“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
(Psalm 23:4 ESV)
Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,
Easter greetings!
“What? A guy with a big stick sounds scary to me!” True, unless you are a lowly sheep and there are hungry wolves around. Then having that guy who knows you, gave you a name, and who seeks you out when you get lost, and now, who fends off your enemies with a big stick sounds rather comforting. Instead of prohibiting restful sleep at night, he makes it possible.
That is how it is with you and me and Jesus. He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Incredible as it seems, Jesus’ big stick is His holy, perfect life and His innocent suffering & death, capped off with His powerful resurrection. This shepherd is also “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 ESV) And thereby we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in His name. Yes, Jesus’ big stick is His laying down of His life and taking it up again. He said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:17-18 ESV)
As sinner Saul, now turned apostle wrote, “It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come … will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:33-35,38-39 ESV)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. His death and resurrection, they comfort me.
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, April 17, Fourth Sunday of Easter
9:00 Sunday School, Adult Class
10:30 Holy Communion
11:30 Baby Shower for Ruth
PoP News …
The “Mohr” Music Gospel Concert is this Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 pm. It is not too late to make plans to attend or invite your friends to attend. Come enjoy a musical variety of jazz, pop, rock and show tunes. Pastor Ron Mohr and family will be sharing their musical talents. It’s a fund raiser for our youth attending the National Youth Gathering this summer. Tickets at the door are adults $10 and children 12 & under $5.
Seminary Guild Day and Luncheon will be held Saturday, April 16 at the Seminary in St. Catharines. The speaker will be Rev. Murto telling about “Lutheran Faith in Finland”. Meet at the church at 8:00am and carpool.
Baby Shower for baby Ruth! The ladies invite the congregation to join with them in showering this young family. We will meet in the fellowship hall downstairs after the morning worship service this Sunday, April 17.
“Truth Unlocked: Keys to Connecting with Your Muslim Neighbor” Video Series and Study during the Sunday morning Bible class has begun. The series includes straight-to-the-point interviews with scholars, pastors, and former Muslims. The Lord Jesus lived and died and rose again for the sake of all people including our Muslim neighbours. Come and learn and care.
Prayer & Communion Service is an informal midweek service where we gather prayer concerns and I pray through them, finishing with a brief communion liturgy. You are welcome to attend with your prayer concerns or simply treasure another opportunity to partake of the dear body and blood of our Lord Jesus which feeds our spiritual life. This will be held Tuesday, April 19, at 7:15 pm.
Last Saturday’s Work Day was a blessing! Many things were accomplished. Thanks to the people who came alongside our trustees to help.
Children’s Choir from Fort Wayne: On Sunday, April 24, a 27-voice children’s choir from Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School in Fort Wayne, Indiana will be singing in the 11:00 am worship service at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1054 Upper Sherman Ave., Hamilton. The choir is led by Dr. Patricia Cotton who is the Director of Worship and Music at Holy Cross. The children are 5th and 6th grade students. All are welcome!
East District Young Adults and Lutheran Youth Spring Retreat – April 29 to May 1 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kitchener. Get ready to take your first step in knowing “God’s Will in our Lives”. For more information check the bulletin board in the foyer. Carpooling from PoP is available.
Thursday, May 5, is the festival day of the Ascension of our Lord. We will have a communion service at 7:00 that evening. Come and rejoice in the victory of our Lord who ascended to the Father to govern, guide and protect His holy Church on earth!
Online News …
Restructuring Update: Survey Results Released: LCC has now released the responses to the National Survey on Restructuring. In total, 2,049 participants filled out the survey, leaving nearly 20,000 comments filling almost 900 pages. To see the results, read the comments, and read a detailed analysis, CLICK HERE.
TALK RADIO FOR THE THINKING CHRISTIAN…You can listen to teachings for laypeople on subjects like: Pope Francis’ Encyclical on Marriage & Divorce, The Enlightenment & the Death of Humanity, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Martin Luther’s Antinomian Theses and more. Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
LCC Restructuring: Nine Insights on the Survey for Discussion: Based on the survey results regarding the restructuring of LCC, which support a major overhaul of our structure, the CCMS and LCC Board of Directors are offering the following points for discussion and information as a means of receiving additional input from the members of LCC to the CCMS and Board of Directors of the Synod. READ MORE
In your prayers, please remember:
- Friends and family struggling with cancer
- Families with elderly parents having health concerns and their children who lovingly attempt to care for them.
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
