The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
(Psalm 33:10-11 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
Leading into our meeting this Sunday, I’m aware of the possibility of wavering between what we humans want to do versus what God wants to do – with you, with me, or with our congregation. With that in mind, I share a quote I encourage you to ponder. It’s from a book entitled Experiencing God. Here it is:
What you plan to do for God is not important. What He plans to do where you are is critical. God always speaks with a purpose in mind.
When God came to Noah, He did not ask, “What do you want to do for Me?” He revealed what He was going to do. It really did not matter what Noah had planned to do for God. It was far more important to know what God was about to do. He was about to destroy the world, and He wanted to work through Noah to accomplish His purposes of saving a remnant of people and animals to repopulate the world.
Similarly, God came to Abram and spoke to him because He had a purpose in mind. He was preparing to build a nation for Himself. God intended to accomplish His purposes through Abram.
This sequence is seen throughout the entire Bible.
In contrast, today we often set about to dream up what we want to do for God. Then we make long-range plans based on priorities of our choosing. What is important is what God plans to do where we are and how He wants to accomplish it through us. Notice what the psalmist said about our plans and purposes (printed above).
(Selected from pages 99-100 of Experiencing God by Blackaby & King)
Today we don’t experience God normally through burning bushes, dreams and other vehicles God used in the Old and New Testaments. However, when we read the Bible, seek the Lord in prayer, and meditate upon what He has said, God makes His will known to us. I would suggest we need to spend some time with God pondering what He would do among us at Prince of Peace here in Burlington and beyond. Think about it. Pray about it.
His Kingdom comes through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!
Coming Up this Sunday at Prince of Peace …
10:30 Service of Prayer & Preaching
Sermon “Think About Others” based on Philippians 2:1–18
Included will be a focus on the blessing of our seminaries
Coming Soon …
Starting This Sunday: Sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians entitled, “How You Think is How You Feel”:
This Sunday: Think about Others
October 5: Think about the Prize
Thanksgiving: Think about Good Things
In this Sunday’s Adult Bible Class we conclude our focus on “Noah – The Man, The Ark, The Flood.” Sunday at 9:15 in the church basement. You can still benefit from the study – join us! Coffee will be on.
Let’s Talk! This Sunday will be our congregational discussion event with lunch. What’s going on at Prince of Peace? What does the future hold? What are the possibilities? Pastor and Brad, our Chairman, will facilitate the discussion. Please plan on joining us for the potluck lunch before the meeting. You may bring sandwiches, a salad or a dessert to share. We are looking forward to hearing your ideas.
One-day Conference: Militant Secularism: Its Cause, Cost & Cure: You are invited to attend this one day conference on a topic of profound relevance to the church’s ministry in the modern world. It starts at 9:30am, Thursday, October 16 at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines. Featuring two speakers from the Lutheran Church and two representing the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), the open conference is a prelude to a regular meeting of the ecumenical dialogue between ACNA, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and Lutheran Church–Canada. There is no charge for admission, though a free will offering will be taken to cover the cost of lunch. Please pre-register by contacting the seminary by email (concordia@brocku.ca) or phone (905-688-2362).
Coming again in October! …
Free and Joyous Response:
Raising stewards of Christ, celebrating God’s gifts, and
the joy of giving and serving Him!
Free and Joyous Response begins in mid-October! During the Sundays of October 19-November 9 we will be taking a journey entitled “Free & Joyous Response.” It will be all about God’s gifts of love to us, the happy effect those gifts have upon us, and how they change our lives for the better.
Free & Joyous Response involves not only the Sunday service but also Bible studies. Are you thinking, “I don’t do Bible study!”? I encourage you to try it for a mere 4 weeks. For your convenience, the same study for the week will be offered 3 times:
- Sunday @ 9:00am – The Adult Bible Class
- Tuesday @ 9:30am – The Tuesday Bible Study
- Tuesday @ 7:00pm – Available during the four weeks of F&JR
Watch for upcoming opportunities to sign up for your involvement in “Free & Joyous Response” that begins October 19. Remember, Prince of Peace congregation is not “them” – it is “us!” Let’s do this together!
It will culminate with a Consecration Sunday & Luncheon on November 9. Save the date!
News …
Our LCC-East District Convention is set to meet May 3-6 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener. The convention theme will be “Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks” (1 Thes.5:16-18) with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ken Fickenscher.
Every congregation in the district will send one lay delegate and the pastor as delegates.
In addition, from now till November 14 we at PoP have opportunity to nominate people for the elections that will be held at the convention. Recommend names to me or members of council and we will arrange to make the nominations official. You need only pray and make suggestions. Here is a list of offices for nomination:
Nomination of Officers:
- President
- 1st VP
- 2nd VP
- Secretary
Nomination of Board and Committee Members:
- Directors-at-Large
- District Committee on Nominations
- Synodical Committee for Convention Nominations
- Election of Circuit Counsellors
If you are looking for more detail on the nominating and election process see the Handbook of the district online at this link (click here) on page 49.
Online …
“What about Atheism & Agnosticism?” is an article in The Lutheran Layman. You can read by clicking here .
In your prayers, please remember:
- Christians in Iraq who are troubled, distressed, persecuted, deprived and endangered, that the Lord would strengthen their faith, provide for their daily needs and grant deliverance
- Those who struggle with mental illness
- Christians suffering persecution
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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