“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
(John 16:12 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
Now wait a minute! We might think that those 12 guys Jesus called to be His disciples and spent three years with Him would know Jesus pretty well. Even so, Jesus is saying there are things about Him and His heavenly Father and what the future holds that are unbearable for the disciples to hear. Really? “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
What things? Well, that Jesus was going to die in exchange for the guilt of their sins. And that Jesus would rise again. And that all the rest of human history would be for the purpose of extending this Good News to everyone who would hear it.
I, as God’s servant in this place, am trying still to get people to ‘bear’ these things even now. Do you really believe that your rebellion against God is so terrible that it would cost God’s Son His very life? Do you really believe that Jesus is victor over death? And do you really believe that the purpose of the world continuing is not so much for you to follow your dreams and pleasures as to save a few more souls from God’s eternal judgment?
I guess Jesus still has a way to go to enable us to hear and bear the things of God.
Thank God that He sent His Spirit to wake us up to these truths.
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24
9:00 Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
10:30 Worship Service
PoP News …
Heaven Help Us! Tickets are now on sale for the outdoor concert at Prince of Peace, Saturday, June 13 at 7:00 pm. The concert will feature the Gospel group, “Heaven Help Us!” There will be a tent set up and goodies to eat. Tell and invite your friends!
Outdoor Service and Congregational BBQ is coming up Sunday, June 14. There will a tent (larger than last year) and great food. Sign up in the lobby for what you might bring to add to the feast. It will be the first Sunday of our 10:00am service time. The BBQ will follow the service.
Seniors Lunch for June will be a trip to Oakville on Monday, the 8th. We’ll meet at Prince of Peace at 11:00 and have lunch at Swiss Chalet on Brant Street. We will be going to the Oakville Museum, Thomas House, and the Oakville Historical Society which includes a WW1 exhibit. While that sounds like a lot, the individual tours are short. Tour will also include coffee, tea and cookies at the conclusion of the tour. Please sign up in the lobby. Carpooling will be available from the church.
Other News …
Pastor Cole 50 Years of Pastoral Ministry: There will be a special Service to commemorate 50 years in the holy ministry for Pastor Robert Cole on June 7 at 4:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 15 Wexford Ave S, Hamilton. The Service will be followed with a meal. The service will be led by Rev. Dennis Putzman with Rev. Robert Krestick as the preacher. You are invited to attend. As seating is limited for the meal, please RSVP by May 31. Reserve your seat for the meal by contacting Cathy Smith at 905 945 6355 or mrssmith58@hotmail.com .
Pilgrim Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Hamilton, will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special weekend of Anniversary celebrations this weekend. On Saturday, May 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm they will host a meet-and-greet with the wife and family of their former Pastor, Rev. Edward Koehler. At the 11:00 am morning worship service on May 24 the guest preacher will be Rev. John Nunes, a son of the congregation. At the 3:30 pm 50th Anniversary Worship service, the guest preacher will be Rev. Paul Koehler, another son of the congregation, and son of their first Pastor. A banquet will follow at Carmen’s Banquet Centre at 6:00 pm. Information about this can be viewed on the Anniversary page of Pilgrim’s website, http://www.pilgrimlutheranchurch.ca/. Click the Anniversary Logo on the top left corner of the Home page. For additional information, email mailto:plc50ann@yahoo.ca%20or call the church at 905-383-3923.
Online News …
LCC facing deficit budget; East District makes special gift: On the final day of the East District’s convention, President Paul Zabel announced that the district was making a special gift of $100,00 to LCC to assist Synod as it faces an operating deficit this year. READ MORE
Sharing Jesus: Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel reminds us why sharing the Gospel with friends and family remains the “first and highest work of love.” READ MORE
A Note from Lutheran Hour Ministries:
Your prayers and support help Lutheran Hour Ministries proclaim the Gospel in 21 of the 50 countries worldwide with the highest rates of Christian persecution. Working in these areas comes with real risk. Our staff and volunteers have been met with threats and violence in places such as Syria, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan and more. Yet we do not draw back, the Lord gives us strength to press on in His name.
In March, our staff in Mongolia was threatened by thugs coming from a local mosque. You can click the link below to hear an account of this encounter from Rev. Peter Kirby, a regional director for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Click here to hear the story.
Persecution of our people takes place for one reason: God is reaching the unreached through Lutheran Hour Ministries. Around the world, we hear stories of former Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others who encountered Christ through our ministry efforts. Let us pray.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those recovering from medical procedures
- Those who are ill
- The families of those killed or injured by the earthquake in Nepal and the relief efforts that are ongoing
- Those suffering religious persecution in various parts of the world
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
