“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The LORD will not do good,
nor will he do ill.’”
(Zephaniah 1:12 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
The Bible readings for these last couple of Sundays before Advent have a Judgment Day theme.
Reading this Sunday’s Old Testament reading including the verse above, I wonder about the world and the time in which we live. God spoke this way about the Hebrew people of the Old Testament. He was about to remove His blessing from that people because they had forgotten Him and were busy doing whatever they pleased. That being the case, what is the Lord thinking regarding us today?
How complacent are people today? – about God? – about all the blessings God has given which we take for granted? – about Jesus’ extraordinary sacrifice for their/our sins?
When at the end of the verse the Lord accuses people of saying “The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.” What does that mean? It means that people assume that if there is a God at all, He really doesn’t care what we do. In other words, people are denying that there will ever be a Judgment Day.
How mistaken! Even if the Lord Jesus continues to delay His return and the Judgment that will mark that Day, our own death will mark the end of our opportunities to repent and believe. As the Bible says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)
What’s the point? In this Sunday’s Bible readings, God would accomplish in us by His Spirit:
- A humble spirit. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)
- A conviction that God’s judgment is real. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV)
- A conviction that God’s love is real. “This is real love–not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:10 NLT)
- A devotion to God and His Word as proper preparation for His coming. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3 ESV)
- A genuine care for those around us who need to know God cares. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
So when you hear Bible verses about Judgment Day and the pastor talking about the subject, know that it is God’s care for all people, as the Bible says, “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.’” (Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)
That is why He bothered to send His Son. He wants you and everyone to know His love. God wants everyone to know the blessings of life in connection with Him.
Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace …
9:00 Sunday School Classes & Adult Bible Class
10:30 Holy Communion
Sermon “How to Prepare for the End of the World” based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Free and Joyous Response:
God truly blessed our “Consecration Sunday” events last Sunday. 98 people attended worship and many attended the Celebration Luncheon. Response Cards were received. If you were not present last Sunday, you can still be part of this emphasis using the Response Cards this week. Put the card folded into the offering plate along with the sealed envelope containing the other filled out card (Be sure to put your name only on the envelope which will be returned for your personal reflection next year).
Special thanks to Catherine, our FJR director, Erika, our food director, Helen, our financial director, and Linda, our PR director. Many thanks to those who volunteered with Sunday School breakfast food, and especially Brad who cooked up the sausages for the lunch, and also Pastor Don Schieman of St. Thomas who made and donated the sauerkraut. Together we prayed and served with the hope of encouraging our free and joyous response to God’s infinite goodness toward us. Thanks be to God!
Coming Soon …
Chilifest 2014 is coming up tomorrow, Saturday, November 15, at the Waterdown Legion (79 Hamilton St. N, Waterdown). Mix & mingle at 5:30 pm (cash bar) and Chilifest beginning at 6:00 pm. Bring your best Chili for a prize (people’s choice). Live entertainment provided by IN2U, door prizes, auction of baked goods & other items. $15 for adults, $5 for children (under 10). Homemade Mac & Cheese with Hot Dogs for the kids. Tickets available in the lobby. Donations of baked goods, items for auction, or pots of chili for the competition would be most welcome!
Ladies Bible Study Breakfast – join us at PoP on Saturday, November 22, at 9:00 am for our women’s focused Bible Study.
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 on Saturday, November 22, starting at 10:30 am. 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 N to Z are asked to bring sandwiches or salads, and those with letters A to M 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…”
News:
Christmas items needed – As part of Prince of Peace’s Family Christmas on Sunday, December 15, 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.
Online …
Come to Him Who Answers Prayer. What a wonderful invitation! You are invited to join with Lutherans throughout the ABC District during the week of January 18-25, 2015 for a special focus on prayer. READ MORE
Annabelle: Bad theology all dolled up. Rev. Ted Giese takes on a horror film in his latest review for The Canadian Lutheran, asking how well Hollywood understands the theology surrounding demons. (Spoiler: Not well at all.) READ MORE
2014 Convention Proceedings Now Available: Download the proceedings from LCC’s tenth convention now. Click here for the article and a link for downloading.
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 .
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those who struggle with mental illness
- Christians suffering persecution in various parts of the world
- Thanksgiving that injuries to Craig Lemon’s mother from a fall last Sunday were not worse, though she sustain a broken wrist
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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