Not-So-Short-Term Mission!
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Rev. Robert Krestick shares the history of Team Zion's work in Nicaragua over the last decade, and expresses his confidence that their relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ in Nicaragua are anything but "Short Term!"
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Did you miss the live communications webinar? Check it out here!
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Written Sermon for the Sixth Sunday After Pentecost entitled: ‘Hearing Affects Living’
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LCC Special Convention Notice!
The Commission on Constitution Matters and Structure (CCMS), in consultation with legal counsel of Lutheran Church–Canada, has determined that:
- LCC must hold a convention at least every four years according to provisions of Statutory Bylaw 9.01 of the 2017 Handbook of Lutheran Church–Canada.
- There is nothing in the 2017 Handbook to prohibit an online or virtual convention.
- To delay holding the scheduled June 2021 in-person convention until 2022 due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic would require a change to Statutory Bylaw 9.01 that would need to be brought before a Special Convention of LCC.
- According to Statutory Bylaw 9.12 congregations are to have a 90-day notice of a Special Convention.
In light of the above, the Board of Directors, at its June 27, 2020 meeting, has called for an online or virtual Special Convention of Lutheran Church—Canada to be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 (12:00 noon CDT) for the purpose of amending Statutory Bylaw 9.01 to allow for postponement of a convention if precluded by some extraordinary event and to be held as soon as feasibly possible.
If such an amendment to Statutory Bylaw 9.01 is approved at this Special Convention, the Board of Directors intends to move the regular in-person convention, scheduled for June 11-14, 2021, to June of 2022. If such an amendment to the Statutory Bylaws is not approved by this Special Convention, the scheduled June convention will be moved to the fall of 2021 and be an online or virtual convention.
Information regarding delegates to this Special Convention in October, along with matters pertaining to a virtual convention, as well as the actual overture from the Board of Directors on this issue, will be forthcoming within the next few weeks.
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LCC congregations coordinate, offer virtual VBS options Canada-wide, all summer long!
Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) congregations across the country have come together to coordinate free Virtual VBS options for families all summer long – No matter where you live!
THERE ARE THREE VBS OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR NEXT WEEK – REGISTER NOW!
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Communications Director, here! As our online resources transition from COVID-specific to more general use, we have added a dropdown menu for the RESOURCES tab, to better highlight the material we have going forward!
The WRITTEN SERMONS page and VIDEOS & RECORDED SERVICES page both offer a brief overview of the Church Year and the current season! We hope that this will benefit "New-therans" and the "Lutheran-Curious" in their learning, as well as longtime members as a refresher on the seasons of the Church Year and why they are so valuable!
COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES is a new page that features some of the communications resources that have been released thus far, as well as high-quality LCC graphics for download – Labelled according to their file type and how to use them!
In keeping with the goal of improving LCC's online resources and accessibility, we have also updated the WHAT WE BELIEVE section.
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GOV'T EXTENDS 75% WAGE SUBSIDY
Certain employers including Registered Charities who qualify will now be able to receive the 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until August 29, 2020. The government indicated that it intends to consult with Canadian businesses to consider further adjustments to eligibility for the subsidy, including possible changes to the 30% revenue decline threshold. Further details on the extension are anticipated to be provided soon, and once they become available, LCC will circulate the information to congregations.
LCC Administrator, Dwayne Cleave, has had contact with several congregations who have already applied for the wage subsidy and was pleased to learn that some had already received their first payment. The congregations which were setup for direct deposit generally reported that they received their payment within 7-10 days of submitting their subsidy application.
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MISSION PRAYERS
Remember Lutheran Church–Canada's mission and ministry partners in prayer.
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 MISSIONS IN NICARAGUA!
Deaconess Maura Lourdes Juares serves at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, since Your Son has saved the world through His holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death and sent forth His Church to proclaim the Good News of this salvation to the ends of the earth and to distribute His saving gifts of grace, we pray that You would sustain Deaconess Maura by Your Spirit and richly bless her labours for the sake of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.
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LUTHERAN FOUNDATION CANADA PROVIDES DONATION PAGE FOR CONGREGATIONAL WEBSITES
For many congregations, cancellation of their church services due to COVID-19, has caused a significant drop in offerings usually collected during the Sunday service. Yet maintaining a steady flow of offerings is still necessary, as congregational costs have either remained the same, or dropped very little. Providing various options for your members to maintain their offering during this time is one way to minimize COVID-19’s impact to your ministry. Regrettably, many of LCC’s congregational websites have no information on other ways to donate, usually found via a DONATE ‘button’ on the home page. Selecting this option would show the offering options available, with a brief explanation, and allow the congregational member to pick a solution best suited for them.
If your congregation’s website is lacking such information and the leadership thinks it would be beneficial to have such a page, Lutheran Foundation Canada (LFC) can provide this AT NO CHARGE. Using the services of an experienced web developer, whose fee we will cover, the ‘DONATE’ button and a donation page will be added to your congregation’s website. The webpage would show the options available, which could include e-transfers, EFT’s, and LCC’s donor portal “SUPPORT MY HOME CONGREGATION”. With many congregational members using the church’s website to access online services, having the DONATION button on the home page would also share your congregation’s preferred method on how offerings can be maintained.
For more information regarding this offer, contact Lutheran Foundation Canada at 877-711-4438.
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 Do you have a Regional News Story?
They can be about 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 other church involvement in the community! Before you submit, check out The Submission Guidelines.
Email Michelle Heumann, Regional News Editor, with your submission.
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Calls/Transitions updates can be accessed any time at www.canadianlutheran.ca/calls-transitions/
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| Travis Heide |
Candidate |
Mt. Calvary
(Swift Current, SK) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation July 19/
Ordination June 14 |
| Vishal Paul |
Candidate |
Risen Christ
(Mississauga, ON) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination August 9 |
| Adam Chandler |
Candidate |
Hope
(Victoria, BC) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation June 21/
Ordination July 16 |
| Peter Knelson |
Candidate |
St. John’s Evangelical
(Warman, SK) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination August 2 |
| Joshua Kurtenbach |
Candidate |
Our Saviour
(Fort Qu’Appelle, SK) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination July 26 |
| Wendel Ritz |
Candidate |
Trinity Evangelical
(Pincher Creek, AB) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination August 9 |
| Kenneth Stadnick |
Candidate |
Cross of Christ LC of the Deaf (Edmonton, AB) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination September 20 |
| Mark Rekken |
Candidate |
Prince of Peace
(Calgary, AB) |
ACCEPTED |
Installation/Ordination August 2 |
| Rev. Neil Stern |
St. Peter's
(Leduc, AB) |
Our Saviour
(Parksville, B.C.) |
CONSIDERING |
July 7 2020 |
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NEWS & VIEWS BEYOND THE PEWS
InfoDigest is Lutheran Church–Canada's official weekly e-newsletter – and it's not just for clergy! We encourage LCC members of any and many vocations to subscribe!
You're welcome to share these stories by forwarding this email to your friends and family, or by including these stories in church bulletins, newsletters, and announcements. Please credit LCC InfoDigest.
Let's strive to better connect our LCC brothers and sisters in Christ! InfoDigest is just a start!
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 LCC says goodbye
to Holly Maharaj!
After a year and a half of service with LCC, Administrative Assistant, Holly Maharaj’s last day is Friday, June 10. Holly is moving on to a new opportunity. We are so thankful to Holly for her contribution to our office! We wish Holly every blessing in the future!
 LCC welcomes new
Administrative Assistant!
We are pleased to announce that Shegitu Aredo has joined our administrative staff. Shegitu is an active member of Shalom Oromo Lutheran Church in Winnipeg, MB. We look forward to having Shegitu on our team!
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NATIONAL - NYG & IMPACT CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR ONLINE YOUTH EVENT!
Want help with your online youth event? The National Youth Gathering and the IMPACT Youth Gathering are working together to provide virtual guest speakers to attend online LCC youth group events this summer and fall. Contact cochairs@impactyg.ca with details about your group, and they will help support your local youth ministry with a guest speaker from a team of pastors and church workers.
WEST JOB OPPORTUNITY - SHARED YOUTH/OUTREACH WORKER JOB (Trinity, Richmond & Killarney, Vancouver, B.C.) Please see the attached job posting Here. This is a salary position, with benefits. For additional information or to apply, please contact Rev. Dr. Steven Harold via email at: tlc-pastor@telus.net or by phone at: 604-241-2291.
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WEST - July 1-4, 2021
IMPACT Youth Gathering - The updated registration package and poster for the IMPACT Youth Gathering is now available for download at www.impactyg.ca. All LCC youth and leaders are invited for a weekend of community, growth, and equipping centered on Christ at Pines Bible Camp in Grand Forks, BC. If it’s still not possible to gather in person by then, there will be a virtual youth gathering on those dates instead.
NATIONAL - ONGOING
Lutheran Foundation Canada continues to provide "seminars" on Estate Stewardship, however, in light of the various COVID-19 restrictions placed on public gatherings, all in-person seminars have been temporarily put on hold. The Foundation continues to work with members and congregations virtually, to encourage the support of their church through planned giving and the development of gifts in Wills and through other means. We can also deliver our presentations online through webinars. Please contact us for further information. As restrictions are lifted, we expect to begin in-person seminars once again.
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NATIONAL - VIRTUAL VBS SUMMER SCHEDULE 2020
Click here to view the full schedule online! The online schedule will be updated regularly as new registration links and information become available. The schedule spans from the last week in June through to the end of August.
WEEK 3: *Three Options Available this week! July 13, 2020 – July 17, 2020
REGISTER HERE: www.foothillslutheran.com/ministries/christian-education/vbs2020/
Congregation Hosting: Foothills Lutheran (Calgary, AB)
Material: God's Promises
WEEK 3: *Three Options Available this week! July 13, 2020 – July 18, 2020
REGISTRATION LINK: www.concordialive.ca/vbs/2020/register
Congregation Hosting: Concordia Lutheran (Penticton, B.C.)
Material: Rocky Railway
WEEK 3: *Three Options Available this week! July 13, 2020 – July 17, 2020
NO REGISTRATION – TUNE IN LIVE VIA FACEBOOK HERE.
Congregation Hosting: Hope Lutheran (Port Coquitlam, B.C.)
Material: "Joseph: God Meant It For Good."
WEEK 4: *Two Options Available this week! July 20, 2020 – July 24, 2020
REGISTRATION HERE: vbsmate.com/ziondashwood
Congregation Hosting: Zion Lutheran (Dashwood, ON)
Material: Rainforest Explorers
WEEK 4: *Two Options Available this week! July 20, 2020 – July 24, 2020
REGISTRATION LINK: COMING SOON!
Congregation Hosting: Christ Lutheran (St. Catharines, ON)
Material: Rocky Railway
WEEK 5: July 27, 2020 – July 31, 2020
REGISTER HERE: vbsmate.com/faithsurrey
Congregation Hosting: Faith Evangelical Lutheran (Surrey, BC.)
Material: Adventures on Promise Island
For scheduling in August and for any updates to the above, please visit www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/eventscalendar/lcc-virtual-vbs-2020/
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I Will Give You Rest
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- Matthew 11:28
Jesus has come to do the work so that we might have rest from burdens and labors we are not capable of bearing. He frees us from sin, death, and the demands of the Law. In that peace and rest of Jesus we find a new purpose. His light yoke, which is no burden to bear, is a joy.
Our world is a mess! Sin has touched every aspect of our lives and the lives of others. Yet we can take comfort in the peace Jesus brings us. This peace is for everyone, but sadly most do not know about it. This then is the work of the church, to bring and share the peace of Jesus with all.
Today you support that work through tithes and offerings. One of your greatest opportunities to support that work in the future, is through a charitable gift in your will which provides resources to the church when you die. What a blessing that will be when someone hears the peace of Jesus through the work of the church that you supported. Please consider adding a charitable gift in your plans as a way of sharing Jesus to others. To learn more about developing your gift, please visit www.lutheranfoundation.ca for more information, or contact your regional Foundation Gift Coordinator.
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LECTIONARY SUMMARY FROM THE LCMS
3-year and 1-year Series available Here.
The Preaching of the Word of Christ Bears the Good Fruits of Faith and Love
As “the rain and the snow come down from heaven” and “water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout” (Is. 55:10), so the Word of God accomplishes the purpose for which He speaks it, granting joy and peace through the forgiveness of sins and producing the fruits of faith and love in those who are called by His name. Christ Jesus, the incarnate Word, has established the name of the Lord as “an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Is. 55:13). He opens our ears to hear, our minds to understand and our hearts to believe His Word, lest the evil one come and snatch it away. He thus transforms our rocky hearts into good soil, which clings to the Gospel and “indeed bears fruit” (Matt. 13:23). He is Himself the firstfruits of all who “have received the Spirit of adoption as sons” (Rom. 8:15). Thus being “led by the Spirit of God,” we are not afraid, but we cry out in faith to our Father in heaven (Rom. 8:14–15). For as we suffer with Christ, the beloved Son, so shall we “also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17).
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