Big Celebrations

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

The biggest celebration at SPPC this week was for Bill and Nancy on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. What a milestone! Congratulations, Bill and Nancy.

I suppose we could treat this happy event as ho-hum, since we have celebrated another 65th anniversary and a 70th in the congregation over the past twelve months, but I think we should take every opportunity to celebrate good news. Besides, we got cake!

Last Sunday marked the end of our summer drive for the food bank. So there was a draw for a beautiful floral basket. Joan brought the flowers. Grace did the drawing, and Carol won the prize. Thanks to all who gave so generously and congratulations Carol. May you enjoy the flowers.

Of course, just because we ended our special drive does not mean we ended our support for the Food Bank. There are donation bins in the narthex and contributions are welcomed throughout the year. Summer has only just begun and kids out of school need snacks and meals more than ever. How else will they grow strong and healthy?

 Grace and Joan                                                                 Carol and Joan

And while we are in the mood for celebration, we welcome Rev. Irwin home. His vacation included a lot of hiking so I don't know if he is refreshed and rested, but he has certainly had a change of scenery.

And, just to make this a special Sunday, Larry provided music with his cello. What a treat. 

The take home assignment from the sermon this week was to write down a sentence beginning with "If the Lord had not been on my side. . ." and then finish the sentence naming a time when God brought you through a crisis. You are encouraged to share your completed sentence with another person before next Sunday. 

 "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow."

Wondrous Love

Summer time and the choir is on holiday -- a perfect opportunity to enjoy a guest musician.  This Sunday Mary Byrne brought her musical talents to SPPC.  She played Faure for the offertory, accompanied "Amazing Grace" as the hymn before the sermon and harmonized with Alice and Tore for the anthem.  A nice opportunity for Larry to play cello, as well.

The anthem was "Wondrous Love," arr. by Richard Waters for piano and voice, then re-arranged by Mary and Larry for voice, flute and cello.  "Wondrous Love" is a folk hymn that is sometimes described as a "white spiritual."  It was first published in 1811 in the hymnals of both the Methodists and the Baptists in Britain, although it is often associated with the Appalachian area of the US.
   As Rev. Irwin continues with his series on the problem of sin and the remedy found in Jesus Christ, the words of this hymn seem particularly apt.  What wondrous love, that the King of Bliss would lay aside His crown to pay the price for my sin.  What wondrous love, indeed. Rev. 5

 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul! 

 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down Beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.  

These are the verses that were sung on Sunday morning.  Other arrangements include these stanzas.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

 And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Thank you to Mary for sharing her musical gifts with us.