PoP Enews of February 19

Posted on February 19, 2017 | Posted in Newsletters | by Linda Ladwig

“And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

(Matthew 17:8 ESV)

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Light of the world!

The verse above is the end of the passage about Jesus’ transfiguration. The disciples were amazed and terrified by the dazzling appearance of the Saviour, and of the cloud that overshadowed them and the voice coming from it saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Through it all, what mattered most is that they were there – and saw Jesus only. A sermon by Pastor Henric Schartau (1757-1825) describes it this way:

“When a sinner first has the eyes of his understanding opened … the Law constrains the man to look chiefly at himself, and drives him to compare his corrupted nature with the holiness of God and his guilt with the righteousness of God. But afterward the Holy Spirit lifts his eyes of understanding to Jesus only. It is a blessed thing when a believing soul looks in the Word for Jesus only; … when he does not look about him to lay hold on his own scattered thoughts, nor behind him at Satan who threatens him with the thought that his prayer is in vain, nor within him at his sloth and lack of devotion; but looks up to Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us.” (The Hammer of God, page 202f., by Bo Giertz)

As we prepare to begin the observance of the Passion of our Lord Jesus, let it be a true observance – a looking up to Jesus only who hung upon the cross. He suffered this not as some kind of symbolic gesture of love, but as a real sacrifice of love to deal with all the guilt that separated us from God. Therefore, this upcoming Lenten season, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 Berean Study Bible)

I hope to see you this Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season.

The Lord be with you!

Coming Up at Prince of Peace this weekend…

Sunday, February 26

9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

9:00 Matins

10:30 Matins with alternative accompaniment

Sermon: “Following Jesus into Humble Service”

Ash Wednesday (March 1) here at Prince of Peace…

6:00pm Supper provided by your church council

7:00p Ash Wednesday Service featuring the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion

Sermon: “Were You There When He Was Betrayed?”

Lenten Devotions

“From the Cradle to the Empty Grave” Just seven weeks ago we celebrated Christmas, looking at the birth of Jesus Christ. But just as babies aren’t meant to stay in a cradle forever, Jesus was not meant to stay in that manger forever. We have to let Him grow up in our minds, just as He did in real life. Join us in the coming weeks as Jesus fulfills His destiny, making His way to the cross and empty tomb. Following His life and ministry, we will unfold the reasons He was born in Bethlehem in the first place, and we will see the great work He came to do for all of us. Pick up your copy on the table in the lobby. It is also available to read online or as a podcast beginning March 1^st. From the Cradle to the Empty Grave can also be received as an e-mail subscription throughout the Lenten season.

PoP News …

Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday, March 1. The service of communion and the imposition of ashes will begin at 7:00pm. In addition, your church council has agreed to offer everyone a meal beginning at 5:45 before the service. You may come whenever you can get here. This will make it easier to come to church after work and participate in the beginning of our observance of Christ’s Passion.

Niagara Zone LWMLC Lenten Prayer Service, March 5, will feature “Lessons from a 500-Year-Old Man: Learning to Pray with Luther.” While this event is sponsored by the LWML, all people are invited to attend. It begins at 2:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fisherville.

The Hamilton Circuit Forum will also be held Sunday, March 5, at Christ Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 448 Main. St. W., Grimsby. Lunch will be offered at 12:30. The forum will begin at 1:30. While the business gets voted on by pastoral and lay delegates from the last district convention, the forum is open to all members of our Hamilton Circuit congregations. The agenda will include:

Delegate selection for the 2017 LCC Convention (2 pastoral and 2 lay delegates)
Nomination from the Hamilton Circuit for the Department for Finance for a 3 year term (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019).
Ideas & Plans for observing the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation. This should be of special interest to anyone interested in our churches taking advantage of this historic occasion. You are most certainly welcome!

PoP Ideas: Following up on the last Chat after Church there is now a station for receiving your suggestions set up in the foyer. Share your suggestion for our programming, our building, or other aspect of our work of ministry here at Prince of Peace. Just jot your idea on a provided slip of paper and put it in the container. You can sign it or offer it anonymously. Thank you for your input.

The Lenten Season 2017 …
There will be two series running simultaneously this Lenten season beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 1. The Sundays will feature a look at the Lord’s Prayer. It’s a simple prayer taught by our Lord Jesus but it also teaches us a great deal about prayer itself. Then on the Wednesdays of Lent we will take a look at the Passion of our Lord through the lens of that familiar hymn, “Were You There.” Save the Lenten insert in this Sunday’s bulletin and post it on your frig.

Reformation 500 News …

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church doors inviting scholars to debate the practice of selling indulgences which ultimately led to a more clearly proclaimed Gospel of forgiveness through the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

How will you celebrate the 500^th anniversary? LCMS has a website with many helpful resources, http://lutheranreformation.org. Some resources have already been developed but more will be added in the days and months ahead.

Reformation 2017: It’s still all about Jesus!

Online News …

THRED: Lutheran Hour Ministries just launched a new media project, THRED, that is primarily based in an online space. The aim of THRED is to create an eco-system of material that provides opportunities for authentic, honest and respectful conversations about life, faith, Jesus and Christianity. We especially want to engage non-churched Gen-Xers and older Millennials in genuine dialogue about the words and message of Jesus, and the impact of Christian belief systems in contemporary culture. Check out www.THRED.org now!

Want to get involved? Curious how you can partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries in this new media project? The answer is simple! Like the THRED Facebook page, share, and engage! New content is posted daily on the page and you can share that content to join an open and honest conversation about life, faith, and Jesus.

In your prayers, please remember: