“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit.”
(Genesis 3:4-6 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
So what is this all about? You know – the Church, Lent, even Jesus coming into the world – all this religious stuff? Well, it all began right here as recorded in the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 3, the prototype parents of the human race were tempted and misled by a fallen angel, Satan, at the time serpent-shaped, into thinking they knew best what they wanted, and that they could have it all – independent of the Almighty God who created and daily provided for their well-being. That’s when things in the world came unglued – with all the lies, the cheating, the violence, the me-first mentality, death, and, worst of all, the disconnect from the One who meant to bless us daily and forever.
The religious stuff was not my idea, nor the idea of Moses or any of those Bible people. It was God’s idea that He would invest His Son, someone we could never dream up. This beloved Son named Jesus, came into our world with purpose. His mission would involve His being a Substitute who would undo the curse of that tragedy in Eden’s garden. Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of God, would be the ultimate “Delight to the eyes.” Faith in Him and His saving work would be the wisdom we should all desire.
Welcome to the Lenten season! It is where we behold His saving work accomplished. His Passion was grueling, bloody, and heart-breaking, but He did it! And He did it for you and me – and through faith in Him we are saved.
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace this weekend…
Sunday, March 5
9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
9:00 Holy Communion
10:30 Holy Communion
Sermon: “Our Father Who Art in Heaven”
This Wednesday (March 8) here at Prince of Peace…
7:00p Lenten Service
Sermon: “Were You There When He Was Denied?”
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 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. From the Cradle to the Empty Grave can also be received as an e-mail subscription throughout the Lenten season.
PoP News …
On Sunday, March 12, there will be NO EARLY SERVICE. Sunday School will be at 9:00 and the one service at 10:30. Lord willing Pastor and Carol will be in Michigan anticipating the birth of their second grandchild.
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 500th 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!
Joyful Seniors: At our next get-together, Wednesday, March 8 @ 1 pm, we will be having Greg and Lois as our speakers telling and showing pictures of their trips. Especially interesting will be their trip experiences in India. Everyone is invited.
The Lenten Season 2017 …
There will be two series running simultaneously this Lenten season.
- 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.”
“Come to Calvary’s holy mountain, sinners ruined by the fall. …”
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.
A Sermon By Martin Luther: Aside from translating the Bible into the language of the people, composing many hymns, and producing the Small and Large Catechisms; Martin Luther’s sermons for the church year, called “postils,” were his most influential writings for both pastors and people alike . . . an influence that has continued down even to our present day. Since, as the writer of Hebrews says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God” it is most fitting, as part of our observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation during this year of 2017, to hear him proclaim the Word of God to us in an edited sermon attached to this email. Enjoy.
Locate a Reformation-inspired LCC or LCMS church anywhere in Canada.
LHM offers Reformation 500 Resources: Congregations looking for ideas to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, may be interested to know that Lutheran Hour Ministries-Canada has a variety of Reformation based resources available for both congregations and individuals to use. These include video-based Bible studies and booklets that can be shared in congregations and within the community to tell others that the main focus of Luther’s reformation was the Gospel. The booklet is available in several languages. The resources can be seen on our website www.LLL.ca/reformation
Reformation 2017: It’s still all about Jesus!
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those in hospsital
- Those under doctor’s care
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
