At the Name of Jesus - Hymn

 

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

Celebrations: Diane has a birthday; Linda and Albert, Alice and Tore have wedding anniversaries this week.

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The recent survey of the congregation showed strong support for congregational hymns. Hardly a surprising result when one considers how enthusiastically our congregation sings the familiar hymns. 

Some years ago, Dr. Kirk emceed an evening of hymn singing that was very popular. I can't recreate that event, but I do have the ms for his book on hymns for the church year. I found his choice of a hymn to compliment Ephesians 1:15-23 (our scripture reading this Sunday.) "At the Name of Jesus," by Caroline Maria Noel. Here is an excerpt from Dr. Kirk's unpublished work.

Caroline was the daughter of Canon G.T.Noel and the niece of the Rev. Baptist Noel who left the Church of England to become a Baptist minister, and a very prominent one. . . The hymn deals in successive verses with the pre-existence of Jesus, His condescension in becoming man, His Saviourhood, His call to service and His coming again. It is interesting to note that the author reluctantly changed the first line to "In the Name of Jesus" to avoid the complication that she merely meant genuflection at the word. In effect the reference is to adoration at our contemplation of the person of Jesus as the manifestation of the divine nature and glory. Happily, the original wording has been restored.

The hymn is a commentary on the scripture. It is "the Father's pleasure" that all people shall bow before Jesus the King of Glory and acknowledge Him as Lord. From before the beginning of time, He "was the mighty word" that called the worlds into existence. Jesus is the eternal Son of God . . . If we do not accept this fact, then we have only a man who is not also divine, and no mere man can redeem the human race. Jesus was willing to be humbled for a season and receive a human name from those He came to save. He bore that name spotless to the last in that while He lived among sinners, He himself did not sin and in fact, came to bear the sins of many (Is. 53:12). The name He bore was brought back victorious when Jesus rose from the grave, triumphant over sin and death.

Jesus is the Saviour and Lord who should be "worshipped, trusted and adored." We can trust Him because of what He has done on our behalf. We must also offer Him our obedience and service as Lord. We must not take lightly what He has done for us, but rather look on Him with "awe and wonder", enthroning Him as king within our hearts so that He may subdue everything that is false within us. Because He himself was tempted, He can assist us in the time of temptation if we "crown him as . . . captain" and allow Him to have control over our wills.

The hope of the Christian community lies in the fact that "this Lord Jesus will return again." That coming will be in absolute contrast to His first coming. Then it was in weakness and humility to a cattle shed but when He comes again it will be "with His Father's glory, with His angel train." Then He will come in power to reign for he will be crowned, not with thorns as at His crucifixion but with the "wreaths of empire" and, as Paul wrote, "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil.2:11)

This is a hymn of victory and assurance to inspire hope in the breast of every believer. As Jesus knew weakness and apparent defeat so do we. But we also know that the final victory has been won, that Christ reigns and that He will return to take His own unto Him. Then we shall be pure with His purity and victorious with His victory and we shall reign with Him for ever. That is cause for celebration and worship.

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It's lilac season

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,

every tongue confess Him King of Glory now;

this the Father's pleasure, that we call Him Lord,

who from the beginning was the mighty word.

 Humbled for a season, to receive a name

from the lips of sinners unto whom He came;

faithfully He bore it spotless to the last,

brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

 Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death,

but with awe and wonder, and with bated breath;

He is God the saviour, He is Christ the Lord,

ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

 In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue

all that is not holy, all that is not true;

crown Him as your captain in temptation's hour,

let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers this Lord Jesus shall return again

With His Father's glory, with His angel train;

for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,

and our hearts confess Him King of Glory now.

 

 

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

Sunday was Mothers Day and once again we had to find new ways to mark the occasion. Taking mom out for lunch? Not allowed. Family BBQ in the backyard? Not allowed. Everyone turning up to take mom to church? Not allowed. There is always the telephone, a card in the mail, a zoom call ...but there is no hug.

Near the end of our Lenten Devotional this line appeared " paint a picture of one like a small, frightened child burying their face in their mother’s apron, hiding from the fearful things around them."

The writer had a lot more to say about Psalm 91 but in our group we lingered over the frightened child running to hide her face in her mother's lap. The image conjured up the scent of baking bread and fresh cookies. Our memories of a mom include homemade treats. A kiss and a treat were a panacea for most childhood hurts -- along with that all-encompassing hug.

For Linda the smell of lily of the valley also conjures the comfort of a mother. Perhaps that's why she planted them along the north wall of the church.

I can't see a lemon meringue pie without thinking of my mom. A sensual hug, perhaps.

One of the practices at SPPC in better times was flower baskets for mothers from the Sunday School. Though not a mother, the Living Flame Choir always made sure I got a planter as well. It was like a hug from a dozen small arms. As I look out on my flower beds now I see pinks (dianthus) and pansies that I set out from those planters still growing, still blooming, still bestowing beauty and still warming my heart. A reminder for mothers and other mentors that the seed you plant in a child's mind will last long past the moment.

For Linda and Janet, the hymn 

When Mothers of Salem, is a like a musical hug on Mothers Day. I can't find a congregational version, but hope they can enjoy this one.

We all look forward to the day when hugs are live and in-person. A friend of mine posted on facebook the other day that she'd hugged her parents for the first time in 19 months. They'd all been vaccinated. Who would have imagined that we'd count the months between hugs?

Yet God knows our need. Isaiah 66:13 As a mother comforts her child,

    so will I comfort you;

Happy Mothers Day--and a virtual hug from SPPC.

What We Love about SPPC

This week's livestreamed service can  be found here.

A "normal" Wednesday morning

As more and more Canadians are vaccinated against COVID 19, we can look ahead with hope. Life might get back to "normal" by the fall. In the case of our church, after being closed for in-person worship for so long, we have to ask will "normal" be the congregational life we had in January of 2020, or will it be something quite different?

Over the past fourteen months people have developed new habits on Sunday mornings. We have created an on-line presence, we have instituted livestream services. Will the congregation just pick up where we left off, or will there be significant changes.

In an effort to answer that question, Session undertook a survey of the congregation, asking how they saw their church life in the future. There was a response rate of over 85%! A survey response rate of 50% or higher is considered excellent in most circumstances. So, right off, we know that our congregation is still very engaged with SPPC.

Based on the results of the questionnaires, we expect nearly all of the congregation will return for in-person services, but the return will be slow as some will wait until nearly everyone in the community has been vaccinated (herd immunity.) Our live-streamed worship will be a help to folk with health concerns as they can still observe the service while staying away from others.

On the other hand, the survey points to a great yearning for fellowship. We've missed each other. We've missed Bible Study and Friendship Coffee. We've missed shared meals and shared birthday cakes. We want to laugh together, sing together and pray together. No amount of electronics can replace human touch and face-to-face conversation.

On the bright side, about 90% of respondents listed music, prayers, sermon and fellowship as important or very important in their church life. Rev. Irwin has bragging rights as the sermon received the highest approval rating with a one point edge over congregational hymns. 

When we can gather again we'll notice gaps in our midst. During the months of the pandemic many faithful members have been called to glory. Given that we cannot hold regular funerals, it as though those folk have simply disappeared. Perhaps, when we are "normal" again we can have a service of remembrance to say a proper good-bye.

In the meantime, "love thy neighbour."

Phillipians 2: 3-5

 considering others better than yourselves.  And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.  The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:

Looking Ahead

 

We're talking a new step at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church this week.

When churches were first closed for in-person worship in March 2020, Rev. Irwin created virtual services using his cell phone and a laptop. They were lovely and very professional considering the elementary equipment he had. Most of us thought this was just a stop-gap measure until we were all back in the pews.

Months went by and our minister had to take a break from creating virtual services. Instead Peter Aggus brought in a portable videography set-up and live-streamed our services. A slightly scary scenario for those taking part in the worship. Any mistake was broadcast to the world on the instant.

I think most of us were still thinking this was short term, but more weeks went by and in-person services are still not allowed.

Now we are taking a leap into the future. We believe that, even when in-person worship is allowed, many congregants will have become accustomed to virtual services. The "new" way of being church after COVID 19, will include an on-line presence.

To that end, Session, with a grant from Presbytery, has had a permanent audio/video system installed. Two cameras, a sound mixer, and a dizzying array of controls on a tablet bring us into a whole new world. 

Several volunteers showed up for a training session on Friday and our first livestream went out on Sunday. Please be patient. We're still learning. But what a long way we've come!

We thank Peter Aggus for helping us out for so many weeks. More than he bargained for, I'm sure. And we are grateful to Pacific Audio Works for getting us up and running with our own system, and for their patience with umpteen dozen questions. 

This feels like a big step, but I remember a sermon where the preacher reminded us that what lies unseen around the corner is not a fearsome monster, but the loving arms of Jesus. Be not afraid!

This week's service is here.

Easter 3

 The link for this week's worship service is here.

Here we are into the third week of Easter -- the time of resurrection, yet death still pervades our world. Deaths within our congregation, our families and our country continue apace, at latest count there are 3 million COVID related deaths worldwide. 

For some we've had small outdoor services with a maximum of ten, others have postponed any service until COVID restrictions end. This weekend I watched the service for the Duke of Edinburgh--lots of ceremony but within COVID restrictions that dictated a choir of only four, and only 30 members of the family in attendance, seated well apart, echoing the experience of so many mourners in this epidemic. It hurts to see people bearing sorrow alone.

Yet, whatever the circumstances of the deceased, prince or pauper, the same words of scripture are read for comfort, for inspiration, and for hope. 

Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God. . .In my Father's house are many mansions: John 14: 1-2

I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11: 25

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom then shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27: 1

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21:4

These are just a few of my favourite passages, no doubt each of you can add many of your own. And here we come to the Good News. While COVID holds sway in our world for a time, Jesus Christ holds power forever. Whatever ravages death may inflict, Christ stands ready to heal the brokenhearted and welcome home His saints.

As we suffer through the remaining days of the pandemic, let us hold fast to God's promises. Christ will prevail. His kingdom shall know no end.

The Lord is My Shepherd                      

Reluctant Spring

 The link to last Sunday's livestream service is here.

We start this week with sad news. After a very long life, our friend Blanche, has been called home.

She'll be remembered for many things, including her fabulous shortbread cookies. There wasn't a single fellowship occasion at SPPC that didn't include at least one plate of Blanche's shortbread. Any that weren't eaten on Sunday mornings would carry over to Wednesday Bible Study.

She was a stalwart among the knitters at Friendship Coffee on Thursdays, often bringing supplies of yarn and batting for others as well.

At an age when most are stepping back from volunteer jobs, Blanche, along with her husband Bill, took on to produce The Shepherd's Way, our church newsletter. The Sunday a new issue arrived in our mailboxes was a happy day for the congregation.

Blanche was a saver. Her closets were stuffed with articles from all the decades of her life which meant, when we needed costume material, she was a "go to" source. Want a hat from the 1950's? Blanche had several. Need a flapper string of beads? Blanche had a boxful. A cane for the Christmas Musical? Ask Blanche.

Not only did she have all sorts of unexpected treasures she was eager and happy to share them. 

While the virus lingers as the worst of unwanted guests, spring has been a reluctant arrival this year. The odd warm day followed by weeks of frosty nights and chilly days. The death of our sister-in-Christ feels like another blast of winter. 

But spring is just around the corner and, though we will miss her, Blanche has arrived on the other side where flowers bloom, trumpets sound and friends rejoice to see her again.

Farewell, dear friend. Until we meet again.

The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended

Easter 2021

 There was no sunrise service this Easter, nor was there breakfast in the hall or an in-person service in the sanctuary.

We did manage an out-door Maundy Thursday communion. 

The Good Friday service was live-streamed here.

Easter Sunday service is here

Rev. Irwin has mentioned some upcoming birthdays, Janet, Hal, Leona, and Linda as well as an anniversary for the Lloyd and Lee. However, there was one person missing from his list. On April 11, Rev. Irwin will celebrate his birthday. 

Best wishes to all our celebrants.

Our Jewish friends traditionally end their Seder supper with the words, "next year in Jerusalem."  I will end this blog with the hope, "next year in the sanctuary."