“Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity.”
(Liturgical Text from the Introit for Trinity Sunday)
Dear Friends of the Risen Saviour,
Pentecost greetings!
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?
That’s an interesting question. There are some common areas for Muslims and Jews. Both share roots in the lineage of Abraham. Both share belief in one God, as opposed to many gods.
However, when someone asks, “Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?” the key word is “worship.”
When Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6) that puts us at odds with Islam. Muslims honour Jesus as a great prophet, though superceded by Mohammed whereas Christians know Him as true God.
This Trinity Sunday we will be confessing our faith in the words of the Athanasian Creed. It states, “It is also necessary for everlasting salvation that one faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is the right faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at the same time both God and man.” (LSB page 319)
The essential thing to remember here is not about who’s right or wrong, but the word “assurance.” We believe in a God who wants us to being assured of His favour and His intent to save us. “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31 NKJV)
In Bible study just this morning we talked about “hope” being a sure thing, though unseen. It’s not wishful thinking like people who “hope” to win the lottery when they play. Jesus rose from the dead and our salvation is assured. That is the God that we worship. We should pray that our Muslim neighbours too might come to know the blessed assurance of Jesus our living Saviour.
The Lord be with you!
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Sunday, May 22, Trinity Sunday
9:00 Sunday School, Adult Class
10:30 Service of Prayer & Preaching
PoP News …
Exclusive Tour: Members and friends of Prince of Peace are invited to an event offered by the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation in conjunction with our Joyful Seniors. It’s a private Open House tour of the new JBH Mock Up Rooms located at 835 Harrington Court, Burlington, on Friday May 27, 5:30 to 7:00pm. Tour and learn more about the transformational change underway as our community hospital embarks on the largest and most significant expansion in its history. A sign up sheet is posted in the lobby.
Ladies Bible Study Breakfast scheduled for May is Saturday, the 28th. We meet in the church basement at 9am. Good food, good Word from God, good fellowship. You are welcome to attend.
Church Outdoor Spring Clean Up will be Saturday June 4 at 9:00 am. We are looking at trimming shrubs, picking up trash, cleaning up the flowerbeds etc. Bring your garden tools and work gloves, and we would appreciate if you could bring a few extra yard waste bags to help out – many hands make light work!
Seminary Call Service: You are invited to attend the CLTS’ annual Call Service at Grace Lutheran Church, 213 Linwell Rd, St. Catharines, on Saturday, 28 May at 4.00 pm. where graduating pastoral students will receive their first calls.
Please join the choir at a pot luck luncheon Sunday, June 5, to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Margaret to Mathews. Margaret sings with us at our special Christmas services and was a faithful choir member until her education took her further afield. There are envelopes available if you would like to contribute and a signup sheet posted in the foyer.
Concordia Seminary’s annual golf tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 6 at Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, beginning at 11:30 am. The $100 per person registration fee includes BBQ lunch (sausages, hamburgers, hotdogs and a non-alcoholic beverage), green fees, golf cart, chicken/rib combo dinner, dessert and prizes. Registration with payment is due by May 27.
Volunteers Needed: As part of cost saving measures at Prince of Peace in 2016 the Trustees are looking for volunteers from our Church family to provide light cleaning services to the sanctuary and washrooms during our cleaner, quieter summer season. Duties would include a light cleaning of the sanctuary, and bathrooms as needed. Garbage and recycling will be handled by the Trustees. If you are willing to be a part of the cleaning rotation please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board.
Online News …
Please pray for residents of Fort McMurray evacuated due to wildfires: Please keep the residents, fire fighters and other emergency workers in your prayers. The residents of Fort Mac and surrounding area remain under evacuation orders until officials can determine that the infrastructure is safe for their return. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has set up a Wildfire Relief appeal to assist the rebuilding efforts. Emergency funds will be channeled through Lutheran Churches in Fort McMurray. DONATE TO CLWR WILDFIRE APPEAL HERE. ($23,000 donated as of May 6th—in just 3 days) FaithLife Financial has donated $10,000 in aid and made $250 available as a Special Matching Grant to those affected in Alberta through CLWR. See attached special update from Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer, ABC President.
LCC unveils logo for 2017 Reformation anniversary celebrations: Get your first look here.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those under doctors’ care
- Friends and family struggling with cancer
- Those uprooted by the Fort McMurray wildfire
- Those who govern our land that they might work in accordance with God’s will and wisdom
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
