“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.”

(Deuteronomy 30:15 ESV, first verse of this Sunday’s Old Testament reading)

Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,

Christian greetings!

Wow! That’s a dramatic verse! – “a matter of life and death” as we sometimes say.

Actually, we don’t say it as often as we used to. The norm is to eat right, act right, exercise, etc., and expect to live a long time. It wasn’t always that way. A thousand years ago, five hundred years ago, or even just a couple hundred years ago – something as simple as getting a fever caused worry. Where might this lead? Without antibiotics it could lead to death and often did. Today’s safety belts, air bags, guidance systems and weather reports are things we assume to be in place and in good working order – things unknown to our ancestors. Aside from driving on a 400-series highway, it doesn’t seem we have that many occasions to think that something is “a matter of life and death.”

But does that give us the right to forget about God and trust in these human advancements (even though, in reality, they too are gifts from God)?

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his just decrees, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.”

You see, it seems there is something before us that is a matter of life and death – the Lord God and our position with Him.

Even in our modern age, God’s favour and blessing matter most. And God still offers such favour and blessing. But, like the people of Old Testament Israel, we often stand at a crossroads deciding which way to go.

Ignore His holy will – Ignore His Holy Son, the Saviour – and we put ourselves in harm’s way with no protection.

Hmmm. Maybe what I said earlier is incorrect. Everyday stuff can be a matter of life and death! The everyday stuff was meant to be lived under a loving and confident relationship with the God who made us and gave us this life. Not to do so is to live without God. Hell itself is an existence that is without God – forever! It is not what God intended for us.

Thanks be to God that we have been called by God through Holy Baptism and His holy Word to believe on His Son, Jesus our Saviour. In the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, God once again sets before us “today life and good.” He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. (see John 10:10)

And by God’s Spirit through the power of God’s Word, we hear and believe. Let us continue in this life we have in Christ.

The Lord be with you!

Coming Up at Prince of Peace …

Sunday, September 4, 16^th Sunday after Pentecost

10:00 Holy Communion

PoP News …

Grand River Dinner Cruise: Prince of Peace Lutheran would like to invite you to join with our Joyful Seniors in taking a three hour luncheon cruise entitled “Grand River Dinner Cruises” in Caledonia (36 Brant County Rd 22) September 14. Price of $50 per person (tax incl.) is due September 4. Join us at 10:45 for complimentary coffee & muffin; craft shop open; 11:30 for live music; and 12:30 for the 3-hour luncheon cruise. Refreshments upon return to the dock (craft shop open). For itinerary, visit www.lcceast.ca (select calendar/September).

Open House at Prince of Peace: This congregation began its life of worship and service back in 1960 when we worshipped in a home on Homewood Drive. In 1966 the present structure on Brant Street was built.  Fifty years ago we began to call this structure home on Sundays and weekday events. With this in mind, it’s time to open our doors and invite folks in to see what we are all about – September 24, 1 to 4 pm.

Have you filled out a form by which you can share names and addresses of relatives, friends and neighbours to whom we could send invitations to our Open House? We await your response.

Adult Instruction Classes begin September 21:  We will meet Wednesdays at 6:30pm for an hour or so. You receive a free new catechism.  Each session incorporates a video clip after which we discuss part of the catechism. Homework involves looking ahead to the coming section of catechism to stir up questions you might have. If you miss a session, we can make it up later. Talk to Pastor if you or someone you know is interested in joining the group.

In September:

Labour Day Weekend, September 4, will be the last Sunday of worship at the summer 10:00 time.

The Fall Schedule begins September 11

9:00 a.m. Early Service

9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

10:30 a.m. Main Service

Regarding the fall programme at Prince of Peace as it pertains to the Sunday School hour, we are trying something new. We are planning and recruiting for a younger class of children ages toddler through kindergarten. The curriculum will be fairly simple – A Bible story reading, singing, and a craft. It also will be a shorter class time due to shorter attention span. Do you know families of very young children who would appreciate this early exposure to Christian education? Tell them about this plan and let me know so I might contact them for encouragement.

Additionally, beginning September 11, instead of a Sunday School Opening, there will be a full service offered at 9:00am. After the opening liturgy and lesson reading, the children will be excused to their Sunday School classes. I have hesitated to even mention this option to our regular attending Prince of Peace members because, quite frankly, we are not targeting you. We are trying to welcome new families, particularly those who find it a challenge to have their young family in church for the full Sunday School & church morning program. The service will be essentially the same as the 10:30 service but a little less formal.

There will be volunteers involved in this early service venture. Carol will be at the piano. I am inviting the youth to assist with ushering and technical assistance.

I am excited and a little anxious about this experiment. Would you join me in prayer for this venture? It will be a venture in outreach and Christian education.

Being Lutheran:

The book Being Lutheran will be the basis for a sermon series and Monday evening discussion group through the Fall 2016 season. Don’t pass up on this opportunity! The series will flow as follows:

That’s it! – The whole series. The first sermon is on September 11 and Discussion Group on chapter one is Monday, September 12. The Discussion group will meet at Prince of Peace in the Lounge at 7:15pm for an hour or so. Coffee or tea will be available.  You can do what you desire – Come to the Sunday service and hear the sermon – Attend the Discussion Group – Read the book – Do all of the above. It will be a good exercise for us all, I assure you.

Note: I’d like to know how many will be participating in the Monday Gathering. Please sign up in the lobby if you plan to attend.

Do you know someone starting or continuing  post-secondary education? This can be a very difficult time to remain connected to the Lord but our East District wants to encourage them by inviting them to a nearby congregation. There are churches to welcome post-secondary students (click here to view list) and we would love to send them an email of encouragement. Please send their name, email address and the name of the school they will be attending to campusministry@lcceast.ca. Send it to me as well, as I would love to remain connected to them.

A little humour: A sign seen in a church in France, “It’s possible that you come into the church seeking the call of God. However, it’s unlikely he’ll contact you by phone. Thank you for turning off your mobile.”

Online News …

Concrete Recommendations for Restructuring LCC: The CCMS has now released concrete recommendations for the restructuring of Lutheran Church–Canada. READ MORE

Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  This week’s topics include: Baptism, Federal Funding of Abortion, Martin Luther’s Sermons on Matthew, The Children of Israel Entering the Promised Land and more.  You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app

In your prayers, please remember:

• Those in mourning
• University & college students preparing to return to school
• Those in hospice care
• Victims and relief efforts in Italy after the recent earthquake

The Lord be with you.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Kevin Walrath

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