Looking Ahead

 

We're talking a new step at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church this week.

When churches were first closed for in-person worship in March 2020, Rev. Irwin created virtual services using his cell phone and a laptop. They were lovely and very professional considering the elementary equipment he had. Most of us thought this was just a stop-gap measure until we were all back in the pews.

Months went by and our minister had to take a break from creating virtual services. Instead Peter Aggus brought in a portable videography set-up and live-streamed our services. A slightly scary scenario for those taking part in the worship. Any mistake was broadcast to the world on the instant.

I think most of us were still thinking this was short term, but more weeks went by and in-person services are still not allowed.

Now we are taking a leap into the future. We believe that, even when in-person worship is allowed, many congregants will have become accustomed to virtual services. The "new" way of being church after COVID 19, will include an on-line presence.

To that end, Session, with a grant from Presbytery, has had a permanent audio/video system installed. Two cameras, a sound mixer, and a dizzying array of controls on a tablet bring us into a whole new world. 

Several volunteers showed up for a training session on Friday and our first livestream went out on Sunday. Please be patient. We're still learning. But what a long way we've come!

We thank Peter Aggus for helping us out for so many weeks. More than he bargained for, I'm sure. And we are grateful to Pacific Audio Works for getting us up and running with our own system, and for their patience with umpteen dozen questions. 

This feels like a big step, but I remember a sermon where the preacher reminded us that what lies unseen around the corner is not a fearsome monster, but the loving arms of Jesus. Be not afraid!

This week's service is here.

Livestreaming

 The link to watch our worship service is here   ttps://youtu.be/YpL-aIMqWbg                         

This week we've taken one more step in the evolution of worship at SPPC. Well, worship hasn't changed. We come before God, we praise God, we thank God, we hear the preaching of The Word, we ask for God's blessing. What is changing is the way we access worship. 

For months now, we've had the option of attending in person at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on E. Saanich Road, or turning on our computers or other devices and listening to a pre-recorded service on youtube. That option has now altered. We're still using youtube, but the service is streamed as it happens (live). The link is at the top of this page. Of course, if you are watching this on Monday, you are seeing the recorded version of the service, but it is still what happened in the sanctuary on Sunday morning.

If you have been in the habit of watching in the early morning, that option will no longer be available. You've got to "come" to church at the live start time of 10:00 am. You still have the option of watching later using the saved copy of the service available on our youttube channel. Is that all clear?😕

Don't worry if I've confused you. Just click the link at the top of the page and follow the directions.

Sounds easy, doesn't it. As people are fond of telling me, my grade six students can do it. Actually, grade six students can do a lot of technical things that leave me flummoxed but I'm learning and you can too.

Peter Aggus is the man behind the camera that creates these live-streamed services. His real job is as a technology consultant but videography is his hobby and is slowly turning into a sideline business. We are grateful to him for bringing his know-how to our congregation.

He tells me that this is the way of the future. Especially in this age of Covid-19, it is a great gift that he can stream a wedding or a funeral to family and friends who cannot attend in person. 

Even without the virus to contend with, we have members in our congregation who can't drive, or are in hospital or care facilities, who have lost their physical connection with the church. Our hope is that this new way of broadcasting the service will allow those folks to re-connect on a weekly basis. They'll  witness the same service as those in attendance. If there is a snafu on Sunday morning, everyone watching will see it as it happens. Is that good news or bad? Guess we'll find out.

Meantime, Rev. Irwin is recovering from hip surgery. Please keep him and his family and SPPC in your prayers. Those of us who are learning the technological tasks that Rev. Irwin used to do, need your encouragement and you sympathy!

1 Thessalonians 5: 11  11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Like all of scripture, that advice to the early church in Thessalonica is still relevant to us in this time and this place.