Good Shepherd Shelter Now Your Sheep
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ONLINE - The lyrics to this hymn were written by Lutheran Church–Canada pastor, Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt in response to the unprecedented situation brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. The tune is in the public domain. The hymn came to Pastor Reinhardt on the day he found out that their congregation would have to suspend the public Divine Service amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his family began singing it nightly as an intercession for the Lord’s people in these difficult days.
Performed by Beatrice M. Reinhardt, Pastor Reinhardt’s 19-year-old daughter, and accompanied by Mr. Douglas Bulmer, organist at Trinity Lutheran Church (Gowanstown, ON). Pastor Reinhardt would like to encourage people to print or disseminate this hymn for devotional use during these trying days, and a link to the music and lyrics is available for download via the button below.
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LCC seminaries issue respective calls for nominations: Honourary awards and degrees
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ONLINE - Information from both Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) and Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines) is available in the article below.
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LCC Special Convention Update
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 ONLINE - Information has been sent out to voting and non-voting (advisory) delegates for LCC’s Special Convention and the preceding Resolution Committee meeting. Delegates must register for the Special Convention by October 15th (TODAY). The Resolution Committee meeting is optional and does not require registration.
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NICARAGUA & COSTA RICA - The Education Program resumed in August in areas that have a low number of COVID-19 cases, observing every sensible protocol to keep everyone as safe as possible. Most of the congregations have also resumed Divine Services and catechesis, while practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Rev. Edmundo Retana in Costa Rica has also been able to resume Divine Services and Bible Studies.
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Remember Lutheran Church–Canada's mission and ministry partners in prayer.
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 MISSIONS IN CAMBODIA!Rev. Mao Saron is the pastor of Tboung Khmum Lutheran Church and serves on the Board Directors of Cambodia Lutheran Church (CLC).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Your Son sent forth His Church to make disciples of all nations, we lift up before You Rev. Saron, 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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 Sermons for each remaining Sunday of the Church Year 2020 will be continually updated on our website. 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, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Each written sermon is accompanied by the Collect of the Day, appointed Scripture Readings, suggested hymns, and prayers. We hope that this resource will be a blessing to our small, isolated, and vacant congregations. |
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THIS SUNDAY: 20th Sunday After Pentecost Sermon – ‘It's not about taxes’
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2020 Special Convention News
Information has been sent out to voting and non-voting (advisory) delegates for LCC's Special Convention and the preceding Resolution Committee meeting.
REMINDER: Delegates must register for the Special Convention by October 15th (TODAY!)
The Resolutions Committee will be available via Zoom TONIGHT.
Topic: 2020 Resolutions Committee
Time: Oct 15, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
For LCC members interested in tuning in live, the Special Convention's livestream will be made available on the SC2020 Webpage (BLUE BUTTON BELOW).
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Calls/Transitions updates can be accessed any time at www.canadianlutheran.ca/calls-transitions/
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| Rev. James Chimirri-Russell |
Good Shepherd
(Regina, SK) |
Redeemer (Winnipeg, MB) |
CONSIDERING |
September 22, 2020 |
| Rev. Scott Gamble |
Grace (Drumheller, AB) |
Zion (Prince George, B.C.) Vanderhoof (Vanderhoof, B.C.) |
DECLINED |
October 14, 2020 |
| Rev. Dan Abraham |
St. Peter's (Simcoe, ON) |
La Ronge (La Ronge, SK) |
DECLINED |
October 11, 2020 |
| Rev. Aaron Astley |
Christ Our Saviour (Grimsby, ON)
Redeemer (Hamilton, ON) |
Trinity (Fisherville, ON) |
CONSIDERING |
October 11, 2020 |
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Praying the Lord's Prayer in a Pandemic: An extended prayer in response to COVID-19
Written by Mathew Block
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Our Father who art in heaven,
O God, You call us all to be Your children. Be a Father to us now in our distress.
Hallowed be Thy name.
O God, in Your name is mercy and salvation. Teach us to honour that name in all things, and to call upon it in every trouble.
Thy kingdom come.
O God, You rule heaven and earth. Bless the work of the Church, that Your kingdom would continue to be proclaimed even in this time of upheaval and disruption.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
O God, Your way in all things is perfect. Enliven us with Your Holy Spirit, that we would willingly walk in the way of your commands. Teach us to love You with heart, soul, and mind. Teach us to love our neighbours as ourselves, ministering to them in every need of body and spirit.
Give us this day our daily bread,
O God, provision for all our earthly needs comes as a gift from You. Remember those facing financial uncertainty and hardship in this crisis, and grant them every needful thing. Soften the hearts of Your people, that we would share freely with those who have less.
And forgive us our trespasses,
O God, You desire the death of no person, but instead seek the salvation of all. Draw all people to Yourself in this time of increased awareness of human mortality, that we would find in Your Son, Jesus Christ, forgiveness for our sins and the hope of eternal life.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
O God, Your mercy is over all that You have made. Make us conduits of Your love and Your grace, showing to others the forgiveness and reconciliation You have first shown to us.
And lead us not into temptation,
O God, You do not shift like shadows, neither are You wearied by the changes and chances of this life. Be our soul’s anchor in this trial. Befriend the lonely; comfort the sick; and console the dying. Defend us from the temptation to despair of Your love. You are our fortress; let us not be shaken.
But deliver us from evil.
O God, against You no foe can prevail. Spare Your people, O Lord, and bring an end to the disease which threatens. Guide those in authority, that they might diligently work to protect the nations. Equip physicians and healthcare workers with knowledge and resources to care for the afflicted. Our times are in Your hand, O Lord; rescue us from danger.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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EAST - RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH MOVING, ITEMS AVAILABLE
Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Catharines is moving to share space in the fully furnished, fully accessible building of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary. If any church or mission is interested in the furnishings from the church proper, Sunday School, or offices of Resurrection’s old building, they can contact Nathan Lantz at nathanieljlantz@gmail.com (Pews, pipe organ, altar, pulpit, chairs, desks, outdoor nativity display, and more).
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.
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GOV'T EXTENDS/EXPANDS WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAM (CEWS)
The government has made a number of significant changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program (CEWS) to make it available to more employers along with changes to the amount of support that is available to a employer from July 5, 2020 onwards. The revised program has also been extended to December 31, 2020 , however, the new rules have only been outlined on the government website to November 21, 2020. The CEWS is intended to help employers who have lost revenue during COVID-19, to retain their employees.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
The calculation of the wage subsidy has changed allowing eligible employers with any level of revenue decline, for qualifying periods from July 5, 2020 forward, to qualify for a subsidy proportional to the percentage of revenue decline. In addition, a “top-up” subsidy of up to 25% is also available if an employer has a decline in revenue of 50% or more. Revenue drop can be calculated in a number of different ways and you can choose the way that works best for you. Please note that the calculation of the wage subsidy amounts for periods before July 5, 2020 has not changed.
Letter from LCC Administrator, Dwayne Cleave, with more information can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking the button below:
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Executive Director for (LAMP) – Edmonton, AB.
WEST JOB OPPORTUNITY - The Executive Director opening for Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots Inc. (LAMP) is a result of an upcoming retirement. With the head office located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and a satellite office in New Haven, MI, US, the Executive Director reports to two volunteer Boards of Directors (one Canadian and one US Board) that act as a single entity on matters related to the operations of L.A.M.P (Canada) and LAMP Ministry Inc. (US). The Executive Director is the Board’s single official link to the operating organization. S/he is accountable for all organizational performance and exercises all authority transmitted into the organization by the Board.
The ideal candidate will have a strong Christian faith, a belief in the triune God and that the Bible is God’s inspired word in its entirety, possess a heart and passion for missions, significant experience in a leadership capacity, previously worked with Boards and volunteers, and have a track record in fundraising and development as it pertains to a not-for-profit organization. Experience working with the underprivileged, as well as Indigenous communities, would be an asset. A preference may be shown to practicing Lutheran candidates.
As the Executive Director, you will be accountable for:
• Advising the Board of Directors on all matters relating to the Operations of LAMP.
• Fundraising and Resource Development.
• Marketing and Promoting of LAMP and its Mission.
• Leadership, Management, and Administrative Duties.
• Building and Furthering Relationships with Indigenous Northern Communities.
• Financial Management and Strategic Planning.
For further information please visit www.lampministry.org, or www.daviescg.com for the complete job profile.
James Davies, Managing Director | DCG Executive Search Services Ltd. | (780) 758-9796 | james@daviescg.com. |
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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.
WEST - July 1-4, 2021
IMPACT Youth Gathering - The registration package and poster for the IMPACT Youth Gathering are 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.
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Bearing Fruit
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” - Matthew 21:43
Yikes! Those are tough words to hear from our Lord. You see, the Pharisees were not bearing fruit. They were faithful to the letter of the Law in keeping the Sabbath, tithing, and all the rest, but they neglected the heart of God’s will. The grace of God belongs at the center or our lives. All of our good works, including our giving, flow forth from receiving God’s grace and living in that grace on a daily basis.
Fast forward to today. How do those words apply to us? One way might be in how we perceive the importance of our church after we are gone. There is no doubt that our churches are full of generous, faithful people, giving of their time, talents, and treasures. Yet there will come a time when all of us will be called home to our Father in heaven. Our work here will be done, but the work of the church lives on. Might we allow God’s grace to influence what we do with all the stuff He has blessed us with? Perhaps knowing we have an opportunity to share some of these blessings as a gift in our Will is a way of reflecting God’s grace so that the work of the church continues even after we are gone.
Establishing a charitable gift in your will is a wonderful way of providing revenue for the future work of your congregation enabling it to share the gospel with generations we don’t even know of yet. Lutheran Foundation Canada can help you create wonderful plans that include a charitable gift. For more information, please visit www.lutheranfoundation.ca or speak to one of our regional Gift Coordinators.
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We Are Recreated in the Image of God by the Cross of Christ
Plotting against Jesus, the Pharisees attempted “to entangle him in his words” by asking about the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matt. 22:15). The Lord pointed to coins required for the tax, and He answered that we should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). But if coins bearing the image of Caesar should be rendered to him, then man — who is made in the image of God — must be rendered to the Lord. That tax is paid for us by the Lord Jesus, the image of God in the flesh, by His self-offering on the cross. And from His cross, as the Lord’s anointed, He reigns as the true Caesar over all nations “from the rising of the sun and from the west” (Is. 45:6). The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Is. 45:1). Now by the preaching of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:5), foreigners from all over the world are “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9–10).
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