“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” … Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called the name of that place Bethel.”
(Genesis 28:15-19 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Christian greetings!
You know the account of Jacob’s dream with angels ascending and descending on a ladder to heaven. When he awoke, Jacob marked the place where the Lord appeared to him. He called the place Bethel or “house of God.”
This Sunday we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone to our church facility at 1299 Brant Street which occurred on October 2, 1966. Our location also is marked as a place where God meets His people – through His holy Word and with His blessed Sacraments.
Fifty years ago our members had dreams – of the Lord’s blessing their humble efforts to establish Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Lord answered their prayers. The 1966 annual report states that “Sunday School enrollment at the present time is 141 children, 20 of these have enrolled since we have been in our new church. Average (Sunday School) attendance this past year has been about 70.”
We might be tempted to compare our current situation with how things were in 1966, which was only six years after the congregation came into existence. However the Lord does not ask us to recreate the past, but rather to be faithful in the present. If we are to take anything from the past, it ought to be their attitude toward their work. Superintendent, Lloyd Brubaker, also stated in his report, “As in previous years we are hoping to have another evangelism project where the children show their love for Jesus by bringing new members to Sunday School. … We pray to our Lord for guidance and ask all parents for their cooperation.” Indeed, let us pray for Prince of Peace congregation in the same way TODAY!
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, October 2, 50th Anniversary of our Cornerstone Laying
9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class (Begin together in the sanctuary)
9:00 Early Service: Holy Communion
10:30 Holy Communion
PoP News …
Does anyone have a picture of the cornerstone laying?
A Tech Thought: I’m not sure how to approach this concern so I’ll just share it with you. We’ve been attempting to use PowerPoint for the early service. However, there is also the need of a laptop and projector for the Sunday morning Bible class which runs at the same time in the basement. Paul has been attempting to piece together some equipment on his own (at his own expense) with some difficulty. We should help him. I don’t want to spend a lot of money if our experimentation with this projection stuff leads us to install something more permanent and of good quality in the future. In the meantime, we’re just trying to proceed with our ministry right now. It might even be as simple as somebody having upgraded their TV recently and having a reasonable-sized TV that has an HDMI import sitting in their basement that could work in Bible class for now. I am just sharing this with you and praying there’s an idea or solution out there. I welcome your reply.
Operation Christmas Child: Our Joyful Seniors Group is challenging everyone to participate in packing shoe boxes of items that will be shipped to children in unfortunate circumstances. Each shoebox is filled by Canadians with hygiene items, school supplies, and toys and is given to children regardless of gender, race, or religion. Operation Christmas Child provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on project of Samaritan’s Purse that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ – God’s greatest gift by sharing God’s love in a practical way. When you pack shoeboxes, Operation Christmas Child works with churches around the world to deliver them to children living in war, poverty, and disaster. Each box is a powerful expression of hope, joy, and love – but that’s only the beginning. Shoeboxes open the door for children to hear about God’s greatest gift – Jesus Christ. After receiving a shoebox, many children choose to participate in “The Greatest Journey,” an exciting Bible study program, to learn about following Jesus and sharing the Good News with others.
Stay tuned for more information.
Thanksgiving for the Harvest: The Altar Guild is asking for your help for Thanksgiving Sunday. We are looking for fruit, flowers, pumpkins, gourds, stalks of wheat, cornstalks, autumn leaves etc. for our Thanksgiving worship display. You can drop off items at the church We will be decorating the Sanctuary on Saturday October 8 and you can collect your donations after the Sunday of Thanksgiving service. Thank you
Annual Meeting Potluck Lunch – Please join us for a potluck lunch on Sunday October 23 prior to the Voter’s Meeting. Members with surnames beginning with the letters M to Z are asked to bring sandwiches or salads, and those with letters A to L are asked to bring desserts. A signup sheet is posted in the lobby.
Seminary Harvest Day is Saturday October 15. We are taking up a food collection for the Seminary students and their families. Look for the container at the back of the church.
Niagara Zone LWMLC Fall Rally – You’re invited Sunday, October 16 at St. John’s Lutheran Church (3837 Netherby Road, Stevensville). Theme: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 25:40. Registration 2:30 pm, guest speaker Rev. Wilhelm Torgerson. Ingathering for COPE (non-perishable food products). Please bring a dessert or fruit prepared to serve.
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 on 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 full time, your interest and thoughts shared are vital. Devotions will revolve around the Festival of the Reformation. Indeed, “a mighty Fortress is our God!”
Are you astounded by millions and billions of years? How about a God who spoke and everything was? Join us on a journey of strange new worlds that came into being all at once. Join us at our the 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!
Lutheran Hour Ministries: Have you hunted down the answers for the questionnaire you received last Sunday? Wendy McCown, our LHM ambassador, will be looking to receive your completed forms during these next couple of weeks.
Being Lutheran, by Trevor Sutton (published by CPH)
The Being Lutheran series takes a two-week break for Cornerstone Sunday and Thanksgiving. We will resume with the chapter 4 theme, “Lazy,” on Sunday, October 16. The next Monday evening discussion group will meet October 17. Copies of 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.
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: Racial Strife, Christianity & Biology, Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers, Samson, Law/Gospel Reductionism and more. You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those recovering from injuries
- 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
