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! 

 The link for this week's service is here

Lovely to have Rev. Irwin back in the pulpit this Sunday. He seemed refreshed so maybe washing dishes at Camp Imodene is a kind of tonic. We also had two guest musicians, Kate and Hollis, to add an extra touch to this mid-summer Sunday. Thank you both for sharing your gifts with SPPC.

Speaking of musicians, it was Larry's birthday. We would have sung happy birthday, but the organist was otherwise occupied. 

We had some guests in the congregation as well. On a beautiful Sunday morning it is heartening to see visitors turning out for an in-person worship service. Now that we are hybrid with both in-person and livestream, it is hard to know what the congregation is like on a Sunday morning. 

I admit to being tempted, often, to stay home and watch but, for me, the in-person experience is more meaningful. I tend to get distracted by the tech stuff in the livestream. There is also something about "going" to church--getting up a little earlier, putting on my Sunday clothes, joining others in the pews--that settles my mind and makes me more receptive to worship. Of course, I like to chat so socializing after service makes me happy.

This week the prayer chain members had a meeting in the Ross

Lounge at the church. It was a joy to meet together as the group is celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Over that time we have prayed for hundreds of people both within and without the congregation. We have prayed for healing and for comfort. We've prayed for those with an immediate need and for those who are on a long journey. Sometimes the pray-ers have become the pray-ees. Some of our original members have completed their earthly journey and their place on the prayer chain has been taken by others. 

Because of the private nature of the prayer chain you don't hear much about it, but the work is constant and important, especially since the Wednesday morning prayer group has discontinued. We are grateful that Bin-Sie and Norma continue to pray through the church membership even without a meeting time.

God calls us to pray for others without ceasing and without fear.

Philippians 4: 6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

A Week in the Life

Sunday:

• Morning worship
• Elizabeth filled in on the organ bench as our regular organist was ill.
• We learned the name of our nominee for elder.  Thank you Joan for accepting this challenging and vital role in the life of the congregation.  
• The prayer chain received a request.

Monday:

• Regular office hours
• The prayer chain received a request

Tuesday:

• Regular office hours
• The prayer chain received a request

Wednesday:

• Morning Bible Study and Evening Bible Study on "How We Got the Bible."
• Set-up for Probus Meeting
• The prayer chain received a request

Thursday:

• Regular office hours
• Rev. Irwin left for General Assembly in Toronto
• Our organist, Larry, was taken ill while visiting his mother in California.  He is in ICU.
• Elizabeth agreed to continue as organist/choir director -- Thank you Elizabeth
• Probus met in the Malloy Hall
• Choir practice
• The prayer chain received a request and a bit of good news

Friday:

• Regular office hours
• Rev. Irwin arrived safely in Toronto and is staying in the residences at York University
• Bulletin is printed
• Sign up sheet for choir dinner is posted
• The prayer chain received a good news update

Saturday:

• Fundraiser for Fort McMurray at Keating School (Peter)  congregation invited to participate
• The prayer chain received two requests

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge:

Take it to the Lord in prayer,

Do they friends despise forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In his arms He'll take and shield thee:

Thou wilt find a solace there.

                  --The Book of Praise, #431

PRAYER CIRCLES

     

At the Annual Meeting last week  Rev. Irwin expressed appreciation for all the quiet ministries that happen without fanfare but that keep the life of the congregation running smoothly.  Hospital patients receive visitors, lunch is provided, offerings are counted, the books are balanced, birthday cards are sent.  Small ministries, done faithfully, they enhance our fellowship and remove many burdens from the minister.

     Another of those quiet ministries is prayer.  While all members of the congregation are encouraged to pray for each other and for the world, there is a dedicated group  who make it their mission to pray regularly together for the members and work of this congregation.  They meet in the Sanctuary on Wednesday morning, before Bible Study, and systematically pray through the entire church membership and the various ministries of SPPC. 

        I was once told my name comes up frequently in this circle.   The news alarmed me.  The prayer group thought I was in so much trouble I needed extra prayer?  Not so.  I am prayed for once as a member of the congregation and then again as a member of different groups within the congregation.  Whew!  So, if you want to be prayed for often, get involved in lots of things at church!

   

   There is a second group of people involved in regular prayer, and that is the prayer chain.  These individuals pray privately and at all times for those who have requested it.  This is more of a "crisis line" prayer group.  Those requesting prayer are often facing immediate issues like surgery, or bereavement.  Often times the people on this list are not members of SPPC but prayer requests for them have been received through members of the congregation.
      If you have a prayer request for this group, contact Edna or fill in one of the cards found in the pews.

       Finally, if you feel you'd like to participate in the prayer life of the congregation without joining either of the above groups, there is a prayer jar in the narthex.  The jar contains the names of the people of our congregation.  Take one or two or more home with you and pray for that person for a week.  When you've finished, return the name to the prayer jar.  Take another if you're so inclined. 

 We often hear people ask what they can do for the church.  How about saying a prayer?  It's more powerful than you might think.


P.S.  There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill

Elizabeth Clarke, who played for our Christmas play, is giving a recital on Wed. March 12, at 12:30 Philip T. Young auditorium, University of Victoria.  
Click here for more details.