“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
(Acts 1:11 ESV)
“He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.”
(Ephesians 4:10 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Blessed Ascension Day!
People sometimes like to idolize their deceased loved ones by repeatedly saying they are looking down on us. I say “idolize” because we should be thinking about the One who died and rose again for us and who now from heaven looks down upon us in love. He guides and governs you in your personal walk with Him, and His beloved Church which, though suffering persecution from without and scandal from within, is still His creation and still the focus of His love and attention.
Jesus is not done, gone and now absent. And He’s not here in some mental, sentimental way that we humans want to believe. He is in heaven, and He is everywhere. And He is here. Blessed Ascension!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 17
9:00 Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
10:30 Holy Communion
PoP News …
Ladies Bible Study Breakfast – This Saturday! Join us at 9 o’clock for an encouraging look into God’s Word. Breakfast will be served.
Heaven Help Us! Tickets are now on sale for the outdoor concert at Prince of Peace, Saturday, June 13. The concert will feature the group, “Heaven Help Us!” There will be a tent set up and goodies to eat. Tell and invite your friends!
Outdoor Service and Congregational BBQ is coming up Sunday, June 14. There will a tent (larger than last year) and great food. Sign up in the lobby for what you might bring to add to the feast. It will be the first Sunday of our 10:00am service time. The BBQ will follow the service.
Initial VBS Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 7:00pm at the church. Those interested in organizing and helping with this year’s programme tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 8, are invited to attend. It will be a brief meeting before the beginning of choir practice.
Seniors Lunch for June will be a trip to Oakville on Monday, the 8th. We’ll meet at Prince of Peace at 11:00 and have lunch at Swiss Chalet on Brant Street. We will be going to Oakville Museum, Thomas House, and the Oakville Historical Society which includes a WW1 exhibit. While that sounds like a lot, the individual tours are short. Thanks be to Greg Munz for making tour arrangements which will also include coffee, tea and cookies at the conclusion of the tour. Please sign up in the lobby. Carpooling will be available from the church.
Happening now during the Sunday Adult Bible Class …
“Explaining All The Scary Stuff In Revelation”
Sundays @ 9:15 in the church basement. Coffee will be on.
If you have wondered how we are supposed to understand this curious book, come and check it out!
Other News …
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: CLWR and LCC are calling for financial donations to help earthquake survivors in Nepal. The donations will support the work of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), whose Kathmandu-based emergency team launched an immediate large-scale emergency response. LWF staff members distributed tarpaulins, hygiene kits and ready-made food to about 400 families in Kathmandu over the weekend of the earthquake. Along with assessing the situation in remote communities, LWF priorities are now to provide water, sanitation and hygiene materials, as well as emergency shelter to people who lost their homes or who are staying outside for fear of aftershocks. The Canadian government announced that for every dollar given to a registered charity for earthquake relief between April 25 and May 25, the government will put $1 into their “Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund” which they will then use to fund relief work in Nepal. Click here for more information. Please hold the people of Nepal in prayer.
Pilgrim Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Hamilton, will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special weekend of Anniversary celebrations next weekend. On Saturday, May 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm they will host a meet-and-greet with the wife and family of their former Pastor, Rev. Edward Koehler. At the 11:00 am morning worship service on May 24 the guest preacher will be Rev. John Nunes, a son of the congregation. At the 3:30 pm 50th Anniversary Worship service, the guest preacher will be Rev. Paul Koehler, another son of the congregation, and son of their first Pastor. A banquet will follow at Carmen’s Banquet Centre at 6:00 pm. Information about this can be viewed on the Anniversary page of Pilgrim’s website, http://www.pilgrimlutheranchurch.ca/. Click the Anniversary Logo on the top left corner of the Home page. For additional information, email mailto:plc50ann@yahoo.ca%20or call the church at 905-383-3923.
East District Convention News
The convention theme was “God’s will for us” based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The Essayist was Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, President, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton.
Delegate Daily was the Convention Newsletter handed out to all delegates. You can see them too. To get a good glimpse of what happened just click Monday or Tuesday below. The Wednesday Delegate Daily is yet to be posted. Look at the district website shortly to see it too by clicking here.
Watch and hear the opening service featuring synodical president Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee as preacher and all the wonderful music by clicking here.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those recovering from surgery
- Those who are ill
- The families of those killed or injured by the earthquake in Nepal and the relief efforts that are ongoing
- Those who mourn
- Christians suffering persecution in various parts of the world
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
