“The Lord is my shepherd.”

(Pslam 23:1 ESV)

Dear Christian Friends,

This Sunday the focus will be upon the Lord as our Good Shepherd as illustrated by the 23^rd Psalm. My PoP Enews meditative thought for today is a quotation from Martin Luther. Note that Luther sees in Psalm 23 the Shepherd’s blessings as coming through God’s Word. Enjoy!

We should learn from this psalm not to despise God’s Word. We should hear and learn it, love and respect it, and join the little flock in which we find it, and, on the other hand, flee and avoid those that revile and persecute it. Wherever this blessed light does not shine, there neither happiness nor salvation can be found, neither strength nor comfort of body or soul, but only dissension, fear, and terror, especially when sorrow, anxiety, and bitter death threaten. As the prophet says (Is. 48:22), however, the wicked never have peace, regardless of whether they prosper or fail. For when they prosper, they grow presumptuous, haughty, and proud, and they forget our Lord God. Their only boast and trust is in their power, riches, wisdom, and holiness. These they are concerned to keep and increase while they persecute and suppress those that hinder them. But when their fortunes change, as eventually they surely must … then they are the most miserable and sorrowful people, who speedily despair and lose heart. What ails them? They do not know where and how they may seek comfort. They do not have God’s Word, which alone can properly teach patience and good cheer in affliction (Rom. 15:4).

This ought to warn and move us not to consider anything on this earth greater and more precious than the blessing of being able to have the dear blessed Word and to be at a place where it may be preached and confessed freely and publicly.

Luther’s Works, vol. 12: Selected Psalms. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Page 149.

Well said, Martin!

Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace…

10:00 Worship Service

Sermon: “No Fear” based on Psalm 23

11:00 Coffee Hour

Looking Ahead …

This Sunday! That’s right! Plan to stay a bit for a coffee break following the service.

VBS will take us on an expedition to the top of five mountains and teach you more about God’s might and grace and His Son, Jesus our Saviour and Lord, August 18-22, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Register now!  Get excited to sing fun songs, do crazy crafts, eat yummy snacks, and more. Plus, you’ll learn all about Jesus so that you can go tell everyone about Him! Can’t wait to see you there!  VBS is for kids going into JK to those going into Grade 6. 

Register online at http://www.poplc.ca/ or call 905-332-7671.  You can also invite your friends on facebook!   For more information, go online at http://www.poplc.ca/, email popburl@bellnet.ca or call 905-332-7671. Registration forms are also available on the VBS table in the foyer.

Volunteers needed:  At Tell It on the Mountain VBS, you will connect children with the most important message of their lifetime: the miraculous story of what Jesus did for us, what we could never do for ourselves. If you can help full or part time, we have many ways to be involved to suit your schedule and interests. Talk to Jenn Shack or e-mail her at jenn@poplc.ca.  You can find a signup sheet on the VBS table in the foyer.

Join us, any time from 6:00 pm onwards on Thursday July 18 and help us with preparing the decorations for our upcoming VBS. Please come dressed to do some “dirty” work. Everyone welcome!

Also – see the “VBS Decorating Items Wanted” list pasted below

Recently, a single mom  was our guest in worship at Prince of Peace. Since then she has moved to Oakville. She and her three daughters (ages 12-18) are interested in attending again. The catch is that she has no transportation. If you think that the Lord might be calling you to help get them to church Sunday morning, please talk to me.

Attention . . . If you or your children or grandchildren are off to university this fall, please email campusministry@lcceast.ca with their name, email address (with their permission), and the school they will be attending and we will send them an email inviting them to a nearby LCC church.  We will also let its pastor know that they will be in the area and share their contact email. Thank you, East District Campus Ministry Committee (P.S. Please copy the email to me at pastor@poplc.ca as I would like to stay in touch with them as well.)

EDLYA = East District Lutheran Young Adults (What is EDLYA?, click here to find out)It’s simple. It’s fun. It’s Lutheran. It’s a great way for young Lutherans (ages 18-35) to meet like-minded friends. Interested? Talk to Jenn Shack who is an EDLYA veteran.

The EDLYA 2013 Summer Retreat is August 2-5 at Springwater Conservation Area, East Campground – Schoolhouse, 47719 Conservation Line, Aylmer, ON.  Cost: Regular – $50.00; First Retreat/Students – $45.00; Married Couples – $30.00; Day Rate – $30.00 (meals and showers are included)

Click here for details. Click here to register.

Stuff Online …

Emergency Flood Relief Appeal & Call to Prayer . . . The Boards of Directors of the Alberta–British Columbia District and Lutheran Church–Canada have each passed resolutions authorizing both District and Synod-wide appeals to raise funds for a special Emergency Relief Fund. Funds received will primarily be used to support local congregational programs that provide emergency services for those most in need. Funds will also be used to provide grants to local congregations as they initiate servant/witnessing events in the communities that have experienced significant flooding. Donations to the LCC fund appeal may be made online by clicking here . (Check “Support one of our featured funds today” and then select “Southern Alberta Flood Relief Appeal.”) Funds will be administered and dispersed by the ABC District Office in response to requests for assistance by Calgary and area congregations. Each contribution made for flood-relief in Southern Alberta will be used for that emergency, until requirements have been met or can no longer be completed for reasons determined by ABC District. In such cases, remaining funds will be used in other LCC-supported emergency relief efforts. Updates:  http://www.canadianlutheran.ca/ 

Call to Prayer — Rev. Don Schiemann, ABC District President states, “This is an opportunity for us to put our faith into action and to offer up prayers of intercession on behalf of those affected by the flood. I ask all of Lutheran Church–Canada to join in single-minded prayers of intercession and to commit all who have been affected by the floods into the hands of heavenly Father for His care and protection.”

LCC 25^th Anniversary: Here’s an article on the beginnings of our young church. Click here .

Also, a 25^th Anniversary Celebration Service Sunday was held July 7 at the University of Manitoba. You can hear the sermon President Robert Bugbee preached – “In Your light, We See Light” – based on Psalm 36:1-9 by clicking here.

“How to Reach Those Who Think They Don’t Need God” While written assuming an audience of preachers, this online article challenges our assumptions as folks who sit in the pew as well. Read this article and pray (Click here ).

_{­­­­­­­­­­­}Week 45 of the Bible Reading Plan: (July 15-20)

“The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart…. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19: 7b-8, 10 ESV)

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

VBS Decorating Items Wanted: 

• A-frame ladders, various heights
          (for making mountains)
• Plain bed sheets, any size, flat or fitted
          (blue, white, cream, green, brown)
• Tarps, any size or colour
• Small tents (2-3 man size)
• Fire wood (for props…not for burning!)
• Electric campfire
• Camp lanterns
• Camp stove
• Camping pots/pans/dishes
• Ropes, various sizes/lengths
• Camping/hiking backpacks
• Artificial foliage/flowers
• Artificial Christmas trees, any size.
          (With lights on is okay…)
• Camp chairs
• Sleeping bags
• Other mountain-climbing/camping equipment
• Left-over paint, any kind, any colour
          (but especially: blue, brown, green, white, black)
• Old newspapers
• Kids plastic swimming pool (doesn’t have to hold water)
• Spare fabric, large pieces preferred (colours especially wanted: blue, brown, green, white)
• Large cardboard boxes
• Giant cardboard boxes
          (from furniture or appliances)

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