Summer's End

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

It was good to have Rev. Irwin back in the pulpit on Sunday, after his holiday adventures. Glad he avoided fire and flood as he hiked in the southwest USA.

And speaking of holidays, while Joan was away others filled in on her bottle recycling job. When she returned, all was tidy and the collection bins were empty. But . . . it seems some of her regulars saved their bottles for weeks so they could welcome her home in style. 

This is Darlene's car, packed to the hilt on her first run to the recycle depot after Joan returned. Welcome back!

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And speaking of welcome back, mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 11, when we'll have a hot dog lunch after service, to kick off  the fall term. 

Actually, the first item on the fall calendar is choir practice at 7:00 pm. on Thurs. Sept. 8. Come and join our merry little band. More voices always welcome.

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We're into the last week of August already. Where did the summer

go? Years ago, when I was in a community choir, one of the songs in our repertoire by Irvine Fine included the words, Summer is gone, Summer is ended. It is done. It is gone. It is ended. While I'm glad for some relief from the high temperatures, I hope our summer isn't totally gone. Yet, this coming weekend is the Saanich Fair and that's a sure sign that summer is over. 

As we come back to "work" after the summer season, the Bible is full of encouragement. Here are a couple of my favourite passages.                             

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.

So, as we say good-bye to the season of rest and recreation, let us look forward with hope and know that God will provide the strength we need to run the race that is set before us.

Blue Monday

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

Last week started badly for me. I was nearly knocked off my bicycle by another cyclist travelling in the wrong direction. When I called out that he was on the wrong side of the road he replied, "I don't care."

I picked up the mail and saw the lead story in Maclean's was about neighbours feuding with each other over the size of multi-million dollar "cottages."

My e-mail held a note from a distant friend fuming because she came home from vacation to find their neighbour had knocked down the line fence and re-sited it entirely on my friend's property.

The television news presented endless images of the ultimate self-centred event of our time, Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I don't care" seemed to epitomize the world. Self-interest and greed trampled on sharing and the common good. All in all, it was a blue Monday. 

Then I got a call about the bottle drive at SPPC and took heart. I am surrounded by people who do care, who offer time, treasure and talent for the betterment of all.

Our church is known as a warm and friendly place. This is not just an accident of "nice" people coming together. Our welcoming, caring church community is a faithful response to the commands of the Lord.

The first chapter of Haggai exhorts the people to build up the house of the Lord. At SPPC we have a dedicated band of volunteers who build up the "house" with cleaning, grounds-keeping, gardening, running the sound system, reading the scriptures, dealing with rentals and keeping the fridge stocked, to mention just a few. These are people who care.

Titus 3: 1-2  Encourages Christians to be good citizens, . . . always ready to do what is good." As good citizens we obey the laws of the road, respect the rights of others, perform our civic responsibilities and offer a helping hand to friend and stranger -- and as a witness to our faith.

1 Peter 4:10 admonishes us to use our gifts to serve others. At SPPC we have folk who serve on committees, sing in the choir, make pastoral visits, and offer fellowship, among other thingss. Our congregation is generous in the support of missions world-wide. We have a particular interest in the Dominican Republic -- hence the bottle drive. These are people who care.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up."  At church we encourage each other with birthday wishes or coffee dates, with smiles and a warm handshake, or a gentle hug or a sympathetic tear.  We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who mourn. People care.

Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ."   In a structured way, our church  provides support for shut-ins, or the bereaved. In a less formal manner, we offer a sympathetic ear, when a brother or    sister-in-Christ pours out the troubles that beset them. A casserole left on the doorstep, a phone call on a dark day, all around are people who care for each other.

James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Every Sunday there are prayers from the pulpit for the health and well-being of our congregation, our neighbours and our world. There is also a prayer chain for those who request prayer privately. They know their requests will be carried to God by a community that cares.

I feel sorry for the lad on the bike who doesn't care. He doesn't know the satisfaction of sharing or the exhilaration of helping. A life governed by "self" is narrow and drab and barren. A life lived in obedience to God's commands and in the service of others is one of joy and fulfilment and all the colours of Creation. 

So, farewell to blue Monday, and hello to gratitude Sunday.

Summertime and the Livin' is . . .

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

Summer may have finally arrived! We certainly had lovely weather over the Canada Day weekend. I hope everyone got a chance to enjoy the sunshine and the parades and the music and the picnics. 

Even if you're too old for classes, the first long weekend of summer gives us all that "school's out" feeling. Rev. Irwin preached on the need to "remember the Sabbath Day" a couple of weeks ago, reminding us that God intended His children to rest. Most of us don't shut down entirely in the summer, but it is a time to recharge in body, mind and soul. 

We're certainly taking advantage of summertime rest at SPPC. The choir is on holiday until September. Bible Study held their last meeting in June. Even Session is taking a break.

Worship doesn't take a summer holiday but you may find dress a bit more casual and tourists in the pews. That is all good.

But some work continues quietly in the background. 

The prayer chain still receives requests, still lifts our brothers and sisters in prayer. If you have a request for prayer, you can send them by e-mail to prayerchain@saanichpeninsulapc.org  or  fill in the yellow prayer request card in the pew. All requests are confidential. We ask that you get permission from the intended recipient before requesting prayer.

The bottle drive is also an on-going ministry, even over the summer. Our sorter par excellence, Joan, is away on holiday, but others are filling in so continue to bring those drink containers to the church. All the ten-cent refunds add up and increase the total available for the next mission trip to the Dominican Republic. 

In the community, the Sidney Food Bank is putting out an appeal for donations. Soaring prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump have put many households in a financial bind. At SPPC we have collection bins for food bank items. Or, you can drop them off directly at 9586 Fifth St, Sidney, BC V8L 2W5

For a special summertime, event, we send congratulations to Helen on her 100th Birthday, this Friday! 

In the Year of . . .

The link for this week's streamed service is here

According to the lectionary, we are now in the third week after Epiphany. Or, if you count time by recent history, we are now in the 98th week of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But, most importantly, we are in the two thousand and twenty-second year of our Lord. I find it reassuring to use the "year of our Lord" designation when current events seem overwhelming. Whatever is happening moment by moment, our times are still with the Lord.

So in this week in the year of our Lord, 2022, here's what's happening at SPPC.

• On Saturday, Jan. 22 there was a memorial service for Norma Joan Aitkin. The link for her service is here. Norma was a long-time member of our congregation. I knew her best through the Wednesday morning Bible Study where she was a regular participant and a cheerful presence. 

• 
  Joan reminds us that, as of Feb. 1, milk cartons are included in B.C.'s recycling program. She asks that you give the cartons a good rinse before dropping them into the church recycle bin. Each one is worth a dime toward our Dominican Republic mission fund.

• On Wednesday at 10:00 am or 7:00 pm we will resume Bible Study. It has been 98 weeks since our last session! The study will be different from others we have done. This time we will be doing a book study of The Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. The book is available at the Christian Book and Music Store in Victoria. Electronic copies can by ordered at
  amazon, https://www.amazon.ca/Celebration-Discipline-Special-Anniversary-Richard-ebook/dp/B07CRKXMB7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=                                                      or at Chapters/Indigo books https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/celebration-of-discipline-special-anniversary/9780062843555-item.html?ikwid=Richard+Foster&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=18#algoliaQueryId=1c84225346cef5f639e6c86185f075af

I've missed our church newsletter and Blanche's sense of humour. If you feel the same way, here are a few church bulletin bloopers to give you a smile.

• The sermon this morning: Jesus walks on Water.                             The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

• Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

• Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the Church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

• Low self esteem support group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.

As the pandemic stretches on, it is easy to be discouraged, to think only of this time. The Bible speaks to us, reminds us that we live "in the year of our Lord."

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope

Psalm 31:14-15 ESV / 

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

Genesis 1:1 ESV /

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Guest Preacher

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

🎵Summertime and the congregation is on holiday.🎵 

Janet, Josh, Steven, Peter and Rev. Irwin all took the same weekend for a bit of vacation. In their place were a pair of rank beginners on the streaming system. Please send your complaints to office@saanichpeninsulapc.org. 

In the pulpit we had a more seasoned substitute, Rev. Ron Benty. Ron and his wife, Gwen, currently live in Shawnigan Lake. Previously they lived in a variety of places around the province, including Creston where Ron pastored a non-denominational congregation. If you want to hear more of his sermons, check out his facebook ministry. SPPC felt very modern when we put in a livestreaming system, but Ron was ahead of us using facebook.

Beautiful Sunday morning this week, not nearly so hot. The first of the plum crop is ready so there were thirty pints of fruit, free for the taking, in the narthex. With Janet away, Barb took responsibility for coffee hour, setting out pretty flowers on the tables and trays of goodies. I heard a rumour that our minister emeritus got his coffee served with a little extra spirit.

Speaking of spirits, the hot, dry weather means folks are drinking more. Since the cancellation of the mission trip to the Dominican Republic in March of 2020, Joan has collected and recycled enough drink containers to add over $1250.00 to the fund for the next trip. At ten cents a bottle, that's a lot of bottles! One couple donated 200 bottles and cans a few weeks ago. We did not ask if they had consumed all the liquid themselves or collected from friends and neighbours. As Rev. Irwin says, "we don't judge." 

So much disaster reported in the news this weekend -- Afghanistan terrorized, Haiti devastated by another earthquake, wildfires in B.C.. . .  There is no end of bad news. We hold all the hurting people in our prayers. As Rev. Ron said in the sermon, we may wrestle with "why" but in the end what matters is that God holds us close, the way a mother comforts a lost child. May all the hurting people of our world feel the loving arms of the Saviour about them.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

If you prefer your scripture set to music, try this excerpt from Mendelssohn's Elijah. Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord.

Long Bottle Drive

The link for this week's on-line worship service is here: https://youtu.be/81BPQYMX9dA

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A bottle drive is one of the mainstays of our fundraising for mission efforts at SPPC. Usually we pick a day (Saturday) and set up a sorting station in the parking lot, then send out cars and trucks through the neighbourhood to pick up donations from friends and family. As well, people can come by the church and drop off their empties.
Well, COVID, changed all that. Instead we're having a l o n g bottle drive. A plastic can in front of the church is a repository for drop-offs. Joan keeps it emptied out, taking the donations to her own backyard for sorting. 

What do the neighbours think!

Apparently, COVID has increased our consumption of all kinds of drinks. 

Before sorting

After sorting

Ready for Pickup

It's a lot of work, but so far over $500.00 has been added to the mission fund. Joan says she'll keep collecting, sorting and delivering to the recycle depot for as long as people keep leaving bottles. So, keep drinking folks and take your empties to Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

Thanks, Joan for all your work and also to Darlene for driving the delivery vehicle.

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Also happening this week: 

The DieMahler String Concert
Friday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m.
In the Sanctuary at
Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church

9296 E. Saanich Rd.
Admission By Donation
(Maximum 50 persons)

Bottle Drive

     

We expect the church to be busy on Sunday, but Saturday? Check your expectations.  This Saturday, we had a very active parking lot.

    The bottle drive was another fund-raiser for the mission trip to Dominican Republic.

 Young and old pitched in to help.  Some drove a truck.  Some sorted cans and bottles.

 Some made coffee and cookies for the volunteers.

    By the end of the afternoon, we'd collected a respectable outcome for our efforts, and then the bounty overflowed.  Just after closing time a truck, with a trailer full of bottles and cans made a drop off, and our "respectable" showing, became a "wow" showing.  Enough that the recycle depot waived their pick up fee.

 

     The final tally is not yet in, but we've raised over $600.00 through the bottle drive.  The good news is that it's not over yet.  As Rev. Irwin explained during the children't time on Sunday morning,

the church will continue to receive recyclable bottles up until the time of the mission trip, so if you have a few empties still sitting in the basement, bring them in.  If you see some empties in your neighbour's garage, offer to bring them in too.

 As Diane remarked, the big truck and trailer was a wonderful sight, but it is truly amazing how "a little" times "a lot" adds up to a big offering.  

   Our thanks to all the volunteers from the congregation for their contributions.  We also had help from a neighbouring congregation and personal friends, so thanks to them too.

    A few weeks ago, I mentioned "Faithlink" on this blog.  One of the goals of that group was to make our churches more visible in the community.  As well as raising funds for mission, the bottle drive made us visible to those outside our congregation.  Thanks be to God.