The Canadian Lutheran - November/December 2014

The

CANADIAN

LUTHERAN

www.canadianlutheran.ca

The

Shadow

of Christmas

Volume 29 Number 6

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Contents Features www.canadianlutheran.ca Volume 29 Number 6 November/December 2014

The Shadow of Christmas The Holidays... How Soon?

6 10

Departments Table talk

God in the Flesh: The meaning of Christmas

5

In Review

Interstellar 43 Presidential Perspective

Christmas is about Jesus

50

News Section International News

12

National News

15

ABC District

17

Central District

23

Ukranian Lutherans elect new bishop • ILC issues invitation to Scandinavian Lutherans • Attack wounds president emeritus of Guatemalan Church • Anglican-Lutheran dialogue continues

Preparations underway for 2016 NYG • LCC President to assist in Winnipeg parish • Catholic-Lutheran dialogue in Canada

T h e C a n a d i a n L u t h e r a n is the national publication of Lutheran Church–Canada, published in Winnipeg six times per year: January/ February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/ October, November/December under the auspices of the Board of Directors (Committee for Communication and Technology).

ISSN #0383-4247 Member: Canadian Church Press Editor: Mathew Block Advertising: Iris Barta District News Layout: Marion Hollinger Cover: istockphoto.com/mammuth Subscriptions: $20/yr E-mail: bcs@lutheranchurch.ca

All material and advertising should be in the office of The Canadian Lutheran five weeks prior to publication date. Advertising rate card available upon request.

The Canadian Lutheran 3074 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2 Telephone: 204-895-3433 FAX: 204-832-3018 E-mail: communications@lutheranchurch.ca Materials published in The Canadian Lutheran, with the exception of Letters to the Editor, news reports, and advertising, receive doctrinal review and approval before publication. Contents of supplements are the responsibility of the organization purchasing the space. ©2014 Lutheran Church–Canada. Reproduction of a single article or column for parish use does not require the permission of The Canadian Lutheran. Such reproductions, however, should credit The Canadian Lutheran as the source.

S c r i pt u r e t a ke n f ro m t h e H O LY B I B L E , N E W INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

BC Mission bike ride • Fall conferences for church workers • Major changes at Lutheran school • Garage sale success Southern Manitoba young adults get together • Helping hands in Atikokan • Church worker conventions • LAMP mission trip

East District

Road rally boasts plenty of winners • Sing to the Lord an old song • Lutherfest • Militant Secularism • Pastor’s wives’ retreat

Mission Update

29 35

Regional Mission Superviser and Deacon for Central America installed • New Nicaraguan mission plant in 2015

Education Report

Edmonton seminary suffers fire • New resources for pastoral and diaconal recruitment • Pastor’s Desk Diary now available

37

Index

45

Obituaries

46

Classifieds

48

Supplement

39

M

EDIA atters

Partnering with You in HIS mission

News about Lutheran Hour Ministries from the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada

www.LLL.ca

2014

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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Table Talk

God in the Flesh:

The meaning of Christmas

W

hen it comes to Christmas, the picture of the baby Jesus asleep in a manger is etched in our cultural consciousness.

We imagine the little Lord Jesus laying down His sweet head in the hay, while stars twinkle away in the sky. How easy it is to forget that this little child is also, in a way beyond our understanding, the God who made the universe. He is the Word who spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1:3 ff; John 1:1-3). And He is the One who continues to sustain creation—the One who holds all things together and gives them being (Colossians 1:17; Acts 17:28).

Of course, we know the story of what happened to that good creation: it was marred when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. That act of disobedience brought death into the world and separated humanity from their Creator (Genesis 2:17).

But even then God did not abandon His creation; He promised to send a Saviour (Genesis 3:15).

But what sort of Saviour could heal an utterly ruined creation? What Saviour could restore the relationship between humanity and God? It could be no mere man for any human born would himself inherit the sinful nature of our first parents Adam and Eve. And yet it must be a man if justice were to be done; humanity had sinned and it was humanity that must pay the price for that sin.

Hints of who this Saviour could be would come throughout the Old Testament era, beginning with God’s promise in Genesis. But it was in Bethlehem, two millenia ago, that the promise came to fruition. A virgin was found to be with child. And this was no ordinary child, as an angel explained to Joseph. “That which is conceived in Mary is from the Holy

Spirit,” the angel declared. “She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-22).

What kind of Saviour could fix a broken creation? Only its Creator.

And so God does the impossible: He comes in the Flesh Himself to make things right. “Though He was in the form of God,” St. Paul tells us, Jesus nevertheless “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). St. John puts it another way: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

By means of His miraculous conception, Jesus was saved from the effects of original sin—that sinful nature we all inherit from our parents, and they from their parents, and so on all the way back to Adam and Eve. But that doesn’t mean Jesus didn’t face temptation. Scripture is clear that the opposite is true; the devil was hard at work, trying to turn Him from His appointed mission (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Just as Satan was at work in the temptation of Adam and Eve, so too he was at work in the temptation of Jesus. He was “in every respect tempted as we are,” the author of Hebrews writes, “yet without sin” (4:15). But unlike us—unlike Adam and Eve—Jesus did not fall. He lived a truly perfect life.

The connection between Adam’s failure and Jesus’ success is important to note. The former brought death into the world; but the latter brings life.

This is the reason why St. Paul refers to Jesus as a “final Adam” and “Second Man.” While the first brought ruin to creation, this Second Adam brings recreation. He brings salvation.

Jesus may have been born without sin and lived without sin, but He nevertheless faced the punishment

by Mathew Block Editor, The Canadian Lutheran for sin. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), Scripture tells us, and Jesus certainly died: “Having been found in human form,” St. Paul writes, “He Humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

But it was not His own sin that Jesus bore in death; it was ours. “For our sake, God made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Here at the cross Christ takes upon Himself the sins of the whole world and gives us His righteousness in exchange. He dies that we might live. And He rises again that we might live forever with Him. It’s the beginning of a new creation.

Jesus really was a little baby who slept in a manger while stars twinkled overhead in the night sky.

But He wasn’t just a baby. He was at the same time the Creator of the universe. He was God and Man united in one perfect being—the One who makes possible reunion between humanity and their Creator. He is the restorer of broken ties and the healer of a broken world.

As we celebrate the birth of Mary’s son Jesus we therefore also celebrate our adoption as children of God. For it was the one that made possible the other. “To all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God,” St. John tells us (John 1:12).

All who are in Christ are made new.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” St. Paul explains.

“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That’s the meaning of Christmas— and it’s Good News worth celebrating all year round.

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The Shadow of Christmas

by Karl Persson

“They said there'll be snow at Christmas. They said there'll be peace on Earth. But instead it just kept on raining. A veil of tears for the virgin birth.”

S

o sings Greg Lake, disaffected by Christmas—and he is not alone. Perhaps it is because it is a season s o t o u c h e d by light that we are also m o re awa re o f t h e depth of the darkness around us—“the people who walked in darkness have indeed seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2), but that makes the darkness that remains around us that much more unbearable by contrast.

Even the secular world can sense it.

E ven lef t w it h t he p ap e r-t h i n s h adow of a n a b s e nt f a it h marked by the dregs of a secular season, the world can still see, if not the hope of Christmas, at least the truth that there is something to be disappointed about. Greg Lake’s song may not be particularly good,

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but it is a cry of pain emerging from a long lineage of Christmas mourning, whether sacred or secular, kitschy or profound. Dickens saw ghosts, Elvis had a blue Christmas, and we all have our Grinchy moments. Even behind some of our more apparently heartwarming traditions there is sometimes a darker, more s e r iou s e dge.

W hen we recall the hea r t y “Good K i ng Wenceslaus,” we often for get t h at he wa s eventually martyred for trying to be a good Christian ruler.

But s p e a k i ng of mar t y rs, what of C hr ist ianit y? W hat does Christianity have to say about sadness at Christmas? Must it say what so many would have it say, that if we would only rediscover the “tr ue meaning” of Chr ist mas the darkness would just go away? That all we need is to put the Christ back in Christmas?

Fortunately our faith is wider and our forebears in the faith wiser than this. And it is on this wisdom

What does Christianity have to say about sadness at Christmas?

Must it say what so many would have it say, that if we would only rediscover the ‘true meaning’ of Christmas the darkness would go away? That all we need is to put the Christ back in Christmas?

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Detail from Léon Cogniet’s 1824 painting “Massacre of the Innocents.”

I would like us to meditate for a moment, as we work backward from our present faith, through the wisdom passed on to us through the Church calendar, and finally back to Scripture itself.

The Meaning of Advent

Let us first of all not underestimate the Church calendar. It is not, to be sure, Scripture, but it is a composite of Scripture-inflected wisdom passed on to us, to help us remember the right things at the right times, and to draw us into the redemption of time itself.

And what we find when we look to the Church calendar is that the ostensible innovation of a hard, realistic, disenchanted perspective on Christmas is not in fact a modern innovation—before the world got there, the Church got there first. Before modernity, there was Advent, and it was good.

It was good because it was sober. The typical Christmas response to the kind of disappointment we see in Lake’s lyrics is to get drunk so we can forget about the whole thing. It’s certainly a film cliché; we all remember Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. But Christianity is more daring, and insists we remain sober while looking darkness in the face. Traditionally, this is what Advent is—a time of fasting and asceticism and looking reality in the face.

A church I once attended was preaching Advent sermons on “the four last things”: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. The promotional poster for the

series featured a large skull, staring out at me like Yorick in Hamlet. This is entirely consistent with the Christian tradition, which celebrated Advent as a time of preparation for Christ’s coming; the season of Advent awaiting His first coming also points toward His second coming, for which Christians are to be prepared. To be sure, this is somewhat different from mere sadness, but if all sadness is understood as a type and shadow of the sadness of Adam under sin, it opens a theological way for thinking about the sadness some feel at Christmas.

Like Lambs to the Slaughter

But let us proceed to the narrative itself. The elements are familiar enough. A child is born in Bethlehem, and his parents know he is born for something special: he will grow up to serve the Lord, YHWH, the God who was there at the Exodus. And then something happens. There is a knock at the door.

It’s a soldier sent from King Herod, who has become obsessed about rumors of some rival toddler king in Bethlehem and its vicinity. These parents know the story of Moses, how against all odds he was kept safe in a basket from the infanticidal Pharaoh. But theirs is not the story of Moses. There is not even time for shock. The soldiers kill the child, do their duty, and move on. And every year, against the backdrop of this story, we blissfully sing, “To us a Child is born/to us a Son is given.”

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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A wider-view of Léon Cogniet’s painting.

This child—the one who was killed—is not the One we are singing about. The Child we are thinking of has been safely transported to Egypt, His parents having been warned in a dream of Herod’s plot. But back in Bethlehem, countless other sons—helpless children—are dead.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Because, of course, this child—the one who was killed—is not the One we are singing about. The Child we are thinking of has been safely transported to Egypt, His parents having been warned in a dream of Herod’s plot. But back in Bethlehem, countless other sons—helpless children—are dead.

And we wonder, how can this be good news? How can we sing that song? Is our faith no more than a clash of kings, where we celebrate how the Chosen One—the Messiah—escaped, with little thought for the innocent victims caught in between? Is the kingdom of God just another “game of thrones”? What kind of faith can be perverse enough to have such a story as its backdrop?

What kind of miracle would it take to redeem such a story? The angels appear to the shepherds, singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Can we, in good conscience, sing with them?

There is a cry, and that cry is recognized in Scripture. The cry is Rachel, weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted because they are no more ( Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18). In her cry is taken up a cry echoed throughout Scripture, a cry for lost sons and daughters. It is the cry of Job for his children.

It is the cry of David for his lost sons—the one who rebelled, the one who died in infancy, and the one who turned to idolatry. It is the obscure and oftenoverlooked cry of Rizpah when her sons are handed over to the Gibeonites. It is the crying of Jairus for his daughter, and, yes, the tears of Abraham as he raises his knife to slay his son, his flesh and blood, on the altar. It is the weeping of Eve for Abel. It is YHWH weeping for His child, Israel; it is the Creator weeping over Adam. God Himself is weeping—can there be comfort for Rachel?

But there is more to the story, because the narrative takes an unexpected turn. The Messiah, Christ, does not grow up to become a force equal and opposite to the Herods, Pilates, and Caesars—rulers who build kingdoms to hide the blood of their many innocent victims. Jesus’ protection in Egypt is not simply an act of nepotism for a favorite son. No, He is protected in Egypt because the suffering reserved for him is greater.

The weeping of Rachel must be answered, and He will answer with His blood.

The tender moments with His mother at the manger will eventually turn to that excruciating moment when He turns to her, shamed, naked, and contorted, and says to the beloved John—and to us also—“Behold your mother.” And we do. We look and find, here at the heart of history, Jesus’ mother, aching with the pain of a sword-pierced soul. And Rachel continues to weep.

And Mary weeps, because the Child she treasured in her heart is no more. Or so it seems. For in her Son,

Detail from William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s 1876 “Pietà.”

death—the thing that we, with Rachel, weep over—is overcome.

We Believe in the Resurrection...

And indeed, how could Rachel be answered otherwise? What mother would be satisfied with anything less than the unworking of her child’s death?

Rachel refuses to be comforted, because comfort is not what she wants. She does not want comfort; she wants her children.

There is a wise rabbinic tradition that suggests that Job’s children are not doubled like the rest of his possessions at the end of the book bearing his name because children are not possessions. You can’t pay off the death of children simply by giving someone double the amount of children. As a solution, the rabbinic tradition suggests Job’s children were literally resurrected, but there is another possibility. Job is only given seven more sons and three daughters at the end of his calamities because God has in fact doubled his children, but in an unexpected way: half of them are not with him in this world; they are awaiting the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

And we, with Job, wait—still with the tears of Rachel— for the time at the end of the eschaton when every tear will be wiped away. That time is not yet, and so there are still tears. There are tears, and it is Christmas. But this—this hope—is why we can sing. Not because there is no suffering, not because there is no Rachel, not because there are no slaughtered innocents, whose blood indeed cries out in their feast during the season of Christmas. No, it is not because these things are not, but because He—Christ—is.

He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), who draws our weeping into Himself—into His body—till He is trembling and bent and dead from it. And we see Him trembling and convulsing, and know the end is near—until we look up at Him, exalted above the end of ages, and realize that He has done what is impossible, even more impossible than the alchemist’s trick of turning lead into gold.

He is shaking, but it is no longer with mourning— He has turned mourning into laughter, and death into life. But not yet—at least not for those of us still in the world of fallen history. For now we wait, continuing to weep for pain and sing for joy, until we discover behind them the deepest ground of both, which is our common yearning for Christ.

Amen, Come Lord Jesus.

We look and find, here at the heart of history, Jesus’ mother, aching with the pain of a sword-pierced soul. And Rachel continues to weep. And Mary weeps, because the Child she treasured in her heart is no more. Or so it seems.

For in her Son, death—the thing that we, with Rachel, weep over—is overcome.

Dr. Karl Persson is a scholar and writer living in Winnipeg. His work focuses on the reception of biblical wisdom literature in the Patristic and Old English periods.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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The Holidays...

How soon?

H

by James Morgan

ow soon? It’s a question I ask myself every year about how early my friends, family, and I should observe the festive season. In the Church, Christmas begins on December 25 when we celebrate the birth of Christ, and it continues for 12 following days. It has nothing to do with gathering with family and friends, decorating the house, or especially shopping and Santa Claus. Christmas has unfortunately come to be a brand on anything sociable or commercial that takes place from mid-autumn until the malls close on December 24. The real Christmas is what matters, and regardless of if there’s a tree in the living room, lights strung on the front porch, or plastic pine boughs affixed to the doorways, remembering the birth of our Saviour will still happen.

There are few things I forget. I can remember images and words from when I was a small child with amazing clarity. This often surprises and embarrasses friends and loved ones. It’s also both a gift and a liability. Looking back, it never seemed like references to the commercial aspects of Christmas began so early when I was a child, although I can vaguely recall a TV commercial for a now defunct catalogue chain featuring singing elves telling viewers to place their orders on time. My parents sent my sister and me to a Roman Catholic elementary school for over two years, and we were Anglicans at the time. At neither school nor church did Christmas ever get mentioned much during the first 24 days of December, except for the obligatory school and Sunday school concerts. It was all about Advent, that time of preparation, penance, and reflection leading up to the commemoration of Christ’s birth.

The emphasis on Advent gives one a sense of perspective and promise during a season where much of society becomes over-consumed with frenzy leading up to the festival of over-consumption that Christmas has become. Four candles in a wreath, lit over the Sundays preceding Christmas have a way of methodically and reflectively leading one to the even more spectacular big event while ignoring the blast of commercialism.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

The Commercialization of Christmas Advent and contemplative spiritual preparation aside, society, including the Christians in it, has an awfully hard time resisting the excitement of the far less religious aspects of the season—perhaps a bit too early and in the most unlikely places. My family life provides many examples of this. I recall two summer vacations in particular. One included visiting the New Hampshire location of Santa’s Village (others exist throughout the U.S.A. and Canada), and another trip found me standing in shorts and a tee shirt on a hot August day in Michigan outside what is surely the world’s largest store to sell Christmas merchandise. In defense of the store, the management emphasizes CHRISTmas in their advertising; their slogan is “It’s HIS day, it’s HIS way,” and Christmas Day is the only day of the year the store is closed.

My father and my sister were and still are way too excited about decorating and cooking for Christmas, long before my mother or I feel it is necessary. My father, an avid hunter, gets the same look on his face when Christmas shopping that he does when tracking a deer.

He would even take a day or two off work to do baking in the past. My sister recently participated in a Christmas bazaar to raise money for a Christian youth organization in her community. That event coincided with several other bazaars for local churches and charities on what could best be called a bazaar weekend.

These early and year-round examples of celebration and commercially-driven excitement tie in with the larger theme of respect. Aside from those who believe Christmas should be kept in its Christian place and time on the calendar, there is the question of respect for those who would rather not have a commercial circus overshadowing their own observances. The most obvious of those requiring respect and consideration are veterans. Many individuals, including business owners,

hold to the unwritten rule that pre-Christmas activities and merchandising before or on Remembrance Day is disrespectful and in poor taste.

In my experience, this mindset tends to be most common in smaller communities where people have a much closer connection with their neighbours. In Listowel, Ontario, the town where I grew up, ribbons indicating financial support for the Poppy Fund at the local Royal Canadian Legion branch appear in the windows of local businesses, and almost never are they accompanied by Christmas decorations. Poppy Fund ribbons are basically invisible in the two large cities where I spend most of my time now.

Christmas merchandise and decorations were beginning to encroach upon the equally excessive Halloween extravaganza in local stores weeks before trick-or-treaters hit the streets. In Gatineau and Ottawa, being in the shadow of the National War Memorial, the monument that becomes the focal point of the country on Remembrance Day seems to have little deterrence to the commercial world when it comes to decking the halls way too soon.

Santa Claus is already in town On a recent trip to the United States, I was even more surprised to discover how prevalent early Christmas commercialism and celebration (in a most secular sense) was. A mall in a Detroit suburb was fully decorated. Seasonal music was playing loudly throughout, urging everyone not to shout, pout, or cry (such a silly warning) because Santa Claus was coming to town.

By the time I reached the cavernous centre court of the mall, I discovered he indeed had already come to town. There stood a structure called the Ice Palace, which really didn’t contain any ice, but was rather a testament to what a few creative mall employees can do with plywood, spray paint, cotton batting, and plastic fake snow. Children and parents were lined up to visit with the department store derivative of St. Nicholas who sat inside It was November 6.

A camera stood stationery on a tripod. I saw a parent hand over cash for a photo. What was especially telling about just how secularized so-called Christmas traditions such as Santa at the mall are is that one of the mothers escorting her child out of the Ice Palace after his chat with Mr. Claus was wearing a hijab. The secular celebration of the season is indeed for all; it not only makes money but it is politically correct enough not to offend anyone. I really wasn’t offended by seeing a Muslim mother taking her son

to see Santa Claus. An elderly man with an unkempt beard in a furry red suit who only works one day a year is not part of the real Christmas that I believe in as a Christian.

Christ, unlike Santa, is real. He’s always working in the lives of those who believe in him. The fulfillment that knowing and feeling Christ’s love brings is far more infinite than whatever the mythical Santa Claus leaves under a tree or the cosy feeling of a warm holiday beverage by the fireside with friends and family.

Returning to the unwritten rule of no Christmas until after Remembrance Day, I discovered this is not only a small town social code, but perhaps only a Canadian one. Many Canadians love to exclaim that our American neighbours are more supportive of their veterans and military personnel than we are. If that were really so, that mall in Dearborn Michigan would not have looked and sounded like a Motown version of Jingle Bell Rock. This became even more apparent to me after returning to my hotel room. I switched on the television and noticed commercials for Veterans Day sales at a couple of Detroit-area furniture store chains. The near sacredness of Remembrance Day/Veterans Day never seemed to me like an occasion to slash the prices of sofas and dining room sets. I suppose in a roundabout way that the justification for such a bizarre sales event could be that men and women have fought hard and sacrificed their lives to preserve the freedom to sell furniture at discount prices. Surely though, freedom has to be worth more than that!

Though an unwritten rule and limited in use, deferring the more nonChristian aspects of the Christmas season until after Remembrance Day is a good standard to follow. No small town craft bazaar or store owner would endure the consequences of not abiding by it—at least not where I come from.

Above all, we need to separate what is really Christmas and what is not. Christ’s birth is Christmas. The type of Christmas presented to us by stores is only a man-made attempt for short-term, artificial satisfaction and financial profit. It ignores the Gospels and is safely non-threatening to unbelievers. The real Advent and Christmas however is all about the Gospel. It is about the salvation and redemption that only Christ can bring. So this Advent and Christmas, detach yourself. Prepare and reflect, and then celebrate what is not just the often clichéd “true meaning of Christmas” but actually the only Christmas worth celebrating.

Christ’s birth is Christmas. The type of Christmas presented to us by stores is only a manmade attempt for short-term, artificial satisfaction and financial profit.

James Morgan is a writer and former broadcaster living in Gatineau, Quebec where he is completing a Ph.D in History. His home congregation is Trinity Lutheran near Gowanstown, Ontario, and he also worships at the Lutheran Tri-Parish of Western Quebec.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Ukranian Lutherans elect new bishop UKRAINE - The Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Ukraine (SELCU), meeting in convention November 17-18, elected Rev. Aleksandr Yurchenko as its new bishop. He succeeds Rev. Dr. Viktor Gräfenstein, who served as bishop for 18 years and had declined to accept nomination for another term.

Bishop Yurchenko graduated from Odessa Theological Seminary in 2002. He currently serves as a missionary to prisoners in the Nikolaev region and as a temporary pastor at the newly organized congregaton in Nova Kachovka. He lives in Odessa.

The convention also elected Rev. Oleg Shewtschenko as Assistant to the Bishop.

Convention sessions were held at Concordia Seminary in Usatovo, a suburb of Odessa, located in the southern part of the country on the Black Sea. Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) was represented by President Robert Bugbee, as well as by Rev. Dr. Norman Threinen who has long served as Rector (President) of the Ukranian seminary. Dr. Threinen was also accompanied by his daughter Deborah Belden. President Bugbee preached for the opening service of the convention, brought greetings from LCC, and was asked for advice periodically throughout the sessions on various business matters coming before the assembly.

Among other things, the convention determined to resume instruction at Concordia Seminary in September 2015. The seminary had suspended classes in the past year due to the political instability caused by the Russian invasions.

Odessa is fortunately far from the fighting, and so students and teachers should be able to do their work in a secure environment. The convention resolved to ask LCC to extend the appointment of Dr. Threinen to continue serving as Rector of the seminary as preparations are made to begin classes again.

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Bishop-Elect Aleksandr Yurchenko of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Ukraine (SELCU) preaches during his installation service at Concordia Seminary, Odessa on November 19, 2014.

President Bugbee took the opportunity of this visit to a c c e p t p re a c h i n g i n v i t a t i o n s at local parishes in Nikolayev, Oktyabrskoye and Savran. He was also the featured preacher at an evangelistic service hosted by the congregation in downtown Odessa on a Saturday evening as it sought to invite unchurched people from the area.

“Our brothers and sisters here have gone through a very trying time in recent months,” President B u g b e e o b s e r ve d , “ b u t I a m impressed with their willingness

to carry on and make the best of the crisis besetting their country. They are deeply grateful for the attitude of support on the part of the Canadian government and people, and are glad for the partnership between LCC and their church. They took time during their convention to pray for the work we do in Canada, and I do hope our churches will repeatedly name them and their needs before the Lord in their public prayers. The relationship to this church remains one of our primary partnerships, and there’s still a lot of work to do here!”

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 A message from

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

ILC issues invitation to Scandinavian Mission Provinces FINLAND - Following an invitation from the Bishops’ Conferences of the Mission Provinces of Sweden, Finland, and Norway, Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt visited Helsinki as chairman of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and as presiding bishop of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK) in Germany.

During the meeting, Bishop Voigt made two introductory presentations.

In the morning he reported on the history and the purpose of the ILC. He pointed to the fact that many member churches of the ILC were founded as a result of the Lutheran confessional renewal in the 19th century; others resulted as a gathering of Lutheran refugees and settlers in the 19th and 20th century as Mission Churches.

In the course of the discussion, Bishop Voigt issued an invitation to the Scandinavian Mission Provinces

to begin discussions with the Executive Committee of the ILC about the possibility and the modalities of membership in this global organization. At the same time, he expressed his understanding of the pastoral practice of the mission dioceses in not urging individual members of their parishes to leave their respective Lutheran Participants at the 2014 meeting in Helsinki. state churches, but rather to bear Germany in the 19th century and those tensions that a struggle for the the present-day developments in the true unity of the church imposes.

Scandinavian mission provinces.

In a further presentation during Bishop Risto Soramies of the the afternoon session, Bishop Voigt hosting Evangelical Lutheran spoke on developments and special Mission Province of Finland thanked challenges currently facing SELK. the participants for the meeting. He In the subsequent discussion he expressed hope that contacts with indicated his pleasant surprise to the ILC and its member churches discover parallels between the Old can be developed and intensified in Lutheran revival movements in the future.

Attack kills one, wounds president emeritus of church in Guatemala GUATEMALA - The President Emeritus of the Lutheran Church in Guatemala (LCG) has been wounded and another church member was killed after unknown assailants opened fire on their vehicle November 21.

President Emeritus Eduardo B o n i l l a a n d F ra n c i s o Pa x t o r (Synodical Secretary for the LCG) had earlier in the day taken part in an anniversary service at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Chajabel, where Rev. Bonilla had been invited to preach for the special occasion. Their car was attacked while on the drive back to Guatemala City, with both men receiving gun shot wounds. The two were able to drive themselves to the nearest town, from which they were rushed by ambulance to Quetzaltengango.

President Emeritus Bonilla was shot in the chest, with a bullet grazing his lung and missing his heart by centimeters. Francisco Paxtor was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the head. President Emeritus Bonilla was stabilized and transported

Sunday by plane for medical care in the capital. He is expected to make a full recovery. Tragically, Paxtor could not be stabilized. He succumbed to his injuries in Quetzaltengango on Sunday.

Local media reports initially suggested the attack might have resulted from land disputes over church properties owned by the LCG. However, LCG President President Emeritus Eduardo Bonilla (Image: Evangelical Emeritus Ignacio Chan Lutheran Church in Brazil.) writes that this is incorrect, attack, as well to pray for the family further noting that this area of rural of Francisco Paxtor as they grieve his Guatemala has seen a number of sudden passing. recent attacks by persons unknown “Please also remember in your upon the general populace. prayers those who committed this “At this time we are deeply grieved act,” President Midence continued. and shocked by this violent act on the “May God have mercy on them.” lives of our dear brothers in Christ,” The Lutheran Church in said Rev. Cornelio Midence, current Guatemala is a church body of about President of the Lutheran Church 4,000 members. It is a member of the in Guatemala. He asks Christians International Lutheran Council, a around the world to keep President worldwide association of confessional Emeritus Bonilla and his family in Lutheran churches. prayer as he recovers from this violent THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Anglican-Lutheran dialogue continues on Canadian soil

Participants at the most recent dialogue between ACNA, LCC, and the LCMS meet in St. Catharines, Ontario in October, 2014.

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Dialogue participants from the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) met for their latest semi-annual round of discussions at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in Ontario on October 17. It was the first time a regular meeting of the dialogue had taken place in Canada.

The latest discussions were preceded by a one-day symposium at CLTS entitled Militant Secularism: Its Cost, Cause and Cure. The symposium featured presentations by both Lutheran and Anglican theologians, including Rev. Dr. John Stephenson (LCC), Bishop Donald Harvey (ACNA), Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer (LCMS) and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches (ACNA). Seminary students, pastors, and interested lay people from the area were in attendance for the conference, in which presenters described in detail the way in which rising secularism challenges the faith and life of Christians, but presenters also encouraged listeners to face the new realities with a strong commitment to the unchanging Gospel of Christ.

Reflecting on the symposium, LCC

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President Robert Bugbee noted, “I’m dialogues have progressed since very glad for the willingness of our their inception. In the near future, St. Catharines seminary to invite the participants will outline points of dialogue to Canada, and to make it teaching where strong convergence all the more worthwhile by hosting has been found among the churches, such an enriching study day. It is while honestly facing the areas where interesting how LCC originally had challenges remain. only observer status in the LutheranThe work builds on a previous Anglican dialogue, but has grown document released in 2012, which to be a strong participant obviously highlighted the strong level of respected by the others.” theological agreement found between “I’m deeply grateful to Dr. John ACNA, LCMS, and LCC at the time Stephenson as my representative for and rejoicing “that we can jointly his ongoing commitment to these affirm without reservation core conversations,” President Bugbee teachings (articles) of the Christian continued. “We can only hope that faith shared by our church bodies.” these talks will impel everyone The next meetings will take place in involved to commit themselves anew April 2015 at the Reformed Episcopal to Christ, the only Saviour, and to a Seminary in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. faithful Biblical witness.”

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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National News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Preparations underway for 2016 National Youth Gathering ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Get ready… the National Youth Gathering (NYG) is coming soon!

Under the diligent leadership of Tony Marchand, the NYG planning committee met for the first time and is looking forward to encouraging the youth of LCC in 2016. The upcoming gathering is set for July 8-12, 2016 and will be held at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.

The location for this event has provided many amazing opportunities, both in terms of fellowship as well as theme development. “We are delighted to be able to partner with so many Lutheran organizations in the area,” says committee member Deacon Amanda Hastings. “We look forward to partnering with Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, which is located on the Brock University campus, and have been pleased to see the support of LCC congregations in the area.”

Given the proximity of the gathering to Niagara Falls, the theme of water will be prevalent throughout the gathering, with the main theme of NYG 2016 being Living H2O, based on Jesus’ words in John 4. The main speaker for the gathering will be Dr. Micah Parker of Trustguy Ministries.

The 2016 Youth Gathering Committee: Rev. Andy Schroth, Deacon Amanda Hastings, Brandon Kemp, Deacon Kaitlin Schmitz, Bill Wardekker, Deacon Krysta Davis, Tony Marchand.

Leading worship will be Jennifer Jade Kerr with Kelti Malone.

Chairman Tony Marchand (Historic St. Paul’s, Kitchener, Ontario) said he is pleased to welcome “a committee of excited, experienced and energized volunteers” to serve alongside him in planning the 2016 NYG. This committee consists of Deacon Krysta, Director of Parish Services at Bethel Lutheran Church (Sherwood Park, Alberta); Deacon Kaitlin Schmitz, Youth Leader at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Leduc, Alberta); Deacon Amanda Hastings,

Director of Parish Services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Regina, Saskatchewan); Bill Wardekker, Youth Leader at Peace Lutheran Church (Winnipeg, Manitoba); Brandon Kemp, Youth Leader at Christ Lutheran Church (St. Catharines, Ontario); and pastoral advisor Rev. Andy Schroth of First St. Paul Lutheran Church (Wellesley, Ontario).

“In all of our planning we cannot forget who is actually leading us through this process,” Chairman Marchand reminds us, “for without God we are lost.”

LCC President to assist in Winnipeg Parish WINNIPEG - Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) President Robert Bugbee has accepted what he terms “a very part-time call” to serve as Assisting Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. The decision came after a lengthy period of prayer and consultation, as the voters of the parish had elected to call him already in mid-August.

“I have no doubt that this will be startling to many of our people across the country,” President Bugbee commented. “Since LCC’s founding in 1988, no LCC President has had this kind of tie to a local congregation. However, in the overall scheme of things it is not so unusual.

The leaders of our partner churches in the United States and Germany,

for example, are both called to carry out limited pastoral responsibilities in parish churches. In church history, too, bishops and church leaders not only oversaw administrative work for a larger area, but also assumed preaching and teaching duties in a concrete local place. My hope is that this can help me to grasp the challenges faced by LCC congregations today and keep me from becoming too isolated from what some would call ‘real life’.”

For their part, Rev. Cameron Schnarr and the leaders of Beautiful Savior have made clear that they understand President Bugbee’s synodical responsibilities take precedence. They are primarily envisioning assistance with

preaching and Bible class work in the congregation, which has been growing in recent years and also maintains an active Lutheran school.

President Bugbee noted that LCC’s Board of Directors expressed concern that the proposed arrangement with Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church might create an overload for him.

“They chose not to take an actual vote on the matter,” he added, “because they were very respectful toward the prayerful decision I would need to make. I thank God for the love they have shown me in expressing themselves so candidly. I am moved to embrace this very part-time call, and will continue to honour my ongoing commitments to the Synod to the best of my ability.”

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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National News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Catholic-Lutheran dialogue in Canada CANADA - Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) continues its national dialogue with Roman Catholics in Canada, meeting September 30 at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario). During the meeting, participants continued their examination of From Conflict to Communion, a document jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and the Lutheran World Federation.

“Our most recent discussion flowing out of the document concerned the heart of our theology: justification by grace through faith,” said Rev. Warren Hamp, Chairman of LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations and a member of the Ontario dialogue group. “The discussion was honest and clear, and opened up understandings on both sides of the table while remaining faithful to our respective confessions. It was an intriguing conversation.”

Representing LCC in the national dialogue alongside Rev. Hamp are Rev. Nolan Astley (First Vice President of Lutheran Church–Canada), Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger (President, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary), and Rev. Dr. John Stephenson (Professor, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary).

On the Catholic side are Bishop Gerard Bergie (Archdiocese of St. Catharines), Rev. Timothy Scott (General Councilor, The Basilian Fathers), Dr. Michael Attridge (Associate Professor, St. Michael’s College), and Dr. Jean-Pierre Fortin

(Assistant Professor, L’Université de Sherbrooke).

Recently, LCC opened up another front in Catholic dialogue, this time in Edmonton. Archbishop Richard Smith of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton expressed interest in starting a local dialogue group, composed of Edmonton-area clergy and theologians representing both churches. LCC President Robert Bugbee and synod’s Commission for Theology and Church Relations have provided consent to the opening of this regional dialogue.

An inaugural meeting was held at Newman Theological College on May 7, with Rev. Dr. Gerald Krispin (President and Vice-Chancellor, Concordia University College of Alberta) and Dr. Jason West (President and Academic Dean, Newman Theological College) serving as cochairs. In addition to Dr. Krispin, representing LCC were Rev. Dr. Adrian Leske (Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Concordia University College of Alberta) and Rev. Lorne Manweiler (Redeemer Lutheran Church, Edmonton). Rev. Michael Keith (St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Stony Plain, Alberta) has since been added as an additional representative of LCC. In addition to Dr. West, the Catholics were represented by Rev. George Neumann, SAC (St. Boniface (German) Catholic Church, Edmonton), and Dr. Indre Cuplinskas (Assistant Professor of Church History, St. Joseph’s College), with

Dr. Julien Hammond (Ecumenical Officer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton) serving as Secretary. Rev. Dr. David Norman, OFM (Professor of Systematic Theology, Newman Theological College), although also a member of the dialogue, was unable to attend that day).

While the Ontario dialogue is recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and LCC as the national Lutheran-Catholic dialogue group in Canada, the Edmonton dialogue is instead understood to be a local/regional dialogue. Still, the work of the Edmonton group is expected to complement and contribute to the work of the Ontario group as well.

The Edmonton group planned to meet again in October, with the national dialogue to meet in February 2015.

The emergence of national and local dialogues between confessional Lutherans and Roman Catholics in Canada mirrors similar meetings at the international level. In 2013, the International Lutheran Council and the PCPCU agreed to establish a threeyear informal, international dialogue.

The first round of this dialogue—an organizational meeting—took place June 10 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Oberursel, Germany.

Resolution 14.3.03a approved by LCC congregations CANADA – The congregations of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) have voted to allow official notices to be published in either the print or online editions of The Canadian Lutheran. Previously, LCC’s constitution required all such notices to be published in the print version of the magazine.

This summer, Lutheran Church– Canada’s National Convention

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adopted Resolution 14.3.03a “To Amend the LCC Constitution To Permit Official Notices To Be Published in Electronic and Print Editions of The Canadian Lutheran.”

A similar resolution (14.3.02b) saw LCC’s bylaws amended to the same effect. But because Resolution 14.3.03a called for a constitutional amendment, it required a vote by congregations to pass.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Congregations were contacted in September and encouraged to vote on the matter. The deadline for congregational responses was November 9, 2014.

Rev. Paul Schallhorn, Secretary of LCC’s Board of Directors, announces that the resolution received the necessary votes to pass. 145 votes were cast, with 145 in favour, one not in favour, and zero abstentions.

ABC District News News ABC District

Alberta Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor

A successful BC Mission bike ride!

PARKSVILLE, B.C. - October 4 marked the BC Mission Boat Society’s (BCMBS) second year as a partner in the Ride for Refuge– Canada. This event is an annual family-friendly bike ride fundraiser that helps charities who support the displaced, vulnerable, and exploited.

It also allows people from across the country to come together on one day to cycle for their favourite charities at a distance, speed, and location that works for them.

The Ride for Refuge was a great success for the BCMBS this year.

There were two amazing teams riding: Rob McInnis, Ron Roller, and Wayne Hosmer made up the BCMBS Grovers team who cycled at the Surrey/Langley ride location.

Marcus Huff and Jessica Pixner formed the BCMBS Bikers team who cycled at the Victoria ride location.

The teams collectively cycled 250

The BCMBS Grovers—(l-r) Rob McInnis, Ron Roller and Wayne Hosmer—who biked at the Surrey/Langley Ride location.

The BCMBS Bikers—Marcus Huff and Jessica Pixner—who biked at the Victoria Ride location.

km, connected numerous people to our ministry, and raised $6,851.

That’s the distance of a round trip from Vancouver to Whistler, and more than $2,000 more than was raised last year!

The teams are thankful for all who supported the BCMBS through this event, and are excited for all of the ways that the funds raised will help the society continue to connect people with God’s love in and with First Nation communities along the coast. They look forward to another great ride next year on Saturday, October 3, 2015.

Jessica Pixner, Office Administrator & Outreach Developer, BC Mission Boat Society

First VBS in years a great success for Edmonton church EDMONTON - “By God’s grace, we did it!” That was the cry of close to 20 tired but happy teachers and helpers at Redeemer Lutheran Church on July 18. It had been a long time since Redeemer had planned a vacation Bible school, and members were worried about how it would turn out. The congregation is older, they knew; would they be able to organize and get ready for a bunch of children? Could they find enough helpers for what was needed to be done? Would any children attend?

Rev. Lorne Manweiler was confident that the church could do it—and so plans began to come together.

With Rev. Manweiler encouraging and leading, the congregation got busy.

A date was chosen, materials ordered, and recruitment of volunteers and helpers began. Helpers ranged from confirmation age to over 100 years old. People even took time off from work to be at VBS for the week— volunteers included teachers, former teachers, a doctor, an engineer, and retired people from all walks of life.

Many helpers also worked behind the scenes, building a boat, recreating the Sea of Galilee in the narthex, baking cookies, trying out crafts, researching games, and more.

Finally the time came, and the church ended up with 18 children—a number they were delighted with, as, members note, “with our experience we could not have handled a lot more!” For the first time in years, Redeemer rang with the sound of children singing and shrieking with laughter during games. There was even a “storm” over the Sea of Galilee, complete with thunder, lightning, and disciples and Jesus in the aforementioned boat.

The church welcomed children from a variety of backgrounds: some never had any experience in a church while others knew who Jesus was and even knew many of the songs sung during the VBS. By the middle of the week, those new to church had already integrated well.

A good number of parents and grandparents turned out for the

Five and six-year olds take part in VBS activities

closing devotion. Various members of the congregation also came out.

After the excitement, several of the children came up and asked if there would be a “reunion”—they were ready for more VBS. The congregation has also discussed the possibility of a mini, one-day VBS event during Advent.

And the congregation is already preparing to host VBS again next summer. “God blessed our efforts this year,” the congregation reports, “and we know that He will bless us again!”

Sylvia Klarenbach

The November/December2014 201417 1 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December

ABC District News News ABC District

Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor Alberta

Church workers gather for fall conferences New church workers orientation EDMONTON – The ABC District office hosted a New Church Workers Orientation September 28-29 for those workers new to this district of Lutheran Church–Canada. A welcome reception was prepared on the Sunday evening for those in attendance, with the orientation being held Monday.

Welcomed into the ABC District were: Rev. Tim Richholt (Zion, Wetaskiwin, Alberta); Rev. Jeremy Richert (St. John’s , Magrath and St. Matthew, Milk River, Alberta); Rev. Basil Christi (Duchess Lutheran, Duchess and Peace, Tabor, Alberta); Rev. Rojar Singh (Peace, Spruce Grove and Victory, Devon, Alberta); Rev. Dr. James Gimbel (President, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton); Ashley Maskowitz (Director of Parish Services, Mount Calvary, Red Deer, Alberta); and Rev. Min Kim (Chaplain for Canadian Forces Base, Edmonton).

Scott Keith of Concordia University, Irvine, California. Dr. Keith presented on Evidential Apologetics, equipping the participants to make an answer for the claims of Christianity with the considerable evidence that exists, with special focus on doing this among the millennial generation.

T h e g ro u p wa s p l e a s e d t o welcome district staff—President D o n S c h i e m a n n , Rev. G l e n n Schaeffer and Daryl Becker—as well as the new president of Concordia Lutheran Seminary ( E d m o n t o n ) , Rev. D r. J a m e s Gimbel—not just to hear reports on district work, but to be attend much of the conference.

Connecting to the wider work of district and synod is an important part of the fall conferences.

Many thanks go to the Cariboo circuit workers who served as the program committee and devotion leaders this year. Plans are already underway for the 2015 conference, where the Vancouver Island circuit will lead the programming. Rev. Lee Loveridge (Kelowna) was elected to serve as conference chairman for the next three years. Thanks to Rev. Mark Chiang (Vancouver) for serving as conference secretary and to outgoing conference president

B.C. church workers conference MISSION, B.C. – British Columbia church workers gathered for their regular fall conference at picturesque Camp Luther outside of Mission, October 6-9. Once again it was a time of blessing as pastors, deacons, and other church workers were fed with God’s Word and Sacrament, inspired by educational opportunities, and recreated by fellowship together.

After an opening devotion Monday evening, Tuesday opened with Divine S e r v i c e, w h e r e District President Don Schiemann spoke on the “The Answer of Grace” from Matthew 21.

The rest of Tuesday was devoted to presentations by Dr. Dr. Scott Keith presenting at the B.C. Church Workers Conference

2 The Canadian Lutheran November/December 2014 18 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Rev. Jef Koenig (Cloverdale) for his years of service.

Alberta church workers conference NORDEGG, Alta. - The Alberta Church Workers Conference took part October 20-23.

Plenary sessions entitled “Dropping Dead in Jesus” were presented by Rev. Bill Cwirla of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Hacienda Heights, California. The subject matter addressed pastoral issues about death and dying.

Presentations also came from special guests Rev. and Mrs. Rob and Joy Edwards from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia and Rev. Mike Kuhn, who is currently on furlough, working with Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada.

Professional development was supplemented by hearty worship, intensive prayer, and convivial fellowship throughout the conference.

The conference wrapped up the morning of October 23, with pastors stacking chairs, grabbing sack lunches and piling into vehicles heading back to their parishes across the province and into parts of neighbouring British Columbia.

ABC District News

Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor Alberta

Independent, woodworking member turns 100!

CHILLIWACK, B.C. - Singing resonated throughout St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 8 as Rev. Wayne Lunderby presented member Hermann Bloch with a certificate from Prime Minister Steven Harper marking his 100th birthday. Rob Werner played the violin for the birthday song with great flare and vigour.

Herman was born on September 9, 1914 in Beausejour, Manitoba (40 miles east of Winnipeg).

For a 100-year-old, Hermann is spry, healthy and young at heart.

When asked how he feels to be 100, his response was, “I’m so glad to be here; I feel good!” Perhaps it is because Hermann thinks young, is active, cooks for himself, lives by himself, and goes out with friends

regularly. Most of all, Hermann gives God the honour and glory. On Sunday mornings he is at St. Paul’s to meet and greet all who come, ready with a hug, smile and a bit of humour. Many years ago he was dubbed “Handsome Hermann,” and of course he still is!

Hermann is gifted in the art of woodworking and he has made many pieces for the Church (noted in the March/April 2010 issue of The Canadian Lutheran). He is a generous man with many family and friends who have received wooden mementos from him.

Hermann’s daughter, Diana Kilgour, invited his many friends to a Birthday Tea on September 19 at the church and to further celebrate this deserving event, Hermann is flying to

Church musician recognized for 40 years of service

“Garage-less” garage sale a huge success!

Gay Schmaus EDMONTON – On September 28, members and friends at Christ the King Lutheran Church honoured Gay Schmaus for her faithful service of 40 years as a church musician (organist, pianist, vocalist, choir director, music workshop organizer, and more). Gay was presented with a card of appreciation and a musicthemed tote bag filled with flowers, with thanks to God for her many gifts and dedication.

Ellen Raaflaub

Winnipeg to visit friends and family.

Hermann is an everlasting inspiration to all his friends and family, and his congregation members thank God for him.

Hilda Lakusta

Hermann Bloch with Rev. Wayne Lunderby

EDMONTON - One person’s junk can prove to be another’s treasure, or so some found out September 27 when Grace Lutheran Church held its Fall “Garage-less” Community Garage Sale. The sale served as another opportunity to connect with the surrounding community as a warm and welcoming good neighbour. Twenty-seven tables Community neighbours enjoy a time of shopping were booked by area residents and fellowship. flow of buyers all day enjoyed coffee and a few members from Grace. As and goodies served by volunteers from one neighbour said, “It’s hard to have Grace. Many favorable comments a garage sale on your eleventh storey were received. Said one customer, balcony.”

“The hospitality was excellent— Situated on the western edge couldn’t have been better.”“Keep up of downtown Edmonton, Grace the good work—this is really good is literally surrounded by high for the community,” said another. rise condos and apartments and Other comments included “Great is continually looking for ways to experience—will come again,” and, connect with its neighbours. The “You have out-done yourself—never congregation has taken part in attended a sale with such warm Transforming for Missions, an ABC hospitality and have never been District initiative which encourages served refreshments.” congregations to take a closer look Sale coordinators Bernice and at their mission, understand their Carmen Zapf extended a big thank gifts and the needs of the community you to the many eager volunteers around them and then reach out with who stepped forward to help this the Gospel of Jesus in word and deed. venture be a great success.

Along with the vendors, a steady The Lutheran November/December2014 201419 3 THECanadian CANADIAN L UTHERAN November/December

ABC District News

Alberta Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor

Spreading the Word in Devon DEVON, Alta. - Victory Lutheran Church joined other churches and organizations at Devon Community Awareness Night in the Devon Community Centre, September 11, where the community was invited to circulate among display tables and converse with presenters.

Rev. Rojar Singh and two congregation members were in attendance to answer questions about the church and the Lutheran faith. A memorable question was “Does the Lutheran faith have anything to do with Martin Luther?” Rev. Singh was pleased to answer this question in the affirmative.

“It was a great evening and the Word was spread in Devon,” explained Paul Laslop. “Many came to visit our table and see what Victory Lutheran Church has to offer!”

Paul Laslop

Rev. Singh and Rosemarie Laslop man the Victory Lutheran Church display table.

From the President Take a look in a book n my seminar y days I spent a fortune on books—at least it felt like a fortune. The twelve-volume set of Lenski’s commentary on the New Testament cost me $45!

Every academic term, required textbooks steadily ate away at the savings I had accumulated at my summer jobs. Most of those books continue to serve me well and I don’t begrudge what they cost me back then or even now, as I still buy the occasional volume to enhance my library.

Things have changed since I graduated from seminary. Some say that the advances in technology over the last forty years have been as significant as the changes that occurred when Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450. As much as I value the books which occupy the shelves of my library, one can purchase an entire theological library in digital form on a laptop computer. Hours of searching through books on a particular topic can be reduced to minutes and even seconds using the search engines which accompany the digital library.

My most valuable book is the Bible. St. Paul writes to Timothy: “From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Throughout the ages, the Bible has been made available in numerous formats. Whether it was painstakingly copied by hand on parchment, mass-

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4 The Canadian Lutheran November/December 2014 20 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

produced on a printing press or digitally produced on a computer, its message has been constant. It is the account of God intervening in the sinful history of mankind to redeem a fallen world through the life, death and resurrection of His Son. God Himself is the primary author so we call the Bible “God’s Word.”

Sadly, one of the great challenges we face in our church is biblical illiteracy. It’s hard to imagine that people who call themselves Christians are hardpressed to find the Gospel of John in the Bible, let alone quote even the most basic of Biblical truths like the one found in John 3:16. Yet many copies of the Bible are basically “coffee table books, ” intended only for show and not for consumption.

I liken it to an eating disorder. People deprive themselves of food for whatever reason and may ultimately starve themselves to death. What will happen when God’s people deprive themselves of the life-giving Word of God? What if we do not feed on the living bread or drink from the living water of God’s Word and promises?

The technology of today makes God’s Word more available than ever. Bible study aids abound. Take the time to read through the Scriptures. The written Word of God introduces us to the incarnate Word of God —Jesus, the world’s only Saviour. It is in God’s Word where you will learn of what Jesus did on your behalf to remove all guilt and condemnation from you so that you can stand before God as His holy and redeemed child.

And that’s the good Word for yesterday, today and forever!

Rev. Don Schiemann

ABC District News News ABC District

Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor Alberta

A joy-filled gift basket TOMAHAWK, Alta. - The Immanuel Lutheran Church Ladies Aid hosted its third annual Harvest Tea on September 27. Nearly 35 people gathered for an open-faced bun, strawberry shortcake, and a bake and craft sale. Along with an assortment

of canning, chocolate, and lotions, this year’s gift basket contained a gift card, Luther’s Small Catechism, and LCMS President Matthew Harrison’s Little Book on Joy. Rev. Dan Barr Harvest Tea Gift Basket

Major changes have major impact at Lutheran school STONY PLAIN, Alta. - For well over 100 years, St. Matthew Lutheran School has proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus to the young people of the Stony Plain area. For any organization to last that long, it needs to find the balance between holding fast to its foundation, and at the same time flexing to connect to the community around it.

This year, St. Matthew did a lot of flexing. It went through a rebranding which included abbreviating its operating name into SML Christian Academy. The school added the word “Christian” because so many people inquiring of the school would ask the question, “Are Lutherans Christian?”

The school also sought the advice of an advertising company to come up with a new logo that would give the school a fresh new look.

These changes helped to recruit new students, but the biggest change took place in May 2014 when the owners

of the school, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, decided to make the school tuition free. The congregation realized that tuition was an insurmountable obstacle for many people in the community, and it prevented the school from its goal to reach out to many with the Gospel of Christ.

No one could have predicted the impact this would have on the school.

In September the school welcomed 50 new students, and total enrolment almost doubled from what was initially projected. By the end of September, 150 students were proud to call SML Christian Academy their school.

Those new students bring with them challenges and opportunities for the school staff. When a teacher was passing out Bibles for the Christian Studies class, she asked if any of the students had never read the Bible.

Five of them raised their hand. Those five students, along with every other

New Logo for St. Matthew Lutheran Christian School

student in the school, are now daily immersed in the Scriptures, and they are encountering the God who created them, redeemed them, and daily sustains them.

Next year the schoo l will celebrate its 110th anniversary. The community will celebrate that God has been faithful to it for so many years, proclaiming His Word among His people, allowing them to bend to reach out to others, but at the same time standing firm on Christ their cornerstone. May He continue to use the school to proclaim His salvation.

Every colour of the rainbow—fall school picture

The Lutheran November/December2014 201421 5 THECanadian CANADIAN L UTHERAN November/December

ABC ABC District News

Alberta and and British British Columbia Columbia Karen Karen Lyons, Lyons, editor editor Alberta

Dual parishes welcome new pastors TA B E R , A l t a .

MAGRATH, Alta. - Fo l l o w i n g t h e On August 10, after a retirement of Rev. very short vacancy of Carl Bogda at the a little over a month, end of 2013, the the dual parish of dual parish of Peace St. John’s Lutheran Lutheran Church, Church, Magrath and Taber and Duchess St. Matthew Lutheran Lutheran Church, Church, Milk River Duchess requested a gathered together at seminary candidate.

St. John’s with great God’s hands were excitement for the at work by sending installation of their R e v. Va s i l i o s new pastor.

Christoforidis (aka Re v. J e r e m y Rev. Basil Christi).

Richert was called Rev. Christi, along (l-r) Revs. Nathan Fuehrer, Don Schiemann, Jeremy Richert, Basil Christi, Andrew as a candidate from with his wife Rebecca Craig, Richard Brown.

Concordia Lutheran and their two Theological Seminary children, Evangelica to the dual parish in a n d A l e x a n d e r, Southern Alberta. He moved from was ordained in his Waterloo, Ontario, home congregation where Rev. Christi of Trinity Lutheran had completed Church (Fisherville, his vicarage Ontario) earlier at Redeemer i n J u l y. A B C Lutheran Church.

District President Rev. Christi was Don Schiemann ordained in Ontario conducted and and was installed p re a c h e d f o r t h e on September 7 installation service. in a joint service After the service, at Peace Lutheran those in attendance Church. ABC enjoyed a delicious District President potluck supper. Rev. Don Schiemann Richert will also be (back, l-r) Revs. Richard Brown, Carl Bogda, Jeremy Richert, Jim Lindemann Christi, Don c o n d u c t e d t h e (front, l-r) Revs. Glenn Schaeffer, Nathan Fuehrer, Basil serving as chaplain i n s t a l l a t i o n Schiemann, Ken Edel for The Good with additional Samaritan Society service by sharing a meal hosted district pastors participating.

Garden Vista in Magrath. by the parish. The members of this T h e i n s t a l l a t i o n s e r v i c e wa s dual parish welcome Rev. Christi attended by members of both Send news, photos, articles and his family to their community congregations along with members and announcements six and thank God for answering of the community. In celebration, weeks prior to publication their prayers. everyone came together after the month.

Karen Lyons, district editor 7100 Ada Boulevard, ABC District convention Edmonton, AB T5B 4E4 phone: 780-474-0063 The ABC district convention will be held May 22-

25, 2015 at the Coast Plaza, Calgary, Alta.

Visit the ABC District website at www.lccabc.ca

6 The Canadian Lutheran November/December 2014 22 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

klyons@lccabc.ca

Next deadline: January 10, 2015

Central District District News Central News

Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Manitoba, NW NW Ontario Ontario Elaine Elaine Stanfel, Stanfel, editor editor

Southern Manitoba young adults get together WINKLER, Man. - On October 1718, 11 young adults from southern Manitoba got together for a young adults retreat at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Under the theme “Built on the Rock: Being a Lutheran in the 21st Century” the group enjoyed in-depth Bible study and studied part of the Augsburg Confession together, as presented by Rev. Alex Klages of Trinity, Winkler/Zion, Morden.

Through this study, the participants grew in their appreciation for the treasure which is the teaching of justification by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, and how this teaching truly is the solid foundation of our Christian faith.

But it wasn’t all work! They also built LEGO creations, played board games, fought strong winds to play a

Enjoying fellowship together.

little Frisbee, enjoyed some excellent food and fellowship, and generally had a lot of fun, making some new friends.

Thanks are due to the young adults’

group at Trinity, Winkler, for organizing this event. Plans are already in the works to hold another young adults retreat next year.

Rev. Alex & Kelly Klages

Many helping hands in Atikokan

TALL members present a plaque to Home Hardware’s Tami Stinson. (l-r) Sarah Haw, Sharon Beyak, Tami Stinson, Marianne Henze, Hilda Shmyr, Shirley Thompson, Myrtle Main and Karin Kohlman. Missing from photograph are Judy Kruger, Carole Robinson and Heather Eddington.

ATIKOKAN, Ont. - The Atikokan Lutheran Ladies (TALL) thanked local Home Hardware’s Tami Stinson for her ongoing support of their efforts to get blankets and other needed items overseas through Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CWLR). Across Canada, 128 dealers and more than a thousand Home

Hardware stores have partnered with local congregations to use their delivery trucks to provide free transportation to the CLWR warehouse in Winnipeg. In Atikokan, that partnership has been going strong for more than 20 years with annual shipments.

This year, the women have shipped 36 quilts, eight blankets, three afghans, nine pillow case dresses, 15 knitted pneumonia vests, eight knitted infant toques, 10 crocheted play balls, five bandages, one sheet, and one mattress cover.

Myrtle Main from LWMLC News

The 201523 1 THECanadian CANADIANLutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

Central District News News

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, NW Ontario Elaine Stanfel, editor Saskatchewan, Manitoba, NW Ontario Elaine Stanfel, editor

District church workers convene Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario KENORA, Ont. - As the Lord has called His people to gather together, district church workers in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario came together October 6-9 at Luther Village to grow in the knowledge of His Word, be strengthened by one another, and to share with one another trials and struggles, as well as joys and hope, in Christ.

There were 17 in attendance for the conference, and 12 unable to attend. The group’s time together began as participants gathered in God’s Word for opening worship.

District President Tom Prachar was the preacher and Rev. Cameron Schnarr the liturgist.

Sessions began Tuesday morning with devotions, followed by a presentation by Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) on his commentary on Ephesians. Dr. Winger held sessions throughout the day on Tuesday and concluded Wednesday morning. Throughout his presentations the group saw the importance of understanding the true meaning of God’s Word, and how this affects the lives of His people.

After a short business meeting, the conference closed with devotions and lunch. The next conference will be held again at Luther Village September 28-30, 2015.

Rev. Harold Borchardt

Ordination anniversary WINNIPEG - Rev. Dale Mohr, former Central District Mission Director and retired pastor in the Central District, this summer celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination. The district president delivered a gift and shared lunch with Rev. Mohr, who is homebound, along with catching up on district news.

Saskatchewan LUMSDEN, Sask. - From September 28-30, thirty-five pastors and deacons gathered for the 2014 Saskatchewan Church Workers Conference at St. Michael’s Retreat. (Five church workers sent notes of regret for not being able to attend.)

This year’s speaker was Rev. Dr. Paul Maier, Russell H. Seibert Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University. Dr. Maier presented an outstanding presentation on Christianity, its spread over the first three centuries, and some practical applications for today’s pastors and church workers. During his presentations Rev. Dr. Tom Winger addresses the he encouraged questions and was conference. (photo by Garry Heintz) happy to answer them all. His wealth of knowledge and his natural storytelling ability was a highlight of the conference.

District President Tom Prachar presented his president’s report the first night of the conference, and Amanda Hastings presented details about the upcoming Rev. Dr. Paul Maier engages participants. (photo by Jason Schultz) vice chairman, respectively, for the 2016 National Youth Gathering in St. 2015 Saskatchewan Church Workers Catharines, Ontario. At the business Conference. Under new business, an meeting on the final day of the overture was passed for the upcoming conference, Revs. Jeff Dul and Arron 2015 District Convention, Rev. Dr. Gust were elected as chairman and Maier was again thanked for his fantastic presentation, and the dates recognized for the 2015 Saskatchewan Church Workers Conference were set for September 27-29 at the same location.

Rev. Jeff Dul

Rev. Dale Mohr holds a coin from the Winnipeg Mint.

2 The 2015 24 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

Central District District News Central News

Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Manitoba, NW NW Ontario Ontario Elaine Elaine Stanfel, Stanfel, editor editor

The little white church in the country R.M. OF DUNDURN, Sask. - In 1905, a number of German Lutherans who came to settle in the Haultain District just south of Saskatoon formed a congregation and built a small church.

The first pastor arrived in the fall of 1906 and lived in a lean-to added to the church. In 1908, a larger church, Trinity, was built and remains on the site now. Over the next 60 years, 14 pastors served the congregation which eventually grew to more than 200 baptized members and held weekly services until 1965. With young people seeking employment elsewhere, the congregation became too small to operate and members merged with city congregations such as Our Savior, and later, A centennial Faith Lutheran.

So, sadly, the little church. white church stood empty, next to the cemetery. A Haultain committee continued to maintain the building, the grounds, and the cemetery, and

In time it became apparent that the “old work crew” was dwindling, putting in question the continued dedicated care of the building and its surroundings.

With that in mind, the congregation of Faith Lutheran, when approached by a Serbian Orthodox group to purchase the building, took a hard look and decided it was time.

Ending the association with a beloved church is never an easy decision and emotions were high, especially among those who had moved away and treasured memories of time spent in the country church. Common sense prevailed and the poster shows the building as it was when it was a Lutheran building was sold with the cemetery remaining summers often saw former members under the wings of Faith Lutheran. and friends in worship services in Renovations began, and in July the old church and at picnics in the of 2014, the Serbian congregation shade of the elms. held its first service at Saint Petka, a church that now bears the stamp of its new owners. However, as Faith St. James member celebrates 100 years pastor Rev. Rudy Pastucha said in his letter of congratulations: “Once WINNIPEG again the little church at Haultain Marie Simpson will ring with the sound of singing ( m i d d l e ) praises to Him, and His Word being c e l e b ra t e s h e r proclaimed.... May this time of 100th birthday rejoicing be one you will remember alongside her and treasure always, as you begin brother Andy worshiping in this place, and may Kurtz and sister God work through all of you to Christine Morris. celebrate His love for you and all Marie is a longwho gather for worship.” time member of St. An invitation to represent Faith James Lutheran, Lutheran was extended, and member and family and Jake Giesbrecht helped celebrate this friends gathered (including brothers Paul and Walter, joyful event. at Riverview Health to celebrate both in their 90s in B.C.) sent wellRenate Bishopp her birthday with cake, coffee, and wishes from afar. with history provided by Verna Pogoda old-time songs, while other family The 201525 3 THECanadian CANADIANLutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

Central District District News Central News

Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Manitoba, NW NW Ontario Ontario Elaine Elaine Stanfel, Stanfel, editor editor

Mortgage burning marks anniversary celebration ESTEVAN, Sask. - Members at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church gathered on September 14 to celebrate 50 years at their present site along with a mortgage burning for the addition of the new sanctuary to the original building. The special anniversary service, with District President Tom Prachar preaching, was followed by a fellowship dinner, attended by approximately 150 people.

Longest-standing St. Peter’s member Adeline Chase cuts the anniversary cake.

Congregational president Reg Jahn and Rev. Randy Kleemola burn the mortgage for the addition to the original building.

Ponderings from the president

Y

ou may be familiar with the short story, “The Gift of the Magi” written by American author William Sydney Porter in 1905. Or maybe you know him by his pen name, O. Henry. The story is a Christmas favourite that tells the poignant tale of a young married couple, Jim and Della Young, who want to buy each other the perfect Christmas gift. The problem: they don’t have a lot of money.

Jim used to make $30 a week, but now he brings home only $20. Della has scrimped and saved, but her savings look so measly: $1.87—“and sixty cents of it was in pennies.” What kind of Christmas gift could she buy for her husband with that paltry amount?

As Della contemplates her miserable situation, she is reduced to tears. While looking at her tear-stained face in a mirror, she considers what else she has of worth.

As she carefully lets down her hair which reaches to her knees, inspiration comes and a plan is formulated. She quickly proceeds to a local shop where she sells her hair for $20. After shopping for two hours, she finds a platinum fob chain to replace the worn leather strap of Jim’s gold pocket watch (next to Della, his most prized possession), which was handed down to him from his father and grandfather. The chain is simple and elegant, and costs only $21.

As she returns home, Della is filled with excitement, but also with a little trepidation. Conscious of her new hair style, she prays, “Please God, make him think I am still pretty.” When Jim arrives home, he contemplates his wife in stunned silence. After a few moments, Jim takes Della in his arms. He then takes a package from his coat, tosses it onto the kitchen table, and says to Della, “I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.

4 The 2015 26 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

But if you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.”

She opens her Christmas gift to find a set of expensive, tortoise-shell combs she had longingly eyed in a local shop window. Of course, Jim paid for her gift by selling his beloved gold pocket watch.

O. Henry concludes his story with these words: “The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.”

Our gracious, heavenly Father loved the people of our sinful world to such an extent that He gave the perfect Christmas gift in the person of His Son, Jesus who would save people from their sin, and thereby bring joy and peace to the people He loves. His love motivates us to love Him and the people around us by sharing gifts with others at Christmas. Sometimes that love can be a sacrificial love—it can look foolish in its extravagance—as we give our most precious possession in order to bring joy to someone we love. Like Jim and Della, it is the gift of love and not the material gift that matters most. It is the love of Christ working in us that shows us to be wise—wise as the Magi—as we share with others this Christmas the gift of His wonderful love.

Rev. Thomas Prachar

Central District News News

Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Manitoba, NW NW Ontario Ontario Elaine Elaine Stanfel, Stanfel, editor editor

Sachigo LAMP mission trip WINNIPEG - For one week in August a team of 12 volunteers from Peace Lutheran Church went on a LAMP fly-in mission trip to Sachigo Lake in northern Ontario. A children’s Christian day camp was the focus of the group, with plans for five half days of organized Bible lessons, crafts, games, singing, snacks, and puppets.

Team members were welcomed by the chief and band council members as well as many of the children and parents in the community. Lastminute arrangements were made for the group to stay in the community’s teacherage—a duplex with the use of both suites for all 12 members.

This served as a central place for preparing for the day camp, daily devotions, meals, and sleeping.

Before the start of the day camp and throughout the entire week the group was granted access to the community radio station to make announcements and also to run a 3-hour-long program on Sunday evening.

The following five days of the children’s day camp flew by.

Some 83 children attended with an average daily attendance of 50, where children came to hang out with the team and participate in crafts, puppet shows, group singing, Bible stories, and games. The first day left the volunteers absolutely exhausted. There were 55 kids and as kids do, they tested their boundaries and tested the leaders. But they were all very excited and the overall atmosphere was very chaotic but positive. The team was very flexible to accommodate all the difficulties and pressures.

During the week most evenings were spent swimming with the community children at the community dock, playing baseball against the 10-to-12-year-olds, playing volleyball with the adults, or just hanging out with people at one of the community concession stores.

Sunday morning worship service was at one of the local churches

(there are three Christian churches).

It was a very traditional service with the message and singing mostly in Cree.

On the last evening the elders of the community hosted a potluck dinner, and after eating their fill of bannock, spaghetti, pulled pork, and lentil soup, the elders had some nice words about having the LAMP group there and how much they appreciated it. Each elder spoke, some in Cree with an interpreter, about their heritage and the need for help with their younger generation.

They invited the group to come back next summer.

On the final morning, the group had their devotions on the dock along with a few Sachigo teens then moved on to the little community airport to wait for the departure home.

It was agreed by all that the trip was simply amazing. Everyone had a great time serving the Lord and met some very special kids. The group

Top: Mission trip members. Bottom: Team members in the plane.

looks forward to other opportunities that the Lord will provide for service to this community in the future years. Now begins the planning and fundraising for next year’s visit.

Sandi Bjorgum and Lil Kozussek

Rice pudding and candlelight where families gather at dusk on THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Members Christmas Eve. Lighted ice candles at Lappe Lutheran congregation and other long-lasting ones are placed will once again celebrate two on the graves of family members or traditional Finnish Christmas friends. A brief service follows and customs which they have done for concludes with the singing of “Silent more than 40 years.

Night.” The flickering candles Pikku Joulu (Little Christmas) usually last through the night and ushers in the Advent season. For this passers-by stop to admire the peace festive occasion the church dining and tranquility this brings to the area is decorated with many candles, holy night. colourful tablecloths, and ornaments.

Agnes Huotari Home-made rice pudding with various fruit sauces and other delicacies are offered.

Following the meal, lights are dimmed and all the candles are lit, while both English and Finnish carols are sung and messages given by the pastor and visiting Finnish pastor.

The second event takes place at the L a p p e C e m e t e r y Gravestones are illuminated by flickering candlelight.

The 201527 5 THECanadian CANADIANLutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

Central District District News Central News

Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Manitoba, NW NW Ontario Ontario Elaine Elaine Stanfel, Stanfel, editor editor

Church closing marks end of an era that a congregation in Kamsack. It was south of Calder was their hard work, disbanding and a dedication, prayers, church was available. and countless With a $2,500 loan hours and years of from the mission volunteerism that board this historical were passed on to church dating back the members that to 1903 was moved followed in the to Kamsack. The years to come. They church was built 111 instilled the church years ago at a cost of Peace Lutheran Church “family” and it is $1,200. The current that family that will building was acquired from Grace live in the hearts of members past Lutheran Church near MacNutt and and present, near and far, for years moved to Kamsack during the winter to come. of 1962. It was placed on a basement Peace Lutheran congregation was and altered to what it is today. The the last of the CKT Parish (Saving church was dedicated in November Grace, Canora/Peace, Kamsack/St. 1963 by Rev. J. Meischsner. At Paul, Togo) to close its doors. Saving the time the congregation had 31 Grace, Canora closed September communicant members and 20 1, 2013 and St. Paul, Togo closed children.

September 8, 2013. Remaining During the years that followed members have been encouraged to landscaping of the church grounds transfer their membership to area was completed as well as an congregations of Lutheran Church– additional adjoining lot purchased.

Canada, including Zion, Yorkton; Average attendance in the early years Grace, Zorra, St. Matthew’s, Roblin; was 45 members. and St. Paul’s, Springside.

The members of the CKT parish In the 51 years of Peace Lutheran thank God for the blessings He church there have been marriages, gave to the people who were part births, baptisms, confirmations, and of these congregations and for the funerals. The church had a strong opportunity of proclaiming the Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women’s saving message of Christ and Him Missionary League, and a Lutheran crucified and resurrected for sinners.

Laymen’s League. Vacation Bible Sherry Guenther, schools were held in the summer with notes from Rev. Barry Wood months, garage sales, potluck meals, picnics, bake sales, fall suppers, Bible studies, missionary work, camp Visit the Central District website cleanups, memorable Christmas at www.lcccentral.ca concerts, and so many more activities too numerous to mention.

Send news, photos, articles So, on Thanksgiving Day the and announcements six weeks congregation took time to give thanks prior to publication month. and celebrate all the individuals who Elaine Stanfel, district editor had a dream for a Lutheran Church 509 Airport Road, Pembroke, ON K8A6W7 District convention planned 613-687-6620 E-mail: elaine.stanfel@ The Tenth (49th) Regular Convention Theme: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray,” gmail.com of Lutheran Church–Canada Central Luke 11:1. Guest Speaker: Rev. District will be held April 13-16, Dr. James R. Gimbel, President, Next deadline: 2015, at the Delta Bessborough, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, January 10, 2015 Saskatoon.

Edmonton.

KAMSACK, Sask. - With heavy hearts and much sadness members of Peace Lutheran Church decided to close its doors after 51 years in the Town of Kamsack. On Sunday, October 12, Rev. Raymond Maher (emeritus, Melville) led the congregation in the last service in the church that has been at the corner of Wallace and Dixon for five decades.

It had been a long journey to get to this date, many years of staying afloat to keep the doors open for a small congregation. However due to a lack of attendance of members past and present and the overall cost of operating a parish, the current members of the congregation decided it was time to put the church for sale and disband the congregation.

The congregation extended an invitation to the community to the final service. Rev. Barry Wood, former pastor of the congregation and Assiniboine Circuit Counsellor represented the district and presided over the rite of Closing a Congregation.

Peace Lutheran Church has a long history in the community. In 194546 part of a vacant house owned by the late Ernest Becker situated 10 miles northwest of Stornoway was used for services. Many of the items that are common to a church such as the pulpit, benches, altar, and organ were donated by the Stornoway congregation as they were building a new church.

A s t i m e we n t o n a n d t h e congregation grew older, many retired people moved to Kamsack.

In 1953 they rented the Anglican church and began to hold Lutheran services twice a month. In January of 1962 the congregation began pursuing the possibility of moving a church into Kamsack. They found out

6 The 2015 28 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December November/December 2014

East District News News East District

Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Ilene Fortin, editor Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Ilene Fortin, editor

Road rally boasts plenty of winners ELMIRA, Ont. - Members of St. Paul’s, Elmira; Redeemer, Waterloo; and Christ Our King, Mississauga competed in the 4th Annual St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Road Rally on October 4. The rally awarded points and prizes to the team with the closest to the actual course time, the closest to the course distance, the quickest to solve a Bible-related challenge, and the most pledges raised. Additionally, the team with the highest overall points, Stephen and Rhonda Klinck of Elmira, won prizes and will have their names added to a Road Rally trophy. Following the rally, participants enjoyed fellowship and a spectacular dinner.

The biggest winners of the rally, however, are the members of the Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua, LCC’s sister synod in

Nicaragua. The rally, organized by Geoff and Ruthann Moore of St. Paul’s, is an annual fundraising event for the St. Paul’s and Redeemer mission trips to Nicaragua. This coming January, 20 members of the two congregations will be joined by six others (from Pilgrim, Hamilton; Historic St. Paul’s, Kitchener; Christ Our King, Mississauga; and Grace, Oshawa) to travel to Nicaragua. The 26-member team will be assisting with four vacation Bible school programs in Leon and Telica, as well as helping with badly-needed renovations to the worship facility in Cartonera. This year’s road rally raised approximately $2,700, including a $500 grant from FaithLife Financial.

Stephen and Rhonda Klinck of Elmira won prizes and will have their names added to St. Paul’s Road Rally trophy.

Rev. Richard Frey

Man up!

KITCHENER, Ont. - Rev. Christopher Bodley (LCMS), Missionary-atLarge, Detroit, led the 30th annual Men’s Retreat hosted by the elders of Holy Cross Lutheran Church January 31 to February 1, 2014 at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre. Thirty-two men from Holy Cross, other East District congregations, and friends of members attended the retreat. Rev. Bodley highlighted that everyone hasa “kingdom assignment,” as by God’s grace we are saved through faith in Christ Jesus and we are God’s people created in Christ for good works which He has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:8-10). The Holy Spirit moves men of faith to refocus and step off the comfortable path and empower men to seek opportunities to serve others in need while providing the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.

The inner city mission work undertaken as part of Rev. Bodley’s call in Detroit involved polling local residents for areas of service that were in need. He highlighted the

numerous outreach opportunities Christians have with international communities and with people in need in their own cities including: Englishas-a-second language conversation circles, sports camps, cultural diversity training, food banks, homeless ministry, a n d i m m i g ra t i o n Rev. Christopher Bodley addresses the Men’s Retreat. a s s i s t a n c e. H e highlighted that God is bringing Sphere of Influence” by Rev. Dr. people from other countries into James Gimbel, President, Concordia congregations’ local neighbourhoods, Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton. A so they do not have an excuse for not poster and more info is available at serving in the mission field. www.lcceast.ca (calendar). Men who The Men’s Retreat hosted by are interested in being added to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church is held circulation list for the retreat can every January. The elders of Holy contact Holy Cross Lutheran Church Cross invite LCC members to the at 519-742-5812 or email d2zehr@ next annual Men’s Retreat at the rogers.com.

Guelph Bible Conference Centre Delton Zehr when the topic will be, “God’s Man: CANADIAN LUTHERANNovember/December November/December 2014 TheTHE Canadian Lutheran 2014 29 1

East East District News

Ontario, Ontario, Quebec, Quebec, New New Brunswick, Brunswick, Nova Nova Scotia Scotia Ilene Ilene Fortin, Fortin, editor editor

Collingwood congregation celebrates 25 years of blessings COLLINGWOOD, Ont. - Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church was blessed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the church on September 28. The day was filled with worship, beginning with Rev. Paul Zabel, East District President, preaching God’s Word to 98 members and guests.

Following the service, harpist and speaker Eduard Klassen performed in concert, sharing his outstanding gifts and his faith. Eduard is a Paraguayan folk harpist now living in Canada, who has presented more than 3,500 music concerts in 23 countries. A typical concert presentation by Klassen includes a variety of Christian harp music from South America, North America and Europe, interspersed with personal testimony and stories of God’s work in his life, from boyhood in the wilderness of Paraguay to the

Four of Christ Our Hope’s longest serving members: (l-r) Ruth and Robert Klages, and Jim and Linda Hamill.

present. Eduard’s natural sense of humour helps him to develop an excellent rapport with audiences wherever he goes.

The day concluded with dinner

and fellowship. The congregation is enthusiastically looking forward to how the Lord will bless them in the next 25 years.

Linda Long

Oh, Sing to the Lord an old song?

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - We have probably all heard about ancient music but the 79 members of the Seminary Guild and community actually had a chance to hear—and even try singing—some at the annual Harvest Day, held Saturday, October 18. Guest presenters were Daniel Lantz and members of The Society for the Archaeology of Ancient Music, a student club at Wilfrid Laurier University Members of the Society for the Archaeology of Ancient Music in Waterloo. performed.

Other activities that greet, meet, and eat morning included a student-led with their adopted worship service with Concordia students. (For more Seminary Student Association information on this president, Paul Schulz, as the program, please preacher. A brief business meeting c o n t a c t Re v. D r. resolved to continue refurbishing William Mundt, Dean the seminary’s wooden chairs in of Students.) the library and seminar room. And The day began a delicious catered lunch provided with students guild members the opportunity to

2 The November/December 2014 30 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December 2014

unloading donations of groceries for the seminary food bank.

“All this care and support,” one new student remarked, “was a great surprise and a little overwhelming.”

Source: concordiastcatharines. wordpress.com

Guild Executive (l-r) Judy Zastrow, Nancy Bryans, Bonnie Stephenson

East East District District News News

Ontario, Ontario, Quebec, Quebec, New New Brunswick, Brunswick, Nova Nova Scotia Scotia Ilene Ilene Fortin, Fortin, editor editor

Culture Clash: A one-day conference on “Militant Secularism” Stephenson from Concordia, retired Anglican Bishop Donald Harvey from Newfoundland, D r.

J o e l Lehenbauer from the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and Panel Discussion (l-r): Very Rev. Jonathan Riches, Rev. Dr. Joel D r. J o n a t h a n Lehenbauer, Rt. Rev. Dr. Donald Harvey, Rev. Dr. John Stephenson Riches from the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in victims as well as products since Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. they were often deprived of insights During the presentations and and experiences common in former panel discussion it became clear that generations. Nevertheless, Dr. the 1960s were the pivotal years. This Lehenbauer pointed out, there is was a time when secularists seemed still hope. Perhaps at no other time to be making progress, perhaps, as has North American culture so Bishop Harvey noted, because they closely approximated the days of encountered too little resistance the early church. Then, and we pray from Christians. Dr. Stephenson now, the indifference and increasing noted that those growing up during hostility directed at the Christians this era might rightly be considered provides a stimulus for Christian witness and renewal. Dr. Riches further underscored the importance churches and Christians not Oromo congregation holds confirmation and of becoming too complacent or too first communion service quietistic, but daring to continue confessing Jesus Christ as Lord.

The full program, including lectures, is available to download in audio format. See article and photos with links at www. concoridastcatharines.wordpress. com.

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - What is a believer to do when surrounded by a host of “isms” seeking to silence and to undermine historic Christian faith and teachings? What should churches do when they find themselves on a collision course with sweeping cultural changes affecting mindset, morals and the meaning of life? Should believers and their churches try to coexist peacefully?

Withdraw from the world? Change the world?

These were some of the issues considered at a one-day conference at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary on Thursday, October 16. Representatives of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC), the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) reflected on “Militant Secularism: Its Cause, Cost and Cure.” Special thanks to Terry Bodnar of FI Capital for sponsoring the event.

The presenters were Dr. John

Sourced with permission from Concordia, St. Catharines e-newsletter

photo by Tom Huras TORONTO, Ont. - A confirmation and first communion service for members of the Oromo congregation was held on Sunday, October 19 at

Trinity Lutheran Church in Toronto.

Rev. Ling Pui (LP) Yeong of Trinity Lutheran Church officiated.

LCC President Robert Bugbee welcomes guests.

Daniel Dagago HE CANADIAN LUTHERANNovember/December November/December 2014 TheTCanadian Lutheran 2014 31 3

East District News News East District

Ontario, Ontario, Quebec, Quebec, New New Brunswick, Brunswick, Nova Nova Scotia Scotia Ilene Ilene Fortin, Fortin, editor editor

Lutherans gather in musical celebration of Luther OTTAWA, Ont. - N i n e l o c a l Lutheran congregations gathered for LutherFest, a joint Reformation celebration of Martin Luther’s music, life and work, on November 1 at All Saints Lutheran Church (ELCIC). A massed choir under the direction of Karen Holmes (St. Peter’s, ELCIC) sang six of Luther’s compositions, including “A Mighty Fortress” in Luther’s original syncopated rhythm, and “Out of the Depths,” performed

both at Luther’s funeral and that of his patron, Elector Frederick the Wise. Joint Masters of Ceremony Ken Currie (Christ Risen, LCC) and Rev. Martin Malina (Faith, ELCIC) introduced the pieces and commented on their historical significance.

In addition, the choir performed a Bach chorale harmonization of Luther’s “In Peace and Joy I Now Depart,” and Elaine Graham (St. Peter’s, ELCIC) performed two organ

preludes inspired by Luther’s music.

The audience was invited to take part in several of the works, in the spirit of Luther’s encouragement of congregational singing. After the music, a reception gave an opportunity to try some of the ethnic specialty foods on offer, and to mingle with fellow Lutherans. Mara Zarins (Peace Latvian) entertained with the kokle, a Latvian folk instrument continued next page

From the president

“ There’s music in the air!” he Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my hear t exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. (Psalm 28:7) I truly enjoy listening to music. And, to be honest, I enjoy a variety of types of music. Whenever I am travelling in a car and there is an unexpected delay for whatever reason, I simply turn the volume up a notch or two and scan through the different radio stations until I come upon a familiar or a catchy tune.

During this time of year there are a number of radio stations that have altered their regular programming format to play solely Christmas music. While I am aware of the fact that there are a number of scrooges who grouse and complain and perhaps respond with a “bah-humbug” to anything and everything pertaining to the celebration of Christmas – I, for the most part, regard it as one of the most wonderful times of the year.

This year—and quite unlike my normal practice of waiting until the last minute and avoiding shopping malls like the plague—I found myself most recently in a shopping mall of sorts and rather enjoying it. Part of the reason for my enjoyment was because, in the centre of the particular shopping mall I was in, there was a group of singers, beautifully gowned, singing Christmas carols.

They were singing as if the message they were sharing really came from the bottom of their hearts. As I stood there watching them, the thought occurred to me, that perhaps this old world in which we live is not quite as bad as we may think! And, that contrary to what many would have us believe, there still is hope! If only everyone who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour from sin and

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4 The November/December 2014 32 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December 2014

His message of love and salvation would keep singing it—not only on a Sunday but in the middle of every busy working day. And if that happened, that message would incorporate itself into our actions, into the way that we interact with others, and even lead others to stop and at least think about who Jesus is and why He came.

Another event or tradition that I know is becoming less and less practised with our celebrations surrounding Christmas is the gathering of groups within our churches that give of their time to go about singing Christmas carols to the congregational members and shut-ins who do not have the opportunity of sharing in the beautiful Christmas worship services. Here is another event which gives me hope for the future. This is especially true when I witness many of the young people in our congregations who not only have the song in their own hearts, but in their multitude of tasks and activities feel that it is important enough for them to take the time to let the melodies of the Christmas carols and hymns adorn and light up the lives of others.

As we celebrate Christmas once again this year, what a joy to know that the Lord came with the specific purpose of going to the cross to suffer and die there for our sins so that each of us may be brought near to Him and into His kingdom both here on earth and in eternity. As we celebrate Christ this Christmas, are we experiencing His joy? His peace? Are we experiencing Him? Are we following Him? Are we sharing that joy and peace that we have in our relationship with Him with others?

Merry Christmas! I pray that the true meaning of Christ’s coming will fill your heart with joy this season!

Rev. Paul Zabel

East East District News

Ontario, Ontario, Quebec, Quebec, New New Brunswick, Brunswick, Nova Nova Scotia Scotia Ilene Ilene Fortin, Fortin, editor editor

Christ Our King hosts monthly ladies dinner Lutherfest, continued somewhat resembling a ukulele.

There was a high degree of enthusiasm for the venture, and numerous questions about why it had been more than twenty years since the last joint celebration. An organizing committee hopes to make the event an annual one, with the aim of a much larger celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

Ken Currie

The women of Christ Our King Lutheran Church gather monthly to grow in faith and friendship.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - The women of Christ Our King Lutheran Church have enjoyed the blessing of attending a monthly ladies’ dinner and Bible study for the past few years, with about 20 to 25 attending regularly. For each of these dinners a few volunteers (rotating monthly) prepare a main course accompanied by salads and

desserts. The participants receive a delicious meal with a night of laughter, compassion, prayer, and Bible studies with different topics throughout the year.

It is a wonderful occasion to see each and every person, young and those who were younger, to talk about their week and the Lord. The women encourage readers to share

their faith in the Lord with friends and neighbours and to invite them to similar events in local congregations.

The group has also published a cookbook with proceeds going to support missions in Nicaragua.

Elina Isic

Meet me at the fair

Class members Sue Knowles, Andrew Cottrill, Roland Starke, and Paul Schulz, along with Dr Mundt in front of the fair booth.

SIMCOE, Ont. - On Tuesday, October 7, Rev. Dr. William Mundt, professor at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, and the Evangelism in

the Parish class spent the day at the Norfolk County Fair.

They were not there for the pie judging, the carnival rides, or even

the intense rivalry played out in various competitions between area high schools. It was “youth day” and that meant lots of children and youth wandering through the exhibit halls.

Many could be coaxed into spinning a wheel and answering a Bible trivia question in hopes of winning an apple or one of the other prizes available in the Lutheran Churches of Haldimand booth. Lutheran Hour Ministries provided the materials, including free DVDs for daily draws.

Such in-the-field practice is always part of the Evangelism class and varies from year to year. The goal is to assist a district congregation with its own ongoing outreach efforts. This year the class is working with Rev. Dan Abraham and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Simcoe.

Source: concordiastcatharines.wordpress.com

CANADIAN LUTHERANNovember/December November/December 2014 TheTHE Canadian Lutheran 2014 33 5

East East District News

Ontario, Ontario, Quebec, Quebec, New New Brunswick, Brunswick, Nova Nova Scotia Scotia Ilene Ilene Fortin, Fortin, editor editor

Sherbrook Mission relocates

Pastors wives gather in retreat

(back, l-r) Linda Makey, Jean Wagner, Elizabeth Schroth, Debbie Gajdos, Barbara Patzer, Liz Krestick, Rosanne Frey, Pat Geick, Elaine Stanfel, Linda Lantz, Myra Castillo, Nancy Putzman, Ardith Pollex; (front, l-r) Helga Danielson, Roz Kays, Rebekah Voege, Nancy Bryans, Mary Deng, Pastor Dan Abraham. Not pictured: Anita Syens

The Centre de Documentation et d’Étude Chrétienne (CDEC) and Église Évangélique Luthérienne de La Réconciliation have moved to a new location at 473 rue Bowen Sud, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2C8. Rev. Razafy Razafindrakoto is shown here setting up the new bookshelves at the Bowen street location. He has served this French language mission since 2005. Luthérienne de la Réconciliation was organized in 2010 and is also served by Rev. Razafindrakoto.

GUELPH, Ont. - The 2014 Pastors’ Wives Retreat was held September 12 and 13 at Guelph Bible Conference Centre. Nineteen women received “Encouragement from the Word” and from each other. Organizers wish to thank Rev. Dan Abraham, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Simcoe and London circuit counsellor, for his entertaining and encouraging presentation on King Hezekiah. They also thank the East District for their contribution toward this opportunity for the wives to be together.

Pastors’ wives are asked to mark September 18-19, 2015 on their calendars for next year’s retreat. The theme will be “Perfect Peace,” based on Jesus’ words in John 14:27.

New Ontario tri-parish installs pastor HANOVER, Ont. - The East District Board of Directors, at its September 29 meeting, ratified the establishment of the first tri-parish in Ontario.

The dual parish of Grace Lutheran Church, Kincardine and Southampton Lutheran Church, Southampton, have now officially merged with First St. Matthew, Hanover.

Rev. Robert Clifford who Attending the Service of Installation were (l-r) previously served the dual Revs. Brian Dunlop, Kurt Reinhardt, Robert Bruer, congregations of Kincardine/ Robert Clifford, Jody Rinas, Ron Mohr, David Saar, Southampton, was installed Ken Maher.

October 19 as the shepherd for all three congregations. Congregation Ron Mohr. Several area pastors members witnessed the Rite of participated in the service. Fellowship Installation which was performed and refreshments followed.

by Second Vice President, Rev.

6 The November/December 2014 34 THECanadian CANADIAN Lutheran LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Debbie Gajdos

District convention The district convention for LCC East District is planned for May 3-6, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener, Ont..

Visit the East District website at www.lcceastdistrict.ca Send news, photos, articles and announcements six weeks prior to publication month.

Ilene Fortin, district editor East District Office 275 Lawrence Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario N2M 1Y3 E-mail:

ilene@lcceast.ca

Fax: 519-578-3369

Next deadline: January 10, 2015

Mission Update New Regional Mission and Diaconal Supervisors for Central America NICARAGUA - On October 2 6 , 2 01 4 Rev. E d m u n d and Deacon Cherie Auger were installed as Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) regional Mission and Diaconal supervisors for Central America at a special service at the Mission Centre in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

The installation was officiated over by the p re s i d e n t s o f L u t h e ra n Church–Canada and Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN), Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee and Rev. Marvin Antonio Donario Picado. The Augers themselves are members of The Lutheran Church— Rev. Edmund and Deaconess Cherie Auger face the congregation following their installation.

Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Also present were all of Jesus Christ for bringing the Augers are bold to confess, sing and repeat Nicaragua’s Lutheran church to serve in this full-time ministry.”

Luther’s hymn as our march of faith workers and vicars, representatives The installation took place in under the shadow of the cross of from all congregations, special guests the spirit of the Reformation, with Jesus and in confidence: from Lutheran Hour Ministries lessons and hymns focused on this (U.S.A.) and Christ for All Nations theme. President Bugbee delivered With might of ours can (Nicaragua’s Lutheran Hour), as well a message on Acts 12:24—“But naught be done, Soon were our as LCC’s Mission Executive, Rev. Dr. the Word of God increased and loss effected; But for us fights Leonardo Neitzel. multiplied.” President Donaire’s the Valiant One, Whom God The job details of Rev. and message focused on the unity of Himself elected. Ask ye, Who Deacon Auger are formulated in a the Holy Trinity, the church as the is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of protocol agreement signed earlier Una Sancta (“one holy” Church), Sabaoth Lord, and there’s this year between LCC, the ILSN, and thanking God for the unity of none other God; He holds the and the LCMS. They will build on the ILSN, LCC, and LCMS working field forever.” the work of Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, together in mission for Central (LSB 656) President Emeritus of LCC, who has America. long served as Mission Overseer in “The Lord of the Church continues the region in a voluntary role. The to open doors for the proclamation of Augers will focus on the oversight the Gospel in Central America,” Dr. LCC’s Mission Work and development of LCC’s mission, Neitzel said. “The ILSN, LCMS, and education, social, and diaconal LCC are aware of this, and by God’s Fo r i n f o r m a t i o n o n ministries, as well as on additional grace want to join efforts that the LCC’s missions, visit projects and programs under the Gospel would be proclaimed together LutheranChurch.ca. You purview of LCC’s Committee for through each congregation, church can support LCC’s missions Missions and Social Ministry worker, and individual member. We through online giving, or by Services. This work is all done in know there are many challenges and sending donations by mail: consultation and collaboration with difficulties in this work but we rely the ILSN. on God’s grace to bring it to fruition.”

Lutheran Church–Canada “The Augers have been warmly “Following in the steps of Martin 3074 Portage Avenue received and welcomed into the Luther, our churches are bold to Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2 mission field by the church and continue confessing Christ alone, Canada mission,” said Dr. Neitzel. “The Grace alone, Scripture alone, and people give thanks and praise to Faith alone,” he continued. “We THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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Mission Update New Nicaraguan mission plant in 2015 NICARAGUA - On October 21, Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Executive for Missions and Social Ministry, met in Managua with Nicaraguan church leaders to discuss the creation of a new mission plant. Present for the meetings were Rev. Edmund Auger (LCC’s new regional mission overseer), and Rev. Dr. Nilo Figur and Licenciado Ricardo Arguello, representatives of Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (CPTN—the Nicaraguan Lutheran Hour).

This was a second meeting between these leaders and was preceded by on-site survey visits to examine the possibility of establishing a LCC mission site jointly with the office of the CPTLN in Managua in 2015.

Two promising suburbs have been surveyed: Bello Horizonte and Jardines de Santa Clara. These are well-known areas, easily accessible, and the people there already have connections established by previous missionary work.

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Church leaders look over a map of Managua as they consider potential mission plant sites.

“LCC trusts that the Lord Jesus will continue to assist us in the survey stage, the starting of the project, and the interview call process as we seek to commission a missionary

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

for Managua,” said Dr. Neitzel. “We pray and trust that LCC’s members, churches, and service organizations will pray and financially support this new mission start in 2015.”

Education Report Edmonton seminary suffers fire

Left: Some of the damage in the library. Photo taken by CLS Registrar Jeffrey Nachtigall, late November 12. Right: Cleaning in process at the seminary around November 25.

EDMONTON - On the evening of November 12, a fire broke out in the library basement of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton. A day later, President James Gimbel released a letter updating supporters on the damage. “Sadly,” he explains, “it appears that the fire was neither accidental nor structural” in origin.

“We are so thankful to God for the fact that there were no injuries from the fire in the library basement,” President Gimbel writes. But while there were no injuries, and structural damage is considered minimal, there is heavy soot and smoke damage. He also writes that burned wiring in one area has caused problems for the heating unit, leaving the seminary cold.

An investigation into the fire began in earnest November 13. The same day the seminary’s insurance adjuster visited the site, along with a cleanup reclamation team to help form a building recovery plan.

On Friday, November 14, staff and faculty from CLS and Concordia University College of Alberta (CUCA) moved necessary items from seminary offices so that they could be cleaned.

Access to the building following that was very limited, in order to prevent recontamination of cleaned areas as well as to prevent staff exposure to cleaning agents (such as heavy ozone).

In the meantime, the seminary continued to operate—just not in its building. “The Seminary, like the church, is really the people not the building,” President Gimbel notes in his letter. Thanks to space provided by the Alberta-British Columbia District office, classes began again the evening of November 13.

On November 25, the staff and students of Concordia Lutheran Seminary officially returned to the seminary building.

“Psalm 137:3 reflects the spirit of what we’ve gone through,” explains President Gimbel in a letter after the move back. “Like those in Babylonian exile, it is hard to ‘sing one of the songs of Zion… in a foreign land.’ It just isn’t the same. Yet we are thankful that we can sing praise to God, who is everywhere, from anywhere.”

“In Ezra’s day, when the rebuilt (second) temple was seen by those returning from exile, there were two kinds of tears: those of joy over the return and restoration mixed with and indistinguishable from the tears of sorrow in the memories of what had been lost (Ezra 3:13),” he continued.

“We may have a mixture of tears as well. We are back home, but it isn’t yet quite the same.”

Among those things that are “not quite the same” is the library, which will likely remain closed for the rest

of the calendar year and possibly into 2015. Study areas are also currently unusable as they are still being cleaned (the Eberhardt Room is being made available for study space when it is not being used for class). And while some of the supplies in the food pantry were clean and useable, other items were not salvageable. Still, “God has provided,” President Gimbel noted.

“He will re-provide.”

The seminary community takes comfort in the knowledge that God is in control of all situations, even this one. “I am confident that God has used this for growth and good, whether we see blessing in its outcome today or not,” President Gimbel explained.

“As always, things for God’s people ultimately point to Christ, who “did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, but humbled himself” (Philippians 2:6) to come to earth, displaced for us. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15); He will help us in our time of need.”

News of the fire has resulted in an outpouring of prayers and messages of support from across Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC). Synod asks its members across the nation to continue to keep CLS in prayer, both in private prayer and in the public worship of congregations, as they continue to recover from the fire.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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Education Report New resources for diaconal and pastoral recruitment

A new recruitment poster produced by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary. It’s available to download at www.isgodcallingme.ca

CANADA - Efforts are currently underway to draw together various recruitment resources for

use in Lutheran Church–Canada congregations and schools. Rev. Jim Fritsche, co-ordinator for the project,

Pastor’s Desk Diary now available CANADA - Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) is again pleased to offer to the church the annual Pastor’s Desk Diary.

The diary contains readings from the three-year and one-year lectionaries, including variants for the major Lutheran churches in Canada (Lutheran Church–Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). Based on the original work of Thrivent Financial in the United States, the diary has been adapted to the Canadian calendar.

Although the seminary can no longer offer the diary for free, the cost has been kept to $19 (plus shipping and GST) through the support of advertisers. The diary is available through www.lulu.ca, an online, print-on-demand service.

You can order your diary online and it will be shipped directly to you. Visit www.lulu.ca and search “Pastor’s Desk Diary” or follow this direct link: www.lulu.com/

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content/paperback-book/lutheranpastors-desk-diary-2015/15517953.

The base shipping cost in Canada is $5.99 but there are quantity discounts available if you can put an order together with other pastors or church workers.

(It’s always worthwhile to check Lulu’s website for specials like discounts and free shipping.)

The seminary ask you to please note that you must order the diary yourself. The seminary produces the diary as a service to the church and does not make a profit. As a result, the seminary’s paid staff cannot be ex p e c t e d t o order the diary for you. If you have difficulty with online ordering, please ask for help from a family member or parishioner.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

explained that the resources include the existing “is God calling me?” testimonial project produced by the Alberta British Columbia district, a series of posters being produced by the St. Catharine’s Seminary (see another example on the backcover of this issue of The Canadian Lutheran), and an updating of the RSVP recruitment initiative.

“We are making these resources available to help congregations strengthen their efforts at identifying and recruiting church workers for our Lord’s vineyard,” Rev. Fritsche explained.

Po s t e r s a n d t e s t i m o n i a l s are currently available at the isgodcallingme.ca website. Revised RSVP resources will be available soon for use this coming January.

Be sure to check out the webpage www.isgodcallingme.ca.

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EDIA atters

Partnering with You in HIS mission

News about Lutheran Hour Ministries from the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada

www.LLL.ca

2014

LLL Canada now serves LCC as an auxiliary organization

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utheran Church – Canada approved the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada as its fourth auxiliary during the national synodical convention in Vancouver in June 2014. The other auxiliaries are: Int’l Lutheran Laymen’s League; Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada; and the Concordia Lutheran Mission Society.

“While having this

auxiliary status won’t change our day-to-day operations significantly, we very much appreciate the encouragement this action by the members of Lutheran Church – Canada has given to us” says Stephen Klinck, Managing Director for LLL Canada. “We will continue to seek additional ways to partner with the members of Synod in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

CPTLN dedicates re-located office in Leon, Nicaragua

LLL Canada President, Fred Jarvis, was one of the friendly faces answering questions at the Lutheran Hour Ministries’ display that Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada had at the LCC convention in Vancouver in June.

Home for the Holidays: daily Advent devotions

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ake a nostalgic journey to the days of Christmases past with Rev. Wayne Palmer in Lutheran Hour Ministries’ 2015 Advent devotion series “Home for the Holidays.”

Many Lutheran Church – Canada congregations have requested printed copies of the daily devotion booklets but you can request an individual copy from the LLL Canada office at 1-800-555-6236 or by e-mail helpful@LLL.ca . The devotions are available on-line at www.lhm.org/advent (English) or www.LLL.ca/booklets/french (French). A different series of devotions is available in Spanish at www.paraelcamino.com/adviento .

Name of Churc h, Street Address, City, State, ZIP, Phone

Rev. Robert Bugbee, president of Lutheran Church – Canada (centre) participated in the dedication of the new CPTLN (Lutheran Hour Ministries) office in Leon Nicaragua in October. Ricardo Arguello, the Director of CPTLN (LHM) Nicaragua and Rev. Nilo Figur (right) who is LHM’s Area Counsellor for Latin America look on. LLL Canada participates in Gospel outreach work in Nicaragua in cooperation with CPTLN, LHM Int’l and Lutheran Church - Canada.

Media Matters 2014

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Positive and thankful

Resources en française from LHM Canada

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ne way Canadians contribute to the global work of Lutheran Hour Ministries is by translating LHM booklets and other resources into various languages for use not only in Canada but around the globe.

Recently completed French translations include: the 2015 Advent devotions; several Project Connect booklets, What Happens When I Die, Forgiveness is A Choice, and Comebacks; as well

as the brochure “What Lutherans Believe.”

“The LHM initiative represents an explosion in the numbers of titles in French in a short span,” wrote Rev. David Somers of Montreal. “The mere interest in providing French materials is encouraging.

One development partially sparked by the printing is the re-activation of a Lutheran literature counter in a Christian café in SaintJean-sure-

Richelieu. Thank you!”

Check out pdfs of these resources, as well as others in Chinese and Spanish at www.LLL.ca/booklets and then share the information with a friend. Printed copies of the French resources, except the Advent devotions, are also available through the LLL Canada office.

How can we be positive and even thankful in a world that seems to grow harsher and more hopeless? asked guest speaker, the Rev. Ron Mohr in his Lutheran Hour message for Canadian Thanksgiving.

If you missed the message or would just like to hear it again you can do so online at www. lutheranhour.ca. Just click on the link below The Lutheran Hour icon.

Rev. Mohr who was then serving as pastor for the congregation at Peace Lutheran Church, Tillsonburg, Ontario, has recently accepted the position of Mission Executive for Lutheran Church–Canada’s East District.

LHM topic study and booklet give an insight to the Mormons

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Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada

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ave you ever wondered about your Mormon neighbours? You can find out more through the videobased topic study from the LHM Men’s Network, “The Mormons: Who They Are, What They Believe.”

By examining: the origins of the group, its leaders, and the Book of Mormon; the discrepancies between Mormon beliefs and orthodox Christian teaching; the meaning of its rituals; the prominence of the Temple; and the experiences of former Mormons; this revealing

study helps us to better understand these people.

Explore this study and the many others from Lutheran Hour Ministries at www.lhm.org/ men or purchase a kit with DVD and leader guide from LHM Canada.

The Project Connect booklet ‘The Mormons’ can be used to accompany this study or as a stand-alone item.

Media Matters 2014

SENT from Detroit to seek the Lost

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ore than 700 people from across the USA, Canada and around the globe were SENT out from Detroit after Lutheran Hour Ministries’ international Outreach Conference there July 24-27.

The gathering’s theme was SENT, based on God’s word in John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We came together to be motivated, inspired, encouraged, and equipped to share Jesus... to get out of the box… to be SENT to seek the Lost.

There were twenty-one different speakers, each with an outreach specialty and expertise presenting forty seminars on outreach such as ‘Stepping out: Witnessing in Your World,’ ‘Speaking Christ’s word to those engaged in sinful lifestyles,’ ‘Ready – SENT-Go,’ and ‘Cultural Earthquakes: Understanding and responding to Cultural Changes.’

Some key points from the seminars I attended were: when doing outreach be prepared to be in it for the long-haul as there are no short-cuts; do we put up walls to PROTECT or do we reach out to CORRECT; what do you know about the Millennials; two approaches to reaching the lost are a.) They come to us weak or b.) We go to them strong.

Throughout the three days, participants were given many ideas for outreach to the lost and to delinquents however, sharing a list of these without some kind of planned intent would be of limited value so we should also give consideration to concerns such as: do we have the spirituality and the love that leads, directs, and compels our actions towards the lost; do we have the appropriate attitude to do the Lord’s

by Carl Wathke

relationship with those still on the outside: Be Real; Be Present; Be Patient; and when the time is right to use the words, Be Brief.

As the Outreach Conference Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker pronounces ended, John a benediction on those attending the sending service 20:21 took at SENT. on a much deeper meaning and work; do we have the purpose for me. We ask long-term commitment God to bless each one of to walk with those whom us as we seek to do His we seek; and are we will in reaching the lost. available? While this is Carl Wathke is a member not a list of ‘qualifications’ of Faith Lutheran Church, needed before we can Desboro, Ont., and has witness to the Lost it may served as a volunteer in the be helpful to give them Lutheran Laymen’s League some consideration. and other Gospel outreach One speaker gave this organizations. practical advice for our

New board members installed

Ambassadors are the human link

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erving as the human information link between congregations and Lutheran Hour Ministries is the role of an LHM Ambassador.

The task of matching the resources available from LHM with the needs in their own congregation, its groups, and members is not always simple but our

Media Matters 2014

volunteer Ambassadors find ways to adapt to their local situation. If you’d like more information about becoming your congregation’s LHM Ambassador or assisting an existing Ambassador check out www.lhm.org/ Ambassadors or contact Sharon ( helpful@LLL.ca ) at the LLL Canada office.

Rev. Warren Hamp (centre), pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, Kitchener, installs directors Ed Tiefenbach of Regina, Sask., who was elected to a first term and Keith Bohlken of Condor, Alta., (left) who was re-elected.

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Australian director visits

Richard Fox (right) Director of Lutheran Media Ministries – Australia visited the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada office in Kitchener following the SENT conference in Detroit. He and Stephen Klinck, Managing Director of LLL Canada shared information and ideas about reaching the public with the Good News of Jesus.

Mission U equips us for witnessing

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early one quarter of Canada’s population, 23.9 percent, had no religious affiliation – up from 16.5 per cent a decade earlier, according to a Globe and Mail article analyzing Statistics Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey. It went on to report that nearly one third of those with a religious affiliation were not Christian.

How will these people hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ if no one reaches

them? As followers of Jesus, we have been commissioned to make disciples of all nations.

MISSION U is Lutheran Hour Ministries’ witnessing training program designed to give you tools and training so you can more confidently accept your mission of reaching people, in the diverse mission field you call home, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Seminars are offered on topics designed to meet your congregation's

Bequest gifts make current and future outreach ministry possible

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he Lord has once again provided for our financial needs through our faithful and generous donors, said LLL Canada’s managing director, Stephen Klinck when presenting the

audited financial statements to the annual meeting on November 5. The reports show income of $801,036 and disbursements of $718,344. The resulting surplus is due, in large part,

“Footsteps of Paul” with Rev. Gregory Seltz

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f you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to trace the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, here is an opportunity to do just that. Join Rev. Gregory Seltz, speaker of The Lutheran Hour, through the Footsteps of Paul sermon series. Visit those ancient cities to which Paul traveled, cities like Athens, Corinth, and Rome, just to name a few. In videos, Rev. Seltz introduces various 4

historic sites, and provides expanded lecture studies.

A Bible study discussion guide is provided as a pdf so you can print off what you need.

These special features, plus five messages heard on The Lutheran Hour, are all contained in one USB drive for just $25. Order your copy of the “Footsteps of Paul” today from LLL Canada at 1-800-555-6236 or email helpful@LLL.ca.

to bequest gifts of $190,373 during the fiscal year ended May 31. The Board of LLL Canada will allocate the resulting surplus to fund additional ministry programs in the future.

We give thanks that these people took the time to plan, through their wills, how to use the blessings the Lord had given them during their lifetime to continue their support of His work on earth even after they had joined Him in heaven, says Klinck.

You can receive information on supporting your church, the LLL, or other charitable organizations through your will from the gift planners at Lutheran Foundation – Canada, 1-877-711-4438.

specific witnessingtraining needs and help you to gain a scripturebased understanding of how outreach works in a culture that doesn't care about God. The outreach training workshops are tailored to your specific church and led by Christian leaders in outreach. Additional free monthly webinars feature presentations about contemporary topics in Christian outreach. Find out more at www.lhm. org/missionu .

On May 2, 2015 the Central District Lutheran Laymen’s League is hosting Mission U 203 (Sharing the Gospel in a Digital Age) at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Saskatoon. E-mail stpaulslcc@sasktel.net for workshop details and registration information.

Media Matters is a publication of the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada and its Lutheran Hour Ministries.

The mission of LLL Canada is to assist in the proclamation of the Gospel by creating, distributing and promoting resources through various media and equipping Christians for outreach.

LLL Canada Board of Directors: President, Fred Jarvis, Kelowna, BC; Directors Keith Bohlken, Condor, AB; Ronald Fischer, Stratford, ON; Ed Tiefenbach, Regina, SK; and Calvin Ulmer, Neudorf, SK. Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada 270 Lawrence Ave. Kitchener, ON, N2M 1Y4 1-800-555-6236 www.LLL.ca

Media Matters 2014

In Review

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hristopher Nolan’s new film Interstellar is more like his 2010 film Inception than his trilogy of Batman movies. It’s both cerebral and emotionally intense. This is no Star Trek/Star Wars space opera (spacesoap-opera); Interstellar is a more “hard” sci-fi film in the vein of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey or Robert Wise’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain.

Set in a near future where blight is devastating the earth’s food supply and starvation is wiping out the population, a former engineer and NASA pilot, Cooper, toils away on a farm with his two children and father growing corn—one of the few crops still viable for farming.

The future has become something like the Dirty Thirties on the North American prairies. Dust storms, food scarcity, and economic collapse have turned the remaining population into pragmatists who eschew the idea of spending money on things like universities and federal science programs like NASA. But NASA still operates in secret, and Cooper’s daughter Murphy (with the help of a mysterious external force she calls a “ghost”) discovers the co-ordinates

of its top-secret installation—a secret installation no one was looking for.

Once inside the installation Cooper is convinced by Professor Brand to participate in NASA’s project to save humanity. Cooper makes the painful decision to leave his family behind to pilot a space craft called Endurance on an interstellar mission in the hope of finding a new world humanity can populate.

Resurrection and the Nature of Evil

Brand’s daughter is one of the astronauts on the space mission.

However, the team is not venturing into space blindly; years earlier NASA had sent the Lazarus missions through a fortuitous worm hole which had appeared near the planet Saturn. Based on that data, they’ve narrowed down a list of potential worlds to investigate further. Upon hearing the name used for previous missions, Cooper asks, “Why Lazarus?” Professor Brand replies, “Lazarus came back from the dead.” Cooper quips, “Yes, but he had to die first.”

The allusion to Christ’s bringing Lazarus back from the dead is one of

the film’s few Scriptural references.

While Christians have hope in Christ for their resurrection from the dead, the film’s hope for humanity is not divine intervention but rather hope that humanity will save itself through science. Still, Christian viewers might be interested in the way director Nolan tackles two big realities faced by humanity: evil and love. Through the lens of a purely materialistic worldview, they are presented as a puzzle, sometimes making sense, sometimes not.

In looking at evil, Professor Brand’s daughter acknowledges that nature can be frightening and dangerous, but she doesn’t believe nature contains evil. Neither does she expect to find evil in outer space.

Rather, the only evil she expects to find is the evil humanity takes with it. On the one hand, Christian viewers will find Brand’s idea odd because Christians would look at the blight causing crop failure and starvation as the result of creation’s fall into sin. On the other hand Christians will recognize Brant’s idea about humanity taking evil with it wherever it goes because it sounds a lot like original sin. For Christians, sin and

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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In Review (cont.) blight both have the same source (see the third chapter of Genesis).

One of the movie’s biggest sources of dramatic tension is found in the keeping/breaking of the eighth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” (Deuteronomy 5:20). The evil of lies, told both in space and on earth, becomes pivotal to the survival of individual characters—indeed to all humanity. Conversely, Cooper works consistently out of love to make good on the promises he has made to his daughter Murphy before boarding Endurance and venturing into space.

He wants to make sure his promises don’t become lies due to his failure to fulfil them. As a character Cooper tries to uphold the eighth commandment while other characters bear false witness for more or less noble reasons.

When looking at love, Professor Brand’s daughter at one point says, “Love is the one thing that transcends time and space.” It’s certainly driving Cooper and Brant. For them love is the very thing compelling them into action.

At the same time there are characters who are driven by selfishness. Nolan presents selfishness and love as kinds of survival mechanisms. Of the two, love is shown to be better.

Hard Sci-Fi

Interstellar is one of those films that works best if viewers know little about it beforehand. It unfolds as a mystery.

The “ghost” Murphy experiences in her bedroom brings questions: what is it or who is it or who are they? Likewise, what will the crew of Endurance find when they reach their destination?

For those who love “hard” sci-fi there’s a lot here to love. The film’s science focuses on physics, gravity and time in relation to Einstein’s theory of relativity. For the most part Nolan is gentle when presenting these ideas, and provides some exposition to assist viewers. Nolan is obviously concerned with accurately presenting the theories and concepts of modern astrophysics. With the help of Kip Thorne, a theoretical physicist, he

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handles a black hole and the nature of the black hole’s gravitational forces in a way never before depicted in film.

Based on the best mathematical equations of our day Interstellar looks at the black hole with a curious and imaginative eye asking what black holes are really like. The director’s presentation of space juxtaposed against humanity’s smallness in space will remind Christian viewers of Psalm 8:3-4: “When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?”

Interstellar strikes a good balance between the chore of actually living in space with the stark but beautiful landscapes of imagined alien worlds.

Plus, in the characters of TARS, CASE and KIPP, Interstellar has some of the most engaging and compelling robots in recent film history.

Interstellar requires concentration from beginning to end; without it the last act of the film may be hard to follow. If this sounds to you about as fun as a root canal, then this film is not recommended. But if a heady sci-fi drama with a slow-burn pay-off is what you want, then Interstellar delivers.

While Interstellar is keenly driven by scientific themes it’s not without its poetry. Alongside its investigation into the nature of evil and love, the film at a number of points makes reference to the familiar Dylan Thomas poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” as a way of delving into the determination and character of humanity in the face of peril. A question any viewer might ask in watching Interstellar is this: “How do you respond when faced with death or the death of family and friends? Do you ‘Rage, rage against the dying of the light?’ And if you do, why do you do it: for evil reasons or for love?”

Rev. Ted Giese is associate pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a contributor to The Canadian Lutheran and Reporter, and movie reviewer for Issues, Etc.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

ADVERTISE HERE! The Canadian Lu t h e ra n s e l l s advertising space to help offset the cost of printing and shipping the magazine to congregations and subscribers.

Classified space is sold at $0.40 per word, minimum 50 words ($20.00).

To purchase classified space, or to receive a rate card for other advertising opportunities with The Canadian Lutheran, please email pres_sec@ lutheranchurch.ca or call 1-800-588-4226.

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The Canadian Lutheran 2014 Index Table Talk by Mathew Block

Death Gives Way to Life Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February Jesus’ Right–Hand Man Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April Standing on Guard Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June Why We Gather: A Lesson From Nicea Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August The Bride of Christ Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October God in the Flesh: The Meaning of Christmas Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December

Cover Stories and features

Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February New Resolution? New Creation!

Jonathan F. Grothe A Table for the Lord’s House Leonardo Neitzel Why Your Congregation Needs a Gift Policy Allen Schellenberg Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April The Agony in the Garden Rev. Ted Giese Hallelujah!

Peggy Pedersen The Christian Imagination: An Interview with Gene Veith Mathew Block Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June He Makes War to Cease Norman J. Threinen Hands of Mercy L. Block Jesus’ ‘Wife’ No More Mathew Block Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August Why Pray?

Kurt Reinhardt The Diaconate in Lutheran Church–Canada Jennifer Shack Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October Woman of Faith–Katie Luther: Reformer’s Wife Peggy Pedersen Called to serve Iris Barta

Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December The Shadow of Christmas Karl Persson The Holidays... How soon?

James Morgan

International News

Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February - Ukraine’s Lutherans meet in convention - Nicaraguan church holds convention - Ethiopian Lutherans and LCMS announce formal discussions - Latest round in NALC/LCMS/LCC discussions Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April - Ukraine’s bishop asks for prayers - Lithuanian Lutherans welcome Syrian refugees Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June - ILSN, LCC, LCMS sign protocol agreement - Brazilian church celebrates 110th anniversary - European Lutherans meet in Germany Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August - Inter-Lutheran consultations come to Canada Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October - New protocol agreement for Cambodia - Christian persecution in Iraq - Ukranian Lutherans band together - Australian Bishop meets with LCC leaders Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December - Ukranian Lutherans elect new bishop - ILC issues invitation to Scandinavian Mission Provinces - Attack kills one, wounds president emeritus of church in Guatemala - Anglican-Lutheran dialogue continues in Canada

National News

Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February - Come to Him who answers prayer

2014 Convention nominations - Life Sunday 2014 - Bishop Schöne’s lectures now available Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April - Lutheran Braille Workers winds down operations - LHI names new archivist - Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees announced - President Lehman returns home following hospitalization Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June - Lutherans march for life in Ottawa - Most Canadian Christians never read the Bible Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August - Moncton pastor shares God’s grace in midst of tragedy - LCC chaplain receives one of t h e A r m e d Fo r c e s ’ h i g h e s t commendations Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October - LCC recording artists nominated for 2014 Covenant Awards Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December - Preparations underway for 2016 National Youth Gathering - LCC president to assist in Winnipeg Parish - Catholic-Lutheran dialogue in Canada - Resolution 14.3.03a adopted by LCC congregations

Mission Update

Vol. 29, No.1 January/February - 29 new church workers for Nicaragua - CLWR receives $2 million to help Syrian refugees - Visiting Honduras - New church dedicated in Nicaragua Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April - D e a c o n e s s e s ’ c o n f e re n c e i n Nicaragua - LCC to host intercultural missions conference - Bible translation in Cameroon - New French and Chinese resources

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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2014 Index (continued) from Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June - 2014 Missions Newsletter now available - Intercultural Conference encourages ethnic outreach - Missions in Nicaragua expanding - Mission growth in Honduras Vol. 29, No.5 September/October - LCC Missionary in Ukraine arrives for studies in Edmonton - Mozambique’s Lutherans eager for first ordinations Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December - Regional Mission Director and Deacon for Central America installed - New Nicaraguan mission plant in 2015

Education Report

Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February - CLS installs new president - Dr. Kettner to retire - Gene Veith to headline CCSCF conference - Uwe Siemon Netto to speak at Canadian Rockies Theological Conference Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April - CLTS announces an end to debt - LCC’s seminaries online - Joint Boards of Regents meeting for seminaries - C C S C F h o l d s t h i rd a n n u a l conference Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June - First calls for seminary graduates - D i re c t o r o f Pa r i s h s e r v i c e s graduate - V i c a r a g e, D P S i n t e r n s h i p placements - Honourary awards at seminary convocation services Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August - Concordia given permission to name itself a university

In Memoriam - New issue of Lutheran Theological Review now available for download Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December - Edmonton seminary suffers fire - New resources for diaconal and pastoral recruitment - Pastor’s Desk Diary now available

Presidential Perspective by Robert Bugbee

O Lord, Teach Us to Pray Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February Easter Keeps You Moving Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April Lonely, Not Alone Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June A Word to Our Delegates…and to You All Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August Lois and Eunice, Servants of God Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October Christmas is About Jesus Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December

In Memoriam

Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December

Supplements

Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots Vol. 29, No. 1 January/February Canadian Lutheran Mission Society Vol. 29, No. 2 March/April Lutherwood Vol. 29, No. 3 May/June Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada Vol. 29, No. 6 November/December Additional articles appeared online at CanadianLutheran.ca.

Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October - Seminaries welcome new students

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Rev. Lester ( L e s ) H e r m a n G i e r a c h passed away to be with his Heavenly Fa t h e r o n April 5, 2014 at the age of 91 years.

He is dearly missed and lovingly re m e m b e re d by h i s c h i l d re n : Lester (Cindy), Gloria McQueen, Leonard (Heather), Raymond (Doreen), Lynette Willie (Ken), nine grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren, his ex-wife Ruth of 34 years, and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his loving companion Elizabeth Zoller.

Les led an active, energetic life still preaching until last year.

His Christian faith and joy left an impact on everyone he met. Prior to his retirement, Les pastored churches in northern Alberta, Victoria, and Cloverdale in British Columbia where he started a Lutheran elementary school. He spent many years working for Lutheran Church–Canada.

After his retirement Les served as Vacancy Pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Strathcona County, Alberta. He made 2 trips to South Africa with the Lutheran Hour Ministries. He led many fundraising plans in the Lutheran community called the 'David Plan'.

Up until a few months before his death he had preaching invitations across Alberta.

The family expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, CK Hui Heart Centre for all the compassion and respect they showed to Les and his family in the last few days of his life.

A celebration of his life took place at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta on April 11, 2014. Well-wishers were encouraged to contribute to The Rev. Lester H. Gierach Scholarship Endowment Fund at

In Memoriam (continued) Concordia Lutheran Seminary, a fund originally started by Bethel Lutheran in his name a few years ago.

Rev. Herbert ( H e r b ) Heinrich Heinemann of Stony Plain, Alberta died June 17, 2 01 4 a t t h e Grey Nun’s Hospital after a brief, critical illness.He was 78 years old.

Herbert was born September 27, 1935 in Grenfell, Saskatchewan t o F r e d e r i c h a n d Ka t h e r i n a Heinemann. He attended Grenfell Elementary School in Saskatchewan and High School and College at Concordia College in Edmonton.

He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grenfell on August 20, 1950. He attended Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated in the Spring of 1961.

Herbert married Sonja Emma Elman on August 27, 1960 at Milk River, Alberta. He was ordained into the ministry in July 1961 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was installed into the mission field in Calgary in August of 1961 (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church).

Over his career Herbert also served the triple parish of Vegreville, Bruce, and Manville, Alberta and started a mission in Vermillion. He took a call to Drayton Valley, Alberta where he retired in December 2000 after 39 years in the ministry.

In his retirement Herbert served congregations in New South Wales, Australia as well as Whitecourt, Evansburg, and Golden Spike, Alberta. He also continued to be on call to lead worship in many congregations across Alberta and in Arizona.

Herbert also led seminary classes on two separate occasions

in the Ukraine as part of Lutheran Church–Canada’s mission work.

Education was very important to Herb and over the years he continued his studies and received a Master’s in Divinity, a Master’s in Sacred Theology, and a Master’s in Religious Education.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sonja, his children: Rebecca (Todd Wandio), Aaron (Tracey Lamoureux), Terrence, and Judith (Thomas White), his grandchildren B e n j a m i n Wa n d i o ( L a u r a ) , Rachel Wandio, Meagan White, Kelly Heinemann, Christopher Heinemann and Kariann White.

He is also survived by his siblings, Lydia Maier, Alvina Morgan, Lawrence Heinemann (Loretta), Walter Heinemann and Lloyd Heinemann (Jill).

Rev. D r.

R u s s e l l ( R u s s ) Nelson of Sherwood Park, Alberta was called to be with his Lord at the age of 65 on October 30, 2014 at the University of Alberta hospital in Edmonton. He passed away as a result of complications with d i a b e t e s . Ru s s e l l i s s u r v i ve d by his wife of 30 years Ann; a son Shawn; daughter Shawnda; g ra n d c h i l d re n Ad r i a n n a a n d Parker Autio, and Emmett NelsonDymchuk; sister Janice Stephens of Robinson, Illinois; nephews Mark and Doug Stephens and niece Cari Buehnerkemper. Russ was predeceased by his parents.

Russell was born on February 12, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, to Walter and Fern Nelson. He grew up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.

He attended Mt. Prospect High School, Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following graduation he received

his PhD from Harvard University in Ancient Near Eastern Languages.

Russell served as pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg, Illinois, from 1982 to 1989. He was then called to teach Old Testament and Religious Studies courses at Concordia College (now Concordia University College of Alberta). He also taught courses at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, North American Baptist College, and Newman Theological College. Teaching and interacting with his students was a great joy in his life.

A celebration of Russ's life was held November 5, 2014 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial donations be made to the BLESS Preschool at Bethel Lutheran Church or to the scholarship fund at Concordia University College of Alberta.

Rev. Aaron Rubach was called to eternal glory on November 4, 2014 at age 90.

He was p re d e c e a s e d by his beloved Edna (Schlotzhauer) in 2012. Their marriage was blessed with six children Deborah, Randall, Terrance, Cathleen, Richard, and Vivian, as well as several grandchildren. Aaron was also predeceased by his parents John and Lora (nee Eckstein) Rubach and his brother Norman Aaron was ordained in 1986, a graduate of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, following a previous career in farming. His vicarage was served at 100 Mile House in British Columbia. Aaron was instrumental in establishing and growing several congregations in the East District of Lutheran Church–Canada, and served calls in Thunder Bay,

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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In Memoriam (continued) Kincardine, and Southampton, Ontario. His most recent work was assisting the planting of Church of Hope Lutheran Mission in Guelph, Ontario.

A funeral service was held November 8 at Faith Lutheran Church, 247 Westmount Rd. E., Kitchener. The family asked that memorial donations in expression of sympathy be made to Lisaard House and Lutheran Church– Canada’s East District Missions.

D e a c o n Roy A l b e r t Wicke, after suffering a heart attack following a brief illness heard the words of our Lord, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43) on on June 24, 2014, and fell asleep peacefully in the arms of Jesus at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario to await the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day. Roy, son of the late Andrew and Clara Wicke, was given life by his Creator and was born on October 19, 1935. He was received into God’s kingdom of grace and became a child of God through the washing of water and the Word in Holy Baptism at 2nd St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wartburg on November 17, 1935. He publicly confessed his faith in the rite of confirmation on December 21, 1947 also at 2nd St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wartburg and was admitted to the Lord’s altar to receive the precious gift of Christ’s life-giving body and blood.

On September 28, 1958 he received, through the holy estate of marriage, the gift of a beloved companion in his wife, Jacqueline Davidson.

Their union was blessed with the gift of three children.

Roy had a number of different occupations in various locations and, upon his return to Stratford, Ontario became a member of St. Peter’s

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Lutheran Church. During the early 1980’s he entered the lay ministry program of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod at Concordia College, Milwaukee. He then served the Lord and His church as lay minister (or deacon) in several congregations and missions of the East District of Lutheran Church–Canada, including Kincardine, St. Mary’s, Amherstburg, Marathon-Manitouage, North Bay, Southhampton, and Oshawa. Upon his retirement in 2002, he returned to Stratford where he again became a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and where he would faithfully and regularly hear God’s Word and receive the blessed Sacrament.

He is survived by wife Jacky; son Brian; daughters Lorna and Georgina; grandchildren Jessica, April, Matthew, Erin and Russell; and great-grandchild Ayden. He is also survived by brother George (Elaine) Wicke; sister Betty (Carl) Gingerich; and by many nieces and nephews.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!’”

- Revelation 14:13

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Transitions Rev. Dusan Tilinger, pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Aurora, ON to First Lutheran Church, Kingsville, ON Installation.

Rev. Ron Mohr, pastor, Peace, Tillsonburg to East District Mission Executive Installation.

Rev. Robert Clifford, pastor, GraceKincardine/Southampton to Tri-Parish of Kincardine/Southampton/Hanover Rev. Mel Graham, pastor, Clarington Lutheran Church, Bowmanville to Emeritus.

Rev. Walter Hambrock, pastor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Kitchener to Emeritus.

Announcements The faculty and Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminar y, Edmonton, invite individuals, congregations, and Boards of Lutheran Church-Canada to submit the names of persons to be considered for one of the seminary’s honorary degrees and awards.

The pur pose of t hese honorar y degrees and awards is to acknowledge outstanding service to the church, the seminary, and the community.

Available degrees are: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.). Available awards are: Faith in Life, Friend of the Seminary, Doulos Dia Iesoun.

A description of the awards and degrees and forms required for each are available at www.concordiasem. ab.ca. Desirable qualifications for each position are listed on each nomination form.

Completed forms must be received

by January 1, 2015 for consideration.

Degrees and awards will be presented at the seminary’s Sacred Convocation on May 29, 2015. Contact: Prof.

Jonathan Kraemer, faculty secretary, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, 7040 Ada Blvd., Edmonton, AB T5B 4E3.

Fax 780.479.3067. Email jkraemer@ concordiasem.ab.ca

Announcements

Announcements

Announcements

Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton seeks to call a fulltime faculty member specializing in Systematic Theology but able to teach in other theological disciplines as well. Candidates meriting serious consideration will be ordained pastors of Lutheran Church-Canada or one of its partner-churches possessing significant parish experience, an earned terminal degree (Th.D or Ph.D), strong teaching and administrative capabilities, a positive and pastoral personality, and a commitment to excellence in pastoral formation and service to the Church.

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, will be calling a Professor of Theology to take up of f ice in July 2015. The candidate must be an ordained pastor of Lutheran Church¬–Canada or a church in fellowship with her. The preferred candidate will have:

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary is calling for nominations for the Delta Chi Medal—an award presented by the seminary on behalf of the wider church. This “highest and most distinguished award” is “presented to an individual, either clergy or lay, whose life exemplifies service to Christ in his/her everyday living and vocation.”

A call will be issued in May 2015 for service at CLS beginning in August 2015.

Nominations are sought by D e c e m b e r 31, 2 014 . I n te re s te d candidates are invited to contact Dr. Steve Chambers, Academic Dean (schambers@concordiasem.ab.ca) or Dr. Jim Gimbel, President (jgimbel@ concordiasem.ab.ca).

• a strong commitment to sound, confessional Lutheran theology; • significant parish and/or mission experience; • an earned doctorate; • a specialty in Dogmatics or Old Testament; • experience and/or understanding of the Canadian context; • interdisciplinary teaching capability; • research and writing competence; and • a collegial personality and attitude.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their curriculum vitae by D e c e m b e r 31, 2 014 v i a e - m a i l (twinger@brocku.ca) or post to: President Thomas Winger, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, 470 Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2T 4C3, Canada.

In nominating, one should consider the person’s ser vice to the local congregation, the community, the synodical district, the church at large, church service organizations, and educational institutions. Delta Chi refers to the initials of the Greek expression “servant of Christ.”

Anyone in LCC may nominate a candidate for the Delta Chi award.

No current faculty or board member i s e l i g i b l e . P l e a s e s u b m i t yo u r nomination in writing to the seminary or via e-mail to concordia@brocku. ca. The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2015.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

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Presidential perspective

President Robert Bugbee

Christmas is about Jesus

“Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (St. John 1:17).

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hristmas is about Jesus Christ. That is as it should be. The faith of Christians is to be centered on Jesus Christ. The whole mission of God’s Church in the world comes from Jesus Christ.

The message the Lord’s people speak to each other and to their neighbours means very little if it does not point in clear words to Jesus Christ.

Someone has said that you can find three accounts of Christmas in the Gospel books of our New Testament. Matthew tells the story by focusing on the way it was all experienced by Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph the carpenter (Matthew 1:1825). Luke, meanwhile, describes the same wondrous event from the point of view of the Lord’s mother, Mary the virgin (Luke 1:26-28; 2:19).

Third, you get a glimpse of it all from God’s side in John 1:1-18. To be sure, this way of labelling the various Christmas stories may seem a little too simple, but it can help fix them better in your memory.

There are themes frequently noised around these days to describe what the church’s faith and work are all about: love, peace, justice, inclusivity, diversity, and on it goes.

Such themes have their place. You find them mentioned and unpacked in the Bible. But things always go off the mark when these ideas somehow become a program or a goal on their own and do not bring you back in a targeted way to Jesus (John 5:39; Colossians 1:17).

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“Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” you read in that third Christmas story (John 1:17). Grace and truth are beautiful themes, too. But you will never find them and never come to know what they are apart from the One who brings them to you. Grace and truth have to come from Him, or they do not come to you at all. Jesus Christ not only spoke truth in His preaching and teaching. Everything He did— and let others do to Him—tells you the truth about yourself and your deepest need.

The truth is that you and I are like sheep who wandered off on our own and cannot find our way back again. The truth is that whatever good you have been able to do—no matter how much it impresses you or others—never erases the sins and failures of your life. The truth is that God is holy; He does not turn a blind eye to the ways we have trampled His will, grieved Him badly, and hurt other people along the way. The truth is that the treasures most people crave— success at work, popularity in the eyes of others, houses, holiday trips, fun pastimes—all come to an end.

The truth is that you cannot meet your deepest need on your own. Above all, you need mercy.

Everything Jesus did in the past and everything He gives us now in the words we have in the Scriptures make that truth clear, if you have the heart and ears to let Him bring it to you.

“Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” writes St. John. The

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN November/December 2014

Child adored by shepherds and angels did not come down only to unload on you the painful truth about yourself and the fallen world, and then to leave you hopeless. He brings with Him the bought-andpaid-for love of God. This is not some soft weakness that says ‘Yes’ to everything, but instead a pardon that faces up to the full truth of your wrongs, a pardon purchased and won by the life Jesus Christ lived and the death He died in your place.

Grace (that is, undeserved love) does not come because God decided His laws didn’t matter. It doesn’t come because, “you’re only human; the Lord can see that, and He hasn’t got the nerve to condemn anybody.”

No, grace comes because God knows you and I need it. Grace comes because Jesus was born, lived, died and was raised again to bring it to you. Grace comes because Jesus comes. That’s the wonder you are privileged to celebrate once again this Christmas.

May God bless our pastors at this time of the year to speak the Christmas Good News saturated with the Name of Jesus Christ.

May He give you a Christmas season where Jesus Christ stands at the centre of your thinking and celebrating. May He make your church into a place known in the neighbourhood as a glad lighthouse where Jesus Christ is preached and brought near to anyone willing to listen.

Christmas is about Jesus Christ.

That is as it should be.

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