Wondrous Love

Summer time and the choir is on holiday -- a perfect opportunity to enjoy a guest musician.  This Sunday Mary Byrne brought her musical talents to SPPC.  She played Faure for the offertory, accompanied "Amazing Grace" as the hymn before the sermon and harmonized with Alice and Tore for the anthem.  A nice opportunity for Larry to play cello, as well.

The anthem was "Wondrous Love," arr. by Richard Waters for piano and voice, then re-arranged by Mary and Larry for voice, flute and cello.  "Wondrous Love" is a folk hymn that is sometimes described as a "white spiritual."  It was first published in 1811 in the hymnals of both the Methodists and the Baptists in Britain, although it is often associated with the Appalachian area of the US.
   As Rev. Irwin continues with his series on the problem of sin and the remedy found in Jesus Christ, the words of this hymn seem particularly apt.  What wondrous love, that the King of Bliss would lay aside His crown to pay the price for my sin.  What wondrous love, indeed. Rev. 5

 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul! 

 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down Beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.  

These are the verses that were sung on Sunday morning.  Other arrangements include these stanzas.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

 And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Thank you to Mary for sharing her musical gifts with us.

Book Review

God’s Stories --More Than Twenty Years on the Mission Field

By Sharyn  Branson

Missionary as defined by Paul and Sharyn Branson: a person engaged in sharing the love of God and the Word of God with others so that they can take a step closer to God. 

Sharyn has written a book that chronicles the story of her life with her husband, Paul,  in foreign missions since 1995.  The book begins with their account of preparing for their life as missionaries and the journey to finding their calling to the Dominican Republic.  The early chapters give the reader insight into the how they prepared for their lives as missionaries and how they were led to the DR.  The stories are heart warming and show their trust in God and the power of prayer in their lives.

I have had the privilege of acting as volunteer in their House Upon the Rock Mission.  My lasting impression is one of how integral prayer is to their lives.  One day we were at a building site and a decision had to be made by Paul and our group leader.  Both men stopped what they were doing and sought direction through prayer.  I had never seen that done in my work place and it was a reminder to me that, when in doubt, ask for God’s direction.  
As you read each chapter of this book you will get a picture of life in a different culture, a life that can be harsh at times but also filled with moments of joy and much blessing.  It is a great summer read as you can read a couple of chapters, put the book down, and then pick up again without loosing the story line as it reads more like a diary.  The book is available in our Library.

Now for the best part!  Sharyn and Paul will be preaching at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on July 29, 2018 at 10 am.   What a perfect opportunity to meet an author, hear first hand about life in the Dominican Republic, and share God’s blessings with these real life missionaries. 

One of the great things about living in another culture is the food.  So I would like to share a recipe From Nena’s Kitchen a recipe book from the cook for the mission teams that visit the DR.

Moro Guandules

Ingredients

• 2 cups of rice
• 4 cups of water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1can of Guandules (pigeon peas) you can substitute and kind of beans or lentils
• 1 tsp garlic paste and 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp Goya Adobo
• 2 tbsp Soya sauce
• onions, peppers, celery, cilantro, pepper, salt and oregano to taste

Preparation:

Heat the oil in the pot, add all the ingredients except the water and rice.  Fry for several minutes and then add water.  Wait to boil, then add the rice.  Then move it a bit and wait until dry. Lower the heat and cover for 25 minutes

Post by Linda Cliff.

The Ten Commandments

 This Sunday Rev. Irwin wrapped up a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments.  After service, I was trying to remember the first one.  I knew it had to do with the supremacy of God, but I couldn't remember if it included the prohibition of graven images.  I had to go look it up.
When I was a kid, The Ten Commandments, were embroidered on samplers, like the one on the left, and hung on the walls of homes. They were posted in shops and public buildings and claimed a prominent place in church entrances. Nowadays, they are invisible in public spaces.  Samplers are not often worked in homes any more and if they are, the subject is more likely to be about gardens or golf than about God.
So, if you're like me and struggling to remember which one comes first and where the divisions are, there's a simplified version.

The Ten Commandments.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make any graven image nor bow down to them, nor serve them.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
10. Thou shalt not covet they neighbour's wife, nor his house, nor his field, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor is ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.

You can read the complete, Biblical version from Exodus,here.
If you want the one from Deuteronomy, look here.

Grraduation

On Sunday we marked Rebekah's graduation from high school.  Over the past number of years the congregation has had the privilege of watching her grow from a very junior student to a composed and devoted young woman. 

In her time at SPPC she has been part of the Living Flame Choir, a faithful member of the Sunday School, a leader/camper at Camp Imodene and a member of the mission team that visited the Dominican Republic this spring.  

We have celebrated with her at each milestone of her Christian life, from being a student in Sunday School, to serving coffee after church, to partaking in the Christmas pageant, to reading scriptures from the pulpit. Not long ago we rejoiced as she  completed her membership classes and became a full member of the congregation. 

As she takes this next step in her life journey, we wish her well and hold her in our prayers, remembering always that "God knows the plans He has for her.  Plans to prosper her and not to harm her, plans to give her hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Busy, busy

star weed-puller

June has been a busy month at SPPC.  Must be something about the end of the school year -- even though church does not take a summer vacation.

clean-up team

At the beginning of the month, there were a couple of work bees outside.  Volunteers pulled weeds, hacked down blackberry vines and trimmed back overgrown shrubs.  Many thanks to all.  Our property is looking very neat and tidy.

On Tuesday of this week, another group of volunteers (actually, there was overlap with the weeding volunteers) spend a morning deep cleaning the kitchen, reorganizing and cupboards and labelling the doors and drawers.  The work was just in time for the strawberry tea on Saturday. 

Well, set up actually began on Friday.   

The event was well attended and the food was beautifully presented.  Thank you especially to Diane and Darlene for that.

lady-in-waiting

ready for topping

assembly line sandwich-making

Craig Henderson Trio

Finally, on Sunday, we relaxed with the church picnic at Island View Beach.  Leftovers from the tea were a welcome bonus to the picnic lunch.  

girl with a pretty hat

welcome shade on a hot day

serious game of bocce

Next week we have the last Bible study of the season.  The choir goes out to dinner.  We lead worship at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Sunday afternoon.  Like I said -- busy!

The Anchor

Thanks to Judith for this week's post.

What a beautiful day it was.  We left a harbour and headed out to sea.  The ocean was calm, with gentle rolling waves.  However, as the day wore on the rollers started showing a bit of a white cap and we knew it was going to get rougher.  
     Our chart showed a small semi-protected cove not too far away that had an anchorage.  We set our course for there, but the going was hard.  By the time we reached the anchorage, it was just about dark.  As we didn't have radar, we eased our way in carefully, watching for other anchored vessels.  
     Hooray!  We found a spot to moor, without swinging into another vessel.  We heaved a sigh of relief and dropped the anchor.
     We spent a miserable night, rocking and rolling.  It felt like morning would never come.  At the break of day, we gave thanks that our anchor had held all through the night, keeping us, and the boats around us, safe.  

     Remembering that particular journey, I got to thinking about the anchor, plus the line and chain attached to it, and how they had held us to the bottom of the cove we were in. Our safety had depended upon that piece of equipment, and it had held fast.
     I wondered, what anchor am I attached to in my life?  A house? A bank account? Things? Relationships? Family?  Is my anchor secure? Will it keep me safe through the storm?
     I came to the conclusion that all those anchors and lines and chains will let me drift if I'm not anchored to Christ, my Saviour.  He keeps me fastened safe to Himself and I never have to worry about drifting onto the rocks, maybe some close calls, but always anchored.

Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?

Funds and Food

During our recent fund-raising efforts for the mission team going to the Dominican Republic, we discovered an unmet need in our church.  Many of our members love homemade soup but don't have the time or inclination to make it themselves. So, by popular demand, the soup fund-raiser is back.  There are other offerings on the menu, but soup is the big ticket item.The proceeds from this round will go to missions that our church supports.

And speaking of those who enjoy food with friends but find it difficult to organize a party, the Sunshine Lunch is here to fill the gap. Today, Monday, June 4, Joan and Darlene and their helpers play host to about two dozen or more members of our congregation.  Guests are welcome. Even if you don't know anyone in the congregation, drop by and we'll make room.

If that's not enough food, we have a strawberry tea coming up on June 16, as well.  This is the full-tea-deal, fine china, fancy sandwiches, savoury treats, sweet delights, all finished off with fresh, local strawberries.  Call the church office to reserve your ticket.  250 656-2241. 

Isn't it wonderful when "good works" i.e. support for missions, match our personal inclinations, i.e. good food!

And speaking of food, we had birthday cake on Sunday in honour of Abigail's sixth birthday.  Pictures speak louder than words.  Happy Birthday, Abigail.