“My eyes are ever toward the LORD,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

(Psalm 25:15 ESV)

Dear Christian Friends,

Ever walk through a door or a narrow space and suddenly come to a halt because a button on your clothes got snagged on something? It can be a rude and sudden stop.

I cannot imagine the experience of an insect caught in the spider’s web, or more humanly personal, someone in a house that was swept away in the Washington mudslide. It is the terror of being stuck in a deadly situation and helpless to save oneself.

Guilt can be have the same effect. Things done in the past cannot become undone. The act of hurting another person is cemented in history. It is horrifying when the consequences of past sin captures your attention and you cannot undo it.

When we’re stuck we hope and look for help. For the Christian we know where to look for help. “My eyes are ever toward the Lord.” And Someone is there for you. Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:26 ESV)

It is amazing that somehow the God-man Jesus hung helplessly on the cross. He Himself said He could have summoned an army of angels to save Him – but He didn’t do that. He hung there obedient to the Father unto death. Why? It was in answer to our call for help. He came to be our Saviour through this awful agony He endured. He became helpless in order to help us in our helplessness. Now in faith, our “eyes are ever toward the LORD.” – for our eternal salvation, and for help in our daily need.

Coming Up …

Thursday at Prince of Peace…

7:00pm Lenten Service of Evening Prayer

Sermon: “Peace for the Troubled Mind” – You and I need the peace of God – to deal with marriage, parenting, school, work, and all the private trials of life that are unique to you.

Sunday at Prince of Peace…

9:00 Sunday School for kids, teens and adults

Adult Bible Class: Jesus is the Good Shepherd, John 10

10:30 Worship Service

Sermon: “We Have Not Loved”
Jesus boiled down all the commandments to two simple rules –
Love God and love your neighbour. Easier said than done.

Other Things Coming Up …

Special Communion Service, Thursday, April 10 @ 9:30: The monthly meeting of the Hamilton Circuit pastors (called Winkel) will be that morning at Prince of Peace. As circuit counsellor I’d like to offer the opportunity for them to commune together. To that end, the elders and altar guild have agreed we host a congregational communion service instead of our usual Winkel devotions. But it is not private to them. All members of Prince of Peace are welcome to attend.

LLL Niagara Zone Rally: Stephen Klinck, of Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada, will be speaking at the LLL Niagara Zone Rally at Concordia Lutheran Church (105 Welland Road) Pelham on Sunday, April 6. Registration at 2:30, rally starts at 3:00, followed by dinner (freewill offering). All are invited to learn more about Lutheran Hour Ministries. The rally offering will be used to raise to print booklets in Spanish and French (FaithLife Financial will match all donations up to $500.00).

Lutheran Youth March for Life: The annual March for Life in Ottawa will be held on Thursday, May 8. D.v. Arrangements have been made by our District Youth Committee for any of our youth with their parents, counselors and pastors to participate. Those coming from a distance could leave after classes Wednesday, bring sleeping bags, and arrive to overnight at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 326 MacKay St. Ottawa. Breakfast and a sack lunch will be provided by the church. A free will offering will help to cover the costs. Others, coming to church in the morning, could join in the devotion led by the Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer of Lutherans for Life at 10:00 AM. From St. Luke, it’s a 45 minute walk or a 6 minute drive to Parliament Hill where marchers will gather at 12 noon for speeches. We will have a “Lutherans for Life” banner to help us rendezvous in front of the Parliament buildings. The March begins at 1:30 PM, returning by 2:45 for the Silent No More Awareness talks by women who have experienced the after effects of abortions. Then we can leave for home. Lutherans for Life will be holding their annual meeting at St. Luke after the March. If you plan to attend the March, please contact the District Youth Committee Pastoral Advisor at paulpollex@yahoo.com or call 519-631-1924 with the number of participants by May 4 so that arrangements can be made at St. Luke.

Pastor Paul Pollex, District Youth Committee Pastoral Advisor

GUILD DAY – Saturday April 26, 2014: The Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary Guild invites you to GUILD DAY 2014, our spring gathering on Saturday April 26th, to hear Pastor Alex Knowles speak about being a Chaplin in the Armed Forces. Join us at 8:30 am for coffee fellowship and registration, followed by a hymn sing, a short business meeting and at 10:30 we attend Divine Service in the seminary chapel. The presentation and a catered lunch complete our program. Come support the current seminary students with your membership, food donations, and prayers. Send your registration to Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, attention Bonnie Stephenson, 470 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON L2T 4C3. Please include your registration fee of $3.00 and $12.00 for your lunch (you may also wish to pay for a seminary student’s lunch!). For further information please contact Bonnie at the seminary at 905-688-2362, extension 34.

Online …

Why I Would Never Force my Kids to go to Church – this is good article on kids and church. Click here.

Lenten Devotions …

“My God, My God” Based on the searching words of King David in Psalm 22, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ 2014 Lenten Devotions explore the heartrending suffering of the Savior. “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” is a poignant contribution from LHM’s Theological Editor and Writer, Rev. Wayne Palmer. Gleaning insights from numerous Psalms and Gospel texts, he turns the spotlight on Jesus’ humanity, detailing the immeasurable challenges He encountered from people on all sides as He pushed forward to save the people He loved.

Pick up your copy on the table in the lobby at Prince of Peace, or

Read it online at www.lhm.org/lent , My God, My God will be available as a PDF download,or

Hear it as a podcast (beginning March 5), or

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” can also be received as an e-mail subscription throughout the Lenten season.

Week 82 of the Bible Reading Plan: (March 31-April 5)

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

In your prayers, please remember:

• Our loved ones who once worshipped together with us but now have wandered from faith and worship of Jesus
• Remember in prayer those in faraway places – Ukraine & Crimea (ongoing tensions); South Sudan (where recent fighting has left thousands dead); other areas in Africa, like the Central African Republic Nigeria, where violence is rampant; Malaysia (where families and friends mourn loved ones lost in Flight 370); and Syria and Jordan (where those affected by war in Syria seek food, shelter, and peace).

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

Tags: news