Christmas Eve Edition

e-Connector
Keeping the members of CALC connected.

December 24, 2021

Canadian Association of Lutheran Congregations (CALC)

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Christmas Greeting from the President

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Glory to God in highest heaven,
And peace on earth to those
With whom God is pleased.

I often imagine what it would have been like to be the shepherds “out in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night.” An ordinary night or so it seemed. Perhaps they were visiting around a fire, killing time until morning. “When suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid.” The Glory of the Lord is something we will all see someday. This is due to the good news of what happened on Bethlehem that day long ago. “Don’t be afraid!’ the angel said, ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’” We might say that the glory seem to be a bit muted. Yes, the shepherds experienced it. But for everyone else the day passed by without notice. This Christmas allow the light of the Glory of the Lord to shine in your heart and through you to those around you.

Merry Christmas and a Very Blessed New Year!

Pastor Jim Bredeson, President

Christmas Church in Rwanda

Campaign To Bring Rwandan Lutheran Churches Up To Required Building Codes

Photo below: Pastor Jean Claude Maniragaba, President of the Reformed Lutheran Church of Rwanda (RLCR) in front of a member congregation church slated for retrofitting.

Rwandan Congregation meeting in church building (pre-pandemic)

How would you feel if you were unable to gather on Christmas Eve in your own church building? It’s possible that some of you may have had this experience due to the pandemic. There are a number of congregations which do not have a building in which to worship. The government of Rwanda has strict building codes in place for the construction of church buildings. These are typically mudbrick buildings with plastering and a cement floor. Outhouses and a tin roof are also required. A generous donor has provided $10,000 as a seed and a challenge to the people of CALC. Will you help us build a “Christmas Lutheran Church” in a small town in NE Rwanda? Send your contributions to CALC or to Victory Lutheran Church. Let’s give a congregation a home in the New Year!

To donate to Victory Lutheran follow this link: https://victorylutheran.ca/donate/
To donate to CALC send cheques marked "Rwandan Church Appeal" to 2793 Southview Drive SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 2H1.

A Prayer for Christmas Eve

May we be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
Amen.