Prayer and Fasting

 Link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Lovely to see the sun this week reflected in the brilliant daffodils Dorothy brought to church on Sunday. 

Last weekend I was pruning fruit trees and got chased inside by the hail -- and a cat that was really annoyed at being out in that weather. This weekend I finished the job while enjoying the sun on my back.  Let's hope the return of better weather means a return to fewer public health restrictions. 

Also, lovely to see Gladys back at church and walking without a walker. Welcome home, Gladys. And welcome in to the newcomers who have appeared in our midst these last few weeks. There is a hymn by James Manley that starts "Come in, come in and sit down, --you are a part of the family."  Consider this your invitation to be a part of the family at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

As we are now in the season of Lent our congregation has received a challenge to share. 

"Each day remove 1 item from your closet that you no longer need or wear and put it into a bag. At the end of the 40 days, donate the items to a place than can share them with someone who can really use them."

 Please don't consider this an exercise in de-cluttering, rather, give up each item with an offering of prayer that it may enrich the life of someone else.

Bible Study resumes on Wed. March 16. We will be talking about fasting. In our modern world most people undertake a fast for health reasons, but fasting in the Biblical sense is rare. Yet, this past week I caught the tale end of an announcement on the radio that used the words "fast and pray." On Ash Wednesday, various religious leaders including Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury called for all Christians to "fast and pray" for Ukraine. 

The phrase brought to mind Esther, who, at a time of great national danger, sent for "all the Jews in Susa to fast and pray." Esther 4:16 Tomorrow is International Women's Day, so it seems fitting to remember a strong woman from the Bible who found the courage to disobey the king, and with prayer and fasting, save her people.   

For all the women of Ukraine, may God hear our prayer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Welcome Home

     Sunday at SPPC centred on the theme of "home."  Of course, we always try to be a welcoming congregation, but this Sunday we went the extra step and said "welcome home," not "welcome stranger."

The scripture reading was "The Prodigal Son." We all know that one so well -- the youth who demanded his inheritance then went off and squandered it on riotous living. When he'd run out of options, he decided to go back to his father and beg for a servant's place. Instead, the father ran to greet the prodigal, threw a big party and gathered him back into the family fold. 
Welcome home.

     After coffee hour, the newest members of the congregation, those who formally joined in December of last year, were welcomed home with lunch. The feast was catered by session and we were invited to ask any questions we might have about our church. Problems or issues we wanted to discuss.

Welcome home.

     When I was growing up, our home was a welcoming place,  always ready to set another place at the table. There was a plaque on the kitchen wall that began with the words "Friend you are welcome here, be at your ease." Small wonder that, among my mother's treasurers, I found this little homily.

There is magic in that little word ...Home. . . Home is the sweetest word in the Saxon tongue. It has in it the brightness of sunshine and the fragrance of flowers. It suggests love, peace, rest and gladness. It calls up pictures painted imperishably on the heart. It speaks of father's love and mother's care... 

      At SPPC, we strive to be that place. The place that gives a tiny foretaste of heaven. The place that opens its arms to all who call. The place that offers friendship, support, laughter, love and prayer. The place that says ...
Welcome home.

     If you're feeling a little lonely, a little lost, a little down, a little adrift . . . our doors are open.  
9296 E. Saanich Rd. N. Saanich. 
250 656-2241. 
Call or drop by, and . . .
Welcome home.