The Canadian Lutheran September/October 2022

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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).

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THIS BODY OF DEATH

BY MATHEW BLOCK

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” | Genesis 1:27

The creation of humankind is probably one of the best-known stories in Scripture. Just ask any Sunday School kid and they’ll tell you all about Adam and Eve. But because the story is so well-known, there is a danger that we pass over it quickly and fail to see the miracle for what it is: when God created humankind, He created them “in His own image.”

Think about that for a moment. Over the preceding days of creation, we read about the origin of everything, ranging from light on day one to animals on days five and six. But here, at the end of the sixth day, we see something unique. We see the creation of a creature that shares in the nature of God Himself—a creature made in His very image.

Of course, “nothing gold can stay,” as the poet Robert Frost once wrote; in too short a time, “Eden sank to grief.” Sin and death entered the world, and the image of God in man was left disfigured. It remains in part, but it is now a twisted thing, imperfect and misshapen. On our own, we no longer share an innate and right relationship with God; the “very good” nature with which He created us has been utterly corrupted.

The rest of creation also fell when humankind fell, and so now we bear our broken bodies through a broken world. We face sickness and injury. We know pain and sorrow. We are afflicted by our own sin as well as the sin of others. We live, in short, in a land of darkness and the shadow of death (Matthew 4:16). And nowhere is this darkness more apparent than in our own flesh and minds. We cannot escape our sin. We cannot rebuild the shattered image of God within us.

Looking at our broken bodies and our sin-riddle souls, we find ourselves crying out the same words as the Apostle: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

And the Apostle answers: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (7:25).

Christ is indeed the answer for our broken bodies of death. In fact, He is the Word of God which first spoke

the divine image into the lives of our first parents. Seeing that image destroyed—seeing His good creation sullied and distorted—He came in love to recreate us. We read in Scripture that this God-man, Jesus Christ, is Himself the very “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). He is able to restore that same image in us.

In the incarnation, Jesus took on human flesh and spirit that He might redeem human flesh and spirit. By offering up His body to death, He saved us from our bodies of death. By becoming sin for us, He rescued us from sin. And through His resurrection, He raises you to new life; He restores the image of God within you. For through Him we have “put off the old self with its practices,” St. Paul writes, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10).

This promise of renewal is our hope and joy in this fallen world. For while we still experience the pains and suffering that come through sin and the fall, we know that these things are passing away. We “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies,” St. Paul writes, “for in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:23). We look forward to eternity, when we will see the completion of our re-creation as we are at last truly “conformed to the image of His Son” (8:29).

In this issue, we consider some of the challenges that afflict our souls and bodies in this fallen world. Alex Steinke leads us in a discussion of mental illness, pointing us to the God who bears us up in the midst of these sorrows (page nine). In another feature, Rev. Dr. James Keller tackles the timely subject of gender dysphoria, offering the good news of the Gospel for those who face gender confusion (page twelve). Rev. Ling Pui Yeong, meanwhile, brings our attention back to Christ, in whose image we have been recreated, encouraging us to find our ultimate identity in Him (page six).

As Christians, we can look beyond the troubles of this world, knowing that our broken bodies of death have been incorporated into the living Body of Christ. Our sinful hearts have been subsumed in His own beating heart of love. And His life—His likeness—flows into us abundantly through His Word and Sacraments.

O God, fill us with the life of Your Son and recreate us in His image! Renew and restore us, dear Lord, according to Your promise!

Who do you say that you are?

by Ling Pui Yeong

What do you want to be when you grow up?” I remember being asked this question for the first time when I was three or four years old. At the time, I wanted to be a policeman, probably because I was watching way too many police shows with my elder brother. I’m sure someone in your life, perhaps one of your parents or an elementary school teacher, asked you this question at least once when you were young. And now that you have all grown up, are you “being” what you wanted to be? How would you describe or identify yourself? Who do you say that you are?

“

There are a myriad of ways to describe or identify yourself, but most commonly we define “who we are” by “what we do.” Our language, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, our behaviors, actions, and profession all define, to some extent, who we are. There’s nothing wrong with that. These things are indeed part of who we are as we live life. They distinguish one person from another. They give us our individuality. But it can become problematic when these things become our sole identification and understanding of who we are.

What about the world and its standards of judging and assessing people? More importantly, how does it encourage us to accept its ways and unconsciously embrace its values? Unfortunately, in today’s cultural climate many people are plagued and confused by the world. Caught between the subjectivism of postmodernism and the virtue-signaling of wokeism (among other challenges), many people have become lost in a labyrinth of ideologies and worldviews. One of the unifying principles in postmodernism is the skeptical attitude toward claims of objective truths and claims of authority. And so, since the 1960’s there has been a shift toward the self as the arbiter of truth: the self determines what is true, right, and good. More recently, another cultural development has led people to be hypervigilant of any perceived “social injustices” (on issues related to racism, minority groups, the gender gap, and so on)—something referred to as being “woke.” Anything that can even remotely be depicted as oppression is vehemently rejected, giving rise to a “cancel culture” in which those insufficiently “woke” are harassed and hounded until they leave the public sphere or are even fired from their jobs.

When you look at the impact of postmodernism and wokeism on our culture, the result has often been the promotion of evil as the highest good—especially when you look at current social issues. But where do these ideas come from? Did they grow out of nothing? Do they really represent a positive progression in human culture? The problems we see today are as old as creation itself. When Satan sowed doubt in the mind of our first parents—“Did God really say…?”—that was the beginning of confusion of good and evil. Eve was deceived by the devil’s trickery, and Adam went right along with it. Adam and Eve sought to be like God—they wanted to decide what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil. In the process, they became less than what they originally were. The original image of God in them was corrupted; they lost their original righteousness, holiness, and more. Ever since then, their children have sought to ease their guilt wherever they can.

We must be reminded constantly that the ideologies of today are not mere cultural phenomena, nor are we mere observers of them: these are spiritual battles that we are engaged in. Thankfully, Lutherans have a useful tool to help us navigate issues like this—namely, the proper distinction between Law and Gospel. This is not merely a hermeneutical approach to reading the Scriptures, but it is also a useful lens through which we see and understand the world.

Our world often confuses Law and Gospel, so that it tries to find the Gospel (or at least, a worldly version of it) in the Law. When a person becomes aware of his unrighteousness and his lack of virtue or holiness, what can he do? He will try to soothe his conscience and find comfort in his own good works. By publicly displaying his outrage against the various “oppressions,” he proves himself to be a “good” person. This is a confusion of Law and Gospel when one seeks consolation of the conscience in the Law.

And because the world also teaches that what you do is who you are, the Law therefore becomes a defining feature of people’s self-understanding. It is in this Law, then, that people begin to place their sense of self-worth. But people can never find true assurance or peace in the Law. When social trends change or when such a person realizes he is unable to fulfill the world’s demand, he will need to find something else to fill the void of his unrighteousness.

But there is a deeper reality to be found in this life— another identity by which we may be known. Against the ideologies found in popular culture today and even our own egocentric tendencies is the message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness of sins, are reconciled to God, and obtain a new and greater identity: child of God. As Paul says in Galatians 3:25-29: “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Why is this “putting on of Christ” in baptism so important? In Colossians 1:10, Paul explains it this way: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” And then later in 3:9-10, he says: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”

Jesus is the perfect image of God. In Him and through His baptism, we are being renewed and given a new mind, a new heart, a new status. It is an identity not based on the Law but on the Gospel. This is a reality that goes beyond ethnicity, gender, and occupation. We have value not because we have done something good or great, but

“

We must be reminded constantly that the ideologies of today are not mere cultural phenomena, nor are we mere observers of them: these are spiritual battles that we are engaged in.

because Jesus has shed His blood and washed us clean. What unbelief and self-righteousness brought upon Adam and Eve and their descendants is now restored in Jesus. And more than that, through baptism, God the Father claims us as His own sons.

This new identity affects how we act (unlike in our culture, where how you act determines your identity). Our identity in Christ affects how we interact with our neighbours and how we walk in in this world. Vocation is no longer just something we “do”; instead, it is seen as

“being” and “living” as a child of God. We want to and should teach our children the skillsets and knowledge they need so that they may grow up to be what they want to be—but first and foremost, we must teach our children the Gospel, so that they will grow up to want to be faithful children and loving neighbours.

In a world that is confused and misguided by all the “isms,” we boldly confess the faith because this is the way to true life. Who do you say that you are? “I am a child of God.”

“

We want to and should teach our children the skillsets and knowledge they need so that they may grow up to be what they want to be—but first and foremost, we must teach our children the Gospel , so that they will grow up to want to be faithful children and loving neighbours.

Rev. ling pui is pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Toronto, Ontario.

HE hears my voice

Happiness, Mental Illness, and the Promises of God

by Alex Steinke

Studies tell us that a third of Canadians will face mental illness throughout their lifetimes. I am no exception. Though, statistically-speaking, I’m not alone in this kind of suffering, I still blush to admit that I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder at varying levels of intensity throughout my life. Living with mental illness disrupts the way I think, act, and feel every single day.

Maybe you’ve faced the same thing. Or maybe you’ve faced other forms of suffering. It can leave you wondering: “If God really loved me, why would He let me suffer like this?”

You’re not alone. “Under a grievous cross,” Johann Starck writes in his prayer book, “the first thought

suggested to us by Satan and our flesh is this: God is your enemy. He has ceased loving you. If He loved you, He would never have let this happen to you. He would never have hidden His gracious face from you.”

When we are tempted to doubt God’s love, Starck encourages us to look to Christ and His promises. “The afflicted should remember that living in tribulations and sorrow and yet being a child of God is quite compatible. Christ, the beloved Son of God, suffered tribulations and yet remained the Son of God. The afflicted should ponder that God still loves those whom He allows to be subjected to great sorrow, trials, and crosses.” It’s times like these where my favourite prayer in the Bible comes to mind: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

The problem of following your heart

The great Christian author C.S. Lewis once described the “problem of pain”—the problem of why we suffer—in this way: “‘If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both.’”

In this description, you’ll notice words like “happy” and “good.” How do we define these words as Christians? Conversely, how does society define these words? Is everything that makes us happy therefore “good”? Does everything that is “good” make us happy?

Society sells us the same lie from Satan over and over again: “All that matters is that you’re happy.” “Follow your heart.” “Live your truth.” “You do you.” “Happiness depends upon yourself.” Imagine saying these sorts of things to a person dealing with mental illness, be it depression, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder. Or imagine saying it to anyone who is not in a state of worldly happiness at all times: “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters!”

Hearing all this, I would rightly conclude that I am a gigantic failure. Most days, I struggle with the motivation to get out of bed. I get anxious thinking about having to face tomorrow or even the remainder of today. And I often feel discouraged and stressed, even despairing. According to the world, I am not attaining the only thing that matters—and my failure to attain it is all my fault.

What a refreshing reminder, then, that even if I never accomplish a single thing this world deems valuable, the God of the Universe and Creator of all things has still sent His Son to die in my place, for the forgiveness of my sins. And that’s the deeper issue at play here, deeper than everything else. God’s Word tells us that we are sinners— that even our good works are like filthy rags. Like a mirror, God’s Law shows us our sin and our desperate need for a Saviour. And then He gives us the good news of the Gospel: Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world—He is my Saviour.

I have Christ’s esteem, then, regardless of whether my self-esteem levels meet worldly standards or not. Who cares what I see when I look in the mirror? When God looks at me, He sees Christ. Christ has clothed me in His righteousness. And that’s all that ultimately matters. St. Paul puts it this way:

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found

in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11).

The problem of false happiness

Mental suffering, mental illness, and suicidal ideation are not new issues. I am not denying the existence of stigma surrounding these types of issues or looking to downplay their effects. I’m not trying to offer any solutions to mental illness or suffering in general. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). I don’t expect to find a cure for suffering in this lifetime, apart from Christ’s ultimate solution which has been prepared for us since before the earth was formed.

In my suffering, Satan lies to me; the world lies to me; and even my own sinful flesh lies to me. But none of those things ought to be our measure of truth anyway. So, what does God’s Word tell us about suffering? And what effect does God’s Truth have on our mental state?

In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis describes mankind’s tendency to seek happiness in every possible corner except in God—ironically, the only lasting source of happiness. If we are ever going to find this eternal happiness, Lewis says, we need to have our false happiness stripped away. “What then can God do in our interests,” Lewis asks, “but make ‘our own life’ less agreeable to us, and take away the plausible source of false happiness?”

Reading this got me thinking. How may God have used my mental illness as a sort of disciplinary tool in my life? How has my experience with mental suffering helped me to help others? Does my personal suffering have a meaningful corrective benefit to my life?

I used to put a lot of trust in my emotions. If I am feeling something, it must be at least pointing to truth, right? Well, no. But my daily wrestling with mental illness has helped me to gain discernment in a way that significantly impacts the way I approach life today. I learned that, in spite of what the world often teaches, my feelings are not the measure of truth. My thoughts and feelings were tainted by mental illness. In the early days of my mental health treatment, I felt like I was constantly analyzing and testing every thought and emotion, holding them up to the light, in a sense, to test them for truth—and, consequently, for lies! Before this realization, I was easily swayed by anything that enticed my emotions and promised a (fleeting) sense

contentment and security. I was tempted by whatever seemed to suit my heart best in that specific moment.

The promise of trust in God

My faith was really the first thing in my life that I didn’t rely on emotion for. I didn’t feel that I “felt God’s presence” because that would also imply feeling His absence. In spite of all of the disorder in my life, God was mercifully my ever-present help in need. He was my rock—which was great because, frankly, God’s promises are infinitely more stable than I am!

In the prayer life of King David, we see what faith looks like when it is rooted not in fleeting feeling but in the promises of God. Consider Psalm 55, which David begins in a state of emotional distress:

“Listen to my prayer, O God; do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the

terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:1-5).

David confesses his fears and admits his heartache. But he goes on to look outside himself, placing his trust in God’s unshakeable truth and mercy: “But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).

In the same way, David counsels us to trust in God. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in You” (Psalm 55:22-23).

And so, I—and you too—can pray with Johann Starck: “Remove my afflictions from me; however, not my will but Yours be done. I will not instruct You as to the time and season, the manner and method of helping me, but will patiently await Your help…. If You will not remove my cross at all in the present life, but if it is Your holy design that I should bear it until death, let Your will be done also in this. Only do not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear, and sweeten all my bitterness and affliction with the enjoyment of Your love, with Your mighty comfort, and with a refreshing foretaste of heaven.”

Alex Steinke is Director of Communications for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC). This article is adapted from her presentation at LCC’s 2022 National Youth Gathering in Winnipeg.

I learned that, in spite of what the world often teaches, my feelings are not the measure of truth.

THE IMAGE OF GOD AND GENDER DYSPHORIA

BY JAMES KELLER

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them." | Genesis 1:26-27

GOD CREATED HUMAN BEINGS TO BE PERFECT

In Genesis, Moses describes in detail the formation of the first man and woman, as well as the truth that from eternity the two would possess His image—meaning an original righteousness and an ability not to sin. The relationship He intended for us to have with Him and with each other was perfect, not soiled with sin leading to death. Man and woman were to live together as complete partners in one flesh, and they would enjoy a special status over the entire created order. God created multitudes of creatures, but He breathed His own life into human beings only. We have been God’s special creatures from the beginning.

Not only did God create us specially, He promised us we would “subdue” creation for Him and be stewards of all that now existed. This was an incredible promise of blessing before our first parents had said or done anything. God’s blessing would fall on us, and in exchange we would live to show forth God’s glory in our lives (Isaiah 43:7).

GOD CREATED US IN HIS IMAGE

The world and the universe we inhabit are filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. But how much of that glory do we see or recognize?

With our eyes we see a world in fullscale rebellion against their creator. The imago Dei (“the image of God”), once radiant in our first parents, is now a mere shadow. Lutherans confess that the special image God granted to Adam and Eve has been smashed by the Fall, rendering God’s image impossible to see in us. We would be forever lost and condemned without Christ, who by water and Word in baptism restores our original righteousness and declares us now and forever free.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Since we have been created in God’s image, this fact must have something to do with why we’re here. There must be a compelling reason that we are distinct from the “birds of the air or the beasts of the field.” We are not intelligent apes with privileges. We are human beings with a special relationship to God unlike any other creature on earth.

GOD CREATED US MALE AND FEMALE

From the beginning God’s desire for human beings was lasting relationship. Adam was incomplete until God provided a “helper fit for him.” He took a rib from Adam’s chest and formed a woman, Eve, from it,

and the moment Adam saw her he knew this gift from God was perfect. We read: “‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 1:23-24).

Men and women complement one another in many ways, but most especially in marriage, the mysterious union in which two become one for life. To be created male and female in God’s image means that in the marriage relationship both are fellow heirs of heaven. Moreover, singleness as male and female persons in God’s image does not disqualify one from eternal life in Christ. God’s image is not dependent on marriage, but on trust in the Lord for salvation.

THE CHURCH’S CARE OF TRANSGENDER PERSONS

The increasing awareness and social acceptance of transgenderism in its various forms presents a challenge to the Church in general and Christians in particular. The number of persons self-identifying as transgender continues to grow. As a result, Christians will come into contact with transgenderism more frequently in the years ahead. We need to be prepared to care for these broken sinners with the Word of the Living God as it comes to us in surgical Law and healing Gospel. The Word is the only source for the new identity they crave, something which comes from Christ alone: the renewed, enlivened identity that will allow them to live in celebration of the biological gender they were given by God.

What does it mean to be transgender? The American Psychiatric Association has defined it as “the broad spectrum of individuals who transiently or persistently identify with the gender different from their natural gender.” A “transsexual,” on the other hand, is “an individual who seeks, or has undergone, a social transition from male to female or female to male, which in many, but not all, cases also involves a somatic transition by cross-sex hormone treatment and genital surgery (sex reassignment surgery).”

The term “gender dysphoria” speaks of the distress resulting from the tension

between one’s experienced or expressed gender and one’s biological or “assigned” gender. A secular worldview places responsibility for this distress on the negative reactions of others, ranging from prejudice and discrimination to harassment and violence. In this view, social systems can be interpreted as toxic for these persons, resulting in school dropouts, unemployment, and even contributing to self-harm, suicidal ideation, and actual suicide. From this perspective, transgenderism is not understood to cause suffering itself; instead, that’s the result of external forces.

Christians should realize that gender dysphorics do suffer, and some of it may be from victimization. However, a large portion of this suffering comes from spiritual causes which are related to the dysphoric’s strongly-held beliefs and behaviours related to transgenderism. We should not view them as special cases but as sinful sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). In this situation, we apply Law and Gospel for the same reasons and in the same manner as we do among ourselves: transgender people are sinners in need of Christ.

In Genesis, Moses wrote: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them… And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:27,31).

God’s good creation of humankind was divided into two groups: male and female. From the beginning God provided His creation with only two genders, and this proviso, once given, is now permanent and unchanging. In other words, there is no real place in this good creation for any confusion over gender identity. The proper, God-breathed sexes of man and woman are crucial for both our prosperity and our very survival.

What we cannot soft-pedal is the biblical truth that the mental distress and physical harm that come with the practice of transgenderism mostly do not come from external forces but rather from the black heart of sin that lives within us all. Suffering entered the world when our first parents rejected God and His love (Genesis 2-3). Their sin caused death to

spread to all of creation, with no exceptions (Romans 5:19). Paul states that because of humanity’s rejection, “God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!” (Romans 1:24-25).

Transgender persons, like all those who fall short of the glory of God, reject the truth of God and exchange it for a lie. In their case, they give themselves over to the mistaken belief that God made an error with their gender. This lie has the same source as all sin leading to death—lust in the heart.

The “social gospel” for transgender persons encourages them to rigorously pursue the lusts of their hearts, since they can have both a psychological sex and a biological sex. Too often, transgender people are told that sex reassignment surgery is the only source of hope. But when carried out, transgenderism cripples godly fertility and destroys God-given gender roles that benefit the family, the community, and creation.

While the sinful world is quick to push transgenders deeper into the abyss of lust and desire, Christians reach out in love, seeing their lust as deceitful— something requiring correction and healing, not support. Transgenders need help centering their identity in Jesus Christ, instead of becoming a member of the opposite sex.

BIBLICAL REDIRECTION

The world the Church inhabits is unapologetically antagonistic to Christ and Christians. Sexual norms the Church has held for centuries are often dismissed as outdated dogma hopelessly disconnected from modern science. This has been the unfortunate reality since the Fall. But the Word

of God remains the same source of all truth, even as steeples are falling. Transgender persons should be encouraged to view the Bible as this perfect foundation for truth, even when that truth is painful.

Christian care for gender dysphorics must begin with a clear understanding of both natural law and our creation by God as male and female. But it is also necessary to communicate that, despite sin’s physical and spiritual effects, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is received by grace through faith, comes to bind up the wounds received while we are under the sway of sin, death, and the power of the devil. We are called to proclaim and reflect the light and love of Christ into this fallen creation, in a manner that confronts sinful humanity with the balm of Gospel hope.

Gender dysphorics must then acknowledge that their struggle is with not only their own flesh but also with the principalities and powers of this age. Confused sexual identity is a great trial but greater still is the need all people have to know God and be loved by Him. The love of Christ and His complete forgiveness will always be our deepest need. And while gender dysphorics soldier on, weighed down sometimes by sorrow, frustration, shame, confusion, and despair, the Gospel of Word and Sacrament reminds them that healing is always there. There is healing for all who repent of sin and cling to the cross in faith for forgiveness and life. No self-destructive behaviour is so great as to prevent Christ from graciously accepting us despite our weaknesses and sins (Mark 9:17-27).

We have no way of knowing if St. Paul ever encountered gender dysphoria on his missionary journeys. But he himself did fight with an unidentified personal ailment he called his “thorn,” which caused him great discomfort of both body and

soul. While he could have permitted this ailment to slow or even end his ministry endeavors, Paul learned to live with it and continue working for the glory of God:

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

The thorn of gender dysphoria can be faced the same way: with repentance, prayer, and faith.

Offering spiritual care to those who struggle with gender dysphoria can be a challenge, but we must remember that they—and we all— have immediate spiritual needs. The Law and Gospel should be applied with care, encouraging gender dysphorics to accept what may be a new and difficult reality in their life—a reality born in Baptism, nurtured by the Holy Spirit, and made permanent in the flood from the blood-stained cross of Christ. But since the eternal struggle against sin and death has already been won by Christ, they are now free to fight the good fight of faith against their thorn, joining with us in thanks and praise to our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

REV. DR. JAMES KELLER

is pastor of Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ontario.

The ILC’s 2022 World Conference in brief

Archbishop Joseph Ochola Omolo (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) for Africa; President Antonio del Rio Reyes (Lutheran Church in the Philippines) for Asia; Chairman George Samiec (Evangelical Lutheran Church of England) for Europe; President Alceu Alton Figur (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay) for Latin America; and President Timothy Teuscher (Lutheran Church–Canada) for North America.

KENYA - The 27 th (12 th ) World Conference of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) took place September 13-16, 2022 in Kisumu, Kenya, during which time the council elected a new chairman: Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF).

A New Chairman for the ILC

Bishop Pohjola was acclaimed as the ILC’s new chairman without opposition. Bishop Pohjola was catapulted to worldwide media attention in 2021 after Finland’s Prosecutor General charged him and a Finnish M.P., Dr. Päivi Räsänen, with hate crimes for the 2004 publication of a booklet which articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. While the two were subsequently acquitted in early 2022, Finland’s Prosecutor General has since appealed, meaning the case is not yet over.

Chairman Pohjola succeeds Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt of Germany’s Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK). Bishop Voigt, who announced earlier in the World Conference that he would not be standing for reelection, served as

ILC Chairman for twelve years from 2010-2022. Prior to that, he served the ILC as Vice Chairman and as Europe Region representative, for a total of 15 years of uninterrupted service on the board.

Elected to serve as ILC Secretary during the 2022 World Conference was Bishop John Donkoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana. Acclaimed to serve as World Region representatives were:

The ILC’s board of directors also includes two other members who are appointed under other criteria. Past President Robert Bugbee of Lutheran Church–Canada and President Matthew Harrison of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod remain on the board in this capacity.

ILC welcomes new members

The conference brought together church leaders representing 55 church bodies from around the world, including members and guests. Reflecting the ILC’s continued growth, the 2022 World Conference voted to accept two church bodies as full members and one as an associate member. The conference also formally welcomed ten

The International Lutheran Council’s Board of Directors for the new triennium. Left to right: Archbishop Joseph Ochola Omolo (Kenya); President Antonio del Rio Reyes (Philippines); Chairman George Samiec (United Kingdom); Bishop John Donkoh (Ghana); Past President Robert Bugbee (Canada); Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Finland); President Timothy Teuscher (Canada); ILC General Secretary Timothy Quill; President Alceu Alton Figur (Paraguay); and President Matthew Harrison (USA). LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford

new observer members accepted into the ILC since the last world conference.

The Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia (previously accepted as an Associate Member in 2001) was welcomed as a full member. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (accepted as an observer in early 2022) was also accepted as a full member. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Panama, meanwhile, was newly accepted as an associate member.

Observer membership in the ILC can be approved in between world conferences. In total, the board has accepted ten new observer members— all from Africa—since the last World Conference in 2018. This includes the Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burundi; the Lutheran Church in Africa – Burundi Synod; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Congo; the Evangelical Lutheran Conference and Ministerium of Kenya; the Lutheran Church in Africa – Côte d’Ivoire;

the Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod; the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Rwanda; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan. Two dioceses from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania make up the remaining two new observer members (accepted under the category of “recognized organizations”).

Liturgy and Ecumenical Relations

The theme for the ILC’s 2022 World Conference was “Liturgy and Culture: How Worship Shapes our Life Together and Why We Do What We Do.” Serving as essayists were Bishop Juhana Pohjola of Finland; Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki (Fort Wayne, USA); and Rev. Dr. Alexey Streltsov (Novosibirsk, Russia), with an additional presentation by Bishop Juan Pablo Lanterna of Chile.

Based on these presentations and discussions, the conference ultimately

New presiding pastor for the AALC

adopted a summary Statement on Liturgy and Culture. It further decided unanimously to produce a statement rejecting virtual communion.

Among other business, the World Conference also received a report on the results of the ILC’s recent ecumenical discussions with the Roman Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU). The Final Report on those discussions was published in 2021, and found significant convergences between the two traditions in a number of areas.

In light of this report, and taking into account the written recommendation of Cardinal Kurt Koch of the PCPCU and ILC Chairman Hans-Jörg Voigt, the ILC World Conference adopted a resolution calling for continued ecumenical conversations with the Roman Catholic Church in the leadup to the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession in 2030.

ILC News

as presiding pastor during an evening service on June 23, assisted by Rev. Dr. Duane R. Lindberg, who led the AALC from its founding in 1987 until 1999.

Dr. Larson previously served the AALC as Assistant Presiding Pastor. Until his election as Presiding Pastor, he also served as pastor of Christ Lutheran in Waseca, Minnesota, a call he held for 12 years. Dr. Larson also serves as an Adjunct Professor with the AALC’s seminary, the American Lutheran Theological Seminary. He holds a doctorate of ministry from the Institute of Lutheran Theology.

The AALC’s new presiding pastor, Rev. Dr. Cary Larson (second from right), poses with three of his predecessors in office. Pictured (l-r) are: Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins, Rev. Dr. Duane R. Lindberg, Dr. Larson, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Aadland.

USA - The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) held its 28th General Convention from June 21-24, 2022 in Plymouth, Minnesota, during which time the church elected Rev. Dr. Cary Larson to serve as its new presiding pastor. The convention

gathered under the theme “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of Jesus Christ,” drawn from Colossians 3:12-17.

Dr. Larson succeeds Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins, who was first elected to the role in 2004. Dr. Leins installed Dr. Larson

The American Association of Lutheran Churches is a member of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies.

“I am blessed beyond measure and extremely humbled to have received the call to be the fifth presiding pastor of the American Association of Lutheran Churches,” Dr. Larson wrote on social media following his installation.

Upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

holy name. Comfort the members of the Royal Family who mourn her death with the hope of the glorious resurrection and a joyful reunion in heaven for all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. And grant that we may one day share with her in the joys of all those who now rest in Your presence; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt, hymnwriter and pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kurtzville, Ontario has written a new poem as our nation mourns.

The beginnings of the poem came to Pastor Reinhardt as he tolled Trinity’s Church bell 96 times upon hearing the announcement of the Queen’s death on CBC Radio.

“The thoughts developed in my heart and mind as I sat and prayed at the deathbed of one of my sheep over the past week,” said Reinhardt. “I finally put pen to paper yesterday morning as I was getting ready for Service and completed it yesterday afternoon.”

A letter from Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s President Timothy Teuscher upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

It was with those words of St. Paul that the Reformer, Martin Luther, began his sermon at the funeral of Elector John of Saxony in 1532. At the end of the sermon he said:

“We have the sure hope that the merciful God has thus taken our beloved, deceased elector and will raise him up again with Christ. And because we know that he was baptized into Christ, and that he confessed the Gospel and remained steadfast in the Christian confession and died in the same, I have no doubt that when the trumpet of the archangel is sounded he will joyfully rise in an instant from this crypt and, with us and all Christians, go to meet Christ, shining more brightly than the sun and all the stars.”

It is in light of those words that I call upon all pastors, deacons and members of the congregations of our Synod to lift up their hearts and hands in prayer upon the death of her gracious majesty, Elizabeth, our Queen:

Gracious and merciful Father in heaven, Lord of heaven and earth, King of the universe, we give You our thanks and praise for all the blessings You granted Elizabeth, our Queen, during her long earthly life, for her many years of dutiful, sacrificial service to our nation and all the nations of the British Commonwealth, and especially for calling her to faith in Christ and preserving her in the confession of His

“From childhood I have been devoted to our Queen as our God-given sovereign and an admirable Servant of her people and so her passing has had a marked effect on me, as it has on many Canadians and people throughout the world,” Reinhardt added. “This poem is my humble attempt to pay homage to what she did for us and gave to us in a very Christ-like way as a Child of God.”

For my Queen

Let Church bells strike their mournful toll Thus sounding out her people’s dole; For our beloved nation’s head, Our gracious noble Queen is dead. In her great heart each had a place No matter what our creed or race; Our glorious lady strong yet kind Would keep us on her thoughtful mind. From many lands under the sun She did unite us all as one; Although our cultures weren’t the same, We shared the Queen we all could claim. She kept her duty’s solemn call And gave her life to serve us all; With constant calm she carried on Through war and plague and sorrow’s dawn. She served us faithfully for years, Stood fast for us before our fears; Through all our trials our Queen was there To give us hope in all that’s fair. God grant her now with Christ to rest In paradise amongst the blessed; And make our new King true to reign Long ov’r us in Your Holy Name.

— Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt

Reflections from LCC/LLL-C’s Summer Internship

Lisa Jackson, LLL-C Managing Director: Erika’s skills and interests were a great match to the 2022/2023 goals and objectives of LLL Canada, while Andrew’s skills lined up well with Alex’s plans at LCC, so we decided an 80/20 split would create the best experiences for our interns, while allowing them to get exposure from both organizations.

During the interview process I was pleased to learn that Erika had some experience writing grant applications and she got right to work, combing through our database of prospective partner organizations and reaching out to establish relationships that could lead to greater financial support.

Erika’s creative development skills were also a big help with our website redesign, collecting and collating the information needed to keep vendors moving forward while we remained focused on our annual audit, conventions, conferences, and day to day work.

opportunity to create new relationships, get to know and pray for donors, and hear all of the impact stories supporters had regarding LLL’s work. Lisa and her team demonstrate passion, compassion and tact. It is exciting to be part of an organization with so much life and positive momentum. It was great to learn more about the LLL through Lisa, and LCC’s operations through Alex. If you are a young person who wants to learn more about their gifts, the LLL, LCC, non-profit work, or anything else described, don’t hesitate to apply.

Alex Steinke, LCC Director of Communications: Andrew was eager to further explore Gospel proclamation through God’s gift of music—looking at new ways of supporting and equipping congregations to better understand why Lutherans worship the way we do. Andrew developed the Worship Terminology webpage, which walks you through “Lutheran Buzzwords” you may encounter in a typical Divine Service. All featured photos are from the Stock Photo Catalogue developed by Anna Kraemer, last year’s intern—it was neat to see two intern-developed projects come together!

I did research and writing on the different elements in the Divine Service on the Worship Terminology webpage that will hopefully help new people and regular attendees better understand the contents of the Divine Service—what they mean and why we use them.

I put my musical talents to use by helping create audio recordings of the Hymns of the Day on the organ at our seminary in St. Catharines. (Thanks, Dr. Winger, for allowing me to borrow the Zoom Recorder!)

I was also tasked with collecting #YoungOldLutheran stories for social media. It was great to establish connections with these young adults and read their stories. I hope that this project shows how powerful the Word of God truly is, to bring people to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice, death, and resurrection for our salvation.

Erika helped create the design for our fall Partner Plan letters and the Summer newsletter, rounding out her experiences with us in branding, communications, web design, fund development, and project management. Erika joined in on Team meetings and weekly devotions and she was even close enough to come and work in person at the office in Kitchener.

Erika Schroth-Gajdos, Summer Intern 2022: This internship provided a really unique opportunity to understand my gifts and see how I can apply them in a non-profit setting. I enjoyed the

The Hymn of the Day Project, coordinated by Peter Steinke, LCC Musician, and Andrew Hayes, builds on the framework of the existing Hymn Selection Guide by the LCMS and highlights some of the rich hymnody we have in the Lutheran Church, by providing an example of an organ and acoustic guitar rendition of select ‘hymns of the day.’ We hope this project will provide opportunity for members to reflect on God’s gift of music, through the inclusion of confessional, Christfocused hymns which can serve as a blessing to our devotional lives.

Andrew Hayes, Summer Intern 2022: My time as an intern was truly a blessing and a very spiritually enriching journey as a young Confessional Lutheran, who is very passionate about the liturgy and church music.

All in all, it was great to work with Lisa, Alex, and her husband, Peter, during this internship. It was also great to be in contact with Gerry Steinke from Good Shepherd (Valleyview, Alberta) and LCC Vice-President Michael Shutz. They both provided great insight and very helpful ideas, from a congregational and synodical level, on how congregations have dealt with music-related issues and on the kinds of musical resources we could provide through this internship. It was truly a blessing to be an intern for LCC and LLL-C! Soli Deo Gloria!

NEWS

Rev. Chandler presents at Academy of Apologetics

a thesis in order to earn a diploma from the Academy. In the subject of philosophical apologetics, he wrote on how goodness is understood differently between Christianity and the secular world. Christians believe that goodness is an attribute of God but, without this type of grounding, almost every secular ethic fails to offer a coherent system of belief. Christianity best explains how ethics works in practice and how ethics should be understood.

VICTORIA, B.C. - From July 12-13, 2022, in Strasbourg, France, Rev. Adam Chandler of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church attended the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism & Human Rights and defended a thesis that he had prepared.

The Academy is open for Christians to come and learn apologetics (the art of defending the Christian faith) to better equip them for conversations about the faith with non-believers. Since this was his second session in attendance, Rev. Chandler was eligible to present

Ordination and installation of Rev. Kyle Eddy

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - Rev. Kyle Eddy was ordained and installed on August 7, 2022, at Zion Lutheran in Prince George, and he will serve as pastor for both Vanderhoof Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church.

The service included Vicar Daniel Cunningham (Kitimat, B.C.), Rev. Alan Visser (Cariboo Circuit Counselor), Rev. Robert Mohns (West Regional Pastor), Rev. Wendel Ritz (Pincher Creek, Alberta), and Rev. Noel Smith (Williams Lake, B.C).

Members of both congregations and the Cariboo Circuit attended the celebration dinner that followed the service. As the picture shows, Rev. Eddy was as happy to be installed as the churches were to receive him! The congregations pray that God will continue to bless them as they serve Him together in the churches and communities.

Penny Bobier

This Academy session was delayed for a couple years due to the pandemic, but the Academy of Apologetics is back in full swing and already accepting applications for next summer. Anyone interested in becoming proficient in apologetics (or desiring to get academic credentials in the field) should consider going. It is open to laypeople, clergy, and scholars.

Rev. Adam Chandler

New member received at St. Peter Castlegar

CASTLEGAR, B.C. - On Sunday, June 26, 2022, one of Rev. Kai Buck’s last official acts at St. Peter Lutheran Church before moving to a new call in Saskatchewan was to accept Mick Tallant as a member. Mick is the first new member in a while, and as the pandemic had a major impact on the congregation, this was a welcome event.

Marvin Smith, Elder

Rev. Adam Chandler presents at the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights. (Photo: Dr. Nancy Almodovar of Lutheran Girl Apologetics).

For quite some time now, Paul’s opening chapter to his letter to the Philippians, and in particular these verses, have been on my mind each morning. I find these quite personal words written by St. Paul and authored by God to be grounding. While the world around is talking about decisions on death and life, this Word of God is timely. It speaks of a different reality.

Since Adam and Eve’s fall into sin and the rejection of God and His Word, all creation has been subjected to frustration and futility. In our time, the rejection of God and His Word has led humanity to look to the self as God and the source of fulfillment, meaning, and authenticity. Self-actualization has become the doctrine, which, at all costs, must be adhered to on pain of death.

Well, that’s not entirely true; in our current state of self-awareness, even death can be “self-actualized.” To self-actualize one’s death—to have an “authentic death,” as it is sometimes called—is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this world’s doctrine of salvation. It’s a doctrine that leads to futility and frustration and death—eternal death.

The corner of the world in which I live seems to have gone after this type of self-actualization. Lately, it has impacted my personal life on an almost daily basis. Maybe you too have felt its bitter sting and life-sucking effects.

I find it refreshing therefore to wake up each morning alive in Christ through that gracious baptismal flooding. Yes, I am in this world, but I am no longer of it. Daily these very

BEYOND THIS WORLD’S VIEW from the regional pastor | rev. robert mohns

personal words of St. Paul place me on the solid foundation of God’s Word.

St. Paul describes the Christian struggle in Philippians 1:23-24: “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” His words here are at odds with our times. What do they have to do with the doctrine of this world, which strives for a self-actualized life and authentic death?

I know it is hard to think outside the box. Our culture’s worldview has been taught and practiced among generations of people. But there is something greater than what this world’s view has to offer—something, in fact, we are all longing for.

Paul could speak as he did because of God’s promised deliverance and Christ’s fulfillment. The Christian’s life finds its fulfillment not in “selfactualization,” but rather in Christ and His resurrection, which is ours also by grace through faith worked by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is replete with the promises of God pointing us to that better thing: to be with Christ.

Paul also keeps our feet tied to our life in this world, but he does not speak of himself. Instead, he is laser-focused on the things that contribute to the salvation of God’s people. What Paul says is important is “to remain in the flesh... on your account.” Confident that God has him, Paul’s sole attention is to serve God’s people. This, then, is the Christian’s worldview. Not only is our destiny transformed, to be alive in Christ,

but so is our entire being. The heart of Christ now beats in you and me.

Consider Christ, who promised paradise to the repentant thief and who bestowed forgiveness to all people in His high priestly prayer.

Consider that, while His cross was slammed into the ground and His body hammered with nails, He prayed: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). It was necessary that He die for us in order to fulfill all righteousness.

Paul follows up these verses with the raison d’etre of Christian life: “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:25-26).The power of these words is sadly sometimes overlooked.

All of the world’s chatter about life and death and “self-actualization” are here silenced and Satan’s deception is overcome with these words of God for His people. Rather than being consumed with living in selffulfillment or dying an authentic death, the Christian’s focus is doing what is necessary for the sake and saving of others.

In the midst of the chatter of this world, I find myself ever more grateful that God has spoken this Word to me and to His people. As Paul wrote, I pray that, “convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.” God grant us grace to focus and do what is necessary.

“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Ukraine fundraiser in the Okanagan

A representative from ADRA spoke about how they were able, mostly with the help of the Canadian government, to multiply the offering ten times, to 1.2 million dollars.

OLIVER, B.C. - On August 27, an event called “1000 Rides Out” took place in Oliver to update the community on an earlier charity fundraiser that was held near the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, when many refugees were leaving for safer locations. This particular initiative has, to date, raised $120,000 from the area, which was donated to Adventist Development

New members at Killarney Lutheran

VANCOUVER, B.C. - On September 4, 2022, at Killarney Community Lutheran Church, Tommy K.C. Tsang was baptized, and Rosalline Luk was received into membership. The congregation marked the occasion by taking a group photo after the service.

Rev. Mark Chiang

and Relief Agency (ADRA), a partner organization of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR).

Information from speakers involved with evacuations was presented, as well as from some refugees and other Ukrainian nationals. They shared stories of the challenges people face, and how much they appreciate the support that is received.

The Lutheran churches in the South Okanagan were invited to display at the event what they have been doing. There was a Lutheran display next to ADRA, highlighting the work of CLWR and how LCC has been able to aid the Ukrainian Lutheran church directly in their ministry with helping refugees. It is encouraging to learn that a number of relief agencies of different faith communities are at work, making efficient use of monies raised.

The event highlighted these words of Jesus from Matthew 25:40: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Rev. Darren Siegle

News from Redeemer Creston

CRESTON, B.C. - It has been a challenging two years for Redeemer Lutheran Church, which is in a pastoral vacancy and has a dwindling congregation of elderly members, but the congregation wants to recount their blessings to those who long for good news.

The church has been open again for over a year, and services are held once a week. The retired pastor has stayed in the congregation and serves communion once a month. Another member of the congregation, also a

pastor, moved to Ontario but continues to send sermons via YouTube, and the church has two musicians to play for services—one at a time, of course.

The mission giving question has been a sticky one, but the treasurer encouraged the congregation to put a line in the budget for $200 to see if they could manage it. She also encouraged them to think of creative ways to fulfill this target, and they came up with the idea of “Nickel and Diming Ourselves to Life.” This began in late November 2021. By July 2022, they had raised

donations totaling $691.95. There is a little girl who comes with her grandma and loves to donate money to that jar.

After David Friesen, LCC’s Director of Advancement, visited in the spring, the congregation has come to understand missions a little better and the running of the church and synod as a larger body.

The congregation at Redeemer welcomes prayer from across the synod that they find a way to build on their strengths and welcome all who need to hear the Word.

Betty Marzke

Jerusalem VBS in Dickson

DICKSON, Alta. - In July, King of Kings Lutheran Church invited the children of the community to Vacation Bible School – Jerusalem Marketplace at the church in Dickson. Many accepted the invitation and joined in on the fun for five days of song, stories, snacks, and crafts.

Approximately 90 children attended each day, along with 25 youth and adult volunteers. The church was vibrant and lively! Our volunteers dressed up in costume and the role-playing was top-notch.

Canada Day Barn Dance

SPRUCE VIEW, Alta. - King of Kings Lutheran Church was happy to host their sixth annual Canada Day Barn Dance on July 1, 2022. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a national holiday with the community.

There was a live band with fiddle tunes to called dances, so even those with no dancing ability or confidence could take part. There were over 150 people in attendance, the best turnout to date, and the dance floor was full with

The families who attended VBS were asked to bring donations of non-perishable food for the Spruce View and District Food Bank, and close to 500 pounds of food were collected! The week concluded with a free barbeque for all those who attended, their families, and the volunteers.

God’s Word and love was spread that week, and the church prays that it will continue to shine in the hearts of all the children involved.

Karen MacKenzie

people of all ages. Even the breaks for the band were crowd-pleasing, with young adults storming the floor to participate in popular line dances. The church’s hospitality committee made snacks and refreshments available and the local Dickson Store Museum collaborated with King of Kings, offering ice cream for purchase to the attendees.

The congregation thanks God for the opportunity to engage with its community, friends, and neighbours on such a joyous occasion. There were many new attendees, including one who was surprised that a church put on the dance, and another who expressed interest in attending the church as a result. The congregation thanks the Lord for any seeds planted and prays that God will give the growth.

Elaine Kure

Celebrations at Holy Trinity Luseland

LUSELAND, Sask. - Rev. Robert Grout accepted the call to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church just over a year ago, in July 2021, and as he and his wife Lorna both have birthdays in July, this summer they were excited to celebrate their special days with the congregation members of their new spiritual family in Luseland.

They wanted to show their appreciation and love for the kindness and friendship shown to them by the congregation since they arrived, and since Lorna was

marking a special milestone—her 60 th birthday on July 24—they hosted everyone to share in a festive luncheon after service.

The church and hall were decked out in balloon arrangements, floral displays, centrepieces, and buffet and dessert tables. The congregation provided a special cake, as well as singing, gifts, and flowers from the ladies in the Kerrobert LWMLC. A great time of fellowship was had by all!

Rev. Robert and Lorna Grout

Rev. Stephen Bartlett celebrates 10 years of ordained ministry

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Rev. Stephen Bartlett serves Epiphany Lutheran Church in Thunder Bay, and says he went to Concordia University Edmonton primarily to experience the wider world outside of his home-town of Dawson Creek, B.C. He was interested in teaching. However, while at university his

interactions with seminarians and pre-seminary students slowly encouraged him to pursue ministry.

Studying Greek nearly kept him out of seminary, but once he was in seminary his studies confirmed his desire to serve as a pastor. As a shy young man he was thankful that his field work supervisor,

Rev. Roland Kubke, pushed him to develop his social skills. His first call was to rural Saskatchewan (Hudson Bay/Mistatim) and that experience helped him continue to grow socially. July 22, 2022, marked ten years since his ordination.

Rev. David Haberstock

Left to right: Lorna Grout, Terra Lynn Ley, Mary Ann Charteris, and Marie Heidt.

WATER AND THE WORD

This summer I was honoured to serve as the chaplain for the 2022 National Youth Gathering under the theme “In Not Of,” based on Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We live in this world, but, as baptized children of God, our citizenship is in heaven. Thus, at the gathering, in our daily services of Compline and the Service of Prayer and Preaching from the Lutheran Service Book , we focused on the four Small Catechism questions about baptism and Bible narratives connected to baptism. Almost any time a story in Scripture makes use of water, there is often some intentional imagery of baptism that our Lord has arranged in the details of that event.

For instance, in connection to the question, “What is baptism?” and its answer that “baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word,” we looked at Creation (Genesis 1) and Elijah healing Naaman in the waters of the Jordan (2 Kings 5:1-16).

At Creation, the Triune God—the Father creating, the Word of God speaking all things into existence, and the Holy Spirit hovering over the un-formed and un-filled waters— creates and orders all things out of the waters. It is the Word of God, Jesus (John 1:1-14), in and with the water, that brought forth a new and blessed world, just as from the waters of baptism we are brought forth as new creations.

Moreover, Naaman was healed and cleansed by the waters of the

Jordan River, not on account of the holiness of that water, but on account of the mighty word that God’s prophet spoke: “Wash, and be clean” (2 Kings 5:13b).

In answer to the question, “What benefits does baptism give?” the catechism says, “It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this as the words and promises of God declare.”

In the Flood (Genesis 7:17-8:19), eight souls were saved through water, which is an image, or type, of baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21), and a new, cleansed world was brought forth.

As a parallel of this, Moses was placed in a pitch-covered basket or box (the same Hebrew word is used of Moses’ “basket” as Noah’s “ark”), and was saved from death by being drawn out of the water (Exodus 2:110). Not only was he saved, but the whole people of God were saved by him, through water, from their slavery.

The Catechism asks, “How can water do such great things?” The answer: “Certainly not just water, but the Word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God’s Word the water is plain water, and no Baptism. But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit.”

In our Lord’s baptism (Matthew 3:13-17), it is not the water, but our Lord who fulfills all righteousness— our righteousness—by exchanging our sin and its stain with His complete righteousness which clothes us (Galatians 3:27). Moses healed the

bitter waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-25) by throwing a log in on the third day. That wood in the water points to Christ’s cross, whose Word of salvation in and with the water granted and sustained life for the children of Israel.

Finally, following the question, “What does such baptizing with water indicate?” the Catechism explains: “It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

This is demonstrated by the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:12, 9-31), where on one side of the waters the children of Israel were slaves, and on the other side of the waters they were free, having been baptized into the cloud and the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

It is also seen in the “resurrection” and repentance of Jonah who, fleeing from God and His calling to preach, is pursued by the wind (or Spirit) of God on the sea until he is finally thrown into the sea where he spends three days in the place of the dead. And then, having repented, he is spat up by death, and proclaims to the Ninevites their doom. As a result, 120,000 souls were saved from the destruction wrought by their sin.

This new life from the dead is what baptizing with water indicates. Baptism is an image and pattern through which all of Scripture, and the world itself, can be understood—for by it, though we are in this world, we are not of this world.

from the regional pastor | rev. david haberstock

North East Lutheran Parish installs new pastor

Rev. McLean at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton.

Rev. Greg Lutz was initially going to preach the sermon but was unable to attend due to the passing of his father. Rev. Lutz is the Chaplain at 17 Wing Detachment in Dundurn and frequently served the Nipawin, Hudson Bay, and Mistatim congregations during their vacancy.

Rev. McLean graduated from seminary in May of 2019 and was ordained and installed at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Dawson Creek, B.C. He loves serving God’s people and enjoys spending time with friends and family outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He grew up in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and before he began theological training, he was employed as a concrete plant manager in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and also worked as a truck driver, transporting aviation fuel in Northern and Western Canada.

NIPAWIN, Sask. - On June 26, 2022, Rev. Christopher McLean was installed as the pastor of the North East Lutheran Parish in Saskatchewan. The parish is made up of four congregations: Zion Lutheran in Nipawin, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Melfort, Zion Lutheran in Mistatim, and Good Shepherd Lutheran in Hudson Bay.

The installation service was held at Zion Lutheran in Nipawin, with many members from all four congregations in attendance. Rev. Clint Magnus presided over the installation on behalf of Central Regional Pastor David Haberstock. Rev. Magnus is the Northlands Circuit Counsellor and pastor of St. John’s Lutheran in Humbolt. Rev. Ken Keller and Rev. Peter Knelson also participated in the installation service. Rev. Keller often served St. Paul’s in Melfort during their vacancy, and Rev. Peter Knelson of St. John’s Lutheran in Warman was a fellow seminarian with

Epiphany Thunder Bay moves to new building

While most of the coloured glass in the building is not theological in nature, ships are an ancient image in church imagery, based on the flood and Noah’s ark.

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Epiphany Lutheran Church was established and built in the 1960s. The average attendance has never been much above 80 people per Sunday, and like most churches built in that era, it was a nonenergy-efficient building. Designed by a Missouri Synod architect from Alabama, the sanctuary comfortably fit 250, and the building included a sizeable education wing to start a school that never materialized.

Thunder Bay’s main industries have not been doing well for decades, and thus it is one of the oldest urban areas in Canada. While Rev. David Haberstock served at Epiphany from 2004-2015, there was a sixmonth period in which five founding

members died, which had a significant impact on the attendance, morale, and finances of the congregation.

During the pandemic, the congregation was experiencing a variety of challenges and sought to deal with them. They chose to sell their building to a man who was going to open a dormitory for troubled young men in the education wing and use the rest of the building for training programs.

The local United church had closed before the pandemic and their building was available. Due to the size of the old property, the congregation was able to both purchase this new property about nine blocks away from the old one, and will be able to renovate, make

accessibility improvements, and invest some of the money in order to help fund their ongoing ministry.

The closing service at the old building took place on June 26, 2022, and the first service in the new building occurred July 7. There is still much work to be done to the building and a service of dedication is hoped to be held in the fall.

Congregational leadership is excited about this new start, and the Lord has brought new members to the congregation in the last year. Some members have transferred to other LCC churches nearby, but there is much hope for being newly rooted in the community at a new place and space.

Rev. David Haberstock

50th anniversary in Goderich

GODERICH, Ont. - Berea-by-theWater Lutheran Church recently celebrated 50 years as a congregation.

The afternoon church service on Sunday, July 10, was attended by current and former members, as well as members from their sister church, Zion Lutheran in Dashwood. Other guests included East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz, several Stratford Circuit pastors, former pastors of the congregation, and many individuals who contributed to the purchasing of the church and property in December 2021.

Following the service, there was a delicious catered meal of pulled pork or beef on a bun, and a dessert

of a chocolate/vanilla cake featuring a photo of the church. The family of Berea really came together to make this celebration a joyous and thankful time. God’s family at Berea knows every day how blessed they are by the Lord in numerous ways. They may be a small congregation, but they continue to make an impact on all who they meet, and welcome anyone looking for a friendly church.

Berea-by-the-Water is a church family that supports, encourages, weeps, and celebrates together, with a message to share of Jesus and His forgiveness and unconditional love. They have been living this

life and ministry for 50 years, and look forward to many more years of ministry in the future.

Berea-by-the-Water Lutheran Church

Guest preacher: East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz.

Berea’s pastor, Rev. John Trembulak III.

L - R Rev. Wayne Geick, Rev. Ted Radke, Rev. John Trembulak III, Rev. Marvin Bublitz, Rev. Matthew Fenn, and Rev. William Kramer.

Many kids are returning to school as I write this, and I just watched a group walk past the house to catch the bus. It made me think back to my school days, certain memories that always seem to come back to mind.

I remember a specific day in high school English class, learning new words, and the first time I heard the word “harbinger” used. I can still see the teacher standing in front of the class reading the sentence, “the robin is a harbinger of spring.” She warned us that when learning big new words the tendency is to use them in conversations to make us look smart and better than others, so often it really has the opposite effect.

I remember learning other big words in my biology class. One day we learned about the autonomic nervous system. Now, I don’t intend this to be a biology lesson; I am sure some of you reading will say I got this or that wrong. But I use it here simply as an illustration or metaphor.

If you look for an explanation of the autonomic nervous system, you will read things like this description from the Cleveland Clinic: “Your autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves throughout your body that control unconscious processes. These are things that happen without you thinking about them, such as breathing and your heart beating. Your autonomic nervous system is always active, even when you’re asleep, and it’s key to your continued survival. Your autonomic nervous system is a part of your overall nervous system that controls

ALWAYS AT WORK FOR YOU AND IN YOU

from the regional pastor | rev. marvin bublitz

the automatic functions of your body that you need to survive. These are processes you don’t think about and that your brain manages while you’re awake or asleep.”

What struck me was the fact that there is something running in the background to keep me alive. These are things I don’t have to think to make it work. It’s automatic, working whether I’m awake or asleep. It is working even when I don’t think about it. It’s always active and is the key to continued survival. How fearfully and wonderfully God has made us.

Why all this biology talk? I have recently been reading what the Lutheran Confessions say about Holy Baptism. In baptism, we see how God is always at work so that we survive. He has given us such great blessings. In Holy Baptism, He makes us part of His family and puts His name on us. He marks us for everlasting life. He washes away and forgives our sins. He connects us to the death and resurrection of Christ. His Holy Spirit takes up residence within us.

That happened as the water and Word washed over us; it was a onetime event. But the blessings of baptism are ever with us. The Lord Christ who baptized us is always at work in us, whether we are awake or asleep, that we would survive unto eternal life. We may not think daily of our baptisms, but its blessings are constantly at work to keep us in the faith and marked for salvation.

The autonomic system keeps my heart beating even when I don’t think about it. Even when I do think about my heartbeat, it is still not something

I control. My heart beats because the Lord God Almighty made me that way. So it is with God’s continual work in Holy Baptism. It is His working for my sake, not my working.

My point is not that we should ignore our baptism. I mean quite the opposite. We do well to ponder what miracle the Lord Christ worked in us through water and the word. We do well to rejoice and be thankful that our baptism is always working to keep us alive in the faith. We do well to repent for those many times we ignore our baptism.

The fact that the Lord is always at work in us is of great comfort. He washed us. He feeds us. He saves us. He never leaves us. So when Satan assaults us and temptations lure us into sin we can remember, “I am baptized.”

We strive to do those things that support a healthy, beating heart. Likewise, the Lord would have us do those things which support a healthy, baptized life—although, to speak precisely, it is not really our doing but rather His doing in us and through us and for us.

So He gathers us where He has promised to feed the new man created in Holy Baptism. He gathers us in His holy house to hear His holy Word and receive His holy body and blood. In this way, the Lord Christ who baptized you continues to strengthen you unto life everlasting. He preserves you in the faith unto that day when He gathers you home, fulfilling the promise bestowed in Holy Baptism.

EAST REGION

25 th ordination anniversary

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - On August 17, 2022, Rev. David Gallas celebrated 25 years of ordained ministry in Lutheran Church–Canada. Some key highlights of his ministry career include earning a Master of Divinity degree at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, in the spring of 1997, and being ordained and installed as pastor at Church of the Lutheran Hour in Fort Frances, Ontario, on August 17, 1997. In May 2007, he was installed as pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Hamburg, Ontario.

In 2012, Rev. Gallas joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves part-time, while continuing to serve in parish ministry. In 2015, he joined the military fulltime as a chaplain, serving various operational units in Petawawa. In August 2022, he was posted to Toronto for post-graduate studies at Emmanuel College (University of Toronto) in the two-year Master of Pastoral Studies program, concentrating on spiritual care and psychotherapy. After two years, he will be posted again.

“Daily Bread” themed VBS

FISHERVILLE, Ont. - Top Chef Brioche Pumpernickel arrived at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fisherville for VBS from July 18-22, 2022, and with help from the 30 children attending, created her new “On a Roll with God” food truck. Inspired by the verse “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), the Bible lessons, crafts, and songs reminded the children that everything they have comes from God, and that it’s through turning to God in prayer that all daily needs are met. Tricia Miller

The military’s plan is to use his training to further support military members and their families, potentially at a military mental health clinic.

Rev. Gallas has been married to Karen since June 1997, and they are blessed with five children. They currently reside in Mississauga with their two youngest children.

New members at First Windsor

WINDSOR, Ont. - First Lutheran Church celebrated an adult confirmation on August 21, 2022, and took time to recognize other new members who came into the congregation during the pandemic by transfer, adult baptism, and reaffirmation of faith. The group gathered outside after worship with Revs. Wilhelm Torgerson and Robert Bugbee for a picture. Three others who joined during the pandemic were unable to be present that day.

Rainforest VBS in Barrie

BARRIE, Ont. - This summer, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was blessed to finally host their first in-person Vacation Bible School since 2019. Fifty children from the congregation and Open Arms Early Childhood Centre shouted praises to the Lord from July 18-22, 2022. As He always does, God provided a devoted staff of tireless volunteers and generous support from the congregation. It was a week of joy, inspiration, and fellowship for all involved. The congregation is thankful to their Lord and Saviour for leading the way for the Rainforest Explorers!

Delma Hatzitolios, Children’s Ministries Coordinator

2022 Niagara Catechism Summer Games

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - While the Canada Summer Games were being held in the Niagara Region, Resurrection Lutheran Church held their Catechism Summer Games, a family co-operative Vacation Bible School, from August 8-12, 2022. Parents not only attended with their children, but also helped to oversee crafts, snacks, and some of the catechism lessons.

Through review of the Ten Commandments (1 Corinthians 9:24-27), the Creed (Hebrews 12:1-2),

the Lord’s Prayer (1 Chronicles 29:10-13), baptism (1 John 5:4-6), and confession and absolution (2 Timothy 4:7-8), all were reminded that they have been given the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:5). This year’s cooperative craft was a chalk mosaic on the sidewalk between parking lots.

Rev. Kurt Lantz;

Photos by Sara Winger & Rev. Kurt Lantz

in

Nicaragua

A letter from LCC’s partner church in Nicaragua

NICARAGUA - We recently received the following letter from Rev. Hector Morales, pastor of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s partner church, the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana–Sínodo de Nicaragua – ILSN):

Although we have a very orderly liturgy, which we follow with devotion in the Nicaraguan Church, sometimes there can be a tendency to participate in the liturgy without taking into account the meaning of everything we do and why it is structured the way it is. At our last seminar in August our subject was the theology of worship, and everything that Rev. Mark Smith taught us was like a fire in the heart.

It was beautiful for us to learn of the sacramental nature of the liturgy, how God comes to us to deliver His saving and life-giving gifts through His holy Word and Sacraments, and how

we respond to those gifts through the sacrificial acts of giving Him thanks, praise, and our supplications. Rev. Smith reinforced how the Gospel is not simply informative but performative and transformative, delivering to us the very gifts Jesus won for us on the cross, the gifts that the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen in us saving faith, gifts that allow us to have communion with God and each other.

After receiving the seminar, all the participants had the comforting feeling of how blessed we are to have the Divine Service and how important a healthy way of worship is for our spiritual welfare and how it is a great mission tool when we share with others the wonderful divine gifts we receive in the Service.

We are deeply grateful to Lutheran Church–Canada for always maintaining their love and commitment to the

training and preparation of the servants of the Church, for the great love they feel for the mission in Nicaragua, and the many ways they assist us. We particularly are grateful to Rev. Smith for his visit and for the eloquent way of transmitting his teachings, his good humour, and his affection.

God keep and protect you.

— Your brother in faith, Rev. Hector Morales

Ukraine update, LCC aid fund update from LCC

UKRAINE - The following letter was written by Rev. Sergey Bevz, pastor of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s partner church the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU): Dear friends in Christ, Although Ukraine has had to endure many hardships these past few months, we also have received many blessings. Today, I want to share news of a great blessing. The sanctuary of our church building is now complete and we held the dedication service for our newly renovated church on July 24, 2022. SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko led the dedication and visited with our parishioners and guests. Unfortunately

nearly 70 percent of our congregation was unable to join us, since many of them have been evacuated abroad during the war. However, these members rejoiced at this news and are looking forward to worshiping in the church as soon as they are able to return.

It has been a long and difficult road since our church’s roof collapsed due to heavy snow a couple of winters ago. After this, and with the war, it has been a journey full of trials and lessons of faith. Yet, during these difficult days, the Lord brought new people to our church and the new sanctuary is filled with people.

At this moment we have about the same attendance as before the war

CLMS President Paddles for Missions

EDMONTON - At the recent LCC convention in Edmonton the president of Concordia Lutheran Mission Society, Rev. Mark Lobitz, jumped on board and began paddling! This was at the amazing mission event on Sunday evening.

Boats and fishing are common images in the Bible. As a mission organization, CLMS provides “boats” for our missions around the world. What? Yes, providing theological education for our pastors and deaconesses trains them to be “fishers of men” and prepares them for their journey out into the deep. Humanitarian funds for feeding programs in Nicaragua and assistance for new immigrants to Canada gives

“fish” to the hungry. Program support, whether developing French ministry resources for children or music programs in Central America, gives “fishing nets” to our workers so they can effectively teach others.

And of course we can use the image of a rescue boat being sent to Ukraine. What do we have on board?

First of all, our prayers! For many months now, we have prayed for safety for our pastors, their families and their congregation members.

Secondly, CLMS has also received more than $60,000 for Ukraine assistance. Our pastoral advisor and former missionary to Ukraine, Rev. Roland Syens, is in daily contact with the pastors there, praying with them,

began. Several refugees seeking shelter in our city are now attending adult instruction classes. Our congregation has been active in serving these refugees and those suffering since the war started. Over 200 people in need visit our church each week. We do our best to provide food and aid packages for them and comfort them with the Gospel. We are thankful that the Lord has given us this opportunity to meet the needs of all these people. And we give thanks to God for all the support and many prayers we receive from Lutheran Church–Canada, especially for helping us rebuild our church. We value our partnership in the Gospel, our close friendship, and your love for us, which is clearly seen in such a difficult time.

Your brother in Christ, Rev. Sergey Bevz

As of September 30, 2022 the people of LCC have raised a total of $639,529.08 for the LCC Ukraine Relief Aid Fund. For those who would like to direct financial support to the pastors and people of the SELCU, you can do so through LCC’s website.

encouraging them and listening to their concerns.

Thank you to our gracious donors who have so faithfully supported all our mission projects. Truly you have partnered with us by taking up the oars and rowing along with us!

First Lutheran church welcomes refugees from Iraq

WINDSOR, Ont. - Tomas, Mehasin, and their son, Marcelino, turned up at First Lutheran Church one Sunday. They had landed in Canada just one month back, flying in from Turkey where they spent seven years as refugees, fleeing the atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic State on the Christian population of Mosul (the ancient biblical city of Nineveh).

In June 2014, the Islamic State captured Mosul, resulting in a complete Assyrian Christian exodus. The Islamic State targeted the Christians of Mosul by marking their homes with the Arabic letter nun, marking them out as Nasarah (“Nazarene”). Christians had three choices: convert to Islam or face execution; pay the Jizya tax, a permanent tax for non-Muslims living in Muslim controlled areas; or leave the borders of the Islamic Caliphate within a specified deadline.

Tomas and Mehasin's Life before and after the Islamic State

Before the occupation of Mosul, the family lived a comfortable life, owning lands, livestock, and jobs. The Islamic State takeover resulted in loss of all their property—homes were burnt to the ground and valuables looted.

Mehasin’s sister was shot and killed on the road travelling Mosul to Baghdad, when the driver failed to stop quickly at a roadblock by the Islamic State.

The extended family was forced to flee to various countries of the world, including, France, Germany, and Italy. Tomas’ family joined a long convoy of displaced Christians who fled to Turkey and lived for seven years in Yozgat, a city east of Ankara.

Life in Yozgat was not easy. Being Christians, the family faced various forms of discrimination. Tomas, a trained electrician, and Mehasin, a teacher, could only find menial jobs while Marcelino, who was admitted to a local school, was ridiculed and bullied by his classmates and finally, refused to go to school. Using his cell phone, Marcelino studied the English language, in which he is quite proficient and can translate for his parents.

To Canada

After spending seven long years in Turkey and being supported by siblings who had fled to European countries, the family landed in Canada and made their way to Windsor, where they contacted First Lutheran Church.

They were welcomed with open arms and joined the ESL class being run by Windsor-Essex County Lutheran Outreach (WECLO).

Presently, the family is doing quite well. Mehasin has got a job working in a factory which is near their house, and she makes an effort to improve her English. Marcelino is attending school, doing well in his studies, and plays soccer. Tomas is unable to work as he broke his back in Iraq and cannot stand for a long time or lift heavy weights, however, he looks after the requirements of his family.

The First Lutheran family is always ready to help in any way they can, and they feel blessed that the Lord has brought these people into their lives.

Windsor Essex County Lutheran Outreach (WECLO) WECLO is a multi-cultural ministry reaching out to many diverse cultures and ethnicities through educational programs (such as ESL courses); social integration and hospitality efforts; sports programs; and, above all, sharing the Word of God as they build long-lasting relationships with immigrants and refugees who are new to Canada.

New academic year begins for LCC seminaries

CANADA - Special services marked the opening of the 2022-23 academic year for Lutheran Church–Canada’s seminaries in early September.

Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton, Alberta, held its Opening Service on September 6 at the Concordia Lutheran Seminary Chapel.

President Jim Gimbel shared the message surrounding the theme of the year, based on Luke 1:68 (Zechariah’s canticle). In a Facebook post, CLS shared: “‘Benedictus: Blessed’ reminds us that we live in God’s gracious favour as the Son of the Most High has visited and redeemed His people, as the voice of the prophets proclaimed and the voices of the pastors and deacons continue to declare.”

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario, held its Opening Service on

September 11 at the Martin Luther Chapel. CLTS describes the purpose of this gathering as follows: “The Opening Service is first and foremost an opportunity for hearing God’s Word and responding in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. The seminary forges pastors for the church in the crucible of regular daily worship, which frames and supports the academic work and practical formation. A good pastor is first a child of God.”

Organist and pre-seminary student, Andrew Hayes, together with MTS student, Dr. Eduardo Farias, on trumpet, supported the singing, while fourth-year seminarian Nigel Prozenko led the service of Evening Prayer. Rev. Jack Hetzel, a 1989 CLTS graduate and old friend of CLTS’ new faculty member, Dr. James Kellerman, delivered a homily on the seminary’s annual theme verse:

“Benedictus: He has visited and redeemed His people” (Luke 1:68).

The service also saw the installation of Rev. Dr. James Kellerman as Associate Professor of Theology.

Each year the seminary presents its Emeritus Crucis (Veteran of the Cross) award to a parish pastor with at least 30 years of experience who can be commended to students as a model of Christ-like faithfulness and servanthood. This year, the award was presented to former East District President, Rev. Allen Maleske. CLTS shared that, in responding to the award, “Pastor Maleske captured the congregation’s attention with tales from his early years of ministry in London, Ontario, and greatly encouraged the seminary students with his witness to God’s faithfulness.”

Opening Service at Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton, AB).

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, ON). President Dr. Thomas Winger with Emeritus crucis recipient, Rev. Allen Maleske.

Seminarian’s reflections from the road through LCC’s Ottawa Circuit

for university,” Albert said. “As seminarians, this ‘bubble’ of sorts is expanded as we are assigned a congregation for field work, interact with the seminary community, and eventually go on vicarage.”

In total, the group visited ten LCC churches, meeting with many pastors and laity; and had the opportunity to speak with and learn from several

the trip, Albert shared:

CANADA - Before entering into his second year as a seminary student, Albert Ho (CLTS) had the opportunity to travel through Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Ottawa Circuit, visiting with various pastors, missionaries, and laity along the way. Along with David Friesen, LCC Director of Advancement, and Alex Steinke, LCC Director of Communications, Albert made the trip through Ottawa and into Quebec.

“Most of us Lutherans might not encounter very many congregations in our lifetime apart from our home congregation or where we might have attended if we moved away

pastors, including Rev. Dr. David Somers, Rev. Walta Clercius, Rev. Frank Morgret, and Rev. Razafy Razafindrakoto. When asked about the impact of the experiences on

“It was most edifying to travel around and meet with pastors in the Ottawa Circuit of LCC. I was able to hear the insights from many seasoned pastors in a short period of time, deepening my understanding of the shared mission of the churches in our synod and the work of both pastors and parishioners in the life of the church. I very much valued learning about the exciting work of our French ministries in Quebec, a province which has gradually grown close to my heart after having studied there four years. As I enter my second year of seminary, I am encouraged and inspired by the many lessons I have been blessed to learn from these faithful teachers and servants of the Word, with whom I am honoured to share the same confession of faith, and more importantly, the same Saviour and Lord.”

New Quest Course: "Paradoxically Lutheran"

paradoxical truths that God presents in His word.

The Scriptures are our source and norm for doctrine and belief. There is a clear teaching about the Trinity, the needs of humanity, and God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Our finite minds love to have a clear answer to these core doctrines. However, there are many parts of

Scripture that sound as if God is saying two oppositional truths. While other systems of belief try to explain how one is right and the other wrong, Lutherans recognize that there are many times where God speaks truths that form a paradox: opposing truths that are simultaneously true.

CLS' Fall Quest series explores what it means to grapple with these

Join Dr. Gimbel on Tuesday evenings, November 1, 8, 15, and 22 (all before Advent begins on November 27), in person on campus (God willing) or online for an intriguing exploration of the marvelous and mysterious doctrinal core of our Lutheran paradoxes, as we celebrate being Paradoxically Lutheran.

Learn more at: www.concordiasem.ab.ca

IN REVIEW: Through the Valley

BY MATHEW BLOCK

Rev. Kurt Reinhardt’s latest book of poetry, Through the Valley, brings a word of comfort to those facing sorrow and suffering, as well as those accompanying others travelling through the valley of the shadow of death.

As with his earlier collections of poetry, Rev. Reinhardt points us again and again to Christ and His mercy, teaching us to place our hope in Him alone. These poems, all metrical and composed with an eye to be sung, do not downplay the reality of grief which surrounds death; but they place it in its proper perspective, teaching us to trust in the One who has already faced death and conquered it for us.

In this book, Rev. Reinhardt encourages us to look to Christ, and to recognize that the crucified and risen One comes to us with mercy and love. He reminds us that we are already borne up in the wounded hands of Christ, and that He will bear us safely home to Himself.

“For nothing can snatch me away;

With Jesus I will ever stay.

He’ll take me in His nail-scarred hand

And bear me to His Father’s land.”

That image of the wounded hands of Christ leading us on is one that reoccurs throughout this collection of poetry, and draws out attention always to Christ crucified and risen for us. We look to Him who has gone before us through the valley of the shadow of death, and who embraces us with “hands still printed by the nails.”

“I have no strength to rise and stand

I don’t know what to say or do;

Lord, hold me in Your wounded hand

And fix my weeping eyes on You.”

The knowledge that Christ has first taken hold of us in love gives us confidence to likewise take hold of Him in faith. “To Christ I’ll cling with all my heart,” Rev. Reinhardt writes, “as He holds on to me.”

All Christians will benefit from this collection of poems (which are accompanied by photographs by Rev. Reinhardt, Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger, and Rev. William Weedon, as well as icons by H. Avery Prozenko), whether they currently are walking the depths of the valley or whether that journey still lies for them in the distant future. Along the way, they will come to learn, as Rev. Reinhardt writes in his preface to the book, that, “No matter how dark it may get in the valley of the shadow of death, your Good Shepherd is with you and leading you through it to the joys of His eternal resurrection day.”

Through the Valley was published by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) and is available for purchase through Lulu.com.

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

Jesus Christ

The Summer of Ups and Downs

lighter

From my perspective, the ups and downs are di erent than they have been over the past two summers. For now, they are happening in the Cessna 182. Hooray!

ankfully, this summer we had LAMP teams going into communities across the North. is occurred despite continued Canadian border restrictions and northern community outbreaks of COVID-19, where visitor access is limited in an attempt to stop the spread and impact on their elders. anks be to God, those who did visit their community had

The

areas

by pastor/pilot Randy Heide

a chance to renew relationships that have not been in person since 2019!

e joy of our mission teams’ presence brings comfort and renewed hope. e communities expressed gratitude for our teams returning to serve them.

In six communities I support, teams were blessed to be reunited, while some mourn lost friends who now are with their Lord and Saviour Jesus in perfect bliss forever. Others rejoiced to be greeted by children now three years older and BIGGER and for some, taller than the

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Pastor/pilot

Ups and downs, continued

volunteers themselves. And still others welcomed one generation of grown children who are now bringing their children to Vacation Bible School. Please keep our teams and o season plans to visit in your prayers.

A few of the ministry moments:

• Listening and praying for the concerns of a pastor who has kept the work of LAMP at arms’ length but now understands we are there to support the Christians already in the community.

• Standing with an excited team lead who has been in the community over the last 16 years.

• Rejoicing with a team who received recognition for their community service at a celebration with the Chief.

• Working with an enthusiastic “small but mighty” new team in Cat Lake, Ontario, as they serve a community that has not had a team since 2018.

• Hearing the passion from a team who, despite their aging, want to do everything they can to share Jesus’ love as they continue to minister and walk with the community.

Sucker River, Southend, Cat Lake, Little Grand Rapids, Hall Lake, and Lac Brochet teams all have something in common— servants for Jesus’ sake. I ask you to please pray for our teams of volunteers, who a er these years of separation are in need of new recruits. LAMP needs replacement volunteers for those who are unable to go North for a variety of reasons.

We welcome new volunteers, who through the Lord’s calling, step up and are willing to serve Jesus by taking His message to Northern Canada. As the doors re-open and communities call for our teams to return, please consider taking the opportunity to walk alongside our northern neighbours.

Parcelled gi s of prayer blankets to community leaders who give to those who have lost loved ones, baby layettes, and hygiene kits were delivered to a number of our communities who have not been able to have teams visit this summer. Our northern friends are so grateful for the handmade gi s. But they want people to accompany those gi s, to join them in their Christian walk and build their faith, to bring that treasure of hope to their community, and a Christ-centered identity to their children.

Right: Pastor Randy and boys at VBS

Melissa, for instance, serves with the Southend team and lives in southern Saskatchewan. She heard of LAMP through a longtime supporter, past volunteer, and lay pastor, Hans Zoller. Melissa contacted our LAMP o ce to ask where she could help. And I would say, a er spending time with the team, she was a wonderful asset, as I’m certain you could be too.

In spite of impediments, I have been able to keep in touch with our community contacts through Facebook Messenger, contacts who are looking forward to meeting with me on the ground. It is during these times together that I am able to look them in the eye with care and o er prayers for them and the work of faith in their community.

And so, I ask you to also keep our ights, our airplanes, Andrew Anstey (MAF Pilot seconded to LAMP) and myself in your prayers, that we may continue to safely make our ups and downs into the northern communities we serve.

Rocky’s Back in Town!

Rocky’s Back in Town!

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

Because of the pandemic, LAMP teams were not able to conduct summer Vacation Bible Schools in 2020 and 2021. Praise God that now the virus has ebbed and the associated guidelines have been somewhat relaxed, some of our teams have been able to return to their adopted community in 2022.

Because of the pandemic, LAMP teams were not able to conduct summer Vacation Bible Schools in 2020 and 2021. Praise God that now the virus has ebbed and the associated guidelines have been somewhat relaxed, some of our teams have been able to return to their adopted community in 2022.

For a variety of reasons, we were not able to o er programs to all the communities we serve. Even when our teams were given the green light, there seemed to be a disproportionate share of obstacles this year. Some communities were not in a position to receive their team. Some teams did not have enough time to make the necessary preparations. Accommodation challenges arose because teacherages were being renovated, and churches were ooded. Ferries were under repair. Team members su ered various illnesses, pinched nerves, and positive COVID tests. But through it all, God was faithful! We were able to run summer programs or be present to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in many communities. Additionally, a few teams are planning visits throughout the year.

For a variety of reasons, we were not able to o er programs to all the communities we serve. Even when our teams were given the green light, there seemed to be a disproportionate share of obstacles this year. Some communities were not in a position to receive their team. Some teams did not have enough time to make the necessary preparations. Accommodation challenges arose because teacherages were being renovated, and churches were ooded. Ferries were under repair. Team members su ered various illnesses, pinched nerves, and positive COVID tests. But through it all, God was faithful! We were able to run summer programs or be present to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in many communities. Additionally, a few teams are planning visits throughout the year.

It was a sweet time for those teams who were able to overcome any obstacle and once again

It was a sweet time for those teams who were able to overcome any obstacle and once again

visit their friends to renew old relationships. ey ministered to young and old and heard the laughter of the children as they shared cra s, games, and Bible stories.

by Gordon Gilbey, sta missionary

by Gordon Gilbey, sta missionary

their control. Rocky, my racoon puppet, and I were able to visit a few teams as they served the communities that they love.

their control. Rocky, my racoon puppet, and I were able to visit a few teams as they served the communities that they love.

Over the past two and a half years, our communities have faced many di culties. ere have been increases in depression, crime, family violence, suicide, and substance abuse. Our teams have longed to share the Good News and that Christ provides our true hope.

Over the past two and a half years, our communities have faced many di culties. ere have been increases in depression, crime, family violence, suicide, and substance abuse. Our teams have longed to share the Good News and that Christ provides our true hope.

visit their friends to renew old relationships. ey ministered to young and old and heard the laughter of the children as they shared cra s, games, and Bible stories.

I am so proud of all our teams—both those who went North and those who could not because of circumstances beyond

I am so proud of all our teams—both those who went North and those who could not because of circumstances beyond

Now the waiting is over, and once again LAMP missionaries and teams can rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. And we can share Christ’s love face-to-face with our northern families and remind all who we meet, even in the darkest hour, of God’s promise to “never leave you nor forsake you.”

Now the waiting is over, and once again LAMP missionaries and teams can rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. And we can share Christ’s love face-to-face with our northern families and remind all who we meet, even in the darkest hour, of God’s promise to “never leave you nor forsake you.”

What’s Your Why?

by Nathan Schmidt, sta missionary serving northern B.C.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Perhaps you, much like myself, have wondered about the impact of serving in Indigenous communities. Why share the gospel? is summer while serving alongside a LAMP mission team in Kitamaat Village, I was de nitely reminded why we do what we do.

e rst day in the community was a holiday. us, nothing was open for us to set up. And to top it o , we learned there were two other camps taking place simultaneously. Hence, on our rst day of Vacation Bible School, we had only one child until her sister showed up. However, this veyear-old girl and her three-yearold sister were very intelligent and outgoing. e ve-year-old talked the entire time. In response to any questions relating to the Bible, she would answer “baby Jesus.”

During my discussion with the team leader regarding ways to increase VBS attendance, the father of the two girls came to pick them up. We thanked him for letting his daughters attend. We

shared how much we enjoyed having them and that he and his wife have done a marvelous job in raising them. What happened next was a humble reminder of why we do what we do.

Village VBS.

e father of the two girls thanked us and encouraged the team to keep doing what they were doing. He pointed out how important these lessons were to his girls because attending church camps had helped him through his drug addiction. You see, as a child, his father had also sent him to any church camps held in the area. Both as a youth and a young adult, the father of the two girls had used a variety of drugs to handle struggles in his life. Several times while high, he would suddenly remember words from sermons he had heard as a kid. (At the time, he didn’t know why this was happening.)

During a hospital stay, he was informed that his body was slowly eating itself to death from taking so many drugs. e father shared a verse with us that he

had remembered as a child. It continues to be the verse he draws strength from: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gi of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

is father is now twelve years sober! He is the deputy re chief for the Haisla community. For the rest of the week, the team was so grateful to play a part in the spiritual nourishment of these two girls during VBS and enjoyed spending time with them. e seeds of faith have been planted in these children, and those in the faith have also been encouraged. We all look forward to the next time we visit with the community. What a beautiful reminder of how precious each child is to God and the reason for our question, “Why?”.

LAMP Mission Statement

Gift Coordinator needed for the Central Region

TRANSITIONS

Rev. Carl Wagner , Emeritus, called to glory.

Rev. Tim Schneider , Good Shepherd (Amherstburg, ON) accepted a call to Holy Trinity/ Hope (Inglis/Grandview, MB).

Chad Miller, Candidate, to Grace (St. Catharines, ON).

Rev. Davi Schmidt, Paz Lutheran (Florianopilis, SC, Brazil) accepted a call to Bethel (Kitchener, ON).

The Foundation needs your help in finding a suitable candidate to serve as the Foundation’s Gift Coordinator within the Central Region. For an extremely rewarding and exciting opportunity, have you ever considered working on behalf of the wider church?

If not you, perhaps someone you know, a fellow church member, relative or friend, who is active in the church, and suited for such a vocation.

For more information, visit the Career page on the Foundation’s website, located at: www.lutheranfoundation.ca

Rev. Cody Cooper , Christ (Mellowdale, AB), Candidate.

FIND ON

lcc social media

What is Regional News?

Regional News can include a congregation’s significant anniversary or other landmark occasion, a mission or outreach event, a retreat or special event hosted by an LCC organization or by the circuit, or other church involvement in the community.

Regional News can ALSO be something unique that your congregation is doing for its members, like hosting a hiking club, mentoring younger members into leadership positions, or preserving a heritage church building.

Sharing our news is one way our geographically widespread Synod can stay connected, and if you're not sure if a story qualifies as news, please ask! regionaleditor@lutheranchurch.ca

PRESIDENT ’S PONDERINGS

WE VALUE UNITY

BY PRESIDENT TIMOTHY TEUSCHER

We value unity in doctrine, proclamation, and practice, as expressed in Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.” That is the third value statement identified by a vast majority of pastors, deacons, and lay people from across our synod as part of the Strategic Framework process that was presented at our recent synodical convention. Yes, ‘unity’—which is, as the dictionary defines it, ‘a condition of harmony, oneness, and common accord.’

“

Let’s unpack this value statement briefly. First, ‘unity in doctrine and proclamation.’ St. Paul, for instance, says to the church in Corinth: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Or, as he writes in Ephesians: “[I urge you] to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1, 3-6). And again: “He [Christ] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (4:11-13).

Our Lutheran Confessions put it this way: “For the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree about the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments” (AC VII.2). And further: “For thorough, permanent unity in the Church, it is necessary, above all things, that we have a comprehensive, unanimously approved summary and form of teaching. The common doctrine must be brought together from God’s Word, which the churches of the true Christian religion must confess” (FC SD Summary, Rule, and Norm.1).

This is why the constitution of our synod states: “Lutheran Church–Canada, and every Member of Lutheran Church–Canada accepts without reservation: the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice; and all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God.”

This is what the word ‘orthodoxy’ means: ‘right praise’ or ‘right teaching.’ And where does such right teaching or unity

in doctrine and proclamation lead or manifest itself? Why, to ‘unity in practice’ – that is, to ‘orthopraxy’ or ‘right practice.’

To be sure, as the Augsburg Confession adds, “It is not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere” (AC VII.3). At the same time, however, it goes on to say that “ceremonies and other practices that are profitable for tranquility and good order in the Church ought to be observed” (AC XV.1). This is why our synod’s constitution speaks about such things as the regular call of pastors by congregations; the exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymn books, and catechisms; and the striving for uniformity in church practice on the part of all our pastors, deacons, and congregations. After all, nothing destroys the unity of the church faster than practices which are contrary to the Scriptures. The apostle Paul deals with this in his letters to the Corinthians, admonishing them about divisions in their midst over practices connected with the Lord’s Supper, worship, and the like; and reminding them of that which ought to be present “in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). In order to assist pastors and congregations in this matter of unity in practice, our synod’s website contains the PMC document ‘Guidelines for Congregational and Pastoral Practice.’

The founding father of the Missouri Synod, C.F.W. Walther, sums it up this way: “As every true Evangelical Lutheran local congregation has the same official confessions as the true Evangelical Lutheran Church, it should also diligently seek to be united with the latter in life and with it to speak the same thing, in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

“Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.... Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:11, 17). So our Lord Jesus prayed for the apostles on the night before He would be crucified for the sins of the world. And He concludes His high-priestly prayer with this petition for us today: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:20-21).

How fitting, proper, necessary, and important it is that “we value unity in doctrine, proclamation, and practice, as expressed in Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.”

Official Convention Proceedings