Something Different

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

I won a rosette at the Saanich Fair for "something different" in the preserves section. The entry involved zucchini.😀

Something Different at SPPC this week carries no prize winning ribbon. Our secretary had the misfortune to break her arm and has been missing in action for a couple of weeks. So, if you arrive at SPPC on a weekday morning, you'll see "something different." Volunteers are taking turns covering the office hours and doing our best to be helpful to Rev. Irwin and the congregation.

Until you sit in her chair, you may not know just how much the operation of our building and congregation relies on the accumulated  knowledge our secretary. I spent most of Monday asking "where is . . .? "who is . . .? what is. . .?" I now know some answers but I've only scratched the surface.

We miss the usual smiling face in the office and pray our secretary will have a quick and complete recovery.

Something that is not different at the church is the Sunshine Lunch. This past Monday saw the crew serve up the first meal of the Fall term, and what a meal it was. Look at this beautiful and tasty dessert.

The Molloy Hall is a multi-purpose room so making it into an intimate dining room is hard work, but the crew did a wonderful job of creating an attractive visiting space.   

Love the duck watering cans

 

Every table had a centre bouquet to complete the festive air. 

The whole meal was a treat -- just as good as a restaurant --

 and the "help" was terrific.

Speaking of the help, not only did they prepare and serve the meal, they joined the diners at the table so each guest had a personalized experience.    

 

 

 Except for one, the folks at this table were too engrossed in their food to smile for the camera.

The Sunshine Lunch is one of the most long-standing ministries at SPPC. It was designed to fill a need, providing fellowship and nourishment to folks who mostly dined alone. When the first coordinator retired, another picked up the reins. Newcomers have joined the group, both as guests and as volunteers in the kitchen. 

The next Sunshine Lunch is scheduled for October 26 and will have a Thanksgiving theme.  Sign up sheets will be available Oct. 4. Seating is limited, so get your name down early. SPPC welcomes the neighbourhood to our fellowship. You don't have to belong to the congregation to enjoy the Sunshine lunch. If you live alone and would like company and a good meal, call the office (250 656-2241) and add your name to the guest list. 

🎼🎼🎼

If you want to feed your spirit, there is a musical program on offer this Saturday, by the Die Mahler group, including Larry, our  organist. All are welcome.

Glorious Food

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

This week began with food -- the Fall Sunshine Lunch. Joan and her team put on a bang up meal. I hear there was beef on the menu as well as pudding. Word must have spread in advance of the feast because there was a bigger turnout than usual. 

The week ended with more food, as the congregation held a potluck lunch after service on Sunday. 

We often have a "welcome back" event in September following the summer holidays, but that timing didn't work this year. So Sunday's lunch wasour "welcome back" or "welcome in" occasion for this term. 

 We had about 50 hungry people filling their plates.

 I took this picture to show how much food was left over after everyone had eaten their fill. 

  This was also an opportunity for  Rev. Irwin and Diane to share with the congregation some highlights from their recent trip to South Africa. They shared wonderful pictures of the scenery, the animals, and the buildings. The trip also allowed Diane to reconnect with her birthplace.

Thank you, Irwin and Diane, for bringing your special moments to the congregation. We're glad you had a good time and we are really glad you are back with us.

April "Showers"

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

Rev. G. Grant Wilson - pulpit supply on Palm Sunday

On the theme of "it never rains but it pours" April has turned into a very busy month at SPPC.

Of course, it is the month of Easter, so we have special services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Not to mention Bible Study and Choir Practice, and the Jesus is Lord Congregation's usage.

In addition, Canada is in the midst of an election. Our building is being used as a voting place. That means extra meetings hosted by North Saanich Council and the North Saanich Residents Association. Then, Monday, April 28 the building is used by Elections Canada from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. No excuse not to vote!

Not only that, SPPC is going to the movies. A film crew have been in most of last week using the Molloy Hall. Illness interupted their schedule so they'll be back later. More excitement!

The month kicked off with a Sunshine Lunch. 

Thanks, Joan, for sharing your pictures, and for putting on the lunch. The Sunshine Lunch may be an unsung hero at SPPC but it is a ray of light and love to the people it serves.

*************

Holy Week Services:

          

Maundy Thursday, 6:00 pm, Communion in the Upper Room
 
Good Friday, 10:00 am Devotional Service with readings and string quartet playing "Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross" by Haydn
                                    
Easter Sunday, 8:00 am, Cy Hampson Park, "sunrise" service
                           9:00 am, Breakfast in the hall
                          10:00 am, Morning worship - Christ is Risen

How to Brighten Grey Days

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

Our cold, bright days are moving toward warmer and darker. Last week we huddled together for warmth. This week, we'll huddle together for company. At SPPC we can find a good excuse for fellowship and food at any season of the year.

The fundraising lunch last Saturday was a success on two levels -- diners had a good time and good food, and the event raised $500.00 toward the cost of our new HVAC system. By the way, the building has been cozy and warm through this cold spell. 

A jolly bunch

Ever helpful Bin Sie

For once, Joan is not in the kitchen

This is the kitchen help! Actually, Barb was the motivating force behind the luncheon, but, as usual preferred to remain behind the scenes instead of in front of the camera. Thanks, Barb.

Sunshine Lunch day was Monday, and this time, Joan was back in the kitchen. We know this, even if she doesn't take her own picture. She also plans the menu, cooks, arranges rides and keeps the books. Joan is our bit of sunshine at these events.

Nice to see Elizabeth enjoying hot soup. 

 

Don't be alarmed if you missed these events, our Annual Congregational Meeting is coming up next Sunday, Feb. 23 after worship, and the Friendship Coffee crew meet on Thursday, Feb. 27. No need to be hungry or lonely with Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church in the neighbourhood.

Hebrews 13:2

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

Party Time

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

As the end of June approaches there is a "school's out" feeling around the church. The choir has stopped wearing gowns on Sunday morning -- it's too hot! Session has held its last regular meeting until September and, on Monday, the Sunshine Lunch group held its last gathering of this term.

From all reports, it was a bang-up lunch with lots of Hawaiian type clothing. I hear the grass skirts were a hit.

Thanks to Joan, I have pictures to share. 

The Sunshine Lunch is for singles in our fellowship, but another social event, Friendship Coffee on Thursday morning, was open to all. No fancy lunch at that gathering but lots of coffee, baked goodies and lively conversation.  Thanks to our faithful hosts, Brian and Vivien, Al and Irene.

*****

And the good news is that another volunteer gardener turned up at the church on Friday. Welcome to the "work force," David B. and thank you.

*****

Sunday, Rev. Irwin was ministering at Trinity Presbyterian in Victoria. We were grateful to welcome Pastor George to the pulpit again. He is a great friend of the congregation and brings his own brand of wisdom and humour to Sunday mornings. 

The picture at left shows him in summer mode too.

Bow Down Low

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

The title for this week's blog comes from an old Shaker tune. The text speaks of the humble servant, working in the Lord's house. This past week at SPPC we've had many examples.

Last Sunday we inducted two new elders. Those who accept the role of elder in our denomination have responsibility for the physical, financial and spiritual well-being of the congregation. The element of "servant" is clear in these vows.

" to abide by the governance of our denomination while  providing a leadership that nurtures the peace and unity of Christ within their own congregation and within the worldwide church."

" to serve in an uplifting and gracefilled manner that will bless and encourage the church’s ministry of hope, peace, joy and love in the world."

We are grateful to Elizabeth and Pam for their willingness to serve.

***

On Wednesday there was another Sunshine Lunch. This one had a St. Patrick's Day theme. Again, thanks are due to the faithful servants who prepare and serve this treat for those of our congregation who live alone. Good food, good company and a party vibe. What a gift!

On Friday another group showed up to "sweep the Lord's House clean," literally. We scrubbed floors, cleaned the stoves and refrigerator, vacuumed the rugs, dusted and polished every wooden surface in the sanctuary and lounge, washed windows, swept out the cobwebs and spider nests hiding in buried corners -- and had a good time doing it. That's the thing about servants of God -- they rejoice in their work.

It has been a good week at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

~~~~~~~

Next week is Easter. Please join us for any or all of the following services:

• Thursday, March 28 is Friendship Coffee at 10:00 am in the hall. All welcome
• Good Friday, March 29, 10:00 am in the sanctuary we hold a time of worship through a selection of readings and hymns. Please joine us as we contemplate the day of Jesus' Crucifixion. .
• Easter Sunday, March 31, 8:00 am we begin with an early morning service in Cy Hampson Park. Easter is early in the spring this year so don't expect the best of weather. Do expect joy and jubilation, and maybe a visiting songbird. 
• Easter Breakfast. After the service in the park we can warm up with a hot breakfast in the hall. Please join us at 9:00 am even if you do not go to the service in the park.
• Easter Worship in the sanctuary at 10:00 am. Please join us for a service of praise as we celebrate the joyful Resurrection on Easter morning. This service will also include the sacrament of Holy Communion.