Red for Pentecost

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

Last Sunday at SPPC was a jam-packed occasion. We celebrated the anniversary of our building, but we also wore red to celebrate Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit, in the form of tongues of fire, touched each of the believers gathered together in one place in Jerusalem. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the people began speaking in tongues, i.e the languages of many different nations. 

Many observers were amazed, others scoffed saying the disciples must be drunk. But Peter stood up and delivered a sermon which reassured his hearers that they were not inebriated, but had been touched by the Holy Spirit, sent from Christ, as He had promised.

About three thousand people responded to Peter's call and were baptized and became followers of Jesus on that day. Pentecost is now looked on as the beginning of the church. Certainly a day to celebrate.

With the day behind us, we are now in the season of Pentecost. The party is over. Now it is time to get to work. As we read through Acts we see that the small band of Jesus' followers, came out of hiding. They lost their fear and became bold in the Lord. Peter, who had denied Jesus at His trial, now proclaimed Him loudly on the streets and in the marketplace. The other disciples also spread the Gospel. They travelled far afield to proclaim the truth of the risen Christ. They suffered for their faith, but they would not stop proclaiming what they had witnessed and what they knew to be true.

The coming of the Holy Spirit, transformed the followers of Christ from a "me-centred" (who is the greatest) group of individuals to a Christ-centred movement, united in their mission to baptize and make believers of all nations. They changed the world, and that mission continues to this day.

We at SPPC will not experience a Pentecost like the one in first century Jerusalem but we can receive the Holy Spirit into our own lives. We can love one another as Jesus commanded. 

Acts 2 states that after the day of Pentecost, the believers "continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed." GNT 

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, our congregation ate cake -- what else is new? On this occasion it was to celebrate Father's Day, but mostly it was because we really enjoy the fellowship time on Sunday after worship service. 

During the month of June, SPPC is putting extra effort into our food bank offerings. Like that first church that grew out of Pentecost, we are sharing our love and our goods with the community around us. May the Holy Spirit work in us. Let's fill those bins to overflowing. Let us love one another as Christ first loved us. 1John 4:19

Happy Pentecost!

35th Anniversary Party

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

What a party! Saturday, lunchtime, 60 people sat down to a catered lunch in celebration of our building's 35th anniversary. 

There were lots of pictures, posters and memory displays placed around the narthex and hall. 

Original banner used to identify the place of worship, -- funeral home, school, warehouse -- before we had a building of our own.

Lunch included salad, main course and pudding as well as "share" plates on each table.

Our clerk of session gave an overview of the church's beginnings -- in a funeral home with 9 members -- through to the construction and dedication of our present building. Apparently there was an old shed on the property that would have been expensive to tear down. Instead, the church invited the N. Saanich volunteer fire department to come and burn it down for practice. They did, and the neighbours came running to see what was on fire. As Janet said, they didn't find the fires of hell, but were offered a lawn chair and a cup of hot chocolate. That was the beginning of our "friendly" church.

Rev. Irwin spoke of the church that was begun at Pentecost (See Acts 2.) The early church emphasised sharing -- possessions, worship and meals. SPPC has certainly lived up to the "eating together," model.

We had a letter from Rev. Peter Coutts, the first minister of SPPC. He is in Alberta and unable to attend but he shared some wonderful memories of the building of the church, including the fact that, once on the roof, he discovered he was afraid of heights!

Rev. Noel, our minister emeritus spoke of the many memorable moments of his ministry at SPPC, including some unanswerable questions posed by the children during the children's story time. He even brought some of the decorated paper bags they Sunday School gave him upon his retirement. On his last Sunday as minister here, he was carried into the parking lot on a makeshift sedan chair. Once deposited on the asphalt, his carriers abandoned him, leaving him alone and unsupported in the parking lot. No wonder he was glad to receive an invitation from our next minister, Rev. Barbara Young, to return to the congregation. 😄

 The "kids" have outgrown the kids' table.

We had a wonderful afternoon, and, of course, on Sunday morning, we had cake.

What's Your Legacy?

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

In keeping with the theme of the month, SPPC finished out May with more food, specifically coffee and goodies with Friendship Coffee on Thursday morning.


As usual, the coffee was hot, the goodies delicious and the time all too short. Thanks to Janet for sharing her pictures.

Kudos to those who maintain this valuable ministry.

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On Friday, there was a memorial service for a long-time member of SPPC and a Sister-in-Christ. There is always sadness associated with these farewells, but also an element of joy and connection. Our friend had lived a long and full life, and her final gift to those left behind, was the order of her service. As we fulfilled her wishes, we shared a sense of completeness. Her life within the congregation had come full circle and we were blessed to be part of it.

We sang the hymns she had chosen, listened to the Scriptural passages she had designated, and heard a solo, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" that she had requested. It made for a very comforting time together.

We also heard a little about her life from friends and neighbours. Amidst all the individual stories, kindness was a recurring theme.  What a legacy! So much of life concerns material things -- to make a good living, to own nice things, to visit exotic places -- but at the end of 90+ years, our friend was remembered for her kindness. 

Hardly surprising that she chose Philippians 4 as one of her readings, especially the bit that says "whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely . . .think on these things." There is nothing wrong with material things, they make life comfortable and enjoyable, but they must not take the place of spiritual things. When we come to the end of our earthly journey isn't it better to be remembered for  kindness and hospitality and generosity than for the for the "stuff" we accumulated along the way?

Having been a church-goer all my life, I've attended many, many memorials. All emphasise the people who have been touched by the loved one throughout life's journey. They remind me that "a life well-lived" really means the relationships developed along the way, and the memories left behind. I'm inspired to emulate those saints who have gone before.

Farewell, dear friend. It's been good to know you. See you later.

A Morning of Joy

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

As promised, we had more food at church this Sunday. Following the service, our mission team served us a typical DR working lunch, including peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Food for volunteer workers, not tourists!

We also had some Dominican Republic treats unseen in this part of the world. Pineapple pop anyone? 

Coffee is one of the main exports of the DR. Our team got to tour a coffee plant during their stay and brought home this sample to show.

The lunch was nutritious and filling -- just what hard-working cement mixers, flingers and polishers need.  During the slide show after lunch, we learned a lot about the many uses of cement. We also learned how heavy and demanding it is to mix and apply!

Our team was putting the finishing touches on a cement brick house for a family in Pedregal. The indoor work protected them from sunburn while they developed more muscles. They found great joy in working with the family that will move into that house.

Joy was a constant theme running through the presentation. First, our team remarked on the joyful nature of their hosts. Despite living in what our culture would consider deep poverty, the people in Pedregal were joyful. They sang hymns as they worked. They welcomed guests and others with happy smiles. They praised God in all things.

Second, our team was held in the joy of the Lord, even while taking cold showers. The locals don't know why anyone needs hot water, but there are enough mission teams from North America visiting every year, that they decided to put in a hot water tank, just for them. Rev. Irwin and Diane, though, were in a room that wasn't plumbed for hot water, so they had to rejoice in cold water.

Many people at SPPC have sponsored a child in the DR, allowing them to attend university. The mission team brought back pictures of those sponsored children, including many university graduates. Joy, again, in seeing the fruits of those sponsorships. For every student who studied and graduated, the benefits extend to the entire family, town and country. 

In the months leading up to the mission trip, our congregation  medical supplies. I've posted about it previously on this blog. Well, in the end, the combined team members from Saanich Bible Fellowship and Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church carried half a ton of medicines, swabs, sheets, maternity kits and other supplies for the clinic. Only Joan was stopped by Customs but after a small delay and a consultation with a medical doctor in the airport, she, and all her medicines, were let through intact.

Our team members talked of the joy in Pedregal, but that joy was contagious. They brought it back with them. Our fellowship was full of smiles and hugs and happy greetings. The sermon, on Peter's miraculous escape from prison, and the power of prayer, and the enduring and growing church in our world, resounded with joy. If you missed it, check out the live-stream link at the top of this post.

I wish you a joyful week. May you have opportunity to spread the joy and peace and love of God in your daily walk.

Cake!

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

Last Sunday was Mother's Day, so SPPC celebrated with -- what else-- cake. It has been a while since we had cake after service so I was glad to get a piece. It was a white cake and very tasty.

Then, this Sunday, we celebrated Brian's birthday with a chocolate cake. 

It too, was very tasty. The chocolate in the icing was just right. Thank you, Brian, for sharing your cake.

Happy Birthday, Brian. 

 We won't have to wait long for another treat. Next Sunday, May 25 the mission team, who went to the Dominican Republic in March, will make a presentation to the congregation following the service. There will also be food.

On May 29, Friendship Coffee meets at 10:00 in the morning. There are always goodies to go with the coffee. This is a great time to bring a friend and enjoy some fellowship time.

Then, on June the 7th we'll enjoy a catered lunch to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the church building. For those who can't make it out on Saturday, there will be cake following the service on June 8.

Regular readers of this blog may think I obsess about cake, and maybe I do, but we have such beautiful cakes. The two featured at the top of this page are works of art, but look at this one.

 or this one.

Gorgeous!

Not only are out cakes beautiful and flavourful, they are a sign of hospitality. The early Christians made eating together part of their worship. 

At SPPC we invite all to share in the breaking of bread. Friend or stranger, all are welcome to come for a cup of coffe, a slice of cake, and a good conversation. Please come.

Of Local and Global

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

Peggy worked very hard, but only her eyebrow made the picture

We acted locally at SPPC this week by holding a cleaning bee. Our church is given a housecleaning every week, but once or twice a year we dig deep into the corners, dispose of clutter, and air the place out. On Friday a group of volunteers showed up at 10:00 am, took a look at the list of tasks, and set to work. 

Dusting and scrubbing were straightforward, but clearing clutter was harder. We were all afraid that the minute we threw something away, it would be needed the next day. In the end, just plain junk and out-dated materials went to garbage or recycle, while the things that "someone might want someday," were stored in logical places and "someone" was told where that was. When we have our next clean out, if those items haven't been used, they'll get tossed!

By noon, our church building was looking neat and tidy, with open shelf space for "stuff" we really need. 

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On the world stage this week the election of Leo XIV as the successor to the late Pope Francis dominated the news. The scene of jubilation and celebration in St. Peter's Square was in marked contrast to the wider world, where wars rage, famine spreads, and the divide between rich and poor widens.

While Pope Leo XIV does not wield the political power of prime ministers and presidents, as leader of over one billion Roman Catholics world wide, he does have influence.  How fitting, then, that his first words as Pope were "Peace be with you." He went on, in his first address   to say, ". . . I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.  Peace be with you!" 

Much has been made of this being the first American pontiff, but one should note that he has also spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru, and holds Peruvian citizenship.  He is also the first Augustinian Pope.

I was curious about the choice of name. As a life-long Protestant, I was only aware of Leo X, who was the Pope at the time of the Reformation. This was the Pope who encouraged the sale of indulgences in order to build St. Peter's Basillica. It was that sale of "forgiveness" that infuriated Martin Luther and changed history.

The first Leo was Pope in the fifth century. He was known as Leo the Great because he stood at the gates of Rome and persuaded Atila the Hun not to attack the city after he had laid waste to Northern Italy. The event is celebrated as a moment that shows peaceful agreements can be reached without violence. 

Pope Leo II, a respected scholar, had a very short papacy. He was known as a great singer, giving much of his time to perfecting the melodies used in Gregorian Chant. 

Leo III was beset by enemies and needed protection. He found it from Charlemagne. In gratitude he declared Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor.

At the time of  Leo IV’s election the Saracens sacked Rome. As Pope, Leo set about reinforcing the city's defences, repairing damaged structures and building a wall around Vatican hill.

Popes Leo V, VI, VII,  and VIII served during the dark ages. All them had very short papacies and were embroiled in power struggles that often ended with murder.

Leo IX was in power at the time of the schism between the Roman Catholic Church of the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1054 the leaders of both sides excommunicated the other. Nearly 1,000 years later, in 1965, Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I lifted both excommunications.

As mentioned above, Leo X presided during the Protestant Reformatoin.

Leo XI only held the post for twenty-six days. Leo XII was an ultra-conservative who barred Jews from owning property.

Leo XIII is considered the current pope's true antecedent. He is remembered as a bridge between the past and the present. He championed scientific advancement, advocated for the poor and defended workers rights to a living wage. Perhaps, as a sign of his modernity, he was the first pope to appear in film in 1896.

Those long ago men who held the papacy are figures of historical interest.  For most of us at SPPC, their accomplishments and failures are mere curiosities. But we should all wish the best for Leo XIV, and pray that his call for peace is heard throughout our troubled world. 

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.