“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
(Hebrews 3:7-8 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
The verse above is a wonderful admonition for us as we approach our reading of the Bible. It can be tempting during the regiment of our 2-Year Through-the-Bible Reading Program to busily grab our Bible to just get the reading done before the opportunity gets away from us. Some days it cannot be helped.
But the Lord really desires for us to afford ourselves some soul-time. He would love for us to settle down and listen to Him speak to our hearts. Another verse with the same kind of encouragement comes from Psalm 46, verse 10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
We are so busy and hurried – not only with our body and time, but also in spirit. He cares about you. He sent His Son to die for you. Your sins are forgiven and now you can enjoy an open fellowship with Him. That’s His desire for us – today, tomorrow, every day, and forever. Take time to know Jesus and know God’s love! I close with verses from the same chapter which have the big picture in mind:
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” (Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV)
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace …
10:00 Holy Communion
Sermon Theme: “Pray That You’re Not a Weed” based on Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43
Coming Up …
Walk, Talk and Pray! Start your day on the right foot! If you are interested in walking each weekday morning please meet at the church at 8:00 am for a 30-45 minute walk (we can work up to an hour). After the walk we can celebrate with a tea/coffee (NO DONUTS).
EDLYA (East District Lutheran Young Adults) Retreat: The Summer Retreat is August 1-4 (That’s right! It’s the long weekend so there’ll be an extra day to enjoy. Wahoo!) at Spring Water Conservation Area (near St. Thomas). This is a camping retreat so you will need all your camping gear along with the usual (tents, sleeping bag, dishes etc). There will be some time at the beach too! If you would like to register please go to http://www.edlya.ca/ (A schedule for the weekend will be available shortly). Please register as soon as possible to be sure there’s enough food for you!
The mid-week Prayer & communion service for July will be held on the 30th and not the date listed on the calendar. At this informal service, we share prayer requests and I bring the petitions to the Lord. Afterwards, there is a brief Service of the Sacrament where we receive the Lord’s Supper. If you are in special need of prayer, we invite you to come. Are you going to be away for the long week and miss fellowshipping with your family in Christ? This is a wonderful opportunity. We begin at 7:00pm.
News …
August Wedding: I am happy to announce the engagement and pending wedding of Scott and Donna! The wedding is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at 3:00 pm. We pray the Lord’s blessings upon Scott and Donna as they plan for their wedding day and their life together in Christ.
“Gangway to Galilee!” – our Vacation Bible School weekend – was a wonderfully blessed experience. A special thank you to all our VBS staff. Pray to the Lord that His Word and the love of Christ shared might grow and prosper in hearts and homes.
Ride Program: It has been suggested we coordinate a ride program here at Prince of Peace for some of our members. Would you be interested in helping to provide rides to church for members unable to drive? You can sign up to be a regular or occasional driver. See the sign-up sheet in the hallway.
Food Cupboard: With some regularity, I receive requests for assistance. We have a food cupboard at the base of the stairway. However, these days it is getting rather sparse. I encourage you to consider bringing a few items of non-perishable food to leave in the plastic bin at the top of the stairs. Items might include canned soup, mac & cheese, rice, etc. (Please, if it’s an item you have at home, check to be sure it is not past it’s expiry date.)
Sent! By the way, Carol and I will be in Detroit the last part of the work week for Lutheran Hour Ministries’ outreach conference entitled “Sent.” However, we shall be back in time for Sunday equipped with some new energy from the conference. If you want to see what it’s about, click here. (NOTE: Because of our journey, there will be no PoP Enews next week.)
Online …
Lonely, not alone: President Robert Bugbee reflects on the loneliness that comes from being a Christian in Canada today—and how God can use that loneliness to draw us closer to Him. Click here.
Convention Essays Now Online: Those looking to read Rev. Kurt Reinhardt or Deacon Jenn Shack’s presentations at the 2014 Convention in Vancouver can now download the texts of the presentations online. Video of the presentations is also available, as is video of the convention’s opening worship service and each of its seven business sessions. Click here.
Click the following for A Pastoral Letter Encouraging Young People to Marry and Raise Children
“Best-Liked for the Best-Loved” Arch® Book Coloring Contest: Your family could win the Best-Loved Parables of Jesus! In celebration of Concordia Publishing House’s first-ever Best-Loved Arch Book Collection, they’re giving away copies of Best-Loved Parables of Jesus to coloring contest winners. This special six-story collection is one of four new keepsake volumes in honor of Arch Books’ 50th birthday in 2015. It’s time to let your little artist shine! Click here for more information online.
Our People Reading God’s Word …
Week 98 of the Bible Reading Plan: (July 21-26)
| Monday | Hebrews 8:1-13 |
| Tuesday | Hebrews 9:1-28 |
| Wednesday | Hebrews 10:1-18 |
| Thursday | Hebrews 10:19-39 |
| Friday | Hebrews 11:1-40 |
| Saturday | Hebrews 12:1-29 |
Congratulations to one of us at PoP who told me she has finished her read-through-the-Bible, a first in her lifetime! So for anyone still working your way through, don’t give up. It is worth it! Even if you haven’t been able to read every day, you certainly had opportunity to grow in God’s Word. And that is something I pray you will continue in some fashion going forward. “Thy Word is a lamp onto my feet, and a light onto my path.” (Ps. 119:105 KJV)
Did you know that we’ll have concluded the 2-Year Through-the-Bible Reading Programme on September 10? It will be a significant accomplishment in drawing near to the Lord through His Word for everyone who committed to this personal goal.
You can listen to the day’s reading by clicking the links on our Bible reading webpage. Go to poplc.ca.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those under doctor’s care
- Those undergoing treatment
- Those undergoing tests
- Those being treated for cancer
- Those in mourning
- All those who travel this summer
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
1299 Brant St.
Burlington, ON
905-332-7671
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