“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord! …
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”
(Psalm 119:1, 176 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
The text above is the first and the last verse of the longest Psalm in the Bible.
According the Lutheran Study Bible, Psalm 119 is “structured by the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, having eight-line stanzas in which all eight lines begin with the same letter. By using the acrostic pattern, the psalmist shows how God’s Word commands every part of language and life.” (TLSB page 963)
For most of the 2017 Sundays remaining, instead of our regular Introit we shall walk our way through Psalm 119, section by section.
You will hear the psalmist speak of God’s precious Word to us in different ways – as God’s “testimonies,” “decrees,” “statutes,” “precepts,” – to mention a few.
This summer I personally have been making a greater effort to draw closer to that Word of God in my own devotions. It is so easy to get into a rut reading the Bible and then lose sight that these are words to us inspired by the Lord Himself. He has special and dedicated interest in connecting with us.
Indeed, ultimately His Word “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) in the Person of God’s Son, Jesus, and you know the rest of the story about God’s loving interest in our well-being.
Hopefully, this little trip through Psalm 119 will renew a love for reading, hearing, and taking to heart this book – the Bible – as God’s expression of love and concern for us.
The Lord be with you.
Sunday (July 9) here at Prince of Peace…
10:00 am Service of Prayer & Preaching
Sermon: “Let Them See People Who’ve Found Rest”, based on Romans 7:14-25a
PoP News …
Vacation Bible School weekend: The weekend of July 21-23 will be a family ministry weekend.
- Friday evening will be a family fun night complete with free ice cream and inflatable for children. This will be an opportunity for young families in our neighbourhood to visit us and to enroll in our Saturday program.
- Saturday will be our all-day educational and fun day under the theme, “Mighty Fortress: In Jesus, the Victory is Won!”
- Sunday will feature an outdoor service and BBQ afterwards enabling our members to interact with our guests.
Contact Linda to preregister your children, grandchildren, or neighbourhood kids (905-332-7671 or popburl@bellnet.ca) or register online at http://poplc.ca/vbs/.
Online News …
THRED: Lutheran Hour Ministries has a new online ministry geared to a younger generation via a platform that encourages open questions and conversation. It is called Thred. Check it out and encourage others to do the same at https://thred.org/
Educating a New Generation of Lutherans…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. Next week’s topics include: Fake Science, Millennials & Worship, Isaac & Rebekah, The Parable of the Sower, Ruth and more. You can listen on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
Reformation 500 News …
Reformation Display for our Public Libraries: There are resources available to put together a display of placards/banners describing the history of the Reformation. I know at least one person interested in this project but it works better if there is a team. Please let me or one of the elders know if this interests you.
For Your Smartphone: Luther’s Small Catechism. Reference the official 1986 version of Luther’s Small Catechism wherever you are. This beautifully designed app makes reading and navigating the Small Catechism easy and convenient. Click here for it at Google Play. It’s free!
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
- Safety for children during their summer vacation
- Those in mourning
- This year’s Vacation Bible School which is only 3 weeks away. Please pray for our preparations, for interested children and families to attend, for the faithful communication of God’s love in Christ, and for God’s Word to bear fruit.
- Please hold all Lutheran Church–Canada in your prayers as the entire church prayerfully reviews and considers all you have heard and read about the proposed new church structure.
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
