The Canadian Lutheran May/June 2021

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CONTENTS FEATURES www.canadianlutheran.ca Volume 36 Number 3

May/June 2021

Life by Design The Problem of Porn A Victory for Church Autonomy

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DEPARTMENTS TABLE TALK

My Will Be Done

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REGIONAL PASTORS

West: Forgiven Central: The Call Process as Gift East: For all the Saints who from their labours rest

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COVID-19 & Masks

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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PRESIDENT’S PONDERINGS NEWS SECTIONS The Canadian Lutheran 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 Design: Alex Steinke Advertising: Angela Honey Subscriptions: $30/yr Or Buy-One-Gift-One: $50/yr Email: a.honey@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: 204-897-4319 Email: editor@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. ©2021 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.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society.

Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Finnish Bishop Elect charged over historic Christian teachings on human sexuality • A call to prayer for COVID-struck India

NATIONAL NEWS

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A Statement on the Legacy of the Residential School System • Convention News • Roger Winger, former East District President, passes on to glory

WEST REGION

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VBS donates books to school libraries • Sharing in the joy of the Resurrection at a distance • LCC Pastors’ wives make history

CENTRAL REGION

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Lutheran Leavener: Prairie pastor plays metal music • Wascana Circuit Easter Vigil • Drive-in services in Morden

EAST REGION

MISSION NEWS

Former East District BOD member passes on to glory • Pioneer on the Lake: Same legacy, new future

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The gift of sun-power in Haiti • LAMP ministry continues during pandemic

EDUCATION NEWS

First calls for graduating pastors, vicarage assignments

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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IN REVIEW: MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION

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SUPPLEMENT

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TABLE TALK

My Will Be Done

by Mathew Block

I

f you are anything like me, you are beginning to grow weary of the restrictions on normal life which the pandemic has brought. For many months, we have been directed to avoid social gatherings and to stay home—to refrain from visiting friends and family.

You may not go where you wish to go.

You may not do all that you wish to do.

It’s natural then, as vaccinations across the country begin to accelerate, that we look forward with relief (and thanksgiving to God!) to the easing of these burdens.

And burdens they have been. You may or may not agree with the various health regulations that have been instituted, but our common response to them nevertheless reveals something important about the human condition: we all chafe at restrictions on our freedom. Anything less than complete autonomy is to us a trial—an imposition on the liberty I should have by right.

My rights. My freedom. My liberty. We are fixated on such things these days— and not, perhaps, without reason. But make no mistake: the pandemic is not the cause of our fixation on self-autonomy; it has simply thrown it into sharper relief.

Long before the pandemic, our desire for self-determination was just as strong; we were just less aware of it.

In fact, the desire for self-autonomy is the ancient inheritance of us all. Our first parents also felt this urge, though in a rather different context. They didn’t wish to be freed from health regulations; they wished to be freed from God. Instructed by Him to refrain from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and

evil, they rebelled. The fruit was pleasing to the eye. It was desirable for gaining wisdom. Why shouldn’t they eat? Why shouldn’t they wish to become like God? Why shouldn’t they wish to set their own path, to chart their own course, to pray not “Thy will be done” but rather proclaim “My will be done!”?

It is not wrong to wish to be free. The problem is, we do not always understand what freedom really is. There is a freedom which is its own imprisonment.

Adam and Eve exchanged one master for a lesser. They gave up the freedom of sinlessness for the slavery of sin. They traded life for death.

So begins the story of human freedom. And down through the centuries, it has been the same: humanity rebels against the will of God. Like a stubborn ox, we refuse to follow the route the ploughman sets. We kick against the goads. We veer off course and into the mud. We pitch headlong off a cliff. And we call it freedom.

This is the slavery of sin: to not even understand that we are slaves. “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin,” Jesus says (John 8:34). And so we are.

But God is not content to leave us in captivity. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, He restores us to Himself. And contrary to all our fears, we do not find our freedoms curtailed: we find them expanded. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” Jesus promises (John 8:36). “Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden,” He says, “and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and

you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Restored to fellowship with the Father through the Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we find that the life God calls us to is not onerous, even if it may at times be difficult. Indeed, life according to God’s plan is freeing— something Rev. Michael Schutz reminds us of in his feature this issue (page six).

Yes, it does involve transformation, and transformation can be hard, as we see in Rev. Peter Knelson’s discussion of the “Problem of Porn” this issue (page nine).

But this struggle is the loosening of chains.

It is the surgery which accompanies the new life—abundant life—which grows in us through Christ.

Dear God, enliven us with Your Holy Spirit that we would desire to live life in accordance with Your Word.

Teach us to reject the slavery of self and to seek instead the freedom that comes from being Your own. Forgive us when we fail and raise us up to try again. Grant us grace to will what You will—to want what You want. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

- Romans 12:1-2 (NIV 1984) THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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Life by Design

by Michael Schutz

R

ecently I’ve added a newer phrase to my teaching toolkit: “God’s design.” It’s a way of describing God’s Law as I try to convey to people that the Law is something different (and much better) than an arbitrary list of rules. In our circles we have a solid grasp on God’s Word to us in Law and Gospel, and yet people in our culture (including in our congregations) can struggle to get beyond the idea that God’s Law—His will for the world and for our lives—is more than a set of rules to obey simply for the sake of obeying.

I use the word “design” purposefully. In fact, the word is itself full of the idea of purpose.

It’s the exact opposite of arbitrary. Most people think design is about how something looks. But appearance is only one small part of design; it’s much more about how something works. By using the phrase “God’s design” as one way of talking about the Law, we draw attention to the fact that God isn’t an arbitrary rule-maker; He specifically ordered the cosmos in ways that work together in harmony and peace, as we hear even from the beginning of Holy Scripture. Contrary to what many people believe today, we haven’t arrived at this point in history by chance or mutation. We’re here because God created—designed—the whole cosmos according to His goodness.

Now, sin has corrupted the whole cosmos so that it no longer works together in the ways that God designed it to work. Not only have the

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relationships between God and people been broken by sin, but so have the relationships between people themselves, and between people and the whole rest of creation. In fact, God’s design of the whole cosmos has been so corrupted by sin that it’s beyond any restoration except for that which has been done by God Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we give God all thanks and praise that He has done exactly that in Christ! In Christ, all things are made new; all things are re-created.

We’re awaiting the fullness of the new creation in the new heavens and the new earth. But while we wait, we get the great privilege of proclaiming this new creation to the world. The more that I consider this, the more I become convinced that one of the best ways to do that in our culture is to hold up God’s Law using the language of design.

During the Easter season this year, I emphasized in our congregation the resurrection of the body—the physical nature of both Christ’s and our resurrections.

It struck a chord with people in a renewed way. I believe one of the reasons it resonated more this year is because we’ve become so “disembodied” in the past year with much of our communication done on a screen, even for close family, friends, work and

school colleagues, and neighbours. “Zoom fatigue” isn’t just about the technical challenges of meeting online; it exists because we haven’t been designed to have such a large part of our daily communication take place over screens.

This has become a touchpoint for people. We can easily say, “how we long to be back in person!”, and that applies to so many situations. Even now, as Canadians consider a slow, careful return to something approaching pre-pandemic life, there’s a renewed sense among us that we aren’t meant to be this isolated from one another. Having experienced life with so many of these normal touchpoints removed (again, literally: points of touch like handshakes and hugs), we’re coming to the realization that digital technology, while certainly valuable, has its limits.

It’s here that I believe we have a great opportunity in the Christian Church. I’ve written previously about what I call “cultural exegesis,” which is “reading” the culture around us so that we can draw out meaning about what’s actually going on in our world and respond to it. If I’m doing good cultural exegesis in this case, people in our culture are beginning to realize in a new way that there’s more to life than pixels on a screen. And with that

the Law is something different (and much better) than an arbitrary list of rules.

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our Lord’s design for our lives, and for the whole cosmos, is a reason for great hope. understanding of what’s going on, we have an opportunity to be ready to give an answer in this situation for the hope that lies within us.

That opportunity is to point people—both inside and outside the Church—to God in a new way. And not just to any generic idea of a god, but to Yahweh: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I say “in a new way” because the language of design has been around for a long time. It’s one of the classic arguments for the existence of God—the so-called “teleological” argument that the universe looks to be designed with a sense of purpose instead of appearing to be random, and so some “intelligent designer” must have done it. While we would agree that our Lord is certainly an intelligent designer, that argument only goes so far; it only gets us to the possibility of a being that ordered the natural world. Our Lord certainly is that, but He is so, so much more.

In fact, our Lord’s design for our lives, and for the whole cosmos, is a reason for great hope. Just imagine a place where not only does no one ever murder someone else (or even hurt them in any way) but no one ever even wants to hurt someone else, wanting only to help in every bodily need.

Imagine a world where not only does no one ever use sex for selfish reasons, but the only thing anyone wants is to honour God with his or her body and lead a pure life in words and deeds. Imagine a world where not only does no one steal anything from someone else, but no one even wants to obtain something that doesn’t belong to him or her. How

good of a place is that? I’d sure like to live there, wouldn’t you?

In the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus explains the full design (there’s that word again) of God’s Law; it’s not just about avoiding doing evil behaviour but about even the desire to do evil.

As He explains what sin truly is and how deep sin truly runs, we also see what God’s design truly is and the depth of its (and His!) goodness. Thus, we see that God’s Law—His design—is actually altogether good, as the Psalms so often express.

His design is that the entire cosmos live and work together in harmony, in complete peace.

And in Christ, we look forward to that actually happening. That’s the hope we have in Him! Earlier I mentioned that we eagerly await this new creation and proclaim it while we wait. This new creation will not just involve our bodies and all of the cosmos being restored by God, but every relationship between all created beings will be restored too! It’s precisely that promise which can speak into hearts and lives in a time of such brokenness in our world. It’s precisely that message that brings such hope: there is a God who designed this harmony and peace, who in Christ brought reconciliation when it was devastated by sin, and who will fully restore it for those who are in Christ for all eternity. Receiving eternal life isn’t about a reward for following rules; it’s about receiving the fullness of a cosmos designed by a perfectly good God who loves His whole creation, including you and me!

Rev. Michael Schutz

serves as Pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church and School in Penticton, B.C.

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The Problem of Porn

by Peter Knelson

W

hen I was a teenager, I struggled with pornography.

As time went on, however, my involvement in the Church led me closer to Christ and further from pornography. But that is not everyone’s story: today pornography has permeated even into the Church where it afflicts the consciences of many Christians. That reality has profound psychological and theological consequences.

But there is hope: broken souls can be led back to Christ and out of the ongoing guilt of pornography.

The damage of pornography is multi-faceted. This ranges from the negative impact it has on those in the industry (especially vulnerable women) to the dehumanizing influence it has on relationships in society more broadly (with its tendency to encourage us to see others as mere objects for our personal gratification rather than as real people) to the psychological and theological damage it inflicts on users.

Numerous studies over many years have shown that those who consume pornography today are in the majority in North America. It should be no surprise as a result to find

our culture is obsessed with all things related to sex. But while it may not be surprising, it is frightening. Pornography used to be something you had to search out intentionally and purchase at a store. Now, not only is it easy to access, it is increasingly difficult to avoid; sexual imagery is everywhere on the internet. The psychological damage of pornography has been well documented over the years. Those wishing to learn more about these effects would do well to check out the 2016 article “Porn and the Threat to Virility” in Time Magazine (you can find it easily online). There are also good resources available at fightthenewdrug.org.

As important as the psychological aspect of pornography is, as a pastor I am particularly interested in exploring the theological damage that pornography inflicts on users.

The most obvious damage has been on the societal scale, with many people today distrustful of the Church and its teachings on sex. Christianity defines sex as a good gift to be enjoyed exclusively by a husband and wife, and they forbid any deviation from that model as sin. The world, by THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN March/April THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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contrast, claims that this attitude represents an act of hatred toward those who receive pleasure from other forms of sexual behaviour. Offended by the Church’s teaching on sex, some may be tempted to reject Christianity entirely and so reject the salvation offered to them in Christ.

Sadly, today even some churches promote the idea that sexual immorality is permissible within the Christian faith.

Unsurprisingly, they also often claim that not all Scripture is divinely inspired. These churches teach that theology must develop in the context of the society around us. The problem is, we live in a society that is ruled by sexual images and pornography—a situation with multiple negative consequences. Should we allow our theology to be shaped by such a culture? Certainly not. As the wider world continues to base its identity on all things related to sex, Christians must instead base their identity in Christ. It is not good for us to view our lives primarily through a lens of sexuality.

Paul reminds the Church, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul was also addressing a culture full of sexual immorality. He encourages the Church instead to remember their identity in Christ, saying, “He who is

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joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him” (6:17). It is wise for us to continually draw near to Christ and find our identity in Him; only in Christ do we find true fulfillment.

The theological damage done by pornography is similar in some respects to other types of sin. Satan seeks to deceive Christians in the most subtle ways, first leading us to sin and then accusing us, hoping that we will be driven to despair.

When one first begins to use pornography, it can feel harmless and perhaps even good. But by the time the damaging effects of pornography take hold, the individual feels trapped (at least, this is what Satan wants you to believe). This is the way sin operates: it seems harmless until you try it out, and then suddenly you find yourself separated from God and panicking that you will never find your way back to Him. We see this play out in the Garden of Eden when Satan downplays the severity of disobeying God’s command about eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eating the fruit, Adam and Eve suddenly realize that they have sinned and so hide from God because of their shame. In the same way, the guilt someone experiences from using pornography can leave you feeling hopeless and wishing to hide from God. But hiding is what Satan wants you to do. Christ does not want you to hide from Him because of your sin; He wants to forgive that sin. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us,” John writes. But “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Confess your sins to God, and trust that He forgives you.

“

As the wider world continues to base its identity on all things related to sex, C h r i s t i a n s m u s t i n s t e a d b a s e t h e i r i d e n t i t y i n C h r i s t. It is not good for us to view our lives primarily through a lens of sexuality.

The danger of using pornography is that it can lead you deeper into habitual sin. This can lead you to question your worth before God and perhaps drive you to despair and distrust of God’s forgiveness.

What, then, is the solution to pornography? Ultimately, the solution to pornography is the same as with all sin: Christ Jesus. But there are also practical ways to help manage desire for pornography. From a psychological perspective, it’s important to remember that pornography can reshape how you think. For that reason, it can be helpful to find a counselor who can challenge your thought processes and help you discover healthier ways of thinking and living. Counselling is expensive for many, but the cost can be worth it if you want help managing your mental health. If you want a good product, you will pay a considerable price for it; that’s also true when it comes to maintaining a healthy mind.

That’s one way of dealing with pornography use on a psychological level. But the solution to pornography on a theological level is far more costly. The sin of lust must be paid for; but paying for your life of sin would cost a blameless life—something you don’t have. Spending money in an effort to purchase forgiveness of sins would be a bad investment.

Instead, Christ has paid the price of your sin with His own life. Trust the Scriptures and the forgiveness of Christ contained in them. Embrace and live out your new identity in Him. He has already dealt with your sin by dying on the cross to forgive each and every one of your sins, whether it is a sin of sexual immorality or any other sin.

”

But what if I continue to sin? Paul asks the question in a different way: “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” His answer? “By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2).

So where do we go for help? What is the theological solution to living a future free from besetting sin? Here again, the answer is Christ. He not only forgives us our sin; He is also the strength we rely on as we seek to live a new life. Harold Senkbeil explains it well in his book The Care of Souls: “Jesus remains the heart of sanctification just as He is the heart of justification. The forgiveness of sins through Christ our Lord is the centre of both.”

Go to Christ then with all of your struggles. Find forgiveness of sin in His Word and Sacraments. Continue to draw closer to Christ, and you will find that the appeal of sin begins to lose its lustre. Invest yourself into Christ, and you will find fulfillment—true fulfillment—in Him. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

R e v. P e t e r K n e l s o n i s p a s t o r o f S t. J o h n ’ s L u t h e r a n ( W a r m a n , S K ) . H e a l s o r e l e a s e s C h r i s t i a n m e ta l m u s i c u n d e r t h e n a m e “ L u t h e r a n L e a v e n e r , ” a n d r e c e n t ly r e l e a s e d a s o n g e x p l o r i n g t h e n at u r e o f p o r n o g r a p h y a n d i t s i m p a c t o n p e o p l e t o d ay ( s e e p a g e 2 3 ) .

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A VICTORY FOR CHURCH AUTONOMY

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by Jeffrey A.L. Kriwetz

f someone disagrees with a church body’s decision about something relating to the church’s doctrines and internal rules, can that person sue the church and seek relief from the court?

In a ruling released on May 21, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), has stated that the answer to that question is usually no. Although we Christians should be pleased with this decision, we should not think that it will necessarily put an end to similar challenges to the church in the future. The SCC still left the door open for the courts to intervene on a case-by-case basis where the circumstances warrant it.

The SCC considered this issue previously in 2018 in the case of Wall v. Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In that case, the SCC denied a request for judicial review by a member of a congregation who had been “disfellowshipped” after being found by an internal judicial committee of the organization to have engaged in behaviour contrary to the beliefs of the organization. The SCC stated that for the court to have any jurisdiction, a plaintiff would have to have an underlying enforceable legal right, such as a contract.

Although the 2018 SCC decision seemed to be quite clear about the issue, the Court of Appeal for Ontario created some confusion in 2020 when it released its decision in Aga v. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada. Briefly, the issue in Aga also involved the expulsion of members of a congregation. The Congregation moved for an order to have the claim dismissed summarily on the basis of the reasoning in Wall that there was no enforceable contract and were initially successful. The appeal court, however, stated that the Congregation’s constitution and by-laws relating to congregational membership could create a contract between the members and the Congregation. As such, the appeal court set aside the initial ruling and stated that a trial was required to determine the issue. The SCC has now overturned the ruling by the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

In reaching its decision, the SCC made the following noteworthy points: • Voluntary associations (which include churches) will often have rules, constitutions and/or by-laws and may have a “governing” body to adopt and apply the rules.

“These are practical measures by which to pursue shared goals.

But, they do not in and of themselves give rise to contractual relations among individuals who join.” People who join such groups “do not enter into enforceable legal obligations

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just because they have joined a group with rules that members are expected to follow.”

• Where there is no contract or other legal obligation, there is no right to sue.

• It has long since been established that the court will only intervene in decisions made by voluntary associations “where a legal right is affected.”

• “Thus, while purely theological issues are not justiciable, where a legal right is at issue, courts may need to consider questions that have a religious aspect in vindicating the legal right.” An example cited by the court is the need to consider whether there was adherence to a church’s internal rules when adjudicating a dispute over church property.

• There is no free-standing right to procedural fairness with respect to decisions made by voluntary associations and the fact that a member is denied procedural fairness by the voluntary association does not, in and of itself, give the court a basis to intervene.

• The formation of a legally-binding contract requires several things, including whether, from an objective point of view, the parties intended to create legal relations. Such an objective intention “may be ‘more difficult to show in the religious context’”, but each case must be decided on its own facts. In this case, there was no contract.

• In conclusion the SCC stated: “Courts must have jurisdiction to give effect to legal rights– including legal rights held by members of religious associations and impermissibly affected in the operation of such associations…. However, courts should not be too quick to characterize religious commitments as legally binding in the first place…”

While this decision is indeed a positive one in terms of generally affirming that churches are free to control their own processes and affairs, given the world in which we live, some will undoubtedly continue to attempt to find ways to challenge churches by trying to characterize the facts in a given case as creating a contractual or other legal right that require the court’s intervention.

Jeffrey A.L. Kriwetz (jkriwetz@garfinkle.com) is a partner in Garfinkle Biderman LLP Barristers and Solicitors and a member of Lutheran Church–Canada’s Commission on Adjudication. Please note that the views expressed in this article are those of the writer and have been provided for information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be relied on as specific legal advice in any particular case. For such advice, please contact the writer directly.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

Finnish Bishop Elect charged over historic Christian teachings on human sexuality FINLAND - Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, Diocesan Dean and Bishop Elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) has been charged by Finland’s Prosecutor General with incitement against a group of people. The charges stem from a 2004 booklet published by Luther Foundation Finland (the legal entity behind the ELMDF) which articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality.

“As a Christian, I do not want to and cannot discriminate against or despise anyone created by God,” Dean Pohjola said in reaction to being charged. “Every human being, created by God and redeemed by Christ, is equally precious.”

At the same time, he continued, “this does not remove the fact that, according to the Bible and the Christian conception of man, homosexual relations are against the will of God, and marriage is intended only between a man and a woman. This is what the Christian church has always taught and will always teach.”

Finland’s Prosecutor General began an investigation of the ELMDF in 2019 for its booklet, Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relationships Challenge the Christian Concept of

Humanity, despite an earlier investigation

by Helsinki Police which concluded no laws had been broken. The booklet was published in 2004; Finland legalized same-sex marriage in 2017.

The booklet argues that homosexual activity must be identified as sin by the church on the basis of the teachings of Scripture. The author, Dr. Päivi Räsänen—a Finnish Member of Parliament—further argues that a failure to recognize sin as sin undermines the very need for a Saviour.

Dr. Räsänen has now been charged with incitement by the Prosecutor General, both for the booklet and for other comments on human sexuality. As Dean Pohjola is editor-in-chief of Luther Foundation Finland’s publications—including the booklet in question—he also was charged.

“This decision of the Prosecutor General says a lot about our time,” Dean Pohjola commented. “While I am concerned about the state of religious freedom in our country, I trust that the judiciary will make the right decision.”

The International Lutheran Council (ILC) has earlier expressed concern about the investigation of Lutherans in Finland for upholding historic Christian teaching.

Australian Lutheran bishop to retire AU S T R A L I A - B i s h o p J o h n Henderson of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA)—a partner church of Lutheran Church–Canada—has announced that he will not be seeking reelection at the church’s Convention of General Synod later this year.

Bishop Henderson was first elected to head the LCA in April 2013. He was also the first leader of the Australian church to hold the title of bishop, as the same convention which elected him also voted to change the title of synodical head from president to bishop. He was reelected to a second term in October 2018.

Bishop Henderson formerly served as Vice President of the LCA from 2006-2011, and as a member of the General Church C o u n c i l f ro m 2 0 0 3 2011. He also served as Principal of Australian Lutheran Council from 2009 until his election as bishop. He was first ordained in 1982.

In addition to not seeking reelection, Bishop Henderson has announced his intention to retire from active pastoral ministry.

That concern is deepening. “Recent actions in Finland have created an international scandal which continues to grow,” said Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, General Secretary of the ILC. “The implications of the decision to charge Juhana Pohjola and Päivi Räsänen are clear: if the authorities are willing to do this to a respected pastor, reverend doctor, and Bishop Elect, as well as a Member of Parliament and former Minister of the Interior, then that sends a message of fear and intimidation to everyone in Finland who follows the Scripture’s teaching on human sexuality.”

“Faithful Christians need to demonstrate solidarity with their suffering Finnish Lutheran brothers and sisters,” General Secretary Quill continued. “We must not be silent but express righteous indignation at the actions of the Finnish authorities and demand an end to the persecution of those who adhere to historic Christian teaching on sexuality. I encourage Christians around the world to pray for Juhana and Päivi, and to follow the example and command of Jesus: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44).”

The ELMDF and Lutheran Church– Canada are partner churches, and both members together of the ILC. ELMDF Bishop Elect Pohjola himself has participated in LCC life, serving as visiting scholar at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario from January 2011 to June 2012.

ILC News

Delegates to the General Pastors Conference in July 2021 will nominate candidates for the position of bishop. Nominees with at least 25 percent of the vote at the Pastors Conference will be added to the slate for election at the Convention of General Synod, which is scheduled for September 28 - October 3 in Melbourne. Candidates may also be nominated from the floor under a special provision.

ILC News THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

Urgent prayer request for Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA - Rev. Asefa Aredo, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) Missionary at Large to the Lutheran Oromo community in Winnipeg, has issued a letter to LCC through President Timothy Teuscher, urging prayer for Ethiopia amid significant unrest. His letter follows: Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I am writing you this letter after much prayer. President Teuscher, we are currently living in a global health crisis because of COVID-19. Fear, anger, loneliness, and frustration has built up and taken hold of many people’s hearts, minds, and souls.

Currently, as you may or may not know, in Ethiopia there has been civil

unrest and an enormous amount of conflict taking over the country. With bad governance, there are hundreds of people being killed and many going hungry, missing, and forced to leave their homes.

I am extremely concerned, as this situation has escalated to chaos. It is out of control.

There is a fear that civil war will break out as well. Meanwhile cases of COVID-19 are rising, taking the lives of the innocent.

As a missionary at large, I am blessed to have brothers and sisters in Christ at Lutheran Church–Canada. I am asking just as you have before to please send out an urgent call to prayer for Ethiopia across our churches in Canada. Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

A call to prayer for COVID-struck India INDIA - The International Lutheran Council (ILC) is encouraging Christians around the world to continue to remember India in prayer as the country struggles with a deadly wave of COVID-19.

Infections peaked in May, with new cases of the disease exceeding more than 400,000 per day. By April, India officially became the second country to pass the 20 million mark of confirmed cases overall.

As of early June, India had the third most fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with more than 340,000 official deaths, although there are suggestions the true number could be much higher.

The most recent wave proved particularly deadly, with hospitals turning people away due to a lack of supplies to

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care for the infected—notably, oxygen and hospital beds. Media reported people dying outside hospital doors, unable to gain admittance, as well as funeral homes and crematoriums overwhelmed with bodies.

Among those suffering in the midst of the crisis are members of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC).

“We are losing our dear ones every day,” wrote IELC President Y. Suvisesha Muthu in early May. “Our members, young and old, are dying almost daily.

Many have tested positive and are waiting to get treatment.”

Two of the church’s pastors had died early in the third wave, as did a retired pastor. Others were left sick. Several

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4 Rev. Asefa Aredo In response, President Teuscher has issued the following, with the request that the people of Lutheran Church–Canada lift up the people of Ethiopia in prayer during this time of dire need: Gracious and merciful God and Father, although Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to bring us Your heavenly peace, violence and conflict still rage among Your children on earth. We bring before Your throne of grace and mercy the needs of the people in Ethiopia where there is increasing civil unrest in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that is raging out of control. Put an end to the bloodshed and this catastrophe. Grant relief to the injured and the homeless.

Mercifully embrace the frightened in Your love. Empower the weak with Your strength.

Restrain the wicked by Your might. Preserve those who confess Your holy name that their faith may not falter. And comfort by Your Spirit the many people who have immigrated to Canada from Ethiopia whose loved ones are in danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

faculty members of the IELC’s Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil required medical care for COVID-19, with the seminary’s principal needing critical care.

“The situation is very grave,” noted Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council.

“We call on Lutherans worldwide to lift up India in prayer, that God would provide relief from the current crisis. In particular, pray that God would continue to bless the work of medical providers in the country, that He would provide assistance from within and without the country in the provision of needed medical supplies, and that He would bless the rollout of India’s vaccination program. May God have mercy on a suffering people.”

ILC News

NATIONAL NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

A Statement on the Legacy of the Residential School System

by Rev. Timothy Teuscher CANADA - A few weeks ago, the devastating and heartbreaking news spread across Canada and throughout the world of the discovery of the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

What was revealed in Kamloops is not unique; many more indigenous children and their families suffered greatly as a result of the residential schools which were operated by various church denominations with support from the Canadian government.

We—the pastors, deacons and congregations of Lutheran Church– Canada—lament the tragic death of these children, and the devastation

the residential school system has caused to so many indigenous families and communities. We acknowledge the grief, anger, and trauma that still prevails among many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people as a result. And we lament that these atrocities were committed in the name of Christ, and yet are completely contrary to the work and teaching of Christ who suffered and gave His life for every sinner “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages“ (Revelation 7:9) and who has commanded through His apostles that those who bear His holy name by virtue of their baptism are to “do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10).

As President of Lutheran Church–Canada, I ask that our

church family across the country call upon our gracious and merciful Father in heaven in prayer: that He would bestow the comfort and peace and healing of Christ upon our indigenous sisters and brothers who have been traumatized and impacted by the legacy of the residential school system; and that would He instill in us all the desire to seek opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those who suffer.

I encourage our congregations to regularly remember in prayer the ongoing pain and devastation which indigenous peoples in Canada experience as a result of the residential school system, either with the suggested prayer at the top of this page or another.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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CONVENTION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

Call for nominations for LCC’s 2022 National Convention

CANADA - As Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) begins preparations for 2022’s National Convention in Edmonton, the church is calling on its members to prayerfully consider nominations for synod’s boards and offices. In April, LCC sent a letter to all congregations inviting them to recommend candidates by October 10.

Any LCC member may recommend one or more persons for nominations to the following offices; they do not require a congregational vote.

Descriptions of the offices and the responsibilities and qualifications for nominees are available online.

1. Board of Directors (BOD) - To be elected: 5 lay persons; 3 pastors; and 1 deacon (with at least 1 individual from each region).

2. Commission on Adjudication (COA) - To be elected: 2 rostered workers (the other members of the COA are 3 lay persons appointed by each regional pastor, at least 1 of whom must be a lawyer).

3. Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) To be elected: 3 rostered workers, 1 of whom may be a deacon; and 3 laypersons, 1 of whom must be a lawyer

(the other member of the CCMS is the secretary of the BOD who is appointed to that office from among the Board members).

4. Commission on Nominations and Elections (CNE) - To be elected: 4 rostered workers, at least 3 of whom shall be pastors and 1 may be a deacon; and 3 laypersons (each region is to be represented, if possible, by at least 1 member).

5. Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) - To be elected: 2 rostered workers serving congregations, at least 1 of whom must be a pastor or pastor emeriti; and 2 lay persons (the other members of the CTCR are a faculty member from each of our two seminaries who is appointed or elected by the faculty, and a member appointed by the synod president).

6. Regional Mission and Ministry Council (RMMC) - To be elected: 1 lay person from each circuit (the RMMC consists of a lay person and the circuit counsellor from each circuit in the region).

7. Board of Regents (Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines) - To be approved for selection by the Board of Regents: 1 pastor; and 1 lay person from each region (the names of those approved for selection at the convention are submitted to the BOR which makes the final official election or appointment).

8. Board of Regents (Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton)To be approved for selection by the Board of Regents: 1 pastor; and 1 lay person from each region (the names of those approved for selection at the convention are submitted to the BOR

which makes the final official election or appointment).

For the first time ever, nominations can be submitted online through LCC’s website here: www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/synodconvention-2022/recommendationfor-nomination-form/ Nominations can also be recorded on the nomination form and sent to the Commission on Nominations and Elections (CNE), care of LCC’s office in Winnipeg. The Commission will then select nominees and alternates from the recommendations submitted.

Additional recommendations for nominations may be made from the floor of the convention; provided that the candidate has given his or her written consent and the required biographical information. However, please remember that all potential nominees must be vetted by the CNE. As a result, the CNE asks that if you are planning on making a recommendation for nomination from the floor, please provide the CNE with the appropriate documentation prior to the start of the convention; failure to do so, may result in the disqualification of the recommended nominee.

Recommendations are requested by June 30, 2021, if possible. The deadline is October 10, 2021.

Not all candidates for elected office are nominated through the above described process. The offices of President, Vice-President, Regional Pastor, and Circuit Counselor are nominated through a separate process, where a congregational vote is needed to nominate candidates. At a later date, each congregation will be sent an official nominating ballot for these offices.

LCC releases Synod Convention Infographic CANADA - The word ‘synod’ actually means ‘assembly or meeting’—that is, a gathering of clergy and lay members of congregations who are joined together in a common confession of faith and convened for the purpose of discussion of issues pertaining to doctrine and practice,

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

administrative matters, and, above all, as an opportunity for worship and nurture in God’s Word.

The 2022 convention will be the first time that every LCC parish is represented at a Synodical convention! So, why does LCC hold a convention anyway? In traditional

Lutheran fashion, we decided to ask “What does this mean?” as it pertains to the bylaws about convention in our Synod’s Handbook. Check out LCC’s Synod Convention Infographic on the following page!

What does this mean?

LCC’S SYNOD CONVENTION! LCC Handbook The Convention shall afford an opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information. It is the principal legislative assembly, which approves the amendment of the Statutory Bylaws, Synodical Constitution and Synodical Bylaws, considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate appeals.

∞

Bylaw

The Convention shall afford an opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information. It is the principal legislative assembly, which approves the amendment of the Statutory Bylaws, Synodical Constitution and Synodical Bylaws, considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate appeals.

∞

Bylaw

It establishes general synodical positions and policies, provides overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities in order to provide responsible service for and on behalf of its members.

1

WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP! LCC’s synod-wide convention gathers the national church around Word and Sacrament ministry—receiving ONLINE - On April 10,strengthening 2021, youth our faith to continue together God’s gifts leaders across four provinces in Hisfrom mission in Canada.

Infographic Design by Alex Steinke

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gathered on Zoom to discuss their current joys and struggles in ministry.

Hosted by the National Youth Gathering, the event was open to The convention features practical workshops and inspiring speakers that will encourage and motivate everyone involved in youth ministry attendees as they seek ways to serve their parish in Lutheran Church–Canada, and and communities. the organizers hoped the event would encourage youth leaders to connect with and support each other.

Sixteen people attended the event, The convention allows for national discussion about shared experiences andministry. resource LCC’s mission and Theideas, direction of God’s mission Canada through meeting LCC is determined by the decisions and to agreed that another should made by the convention delegates through elections be held Watch for information in andsoon. resolutions. the coming months aboutThe theEdmonton NYG’s convention in 2022 will be the FIRST TIME every LCC next virtual youth ministry event, parish will be represented at a which will include a presentation from Synodical Convention! an experienced youth ministry worker.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/synod-convention-2022/

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NATIONAL NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

Roger Winger, former East District President, passes on to glory

WATERLOO, ONTARIO - Rev. Dr. Roger E. Winger, former president of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) East District, died early in the morning of April 29, 2021. He was 87.

“He has been prepared for his death since the day of his baptism, but more so since the cancer diagnosis last year,” said his son, Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger, President of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS), in an email to the seminary community. “He was very anxious to be more closely with his Lord, who was with him all the way.”

A few days before his death, four of Dr. Roger Winger’s children were able to be with him and pray the Commendation of the Dying with him.

Dr. Winger was born on Dec. 25, 1933 in Fisherville, Ontario, where he was baptized and confirmed at Holy Ghost Lutheran (now Trinity). He studied at Concordia High School and Junior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, graduating in 1953. He pursued pastoral studies through Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri), graduating in 1958.

On July 27 of the same year he was ordained in preparation for his first call to serve as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. He served fourteen years in that country,

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first as pastor at Holy Trinity in Tottenham, London, then as founding pastor of Good Shepherd in Coventry, and finally as mission pastor at Liverpool Lutheran Mission.

Returning to Canada, he served as parish pastor at Faith and St. Matthew’s (Dunnville/Smithville, Ontario) from 1972-1978, and then at St. Paul’s (Kitchener, Ontario) from 1978-1991.

Throughout his years in England and Canada, he served on various boards and committees, including as secretary and chairman of the District Pastoral Conference. He further served as editor of the Lutheran Witness’ Ontario District Edition and of Ontario District News.

Dr. Winger was first elected to the board of the Ontario District in the position of Director of Public Relations before subsequently becoming First Vice-President in 1982. When Lutheran Church–Canada became an autonomous church body in 1988, Dr. Winger was elected Secretary of Synod. He held that position until 1991 when he was elected President of the East District. He would continue in that position until his retirement in 2000.

Even after retirement, Dr. Winger continued to minister as Pastor Emeritus at Historic St. Paul’s (Kitchener) and by caring for shut-ins of both Historic St. Paul’s and Holy Cross. He further served as a visiting instructor at CLTS in St. Catharines, Ontario and on the boards of several of LCC’s listed service organizations and auxiliaries.

In honour of Dr. Winger’s long service to Christ and the Church, he was recognized with numerous awards. In 1991, he received an honourary doctorate (D.D.) from Concordia Seminary (Edmonton). In 2003, he received the Christo et Ecclesiae (“Christ and Church”) award from Concordia University College of Alberta (Edmonton). And in 2013, he received the Delta Chi (“Servant of Christ”) award from CLTS. His faithful service was marked again in July 2018 at a 60th ordination anniversary celebration held at Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran in Kitchener.

“On behalf of our Lutheran Church–Canada family, I extend my condolences to his family and assure them of our prayers,” said LCC President Timothy Teuscher. “Roger was not only a colleague of mine in the office of the holy ministry, my ecclesiastical supervisor during the time he served as President of the East District of LCC, a friend, mentor, and golfing partner; but especially a ‘dear father.’ I will miss him greatly.”

“We thank God for his many years of service to and in our church,” President Teuscher continued. “And while we mourn over his passing, we also rejoice with his family and take comfort in these words from Holy Scripture: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.

Blessed indeed, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours’ (Rev. 14:13).”

Dr. Winger is predeceased by his wife, Della (née Lebien), who entered into glory in 2011. God blessed their marriage with five children—Jeffrey (Yvonne), Karen (Ron), David (Wendy), Thomas (Sara), and Susan (Les)— and many grandchildren.

WEST REGION NEWS

Alberta and British Columbia - Michelle Heumann, editor

VBS donates books to school libraries

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. - Faith Lutheran Church has two wonderful pastors: Revs. Jaime Ventura and Scott Brayall. Every summer, the church holds Vacation Bible School, and the daily offering is used to help other children learn about Jesus.

The 2019 VBS program from Concordia Publishing House suggested that donations go towards purchasing Christian books for schools in the USA. VBS coordinator Maureen Schadeck Wilhite, a substitute teacher at Grande Prairie public schools for many years, wondered if they could do the same for their own schools.

Faith Lutheran wanted to give the opportunity for kids in the community to hear about Christ through books they could pick out of their school libraries. The 2019 VBS was a real success with over 80 children and 30 volunteers, and $1,000 in offerings to go towards this project. With God’s

help, prayer, and many wonderful people, at the end of 2020 the team was finally able to place books about Jesus in local school libraries.

Church Council President Brian Cook helped guide the project over its year and a half journey, which involved several meetings with school officials.

After a positive response, the team consulted with Grand Prairie Christian School (which is part of the local school district) for ideas on popular Christian books that would be received well by students in the fifteen public schools.

A local businessman was thrilled to hear of the project and doubled the funds. His parents had previously helped the Gideons present Bibles to Grade 5 students in the schools.

The donation allowed the group to order books for Kindergarten through Grade 12. These included The Action Bible for every school, the story of Easter and Christmas as seen

through the eyes of the Berenstain Bears for elementary students, and many Christian-based novels for all ages. The team hopes to keep adding books to libraries over time.

An order for the books was placed through Shepherd’s Fold, a local Christian bookstore. Within a few weeks, the books arrived. They were stamped with the church’s name and contact information, should anyone like to touch base. In mid-December 2020, Maureen and her husband delivered them to the Grande Prairie School District office to be couriered to all the schools. What an exciting day! What started out as an idea for the August 2019 VBS, with God’s help, was completed a year and a half later!

Maureen Schadeck Wilhite (Board of Education, VBS Coordinator), Brian Cook (Congregational President), Rev. Jaime Ventura, and Rev. Scott Brayall THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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WEST REGION NEWS

Alberta and British Columbia - Michelle Heumann, editor

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR, REV. ROBERT MOHNS

Forgiven F

orgiven. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that! In this world of cultural upheaval, accentuated

by COVID hyper-anxiety and our propensity to travel down a myriad of rabbit holes that lead us into a plethora of sins, we need to hear our God speak His Word of truth and life and mercy: “your sins are forgiven you.”

The Greco-Roman culture was in decline. Licentiousness and greed were rising. Power players were forming a new republic, no longer undercover, but now in plain sight to all. The era was marked by great upheaval amid great advancements. In the midst of this, God raised up for Himself the Apostle Peter and the other apostles as witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. They heralded this Good News on Pentecost in the backwater province of Judea in Jerusalem, a despised city of the Roman Empire.

[Peter said:] “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36-38).

Forgiveness. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

It m u s t h a ve b e e n j a r r i n g , unfathomable, for the friends of the

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paralytic man to hear this word applied to their broken-bodied friend. Here was a man who knew intimately what it was like to live his life trapped in a broken world, in a broken body held captive to sin and death.

And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).

Though we do not know the exact circumstances of her situation, we do know of a woman, identified as a sinner, who came to Jesus, and who in repentant faith offered Him her tears of worship to wash His feet, anointing His feet also with ointment. Jesus applied His Word to her as well.

“Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48).

Forgiveness. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

It is the Word that our living Lord applies to you, friend. For you who are physically, mentally, and emotionally broken and battered. For you who suffer as fallen and broken people in a fallen and broken world. For you who find your life trapped in sin and death.

Jesus applies His Word to you: “you are forgiven.” There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

As we reflect on the season of upheaval we are going through, we too take Peter’s word to heart. In thought, word, and deed we acknowledge that we are the cause of Jesus’ crucifixion. He died in our place, the Righteous One for the unrighteous.

Think of the ways you have deserted Christ to follow the new culture and its enticing promises. Think of the broken relationships you have been involved in.

It’s not hard; COVID has brought out the chief of sinners in us all. Think of the disagreements with others you have had.

Think of the things you have thought, said, and done that have injured a brother or sister. Think of your searing and often caustic judgements. Your selfjustifications. Think of your lingering bitterness and growing hardness of heart.

Think of the disunity you have caused in the body of Christ, your nit-picking ways, your cutting speech, your agency to create suspicion, your gossip. Think of your disregard for those in authority, those who have sought to serve you in the public sphere, in your workplaces, home, and church.

The list of sin is long and runs deep.

My own body recoils from the thought of pulling that log out of my eye.

The crowds whom the Lord had gathered to hear Peter speak asked, “What then must we do?” This too is the question the Holy Spirit leads us to ask in our day.

In an ever-changing world, the Word of God remains ever true: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

God continues to apply His Word to us through His Spirit and by the ministry of those He calls into the Office of Holy Ministry, and by those whom He calls and gathers into His holy communion. He calls us to repentance and to a life lived in the baptismal grace that has flooded over us. He gives you that sweet word to speak to your family, friends, co-workers, fellow church members, and neighbours: forgiven.

There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

May the Gospel of Christ flood your hearts and minds, and may it season all that you think, say, do. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

WEST REGION NEWS

Alberta and British Columbia - Michelle Heumann, editor

Sharing in the joy of the Resurrection at a distance

Members take in a socially-distanced story. Photo: Monica Cheng

VA N CO U V E R , B . C . - W i t h a ban on in-person worship gatherings in place since midNovember 2020, Killarney Community Lutheran Church wanted to provide something special for its members to mark the resurrection of our Lord. In addition to an online worship service, members of both Killarney and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches were invited to a drive-thru at the church to pick up donuts. This provided members with a delicious treat,

an opportunity to see some familiar faces, and a chance to joyously celebrate the Lord’s resurrection together and at a safe distance.

Some families also took the opportunity to go through the StoryWalk® that was on display for Holy Week and Easter. The StoryWalk® featured the book ‘ Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist with illustrations

by Elena Selivanova. The pages of the book were taken apart and placed on posts spaced more

than six feet apar t along the front of the church property, providing a fun and safe outreach opportunity to share the Easter story with members of the community.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the KelloggHubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned

by Ms. Ferguson.

Samantha Neeb, Youth Director

WEST REGION Contact Rev. Robert Mohns, Regional Pastor | rmohns@lutheranchurch.ca | 1. 855. 826. 9950 |

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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WEST REGION NEWS

Alberta and British Columbia - Michelle Heumann, editor

LCC pastors’ wives make history O N L I N E - O n Ap r i l 2 3 - 2 4 , 2021, pastors’ wives from all three of Lutheran Church– Canada’s Regions made history by gathering together on Zoom for a Canada-wide online retreat.

The retreat was co-hosted by the leadership teams from the West and Central Regions, and they invited the sisters from the East Region to join, with seven of them participating.

In total, 42 women from all ages and stages of life participated under the theme “Hoping in Lament.” The retreat provided a safe place for the women to

lament how difficult the past year has been for their husbands and for them as they support them.

T h e g r o u p h e a rd a p ow e r f u l presentation by Rev. DJ Kim of Regina on “ Trauma in the Clergy Home,” and the group was encouraged by studying God’s Word, praying, and singing w o r s h i p s o n g s t o g e t h e r. T h e singing was led by a virtual choir of participating pastors’ wives (with thanks to Marion Timm for her expertise in this area).

This event would never have happened without technology, w h i c h a l l o w e d a n y p a s t o r ’s

wife with internet access to p a r t i c i p a t e , n o m a t t e r w h e re she lived or what her family or mobility concerns might be.

Several “well-seasoned” pastors’ wives participated, and the group was grateful for their wisdom and encouragement.

Deanna Hautz, Chair of the Ministry Wives Committee, West Region

“Hoping in Lament”

SHARE YOUR STORIES Contact Michelle Heumann, Regional News Editor | regionaleditor@lutheranchurch.ca |

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

CENTRAL REGION NEWS

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW Ontario - Michelle Heumann, editor

Lutheran Leavener: Prairie pastor plays metal music

WARMAN, Saskatchewan - Many pastors are talented singers and musicians in their own rights, but it’s not every day that one drops an EP—especially one featuring metal music.

Rev. Peter Knelson is pastor of St. John’s Lutheran in Warman, Saskatchewan, but he also releases Christian Metal music under the name “Lutheran Leavener.” In late 2020, he released his first EP entitled Paradox.

“It explores some of the paradoxes in the Christian faith,” Rev. Knelson noted in a live YouTube release party.

“This album has a lot of Lutheran bias in it. In fact, the whole album is really inspired by a quote from Luther.”

That quote? “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.

A Christian is perfectly dutiful servant to all, subject to all.”

The EP features six songs which

discuss paradoxes in the Christian faith, including “Simul Justus Et Peccator” (Latin for “Simultaneously Justified and a Sinner”); “Now and Not Yet”; “The Cross and the Glory”; “Faith and Works”; “Kingdom of Earth and Kingdom of Heaven”; and “Law and Gospel.”

Since releasing the EP, Rev. Knelson has continued to work on his music, most recently releasing a song entitled “Honey Lips and Deadly Feet.” The song explores the nature of pornography and its impact on people today. “It is my form of waging war against pornography and the hyper-sexualization of our society,” he notes in a social media post. “It is an aggressive song but the aggressive tone complements this very serious issue. We have to stop basing our identity on sex. Only an identity in Christ will bring true peace.”

You can listen to Rev. Knelson’s music on the “Lutheran Leavener” YouTube page. The EP Paradox and other songs by Rev. Knelson are also available through iTunes.

Studying the faith at home

Rev. Daniel Barr and Rietje Ruth van Arragon after her confirmation.

Rieje and her son study the catechism.

ATIKOKAN, Ont. - When Rev. Daniel Barr of Faith Lutheran in Atikokan met Rietje Ruth van Arragon two years ago, she w a s r e a d i n g t h e He i d e l b e r g Disputation. In lieu of formal adult instruction, she paced herself through the Small Catechism and Concordia: The Lutheran

Rietje is using The Illustrated Catechism to teach her son Jason at home in a simple way. Thank you to Lutheran Laymen’s League for gifting this resource (from Concordia Publishing House) to catechumens and the recently confirmed in Lutheran Church–Canada.

Rev. Daniel Barr

Confessions, asking the occasional question along the way. On March 21, 2021, Rietje publicly confessed the Christian faith as taught by Luther’s Small Catechism. The Rite of Confirmation occurred across the baptismal font during Divine Service, while honouring provincial health measures.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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CENTRAL REGION NEWS

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW Ontario - Michelle Heumann, editor

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR, REV. DAVID HABERSTOCK

The Call Process as Gift

I

grew up in a parsonage. I had one pastor until I became a pastor. I had never attended a call meeting before becoming a Regional Pastor. Beyond what the Bible says about “the call,” I knew little about it.

So, in just over two years as a Regional Pastor helping congregations with calls, what have I learned?

1. God is in control of this process to send pastors to parishes, preachers, or prophets to hearers.

2. God often does not do what you want.

3. There are no “wasted calls,” for God is blessing someone through your congregation issuing a call, even if the pastor does not accept the call.

Let’s focus on that third point: there are no wasted calls. It’s a common refrain in a calling congregation: “Well, that was a waste of a call.” Sometimes it’s the frustrated parishioner or vacancy pastor saying it. Sometimes it’s the interested pastor or church worker saying it in conversations amongst other church workers as they observe the goings on in other parts of the church. But I say again: there are no wasted calls.

Your congregation may not be blessed by a pastor coming to serve you, but you are being blessed by

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calling a pastor. Moreover, the broader Church is also blessed.

You and your congregation are blessed because you are part of God’s calling and sending of a preacher of His Word (Romans 10:14-15, by processes seen in Acts 6:1-7; 13:1-3).

In every step of that process you are affirming that you believe, teach, and confess God’s promises: that He works in and through His Word and Sacraments (Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 26:26-28, 1 John 5:6-8, etc.), which are distributed to you by the hands and mouth of His called and ordained servant (Romans 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

You are confessing to one another and to the world around you that you are the Church, and, as the Church, that you, His flock, need His voice in your midst coming through the voice of His under-shepherd (Smalcald Articles III.xii:2; John 10:27).

You are also blessed because every time you are forced to issue a call you must consider again your congregation and its needs, and discuss them with your Circuit Counsellor or Regional Pastor. These things winnow us.

They sort out the chaff of unrealistic expectations and leave in us a desire for and appreciation of God’s miraculous working in our lives through His Word and Sacraments. Sometimes vacancies draw more people into volunteering to keep the various functions of the church operating. Vacancies, therefore, are often times of personal growth in

love for one another, spurred on by difficulty and necessity (Romans 5:3-5).

So the Lord is blessing you one way or another, for He will work for your good even in a temporary lack of Word and Sacrament (Romans 8:28).

But that’s not all. The pastor you extend a divine call to, and the congregation he serves, are blessed by your call. Of course, many a pastor or congregation may say, “That hardly feels like a blessing,” due to the fear of losing their pastor, or the struggle and soul-searching the pastor goes through as he prayerfully considers a call. But I tell you again: it is a blessing. The pastor who receives a call is blessed by the conversations he has with his parishioners, his family, and with his Lord. Often times this encourages and reaffirms his desire to continue serving the people of God in his current field of work. Other times it allows important and honest conversations to occur and provides an opportunity to address issues that have plagued a pastor and congregation. Sometimes one call nudges a pastor who had never thought of moving so that he will accept a later call. Calls provide a chance for honest open dialogue within a congregation.

All of this is a true blessing in our life together as Christ’s Church.

So, there are no wasted calls. With the Lord, everything is gift. Even our times of lack—lack of a pastor, lack of Word and Sacraments, and so forth— are a gift He works good things in for us (James 1:17).

CENTRAL REGION NEWS

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW Ontario - Michelle Heumann, editor

Wascana Circuit Easter Vigil

REGINA - As part of the celebration of Holy Week, the Wascana Circuit held its annual combined Easter Vigil on April 3, 2021. Good Shepherd served as the host congregation, with Revs. James Chimirri-Russell, Arron Gust, Daryl Solie, Lucas Albrecht, Paulo Brum, and Ted Giese leading the service and doing the readings. Regional Pastor Rev. David Haberstock delivered the sermon, which was the Easter Vigil

sermon by the 5th century bishop of Rome, Leo the Great.

The service began with the circuit pastors gathered outside around the fire from which the Paschal candle was lit. Due to COVID restrictions, the congregation was unable to be a part of the outdoor event. However, thanks to the wonders of technology, this part was streamed to both the people gathered inside and those watching online. The

service continued in darkness until the loud “hallelujahs” sounded and the candlelight was replaced by overhead lighting, the dark altar cloths replaced by white paraments, and the mournful atmosphere replaced by the joyful proclamation that Christ has risen!

Video from the service is a va i l a b l e o n l i n e h e re : h t t p s : / / fb.watch/5CBb8GeJvG/.

Amanda Hastings, DPS

CENTRAL REGION Contact Rev. David Haberstock, Regional Pastor | dhaberstock@lutheranchurch.ca | 1. 800. 663. 5673 |

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

25

CENTRAL REGION NEWS

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW Ontario - Michelle Heumann, editor

Drive-in services in Morden

MORDEN, Man. - The province of Manitoba has had rather tight attendance rules for congregations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including what amounted to total shutdowns from March to May 2020, and from November 2020 to February 2021.

Restrictions as of May 9, 2021 meant that no in-person services were allowed, after already being reduced to ten people maximum at a service at the end of April. However, there was a provision in the provincial restrictions for drive-in services where people remain in their vehicles and do not interact with other people from other vehicles. There was no attendance cap for such services.

Stardust Drive-In Theatre, one of only three drive-in theatres left in Manitoba, is owned by an extended family who are active members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

Morden, and they offered the possible use of their theatre for holding drivein services. After some quick planning and organizing once the new rules were announced, the first weekly service at Stardust, open to the members of both Trinity in Winkler and Zion in Morden, was held at 11:00 a.m. on May 2, 2021. There were a couple of minor technical glitches, but on the whole the service went well.

An advantage of the drive-in setup is that as long as people remain in their vehicles, there are no attendance restrictions, and the Stardust is definitely a community landmark.

The coming weeks will show if there is perhaps outreach potential, but at the very least, it is good to be able to gather as a parish to hear the Word of God together in this way during the current lockdown.

Rev. Alex Klages Photos by Celine Titchkosky

EAST REGION NEWS

Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada - Michelle Heumann, editor

Former East District BOD member passes on to glory

KANATA, Ont. - Kenneth Lyell Currie, who served Lutheran Church–Canada’s former East District as a long-time board member, passed on to glory on April 19, 2021, at the age of 86. The cause of death was mesothelioma.

Ken played an active role in church life, serving on the Board of Directors of Lutheran Church– Canada’s East District for 20 years, including nine years as chair and six years as secretary. He led the campaign to establish Lutherwood from 1965-1967 and served as a director for nine years. He also served as a congregational chair or treasurer for many years.

He sang tenor with the Ottawa Choral Society for decades, as well as with his church choir and the Ottawa Brahms Choir.

Ken was born on Sept. 7, 1934, in Peterborough, Ontario, to Marion and Victor Currie. In 1956, he graduated from Queens University with distinction and a B.Sc. in geological engineering. In 1959, he received a Ph.D. for the first degree in theoretical

geology granted by the University of Chicago. He liked to say that it was also the shortest dissertation that his department had ever accepted. He was in a hurry to complete his dissertation before his marriage to Edrith Rohwer on June 13, 1959.

Ken joined the Geological Survey of Canada in 1960. His career allowed him to combine theoretical research with his love of field geology.

Many summers were spent in remote areas reachable only by pontoon plane. While away, he wrote Edrith faithfully, describing the scenery, wildlife, adventures, and misadventures in his wilderness camps. Travelling largely on foot, he created geological maps of more than 33,000 km2 in the Canadian Shield, British Columbia, and the Maritimes. His work in the Maritimes involved tracing the places where the North American and European plates had touched.

Because of his expertise on craters, he was appointed as a scientific investigator for the historic Apollo XI mission, and as such he was one of the few to study the moon rocks. A career highlight was arranging a Canada-USSR scientific exchange in 1978. The exchange seemed impossible because there was no currency conversion between dollars and rubles. However, Ken realized that if Russian scientists used rubles to pay the expenses of the Canadian scientists in Russia and vice-versa, no currency would need to be exchanged. His children remember his lab and marvels such as a machine that would turn peanut butter (carbon) into diamonds via high pressure.

In his last years he enjoyed singing barbershop with “Aged in Harmony.” While at Chicago, he was on the varsity basketball team and was captain of both the swim team and the water-polo team.

He received the university’s Amos Alonso Stagg award for the best all-around record for athletics, scholarship, and character. He continued to swim regularly to the end of his life. Ken was known for his cheerful disposition and determined optimism.

Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife Edrith after 57 years of marriage, and by his sister Margaret McBurney. He is greatly missed by his sister Helen Gordon, his children David, Ruth (Lones), Joan (Charles), James (Lois), and Janet (Bentley), and by his grandchildren, Phileas, Titus, Matthias (Paige), Naomi, and Isaac Smith; Paul, Anna, and Elizabeth (Neil) Currie; and Ben and River MacLeod.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Risen Lutheran Church in Kanata at 10:30 on September 25, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lutherwood or to Christ Risen.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

27

EAST REGION NEWS

Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada - Michelle Heumann, editor

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR, REV. MARVIN BUBLITZ

For all the saints, who from their labours rest

I

am writing this near the end of April. The latter half of April is a time of mixed feelings for me. It is this time of year during which the Lord called from this world many saints whom He placed in my life to guide and speak His word to me.

My mother served as a fine Christian example. She always reminded me of the Word of God and how it should direct and govern my life. She constantly read Bible stories to us.

My mother-in law raised a fine Christian daughter who became my wife. During her last night on earth, a week after Easter, there was a severe storm outside her hospital room and great storms of pain inside. Just after she passed and the room fell silent, I looked outside her window at the sunrise. The storms had ceased. I marvelled at how she was now at peace, and I knew I could be at peace trusting in the resurrection.

My neighbour and elementary school teacher was also an organist for our congregation. Her faith was evident as she watched her husband die with cancer, and later as she would do the same.

An elder in one of my congregations was called home in late April. He was a farmer, a true steward of the earth. One summer Sunday morning, we talked as he was preparing to leave for a two-week vacation. I asked, “Who is looking after the farm while you are gone?”

He pointed to heaven and said, “The same One who always does.”

It was a good reminder for me of

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the Lord’s divine care. I asked his wife for some of the soil from his fields to use for his committal. The remainder of that bottle sits on my desk as a reminder of him and of the Lord’s constant care.

Recently, two more saints were added to my April list. Dr. Ken Currie was called home. I worked with him on various committees and such over the years. He was always an example of Christian service.

Most recently, the Lord called Rev. Dr. Roger Winger to glory.

He was a mentor to me. Ordaining me was one of his first official duties as the newly elected District President. As a young pastor, I relied on his wisdom and guidance. That continued throughout my ministry.

When I came into this office, he had more to teach me.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

This is a different article than I usually write. I do so not to draw attention to myself and my grief, nor do I seek to draw attention to those saints called to glory. Rather, I rejoice in all the Lord accomplished in their lives and through them in the lives of others. Most importantly, I rejoice in the eternal glory that they now enjoy through Christ.

As I said, the end of April generates mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, I mourn the many I miss.

But my grief is far overshadowed by

the fact that they are at peace in the Lord. He, who overcame death and the grave, bestows that victory to His saints. He, who rose from the dead, will raise all the saints to life everlasting. I cannot help but see the significance that all these deaths occur at the time when the church celebrates the Easter season.

During this time of pandemic, many have lost loved ones. For many of us, their death came without our being able to be at their bedside.

I have heard people speak of how “they died alone.” Yet that is not true, for the Lord is always with us, and none of His saints die alone.

St. Paul reminds us in Romans 14:7-9: “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

We do not mourn as they who have no hope. We mourn with the sure confidence of the faithful, and we eagerly await the resurrection of all flesh. On that day, we shall be reunited with all the saints who have gone before us, and together we shall be forever with the Lord in our Father’s Kingdom.

EAST REGION NEWS

Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada - Michelle Heumann, editor

Easter egg hunt

DASHWOOD, Ont. - The Education Committee at Zion Lutheran Church decided to hold an Easter egg hunt on the church’s lawn on Saturday, April 3, 2021. Plans were put into place to offer this family event safely. Families would stay together and be spaced apar t, following a path around the church. T h e c o n g r e g a t i o n w a s asked to donate plastic eggs to be filled with scripture and chocolate.

The week before the hunt, the committee got together and filled close to a thousand plastic eggs. The plan was to have families hunt the eggs

and, at the end of the path, receive an Easter gift bag with the Easter stor y booklet from the Lutheran Laymen’s League, several Easter activity sheets, a simple craft to make at home, and a save the date card for Zion’s Vacation Bible School.

As COVID-19 cases rose in Ontario the week before Easter, however, the provincial government announced a stricter lockdown to begin on the morning of April 3.

The committee decided to cancel the actual hunt, but to encourage people to walk or drive by to pick up a paper basket with the filled eggs and

re c e i ve t h e g i f t b a g . It w a s a cold morning, but 53 children received eggs and bags from committee members, and the remaining 47 baskets and bags were taken to two local stores to be given out to customers.

In total, one hundred Easter packages were given out, and the message of Jesus’ resurrection was proclaimed to many children.

Elizabeth Trembulak, Zion Education Committee Co-chair

EAST REGION Contact Rev. Marvin Bublitz, Regional Pastor | mbublitz@lutheranchurch.ca | 1. 855. 893. 1466 |

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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EAST REGION NEWS

Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada - Michelle Heumann, editor

Pioneer on the Lake: Same legacy, new future

EAST REGION - Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center may have closed its doors, but God is not finished with the Lutheran camp located just south of Buffalo, New York. Campers who had a passion for the camp and outdoor ministry came together to form the non-profit group Friends of Pioneer, Inc., and fought long and hard for the “Warm Place in the Son” to continue its ministry.

The Friends of Pioneer leadership team is excited to announce that a partnership has been formed with Concordia Lutheran Ministries of

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Cabot, Pennsylvania. Concordia Lutheran Ministries has agreed to purchase the Pioneer property with the stipulation that the ongoing ministry of camp be operated and managed by the board of the Friends of Pioneer, Inc. Both the Friends of Pioneer and Concordia Lutheran Ministries are extensions of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, and both share a passionate zeal for outdoor ministry.

The team is thrilled to see God’s hand in this and are excited to see all that He has in store for the future of Pioneer.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries and the Friends of Pioneer are grateful to the board of Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center, Inc. and the leadership of the Eastern District of the LCMS, for their many years of stewardship at Pioneer. Their desire to see the ministry of Pioneer continue has brought us to this exciting place in time.

The good news is that the purchase of the property allows Pioneer to begin with a fresh start: completely debt free! This means that every dollar raised will go directly into the ministry of Pioneer and to restoring, expanding, and enhancing the facility and its many ministry opportunities.

This partnership means that future generations will be able to come hear the life-changing Gospel of Jesus and experience the presence of God as in generations past. It’s a new future: same legacy.

The Friends of Pioneer invite you to be part of the future of the camp.

Visit www.friendsofpioneer.org to learn more. Join the Friends of Pioneer on Facebook to see updates and reminisce about this place that so many know and love. Questions can be directed to Erika Schroth-Gajdos at office@ pioneeronthelake.com.

Most importantly, please continue to pray for the board of the Friends of Pioneer, and for present and future supporters of the ministry at Pioneer on the Lake.

The Friends of Pioneer

MISSION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

The gift of sun-power in Haiti

from Haiti

Battery Storage Building in the village of Poto

“LIGHT IS SWEET, AND IT IS PLEASANT FOR THE EYES TO SEE THE SUN.” - ECCLESIASTES 11:7

T

Charge Rail

by Andrew Jackson

he sun is an important part of life on our planet. It provides light to work in the day, it feeds plants, and it even gives us energy in the form of Vitamin D! We can also harness this energy for our technological needs by way of photo-voltaic panels, also know as solar panels. We can capture energy from the sun’s rays and use it to charge our batteries and power our electronic devices.

Did you know that one church in Haiti has already received the gift of sun-power thanks to the suporters of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS)? Construction on panel supports and a batter y storage building recently took place in the village of Poto.

Solar power captured in this way will run cooling fans during church services and also allow people in the village to charge batteries for their devices through a long charge rail with electrical outlets. Future plans include hosting Christian movies at the church.

The congregation expects that the new solar power system will aid both in new stewardship opportunities as well as in bringing more people to the church where the good news of Christ’s salvation for everyone can be heard.

A budget of approximately $20,000 USD was set for this project. If the project proves to be as successful as HLMS hopes in bringing villagers to the church for more than one type of power, the society expects additional congregations may come looking for similar support.

If you would like to help HLMS c o n t i n u e t o “p o w e r” C h r i s t’s Word and work in Haiti, consider supporting their solar project or another of their other projects, such as the children’s feeding program and lay catechumenal education.

“There is so much need in this very poor country,” HLMS says. “Our gifts, prayers and support for bringing the knowledge of Jesus and His promise to Haiti seems like a never-

ending task, but we will continue to do the work.”

To learn more about the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society and for more information on its projects, visit haitilutheranmissionsociety.ca.

Supporters can also get in touch by mail: Haiti Lutheran Mission Society 213 Linwell Road St. Catharines, ON L2N 1S1 The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society is a Listed Service Organization of Lutheran Church–Canada.

Andrew Jackson is the Treasurer of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS).

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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MISSION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

from Canada

LAMP ministry continues during the pandemic

KI and Wapekeka team in action videotaping VBS

by Michelle Heumann

L

AMP (Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots) recently shared a video made by Bethel Lutheran Church (Sherwood Park, Alberta.) about some of the creative ways its missionar y teams are finding to continue to reach out to the northern communities they would have normally visited in person in the summer of 2020.

LAMP teams make a long-term commitment to the communities they serve, returning to the same place year after year, building lasting relationships with the people they meet. The volunteer missionaries from Bethel serve several different communities, and reached out in ways ranging from mailing packages to phone calls and texting to offering virtual Vacation Bible School programming.

The video made by Bethel Lutheran highlights their projects and shares their love for the communities they return to year after year. It also invites prayer for these people and their relationships.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

Former LAMP director Judi Luckhardt has close ties with the community in Hall Lake, Saskatchewan. In 2018, at the request of two friends there, she began leading an online daily devotion. Over the years, the group has grown from three to more than twenty-five. They now also have a Facebook page where they share a daily Bible verse for other members of the community.

Jeanne Johnson has been a volunteer missionary to Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (K.I., also known as Big Trout Lake) in Ontario for 18 years, and for eight years to neighboring Wapekeka. Her team has a core group of at least three, but over the years they have had more than sixty people travel from different states and provinces to teach VBS and share God’s love with these communities. In the summer of 2020, being unable to lead Bible camp in the usual way, the team created videos based on the armour of God, a LAMP curriculum. A friend in one of the northern communities mentioned on Facebook that her grandchildren

were excited to learn more about God, but she didn’t know how to teach them, which was a perfect chance to point her to the team’s videos.

Other pandemic-friendly ways LAMP found to reach out has included mailing packages to people in the communities, as well as delivering VBS supplies, PPE kits (in partnership with several organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse), Bibles and devotional materials, and prayer blankets via plane, thanks to Missionary Pilot Andrew Anstey. A northern airline, SkyCare, graciously delivered a few packages to some of the communities as well. Lutheran Laymen’s League provided books, crafts, and snacks to make 500 packages for children, and LAMP staff added colouring sheets and personalized notes.

Michelle Heumann is Regional News Editor for The Canadian Lutheran magazine.

EDUCATION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

CLTS Professor’s book now available in Spanish L AT I N A M E R I C A - A b o o k on eschatology by Rev. Dr. John Stephenson, professor at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario, has recently been made available in Spanish as part of the VDMA Project.

“I would hope that the Eschatology volume of my youth will be of use to both ripened and ripening theologians in the Spanish-speaking world,” Dr. Stephenson said. “Academic treatment of eschatology is well and good—indeed, necessary in its own way—but the existential-pastoral bottom line is that in death and at the final judgment we come face to face with Him who took on our flesh

to bear our scars and be not only our Saviour but also our Judge.”

Dr. Stephenson’s Eschatology was first published in 1993 as part of the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics series. Dr. Stephenson served as general editor of the series for more than a decade, having previously served as assistant editor to Rev. Dr. Robert Preus.

The VDMA Project is a translation initiative of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, dedicated to bringing solid confessional theological materials into Spanish for the benefit of Latin American Lutherans. The program identifies important English theological texts, translates them into Spanish, and

makes them available electronically.

“VDMA” is an abbreviation of the Reformation slogan Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (Latin for “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever”).

Financial support of the project is made possible through the support of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

The VDMA project has already published Spanish translations of several books in the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics series. A translation of Dr. Stephenson’s other volume in the series, The Lord’s Supper, is also underway.

T he Span is h t r an s l at io n o f Eschatology is available for purchase from Amazon in both digital and paperback formats.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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EDUCATION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

First calls for 2021’s graduating pastors, vicarage assignments

CLS President James Gimbel confers the Master of Divinity degree on this year’s graduating student.

ONLINE - Lutheran Church–Canada’s two seminaries live-streamed their Call Services again this year on May 28 and 29 respectively.

Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS - Edmonton) held its Sacred Convocation online on May 28, 2021, during which time three colloquy candidates from last summer were presented. The colloquy candidates included: Rev. Timothy Graff, who accepted a call and is serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church (Didsbury, Alberta); Rev. Dr. Sam Thompson, who accepted a call and is waiting departure from India and entry to Canada to serve at CLS; and Rev. Samuel Kim, who is

eligible for a call and awaiting one from a congregation.

In addition, CLS had one graduate this year: Rev. Darcy Duane Albers, a candidate with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) who has been called to serve in that church body.

As a result of the pandemic, CLS did not present any honorary awards this year, deciding to defer such awards until next year, assuming that restrictions to gatherings will then be lifted.

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS - St. Catharines, Ontario) held its First Calls Service online to announce the first call of

CLTS President Thomas Winger examines this year’s graduating pastoral candidates

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

two graduating pastoral students and the vicarage placement of three other students on May 28, 2021. Receiving first calls during CLTS’ service were Markus Peschel (commended to the Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa - FELSISA) and David Zakel (called to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington, Ontario).

CLTS students receiving vicarage placements were Jason Gillard (Redeemer Lutheran – Waterloo, Ontario), Chad Miller (Grace Lutheran – St. Catharines, Ontario), and G. Nigel Prozenko (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran – Winkler, Manitoba).

In addition, CLTS announced the recipient of this year’s Delta Chi (Servant of Christ) Award is Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, President Emeritus of Lutheran Church–Canada. While Dr. Mayan was unable to be present for the service due to pandemic restrictions, the medal has already been delivered to him.

President Mayan was chosen as this year’s recipient in recognition of his twelveyears as president of synod and service as chairmanship of the International Lutheran Council, in addition to extensive work as a theological educator and pastoral mentor in Nicaragua. In recent years he has continued to serve faithfully in the local parish, visiting the housebound and the sick, and serving as a vacancy pastor.

Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, LCC President Emeritus and recipient of CLTS’ 2021 Delta Chi (Servant of Christ) Award.

EDUCATION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca

FIRST CALLS FOR GRADUATING PASTORS Markus Peschel (CLTS)

Commended to the Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa Markus Peschel was born in Germany, where he was also baptised as an infant. While he was still an infant, his family moved to South Africa where he grew up. His mother tongue is German, but he is fluent in English. As a born and raised Lutheran, he received catechism class and was later confirmed in the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA). After his tertiary education he completed an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, a trade similar to a machinist. In 2012 he began his undergraduate studies in theology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. In September 2016, his seminary life began in St. Catharines, Ontario. From August 2019 till July 2020, he underwent vicarage training at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Ontario. Having now completed his final year of theological studies in St. Catharines, he intends to return to South Africa in June of this year, where FELSISA will place him as a pastor.

VICARAGE PLACEMENTS Jason Richard Gillard (CLTS) Redeemer Lutheran Church (Waterloo, ON)

Chad Benson Miller (CLTS) Grace Lutheran Church (St. Catharines, ON)

David William John Zakel (CLTS) Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Burlington, ON)

David Zakel grew up in rural Ontario, and as such he is a bit of a country boy at heart. As an infant he was baptised into Christ and later first received Christ’s Holy Body and Blood at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Tillsonburg, Ontario (now amalgamated with St. Peter’s, Rhineland, to form Peace Lutheran Church, Tillsonburg). David studied History and Visual Arts at the University of Western Ontario, and Education at Nipissing University. He spent the next eleven years teaching multiple subjects and coaching various sports at the secondary school level before making the transition back to student life as a seminarian. During that time and by the grace of God, he was blessed with a loving wife, Stephanie, and four lovely and energetic children: Kaleb (10), Ethan (8), Hannah (5), and Nathaniel (2). David served his vicarage at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington, Ontario, under the oversight of Rev. Robert Krestick.

George Nigel Prozenko (CLTS (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winkler, MB)

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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IN REVIEW: MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION

Look to Jesus: A Review of My Light and My Salvation

I

by Mathew Block

t is a sad truth that too few Lutherans today engage in the creative arts.

This is especially true when it comes to written creative arts like poetry and fiction. Most people in the pew would be hard pressed to name more than one English-speaking Lutheran currently working in these fields. That’s a pity since these forms bring unique opportunities for reflection upon the faith.

The publication of a new edition of Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt’s poetry collection My Light and My Salvation is to be commended, then. A first edition of this work first appeared in 2008.

This new edition, published in 2021, substantially expands upon the former, with the addition of more than 40 new poems (and hymn translations) on Christian faith and life.

While the poetry of Rev. Reinhardt stands in the broader stream of English devotional poetry, many—in fact, most—of the poems in My Light and My Salvation are composed with attention to their potential pairing with music. The poems are, in other words, constructed as hymns. Those with standard metrical forms list the hymn meter at the bottom of the poem; some even give specific tune suggestions.

This is not to say that the poems in My Light and My Salvation must be sung; the reader will find them equally useful in private devotional reading. But a recognition of the hymn-like nature of the work helps us place it in the larger context of the Lutheran hymn tradition.

Like the great hymnwriters who have gone before him, Rev. Reinhardt seeks in his verse to capture Christian faith and life in its many facets—but to do so in ways that are accessible to Christians of various backgrounds. You need not be a poet yourself to understand this work; Rev. Reinhardt writes with an aim to be readily understood.

In this book, we hear the teachings of our faith—the Sacraments, for example,

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and the promise of eternal life—given new form. We hear the stories of Scripture told in new ways: the Creation; the Incarnation; the Passion; and more.

Particularly good among the new poems in this edition is “Tiny Baby, Weak and Small,” which expresses the mystery of the Incarnation in words simple yet profound. The opening verse reads:

Tiny Baby, weak and small Lying in a shepherd’s stall Can you be the Lord of all Tiny Baby, weak and small?

But these poems do not only re-tell the Word of God to us; they also give us a voice to respond in faith. With the poet, we call on God to hear our prayer.

The poem “O Jesus, Master, Hear Me,” for example, give us words to cry out in repentance for sin. “O Lord When My Soul is Cast Down” gives us words to cry out when we are sunk in sorrow.

The Christian will find here plenty of assistance in praying to God. And yet, whatever the subject of any given poem, one theme runs through the whole collection: namely, that God would keep our eyes on Jesus. Rev. Reinhardt points us back time and again to Christ, invites us to look to Him,

to turn to Him for consolation and forgiveness and hope. We read: Lord, when faith is weak and ailing As we sin in all we do, Take our gaze from all our failing; Fix our eyes instead on You. The theme is returned to again and again in Rev. Reinhardt’s poetry.

Sometimes the invitation to look to Christ—to look at Christ—is explicit: “Lord, put Your cross before our eyes.”

“Lord keep me gazing on Your face.”

“Oh, turn our eyes to You.” And where the invitation to look to Christ is not explicit, it remains present implicitly.

“Alone He Knew My Greatest Shame,” one of the new poems in this second edition, brings the Passion of Christ before our eyes anew: Alone He knew my greatest shame Spread out upon the tree Laid bare for passions I don’t tame Forsaken there for me.

Through Rev. Reinhardt’s words, we see Christ laid bare upon the cross. We see Him take on our sins and our shame.

We see Him suffer—and all “for me.”

That “for me” is no accident either.

Rev. Reinhardt presents Jesus to our eyes precisely so that we will come to understand better that Jesus is for us.

We indeed look to Jesus, and what do we find? Love. Mercy. Grace. As Rev. Reinhardt writes in another poem: How can I doubt His gracious love, When hearing what God gave for me?

Must I not know I’ll live above, When I see His Son on the tree?

This updated collection of Rev. Reinhardt’s verse is a rich devotional resource. Pray the book and make Rev. Reinhardt’s words your own, and you will see Christ on every page—Christ present for you in grace and mercy.

Mathew Block is editor of The Canadian Lutheran and communications manager for the International Lutheran Council.

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY An auxiliary of Lutheran Church-Canada, connecting donors with mission projects around the world.

Partners in Mission Partnering with You:

Concordia Lutheran Mission Society connects donors with the national and international missions

of Lutheran Church–Canada. Having a personal connection with other countries often influences our responses. Sometimes it is the family connection, such as grandparents, who emigrated from Ukraine, that prompts a donor to always choose a project from Ukraine. Perhaps memories of poverty as a child prompts another donor to choose the Feeding Program in Nicaragua. It may be a past mission trip to Thailand and Cambodia and meeting the church workers there that encourages a donation. Our hope at CLMS is that more and more of us will become connected to the people in our mission areas. CLMS has also accepted mission opportunities through Special Projects and Donor-Initiated Projects that LCC was unable to support monetarily. If you want more information on these, please contact us.

In 2021 we are supporting Regular Projects in Canada, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand and Ukraine, according to their unique needs.

Local church workers are supported in their efforts to proclaim Jesus’ message in their communities where they take God’s Word and provide help to those in need. Through your donations, these faithful church workers are equipped with continuing theological education, computer training, transportation needs, living expenses, ministry provisions for prisoners, homeless shelters, orphanages, medical needs, children’s feeding programs, children’s Christian education and more.

CLMS provides opportunities for you and for all the people of LCC congregations, along with your friends and families, to choose one or more projects that are close to your heart. Financial gifts to CLMS can be given “In Memorium” and also “In Honour” of special people or events. Cards are sent out to those mentioned or their families.

project is fully funded additional funds received will be applied to another project in that country, to a similar project in another country, or where needed most. All CLMS personnel are volunteers. Our administration costs are covered by donations to Operations. No funds designated for a mission project are used for administration costs.

Because of the worldwide effects of COVID-19, several of our regular programs were not able to operate or were run on a limited basis in 2020 (Computer Program in Nicaragua, Children’s Programs in Ukraine, and Theological Seminars in Cambodia). Although all programs were fully funded last year, not all funds were used. Therefore, a portion of the funds from 2020 are being put towards programs for 2021. The readjustments can be seen in our list of current projects, where some amounts are much less than usual or specific regular projects are not included at all.

This year our travel has been restricted, cruises cancelled, and even family events have Donors are assured that 100% of project- been scaled back or cancelled. But with the click of designated funds will be given to missions. Once a a pen and the lick of a stamp, your mission gifts can take flight, taking you and your mission heart around the world! You may not have the sand on your feet, but you can still bless the feet of church workers around the world as they share Jesus’ message of love and redemption! When we partner together, we can accomplish great things!

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Philippians 1:4-5

Children gather for Christian Education event in Nicaragua, pre-COVID

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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Mission Updates

Due to COVID-19, in-person visits to our mission areas have not been possible since early in the pandemic. News and photos have had to be forwarded from church workers living in those areas. Having the use of the internet has been a wonderful blessing to keep in touch with our brothers and sisters around the world!

NICARAGUA

Thankfully, the pastors and deaconesses of Nicaragua have resumed their activities after a short shut-down at the beginning of COVID-19.

The synod, Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN), has implemented safety protocols of masking, social distancing, and use of hand sanitizer. This has resulted in very few of their people contracting the virus.

The Children’s Feeding Program has continued to run at three churches on a take-home basis where food is packaged and picked up at scheduled times throughout the day. This prevents the children from crowding together at the church. It is hoped to have additional churches offer this program in the future, depending on the support received.

At the Mission Centre in Chinandega, the use of Skype has allowed three theological courses to be taught this year, despite travel restrictions. There was much thanks to be given when no technological issues arose!

Pastors continue to enjoy their motorcycles to commute between churches and the Mission Centre. Having a reserve of funds to assist with repairs is appreciated.

The Children’s Education Program and the Music Program have resumed. Instructor Marcos travels to various churches teaching keyboard and guitar. We have been told how blessed they are by these programs and appreciate our continued support. As instruments are used regularly, CLMS will be looking into a possible project for instrument repair and replacement next year.

Feeding Program at Rancheria

Deaconess training via internet

THAILAND

How many of you have purchased a Tie for Thailand? This loving ministry was undertaken several years ago by the late Marge Lehman, wife of one of the founders of CLMS, Rev. Dr. Ed Lehman. Marge had a heart for missions and wanted to “do something”. She began sewing colourful men’s neckties, which were sold to support the ministry in Thailand. Her gift blessed not only the work there but all who continue to wear her ties. Marge was a wonderful example of being a “partner in mission” while also making a difference in her own creative way!

Currently, the missions in Thailand have been the least affected by COVID-19. The congregations and mission stations continue their work following the health protocols issued by the government.

Rev. Mark Lobitz with his Ties for Thailand

COSTA RICA

Similar to Nicaragua, the church programs have resumed in Costa Rica, including the Children’s Education Program and Music Program. Instruments have been purchased and eager students are receiving instruction from a local university professor. In a few years the church will be blessed to have these musicians participate in worship services.

UKRAINE

Ministries have now resumed following various lockdown measures and having nearly every pastor as well as members of their families testing positive for COVID-19. They have all recovered. Rev. Navrotskyy continues his ministry in Nikolaev and Lviv, holding Bible studies and services, as well as delivering care packages to those in need.

Christmas packages for children in Ukraine

Rev. Navrotskyy delivering humanitarian aide

The new ministry in Bashtanka, served by Yuri Timerkan, is going well, while Rev. Sergey Bevz is ministering in Dnipro and Zoria. Bishop Yurchenko continues his ministry in the prisons. His highly respected reputation with the local government, allowed him to have some access during the lockdowns. Unfortunately, at one point Bishop Yurchenko contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized. He is now recovered and back to full-time ministry. Thank the Lord for His healing hand!

CANADA

WECLO (Windsor Essex County Lutheran Outreach), is an intercultural ministry reaching out through hospitality, sport, and other ways to serve immigrants and refugees who struggle in our Canadian society and to bring them the Word of God. Through these various means of care, online Bible studies have begun and have carried on throughout this past year. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are also offered.

The coordinator for WECLO is Javed Khan. Please keep him and his group of volunteers in your prayers as they continue this ministry. One prayer request is that Canadians gain a greater acceptance of those of Asian background, as sadly, some have been targeted during this pandemic. The WECLO workers continue to affirm their Chinese Canadian friends, showing them that God loves them and has given them a “family of faith.

Concordia Lutheran Mission Society 2021 Projects

Someone recently asked, “Why aren’t there many new projects?” Having a variety of new projects each year would be great! We always welcome new opportunities, as we did with the Support for Elderly Pastors in Ukraine two years ago, WECLO last year, and the new work in Bashtanka (Ukraine) this year.

Each project began as a response to a need.

Now these projects require nurturing by local church workers who need continued theological education and a stipend for tending souls. We continue to be devoted to supporting our Regular Projects and our ultimate hope is that one day our mission areas will be self-sustaining.

It may not be exciting to find the same projects offered each year in our project list, but

when we consider the people involved in these projects, it means a lot to know we are doing what we can to fulfill Jesus’ command to care for others.

We pray that for our donors it is wonderfully satisfying to know you continue to make a difference.

Spring has come, with summer just around the corner. We have planted garden seeds and set out bedding plants with hopes for a bountiful flower display and lots of good food harvested from the veggie patch. In just the same way let us continue with hope to plant the seeds of the Word of God in the communities where our mission projects are carried out.

We cannot go on cruises quite yet, but our generosity can take Jesus’ message sailing to

communities around the world. What a bountiful harvest we can expect from this year’s mission projects! We are praying that more children, students, parents, and elderly people will be cared for and taught the Word of God through this year’s donations!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6: 9-10

Canada #2101 – WECLO – Outreach to Immigrants and Refugees to Canada – $5,000

Concordia Lutheran Mission Society 2021 Projects

Central America #2102 – Central America Regional Church Workers Training – $6,600 #2103 – Community Children’s Feeding Programs, Nicaragua – $20,000 #2104 – Children’s Education Program, Nicaragua – $9,500 #2105 – Music Education Program for Children and Youth, Nicaragua – $5,000 #2106 – Transportation/Upkeep for Pastors’ Motorcycles, Nicaragua – $6,500 #2107 – Support for Deaconesses, Nicaragua – $7,500 #2108 – Music Education Program, Costa Rica – $3,700 #2109 – Mission and Ministry of Rev. Retana, Costa Rica – $25,000

Find out more or donate online at: www.concordiamissions.org

Ukraine #2110 – Support for LCC Missionary Rev. Navrotskyy, Nikolaev, Ukraine – $11,400 #2111 – Relief Aid for Ukraine Pastors in Need – $4,000 #2112 – Seminary Upkeep in Odessa, Ukraine – $500 #2113 – Outreach & Ministry in Bashtanka, Ukraine – $1,620 New #2114 – Pastoral Care in Prison Ministry, Ukraine – $2,000 #2115 – Mission Outreach & Ministry of Rev. Bevz, Zoria, Ukraine – $4,000

Find us on Facebook at:

Thailand #2116 – Mission & Ministry of Rev. Chujit in Khok Kloi, Thailand – $12,000

www.facebook.com/ConcordiaLutheran MissionSocietyCLMS

Total – $124,320

Response Form Become a “partner in mission”. Kindly indicate below how we may direct your donation and return this form along with your cheque to Concordia Lutheran Mission Society, P.O. Box 455, Water Valley, AB T0M 2E0 Project # ___________ $ _____________ Wherever needed $_____- - -_______ Project # ___________ $ _____________ Operational Costs $______________ Total Gift $______________ Please provide your mailing address so we can send your tax receipt at the end of the year and provide you with current mission information via our mailings.

Mr. Mrs., Ms., Rev. First name(s) ________________ Last name ____________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ City ___________________________ Prov._________ Postal Code ______________ E-mail: __________________________________________________ Optional: Home Phone # ___________________ Congregation____________________

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TRANSITIONS Rev. David Zakel, Candidate (CLTS), Prince of Peace, Burlington, ON. Up-to-date Calls/Transitions information can be accessed any time at: www.canadianlutheran.ca/calls-transitions

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Lutheran Foundation Canada presents two webinar topics each month.

Stewarding Your Estate

Learn how you can use your estate to develop a charitable gift for your church along with a wonderful legacy for your family.

Creating Or Updating Your Estate Plan

If you have never created an estate plan or you haven’t updated your plan in more than five years, this webinar will walk you through each of the components of a good plan.

Dates and registration details available at: www.lutheranfoundation.ca

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN May/June 2021

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COVID-19 &MASKS

PRESIDENT’S PONDERINGS

T

by President Timothy Teuscher

“The world is like a drunken peasant.

If you lift him into the saddle on one side, he will fall off on the other side.” his rather blunt, earthy statement by Martin Luther is a fitting assessment of some of the comments I have read and heard over the past year concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. And do you know what?

Sometimes the words describe us Christians too!

Some have fallen off one side of the horse—those who are in a state of great fear, whose trust in God in the face of adversity is withering away, and who instead place their hope ultimately in the science, the vaccines that are being administered, the restrictions on social gatherings, the wearing of masks, and the like as the only thing that will get them through the pandemic. To which, however, the psalmist reminds us: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (Psalm 118:8). And again: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 146:3).

Then there are some who have fallen off the other side of the horse—those who think that government health orders are attacks on the church, that we should ignore and disobey those directives and instead trust God to protect us from the coronavirus rather than fallible secular authorities and medical experts. To which, however, Luther replies in his now-famous 1527 circular letter Whether One May Flee From A Deadly Plague: “Others are much too rash and reckless. They disdain the use of medicines; they do not avoid places and persons infected by the plague, but lightheartedly make sport of it.

This is not trusting God but tempting him.”

In order that we might remain upright in the saddle and not fall off on either side, let us consider the subject of masks.

I’m not talking, however, about mandates from our provincial governments concerning the wearing of masks and the pros and cons thereof, but rather of the masks that God wears in His good and gracious dealings with us, whether it be in the Church or in the world.

Why is that necessary? Well, ever since the fall of our first parents, we cannot see the one holy God in all His majesty and glory and dwell in His presence. He, as St. Paul writes, “dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). This is why He told Moses, “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and

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live” (Exodus 33:20). God must wear, as it were, a mask or a veil in His dealings with us sinners.

What masks does God wear when it comes to life in the Church? Luther answers: “Let no one contemplate the unveiled Divinity, but let him flee from these contemplations as from hell and the veritable temptations of Satan. Let it be the concern of each of us to abide by the signs (or masks) by which God has revealed Himself to us, namely, His Son, born of the virgin Mary and lying in His manger among the cattle; the Word; Baptism; the Lord’s Supper; and absolution. In these images (or masks) we see and meet a God whom we can bear, one who comforts us, lifts us up into hope, and saves us.”

And again he says: “It is true that you hear a human being when you are baptized and when you partake of the Holy Supper. But the Word which you hear is not that of a human being; it is the Word of the living God. It is He who baptizes you; it is He who absolves you to hope in His mercy. It is a great ingratitude to slight these faces (or masks) of God, as Scripture calls them, and meanwhile to look for other appearances and revelations.”

The same is true when it comes to physical life in this world—including, yes, matters pertaining to the pandemic such as vaccines, medical personnel, government health orders, and the like. God wears a mask—many masks, in fact. In his exposition on Psalm 147, Luther puts it this way: “God could easily give you grain and fruit without your plowing and planting. But He does not want to do so. Neither does He want your plowing and planting alone to give you grain and fruit; but you are to plow and plant and then ask His blessing. What else is all our work to God—whether in the fields, in the garden, in the city, in the house, in war, or in government—but just such a child’s performance, by which He wants to give His gifts in the fields, at home, and everywhere else? These are the masks of God, behind which He wants to remain concealed and do all things.”

He concludes: “Make the bars and gates, and let Him fasten them. Labour, and let Him give the fruits. Govern, and let Him give His blessing. Fight, and let Him give the victory. Preach, and let Him win hearts. Take a husband or a wife, and let Him produce the children. Eat and drink, and let Him nourish and strengthen you. And so on. In all our doings He is to work through us, and He alone shall have the glory from it.” And that is what it means to remain upright in the saddle and not fall off on either side.

WE’RE HIRING Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada / Lutheran Hour Ministries-Canada is looking for a Community Engagement Officer who will: • SERVE AS A KEY CONTACT FOR LLLC • CORRESPOND WITH DONORS AND SPONSORS • COORDINATE SUPPORT FOR RADIO BROADCASTS • WORK WITH LISTENERS OF THE LUTHERAN HOUR TO CREATE MEANINGFUL SPONSOR MESSAGES

COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT

OFFICER

Serve Canadian Lutherans in a work environment that is FUN, INTERESTING, GROWING AND SPIRITUALLY-MOTIVATING! Submit your resume to Lisa Jackson, Managing Director, at director@lll.ca by June 30th, 2021. To view the full job description, visit www.lll.ca

O hear Your saints our gracious Lord

O hear Your saints our gracious Lord, When they cry out, ”How long?”

Sustain them with Your mighty Word ’Til You restore their song.

Let not their trials the truth obscure Of Your almighty pow’r; Help them to patiently endure The troubles of this hour.

Keep them from doubting Your great love When earthly days are dark; Lift up their eyes to Christ above In Him Your heart to mark.

When You seem slow to hear their cry Help them to wait on You; When they can only question why Their doubts with faith subdue.

Help them to see in Jesus’ Cross Your mercy and Your grace; And be assured that they’re not lost Or hidden from Your face.

O let Your Spirit raise them up In what You’ve promised them: That they’ll lift up salvation’s cup And praise You with a hymn.

Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt