“His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
(Psalm 147:10-11 ESV)
Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,
Christian greetings!
The Olympic opening ceremonies are underway as I’m writing these words. Oh my, the athletes look so young and strong.
We are impressed with ourselves and with others according to the strength and ability that we have. Unfortunately, even great athletes of years ago no longer compete. Many are now commentators. The Olympic prime has passed.
The words of the psalm above speak of how differently the Lord looks at things than we do.
We should know better. God’s love and power endure. He alone never changes. The God who cared for our ancestors and answered their prayers is the same Being who welcomes and honours our worship as well.
On the other hand, we change all the time. We grow and get strong but then we continue to age and eventually begin to recognize that our best days are past. We’ve heard it before, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)
From the Lord’s perspective, people are foolish who put all their confidence in their own human abilities and the things of this passing world. However, when we trust in the Lord who never changes and who is forever good, we have a confidence of which we shall never be ashamed.
The proof is in what He did for us in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32 ESV)
So yes, rejoice in the abilities and strength that the Lord has bestowed upon you. Even if your strongest days are behind you, rejoice that you can read this and still do good and be a blessing in this world. (One motivational speaker used to object to the time piece in your bedroom being called an “alarm clock.” He much preferred the term, “Opportunity Clock” because if you hear it tomorrow morning, you have opportunity to do something with your life.)
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, August 7, 12th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 Holy Communion
PoP News …
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.
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 Homewood Drive. 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 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.
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.
Youth to Canada’s Wonderland: On Wednesday, August 17th, Holy Cross, Kitchener invites youth to join them at Canada’s Wonderland. “This is a youth event, however, if you want to take advantage of this group rate with your family, please join us!” Cost is $47.75/adult or youth which covers park admission and a BBQ lunch. Registration is due July 29th.
Do you know someone starting post-secondary education? This can be a very difficult time to remain connected to the Lord but we want to encourage them by inviting them to a nearby congregation. There are Churches to Welcome Post-Secondary Students (click here to view list) and we would love to send them an email of encouragement. Please send their name, email address and the name of the school they will be attending to campusministry@lcceast.ca. Send it to me as well, as I would love to email them myself.
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 …
Why I Am Not An Atheist: Rev. Dr. Bill Anderson details how the arguments for God’s existence led him to reject atheism. READ MORE
Save Us From Self: LCC President Robert Bugbee discusses a threat that is flying under the radar: the self-absorbed mindset one meets all around us. How should Christians grapple with the temptation to make it all about me? READ MORE
Rapid Growth for Mozambique’s Lutherans: Missions continue to bear fruit as the Lutheran Church of Concord in Mozambique shares the good news of Jesus Christ. Since the ordination of the first class of pastoral graduates in August 2015, the church body has welcomed a number of new congregations. READ MORE
Canadian Anglicans vote to allow same-sex marriage: The Anglican Church of Canada has narrowly voted to allow clergy to officiate over same-sex marriage, breaking with the Christian Church’s historic understanding of marriage down through the centuries and exacerbating tensions in a church body long polarized over the issue of human sexuality. READ MORE
International Lutheran News: Philippine Lutherans sign protocol agreement with Missouri Synod
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: The “For You” of Biblical Christianity, Mary Mother of Jesus, The Temptation of Jesus, Sexual Morality in a Christless World and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
For pardon, growth in grace, and divine protection…
- O Lord, our God, we acknowledge Your great goodness toward us and praise You for the mercy and grace that our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hearts have known. We sincerely repent of the sins of this day and those in the past. Pardon our offenses, correct and reform what is lacking in us, and help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Inscribe Your law upon our hearts, and equip us to serve You with holy and blameless lives. May each day remind us of the coming of the night when no one can work. In the emptiness of this present age keep us united by a living faith through the power of Your Holy Spirit with Him who is the resurrection and the life, that we may escape the eternal bitter pains of condemnation. By Your Holy Spirit bless the preaching of Your Word and the administration of Your Sacraments. Preserve these gifts to us and to all Christians. Guard and protect us from all dangers to body and soul. Grant that we may with faithful perseverance receive from You our sorrows as well as our joys, knowing that health and sickness, riches and poverty, and all things come by permission of Your fatherly hand. Keep us this day under Your protective care and preserve us, securely trusting in Your everlasting goodness and love, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
