Easter 3

 The link for this week's worship service is here.

Here we are into the third week of Easter -- the time of resurrection, yet death still pervades our world. Deaths within our congregation, our families and our country continue apace, at latest count there are 3 million COVID related deaths worldwide. 

For some we've had small outdoor services with a maximum of ten, others have postponed any service until COVID restrictions end. This weekend I watched the service for the Duke of Edinburgh--lots of ceremony but within COVID restrictions that dictated a choir of only four, and only 30 members of the family in attendance, seated well apart, echoing the experience of so many mourners in this epidemic. It hurts to see people bearing sorrow alone.

Yet, whatever the circumstances of the deceased, prince or pauper, the same words of scripture are read for comfort, for inspiration, and for hope. 

Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God. . .In my Father's house are many mansions: John 14: 1-2

I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11: 25

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom then shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27: 1

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21:4

These are just a few of my favourite passages, no doubt each of you can add many of your own. And here we come to the Good News. While COVID holds sway in our world for a time, Jesus Christ holds power forever. Whatever ravages death may inflict, Christ stands ready to heal the brokenhearted and welcome home His saints.

As we suffer through the remaining days of the pandemic, let us hold fast to God's promises. Christ will prevail. His kingdom shall know no end.

The Lord is My Shepherd                      

Sorrow and Joy

                                     When I must leave you for a little while . . .

The past seven days at SPPC have been hard ones.  We had two funerals.  We are missing two faces from our fellowship.  We have two families suffering bereavement.  Our hearts are heavy.  And yet. . .
    I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; because I live, ye shall live also.  John 14: 18-19
   I go to prepare a place for you.  I will come again, and receive you unto myself;  that where I am, there ye may be also.  John 14:3
   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21:4


   
    We grieve our loss, but we rejoice in the life that was lived, in the love known and the laughter shared.  Our loved ones live on in the stories told, the pictures in our memories, the baby who wears his forebear's smile. 

 In the midst of sorrow, we have hope.  We believe in the resurrection.  We know our good-byes are not final.  As Rev. Irwin said, "we gather as a congregation to say good-bye, but what we really mean is "see you in a while.'"

Let Not your Heart be Troubled, H.A. Clark

Ikea Trip

by Michael Denton

and Janet Smith

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho,

It’s off to IKEA we go,

On a BC Ferry

And a chartered bus,

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho!

Thanks to Janet Smith, a large group of 38 people gathered at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to board the 09:00 departure of the Spirit of British Columbia, heading for Tsawwassen.  Once at Tsawwassen, a chartered bus picked up the group and took them to IKEA where I’m sure they all “shopped ‘till they dropped.” 

The group returned on the 17:00 (5pm) sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, with large yellow and blue bags in hand! The shopping was heavy but the purses were lighter at the end of it all.

International Stage Lines were great, we needed 47 to fill the bus. At one point we were going to cancel as we only had 36 people signed up to go but ISL gave us the 47 seater coach for the price of the 28 seater which made it all possible. So, thanks to Carla in the office of ISL for working with us on the trip and to Peter, our driver for his good service.
It was fun!

Thanksgiving

by Alice Valdal

On Thanksgiving Sunday, the sanctuary was decorated with the fruits of harvest.  Squash, corn, pumpkin, pickles, apples and tomatoes, homemade bread, grapes and peppers.  We sang "Come Ye Thankful People, Come."  And who wouldn't be thankful at such a time, the table groaning under the weight of crops safely gathered in.

A few days later, we gathered in that place again.  This time, for a funeral, a very different occasion.  And yet, there was thanksgiving there too.  Gratitude for a life well-lived, for love realized and for the glorious homecoming of a sister.

Gratitude for Jesus, who promised "in my father's house are many mansions.  If it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also."

Two different services, two different moods, but through them both, the thread of thanksgiving to God from His people.