“Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation.”

(Zechariah 9:9 ESV)

Dear Christian Friends,

Last Sunday, Consecration Sunday, was a lot of fun! The whole last month was fun. It was great to see so many people involved in Bible study (between Sunday morning, Monday evening and Tuesday morning there were 50 attending).

On the December 1, Consecration Sunday, Rev. President Paul Zabel shared his heart which I pray led us to a similar attitude toward the Lord. Even though we talked a bit about money and giving, we realize it all starts with the heart. Indeed, we are most generous when it comes to those who are closest to us. Children, spouse, parents – we seldom skimp on them when it comes to giving. So too, knowing the love of Christ and seeing the Spirit of God growing our love toward Him in return yields generosity.

And what a luncheon that followed! It was good and it was free of charge, thanks to several people who donated and served. It was a little party in celebration to the Lord for His goodness to us. Judging from the level of the conversation going on downstairs, I’d say we were feeling rather festive.

On Consecration Sunday, 37 envelopes were handed in by couples and individuals. Envelopes are still coming in. And our F&JR leadership team is endeavoring to contact those who may have missed the weekend to encourage them to join in the effort.

As a way of reminder, there were 2 forms and 1 envelope that we used:

• One form is to be unsigned so the financial chair simply can add up the total without seeing anyone’s name.
• The other form is also to be unsigned and sealed in the envelope. The envelope will be signed so that it can be returned to you unopened next year for your private review. In other words, no one will see it except you and the Lord.

Please, understand our dual emphasis of honouring your privacy in your stewardship to God but also our desire to honour and obey the Lord by challenging ourselves to be this deliberate with our giving.

So, as this Advent season begins, I cannot think of a better way to honour Christmas and the One who was born for us than to consecrate ourselves and all that we have to the Lord. He has been merciful to us and we respond with thanksgiving.

Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace…

9:00 Sunday School Christmas programme practice & mini-lesson

9:00 Adult Bible Class: Wondering what’s happening to society? Ken Ham via video will explain.
Fresh coffee will be ready.

10:30 Matins with alternative accompaniment

Sermon: “Jesus Comes Bringing Life – When You Feel Cut Off from Life Support” based on Isaiah 11:1-10

11:30 Coffee Hour

Coming Up …

Seniors Lunch: Monday at noon we’ll have a potluck and then sing some Christmas carols. Bring food and a friend to share at our December Seniors Lunch.

“This Shall Be a Sign Unto You…..” – Everyone is welcome to join the Sunday School on December 15 at 4:30 pm for the Children’s Christmas program, followed by our Congregational Christmas Dinner. (A sign-up is posted for those who can help out with the dinner)

Nut Allergy: a member of PoP has a severe nut allergy and we ask that you please refrain from including any form of nuts in your cooking for this Christmas dinner.

December 15 is “First Offering Sunday” – God truly blessed our “Consecration Sunday” events last Sunday.  90 people attended worship and 70 people attended the Celebration Luncheon.  37 Response Cards were received totaling $2,137.75.  If you were not present last Sunday and want to be a part of this emphasis, please use the Response Card this week.  Next Sunday is “First Offering” Sunday.  Every journey of commitment begins with a first step.  We encourage those who completed a Response Card to begin their new giving patters on First Offering Sunday, December 15, if that is possible.

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class will take a Christmas break on Sundays, December 22 & 29. The Sunday worship service begins at 10:30 as per usual.

Other News …

73 people came and sang with great joy! That was the spirit last Friday at the 10^th annual Prince of Peace Christmas Now! Carol Sing. Thank you for attending. Thank you for sharing Christmas goodies.

Advent has begun! To help everyone of every age for use in the home, we offer Advent materials on the table in the lobby. Both are produced by our very own Lutheran Hour Ministries. Take two – one for yourself and a second to give away to a relative or friend. They are:

• “The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us”  — an adult/family devotion.
• “The Christmas Journey”  — a little rhyming, picture booklet telling of Luke chapter 2. Read it to little children again and again.
• “The Word Became Flesh” is also available to read online or can be received via e-mail subscription throughout the Advent season. An audio version of “The Word Became Flesh” is available or you can receive it as a podcast. 

Please Support the children’s meal program in Nicaragua by purchasing premium Nicaraguan-grown coffee now.  $5 from every pound goes directly to support the meal program which ensures that the children get a nutritious meal, organized recreation, help with their school work, and Bible study on a weekly basis.  There are two specialty flavours dark roast or medium roast and decaf. They are all available in both beans and ground. The one pound bags are $15. The 10 cup foil packages are $3.50, with $1.50 going to the program.  You may purchase the coffee after the service or contact Greg or Lois.

Christmas Poinsettias – If you would like to donate Poinsettias for our Christmas Worship display we ask you to have them at the church by Sunday, December 22.

Week 66 of the Bible Reading Plan: (December 9-14)

You can listen to the day’s reading by clicking the links on our Bible reading webpage. Go to poplc.ca. 

“Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” (Psalm 119:144 ESV)

Online …

Typhoon Haiyan relief: Canadian Lutheran World Relief is partnering with its American counterpart, Lutheran World Relief, to provide shelter repair and shelter kits to 100,000 families. Their priorities include providing clean drinking water and non-food items like blankets and personal supplies to people in evacuation shelters. Donations will be matched by the Canadian government up until December 9. Learn more, and donate, by clicking here. Thank you for your support.

As you do your Christmas shopping, you can support the seminary: If you shop at Amazon, you can put your shopping to work. Anything you buy at Amazon can be credited to the seminary if you enter Amazon through our seminary link. This applies to books, electronics, housewares, anything they sell. The price doesn’t go up; it costs you nothing more. But Amazon pays a portion of the proceeds to the seminary just for the referral. Simply go to the seminary’s homepage (http://concordiastcatharines.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/help-the-seminary-with-your-christmas-shopping/www.brocku.ca/concordiaseminary) and enter Amazon (US or Canada) by clicking on the appropriate link, or just click the “Powered by Amazon.ca or Amazon.com” links. Then just shop as usual and the seminary gets the credit.

CLWR will be offering an online Advent calendar featuring stories about the people and projects you support through CLWR. They will email a short story every morning from December 1-25. If you’d like to subscribe to receive them by email, send your name and email to jennifer@clwr.mb.ca.

In your prayers, please remember:

• Those undergoing treatment for cancer
• Thanksgiving to God for the blessings of the Free & Joyous Response initiative and specifically for Consecration Sunday, last Sunday.

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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