Party Time

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

As the end of June approaches there is a "school's out" feeling around the church. The choir has stopped wearing gowns on Sunday morning -- it's too hot! Session has held its last regular meeting until September and, on Monday, the Sunshine Lunch group held its last gathering of this term.

From all reports, it was a bang-up lunch with lots of Hawaiian type clothing. I hear the grass skirts were a hit.

Thanks to Joan, I have pictures to share. 

The Sunshine Lunch is for singles in our fellowship, but another social event, Friendship Coffee on Thursday morning, was open to all. No fancy lunch at that gathering but lots of coffee, baked goodies and lively conversation.  Thanks to our faithful hosts, Brian and Vivien, Al and Irene.

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And the good news is that another volunteer gardener turned up at the church on Friday. Welcome to the "work force," David B. and thank you.

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Sunday, Rev. Irwin was ministering at Trinity Presbyterian in Victoria. We were grateful to welcome Pastor George to the pulpit again. He is a great friend of the congregation and brings his own brand of wisdom and humour to Sunday mornings. 

The picture at left shows him in summer mode too.

Food Bank

 

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

A busy Sunday, which included Father's Day cake and a picture of our newest Daddy. 

Congratulations to all the Dads out there, and a hug to all who are missing their Dad today.

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During worship we celebrated the Lord's Supper at SPPC. We came together as a community of believers, broke bread and ate it, as Christ commanded "in remembrance of me." The morsel of bread fed our souls.

How fitting then, that at the same service we looked to our neighbours who are physically hungry. 

Anyone who watches the nightly news or reads a newspaper, or eavesdrops at the coffee shop will know the stories about the  need at food banks in B.C.  The Food Bank B.C. website reports a 57% increase in usage since 2019. One in three users is a child. The number of seniors seeking help has increased 20%. In March of this year 98000 individuals sought help from food banks in B.C. Donations have dropped 30%.

At a local level, we support the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank.  They report that demand is increasing month over month. The SPLF serves 1500 - 1800 people per month, about 500 households. Last Wednesday was their busiest day ever recorded with 57 households being served. 

Most of their clients are working people, some with more than one job. More and more seniors are showing up at the door, especially after the death of a spouse, and the loss of that pension income.

The Food Bank partners with local grocery stores to recover fresh produce and dairy products that are still usable. As garden season picks up, they will welcome donations of fresh vegetables and fruit, but please call ahead to be sure there is capacity for storage. 

If you check those collection boxes in the narthex, you will find that our congregation gives to the Food Bank every week.  Our bookkeeper reports that in the last 12 months, we have collected nearly $2500.00 for the food bank. 

In addition, we collect food items every week. We don't need a bribe! But, just for fun, twice a year we put on a drive to increase our givings. A donation earns a ticket in a draw for a hanging basket. At Christmas, Margaret S. won. On Sunday the generous winner was Karen R., a friend of the congregation who helps out in the kitchen on occasion. 

She received this lovely hanging basket. 

Congratulations, Karen, and well done everyone who filled the collection boxes with food and cash. 

Sadly, the need, as noted above, does not end with our draw. Now that school is out, there is an even greater demand for snack food. Those  kids are now cleaning out the fridge at home -- juice boxes, granola bars, peanut butter sandwiches-- all are in greater demand than ever. 

When you do your shopping, please remember to add an item or two for the food bank.

We Give Thee but Thine Own,

Friends and Family

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

This weekend was busy for me. I had family visiting. Since they live four provinces away, such get-togethers are special moments. My visitors included a couple of children and I want to thank Anna and our Sunday School crew for making them welcome. We are so fortunate to have teachers willing to give extra effort for little visitors. As Stuart McLean used to say on the Vinyl Cafe, "we may not be big, but we're small." 

Our extra effort for the Sidney Food Bank continues until next Sunday (Father's Day and Communion.) All donations can be dropped off at the church. Bins are in the narthex. The Food Bank has asked particularly for school snack food this time around. When you drop off your items, please enter your name in the draw for a hanging basket, pictured above. Names will be announced next Sunday.

Bible Study resumes on Wednesday at 10:00am and 7:00 pm. All welcome, even if it's your first time. Our lesson is on on Psalm 3. We discuss that most basic of all prayers, "help me!" 

On Sunday morning Rev. Irwin preached on Psalm 69, another cry of despair from the Psalmist. If you have questions about the sermon, Wednesday Bible Study is a good time to ask them. 

Summer is fast approaching and with it a busy "end of term" time at SPPC. Save June 30 on your calendar as a special time to honour our volunteers, the Blue Bus ministry, and our graduates. There may be cake. 

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild,

Father, unto Thee we raise

This our sacrifice of praise.

Welcome to June

 

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

It has been a busy weekend at SPPC. Saturday evening we were all entertained with a lovely dinner, prepared and served by Barb and her crew.  The event was a fund-raiser for the new heat pump, and an excuse to "break bread togther." Our congregation savours any opportunity for fellowship. Throw in a good meal and the tables fill quickly. 

Barb with her crew in the kitchen

The meal started with a caesar salad. Main course was chicken and, finally, lots of desserts. Many accepted seconds!

Smiling faces and full tummies tell the tale.

Oh yes, the dinner raised over $1000.00 for the new heat pump.

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Sunday morning was a very special worship service. Abigail is turning twelve. As is the practice at SPPC, in honour of her milestone birthday,  she was presented with a study Bible, along with prayers and good wishes for her continued growth in the love of God. 

I had a close up view of the procedings. Abigail blushed, but held her composure throughout the ceremony. Not sure if there weren't a few tears in the pews. We have watched Abigail grow from a baby at her baptism until now.

Abigail at her baptism

At her birth, she was more or less the congregation's baby. Now she takes her place as an active member of our fellowship. Congratulations, Abigail, happy birthday. May God bless you richly and may your life be enriched with faith in Christ, our Saviour.

Psalm 1

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

This week we began a new Bible study on the Psalms. We began with Psalm 1 (a very good place to start.) That psalm was also the text for Sunday's sermon so those who were at Bible study went to the head of the class on Sunday morning. 

A version of Psalm 1 from the Scottish Psalter, is the first hymn in our Book of Praise. So we really are starting at the beginning.

We are using a study guide, Psalms - Prayers of the Heart, written by Eugene Peterson. He's maybe best known for his translation of the Bible called The Message. In our small group discussion we used various translations including The Message,  the NIV, the English Study Bible and the Good News Bible. 

For many of us, the language of the King James Version of the Bible is deeply rooted in our memories and brings comfort to our hearts. For study purposes, though, it is useful to read the same passage in different versions. Just the change of one word can bring out a whole other meaning. e.g. one translation of the first line of Psalm one reads "happy  are those. . .," while another reads "blessed is the man." The Message uses "How well God must like you—" The Scottish Psalter sings "That man hath perfect blessedness, Who walketh not astray."

"Happy" and "blessed" are both useful translations but there is no English word equivalent of the original Hebrew.  This is but a small example of how study of the Scripture can enhance our understanding and remind us that -- unless we can read Hebrew and Greek -- we are always reading through the lens of a tranlator.  

If you really want to delve deeply into translations, the website biblegateway.com has sixty-two versions of the Bible available with the click of a mouse.    

This week we move to lesson two of our study, and Psalm 2. One of the advantages of studying Psalms is that each one can stand alone. So, if you skipped last week, there is no reason you can't join in this week. There is a choice of class time, Wednesday at 10:00 am or 7:00 pm -- or go to both.                                                                                                                    

    Psalm 1 as a hymn.                                                                                                                                               

Knit a Prayer

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

Once upon a time, in the days before COVID-19, there were many busy knitters at SPPC. They usually worked during Friendship Coffee and produced thousands and thousands of cotton squares which were sent to the Compassionate Warehouse and distributed in Africa. The little squares, when hung in the sun, were sterile enough to be used to clean the eyes of newborns. One of our members loved to knit teddy bears for children in need of a toy or a cuddle. These two were distributed by the CRW.  

Then the pandemic came and friends couldn't gather in groups. The Compassionate Warehouse had to stop accepting donations as they couldn't distribute goods. Life changed.

The good news is that CRW is back up and running. SPPC is collecting goods once more and Friendship Coffee is back on a monthly basis. Brian and Vivien can tell you about both.

However, the busy knitting needles seem to have been packed away and forgotten. 

But if you are a knitter and in need of an easy project, let me suggest a prayer or healing shawl. These are simple to do -- knit three, purl three, for the width of the shawl, then turn and knit the purls and purl the knits. What makes these projects special is the love and prayer that go into every stitch. My friend, who has knit many shawls says they are "like a hug" to the recipient who may be feeling lonely or afraid.

I made one as a trial and gave it to our pastoral care committee to pass along to someone in our congregation who could do with a tangible reminder of our love and care for her. The gift exceeded all expectations.

So, I made another, which is on its way. As well as praying for the recipient while I'm knitting, I write out a little prayer and attach it to the shawl when it is sent off. It is that personal touch, and the reminder that we are all part of the Christian community that makes the shawls special.

The internet abounds with articles about forming knitting clubs for the purpose of making the shawls as a group. Other sites give you patterns and prayer suggestions and yet others will sell you a kit! 

While these resources may be helpful they are not necessary. What matters is that you imbue your work with love and ask God to bless it. Then give it away, trusting that the Holy Spirit will use it for good.

Just a reminder, Anna, Joan, Linda, Norma and Pam are on the pastoral care committee. They'd be glad to accept your knitting project and to supply you with names of possible recipients. More information is available from the office, 250 656-2241

A "New" Mother's Day

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

Sunday was Mother's Day. In the church we call it "Family Day," but everyone knows that Mom is the star of the show. How fitting, then that we celebrated the sacrament of Baptism at SPPC on that day. We welcomed baby Owen William Dean into the family of God and into the fellowship of Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

And we celebrated his Mom and his whole extended family as all of us together promised to uphold them as they raise, this child, offering guidance, teaching and support in Christian love.

We've had other baptisms at SPPC but more often than not, our connection to the baby is through grandparents or other relatives. Many times, the child doesn't live on the Saanich Peninsula, so our involvement is by long distance.

Owen, on the other hand, has been attending SPPC since he was only a few weeks old. His parents, his grandmother, and his aunt, his uncle and his cousin are all faithful members of our congregation. We look forward to watching him grow in "wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man."

Of course, we celebrated with cake. 

And for those who may be missing their mom at this time, I found this little fragment of poetry.

. . . She taught me all of beauthy that I know 

The deathless creed of blossom and of wing

And still I find her love's reflected glow

      In every lovely thing.

Love never ends. 

Thanks, Mom.

forget-me-not