New Term

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

We marked the end of summer with a hymn-packed worship service and a hot dog lunch. Now we mark the beginning of the fall term with a celebration of the Lord's Supper. Two Sundays only a week apart, but two very different seasons.

Labour Day marks the beginning of the new school year, and in many households, the beginning of a new season of learning and activities. SPPC is no different. Now that the Saanich Fair is over, it's time to settle into a routine. Choir practice starts again this week. Session meets on Wednesday. The Study group  begins next week. Sunday School activities recommence. The autumn Sunshine Lunch is upcoming. 

Some may feel regret that summer is over, and yearn for the long, unstructured days of heat and sunshine. Others will welcome the return to routine and order as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. 

How fitting that we bridge the two seasons at the Communion Table, a place for remembrance, fellowship, thanksgiving and proclaiming Christ. A favourite communion hymn begins with the words "Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face" and concludes with "feast after feast thus comes and passes by,/Yet passing points to that glad feast above."

Season after season, we can gather at the Lord's table, sure of our welcome, secure in Christ's forgiving love, knowing our souls are fed. Sunday concluded Rev. Irwin's sermon series on Psalms of Ascent. The pilgrim has arrived. The feast that Christ prepared awaits.

Take, eat, in remembrance of Me.

Routines

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

Phew! The election is over, Easter Sunday is past, the film makers are gone, and life at SPPC is settling back into routine. Worship on Sunday morning, Bible Study on Wednesday, choir practice on Thursdays, annual cleaning bee on Friday. How boring is that? 

Actually, according to various sites that popped up on my Google feed, routine is a prime element of a productive and satisfying life. One site recommended following these three routines every morning, before breakfast.

1. Make you bed. No, that's not your mother's voice ringing through your subconscious. According to some behavioural scientists, making your bed starts your day with a sense of accomplishment and well-being. A task completed. Not only that, a made up bed is tidy, and most humans function better in an uncluttered setting. So, less than three minutes in the morning to straighten your bedcovers and you've set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
2. Drink a Glass of Water. In other words, break your nighttime fast with a clean rinse containing no chemicals, no stimulants and no artificial ingredients. Save the caffeine for later in the day. A gentle awakening of your body's digestive system bodes well for good health.
3. Go for a walk. Fresh air, natural light and this most basic form of exercise set you up for mental alertness, a positive attitude and a gentle workout for your heart and lungs. 

So, according to the great "they" just taking twenty or thirty minutes (depending on the length of your walk) at the start of the day sets you up to becoming "healthy, wealthy and wise."

However, the above routine seems to overlook the spiritual side of being human. What if we used those twenty to thirty minutes to incorporate time with God? Here are some suggestions.

1. Thank God for a night's rest while you make your bed. Checking in with our Heavenly Father tunes our minds to His care.
2. Do a devotional while you drink that glass of water. It will take a little longer but the benefit of prayer and scripture far outweighs the loss of those few extra minutes. If you want some internet suggestions for devotionals and Bible reading plans, check out Linda's post here.
3. Look at the world, while you take your walk, and be grateful. God's creation is so wonderful, so extravagant, so beyond our imagining, it lifts our hearts and renews our spirits. Birdsong,
   
   
   brilliant blossoms, lush grass, towering trees, blue skies or gathering thunderheads, streams, lakes, or dew on a cobweb, all of these illuminate the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:19 . Even science agrees that practicing gratitude is a life-changer. As you walk, you might even sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Singing also has very positive effects on health and happiness, but that's for another blog. 

When we consider "routine", we often think "dull", but every area of our lives can be strengthened with routines. They can save us time, unlock creativity, strengthen healthy habits, reduce stress, and improve mental health. 

When we include time with God in our routine, we follow the example of David,(Psalm 5:3) Daniel,(Daniel 6:10) and Christ, Himself (Luke 4:16) We set ourselves on a daily path that includes God's gifts of joy and strength and comfort and salvation. 

Maybe church on Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday, choir on Thursday . . . is not so dull after all.