“I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:5 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Bearing fruit for God! – How do you do that? Well, you can’t – not by yourself. Lone branches on the ground are cut off from life. They wither and die. They are useless except for kindling.
That’s not why God sent His Son Jesus. He did intend that you know forgiveness in Jesus’ name. He wants you to know Your heavenly Father in an intimate way and to have a place in the plan and purpose of God for blessing the world.
A good example and opportunity is the announcement below about relief for the people in Nepal following the earthquake devastation. I cannot say what the average person will do in this instance, but I have read the statistics about the charitable giving habits of Canadians in general and it is underwhelming. We are such a rich country in so many ways, and yet seem to have so little compassion for the needs of others.
Certainly, Christians ought to do better in giving charitably. But again, the number can often prove to be disheartening. I say disheartening because there was no limit to what our Lord Jesus was willing to give for our sakes.
And now, we claim to be Christians, branches connected to the Vine – our living Jesus.
I don’t mean to lecture or chastise but I do urge you to pray and act according to your Christian conscience. May the Lord bless our charity – the love in our hearts and the generosity of our actions.
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
The Fifth Sunday of Easter (Confirmation Sunday), May 3
9:00 Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
10:30 Holy Communion
Happening now during 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” 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!
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.
Other News …
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: CLWR and LCC are calling for financial donations to help earthquake survivors in Nepal. The donations will support the work of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), whose Kathmandu-based emergency team launched an immediate large-scale emergency response. LWF staff members distributed tarpaulins, hygiene kits and ready-made food to about 400 families in Kathmandu over the weekend of the earthquake. Along with assessing the situation in remote communities, LWF priorities are now to provide water, sanitation and hygiene materials, as well as emergency shelter to people who lost their homes or who are staying outside for fear of aftershocks. The Canadian government announced that for every dollar given to a registered charity for earthquake relief between April 25 and May 25, the government will put $1 into their “Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund” which they will then use to fund relief work in Nepal. Click here for more information. Please hold the people of Nepal in prayer.
Confirmation Weekend: Our 2015 Confirmands will give a confession of their Christian baptismal faith through an examination this Saturday at 10:00-11:00am. You are welcome to attend. Then on Sunday they will confess their faith during the 10:30 service through Rite of Confirmation followed by essays that they each have written for the occasion. Pray for them and come give them your support!
What a wonderful work day we had last Saturday! The room next to the memorial room was painted “heavenly blue,” carpets in the memorial room and lounge were cleaned, and a host of little jobs were accomplished. We thank all the folks who came out to help. We give thanks to God for all His willing servants!
Seniors Lunch: We will meet this coming Monday when we will be pleased to welcome Rev. Mike & Kara Kuhn (LCC missionaries in Cameroon) as our guests. Let’s gather to eat and to hear their presentation! We begin 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.
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 this weekend, 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; 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.
In your prayers, please remember:
- The families of those killed or injured by the earthquake in Nepal and the relief efforts that are ongoing
- Our confirmands as they prepare to make confession of their faith
- The upcoming district convention, for our leaders and delegates that they might make decisions in keeping with God’s holy will
- 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
