Heart Month

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

For all kinds of reasons we are displaying hearts on our church building this month. We began the practice in the first year of the COVID pandemic, when citizens were encouraged to show hearts as a symbol of appreciation for front-line workers, especially health-care workers. We fully expected that would be a one-off exercise, but, here we are again. We are all weary of the pandemic, but those working in our hospitals and long-term care homes and medical clinics are most exhausted. They, too, never expected the illness to continue in crisis mode for so long. Tired, demoralized, and traumatized, our medical professionals still show up for work. They offer expertise, skill, compassion, and empathy. Now, more than ever, we offer our deepest appreciation to them. See the heart on our building as a prayer for their well-being and gratitude for their sacrifice.

February is also designated heart month by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For over 60 years this organization has been supporting research and treatment of heart disease. I know people in my own family who have benefited. I know many people in our congregation who have been treated for heart conditions. The world is filled with famous people who have had heart surgery including Measha Brueggergosman, Bill Clinton, Alex Trebek, and NHLer  Henrik Lundqvist. In gratitude for this life-saving organization, we display a heart.

Of course, February 14 is Valentine's Day, a festival for romantic love. The origins of the custom are somewhat murky. The Roman Catholic church recognizes three possible St. Valentine's, Christian priests who were martyred in the third century.

 In the Middle Ages, the pagan festival of Lupercalia was "Christianized" and became Valentine's day, a day for lovers.

As a marketing tool for flower shops, chocolate makers and greeting card companies it's a winner. In Canada the average spending for valentines is $75.-$100. per person. But even before Hallmark cashed in, lovers sent messages of affection on Feb. 14. The oldest known valentine was penned in 1415 by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, to his wife, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

As Christians, we might think that having agape,brotherly love for each other, is the way to follow Christ, but from the very beginning, God recognized the need for romantic love.

Genesis 2:18–25: Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.' ..

Jesus' commanded that His followers love one another. 

John 15:12 
 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Supporting members of our community by hanging a big red heart on the building is one visible way we live out that commandment.

Enjoy the month of February, keeping in mind always that "the greatest of these is love."

Welcome

Valentine's Day fell on Sunday this year and SPPC celebrated  -- not young love, although there was a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary -- but agape.  Since our preferred expression of love is to break bread together, we held a newcomers pot luck lunch after service.  

A newcomers event used to be an annual happening at SPPC but somewhere in the past few years it got lost.  

That made Sunday's event lots of fun as we weren't sure who should be categorized as "new."  Some of our "new" members have attended for a couple of years or more, some for only a few Sundays.  No matter, all were invited to fill up at the food table, and some, who were definitely new got a rose corsage.

In addition to the time of fellowship, there were some useful pamphlets distributed.  "Who's who? at SPPC" is a handy reference for newcomer and old-timer alike.  Some ministry's in the church are obvious -- Larry is our organist and choir director, Irwin is our preacher and Josh hangs out on the PA system most Sundays.  But what about Mission and Outreach?  Nurture? Finance and Property?  Members of those committees change from time to time so it's nice to have a list -- with phone numbers! I'm sure there are activities not covered by the brochure, Camp Imodene for example, but it's nice to have a quick guide to the common activities at SPPC.

There was also a leaflet on weekday groups in the congregation.  Bible Study, Prayer Group, Saanich Peninsula Hospital Services, Friendship Coffee, Choirs, Compassionate Resource Warehouse, Grief and Recovery Group, Genealogy Group and The Sunshine Lunch, to list some, but not all the opportunities for service and friendship at SPPC.  The number of activities made me catch my breath.  We are a very active congregation!

Thanks to the fellowship committee, especially Janet Smith,  for organizing the lunch.  Thanks to those who brought food and thanks to those who ate it.  Special welcome to those who came for the first time and to those faithful members who come Sunday after Sunday, year after year.  

As the anthem says, "Many gifts, One Spirit."  May we all, new and established, seeker and settler, share our gifts and give thanks to the Spirit who blesses our fellowship with His love.