“… The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
(1 John 1:7b ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
Today I share with you a devotion from Pastor Ken Klaus of the Lutheran Hour Ministries:
Thomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is “golden,” that is, it has the ability to save lives.
Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person’s complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.
The key word in that last sentence is almost.
You see, there are a very few folks — a very few folks — who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person’s blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.
His blood often spells the difference between life and death.
Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?
It’s true you know. Jesus’ Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:
- 1 John 1:7b, “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
- In the book of Revelation, John sees those who “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14b).
- Peter tells us we have been ransomed “not with perishable things such as silver or gold … but with the precious blood of Christ” (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).
- And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to “remember that you were … without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (see Ephesians 2:12-13).
Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior’s blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace …
9:00 Sunday School Classes & Adult Bible Class
10:30 Service of Prayer & Preaching
Sermon “God’s Search & Rescue”, based on Ezekiel 34:11–16
Congregational Luncheon
Voters’ Meeting
Coming Soon …
Ladies Bible Study Breakfast – join us at PoP this Saturday, November 22, at 9:00 am for our women’s focused Bible Study. We will finish by 10:30 this time to make room for the Nicaragua meeting. Ladies, please meet upstairs in the Lounge this week.
Been to Nicaragua? Would like to Go? The Nicaragua Group from LCC churches in the Niagara/Burlington Area is planning an informal gathering for information and idea sharing open to everyone who has a love for our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Nicaragua. We will be hosting it here at Prince of Peace this Saturday, November 22, starting at 10:30 am. It will be held downstairs. See you there!
The Prince of Peace Annual Voters’ Meeting is on Sunday Nov. 23 with a light lunch served before the meeting. If you would like to become a member of the Voters’ Assembly, please speak to Dave Schutz. Members with surnames beginning with the letters L to Z are asked to bring sandwiches or salads, and those with letters A to K are asked to bring desserts. A signup sheet is posted in the foyer.
“Christmas Now! Carol Sing” – Get a head start on the Season with music and fellowship (and goodies) on Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m. Mark the annual Prince of Peace “Christmas Now! Carol Sing” on your family’s calendar and take an invitation/ticket to give to a neighbour, family member, or friend. “O Little Town of Bethlehem…”
Family Christmas Event: On Sunday, December 14, beginning at 4:00 you are invited to bring your family to this special 3-stage event. This family event will feature:
- A family Advent/Christmas craft or other hands-on activity
- A Christmas Dinner
- A Christmas pageant created by families working together climaxing with a group photo opportunity.
Individuals are invited too – we shall group extra folks together to form an impromptu family for the evening.
It will an enjoyable and uplifting time for everyone.
News:
Chilifest 2014 was wonderful! It was fun! We ate and laughed and spent. We should be so thankful to God for the great work of the committee: Brad Smith, Donna Miller, Erika Gueldenpfennig, and Erica Klayh (plus a few others who had to step back after giving initial support). Watch for a report at the annual meeting.
Christmas items needed – As part of Prince of Peace’s Family Christmas on Sunday, December 14, the Ladies Guild will have a table of Christmas crafts, gently used ornaments, working tree lights, etc. available to purchase by donation. If you have anything ‘Christmassy’ to add to the collection, it can be left by the cupboard area in the basement.
Gifts from the Heart: The most recent issue of The Canadian Lutheran included the “Gifts from the Heart,” an insert from Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). We want to encourage you to share some of the blessings you have received with others this Christmas. Through these gifts, CLWR and LCC make a real difference in the lives of people across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. “Gifts from the Heart” booklets are in the lobby.
Any requests or concerns regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities here at Prince of Peace should be taken up with the board of trustees. They are ones in charge of seeing that the building is properly cared for. Clear and kind communication is a must for us as a Christian community. You can contact them via email at trustees@poplc.ca. Thank you!
Online …
Advent begins in 2 weeks! We offer “Home for the Holidays” Advent Devotions produced by our very own Lutheran Hour Ministries on the table in the lobby at church. When Advent begins you can listen to the devotion digitally at http://www.lhm.org/podcasts/ . Also, you can also sign up to receive each devotion daily as an email by clicking here .
Lutheran Foundation Canada Quarterly Report: (a message from Allen Schellenberg, Executive Director – Lutheran Foundation Canada)
Please use this link to see the 2014 Q3 Quarterly Report from Lutheran Foundation Canada, a financial ministry of LCC, registered as Lutheran Church – Canada Financial Ministries.
Through seminars on Christian Estate Planning, attendees are encouraged to use a multitude of planning tools, that ultimately, will greatly assist their loved ones in the administration of their estate. Lutheran Foundation Canada also serves the organizations and congregations of LCC, by promoting, encouraging, assisting, stewarding, and managing the development of planned gifts, encouraged as one part of a Christian’s overall estate plan. [We had one here at Prince of Peace earlier this year with Al Feth]
Estate gifts are a final opportunity to thank God for all the many blessings you’ve received throughout your life. Experience the joy of leaving a significant gift from your estate for a ministry you’re passionate about – possibly your own congregation or some other ministry. “Planned gifts” are given from assets accumulated over your lifetime, with no impact on your current or future financial requirements.
Quick Link … Our Website
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those who struggle with physical and mental illnesses
- Those who mourn, especially Hanna and family after her mother was called home by the Lord this week
- Christians suffering persecution in various parts of the world
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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