“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. … For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

(Galatians 5:1, 13-15 ESV)

Dear Christian Friends,

If you have not been part of our Through-the-Bible 2-year Reading Programme you should really get on board now. We are quickly reading through the New Testament and there is an infinite amount of good stuff for you. On Wednesday I was reading Galatians 5. The verses above ought to be required memorization for anyone coming into membership in a Christian congregation.

“Freedom” and “License” are two different things. Jesus has freed us from sin and its condemnation under God’s Law. But that does not mean we are free to be selfish and self-absorbed.

In the movie “My Big, Fat Greek Wedding” Toula was depressed about what everyone else thought about her getting married, especially her father. There is a line where the mother (Maria) consoles her dejected daughter saying, “I gave you life so that you could live it.” Think of the release experienced by the daughter hearing those loving words of assurance from her mother.

In that spirit consider St. Paul’s loving assurance to his fellow believers in Galatia, “For freedom Christ has set us free.”

Christ offered up Himself in order to accomplish divine forgiveness and welcome us into a living relationship with God. It is a free gift to us but it didn’t come free – Jesus laid down His life for us.

So God wants us to live freely in His love and in loving service towards Him and our neighbour.

Indeed, Jesus gave you life so that you could live it.

Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace (June 8) …

Summer Service Time begins.

From June 8 through Labour Day weekend our worship time will be 10:00 a.m.

Pork Tenderloins (& Sliders), Outdoor Worship, a Tent, Stuff for Kids – It’s a special congregational BBQ at Prince of Peace this Sunday .  Service time will be at 10:00am with the festivities following.

Coming Up …

Ladies Bible Study Breakfast – join us at PoP on Saturday June 14 at 9:00 am for our women’s focused Bible Study

Fifteen ladies attended the Tea Party held here last Saturday, hosted by Lois  and followed by an amusing fashion show with our lovely model Donna.  Our tea and danties were delicious!

Spring Retreat . . .   (June 7)  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 53 Miller Park Ave., Bradford is holding a one-day spring retreat with the theme of “Life in the Early Church: Lessons for today” between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. The speaker is Dr. John Stephenson (CLTS Professor of Church History). Be transported back to the time period shortly after the New Testament was compiled, and hear about the practices, teachings and struggles that the early persecuted Christians underwent, many of which are strikingly similar to those of our church today. Taught by a renowned expert in the field, this is an event that you will not want to miss! A free-will offering (suggested $10/person) will be collected for lunch. Questions: ristau3@yahoo.com.

There will be a Special coffee hour following worship on Sunday, June 22 to celebrate with Phil and Josephine, God’s gift of Eva.   Envelopes are available in the lobby if you would like to contribute to the gift from our congregation (please return them to Helen or place them in the offering plate).

Men’s Bible Study Breakfast –An invitation is extended from Pilgrim Lutheran Church (1054 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton) to their Men’s Bible Study Breakfast at 8:00 am on Saturday June 14.

It feels like summer! – and if you have a dehumidifier in your home would you be willing to share that water with Prince of Peace. We can use it for our piano humidity control system. I have containers for filling. Let me know if you are able to help. Thanks.

Online …

Most Canadian Christians never read the Bible. (Ugh! Let’s buck that trend!) That’s the conclusion of a recent study. How are Lutherans responding to the Bible-crisis? Click here.

The Christian Imagination: An interview with Gene Veith. Dr. Gene Veith, Provost and Professor of Literature at Patrick Henry College in Virginia sat down to speak about “The Arts, the Imagination, and the Christian Life” with Mathew Block, editor of The Canadian Lutheran. [This is the unabridged interview.] Click here.

Canadian Lutherans march for life. Lutherans for Life Canada (LFL-C) was among the pro-life organizations represented at the 2014 March for Life in Ottawa, held on May 8. Click here. Maybe some from Prince of Peace can go next year!

Our People Reading God’s Word …

Week 92 of the Bible Reading Plan: (June 9-14)

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:

• Phil’s sister-in-law Sarah being treated for cancer
• Gerda at Wellington Park for a month of rehab
• Helga Danielson’s dad, Pastor Leander Arndt, flown into Hamilton on Tuesday for heart surgery.
• Thanksgiving for Natalie & Carolyn, twin girls born to Ian & Heidi in Wisconsin
• Thanksgiving to God and God’s blessing upon those among us graduating, including Emily from Brock University and Mark from Conestoga College
• For all those who travel this summer, including David & Diane to Wisconsin and John & Catherine to Europe
• For our police and military personnel who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Especially, we remember the families of those in Moncton who lost loved ones and those injured.
• Pray also for Good Shepherd Lutheran Preaching Station. Pastor David Milette’s home is in the lock-down area. Pray for their safety and for the Christian witness of the people of Good Shepherd in the midst of upsetting circumstances.

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

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