“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
(Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
There’s a ton of people whose actions show they think the Lord was silly when He inspired the words above to be written. Talk to them about worship and they respond, saying, “I can worship God in the woods (shop, cabin, golf course) just as easily as I can in church.” They say, “I don’t get anything out of the sermon.” They say, well, they say a lot of things, which show they think the Lord’s got it wrong.
Folks, He didn’t get it wrong. You see, the Lord didn’t make that suggestion just for the individual. He made it for the church. When you worship, you show the world whose side you are on. When you worship, your fellow church member is strengthened. When you worship, you are showing your willingness to obey the Lord whose Son was sacrificed for your salvation.
And besides, you’re not that good a prophet to tell whether some sermon is going to be just the one for you.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, You see that which I cannot. Let me have the faith and the spirit of humility to acknowledge that You know what You are doing and Your ways are best. This I ask in my Savior’s Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
See you in church!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Sunday (September 3) here at Prince of Peace…
10:00 am Holy Communion
Sermon: “Praying for the Persecutors” based on Romans 12:14-21
PoP News …
Movie “All Saints” this Thursday (Aug 31): Here’s a movie-event open to everyone hosted by our Joyful Seniors to see the film, “All Saints.” It is showing this week only. Anyone interested should meet at Silver Screen (across from the church) to view the movie this Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 (the movie starts at 7:15 pm.) After the movie, anyone interested is welcome to gather at the William’s Coffee Pub in the same plaza afterwards. View the movie trailer here.
Special Farewell for Pastor Gary Kuenzel: You are invited to attend and help celebrate Pastor Gary Kuenzel’s retirement and wish him a blessed farewell at Christ Lutheran Church, 140 Russell Avenue, St. Catharines on Sunday, September 10 at 4:00 pm. A light supper will be served. You can sign up to carpool from Prince of Peace (see bulletin board in lobby) or go yourself but RSVP to secretary@christlutheransc.ca so they know approximately how many people will attend.
Women of the Reformation Retreat (LWMLC): Theme: Women of the Reformation. Join the LWMLC, Ontario District in Christian Growth Retreat at the Sunbridge Inn, Cambridge, as we study the contribution women made to the Reformation 500 years ago and similar roles they still play today. Starts Fri., Oct 20 @ 7:30 pm to Sat. Oct 21 @ 4:00 pm. Bible Study Leaders: Rev. R. Orlowski & Rev. M. Koehler. Registration Cost: $75 (Sat. only: $55). Registration Due: September 22
Coming This Fall at Prince of Peace …
Beginning September 10: The fall season begins with the main service time moving to 10:30am. Sunday School and an early service will be offered simultaneously at 9:00am. Sunday School children will gather in the service before being dismissed to their classes.
Also, look to your September calendar showing the startup of Confirmation, Choir, Tuesday Bible Class, Ladies Bible Study Breakfast and other activities.
Everyone is invited to stay for a special coffee hour after service (11:30) for coffee and cake to celebrate the kick off a new Sunday School season.
The Freedom of a Christian: The Tuesday morning Bible Study will begin anew on September 5 at 9:30am. The basis of our Bible study will be the little booklet by Martin Luther entitled “The Freedom of a Christian.” Every attendee will receive a copy of this early expression of the Christian faith by Luther. Come and join in. Invite a friend as well. Coffee will be on.
Youth Programming: Calling all confirmation and high school youth of Prince of Peace congregation! Check out our new opportunity to gather as Lutheran youth this fall. We will meet after church and discuss together a relevant topic (your suggestions welcome) on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month. In addition, you are also invited every Sunday morning to gather during the Sunday School hour (9:15am) to informally discuss, plan, socialize. Talk to me for more information.
Young people have the right to know! On Tuesday, September 5 (7:00pm), families of confirmation age (grades 6/7/8) will meet with me for information about this year’s programme. If you know anyone who might be interested in involving their adolescent in this instruction about the Christian faith, please let them know, or tell me and I will invite them. Our youth have the right to know the truth about Jesus and His love for them!
Online News …
Absolutely Nothing: Listen to (or read) this fabulous sermon by Pastor Ken Klaus who explains how something that is “absolutely nothing” can be a very good thing. Click here to access it.
Be part of a national church event: Not since 2002 has Kitchener hosted a national Lutheran Church-Canada convention. Downtown at the Crowne Place, October 13-16 delegates from across Canada will gather to worship, conduct church business, and study God’s Word. You can be part of the action as a volunteer and maybe even see some old friends from other parts of Canada. Go to www.serveLCC.ca to see all the service opportunities and sign-up!
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. You can listen to teachings by expert Lutheran guests on topics like: The Parable of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Wandering Sheep, Solomon Builds the Temple, Moses, Joshua, Zacharias & Elizabeth and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
Reformation News …
“Reformation Intersections”: Where music and theology meet in three nights of artistic beauty! In honour of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, there will be a series of concerts in the Kitchener-Waterloo area for one and all to come and enjoy music inspired by and guided by the Lutheran Reformation. The first concert will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 78 John St W, Waterloo ON, Saturday the 9th of September at 7:30pm, featuring local organists from Historic St Paul as they play preludes and other music guiding us through the festival half of the Church Year.
Reformation T-shirt: Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in style and support LCC missions in the process with a new Reformation T-shirt. The T-shirt features Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Reformation 2017 logo, and is a great way to share the story of the Reformation in your community. It costs $25 and is available in men and women’s styles, three different colours (black, white, and blue), and four sizes (small, medium, large, and extra large) (Click here to see). Costs cover the cost of producing and shipping the T-shirt, with all additional proceeds going to support LCC missions. Prince of Peace is organizing a group order. Call the church office today, 905-332-7671. Orders are due by September 1, 2017.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those awaiting surgery
- Those recovering from injury
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
- Those who labour and the contributions they make to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country
- Pray for our upcoming synodical convention: Ask our Gracious God to grant: Wisdom in all decisions, Respect in discussion, Focus to all participants on “Christ Alone”, Safe travel for convention participants, Joy and encouragement through worship and fellowship, Unity in purpose and vision for LCC
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath