SPPC Today

News for Sunday, May 17, 2026

The Way We Pray Together

Coming up on Sunday, May 31, we will experience a "Fifth Sunday," something that only occurs four or five times a year. Taking to heart our learnings from the Centre for Missional Leadership, we want to use these unusual Sundays as an opportunity to try something special each time they roll around.

This month, we are going to change the way we approach our Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession, transforming it more fully into the Prayers of the People.

We warmly invite you to participate more directly in this prayer time. You can do this in a few ways:

• Submit in advance: Share personal prayers with us before the service begins so they can be included.

• Share during worship: Offer a prayer focus just before we begin praying.

• Pray aloud: Voices from the congregation will be welcome to pray aloud during the prayer itself.

When we pray this way, we bring our needs and concerns not only before God, but also before the congregation as a whole. It allows us, as a community, to support what lies upon your heart, learning together how to share each other’s burdens before God.

Experimenting and Growing Together

Fifth Sundays give us a wonderful space to experiment and discover new approaches that might enhance our worship experience moving forward. Because this is a shared journey, your feedback will be incredibly important as we learn what works well for our community and what does not.

Please join us on May 31 as we step into this meaningful practice together.

Worship this Sunday

Our worship service 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 51:7-17

• Luke 6:43-45

• Philippians 2:1-13 - The Christ Hymn

This week our choir is singing the anthem Let Us Serve Him by Nancy Price and Don Besig.

Announcements

• During this month of May we are holding a Clothes Drive for the Mustard Seed Street Church. Take the opportunity to clean out your closet and to help those in need. Some suggestions: sweat pants, jogging pants, shorts, tee shirts, coats, underwear, socks and shoes.

• Our next Wednesday Study of the book of Ephesians will take place on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• We are next gathering for Friendship Coffee on Thursday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m.Join us for this wonderful time of fellowship and bring along a friend.

• 2026 Vancouver Island Presbytery Summer Camps: These Weekend Escapes are a camping ministry for people of all ages. Come and enjoy nature together. There will be speakers to engage the adults, activities to engage the children, and songs for everyone around the campfire. The Presbytery Camp Committee has reserved the following times and locations:

  • Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park June 8–12

  • Rathtrevor Provincial Park July 25–30

  • Rathtrevor Provincial Park July 30–August 3

  • For inquiries concerning the camps, you can connect with the Camp VIP Registrar at jermareng@outlook.com

Community Events

• Ceilidh Dance: On Saturday, May 23 at 2:30 p.m. a Ceilidh will be held at 1229 Clarke Road (beside the Brentwood Library). The cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. All money will be donated to the Central Saanich Seniors' Centre. Some folks come to dance and others come to watch the dancing. After the Ceilidh there will be refreshments for everyone. Those dancing should wear clothes that allow for free movement as well as lightweight, soft-soled, flat, enclosed shoes.

• The Sidney Celebri-Tea takes place Sunday, May 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bodine Hall in the Mary Winspear Centre (2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney). There will be an amazing line-up of performers and personalities, including Jack Knox, Gregor Craigie, Sunny Shams, and Big Hank Lionhart with Terry Medd. The afternoon tea will be served with a lovely selection of savouries and sweets. There will also be a silent auction. The event is in support of the Medical Equipment Lending Service and Adult Day Programs provided on the Peninsula by the Mount Newton Centre Society. Tickets are $50, including the show and tea and must be purchased in advance by Monday, May 18. They can be purchased at Tanner’s Books (2436 Beacon Ave, Sidney) or here.

We May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

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.