BITS and PIECES
284th Edition – March 1, 2026
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
MANY THANKS
As most of you know, I hit the ninety-mark last Thursday. I received many birthday cards, e-mails, phone messages, and other greetings, including a church gathering with a cake. We also had a family party in Uxbridge. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the kindness shown. It is greatly appreciated.
Also, on this fiftieth anniversary year of our church, my wife and I are very grateful that the Lord brought us all together – we have made many great friends among God’s faithful people.
OUR JUBILEE YEAR
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Toronto Free Presbyterian Church. Its first service was held on July 4, 1976, and the congregation was officially constituted on September 17 that same year.
The children of Israel were instructed by God through Moses to have a day of Jubilee every fifty years [Leviticus 25:10ff]. It was to be a time when debtors were to be released, slaves to be liberated, captives discharged, and exiles brought home [v11].
It was also especially applicable to the land. Every seven years, the land was to rest. Modern environmentalists are now discovering what many have practiced for millennia. I was brought up on a small farm in Northern Ireland, and as a child, I remember my father resting the crops every so many years. The rest improved the crops.
In Israel’s case, the Lord enlarged the crops in the sixth year so that the land could rest [25:21,22]. It speaks much of the faith of the Jewish leaders and people. Jubilee was a time of rejoicing. It is hoped that our jubilee will be signally blessed by the Lord.
PAT MILLS
Pat came to Toronto in June 1989 to work with the Toronto Jewish Mission and joined the Toronto church. She was a faithful and popular member until ill health forced her to return to her native Northern Ireland in 2018. Her respiratory problem worsened over the years, and sadly, she passed away on Thursday at 74. The sincere sympathy of her many friends in Toronto goes out to her sisters and the Ballymoney church.
THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
There is a strange power about the very name of blood, and the sight of it is always affecting. A kind heart cannot bear to see a sparrow bleed, and unless familiarised by use, turns away with horror at the slaughter of a beast.
As to the blood of men, it is a consecrated thing: it is murder to shed it in wrath, it is a dreadful crime to squander it in war. Is this solemnity occasioned by the fact that the blood is the life, and the pouring of it forth the token of death? We think so.
When we rise to contemplate the blood of the Son of God, our awe is yet more increased, and we shudder as we think of the guilt of sin, and the terrible penalty which the Sin-Bearer endured.
Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel’s side. The blood of Jesus seals the covenant of grace and makes it forever sure. Salvation by the works of the law is a frail vessel whose shipwreck is sure: but the covenant vessel fears no storms, for the blood of Jesus made His testament valid.
Wills are of no power unless the testators die. In this light, the soldier’s spear is a blessed aid to faith, since it proved our Lord to be really dead. Doubts upon that matter there can be none, and we may boldly appropriate the legacies which He hath left for His people. Happy are they who see their title to heavenly blessings assured to them by a dying Saviour. [C. H. Spurgeon].
