Remembrance Sunday

 The link for this week's streamed worship is  here 

Remembrance Sunday and All Saints Sunday coincided this year. At SPPC we began the service with the Act of Remembrance, laying the wreath, sing the national anthem. Compared to services at the cenotaph it is a small commemoration, but at least we were able to be there in person.

This Remembrance Day, Thursday, the community service will take place at the cenotaph in Sidney but attendance by the general public is discouraged, due to concerns about COVID 19.  However, it will be filmed and my be watched on Mary Winspear video feed. At the time of writing, there was no direct link to the service on the their website, but here is their youtube link.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlAI0v2LVBmsx7vwgDrvUg

  

 Year after year, as our World War veterans age and pass away the pledge of "at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them," takes on a special poignancy. 

    The line is taken from the poem, "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon. Written at the end of the Great War, 1914-1918, and born of his experience as a worker in a field hospital, it is a heartfelt tribute to lost friends. 

    No doubt Binyon believed this "war to end all wars" would free future generations from the sorrow of armed conflict. Sadly, history has proved that premise false. Men and women in uniform continue to sacrifice their lives in the name of humanity. For Canada, those who died in the war in Afghanistan are the latest addition to our memorials. As citizens of a free country we should never take that sacrifice lightly.

    Powerful as Binyon's poem is, we also have the authority of scripture to guide and comfort us.

John 15:13 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

John 14:27 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Matthew 5:4 

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

While we honour those who have sacrificed for home and country, for family and friends, and for peace, we must not forget that Christ, our Redeemer, paid the ultimate price for the whole world. 

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Movie Morningt

   

 The Wednesday morning Bible Study group has wrapped up their study of the Sermon on the Mount.  For a change of pace they watched the movie "Chariots of Fire" last Wednesday.
      The British made movie was first in theatres in 1981.  I recall seeing it then but most of what I remembered was the terrific sound track by Greek composer, Vangelis Papathanassiou.  The opening theme, released as a single, topped the charts for weeks.  It has been played at weddings, graduations, funerals and sporting events ever since.
    I also remembered that Eric Liddell refused to run on Sunday, but I'd forgotten the resolution to that dilemma.  Liddell was a devout man, son of missionaries and destined for the mission field himself, yet he had this gift of speed.  He believed that "God made me fast," and that by running, he honoured God.  He set aside his missionary training temporarily, in order to run in the 1924 Olympics.  That decision was a great disappointment to his sister.  Her disapproval pained Liddell deeply.  When the date of his qualifying heat falls on a Sunday, Liddell refuses to run.  All his sacrifice and pain and effort, will be for naught.
     He is under tremendous pressure by the British Olympic committee and even the Prince of Wales to set aside his Christian convictions and run.  Knowing he will disappoint the whole of Great Britain, Liddell maintains his stand.  He will put God first and keep the Sabbath.
    Rescue arrives in the person of Lord Lindsay. Lindsay has already won a silver medal in the 400 metre hurdles and offers his place in the 400 metre race to Liddell.  The offer is gratefully accepted and Liddell goes on to win.
    In the excitement over Liddell's principled stand and his subsequent victory, Lindsay can be overlooked. Yet his actions are equally heroic.  An Olympic medal is a much-prized reward, but two are better.  Gold is better than silver.  Lindsay, although portrayed as an easy-going charmer, proves that beneath his suave demeanour lies a loyal friend and a true patriot.  For the sake of others, he sacrifices his chance for personal glory.

   None of us watching the movie on Wednesday morning has the gift of speed, but we have other gifts.  We can speak, or garden, or sing, or bake cookies.  We can organize, fund-raise, and run for office, all to the glory of God.
  We might also be the means by which another's gift is realized and that pleases God as well.  

Next week we begin our study of Women of the Old Testament, starting with Eve.

Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada.  I asked some members of the congregation what that means to them.  Here are their replies.

Remembrance Day is a time to remember the soldiers who fought for us in the wars.  At school we have a minute of silence.  -- Peter, age 8

To me, Remembrance Day is a time of celebration and thanksgiving. It's the one day each year we all come together to thank those who have given their lives for our families, our country, and our freedom. It's a time to remember those who we have lost, and praise the ones who still stand. Remembrance Day is a time to rejoice for our soldiers and their bravery.
  -- Felicity, Senior Sunday School Class

Remembrance Day.  Whenever I think of that day, I think of my 18 year old son going to Afghanistan. He, like all the rest, went to make a difference in the lives of the people there. A lot different from our parents, and grandparents day, in the forces.
     I remember when my son was receiving the medal of dispatch and parents of fallen son's and daughter's were picking up medals on behalf of their lost children. It tore my heart out. I was a lucky Mother, one that did not have to deal with no child, or a child that will never be the same.
     I am thankful, praising God for looking after my son, who should have never come home, on many an occasion.
     I think that, unfortunately, the Devil is alive and well in this world. People  prey on the poor, and uneducated.  I hope that the people of this world become less selfish and that hatred between religions, regions and races ends.  God's word is what we have to remember, so that we can be strong, against those who want to cause harm. We as Christians need to stand and support our own so that when others are being harmed, we stand together and help. -- Darlene, Rentals Co-ordinator

Memories of Remembrance Day
      During our time in Ottawa, 1986 to 2000, public esteem of Remembrance Day seemed to change substantially. In the 80’s and early 90’s, there seemed to be a sense that war service and things military were somewhat low on the scale of public respect or recognition. During the next decade,that seemed to change and the sense of respect and the honour attributed to those Canadians who served in the “World Wars”, grew considerably.
     At that time in Ontario, Remembrance Day had ceased to be a public holiday for schools. As a result, each school had the opportunity to develop a Remembrance Day programme which would be meaningful to students.Our school had the advantage of tradition and many former students and staff had served in the military. We had a formal Remembrance Day Service to remember those who gave their lives in the service of Canada in the great wars. One of my tasks was to read the Roll of Honour recognizing those who paid the supreme sacrifice. On that Roll there were 40 young men who perished in World War One and 31 in World War Two. Each year, we welcomed back veterans who had served in these terrible wars, and our students were profoundly moved to spend time with these men who had served their country in the time of war. In the formal service, there was
always a sense of great reverence and respect as we remembered those who died in the wars.
     A few years ago, Dorothy and I had the opportunity to visit the battlefields in Belgium and Vimy Ridge, in France. Our appreciation of the tremendous sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of young men and women became all the more real. The white crosses, row upon row, in many different cemeteries, speak of the great sacrifice made by so many. This sacrifice was made that we may live in relative peace and we must remember those who gave so much.
     In B.C.,Remembrance Day is a public holiday (of sorts), and the schools are closed. For most young people it is just another holiday spent, perhaps,idly at the mall. In cities and small towns, there is usually a Remembrance
Day Service, often sparsely attended by young people. Would it not be better to have students in school where each school could develop a suitable programme to remember and recognize the sacrifice made so that we may live in a time of peace? As we read the obituaries today, that great generation of men and women who served in the Second World War is passing. Let us not forget.
 --Roy, elder at SPPC

What does Remembrance Day mean to me?

     It's all about recognizing and appreciating sacrifice.  I was fortunate enough to grow up in the decades where major onflicts did not call for a national call to arms but I never took for granted the price that was paid for that privilege.  My first experiences with veterans of these conflicts was when I worked at Metropolitan United Church; the ordinary, extraordinary worshippers who paraded at the Remembrance Day services with their medals and stories.  Combine that with the Biblical verse John 15:13 . . . no greater gift than to lay down one's life . . . and you see that the ceremony of remembrance becomes very personal.  I have been privileged to worship and work with many veterans; humbled to watch them parade and remember their comrades.  Attending church and cenotaph services is the very least I can do. -- Tore, choir member


Remembrance Day.  I cannot help but remember my father, who contributed to winning "The Great War" (WWI) in that he gave his eyesight and received twelve other shrapnel wounds.  I never heard him complain or grumble.  Mother never said to us children, "Your Daddy's having a bad day."  He was an example of courage and of being a wonderful father.  I had a hero for a father and a saint for a mother.  --Peter, aged 96

WHO'S WHO ON SESSOIN

    Today, I'm interviewing Norma Scott, one of our congregation's most devoted workers and a member of Session.  She is the alternate representative elder for SPPC to the Vancouver Island Presbytery.  Presently the position of Representative elder is vacant, so Norma attends each Presbytery meeting.  Through session, she is involved in Christian Education, Mission and Outreach, Pastoral Care and Sunday School.

   Those are just her official committees.  It seems to me that every time there is an event of any sort at SPPC, we'll see Norma helping out.  Norma's dedication is indeed,  a blessing to our congregation.

      

  Blog Interview

1. What made you choose SPPC?
   I grew up in the Church of Scotland, so when I moved to the                Saanich Peninsula in the mid 1980s, I looked for a Presbyterian church and found Saint Andrew's North in Sidney.

2. You seem to be a volunteer extraordinaire.  What compels you to be so involved?  What rewards do you see?  
    I am involved at church because I believe that God calls us to be in service for Him. I serve on the SPPC session, Sunday school, missions and pastoral care committees. All of this work is done in teams. The reward for this work is in completing the task successfully and honouring God. I also enjoy spiritual growth as we overcome difficulties and challenges.

3. What sacrifices do you make?
    In regards to personal sacrifices, making a difference takes time and effort, but God rewards us in many ways.

4. What is your dream for SPPC for the next five years?

    My hope for the future at SPPC is that we become a viable, praying and growing church, centered on God and seeking His will and direction. Also that we are active and reaching into the community.

5. Twenty-five years?

     Further into the future, that the church is still continuing to pray and believe in revival and is fruitfully serving and impacting the next generation. 

Thank you Norma for answering my questions and for your service to God and to the congregation at SPPC.