Comfort Food

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

Amidst bad weather and bad economic news, it is only natural to turn to comfort food. My favourite is cream of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. It tastes good, makes me feel full, is hot (comforting) and easy to make.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at noon, there will be a soup and sandwich lunch on offer at SPPC.  I see it as comfort food you don't have to prepare yourself. It comes with the company of other folks. It will help pay for our new heat pump, giving a whole new meaning to "comfort" food. 

Our new HVAC system is designed to bring physical comfort to our gathering space, warm in winter, cool in summer. 

The term, comfort food, in its current meaning began to circulate in the mid 1960's but the connotation behind it has a long history, including in the church. 

 

During our Wednesday study last week, we talked about Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Luke 9: 10-17) and feeding the 4,000 (Matthew 15: 32-38) In both cases, Jesus offered food and comfort to a multitude because they were hungry. These events were miraculous, pointing to the Divinity and power of Christ, but, primarily, they were examples of comfort food. Christ felt sorry for the people because they were hungry. He had compassion on them and gave them bread.

We also talked about the food from heaven, manna, that fed the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering (Exodus 16). God did not let His people go hungry. He comforted them with manna and quails. 

Comfort food is more than just calories. It sparks feelings of security and being loved and cared for. Jesus speaks of Himself as the "bread of life." On Sunday, Feb 9, we will celebrate the Lord's Supper, "in remembrance of Him." We will turn our eyes to Jesus, and receive the ultimate comfort He offers through the remediation of our sins.

All are welcome on Sunday morning -- no reservations required.

If you want to come to lunch on Saturday, cost $20/person, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call the office, 250-656-2241 to secure your place.

Peace of Christ

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

The theme for the second Sunday of Advent is peace.

The daily news reminds us that peace is far from our grasp. Wars rage in Euope, Africa, and the Middle East. Racism, hatred, and anger shout from the pages of our social media. How do we observe "peace" in such an unpeaceful time?

 Jesus was born into a troubled world. His ministry was marked with dispute and rejection. He died a shameful death. And yet, He said, "my peace I leave with you."  As we celebrated the Lord's Supper on Sunday, we reached for that deep, inner stillness (peace) that assures us God is with us. The baby, born in a manger, is the Prince of Peace. God's will is done.

food bank offerings at the communion table

Along with our communion service we welcomed Pat and Pierce into membership at SPPC. They have worshipped at SPPC for some time, but it is always a special time when congregants publicly declare their belief and become official members.

This Sunday we wrapped up our special drive for the Sidney/Lions food bank. The normal collection boxes were filled to overflowing. A welcome gift to the workers at the food bank, as well as to those who use it. 

Just because it's fun to have

prizes, each donation to the food basket gave the donor a chance at a Christmas poinsettia. The draw was made after service, with our newest member, Pat, doing the honours. 

And the winner was . . . . Ann.

Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for your contribution to the food bank.

As we go about our daily lives this week, may we "sleep in heavenly peace."

 

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

As the Christmas Season recedes into our memory banks I am once again reminded of our need for community, whether it be the close knit ties of family and friends, or the greater Community at large.

Community . . . comprising the words "common" and "unity," meaning "holding all things together," or of "like mind," also reminds me of the word Communion, from the same root.

But there are so many different forms of communities, and each one colours and enriches our lives in many different ways, for good or ill! And how and why we choose to participate in each of them will determine the outcomes of our lives and our sense of well-being and happiness, or disappointment.

As Christians we have made a deliberate choice to belong to a very particular community, and share a belief in Jesus Christ. And we are called to worship Him together each Sunday, "being of one mind," and holding this gift of faith in common.

We are fully aware of this special Gift as we remember and celebrate Christmas and the coming of our Saviour in the form of a human child.

At  Christmastime in particular, as we gather together for worship and celebration in one mind and spirit, we receive His blessings of Joy, Peace and Hope, and realise how much we appreciate our Church Community which forms the cradle in which we find our Saviour Jesus, who came to save all people.

So let us hold onto that "Christmas Spirit" and bring it into this New Year, resolving to share it with our other "Communities," as the "Gift of Christ" for all mankind.

Perhaps we might even change the world!

Thanks to Pam Day for this week's blog post.  

Holy week 2021--Updated

 

Palm Sunday service is available here

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was the start of Holy Week. Normally we would have a list of services and events posted here and in the newspaper and maybe on posters in the narthex. In 2020 our COVID-19 response was brand new and the province was in the initial lockdown of the pandemic. Many of us thought that after a few weeks or maybe even three months we would be back to normal.

Wrong! We were of the mindset of soldiers going off to fight in WWI who were convinced "it will be all over by Christmas." It was four more Christmases before survivors saw their loved ones again.

Now, as we face our second Easter of the pandemic, we have more realistic expectations. We also have some variance in the Public Health Orders around worship, that allows for some outdoor and/or indoor services.

At present this is what we know for services at SPPC:

• Maundy Thursday, April 1, 5:00 pm. In-person communion service, outdoors. Maximum attendance is 50. Inclement weather might require us to stay in our cars but please dress warmly and plan to worship outside.

• Good Friday April 2, 10:00 am live-streamed worship service with an in-person congregation of up to 40 people. 

• Easter Sunday, April 4, 10:00 am. Live-streamed worship service with an in-person congregation of up to 40 people. Worship will conclude with the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Other restrictions include 

• no socializing before or after service. 
• Face coverings must be worn even when seated. 
• Physical distancing is required. 
• No congregational singing.

The Maundy Thursday service requires pre-registration. Call the office at 250 656 - 2241 if you wish to attend.

Attendees are encouraged to do a personal health check before coming. B.C. Health check is available here.

As noted in the announcement from Dr. Bonnie Henry, the number of COVID cases on Vancouver Island is rising. Orders may change at any moment. Right now, we are allowed four services with COVID protocols in place. 

However, we must remember that just because we "can" doesn't mean we "should." Rev. Irwin and Session have done their best to strike a proper balance between the desire for in-person worship and the desire to keep congregants safe. No one should feel obligated to attend service if such a meeting is beyond your own comfort level and personal risk tolerance.

Easter will happen, however we worship. The darkness of Gethsemane and Golgotha will give way to the joy of Easter morning and the Risen Christ. Alleluia!

Purpose

 

by Alice Valdal



 For the past several weeks I've devoted all my energies to hosting a family reunion.  I prepared breakfasts and dinners ahead of time, loading my refrigerator and my freezer.   I filled the cookie jars.  I vacuumed in forgotten corners.  Made up beds that hadn't been used in a long time.  Laid in extra supplies. Planned outings.  Made reservations.  Arranged airport pick-ups and drop-offs.  There were lists on every flat surface, and then lists of the lists.  There were hours of lying awake at night, reviewing my plans.
    Once everyone had arrived, I fussed about the weather -- as though my fussing would change anything :-) -- confirmed arrangements, added another leaf to the table, laid out all my dishes and cutlery, even borrowed a few, all to ensure my family had four days of good times in each other's company.
     Now, everyone has gone home and I'm wandering about wondering what to do with myself.  I've lost my purpose.  I pick up a book and set it back on the shelf.  I stare at the garden and don't know whether to weed it or pull it out.  I look at my desk and turn away from the work awaiting me there.  For the moment, I have no focus, no direction. Although the visit was a mountain top experience, I live my life on the plains of day-to-day.
    
    Thankfully, I have touchstones for my days, a calendar with events and deadlines and projects written down, a path to lead me back to the routine of life, a compass to put me back on course. Choir practice beckons.  Bible study begins.  My gratitude journal lies open, reminding me to give thanks in all things.  Did you see the lovely pink clouds in Friday's sunrise?  

    At church, too, we can get so caught up in our projects, our passions, our busyness -- all good things -- that we are distracted from the purpose behind it all, the heart of our faith.  
   On Sunday, SPPC celebrated world-wide communion, our touchstone, a reminder of why we devote time, talent and treasure to the church, the bride of Christ.        
   Because Christ loved us first, because He gave His life for us, because our chief end is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever," we spend time at His table, we share communion with each other and with the great company of saints who have gone before.         Grounded in faith, in the love of Christ and fellowship with each other, we are strengthened and renewed, ready once more to pick up the everyday tasks of Christian living.

  

    

Getting to Know You

  

   A congregation is made up of individuals so today I thought I'd introduce you to Janet Smith, one of our newly elected elders.  Janet's is a well-known face around SPPC, she's been a member since 1999, sings in the choir, performs in the Christmas play, was on the Board of Managers for 7 years and is a faithful participant in Bible Study and the Prayer Group.  She is married to Peter, has six children and, before her retirement, fostered 59 children.  I interviewed her over coffee last week.

Q.  How do you see SPPC in our community?
A.  I see it as open and available to outside groups like Elections Canada, Probus and the Dean Park Resident's Association.  I wish it were more visible.  I'm often asked "where is your church?"  I also think we as a congregation could be more visible in the life of our community.

Q.  What made you choose SPPC as your church home?
A.  I like the traditional service, the music, the organ, the hymns.  Do you think I'm a traditionalist? <g>

Q. Desicribe a highlight in your church life.
A.  I think the day I became an indepentent member of the Congregational Church in England was a highlight.  It marked a major life passage.  I had made my own choice, not just come along because my mother did.  I remember the lady beside me was 90.  The communion hymn we sang, "Here O My Lord, I see Thee Face to Face," has remained special for me to this day.  I took my first communion that Sunday. 

Q.  What do you see as the role of the world-wide church in today's world?
A.  I believe that the church needs to be a witness in the community.  We, as Christians, need to be visible and to remember that we are called to speak out on moral questions.  As Christ said, we may be like a tiny measure of yeast, yet that yeast can leaven the whole loaf. (Lk 13:21)

Q.  Tell us something odd or funny that has happened to you in church.
A.   I was telling a object lesson  to children using water, a saucer and a dime, (I can't remember what it was about now) but all went well and at the end I said "you see, I didn't wet myself at all." "Good," came a voice from an adult in the group at which everyone burst out laughing. 
On another occasion I was singing a solo, "Let us break bread together on our knees" and I sang, "When I fall on my face with my knees to the rising sun" I realized it as soon as I sang it but no one blinked an eyelid so I guess no one was listening any way and so I just carried on to the end!

Thanks Janet, for sharing your time and your thoughts.