But Jesus answered,
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
(Matthew 4:4 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
In the Bible reading schedule (See “I need to read my Bible!” below), I have already found it fascinating how God’s Word comes together in surprising ways. In the reading schedule, there are three short readings per day – An Old Testament reading, a Psalm, and a New Testament reading.
What really struck me was reading about the fall into sin by Eve and Adam through the temptation of the evil one. The devil uses his common tactic of questioning God’s Word. We see how he openly contradicts and finally replaces God’s Word of Truth with his own lie.
And then just three days later, I read of how Jesus in the wilderness was likewise tempted yet He, unlike Adam and Eve, came out victorious. It was a demonstration of God’s power over sin for our sakes. While we may be weak and vulnerable to the devil’s attacks, our Saviour is victorious.
We really need Him. We really need the Word of the Lord. As Jesus told the devil in no uncertain terms, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Won’t you join me in this daily Bible reading schedule? It is not just a challenge from me. It is an invitation from the Lord to feed upon His Word in a regular fashion. God’s Word is the bread of life – especially as it lays out His plan and work for our salvation through Jesus our Redeemer.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Sunday (January 14) here at Prince of Peace…
9:00 am Service of Prayer & Preaching
9:00 am Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
10:30 am Service of Prayer & Preaching
Sermon: ““Wonderful Knowledge” based on Psalm 139:1–10
Prince of Peace News …
Use of the Individual Cup: It is no secret that age is creeping up on all of us. For some coming forward to receive the Lord’s body and blood can be a physical challenge. Climbing the stairs and managing the small individual cup increasingly becomes a balancing act that on some days is fine but on other days is difficult. Your church elders and I want to be helpful so we brainstormed some ideas. On January 21, we will put the first plan into action by eliminating the little table of individual cups. Instead, an elder will walk with me at the railing so that you may choose to receive the wine by the individual cup offered by him or the chalice offered by me.
Further, here are some additional possibilities that might help you in receiving the Lord’s Supper:
- If the individual cup is becoming difficult to handle, consider taking the chalice. By the way, sanitation ought not to be a concern as the silver chalice and the alcohol of the wine deal with germs effectively. In addition, I wipe the chalice with a cloth dampened with vodka to further sanitize the cup.
- Used individual cups will be placed on the return trays provided as usual.
- There is no shame in standing at the rail for communion. Your safety and wellbeing are of utmost importance. I don’t want the joy of receiving our precious Lord’s body and blood to be overshadowed by pain from kneeling.
- If you are having a bad day and are not sure if you can safely make it to the railing, you are welcome to stay in the pew and we will come to you. Tell the usher or an elder if you desire to be communed in the pew.
- The Elders and I are considering other possibilities for the future i.e. perhaps moving the railing down to the floor level or communing without a railing. If you have other suggestions that might prove helpful, we are all ears.
Men’s Breakfast at Pilgrim: Due to the projected snow storm for Friday & Saturday morning it was decided to postpone breakfast till Sat. January 20th at 8:00am. The men of Prince of Peace are welcome to join the fun and fellowship of the Men’s Breakfast at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1054 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton. Food and a Bible study are what’s in store.
Rescuing Our Kids (or Grand-Kids, or Great-Grand-Kids): The Sunday morning adult Bible class will feature “Rescuing Our Kids,” a powerful video presentation by Ken Ham. Studies have shown our kids are doubting what they’re taught at church earlier than many parents fear. We need ways to address potential short comings in how children are equipped to deal with the secular attacks they experience the other 6 days of the week. Curious? Come Sunday morning at 9:00 beginning January 14th. Coffee will be on. The class meets in the church basement.
I need to read my Bible! Won’t you join me? A three-year plan of daily Bible readings has been compiled by the Lutheran Church—Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to encourage the people of our church bodies in the daily reading of Holy Scripture. A calendar of daily readings will be placed in the lobby monthly. Pick up your copy now. I encourage you to join me on this project as a spiritual up-building exercise for 2018.
Does anyone in our congregation have a drone? If so, might you be interested in taking some photos or videos of our church? Drone cameras are quite powerful and they capture a perspective you don’t normally get. It would be great to add that perspective to our website. Talk to me if you can help.
Online News …
Below please find a Farewell Letter from LCC president, Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee addressed to all members of Lutheran Church–Canada.
The next EDLYA retreat is ALMOST HERE! On January 19 to 21 the East District Lutheran Young Adults will be holding a retreat at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (3620 Nafziger Road, Wellesley). If you are a young adult aged 18-35, then don’t let this exciting opportunity slip you by! Register NOW at www.edlya.ca. Hope to see you there!
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those being treated in hospital.
- Spiritual growth of fellow members as we worship and study the Bible
- Those who travel, those who are ill or caring for ailing loved ones, those who struggle with mental illness, those who mourn, those who are unemployed
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
_________________________________________________
January 8, 2018
To the Congregations, Pastors and Deacons
of Lutheran Church –Canada
Treasured friends in Christ Jesus,
It is impossible in a few sentences to tell you all everything I feel as I conclude my work as the President of Synod. Endless meetings, trips, telephone calls, invitations to preach, personal conversations and letters have brought you close to me since my election in 2008. Now our calendars say “2018” at the top of the page! How can that be?
For anything I was able to do or say that ended up building Christ’s kingdom and helping you, I owe all the credit to God and His mercy. For actions of mine that were defective or hurtful, I beg His pardon, and ask your forgiveness, too. I must tell you that, all in all, the Lord’s people have been undeservedly kind to me throughout these years. For every place I was welcomed, for every e-mail and personal note of support, for every intercessory prayer on behalf of me and my wife, I want to thank you with all my heart.
I am especially grateful for the massive approval given by last October’s convention in Kitchener to simplify the structure of LCC. I encourage your congregations during this ratification phase until mid-April to vote to approve the convention’s changes to the Synodical Constitution. I am hopeful that, with a simplified “machinery,” all of us will give clearer focus to what should really matter most in our churches: First, to root our congregations ever more deeply in the Word of Christ; and, second, to reach out with the love of Christ to the staggering number of people around us who do not confess Him, even though they need Him as much as we do. He wants them! It is His loving wisdom to make that clear through people like you and me!
In a very few days Pastor Timothy Teuscher will succeed me to become the fourth President of Lutheran Church –Canada. Whether you have met him yet or not, I ask you to pray faithfully for his ministry, and to support him in every way you can. His adjustment to this call will be demanding, especially since we are shifting in the coming months to a different way of doing many things under the new structure. It will take time for dust to settle, and for details to become fully clear. I implore you to be patient with him and the new Board of Directors, even as God in Christ has shown His endless patience toward you.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 NIV).
In Christ our dear Lord,
Robert Bugbee, President
Lutheran Church-Canada
