“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV)
Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,
Christian greetings!
From the words above you can be sure that while the non-Christian world and its governing authorities might appear to want nothing to do with the Church, the reverse will not and cannot be so. Christ’s people will care a great deal about the affairs of the world. We are exhorted by St. Paul to pray for our government and all those in temporal authority.
For some perspective, read these notes from The Lutheran Study Bible:
Paul does not exclude the notorious emperor Nero, ruler of the Roman Empire. All governing authorities are instituted by God, thus deserving of honor and respect (Rm 13:1–7). All prominent public officials should be included in the Church’s prayers. “peaceful and quiet life”. A stable civil government allows Christians to carry out their vocations unhindered and without harassment. The uncommon prosperity and peace of the Roman Empire (the so-called Pax Romana) opened many doors for Paul to carry out his ministry throughout the Mediterranean world. Paul himself was a citizen of Rome. (TLSB page 2070)
Wow! Even though Paul and other Christians were often victims of a hostile government, the apostle insists that we pray for them.
And that prayerful command is not dismissive of our central message. No, as God utilizes worldly governments to provide some measure of law and order, the Gospel of our salvation is given an opportunity to be preached. Peace in our land gives time and opportunity for more people to repent and believe in Jesus. For “God our Savior … desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.”
So next time you get angry at a politician or shake your head at a party in power that does something that incenses you, please pray for them. In fact, prayer may be more fruitful than just griping about the politics of the day.
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, September 18, 18th Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class (Begin together in the sanctuary)
9:00 Early Service: Holy Communion
10:30 Holy Communion
PoP News …
Ancient astronaut theorists believe that our gods, if not ourselves, were created by aliens from other planets. Join us for our Adult Bible Class, Sundays at 9:00 am, as we explore the Biblical record of world and human creation, evolution and the book of Genesis. Coffee will be on!
Open House at Prince of Peace: We are opening our doors to invite folks in to see what we are all about – September 24, 1 to 4 pm. Direct mail invitations have been sent as well as personal invitations. If you would like to stop in during the Open House yourself, well, you need to invite someone new to Prince of Peace to be your guest.
Adult Instruction Classes begin September 21: We will meet Wednesdays at 6:30pm for an hour or so. You receive a free new catechism. Each session incorporates a video clip after which we discuss part of the catechism. Homework involves looking ahead to the coming section of catechism to stir up questions you might have. If you miss a session, we can make it up later. Talk to me if you or someone you know is interested in joining the group.
We have guests coming October 30 to Prince of Peace. Yes, there’s the Open House, but now also, there is a presentation about proposed plans for restructuring in our synod. Pastors Paul Schallhorn and William Ney (members of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure) will be here and the invitation is going out to congregations in our Hamilton Circuit (as well as invites to our neighouring circuits like Toronto and Niagara). And you are invited. The presentation will begin at 3:30 that Sunday afternoon and will conclude with a BBQ.
2016 Annual Report– Do you have something you would like to share in our Annual Report? All groups and committees are asked to have their contributions for the 2016 Annual Report in by September 25. You can email submissions to popburl@bellnet.ca. Thank you.
Now that it is September:
In the Sunday School hour we are running a younger class of children ages toddler through kindergarten. The curriculum is fairly simple – A Bible story reading, singing, and a craft. Do you know families of very young children who would appreciate this early exposure to Christian education? Tell them about this opportunity and let me know so I might contact them for encouragement.
Instead of a Sunday School Opening, we offer a full service at 9:00am. After the opening liturgy and lesson reading, the children are dismissed to their Sunday School classes. We are trying to welcome new families, particularly those who find it a challenge to have their young family in church for the full Sunday School & church morning program. The service will be essentially the same as the 10:30 service but a little less formal. Of course, families accustomed to attending Sunday School and then the 10:30 service are encouraged to still do so.
Being Lutheran:
The book Being Lutheran will be the basis for a sermon series and Monday evening discussion group through the Fall 2016 season. Don’t pass up on this opportunity! Here is the first week in the series:
| Being Lutheran: What We Challenge | |
| 18-Sep-16 | Sermon Theme: Lukewarm |
| 19-Sep-16 | “Being Lutheran” Discussion: 2. “Lukewarm” |
Our Discussion group continues with chapter two on Monday, September 19. The Discussion group will meet at Prince of Peace in the Lounge at 7:15pm for about an hour. Coffee or tea will be available.
Come to the Sunday service and hear the sermon – Attend the Discussion Group – Read the book – Do all of the above! It will be a good exercise for us all, I assure you.
Online News …
A Letter on the CCMS’ Restructuring Plan: The Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) has released a letter to the church on its proposed restructuring plan for Lutheran Church–Canada: We are now in Stage 4 – “Church-wide Discussions” a period lasting from September 1 to December 15. READ MORE
A Place for Comfort: “The Christian church ought to be a place where people receive comfort for their wounds, whether pressures from the world around, bitter disappointments that surface even within the church, and the struggles you feel with personal sin and weakness inside.” LCC President Robert Bugbee on the church’s call to share the comfort of God. READ MORE
Driven From Distraction: Rev. Michael Schutz reflects on what it means to be a Christian in a click-bait world. READ MORE
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week’s topics include: The Rich Man & Lazarus, The Apostle Matthew, The Prophet Jonah, The Prophetess Deborah, The Old Testament & Liberal Lutheranism and more. You can listen on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those in Hospice care
- Those undergoing tests
- Our Open House at Prince of Peace
- Our Lutheran Church-Canada as we join together in discussing an administrative restructure our synod
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
