“On Him (i.e. Jesus) has God set His seal.”
(John 6:27 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
This week I share an excerpt from a sermon of Dr. Martin Luther (1530):
There is a special accent in these words, as if Jesus were saying: “My Father is not a common man, not a plain fellow. I will tell you who He is: He is God. The Father is He who is known as God. And this Father has His eyes on His Son. He has made everything dependent on Him, so that one is saved by eating His body and drinking His blood. Otherwise all will be damned. God has chosen only His Son, Christ, for this mission. He has put His seal on Him and has placed His will and all His mercy on Christ, and on none other.”
God has only one seal, and this He has set on Christ. On Him alone He has bestowed the Holy Spirit, so that all men should look only to Him. All of Holy Writ points solely to Him, attesting that He alone possesses seal and letter; for He is the exemplar, made, given, and offered to be our sole help. Thus God Himself spoke from heaven (Matt. 17:5): “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” Since God has put His seal exclusively on Him, we are obliged to lend ear to Him and to accept Him alone. …
Nowhere does this text intimate that good works are to be coupled with Christ, as though the two together obtained for us forgiveness of sins. No, rely on his text, which affirms that Christ alone is our salvation. The Father has set His seal only on Him. He alone decides the issue. Abandon the supplement of your works. If you depend on good works, you have forfeited your salvation.
(Luther’s Works, Volume 23, page 16-17)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Sunday (July 30) here at Prince of Peace…
10:00 am Holy Communion
Sermon: “God Knows What He Is Doing”, based on Romans 8:28-30
PoP News …
VBS 2017 was a great blessing! The Lord bless all of you for your volunteering and participation in the various parts of the weekend. Prince of Peace congregation thanks you all for your devoted and loving work! Pray to the Lord that His Word and the love of Christ shared might grow and prosper in hearts and homes.
Snapd: Check out the free exposure we got on Snapd for our VBS weekend Friday Funfest. Click here.
Young Adult Camping Retreat (Aug 4-7): All young adults (anybody aged 18-35) are invited to attend the annual East District Lutheran Young Adult (EDLYA) camping trip! Let all your worries melt away beneath the balmy southern Ontario sun as you participate in a three-day long camping EXTRAVAGANZA! Roast marshmallows over the open fire, sleep beneath the starry sky, and spend time with your fellow Lutherans at our upcoming retreat at Springwater Conservation Area. The retreat will take place Civic Holiday weekend from August 4 to 7, so mark it on your calendar now! Tell everyone you know! Register online NOW at www.edlya.ca.
Youth BBQ Night at Trinity Lutheran Church, 30 Erie Ave N, Fisherville on Monday August 15. Come any time after 5:00pm for volleyball, archery, basketball, or soccer. 6:30 will be meal time. Trinity will supply the BBQ stuff and pop. Bring salads and/or desserts to share. Contact Trinity for more info: trinityfisherville@gmail.com or 905-779-3425.
Can you name that confirmand? On the lobby bulletin board, there’s a green poster with photocopies of old confirmation pictures. Feel free to write names on the pages and point to the confirmand you’ve identified. This will be helpful in chronicling a history of our Prince of Peace confirmation pictures.
Church Cleaning: As part of cost saving measures at Prince of Peace, the Trustees are looking for volunteers from our church family to provide light cleaning services to the sanctuary and washrooms during our cleaner, quieter summer season. If you are willing to be part of the cleaning rotation, please add your name and contact information to the signup sheet in the foyer.
Blooming Church: The Lord has given us a small team of volunteers to tend to the landscaping out front. A big thank you to all those volunteers!
Online News …
Restructuring Enters Final Phase: Synod’s Board of Directors has formed a “Working Group” in partnership with CCMS to craft amendments to the current LCC Handbook. “The schedule is tight,” noted CCMS Chairman, Rev. William Ney, “but we are hopeful going into this phase that we can have final proposals ready for early September.” At the same meeting, the Board granted Dr. Les Stahlke a peaceful release from his Commission contract. See entire story in Canadian Lutheran Online – Click Here.
Criminal code change may affect churches: A bill recently introduced by the federal government threatens to destabilize freedom to worship in Canada. READ MORE.
BC Wildfires affect LCC congregations: Wildfires raging in the British Columbia interior are affecting Lutheran Church–Canada congregations. READ MORE.
Luther Sermon for July: Click here to read.
Reformation News …
Issues, Etc., a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken, will be broadcasting from the Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Germany. Topics include: The 95 Theses, Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Worldwide Lutheranism, Luther on Baptism, Praying Luther’s Small Catechism and more. You can listen on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
Tour the cradle of the Lutheran Reformation-Part 2: This is a video tour of Wittenberg hosted by LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison. To see it click here.
Reformation Concerts (Sept 9, 23, Oct 14): Reformation Concerts will be held in the Kitchener Circuit on Sept. 9 at Redeemer, Waterloo; Sept. 23 at Bethel, Kitchener; and the main concert with orchestra, etc., on Oct. 14 (at the time of the Convention) at Grace, Kitchener. Stay tuned for more details.
Are you on Facebook? To check out this Reformation Facebook page click here.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those undergoing tests
- Those with health and mobility problems
- Those in palliative care
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
- All those who are anxious and homeless because of the fires, and for the safety of the fire fighters
- The Lord’s blessing of His Word in human hearts following our Vacation Bible School last weekend.
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
