“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
(1 John 3:16 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
No matter where I have served as pastor, no matter where I go as circuit counsellor, or where I go in any other capacity amongst our LCC congregations, my desire is always to see people increase their level of friendliness. One measurement I use for the friendliness of a congregation is to ask people who have visited us, “Did you feel welcome at our church?” I always hold my breath a little awaiting their response. Thankfully, I can say that people who have been our guests at Prince of Peace say they were warmly welcomed.
Having said that, and feeling a little proud about it, I am not satisfied. There is always room for improvement. After all, when will it happen that we have truly fulfilled the admonition of the Apostle John, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
We have a long way to go before we can say that we have gone all out to serve our neighbour with the same kind of love that Jesus has shown us. Still, love is the Lord’s wonderful gift for us – not to horde, but to share. In fact, when you see the Lord multiplying supplies (like Jesus feeding the thousands, and the people of Israel never running out of manna bread and quail to eat), you could say that God’s love and grace come to us but will never run out even if we give that love and grace in abundance to others.
So what do you say? Do you like being loved and served by our Good Shepherd? Offer that kind of care to others. Reach out to those who worship with us – show an interest – get to know them. And creating that kind of warmth will work well with members of your family too – much better than pestering them to attend.
So what do you say? “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
The Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), April 26
9:00 Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
10:30 Service of Prayer and Preaching
Coming up in the Sunday Adult Bible Class … “Explaining All The Scary Stuff In Revelation”
Sundays @ 9:15 in the church basement. Coffee will be on.
“Explaining All The Scary Stuff In Revelation”: In 96 A.D. a miraculous thing happened on a rocky, desolate, 6×10 mile island in the Aegean. The apostle John was walking alongside the ocean when the majestic voice of God spoke from heaven bringing a message of cheer to believers who had been struggling with the harsh burden of persecution from the Roman Emperor Dimitian. The old disciple looked heavenward to see the clouds part and God revealing an amazing vision of His plan for the Church through the ages.
Unfortunately through the years Revelation has come to be seen as a scary book filled with confusing and even terrifying things.
So join us as we talk about that scary stuff and learn that God didn’t give us Revelation to terrify us – but to reassure us. As you study Revelation, you will discover the following things:
- God has a plan for and is in control of His creation.
- He knows His people will suffer.
- He encourages us to focus on Jesus.
- He assures us of a final victory over evil.
- He says the faithful already share victory in Jesus.
“Explaining All The Scary Stuff In Revelation” continues this Sunday @ 9:15 in the church basement in the Adult Bible Class. Coffee will be on. You know you’re curious about the Book of Revelation! Check it out!
Other News …
Church Indoor Spring Clean Up – mark your calendars for this Saturday April 25 at 9:00 am – jobs for everyone – many hands make light work!
Seniors Lunch: We will meet the first week of May and will hear a presentation by Rev. Mike & Kara Kuhn (LCC missionaries in Cameroon). That’s May 4 at noon right here at Prince of Peace. Folks from circuit congregations are also welcome. Lunch will be pot luck so please sign up in the lobby to attend and bring a dish.
The Niagara Area Lutheran Choir will be performing at Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Sunday April 26 at 7:00 pm as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations. All are invited.
LWMLC Niagara Zone Spring Rally’s theme this year is “Compassion and a Prescription for A Christian’s Mental Health” on Monday April 27 with registration at 5:30 pm. The event will be held at Faith Lutheran Church (1308 Hwy #3 E., Dunnville). It begins with a light supper and dessert will be served after the program. Please bring ready-to-serve fruit or a dessert. Ingathering will be for C.A.M.H.S. We will meet in the PoP parking lot at 4:00 pm to carpool.
Pilgrim Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Hamilton, will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special weekend of Anniversary celebrations on May 23-24. On Saturday, May 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm they will host a meet-and-greet with the wife and family of their former Pastor, Rev. Edward Koehler. At the 11:00 am morning worship service on May 24 the guest preacher will be Rev. John Nunes, a son of the congregation. At the 3:30 pm 50th Anniversary Worship service, the guest preacher will be Rev. Paul Koehler, another son of the congregation, and son of their first Pastor. A banquet will follow at Carmen’s Banquet Centre at 6:00 pm. Information about the various activities taking place during the year can be viewed on the Anniversary page of Pilgrim’s website, http://www.pilgrimlutheranchurch.ca/. Click the Anniversary Logo on the top left corner of the Home page. Tickets for the banquet are on sale now until May 3, 2015. To obtain tickets for the banquet or additional information, email mailto:plc50ann@yahoo.ca%20or call the church at 905-383-3923.
EDLYA 2015 Spring Retreat: The East District Lutheran Young Adults will have their Spring Retreat May 1- 3, at First St. John Lutheran Church, 4994 Line 34 (Highway 8), Perth East, ON. Here are the rates: Regular – $35.00; First Retreat/Students – $30.00; Married Couples – $60.00; Day Rate – $20.00 (meals and accommodations are included). Note: Those with Food Allergies are offered the day rate if they provide their own food for the weekend. Please indicate this on your registration. Click here to Register. Please register soon so they can plan the numbers for food.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those who are ill
- Those who mourn
- Those suffering religious persecution in various parts of the world
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
