Convention 2022: Workbook released, presidential nominees announced
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 CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has released the workbook for its upcoming synodical convention to be held June 10-13, 2022 in Edmonton.
Included in the workbook is information on nominations as well as other important convention information, including overtures and reports from synodical departments, auxiliaries, listed service organizations and other entities.
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New Reinhardt hymn for our Ukraine brothers and sisters
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ONTARIO – Be Near Your People, Lord, We Pray is a new hymn written by Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt, pastor in Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s East Region, serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Kurtzville, Ontario. Pastor Reinhardt shares that this hymn was written for our dear brothers and sisters in Ukraine. For those interested in singing along at home, a video has been released on LCC’s YouTube Channel and Website, featuring LCC musician, Kayla Falkenholt, on organ.
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Rev. M.L. Smith, LCC Director of Missions, contemplates the symptoms of a society that is deeply spiritually impoverished. Materially speaking, of course, Nicaragua is a desperately poor country. And yet it is also one of the most spiritually wealthy countries in the world.
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Don’t Look Up: Last laugh or last gasp?
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 Rev. Ted Giese, in his latest movie review, takes on Mckay's Don't Look Up.
"Don’t expect to see Jesus return at the end of the film. For McKay, the end of earth is simply the end of humanity with a 99.78% certainty." |
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Director of Communications, here! Do any of you own a small business (or are you a freelancer, artist, etc.)? If so, I would love if you'd share the contact information with me. I am hoping to have more of these details on hand for when things come up within LCC's Communications Department and beyond to make it easier for us to support fellow LCC folks in their vocations!
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Mission Minute: From the office of L.A.M.P.
As L.A.M.P. - Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots has done over the past 50-years, we responded to an appeal from our brothers and sisters in Christ in the North. The Sucker River community in northern Saskatchewan is grieving the loss of several teenagers who had taken a suicide pact. A small, but mighty in the Lord, team of combined volunteers and staff shared encouragement and Christ's love during a Winter Break Fun Day organized for the kids in the community. Read more in our LAMPlighter newsletter to be released in April. Your prayers for the children and youth in northern communities to seek and find their identity in Christ is greatly needed.
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Remember Lutheran Church–Canada's mission and ministry partners in prayer.
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 MISSIONS IN CAMBODIA!
Rev. Romass Svell is pastor of the Lutheran Church in the Rotanakiri Province serving the community of Jarai. Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Your Son sent forth His Church to make disciples in all nations, we lift up before You, Rev. Romass Svell, asking You to sustain him by Your Spirit and bless his labours for the sake of the Gospel; Lord in Your mercy, C: Hear our prayer.
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 These weekly sermons, written by various LCC pastors, are primarily intended for congregations without a pastor and for those unable to provide online services during exceptional circumstances. Each written sermon is accompanied by the Collect of the Day, appointed Scripture Readings, suggested hymns, and prayers. The Scripture Readings are from the Three-Year Lectionary Series of the Lutheran Service Book (LSB). The suggested hymns are taken from Lutheran Service Book: Hymn Selection Guide – (OT) are hymns that fit with the Old Testament Reading, (E) the Epistle, and (G) the Gospel . |
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THIS SUNDAY: Fifth Sunday in Lent – ‘The Rock Of Salvation Or The Crushing Stone Of Judgment?’
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The Workbook for the 2022 Convention is now available for download. Per the LCC Handbook, “Any Member and any lay delegate to the Convention wishing to express comments on reports and overtures appearing in the Convention workbook may submit these at least seven (7) weeks prior to the Convention to the secretary, who shall transmit them to the appropriate convention committee for consideration.” Responses and comments to reports and overtures can be directed to Grace Henderson at convention@lutheranchurch.ca. Deadline for responses: April 22, 2022.
An Open Group on LCC’s Servant Leader Network has been established for anyone interested in discussing the business facing LCC related to the upcoming Synodical Convention. More details on our website.
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Calls/Transitions updates can be accessed any time at www.canadianlutheran.ca/calls-transitions/
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Rev. Michael Schutz · Concordia (Penticton, BC) · Holy Cross (Kitchener, ON) Associate Pastor · CONSIDERING · March 29, 2022
Rev. Fred Rink · Bethlehem (Vancouver, BC) · Calvary (Thunder Bay, ON) · CONSIDERING · March 29, 2022
Rev. Vince Moore · Christ (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) · La Ronge Lutheran Fellowship (La Ronge, SK) · CONSIDERING · March 14, 2022
Rev. Aaron Astley · Christ Our Saviour/Redeemer (Grimsby/Hamilton, ON) · Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (Winnipeg, MB) · CONSIDERING · March 14, 2022
Rev. Jakob Valsson · Trinity (Abbotsford, BC) · Faith (Middle Lake, SK) · ACCEPTED · March 29, 2022
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Prayer for Ukraine:
Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, war, and bloodshed, and, according to Your will, end the current conflict that now rages in Ukraine. Protect those who are suffering and being displaced from their homes. Bring a restoration of calm and security, and heal the wounds that have been inflicted.
We especially commend to Your care and keeping our Lutheran Church–Canada missionary in Ukraine, Rev. Oleksiy Navrotskyy and his family; Bishop Alexander Yurchenko; and all the pastors and members of the congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine. Preserve them from all harm and danger. Grant them an extra measure of Your Holy Spirit at this time that they would remain steadfast in the one true faith in Him who is Lord and Saviour of all. In the midst of this conflict, empower them to reach out to others with the precious Gospel of God’s peace and love in Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for LCC's Purpose & Priorities Planning Process
Lord, as your servants gather in Winnipeg next Thursday and Friday to continue the Purpose & Priorities Planning Process, we ask that you would bless their time together. We know that many are our plans, but it is Your plans that prevail. Lord, let Your Holy Spirit guide all discussions and outcomes to the glory of Your Holy name. Amen.
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 EDMONTON - Lend a hand at LCC’s Convention!
When more than 500 lay persons, pastors, and deacons of Lutheran Church–Canada meet in Edmonton, June 10-13 there will be many opportunities for members of Edmonton area congregation to serve — everything from greeters to drivers and on-site volunteers. It will be a wonderful chance to show some Alberta hospitality! If you live in the Edmonton area and have some spare time that weekend and want to meet and greet fellow Lutherans from across the country go to www.ServeLCC.ca , check out what’s available, and sign-up!
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WEST - Walnut Grove Lutheran Church is hiring!
WGLC is seeking a Manager of Youth & Young Adult Ministry (MYYAM). The MYYAM will provide support and resources for Youth & Young Adult Ministries within the church with the goal of helping people develop toward full Christian maturity and training them for effective discipleship. This position would be 16 hours per week (approx. 50% for Young Adult Ministry and 50% for Youth Ministry) including 6 -10 p.m. on Tuesdays for Young Adults and 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursdays for Youth. Compensation is $18.75/hr. For more info and the full job description, email admin@wglc.org.
WEST - Seeking Director Christian Education/Director Parish Services!
Immanuel Lutheran (Lethbridge, AB) urgently seeks a called full-time permanent DCE or DPS to enhance our Family and Youth Ministry! The successful applicant will be strong in the Word, have proven leadership skills, a record of being a self-starter, a proven ability to work collaboratively with others, as well as a record of creative, energetic, and effective results. We offer a competitive salary based on Lutheran Church–Canada guidelines, as well as assistance with relocation. Please direct questions and/or apply by April 8th to admin@immanuellutheran.ca.
CENTRAL - Lutheran Foundation Canada hiring a Planned Giving Gift Coordinator
If you are passionate about mission and ministry and looking to serve the Lord, consider this exciting and rewarding opportunity by applying to Lutheran Foundation Canada. If not for you, please consider those who might be suited to such a career, and let them know. For a detailed job description, Click Here.
NATIONAL - LWMLC looking for Seminar Committee Members
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada (LWMLC) would like to hear from you as they search for women to produce a seminar planned for 2023. Work with other Lutheran women from across Canada to develop a theme, Bible studies and other resources. No experience is needed, just a desire to expand on God’s Word and share it with other women. Some travel could be involved. If this interests you, please contact Annette Borchardt.
NATIONAL - CLWR is hiring a Church Relations Manager
CLWR is searching for a dynamic and motivated Church Relations Manager to join our team. Download the full job posting here for key responsibilities, qualifications and how to apply.
NATIONAL - CLWR is hiring a Senior Policy Analyst
CLWR is searching for a Senior Policy Analyst to join our team. The position is for a 2-year term with the possibility of an extension. More information can be found Here.
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EAST - April 29-30, 2022
The LWMLC LAURENTIAN DISTRICT CONVENTION “TASTE AND SEE” (Psalm 34:8) will be online April 29-30 with FREE registration for all. Opening Service with Pastor Bryan King, St. Luke, Ottawa on Friday night. Saturday agenda includes Bible study with Pastoral Counsellor Bill Stanfel and presenter Pastor Ron Mohr, Executive Director of Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada. For more information, click Here.
WEST - June 2-4, 2022
The LWMLC ABC District Hybrid Convention will be held June 2-4, 2022. We encourage anyone interested to register. Information including registration details can be viewed Here.
NATIONAL - July 15-19, 2022
The 2022 National Youth Gathering will be in Winnipeg from July 15-19, and registration is available now until April 15, 2022. The theme is “In Not Of,” based on Philippians 3:20. If you are a youth leader or a youth (between grades 7 to 12 in June 2022), please plan to join us! As well, anyone who has been out of high school for a period of one year prior to the NYG is able to volunteer as an iBod, and we welcome exhibitors, too. For more info, visit https://lccnyg.ca/registration/.
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Every designated gift should have an alternate use clause associated with it. This applies when a church solicits funds from its members for a specific purpose, or conversely, when a member makes a monetary gift to their congregation for a designated purpose. Consider a church raising funds for a new furnace costing $1500, but they raise $2000 instead. Without an alternate use clause stating how the excess funds will be used, the extra $500 would need to remain unspent until another furnace expenditure could warrant its use. Failure to do so, would contravene CRA regulations, thereby endangering the church’s charitable status. Stating in advance that excess funds will be used for another purpose (general fund) would eliminate this concern. This also applies if a donor is making an unsolicited gift, perhaps from their estate, designated for a specific purpose. The end of the gift clause should state, “…. or as otherwise needed.” This extra phrase saves the congregation thousands of dollars in court fees, since they no longer need to secure a cy pres ruling to vary the use of the gift, if the stated purpose was no longer possible. (eg. monetary gift for new sanctuary roof, but the roof was installed and paid for by the time the estate gift was made.) Contact the Foundation for assistance in structuring your gift appropriately.
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God’s Beloved Son Has Redeemed Us
Our life and works apart from Christ, no matter how they may glitter to the eyes of the world, are ultimately rubbish and have no righteousness. Rather, in the scandalous cross of Jesus, we find our righteousness alone “through faith in Christ” (Phil. 3:9). By such faith, we “know him and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10). For the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt has done a “new thing” for us in Christ Jesus (Is. 43:19). He has sent His beloved Son into His vineyard to be killed by sinful men and to become “the stone that the builders rejected.” Yet, the One rejected by men “has become the cornerstone” of His Church (Luke 20:17). Through the waters of Holy Baptism, He provides us daily refreshment in our earthly pilgrimage, “a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Is. 43:19).
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