SPPC Today

News for Sunday, August 17, 2025

I will be absent from the pulpit for the next two Sundays, and I want to share with you what is happening during that time.

This coming Sunday, we will be blessed to have the Rev. Dr. Ray Sanford Jr. leading our worship service. Rev. Dr. Sanford serves as the Senior Vice President of OC International (known as Outreach Canada in Canada). After a career in management with AT&T Corporation, he and his family moved into missions in 1986, serving for 12 years in France before he returned to minister through mission leadership. Ray also preached at Knox Presbyterian Church in Sooke during their vacancy, and there also preached a wonderful sermon at the Presbytery induction service for the Rev. Jacqueline Cleland. We look forward to welcoming him and hearing the message God has given him for us.

While you are in good hands here at SPPC, I will be preaching at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Victoria. The Presbytery has assigned me to serve as their interim moderator as they continue in their vacancy and seek to call a new minister. Interestingly, I believe this will be my first time preaching at St. Andrew's since 1992, when I did so for the Presbytery of Vancouver Island as a student candidate for ministry.

The following Sunday, Diane and I will be at Camp Imadene, beginning our service as kitchen helpers for the Senior Teen camp. It is always an exhausting but wonderful time preparing delicious and nutritious meals. The kitchen is led by Byron Knight, the former assistant Pastor at Friendship Community Church, who has also preached here at SPPC on occasion. We are also looking forward to working alongside some members of the mission team that we accompanied to the Dominican Republic this spring.

Worship this Sunday

Our service this Sunday begins at 10:00 a.m. You can participate in person or connect with our community online via the live stream. The link is available here.

The Scripture readings are:

• Psalm 1

• John 15:1-10

• Colossians 3:12-17

This week our soloist will be singing Meine Seele hört im Sehen (My soul hears through seeing) by George Frederic Handel.

Upcoming

• This week we welcome the Rev. Ray Sanford Jr. to the pulpit. Next week we will be welcoming back Rick Wismer.

• The next Friendship Coffee gathering is at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, at SPPC.  Feel free to bring a friend.

• Tea and Tour of the Legislature: details will be forthcoming.

May God's blessings go with you!

SUNDAY MORNING

Welcome to Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. 

Our worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning both in-person and online (via the SPPC YouTube Livestream button above). We invite you to join us each week as we continue to explore and follow the Word of God. Following the service, there is a fellowship time at the back of the sanctuary.

For the safety of your neighbours, when you attend worship: 

• Please, perform a health check prior to attending.

• While masks are not required, feel free to wear one if you prefer.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.