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.

Caol Sing 2019

One of our favourite Christmas traditions at SPPC is the community carol sing.
This year the event takes place on Dec. 15 at 2:30 pm.
We'll sing old favourites like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," and many more. Words supplied so no need to bring a carol book--just bring a friend and prepare to get into the Christmas spirit. 
The Jesus is Lord Congregation has been using the SPPC building for worship on Sunday evenings. We're delighted that they've agreed to join us for the Carol Sing and for a pot luck supper afterward.
As the old song goes -- "please to put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,. If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God Bless You."  If you haven't got a dish to contribute to the supper, don't worry about it, we wish you God's blessings anyway. There will be lots of food to go around. If you'd rather just have a cup of tea and a cookie, that's fine too.
We look forward to meeting all our friends and neighbours at the Carol Sing.

9296 E. Saanich Road (at airport roundabout)
Free parking
More information at SPPC 250 656-2241

Auction Fever

   

 There's something about an auction that brings out the competitive spirit.  Last week, there were only a few bids on the items displayed about the Molloy Hall.  Today, the sheets filled up.  There was a puzzle maven in our midst who raised the bidding to new heights. 

  Despite his best efforts, I did manage to secure a couple of puzzles for myself.  I also had the winning bid on a pair of exquisitely cross-stitched hand towels.  They'll look very elegant in my guest bathroom.

  This hand-sewn quilt was a prize worth having.  The lady with the winning bid asked me to be sure to take its picture.

 I featured it last week but it's worth a second look.  Truly lovely.

   The excitement around the auction nearly eclipsed the treasures on the pot luck table -- nearly but not quite.  This congregation does enjoy breaking bread together.
   For those with enquiring minds, these mouth-watering brownies were made with zucchini!  Don't tell the children, they hate vegetables.

  There was food enough to go around.  

But it seems we ran out of table space.   Benjamin, all alone at the "kids" table.

Not to forget the purpose of the exercise, which was to raise funds to replace/repair the dishwasher.  Hence our faithful Felicity in the kitchen.

 Preliminary reports say the event earned approximately seven hundred dollars.  Well done everyone.
  Now, I'm off to work on a puzzle.

  

CHRISTMAS EVE

What a busy time we've had over the past four weeks as we prepare for Christmas.  We started with a craft/games night. 

 Then went on to the Christmas Play.  Then the Christmas pageant and white gift Sunday.  As if the day wasn't full enough already, we had a potluck and carol sing-a-long.

   There was story-telling.

And there was a surprise guest.

And all that activity was just at church.  Individually we've attended parties, sung the "Messiah", gone carolling, shopped, wrapped, baked, cleaned, written cards and packed Christmas hampers.

If Advent is a season of preparation, we've certainly done our share of preparing for the big day.

   But Advent is also meant as a period of expection, of waiting, of reflection, and for that we need a pause from our busyness. 

   On Sunday morning we were reminded of the innocence and beauty of a baby when we baptized Laura Elspeth Margaret Napier-Whale.  

   Now, on the eve of Christmas I wish you all a time of silence to contemplate the manger, to wonder at the breadth of God's love. 

    I wish you the quiet of the hillside to listen to the angels singing. 

    I wish you the peace of the stable at midnight to see the animals kneel.

   Now that Christmas Eve is here, I wish you all the blessing of quiet anticipation, of waiting, with bated breath, for the coming of the Word made flesh.

    Merry Christmas

for more pictures, click here

Thanks for Janet Smith and Diane Cunningham for sharing  pictures.

Potluck with Jonah

  Mark your calendars for Friday, May 27 at 6:00 pm.  We're having a potluck supper.

  These kinds of gatherings have a very long history in the church.  Even Paul admonishes the church in Corinth that all members should share their meal together, not one eating early and another becoming drunk and another left hungry.  It seems that congregation could learn a lesson from SPPC.  Our potlucks are a feast for all with plates overflowing and plenty of left overs. 

Down through the ages, congregations have gathered together as friends to share food and fellowship.  The word potluck itself was first recorded in 1585.  Over time these meals evolved from a sharing of simple food to hearty country fare or to elegant dishes served in sumptuous surroundings.  They migrated from indoors to backyards, to barn raisings, to riverbanks, to penthouses.  A google search of "church potluck" turned up 1,830,000 replies, not to mention the hundreds of cookbooks promoting the "best potluck recipes" ever.

   During the nineteenth century a new wrinkle was added to potlucks, as well as bringing food, guests were required to provide entertainment.  And that's what we're doing at SPPC on May 27.  Following the meal, the Living Flame choir, with help from the senior choir, will present Jonah Man Jazz, by Michael Hurd.  But the entertainment isn't limited to the choirs.  Guests are invited to polish up their party piece and add their names to the program. 

   
  Fun, food, fellowship and praise to the Lord, plus it's all free.  What more could you ask?

For more details or to volunteer contact the church office at 250 656-2241