“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
“It’s the end of the world as we know it!” I think I heard that quote in a movie somewhere.
The final weeks of the liturgical church year deal with “the end times” — in other words, the time when the Lord Jesus fulfills His promise to return. It means time and space as we know it will end. God will establish what He has called a “new heaven and a new earth.” (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1)
There is so little information we have about this new creation but we have many questions. What is abundantly clear is that people will enjoy this new reality in the full presence of God. Sin and its effects of sickness and death will be no more. Our old bodies will be transformed to new bodies much like Jesus’ resurrected body.
Again, there are lots of unanswered questions but the point of the passage is God’s encouragement for us to stay strong in our faith towards Christ and be comforted by His promise. Sin hurts our personal faith and distracts us from being focused on God’s promises. The evil one wants our faith to decline to the point where it is lost. Then we are lost.
Your faith is important – to God and to your pastor and your congregation. Feed your faith with God’s Word. Flee from devilish and worldly temptation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – today and everyday – till He comes again.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Sunday (November 12) here at Prince of Peace…
9:00 Early Service: Service of Prayer & Preaching
9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
10:30 am Service of Prayer & Preaching
Sermon: “True Worship” based on Amos 5:18–24
Prince of Peace News …
Ladies Bible Study Breakfast: This Saturday at 9:00am. Come and joyfully explore what the Bible says about being faithful. Our session will conclude with a short Remembrance Day observance.
Operation Christmas Child: Shoeboxes will be received this Sunday, November 12. At my invitation, folks may come forward with their boxes to place them in the chancel. We shall then have a prayer asking God to bless the transportation, distribution and finally their reception into the hands of the children.
Ladies Guild Christmas Bazaar! Please come to the Ladies Guild Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale Saturday, November 18, downstairs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A tea room will be set up. You can browse, buy and enjoy some refreshments. Invite your friends – actually, bring your friends!
Poinsettia Fund Raiser!! Please help our youth get to the National Youth Gathering 2019. The youth will be taking orders for poinsettias, Christmas arrangements and wreaths on Sunday Nov. 12th and 19th after both services and also at the Ladies Church Bazaar on Nov. 18th to raise money to send them all to the National Youth Gathering in Langley, BC in July 2019. Items start at $7.00. Delivery is scheduled for Dec 1st and orders can be picked up by Sunday, Dec. 3rd. Cash or cheques (made payable to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church) will be accepted. Tell your friends and family!!
2017 Annual Report: Have a question or correction? Please contact the appropriate person so things can be cleared up before the meeting.
Annual Meeting Potluck Lunch – Please join us for a potluck lunch this Sunday prior to the Voter’s Meeting.
Our Annual Voter’s Meeting is this Sunday after church. If you wish to become a member of the Voters’ Assembly, please just come to the meeting and sign the constitution.
Fall Clean Up: Your church trustees offer the following service opportunity. Our annual outdoor clean up will be Saturday, November 25, beginning at 9 am. We’ll be raking and cleaning up the landscaping, etc. We should be done before noon. Coffee and cookies for those who show up.
A New December Christmas Plan from our Sunday School …
Christmas Carol Sing & Dinner – Saturday, December 2: The Sunday School will host a Christmas Carol Sing and Christmas Dinner for our congregation and friends. We will begin at 4:30 in the sanctuary singing carols interspersed with short readings. At 5:30 we will gather downstairs to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner. A sign-up sheet is posted in the narthex.
Bus Trip to On the Way to Bethlehem, an outdoor living pageant – Sunday, December 3: Our Sunday School is sponsoring a congregational trip to an outdoor living Christmas pageant entitled “On the Way to Bethlehem.” Please arrive at church by 5:00pm. and board a school bus. Promptly at 5:15 the bus will leave. We will arrive in Milton by about 6 pm giving us ample time to be able to get in for the 6:30 opening. Here is what the PR says about On the Way to Bethlehem:
“On arrival, visitors will enter the large reception area (Gambrel Barn), enjoy the music of the massed choir, and when ready, groups will travel the road to Bethlehem with a guide. On their 30-45 minute journey, visitors will witness King Herod’s court, interact with Roman soldiers, shepherds, magi, innkeepers and fellow travelers to reveal the Christmas story. At the end of their journey, visitors will follow a lamplight walkway to the refreshment area, have their passports stamped and be given a wagon ride to the exit.
Sign up in the lobby to board the bus! Admission: $5 for those 13 years and older; $2 for children 6-12; Children under 5 are free
Other News …
Congregational approvals required for amendments to our Synod’s Constitution: We have received a letter from LCC regarding the necessary ratification by a two-thirds majority of our LCC congregations for the constitutional amendments made at our recent convention. We will share more information before year’s end and book a congregational meeting in early 2018 to address this issue.
Convention 2017 Roundup:
– Lutheran Church-Canada elects a new president: READ MORE
– LCC Convention Votes to Restructure: READ MORE
– 2017 Convention Election Results: READ MORE
– President Elect addresses convention: READ MORE
– LCC Declares Fellowship with Finnish Lutherans: READ MORE
– LCC Welcomes International Guests to 2017 Convention: READ MORE
– Opening Worship Service draws hundreds: READ MORE
Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: The Movie “Thor: Ragnarok,” The Parable of the Talents, 13th Century Princess & Philanthropist Elizabeth of Hungary, 6th Century Emperor Justinian and more. You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those battling physical and emotional conditions
- Those recovering from surgery
- Those undergoing cancer treatments
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
