SPPC Today

 News for Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026

“It's Friday, but Sunday is a-coming”—to quote Tony Campolo. This day, as we remember the cross, we also look forward to the empty tomb. For Easter serves as the cornerstone of our faith, marking the moment when hope was permanently restored to the world. We celebrate because the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a past event, but a living reality that defines our identity as a people of the New Covenant. It is the definitive victory of life over death, proving that God’s love is the most powerful force in existence. For the Church, this season is a vital reminder that no matter how deep the darkness may seem, the light of our Saviour has already overcome it, offering us a transformed life and a future filled with promise.

Historically, our celebration of Easter is rooted in the Jewish Passover, or Pascha, reflecting the passage from the old life of bondage to the new life of freedom. From the very beginning, the early Church regarded this as the “Feast of Feasts,” the most sacred day of the liturgical year. In AD 325, the Council of Nicaea sought to bring unity to the global Church by formalising the timing of the celebration, ensuring that believers across different cultures would observe the Resurrection together. Whether we refer to it as Easter (probably derived from an Old English name of the goddess of spring and dawn) or Pascha, the essence has remained unchanged for nearly two thousand years. It is our annual opportunity to centre our lives once again on the miraculous grace that changed the course of history forever.

Worship this Sunday

Our Easter Sunday celebrations on Sunday, April 5 will begin with a Sunrise Service at Cy Hampson Park at 8:00 a.m., followed by a warm breakfast in Molloy Hall at 9:00 a.m. hosted by the Fellowship Committee. Then we gather for our Easter Sunday Celebration and Communion Service 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.

Our reader this week is Tore Valdal. The Scripture readings are:

• Psalm 118:15-29

• John 20:1-18—Empty tomb, Jesus calls Mary by name

This week our choir is singing the INTROIT He is Risen by Larry Skaggs and the anthem of the same name by Don Besig & Nancy Price.

Announcements

• Our Easter Sunday services are as follows:

  • Easter Sunday “Sunrise” Service—April 5 at 8:00 a.m. at Cy Hampson Park (8891 Lochside Drive, North Saanich)

  • Easter Morning Breakfast—April 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Molloy Hal. All are welcome!

  • Easter Sunday Celebration and Communion Service—April 5 at 10:00 a.m.

• The next Sunshine Lunch will be held on Monday, April 13. The theme will be "Easter". Please register by this Sunday, April 5, so we may know the number attending.

• Our Wednesday Study will tentatively resume on April 15. We continue with Ephesians, chapter 4.

• Our next Friendship Coffee will take place on Thursday, April 30 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

• The Vancouver Island Chamber Choir, with Grant Harville, Director, presents Bouquet, an elegant arrangement of stunning pieces by Byrd, Cook, Debussy, MacDonald, Lauridsen, Tate, Whitacre and more. The concert takes place on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 9691 Fourth Street, Sidney. Entry by donation.

• Via Choralis presents Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 Third Street, Sidney, on Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children (12 and under).

May the Lord bless 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.