“The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.”

(Psalm 46:1-2 ESV)

Dear Friends,

Christian greetings!

I’ve been getting some mileage out of this psalm lately. When I read it, I immediately say, “This is why I don’t live in California. Here in Ontario I have to put up with the winter weather, but I don’t worry much about the ground under my feet shaking or giving way. Experiencing a significant earthquake must be very unnerving. Our life is built upon the surface of the earth that we trust will remain stable under our feet. When it shakes, we are shaken.

There are other things that we count on being there for us or, if threatened, it shakes up our lives. One’s health is such a thing. When there is a significant change in our health for the worse, it shakes us to the core. When one suffers a divorce, it rattles life severely. When finances take a sudden turn downward, it is more than just a little tremor. We can end up being very afraid.

At such times, the writer of Psalm 46 would have us remember that “the Lord of hosts is with us.” On that basis we can stop being afraid. The Lord set in place the natural laws of the universe. He rules over wind and waves. He directs all of history. And in the fullness of time, He “sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as (children).” (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

Martin Luther must have felt that he was standing up against the whole world when he was questioned at the Diet of Worms (the City of Worms, not the squiggly things). When called upon to retract his writings, Luther answered, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”

Luther felt his life and safety shaking. He was in deep trouble. On the basis of Psalm 46, Martin Luther wrote a hymn. How comforting to know that God was his refuge and strength. Or, as Luther put it in his hymn, “A mighty fortress is our God!”

So when your life starts to shake apart and you become afraid, remember that “the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

The Lord be with you!

Coming Up at Prince of Peace …

Sunday, October 30, Reformation Sunday

9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class (Begin together in the sanctuary)

9:00 Early Service: Holy Communion

10:30 Holy Communion

PoP News …

We will host one of the “Church-wide Discussions” as part of Stage 4 of the LCC restructuring process. From now to mid-December, circuits across Canada will have a chance to see and discuss a proposed plan for restructuring the Synod. Prince of Peace will host such a Circuit Convocation this Sunday, October 30, beginning at 3:30. Pastors Paul Schallhorn and William Ney, both of the LCC Commission on Constitutional Matters & Structure (CCMS) will be in attendance to answer your questions and receive your input. After the first session, we’ll share a BBQ sausage and sauerkraut supper (bring a dessert to share and a little cash to cover the sausage cost). A second session will follow the meal. Come, learn, share, and worship. Even if you can’t stay the entire time, your interest and thoughts shared are vital. Devotions will revolve around the Festival of the Reformation. Indeed, “a mighty Fortress is our God!”

On Sunday, our Sunday School will be visiting the Frootogo Farms (Parkside Drive, Waterdown).  Activities include a giant corn maze, a wagon ride around the pumpkin patch, a play park and a country store.  They will be meeting at the farm on 1:30pm.

Operation Christmas Child: our Joyful Seniors are challenging everyone to participate in packing shoeboxes of items that will be shipped to children around the world in unfortunate circumstances. Please return boxes before Sunday, November 13 and include $7/box to cover shipping costs.  If you cannot fill a shoebox on your own, there is a larger box in the lobby for any items that you can donate.

The Joyful Seniors would appreciate your help on Wednesday, November 9 at 1:00 to finish packing the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We will then have fun playing games such as dominos, cards, etc.

Christmas items needed! The Ladies Guild will be holding a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 3 and are looking for donations of anything ‘Christmassy’ to add to the collection. They can be left by the cupboard area in the basement.  We are looking for items available to purchase for donation such as Christmas crafts, gently used ornaments, working tree lights etc.

Haiti Lutheran Mission Society Hurricane Relief: Due to the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, the Lutheran Church of Haiti is shifting food and goods from areas not as badly affected to help people in desperate need. Millions of people live in the affected areas. HURRICANE RELIEF donations are greatly appreciated. See the poster on the bulletin board to learn how you can help.

Creation/Evolution Seminar: Trinity Lutheran Church, Fisherville, will be hosting on Saturday, October 29,  10:00 am to 3:00 pm, a free Creation Ministries International presentation. Session Topics include “How Do You Know? Who Was There?” “Was There an Age of the Dinosaurs?” and “Questions? There are Answers!” You are welcome to bring your own lunch; however, a free will offering lunch will be provided

It’s that time again!  Outside Fall Clean Up date is scheduled for Saturday November 12 (rain date Nov. 19).   Bring rakes, gloves, pruning shears, bags, a smile and willingness to exercise the body and the mind.

Fall Convocation on Medically Assisted Death: The Niagara Circuit is hosting a convocation on Medically Assisted Death on Sunday, November 13, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 400 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines. Harold Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, will be speaking on the political ramifications of medically assisted death here in Canada. The Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life (USA) will address the issue from a pastoral and theological perspective. Following the convocation, an optional catered banquet will be held at Resurrection’s social hall. Pastor Salemink will speak on the topic of “Implementing a Pro-Life Theology in Our Congregations”. The cost is $15. Tickets must be ordered in advance. Please contact Rev. Larry Ritter (H: 905-468-9673; Ch: 905-468-2611, or email: trinitynotl@cogeco.ca).

Being Lutheran

Being Lutheran: The fall emphasis continues with this Sunday’s theme being “New” based on chapter 6.

Copies of the book Being Lutheran are still available in the office.

Online News …

LCC Restructuring Plan – Stage 4: The Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) is now in stage 4 of the restructuring process. This stage, “Church-wide Discussions,” lasts from September 1 to December 15. The CCMS has completed a proposed plan. Find out more about the process HERE and the proposed plan HERE.

Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has launched a new website sharing information and resources related to the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, which will be celebrated in 2017. You can visit the website at www.reformation2017.ca. “As we head towards 2017, there is renewed public interest in understanding the movement led by Martin Luther and the other reformers,” noted Mathew Block, Communications Manager for LCC. “This website will help curious Canadians understand more about the Reformation and connect its importance to their lives today.” October 31, 2017 will mark the 500^th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation.

Free Catechism App: Concordia Publishing House offers a free app of Luther’s Small Catechism. View it on your computer via http://catechism.cph.org/en/about.html . “This Catechism app will allow us all to do what Luther advocated and did himself. Like a child he daily studied and prayed the Catechism, which is nothing but the chief parts of the Bible which we all must know to be Christians,” writes Rev. Matthew Harrison, President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Get it for your phone or tablet at your usual app store (Get the one labeled CPH).

In your prayers, please remember:

• Those recovering from surgery
• Those in hospital
• Those in hospice care
• Our Lutheran Church-Canada as we join together in discussing an administrative restructure our synod

The Lord be with you.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Kevin Walrath

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