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.

How Big is Your Faith?

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

Rev. Irwin and Diane have returned safely from their travels to South Africa. However, this week we welcomed Pastor George Hodgson to the pulpit as Rev. Irwin had to attend Synod in Kimberly as soon as he got back. I think he still had jetlag, when he set off  on Friday. Our representative elder, Roy is also attending Synod.

It's good to see Pastor George again. He's like an old friend to our congregation. His sermon was titled "How big is your faith?" Makes me think of that line from "Dare to be a Daniel," honour them the faithful few! All hail to Daniel's band.

Next Sunday, we are having a potluck lunch after service. Bring your favourite dish and prepare to overeat and catch up on all the news from Rev. Irwin and Diane. Think of it as an extended Thanksgiving.

And, while we're talking about Thanksgiving, our "Cozy Toes" campaign is underway. When this outreach program began it was called "Warm Toes" and we collected warm socks and a bit of shampoo and soap. But, like everything else, the need keeps growing, so now we're looking not only for socks (although they still form the basis of our offerings) we're also looking for diapers, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, toothbrushes, combs, hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, underwear, leggings sweatpants and any other item you could contribute to keep folk warm and dry when they have no roof overhead. Looking out at the rain today, I recognize the need is ever greater.

As usual, Jerusha has set up an assembly line to fill zip-lock bags with toiletries.   

This is a project she undertakes every year. Thank you Jerusha for your faithful service.

As you walk through this week, remember that your faith is not too small, because God's faithfulness to you is beyond measure.

Artificial Intelligence

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

Once again we welcomed Pastor George Hodgson to the pulpit on Sunday. In this, the last week of Rev. Irwin's holiday, the congregation is grateful to the ministers who have led us in worship over the month of August, Rev. Jacqueline Birnie, Rev. Arnold Aksne, and Pastor George. Thank you all for sharing your ministry with SPPC.

Saturday was the last of the summer concerts put on by the DieMahler Ensemble in our sanctuary. They have provided eight evenings of chamber music to an appreciative audience, and raised over $1200.00 for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation. Thank you, Ensemble.

~~~~~~~~~~~

There is a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence in the news these days. We've all been promised--or threatened depending on your point of view--with computers that can do our jobs, write our papers and imitate us on social media. We've had glimmers of this in the past few years -- Facebook insists on using predictive text which results in some very strange posts. I have a niece named Mya and whenever I mention her, Facebook changes her name to Myanmar. 

Last week I searched the catalogue at my library for The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies. It is a story set in Regency England about a pair of detective sisters. The library couldn't find it and suggested I must be looking for The Secret Society of Demolition Writers, a book of short stories billed as contemporary fairy-tales.

Years ago I had a friend named Margot. In those days MS-Word was the big thing and it did not recognize her name. So, whenever she signed something, they changed Margot into Maggot. Needless to say her teen-aged son made the most of Microsoft's "intelligence."

My experience of computers telling me what I meant to say, has, so far, been most unintelligent.

Yet, even as technology controls more and more of our daily lives, we can take comfort in the words of Scripture. Our God truly knows us, our thoughts, our needs and our desires -- and He cares for us.

For I know the plans I have for you. . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Jeremiah 29:11

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139: 13-14.

Praise God, for He is good; His faithfulness endures forever. 

 

Fire!

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

Continuing our August adventures in worship, this week and next we welcomed Pastor George Hodgson to the pulpit. Pastor George is a familiar figure in our congregation but if you want to refresh your memory, you can find a short biography of him here.

Fire!

Remember the Kelowna fire of 2003? It burned 250 square kilometres and forced the evacuation of the 33,000 citizens. At the time it was unimaginable. Twenty years later, Kelowna is one fire again.

Then there was the Fort McMurray fire in 2016. It burned 5895 square kilometres and forced 80,000 people from their homes.Our screens were filled with images of fire and ash and desperate people driving through the flames.  Again, unimaginable. The country sent aid in trucks, in suitcases, and in bank drafts, and in prayer.

Now, it is 2023 and the unimaginable is happening again. 

Two thirds of the North West Territories is under evacuation order. By Friday noon, the entire city of Yellowknife, the territorial capital, had been evacuated. The 22,000 citizens of that city joined the thousands of others from villages and hamlets in the Territory seeking shelter in far away Alberta or Manitoba. Hospitals in BC took in patients and long-term care residents. The closest evacuee reception centre for people travelling by road is over 1,100 kilometres from Yellowknife. While the number of people affected is not as great as in previous fires, the range of the fires is horrifying. As one spokesman put it "the Arctic is on fire. People need to pay attention." 

Fire map of Canada 2023

The area burning is 21262.54 square kilometres, nearly 100 times the size of the "unimaginable" Kelowna fire in 2003.

Interviews with those who have fled their homes not knowing where they are going and when or if they will be allowed to return are heartbreaking. The hardest to hear are of families who have left one or two people behind as essential workers. They know the choice was necessary, but the fear for their loved ones is palpable.

Here in pretty Sidney, we look out at ocean dotted with sailboats. Mountains shimmer in the distance. Even with a smoke haze in our skies we feel so far away from danger. That is perilous thinking. All of BC is under a state of emergency. The fire risk on Southern Vancouver Island is rated extreme. We all need to be extra cautious. Butchart Gardens cancelled their fireworks on Saturday night.

Our fellow citizens need support in many ways. Here is a list of recognized organization accepting donations As of Friday the Salvation Army had organized food trucks and volunteers to head into Yellowknife to provide food and a sympathetic shoulder for the 1000+ essential workers and firefighters remaining in that city. Help is pouring in to support those who have been evacuated. If you want to make a donation directly to the NWT on line, the link is here.  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/82499?v2=true 

The stories and images of those in evacuation stations are heart-breaking and inspiring. Despite the fear and uncertainty, evacuees are helping each other, pledging to rebuild, and being grateful for the  front line workers fighting the fires and the friends and strangers offering places to stay. Please keep them in your prayers.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.     1 John 4: 7 (NKJV)

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 35 (NKJV)

Advent One 2020

The link for this week's live-streamed service is:  https://youtu.be/kL9QZYGqcJc

 As we move into the season of Advent, we are blessed to have Pastor George Hodgson filling in at the pulpit. For anyone who has visited at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, George is a familiar face. Many know him from his previous guest stints at SPPC as well, but here is a little introduction anyway. 

2018 was my 30th anniversary at FCC (Friendship Community Church). It was the spring of 1988 when I began attending services, and within three years I was given the privilege of serving on staff as the associate to Pastor Ernie Kratofil, in April 1991. As a staff pastor I also began my service at Saanich Peninsula Hospital as a volunteer chaplain and have continued to this day. Upon retirement in 2007 I continued in various ministry activities such as Bible studies, prayer times, pulpit supply and funerals, etc. Another of the "hats" I wear at Friendship is property manager and you can often find me mowing, painting and going general maintenance here at Friendship most week days.

Welcome, Pastor George, and thank you for sharing the gospel with us at SPPC.   

Like all other churches in British Columbia, we are closed for in-person worship -- a hard restriction as we move into Advent. Let us pray that our live-stream services are a blessing to our viewers and that we will soon be able to gather again as a congregation.

Meanwhile, the worker bees were busy this week decorating the sanctuary. A scaled down effort this year but one that reminds us of "the Light of the World."

Find the sheep

Thanks to Jerusha for these photos. I'll post more in the coming weeks.


While we are unable to meet in person in the sanctuary, let us remember that "wherever two or three are gathered together, there God is in the midst of them." Not attending a church building does not mean we cannot worship. Tune in to our live-stream service, find a Bible Study on-line, set up a creche in your own home and read Luke 2 -- preferably in the King James Version. In our hearts and in our homes, we await the King.