“The God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.”
(Acts 3:13-15 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord! He’s risen indeed!
Things changed after the resurrection of our Lord. Timid disciples were suddenly bold apostles. Peter healed a man and when he noticed that there gathered an amazed crowd, he seized the opportunity to tell everyone that it was by the power of Jesus’ name that the man was healed. Now that was remarkable enough, but Peter also included the indictment that these hearers were to blame for the Messiah’s unjust death sentence – even worse than the pagan Pilate who had wanted to release Jesus.
But then consider what Peter says about Jesus: “You killed the Author of life.” Now if you think about it, that’s impossible. God is the Author of life. You cannot kill God – He is eternal – He is, well, the Author of life. And if all life comes from Him, how can He be killed?
Yet, Jesus was also true man – someone who could bleed and die. And die He did.
But He is also called the Author of life. These are both true – Jesus is God, Jesus is man – the God-man. He died because He choose to die for us. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 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. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:11,17-18 ESV)
That is what Jesus, God’s Son did – He died – He rose again.
Think about it – believe – and thank God. Alleluia!
The Lord be with you!
Sunday (April 23) here at Prince of Peace…
Second Sunday of Easter
9:00 am Sunday School & Bible Class
9:00 am Matins with alternative accompaniment
10:30 am Matins with alternative accompaniment
Sermon: “Stand Up for the Risen Christ”
11:30 am Coffee Hour
PoP News …
Thank you to all those who blessed the Lord and us through their service this Holy Week and Easter Sunday:
- Our musicians
- Our choir led by our choir director
- Our Altar Guild and those who brought in lilies to adorn our chancel
- Our elders who oversaw ushering and other aspects of the worship services and events
- Those who organized our Facebook advertising and who helped me out with website servicing
- Our youth and their families who hosted our Easter Breakfast (and the wonderful Easter cake)
- Our Sunday School staff who organized Easter children’s activities
- You – for being here as the people of God
Help needed to load Haiti Container: The Haiti container will be loaded on Thursday, April 27 and Friday, April 28. Anyone able to help on either day would be gratefully appreciated. Hopefully the weather will co-operate. Please contact Wally Bogusat at wbogusat@cogeco.ca.
EvangelFest 2017: The Department for Outreach is featuring Dr. John Stephenson as keynote speaker for EvangelFest 2017 being held April 28th and 29th at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines. Breakout sessions include Dr. Wilhelm Torgerson, Rev. Ron Mohr, and Rev. Paul Williams.
Halton Alive is having their annual walk for life on Sat May 20. The meeting place is Burlington Christian Fellowship located very near Prince of Peace at 2054 Mountain Side Drive. Here is a link to provide information for the event: http://haltonalive.com/walk-for-life . If interested, we could form a team and walk together. It would great to get more of the churches in our community to show solidarity in our support for life and our resistance to the culture of death which is so prevalent in our post Christian society.
Online News …
LCC joins group seeking conscience rights for Ontario physicians: An open letter to Ontario’s 107 legislators from faith leaders, including the president of Lutheran Church–Canada Robert Bugbee, asks the Members of Provincial Parliament to amend Bill 84 to include the right of physicians and health-care workers to decline providing medical assistance in dying based on their conscience. READ MORE
Nominations for LCC President/Vice-Presidents: Lutheran Church–Canada congregations are reminded that nominations for president and vice-presidents of LCC are due by June 13, 2017. READ MORE
Beauty and the Beast: Fairy Tales, Morality, and Making All Things New: Rev. Ted Giese reviews the live-action remake of the animated classic. So it’s made by Disney, he notes. Does that give it a pass? READ MORE
Talk Radio for the Easter Season…You can listen to Lutheran experts teach on topics like: The Resurrection in Isaiah, The Empty Tomb, The 50 Days of Easter, Jesus & Thomas, The Easter Hymn “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” 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 at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
Also, listen to Christian music for the Easter season at Lutheran Public Radio. Click http://lutheranpublicradio.org/ and then push the play button.
Reformation 500 News …
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church doors inviting scholars to debate the practice of selling indulgences which ultimately led to a more clearly proclaimed Gospel of forgiveness through the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Five Hundred years later we proclaim that it is still all about Jesus!
Easter and the Reformation Faith: Easter is a good time to celebrate the Reformation. READ MORE
New Luther movie screening: “Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World” is coming to Waterloo! This new movie, produced for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation will be shown at the Princess Cinemas, 46 King St. N., Waterloo, on Sunday May 7th at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available through Historic St. Paul’s church office from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Thursday. Any questions may be directed to: office@historicstpauls.ca. Cost per seat is $10 cash only. Ticket supply is limited so don’t hesitate to get yours early. Proceeds to: Nicaragua South Mission Fund and the Community Cupboard. See the poster in the PoP lobby.
Free “Here I Stand” poster exhibition: Recognizing that many people are not able to travel to visit Reformation museums and displays in 2017, four German museum organizations along with three American partners have worked together to produce a free Reformation-themed exhibition that anyone can download and print for free. READ MORE
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those who mourn
- The many Christians who are actively worshipping in Egypt despite the fear caused by earlier attacks.
- Those who suffer with chronic illness
- Friends and family dealing with issues of the mind especially depression and dementia
- Those under medical care
- Those undergoing chemotherapy
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
