a good meal and the tables fill quickly. 

Barb with her crew in the kitchen

The meal started with a caesar salad. Main course was chicken and, finally, lots of desserts. Many accepted seconds!

Smiling faces and full tummies tell the tale.

Oh yes, the dinner raised over $1000.00 for the new heat pump.

*********

Sunday morning was a very special worship service. Abigail is turning twelve. As is the practice at SPPC, in honour of her milestone birthday,  she was presented with a study Bible, along with prayers and good wishes for her continued growth in the love of God. 

I had a close up view of the procedings. Abigail blushed, but held her composure throughout the ceremony. Not sure if there weren't a few tears in the pews. We have watched Abigail grow from a baby at her baptism until now.

Abigail at her baptism

At her birth, she was more or less the congregation's baby. Now she takes her place as an active member of our fellowship. Congratulations, Abigail, happy birthday. May God bless you richly and may your life be enriched with faith in Christ, our Saviour.

Discipline of Celebration

 This week's live-streamed service can be found here.

 From Pam's Garden                

The last session of Bible Study was on the discipline of celebration, so this week's blog is all about celebrations.

~~ Max has returned from his travels and is starting his new job this week. The job grew out of his co-op program, but it is now a full-time, real life, first job.

~~Speaking of Max, his convocation ceremony is this Thursday at UVic. 🎓 He is graduating with a Bachelor's in Software Engineering. Well done, Max.

~~Congratulations to Peter and the whole Stelly's Rugby 7's Team. Last weekend they won the provincial championship at a tournament in Richmond. Way to go, Peter.

~~Kathy was well enough to come to Bible Study on Wednesday and she brought along her brother and sister-in-law. Good to see you up and moving, even if your gait is slower than normal.

~~As seen on CHEK News, Valerie and Cedric celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last week. 🎉

~~Neill and Carla are celebrating their anniversary on June 15.

~~ On Friday, June 17, Elizabeth and Brian are getting married in the sanctuary of SPPC. The entire congregation wishes them much joy.

~~ Happy Birthday to Bin Sie, also on Friday.

~~ We are still getting good vibrations from the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. This lovely tea-set was loaned by Joan, a friend of the congregation, to suit the occasion, and we've received a thank you note from the local Commonwealth Society in appreciation of our efforts. 

~~ We had new volunteers in the kitchen for coffee hour on Sunday morning. Thank you Rosalie and Fred.

~~ On Thursday night, a newcomer to the church came to choir practice. Joyce is working on her English as well as her music. There was much laughter. 😀

~~ Finally, next Sunday, June 19, we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Joy

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

Finding a topic for this week's blog has been a struggle. This page was designed to report on activities at the church, but, as we all know, activities at the church are limited due to the pandemic. So, I thought and prayed and cudgelled my empty brain. As the deadline approached I noticed that "joy" kept coming into my conscience.

Dotted about my house are mementos of my birthday. Nothing like having your date announced in the church letter to bring lots of good wishes. So I have flowers and gifts and cards displayed in prominent places to remind me of the joy of life, of friendship, of family, and congregation. In the midst of fog and rain, joy pokes holes* in the gloom. BTW, say happy birthday to Valerie this week.

Then I was listening to the radio and the announcer spoke of a musician he greatly admired. He talked of her solid technique, her imaginative artistry, her beautiful sound, but what made her memorable and exciting for him was the joy she brought to her music. There's that word again.

Rev. Irwin plans to begin Bible study in the near future and, keener that I am, I've already bought the book, Celebration of Discipline, the path to spiritual growth, by Richard J. Foster. Discipline sounds like a hard task, a heavy undertaking, a joyless endeavour. Yet, the second page of the introduction has this sentence. "Joy is the keynote of all the Disciplines."

C.S. Lewis titled his autobiography Surprised by Joy. In it he relates how he passed from Atheism to Christianity. Joy was a constant in his Christian life.

I just realized that the title of this week's solo was "Song of Joy," by John Ness Beck and based on Psalm 40.

So, while I struggled to find something to say this week, I had only to open my eyes and my ears and my heart to be surprised by joy. I wish the same revelation for you over the next seven days.

*Robert Louis Stevenson as quoted by Rev. Irwin.

Funds and Food

During our recent fund-raising efforts for the mission team going to the Dominican Republic, we discovered an unmet need in our church.  Many of our members love homemade soup but don't have the time or inclination to make it themselves. So, by popular demand, the soup fund-raiser is back.  There are other offerings on the menu, but soup is the big ticket item.The proceeds from this round will go to missions that our church supports.

And speaking of those who enjoy food with friends but find it difficult to organize a party, the Sunshine Lunch is here to fill the gap. Today, Monday, June 4, Joan and Darlene and their helpers play host to about two dozen or more members of our congregation.  Guests are welcome. Even if you don't know anyone in the congregation, drop by and we'll make room.

If that's not enough food, we have a strawberry tea coming up on June 16, as well.  This is the full-tea-deal, fine china, fancy sandwiches, savoury treats, sweet delights, all finished off with fresh, local strawberries.  Call the church office to reserve your ticket.  250 656-2241. 

Isn't it wonderful when "good works" i.e. support for missions, match our personal inclinations, i.e. good food!

And speaking of food, we had birthday cake on Sunday in honour of Abigail's sixth birthday.  Pictures speak louder than words.  Happy Birthday, Abigail.

Easter 2018

Easter Sunrise Service

There was a cold wind and a glimmer of sunlight.

The bird came, as usual.

Finally, the sun burst through, bright and warm, just as we said, "Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!"

Our annual picture.

Later, after worship, we celebrated a birthday. 

Growing Old

     There was a birthday celebration at church last Sunday.  Betty turned ninety.  She had visiting family in church with her and a cake on the table.  And a lovely cake it was!

Isn't it odd that we celebrate birthdays as children and teens, and as seniors, but in the middle-years we are loathe to admit our age? Why are we ashamed of the advance of time after age thirty but embrace it with joy when we are truly old?  Perhaps we've learned wisdom?  That is purported to be a benefit of old age, although I once saw a sign that read "wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone."  

The Bible has some encouraging advice on growing older.  In Ps. 92:12-15, declares that those who walk with God will still bear fruit in old age.  Job 12:12 asserts that "old men have wisdom."  Proverbs  16:31 assures us that "grey hair is a glorious crown."

God designed us to live fully and in His company at all stages of our lives and then, when the earthly body is worn out, to be with Him in glory.  Is. 46:4, 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Happy birthday, Betty.  May your light continue to shine.  And to all those in the middle years, remember that grey hair is the splendour of the old. Proverbs 20:29 

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.John:13:35

On Sunday morning, there was evidence of much love within the congregation of SPPC.  We celebrated two important birthdays.  

With flowers,
with the singing of happy birthday, at least twice if not four times.
We had cake.

We had laughter and good wishes and friendship.  We rejoiced together and gave thanks for the years we have shared.  We broke bread (cake)together and we embraced one another as members of the family of God.   

Hallelujah and Happy Birthday.