“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying,  ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’”

(Luke 18:15–17 ESV)

Dear Friends,

Christian greetings!

Jesus’ words printed above have two basic points that we need to note:

1. Jesus welcomes children – All children. “They were bringing even infants to him.” If He directed His blesséd attention to babies when He walked the earth, how do we bring the littlest ones to Jesus today? I would say the answer to that question is through Holy Baptism and through nurturing them in the Christian faith as they grow up. Our Sunday School stands ready to receive children in Jesus’ name. Won’t you pray to the Lord to bless our Sunday School and invite families to involve their children in learning more about Jesus?
2. The problem is not that children need to grow up, but that grownups need to become lowly like little children. “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Jesus on another occasion said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) The Lord has also said, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) When the Lord speaks His Law to human hearts, they should not arrogantly rebel, but rather be humbled and pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) That’s when the Lord says of us (no matter our age), “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Do you remember a simpler time when you were young? You trusted your parents and other adults around you for care. Playing and exploring were a joy. That resembles the innocence and happiness of the Christian, a child of the heavenly Father.

The Lord be with you!

Coming Up at Prince of Peace …

Sunday, October 23, 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class (Begin together in the sanctuary)

9:00 Early Service: Matins

10:30 Matins with alternative accompaniment

11:30 Congregational Lunch & Annual General Meeting

PoP News …

Operation Christmas Child: our Joyful Seniors are challenging everyone to participate in packing shoe boxes of items that will be shipped to children in unfortunate circumstances. Shoe boxes along with more information are available in the lobby.

Annual Meeting Potluck Lunch – Please join us for a potluck lunch this Sunday October 23 prior to the Voter’s Meeting.  Members with surnames beginning with the letters M to Z are asked to bring sandwiches or salads, and those with letters A to L are asked to bring desserts.

Haiti Hurricane News: Haiti Lutheran Mission Society: With a great deal of sadness, we want to make you aware of the current need for massive humanitarian relief in Haiti. This need is due to the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. The government of Haiti and aid agencies are scrambling to get emergency assistance into the worst hit areas of Haiti. This area serves as a ‘breadbasket’, where there were farms and plantations growing staples for much of the country. The farms are severely damaged or obliterated. Lives have been lost, homes and schools lost or severely damaged. The Lutheran Church in Haiti is trying to shift food and goods from areas not as badly affected to help the people. However, as you know, that is a matter of the very poor helping the destitute.  Millions of people live in the affected areas. HURRICANE RELIEF donations will be greatly appreciated. Please help as you are able by donating: Haiti Lutheran Mission Society 400 Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2T 3L2 Or at http://www.haitilutheranmissionsociety.ca using the secure ‘Donate’ button. You can also donate through Prince of Peace.

Nut allergy reminder: With the upcoming potluck, I share this as a reminder. This is more important than just not eating nuts by mistake. If someone has touched a door knob after handling nuts, it can cause a severe reaction. So wash your hands if you’ve had a P&B sandwich before church. It can be an air-born issue as well. This is a pretty severe situation where the person has to carry an epi-pen and liquid Benadryl at all times. We will be serving our neighbour in love as Jesus bids if we heed this notice.

We will host one of the “Church-wide Discussions” as part of Stage 4 of the LCC restructuring process. From now to mid-December, circuits across Canada will have a chance to see and discuss a proposed plan for restructuring the Synod. Prince of Peace will host such a Circuit Convocation next Sunday, October 30, beginning at 3:30. Pastors Paul Schallhorn and William Ney, both of the LCC Commission on Constitutional Matters & Structure (CCMS) will be in attendance to answer your questions and receive your input. After the first session, we’ll share a BBQ sausage and sauerkraut supper (bring a dessert to share and a little cash to cover the sausage cost). A second session will follow the meal. Come, learn, share, and worship. Even if you can’t stay the full time, your interest and thoughts shared are vital. Devotions will revolve around the Festival of the Reformation. Indeed, “a mighty Fortress is our God!” Please sign up in the lobby to attend.

Creation/Evolution Seminar: Trinity Lutheran Church, Fisherville, will be hosting on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm a free Creation Ministries International presentation. Session Topics include “How Do You Know? Who Was There?” “Was There an Age of the Dinosaurs?” and “Questions? There are Answers!” You are welcome to bring your own lunch; however, a free will offering lunch will be provided. If partaking in the provided lunch, please pre-register by calling Trinity Lutheran Church at 905-779-3425 on or before October 22 to ensure enough food is prepared.

Fall Convocation on Medically Assisted Death: The Niagara Circuit is hosting a convocation on Medically Assisted Death on Sunday, November 13, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 400 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines. Harold Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, will be speaking on the political ramifications of medically assisted death here in Canada. The Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life (USA) will address the issue from a pastoral and theological perspective. Following the convocation, an optional catered banquet will be held at Resurrection’s social hall. Pastor Salemink will speak on the topic of “Implementing a Pro-Life Theology in Our Congregations”. The cost is $15. Tickets must be ordered in advance. Please contact Rev. Larry Ritter (H: 905-468-9673; Ch: 905-468-2611, or email: trinitynotl@cogeco.ca).

Being Lutheran:

Our fall emphasis, Being Lutheran, continues with this Sunday’s theme being “Pastel” based on chapter 5.  The evening discussion group meets on Monday at 7:15 pm.  You are welcome to join in.

Copies of Being Lutheran are still available in the office:

Online News …

LCC Restructuring Plan – Stage 4: The Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) is now in stage 4 of the restructuring process. This stage, “Church-wide Discussions,” lasts from September 1 to December 15. The CCMS has completed a proposed plan. Find out more about the process HERE and the proposed plan HERE.

Issues, Etc. Check out the programming for Reformation Week on Issues, Etc. at www.issuesetc.org. Listen live or at your convenience via “on demand.”

In your prayers, please remember:

• Those recovering from surgery
• Those being treated in hospital
• Those battling cancer
• Those in Hospice care
• Prince of Peace congregation with her annual meeting approaching to elect officers, receive the annual report, approve a budget, and act on the business of the congregation.
• Our Lutheran Church-Canada as we join together in discussing an administrative restructure our synod

The Lord be with you.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Kevin Walrath

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