The Best Laid Plans

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

Well, that week did not go according to plan. To begin, Rev Irwin caught COVID-19 so the planned session meeting had to be postponed. The church secretary is ill, so the planned distribution of Bible Study materials did not happen. Bad weather on Thursday forced the cancellation of the planned choir practice. I'm sure cancelled ferries and power outages upset the plans for thousands of people across the South Island over the past few days.

At this point I was going to reference Robbie Burns and his mouse, but Rev. Irwin already used that allusion in his weekly letter to the congregation.

Instead, I'll point you to The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis, a funny book about Canadian politics. (I know, oxymoron) It's a bit dated now but it will keep you laughing out loud while you rebook your missed appointments and wait for the weather to warm up.

It would seem that a good part of planning for the future is to develop a contingency plan, too.

In the case of SSPC, we were fortunate that Ruth McCowan was available to fill in in the pulpit on Sunday. We have often called on Ruth for pulpit supply and are grateful for her presence and her thoughtful leadership, both at SPPC and throughout the Presbyterian Church on Vancouver Island.

Our talented music director, Larry Skaggs, covered the "choir anthem" slot in the service with a cello solo, which made our visiting minister very happy. As I used to tell my junior choir "there are no mistakes, just unplanned harmonies."

There are still two weeks before our first Bible Study session of the new term, so no need to panic about the study materials just yet. 

Our last Bible Study session on Proverbs was entitled "Planning the Future." One verse in particular could be applied to this past week.

In his heart a man plans his course
but the Lord determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9 MEV

Scripture abounds in assurances that God is in charge. Like this oft-quoted verse from Jeremiah.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11

The call to worship on Sunday morning included the line

Before we were born, God knew us.
God knit us together in the womb.

Even as I murmur against the forced revision of my schedule, I'm seeing a pattern here.  

We don't like it when our plans are upset. We get grumpy. We might even yell at God for sending a snowstorm when we wanted to travel. If you are stuck at home this week, why not dwell on the words, "plans to give you hope and a future." Our schemes are for the immediate time. God's plans are far beyond our understanding and our timing, but they are for our good. As followers of Christ, we can live confidently with that promise.

Here are ancient words set to century's old music, assuring us of God's ultimate care. Thou Knowest Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts.

Lunch at the Ledge

On Sunday morning we welcomed Rev. Ruth McCowan back to the pulpit. She's a regular there. You can watch the service on our youtube link here.

Tuesday last week, a cold, rainy, windy day, was perfect for an indoor adventure.  A group of about twenty-five from SPPC boarded the buses and headed downtown to the legislature building. We had lunch reservations for 1:30 pm. 

The food was great but first we had to go through airport-type security and the guards held our ID's until we exited the building. So, lunch at the ledge is great, but be prepared!

Visiting the legislative dining room was something I'd heard about but never had a chance to do, so thanks to the organizers, especially Barb, for making it possible.

We arrived early, so went inside the building to have a look around. There was a Diwali event going on in the rotunda, including food. It smelled delicious but I sensed the spices were hot so didn't join the buffet line.

I did take pictures of some legislative features, namely the scroll work over a doorway and the doorknobs bearing the BC logo. Maybe another time we should book a tour and bone up on our provincial history.

Just heard that there may be another expedition in December for a turkey lunch. There's a sign-up sheet in the narthex to let the organizers know if there is enough interest to make a booking.

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After service on Sunday morning, Diane held an information session

on the pending mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Watch this space for more. SPPC has sent a team there previously but the last one was cancelled when COVID shut down the whole world. It's exciting to know that the trip is scheduled again for March of 2023.

Congratulations

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

Ruth McCowan and Bruce. Not her pulpit look.

Sunday morning we had one of the largest congregations of our post-covid period. One could credit our guest minister, Rev. Ruth McCowan, for filling the pews, or one could say it was the offer of lunch. We know that SPPC folk like to eat and visit.  

If you missed Ruth's sermon, put on your running shoes and go to the video of the service.

Following the service Barb and Eileen hosted a special lunch for Josh and Emily to celebrate their engagement. The wedding will take place in September but Sunday was a time for the whole congregation to wish them well. 

The hall behind the sanctuary was beautifully set up as befits a wedding. 

I got these pictures before the hungry horde descended. 

Once our minister emeritus, Noel Kinnon, said grace, we loaded our plates. 

Some had to wait a long time!

As is proper, the head table went first.

Emily has been attending worship with Josh for a long time, but on Sunday we met her family as well. The head table seemed to arrange itself as her side/his side. Don't know if that was planned or just the way things worked out. In any case, welcome to Emily's family.

There were two beautiful cakes -- one for the chocolate lovers and one for the others. Emily and Josh did the honours and everyone was well-served. I think there were enough leftovers for the Smith family to have dessert all next week.

Many thanks to Eileen and Barb, and the "friends" they dragged in to help in the kitchen. 

Best wishes to Josh and Emily. Your smiles today lit up the room. Thank you for sharing your joy with the congregation. May your years together be filled with happiness.

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Next Thursday is Friendship Coffee in the rose garden in Sidney, if the weather is good. If it rains, the event will be held in the church. All welcome.

Mark Sept. 11 on your calendar for a "welcome back" hotdog lunch at the church following worship.