“Immediately [Jesus] made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.”
(Mark 6:45–46 ESV)
Dear Christian Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
I’ve done it. I’m sure you have done it, too. You hurried out into your day thinking you didn’t have time to pray.
I’d have to say that Jesus was busy – healing and helping, confronting and comforting, teaching and reaching. His days could get quite long and yet He couldn’t see Himself pursuing a busy schedule without spending significant quiet time with His Father in heaven.
If He couldn’t, how can we? We can’t. You are never too busy to pray. In fact, the busier you are, the more you need God’s presence in your life. (see the poem below)
But then again, Jesus is the Son of God. He always lived in a way that was well pleasing in the heavenly Father’s sight. We cannot.
That is why we do not trust in saving ourselves, but in Him who “who gave himself as a ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 2:6 ESV)
The Lord be with you!
Sunday (July 29) here at Prince of Peace…
9:30 am Holy Communion
Prince of Peace News …
Mud! It’s pretty dry out there! We could use some rain. However, these next few Sundays we will utilize the theme of mud to describe how the Lord is our helper in times of trouble. Here is the schedule:
- “Slaving Away in the Mud” based on Exodus 5:7-18
- “Thrown into the Mud” based on Jeremiah 38:4-13
“My help comes from the LORD!” (Psalm 121:2) O Come, let us worship the Lord!
Summer Adult Bible Class: There will be no Tuesday class on July 31. Class will resume the following week, August 7, at 7:15.
A Youth Pool Party/BBQ & Lock-In is being planned for Friday August 10 and Saturday August 11. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to come for a swim and BBQ at a private home. After that, the excitement will continue with an overnight lock-in at Prince of Peace. We pray you will be able to join us. Friends are definitely welcome!
East District Lutheran Young Adult Summer Retreat: It’s time for some summer fun in the sun! All young adults (between the ages 18-35) are invited to join together Civic Holiday weekend (August 3rd-6th) for the annual camping retreat at Springwater Conservation Area, Alymer, Ontario.
The topic will be “Anthropology: Using the Augsburg Confessions as a Lens”. Pastor Schieman will be the speaker. EDLYA is doing a special one-time price reduction for this retreat! (Regular $35; Student $30; Married Couple $60; Day rate $20).
(Pastor Schieman suggests the following as optional advanced readings: Luther’s Small Catechism: The Creed, Articles and Explanations; Articles 2 and 23 of both the Augsburg Confessions and the Apology; Listen to Issues etc. Podcast 1223 Evangelical Gnosticism and the Bodily Resurrection).
EDLYA is a group of Lutheran young adults that welcomes Lutherans and Non-Lutherans between the ages of 18 to 35. It’s going to be a lot of fun so please share the news about this exciting opportunity! For more information please visit www.edlya.ca.
Prince of Peace Call Meeting: Mark Tuesday, August 14, on your calendar for a congregational meeting at 7pm. We will trust the Holy Spirit to guide our conversation as we prayerfully consider the list of pastors presented by President Paul Zabel. He will conduct the meeting where we will vote to call a pastor and pray for that pastor’s deliberation. Please plan to attend as we seek God’s direction.
Online News …
Prince of Peace YouTube channel: This YouTube channel features our sermons. View if you miss a Sunday. Share with others around Burlington or around the world. For the 7/22 sermon click here. To get to the PoP YouTube Channel click here. Please subscribe.
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s teachings include: Contemporary Worship, Song of Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus Gives the Lord’s Supper and more. You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those in mourning
- Those dealing with health concerns and challenges
- Our seniors as they face each day with courage and faith
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
+++
Time to Pray
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn’t have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn’t show me.
He said, “But you didn’t seek.”
I tried to come into God’s presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
“My child, you didn’t knock.”
I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.
Author unknown
