SPPC Today

News for Sunday, March 8, 2026

As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, I want to draw your attention to a wonderful resource from our colleagues at St. Andrew’s Hall: the 2026 Lenten Devotion Guide (you can follow the link or pick up a copy from the office). This year's guide, themed around “Faithful Presence,” offers a collection of daily reflections written by a diverse range of voices within our denominational college community—including students, faculty, and ministers. These reflections provide a gracious invitation to slow our pace and open ourselves to the renewing work of God, reminding us that Lent is not about striving harder to prove ourselves, but about allowing the Spirit to create a softened heart and a renewed spirit within us.

Even as we find ourselves several weeks into the season, it is not too late to pick up this guide and begin following along. Today’s reflection (March 6) specifically invites us to see Jesus as the "image of the invisible God" whose presence is woven into the very fabric of creation, a timely reminder as we look toward the renewal of all things in the Resurrection. Whether you use it for a few minutes of quiet contemplation in the morning or as a starting point for family prayer, these devotions offer a "sanctified imagination" to help us perceive God’s divine action in our world. I encourage you to download the guide and let these daily words of scripture and prayer accompany you on the road toward the cross and the empty tomb.

Worship this Sunday

This Sunday we once again welcome the Rev. Wes Denyer to the the pulpit and Wes and once again swap pulpits. I will be leading worship at St. Andrew’s, Victoria, where I also serve as Interim Moderator during their vacancy as they search for a new minister. Just as we at SPPC held our Annual Congregational Meeting last week, St. Andrew’s holds its ACM this week, which requires my presence.

Also, just a reminder that this Sunday morning the clocks in British Columbia leap forward into Pacific Daylight Time, for the very last time!

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 95

• Exodus 17:1-7

• John 4:5-42

This week our choir is singing the anthem Abide with us our Saviour by Josua Stegmann & Robert Wetzler.

Memorials

• The Memorial Service for Anne MacKinnon will take place this Thursday, March 12 at 1:30 p.m.

• The Memorial Service and following interment in the Garden of Remembrance for Erma Hatt will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m.

• Both services will be followed by a fellowship time.

Announcements

• Our Wednesday Study on the Letter to the Ephesians, on BibleProject.com will resume this Wednesday, March 11. Classes are held at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and you are welcome to join either. We are starting Module 7.

• We are gathering for our Spring Cleaning Bee next Friday, March 13 at 10 a.m. Please feel free to join us. The more, the merrier!

• Our Easter services this year will be as follows:

  • Palm Sunday—March 29 at 10:00 a.m.

  • Maundy Thursday Communion in the Upper Room—April 2 at 6:00 p.m.

  • Good Friday Service of Hymns and Readings—April 3 at 10:00 a.m.

  • 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 Hall

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

• 2026 Vancouver Island Presbytery Summer Camps: These “Weekend Escapes” are a camping ministry for people of all ages. Come on out and enjoy nature together. There will be speakers to engage the adults, activities to engage the children and songs 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 15–30

  • 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

• Dido & Aeneas - Henry Purcell & 500 Years Of English Choral Gems: On Saturday March 14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary the Virgin Church (1701 Elgin Rd, Oak Bay) the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Peter Butterfield, presents some top crown jewels of the English choral tradition, from the country's earliest known opera to the present time. Baroque composer Henry Purcell's short opera, Dido & Aeneas, is a tragic love story with beautiful music, and will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra.
  Shorter pieces on the program include a joyous Coronation Anthem by Handel, and a musical setting of the profound words of German pastor, theologian and pacifist Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed in a Nazi prison camp two weeks before its liberation by the Allies.. More information and ticket link at vpchoir.ca/upcoming

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.