“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news,
who publish peace and bring good news of salvation.
Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”
(Gradual for this Sunday, from Romans 10)
Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,
Christian greetings!
Beautiful feet! – Not something you envision as a pretty sight. Feet smell. They get deformed with age. I’ll admit, mine are not pretty.
But the Lord says that certain feet are, in fact, beautiful – ones that bring good news. Good news, not bad news. We are used to bad news. We are bombarded with tragic things from every media source. Now we are saddened by yet another attack in France.
But when it is good news, people are relieved. They smile. It generates a glad and peaceful state of mind. Too often what is portrayed as good news is trite. They feature a pet story or something that will bring some levity to the news broadcast.
But real good news is something more like the declaration of war’s end. Well, that is what God has provided through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Sin has been atoned for; guilt is removed; God’s righteous condemnation of evil has been satisfied. The war between God and humankind is over. It really is. It’s just that most people still live as though they are at war with God.
There were accounts of Japanese soldiers on remote Pacific islands who were still fighting because they had not gotten word that the second world war was over. We live in a world where so many still do not know and comprehend that God has brought about peace. He accomplished that through the sacrifice of His own Son and His powerful resurrection three days later.
Want to have beautiful feet? – Even, beautiful in God’s eyes? Share what Jesus means to you with someone else. Invite a friend to church. Give them information about Jesus. Ask if they would like a pastoral visit from me when they fall ill or have some personal tragedy.
It’s time – there is still time – for our voices to go “out to all the earth.”
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, July 17, 9th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 Holy Communion
PoP News …
“Living H20” – The National Youth Gathering is now history. Our youth who attended really appreciated being able to go. This Sunday they will share a bit about their experience with Lutheran youth from across Canada. They sound excited!
Being Lutheran: I want you to read a book with me. Hey, I’ll even give you a few months to finish it. It is called Being Lutheran. Now before you balk at the title I should tell you that the book is really about Jesus. Here’s an introduction:
Book Overview: “Throw out all those notions you might have about what it means to be Lutheran. When it comes down to it, being Lutheran is really very simple. It’s about following Jesus. We go where Jesus goes, we listen when Jesus speaks, we trust when Jesus promises. And we live because Jesus lives.” This book “is good for anyone who seeks a better understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ, one who desires even more to get to know Jesus and the power of His Word in their lives.”
The book Being Lutheran will be the basis for a sermon series and Monday evening discussion group through the Fall 2016 season. Don’t pass up on this opportunity! Sign up in the lobby to order your copy. The price is $15.00. But sign up so we can order your copy for this fall.
The Monday evening discussion group will be open to all – members and friends of the congregation. Where to hold the sessions is yet to be determined. We could meet in someone’s home or in a room at church or even out in a café. I welcome your input.
Wedding Shower: Please join the congregation in celebrating the marriage of Mark & Bianca at a potluck luncheon to be held here on Sunday July 24. A signup sheet is posted if you would like to contribute to the luncheon.
Open House at Prince of Peace: This congregation began its life of worship and service back in 1960 when we worshipped in a home on Woodward. In 1966 the present structure on Brant Street was built. Fifty years ago we began to call this structure home on Sundays and weekday events. With this in mind, maybe it’s time to open our doors and invite folks in to see what we are all about. A tentative date has been selected, September 24, during the afternoon. Stay tuned for more details.
Hey, I need your help with this open house idea. How about you share names and addresses of relatives, friends and neighbours to whom we could send invitations to our Open House? We shall provide the sign up list soon. Start thinking and praying about it now. Who do you want us to invite. Give us some names.
The third installment of the Worldview Lecture series at Grace Lutheran Church, Kitchener (136 Margaret Avenue), continues on Sunday, July 24, beginning with coffee and snacks at 11:00 am. The lecture begins at 11:30 am, going for about 40 minutes followed by a question and answer session. Pastor Rob Korsch will present a lecture titled “The Islamic Worldview and a Christian Response.” This lecture will outline the Islamic worldview from the point of view of the Koran and the Hadith (a source of Islamic authoritative written tradition). It will include how Muslims relate to each other and how they relate to non-Muslims. Of special interest is Muslim apologetics, that is, common strategies Muslims teach their children to respond to Christians when they witness Christ to Muslims. This will be followed with a Christian response to these Muslim tactics. The worldview of the Muslim terrorist group ISIS will also be discussed, but it will not be the focus of the lecture.
Did you know that next year the Reformation will be 500 years old? Yes, October 31, 2017, will mark 500 years since Luther nailed his 95 theses inviting the church to debate the unscriptural practice of selling indulgences. I am praying that our Open House experiment will be just the beginning of our thinking on how to bring to Gospel truth to our community and to one another in an ever meaningful way.
Your thoughts for December: At last week’s Worship Committee meeting we discussed December planning. If we repeat our programming from last year, we would have the Christmas Now Carol Sing on Friday, December 2. The Family Christmas Dinner & Program (Sunday School sponsored event for everyone) on Sunday, December 11 (exactly 2 weeks before Christmas Day which also is on Sunday this year).
Every year we wonder if we’ve worn out the Christmas Now idea but we keep getting 70-80 people attending with potential for more. The Family Dinner & Programme has gone well these last two years. Are you interested in one or both this year? We would like to hear your thoughts to help us plan. Forms and a basket are available in the lobby for your suggests. Sign or share anonymously as you wish. Thanks for your help.
Online News …
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week’s topics include: The November Elections, The Lord’s Prayer, Job, The Smalcald Articles, Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
The 66th Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was being held July 9-14, 2016, in Milwaukee. If you are curious the proceedings of our sister synod in convention here is the link: http://www.lcms.org/convention
In Your Prayers …
- In recent days, renewed clashes have broken out in the South Sudan capital of Juba and spreading to surrounding areas. Hundreds of people have been reported killed. Please hold this nation in your prayers as fighting continues.
- Those recovering from surgery
- Friends and family struggling with cancer
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
