Advent Three - Joy

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

dedication of white gifts and flowers

Joy is the theme of Advent Three, and there was lots of joy around our church this week.

On Thursday, my elder and one other threw a party for their parishioners.

We had great fun, unscrambling the names of Santa's reindeer and remembering our right arm from our left, and singing a few carols.

On Sunday morning, the mission commitee held a bake sale in support of the Dominican Republic.

I dropped into the church on Saturday while preparations were under way. In the midst of work, there was joy. Something about giving lifts the heart of the giver. We hope that those who receive from SPPC will be made joyful. 

The display of goodies and the rush of eager buyers made the narthex a place of joy following the service.

Advent Three is also white gift Sunday. We no longer bring tins of soup or cans of beans wrapped in white tissue paper. Instead, we bring "toonies" and the pastoral care committee buys gifts appropriate for our shut-ins, many of whom require special diets. The gifts are put into pretty bags and personally delivered. For a little extra joy, the committee also delivers pointsettias to brighten a small space.

Rev. Irwin was at Trinity church on Sunday morning, preaching and administering communion. In his place, Rev. Arnold Alksne, all the way from Pender Island took the service. Rev. Arnie has filled the pulpit at SPPC so many times he is like an old friend. Considering the winds and ferry cancellations on Saturday, there was much joy, especially in the worship committee, when he showed up on Sunday morning.  

As Christmas day draws closer, may you know quiet joy, exuberant joy, and the holy joy of Christ in your heart.

Advent 3 2023

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

Advent Three celebrates joy. We've certainly had lots of joy around SPPC lately. 

The Sunshine Lunch on Monday brought joy to the served and the servers. There were silly hats, carols, good food and lots of laughter. 

On Friday, Janet and Joan hosted a tea for the folks in their elders' districts. Not sure who they catered for, but there was more food than we could eat -- although we all made a valiant effort. 

There was a silly game that kept everyone laughing, we sang carols and had a great party. There were even gifts.

Explain the rules

Whose turn is it?

Silly Hats

 

checking the list

Sunday was white gift Sunday. When I was a kid, we used to wrap canned goods in white tissue paper and place it on the table with the offering plate. The idea was that the gifts were anonymous and went into hampers for those who were having a hard time making ends meet. Anonymity was meant to remove any embarrassment on the part of the giver or the receiver. There was always great excitement as the children of the congregation trooped to the front of the church with their offerings.

Things are a bit different now. Food banks and the like have taken on the role of helping those in need of groceries. White gift at SPPC is now directed at members of our own congregation, many of whom live in care facilities or are on special diets. So, no cans of soup or chocolate bars. Instead, this year, we collected toonies. The Pastoral Care Committee then purchased poinsettias and small gifts appropriate to each person on the list. There is still much excitement about bringing joy to others.

The Mission and Outreach Committee held a bake sale on Sunday as well. The approximately $600.00 raised will be shared between the Session discretionary fund (local missions) and the House Upon the Rock in the Dominican Republic.  This event brings joy to the bakers who donate, to the buyers who snap up the goodies, and to those who benefit from the mission funds. 

Speaking of joy, Christmas Day is almost upon us. Please join us at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church for any or all of our Christmas services.

Dec. 24, 10:00 am. Advent Four - Sunday morning worship.          Dec. 24, 7:00 pm. Carols and Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 25, 10:30 am Christmas Morning service with lots and lots of carols. 

In this last week before the "Big Day" may you give and receive much joy, in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Joy to the World  

Advent 4 2022

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

Whee, what a week! It seems SPPC is making up for time lost to the pandemic.

The beginning of the week, Monday, saw the Christmas edition of the Sunshine Lunch. People who live alone often miss out on Christmas parties; the Sunshine Lunch remedies that lack. The guests enjoyed good food, laughter, and companionship. Even Santa made an appearance.

On Friday 25 people rode the bus and went to the Legislature for lunch--we enjoyed the last outing of this sort so much, we asked for another. Most had the turkey dinner. Most also went for the fabulous dessert tray. One couple from Sidney got on a Langford bus when we were heading home but I saw them in church on Sunday, so they did find their way up the peninsula.

Sunday morning worship, the choir turn out was 100% and we sang a rouser of an anthem. If you missed it, listen to the YouTube version linked at the top of this page. Oh yeah, the sermon was pretty good too.

Also on Sunday was a bake sale to raise funds for our Mission Team that's heading to the Dominican Republic in the spring. It was a great opportunity for people who love homemade Christmas goodies but didn't want to make their own.

And . . . we had the blessing of White Gifts. These are items collected during December for the members of our congregation who find getting out and about difficult. As usual, the congregation was generous. At home, far away, or in the pew, we do not forget the members of our church family.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, we invited the community to join us for a carol sing. There was snow in the air so numbers were low but those who came were enthusiastic. 

Our emcee, Minister Emeritus, Rev. Kinnon

We had an abundance of cookies after the singing, and folks did stay around and visit. Shortbread, mince tarts, almond tarts, apricot balls . . . Why go out in the snow when you can stay in and get a sugar high instead. 

And now we wait, in anticipation of Christmas Eve, that Silent Night, Holy Night, that hails the birth of our Saviour. The One who came to bring us hope and peace and joy and love. 

Please join us at SPPC for the 7:00 pm service on Dec. 24th.

Advent 3 2022

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

Here we are at Advent 3 already. If you are like me you are racing about getting parcels wrapped and into the mail, writing Christmas cards, shopping, baking, decorating, making lists and forgetting where you put the list of your lists. I just had to leave off writing this blog to rescue my newly-purchased gift wrap paper from the cat!

At the church, the same sort of busyness occurs. On Monday we have Sunshine Lunch, an event for members of the congregation who live alone.  Later in the week there is a worship committee meeting, choir practice, lunch at the Legislature, then a bake sale and Community Carol Sing on Sunday the 18th, not to mention regular maintenance chores and Sunday morning worship. It's very easy to get caught up in the hurry and "must do's."

Last week, I came across a quote by Roy L. Smith. “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  

It struck me that much of my rushing about had more to do with the "tree" than the manger. In my mind the two are not disconnected. Wanting to show love to my family and friends and strangers with gifts and food and support is tied into the spiritual gift of hospitality. Showing love to others is witness to God's love for all, as manifested by the Infant Jesus and Christmas. Like most things in life, it's a question of balance. 

I'll keep working on my list of "to do's" but I'll try to feel less frantic. I'll remind myself of the why of my chores. I'll look for the Prince of Peace and rejoice. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Advent at SPPC

So much is happening around the church during Advent, this week's blog is an update on events past and others still to come. Get out your calendar.

To begin, Peter had an idea and Tore has a basement workshop. Together they created these

lovely outdoor decorations using the themes of Advent, hope, peace, joy and love. Hope, peace and joy are in place off the roof of the church. Love will appear next week, as we approach the fourth Sunday of Advent. Thanks you two. It looks great and provides a much needed bright spot on the outside of the building.

Last Sunday, the third of Advent two new elders were ordained during morning service. Elders in the presbyterian church bear significant responsibility for the well-being, both temporal and spiritual, of the congregation. Our thanks to Darlene and Tore for filling these positions.

The "out to lunch bunch" has been enjoying good company and good food since September, but this month we had a special event. Thirty six members of the congregation enjoyed a special Christmas buffet at Haro's restaurant in Sidney. We had our own room so all our visiting didn't interfere with other patrons. Fortunately no one kept track of the number of repeat visits to the buffet table.

Sunday was white gift day when we collected some extras for the shut-in members of our congregation and for those in need in our community. The Sidney Food Bank is always grateful for our donations.

There was a bake sale following worship. Thanks to Diane and Darlene and Joan and Linda and Aarol and all who contributed goodies. Thanks also to all who opened their wallets and took home the treats. The money raised goes toward our mission projects.

Sunday afternoon we put on our usual Community Carol Sing. We see many of the same faces year after year. Good to know the church is part of the community Christmas tradition. 
We followed the carol sing with a pot luck supper, shared with the Jesus is Lord congregation. Lovely to meet the evening worshipers in our church building.

Next Sunday we light the fourth Advent candle during morning worship, 10:00 am. In the afternoon we'll host a carol service at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

Christmas Eve is our lessons and carols service, complete with candles and Silent Night. Service begins at 7:00 pm.
Christmas Day at 10:30 am we celebrate Jesus' birthday with a short, family service.

With all this activity, it's easy to forget that Advent is a time of waiting. Linda has sent along this little reminder.

Thoughts on an Advent Devotional

Christmas is a busy season and one of the ways I cope with the busyness is to make lists.  One of  the important tasks on my list is to complete an advent devotional.  Today is day sixteen and I thought I'd share some of my thoughts so far.

• In order to clear the clutter for Christ we have to take a moment to listen intentionally and expectantly.
• Christ is the most important present to unwrap.
• Rethink, rearrange and refocus so Christ has room in our lives.
• For some there is little joy in the season, remember Christ came for the broken.
• When does Christmas officially begin?  Christmas “officially” began with the fall of man when God put His rescue plan into motion. I never considered this before.
• Advent means coming--lets be ready for this special guest.
• Christmas brings us unfathomable Grace and unstoppable Love
• Don’t doubt God's power, Mary didn’t.
• Joseph showed no fear when he was obedient after God spoke to him.

Llinda Cliff

  These are some of my reflections from reading the devotional “Making Space” written by Susan Narjala a freelance writer who lives and writes in India.  The devotional is available on line, why not it read for yourself?
I wish you all a merry Christmas.

YOUTH MINISTRY

The term Youth Ministry is often used to denote a ministery to youth in the church.  In this case I'm using it to describe the ministry of the youth in our church both to the congregation of SPPC and to the larger world.
Last Sunday, they held a bake sale to raise funds to support our foster child, Ramsha, in India.

This Sunday, they sang an anthem in church, then presented a concert at the Shoal Centre, bringing music and a few smiles to to residents there.  Note the rainbow created by Felicity for this occasion.  You can see it in the Ross Lounge now.

Next Sunday, they will be taking part in the service as readers, greeters, ushers and fellowship leaders.

It is common practice for churches to ponder what they can do for the youth in their midst.  SPPC is privileged to ponder "what is our youth contributing today?"