LCC Synod Convention dates set, logo released
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CANADA – Delegates of the 2020 Special Convention passed a resolution allowing the 2021 Synod Convention to be postponed to 2022. The LCC Board of Directors has set the date and location. The convention will be held June 10-13, 2022 at the Edmonton South Conference Centre (Delta and Radisson Hotels).
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“A Warm Place in the Son”
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EAST REGION - Camp Pioneer on Lake Eire in New York, the adopted church camp of many East Region members of LCC, is for sale, and a grassroots group called Friends of Pioneer Inc. is working to enable the camp’s ministry to continue.
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Communications Director, here! Are you on LCC's Servant Leader Network? You are welcome to join the new group, "LCC's Communications Community!"
It's a place to discuss and share all things related to church communications and community engagement.
- Share tips & Ideas!
- Ask questions or answer questions!
- Share resources or templates for print and online use!
- Anything else?
Let's have meaningful conversations about what it means to communicate in Christ; in truth and in love for our neighbour!
Additional resources are available on LCC's Website under Communications Resources.
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MISSION MINUTE SPOTLIGHT - The Rock Lutheran Inner City Society
OUR PURPOSE - We are part of Edmonton’s Inner City Community, working with our neighbours to learn about and to understand each other, and to respond in friendship and Christian love to to the needs of our community. Rev. Neil Otke saw that the less fortunate were attending services, but it was clear that they were in need not only of spiritual support but also basic needs such as clothing and food. Thus, an idea to serve those in need was born.
WHAT WE DO - Prior to COVID-19, we served breakfasts in the church hall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays mornings, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Breakfasts consisted of pancakes, porridge, toast, juice, and coffee. Usually we would have 12 to 15 volunteers serving anywhere from to 250 to 300 breakfasts depending on the time of month. Occasionally our numbers could grow to 350 or more. Volunteers ranged from the young to the elderly. We have one paid staff-office administrator and one janitor. Now we serve sandwiches, juice boxes, and pastries through our front door (sandwiches can range from egg to cold meats to peanut butter and jam). Four to five volunteers are currently involved. We also ran Bible studies for kids (Monday Night Kids) from the neighbourhood as well as a Men’s group, with volunteers from our churches as well as other churches running these programs.
DID YOU KNOW? - This program was started in June 1996 with three volunteers and served 12 guests. Today, the program continues to be run by volunteers, with only two paid staff. We do have volunteers who spend time talking to our guests and praying with and for them if requested.
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Remember Lutheran Church–Canada's mission and ministry partners in prayer.
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 MISSIONS IN CAMBODIA!Rev. Bun Phanna is a serves the community of Phnom Penh specifically as a director of theological education at The Luther Institute Southeast Asia.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Your Son sent forth His Church to make disciples in all nations, we lift up before You, Rev. Phanna, 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: Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany – ‘Fighting Our Illness and Uncleanness’
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NEW video coming February 14, 2021
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Delegates of the 2020 Special Convention passed a resolution allowing the 2021 Synod Convention to be postponed to 2022. The LCC Board of Directors has set the date and location. The convention will be held June 10 – 13, 2022 at the Edmonton South Conference Centre (Delta and Radisson Hotels). The theme of the convention is Stand Firm in the Faith 1 Corinthians 16:13. Planning is underway and further details will be announced when available.
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Calls/Transitions updates can be accessed any time at www.canadianlutheran.ca/calls-transitions/
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During an epidemic or ongoing stress
Almighty God, heavenly Father, give us grace to trust You during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to the epidemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all who mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labours, and cause Your people ever to serve You in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
[From the Lutheran Service Book: Pastoral Care Companion]
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NATIONAL - STATISTICS FOR 2020
The new Annual Statistic Information Form was sent out to congregations this week. The collection of this data keeps current the information found in the LCC Annual and provides a snapshot of activities across the Synod. The information reported on your statistics form is also used to project budgets and calculate assessments. We understand this has been a very unusual year for congregations, making it a challenge to complete some of the information on the statistics form. The key information needed is communicant and baptized membership and financial information. Do the best you can with other information. Don’t hesitate to give us a call for assistance. The statistical information for 2020 is due March 31, 2021. Direct any questions to LCC’s administration staff at admin@lutheranchurch.ca or call 204-895-3433 ext 224.
NATIONAL - 10% TEMPORARY WAGE SUBSIDY CLAIM
If your congregation claimed or will claim the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy you will need to fill out and submit Form PD27, 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-Identification Form for Employers, for each of your payroll program (RP) accounts. The CRA will use the information from the Form PD27 to reconcile the TWS on your payroll program (RP) accounts. You are encouraged to provide all the information requested on Form PD27 and submit it to the CRA as soon as possible to avoid receiving a discrepancy notice at the end of the year. You do not need to wait until you file your T4 information return. For more information and a copy of the form, click Here.
ONLINE - CANDIDATE & VICAR APPLICATIONS DUE BY FEBRUARY 28, 2021
All requests from congregations for Candidates and Vicars are to be submitted to their Regional Pastor by February 28, 2021. The request forms are on the LCC website under Resources > Congregational Resources. Check the website subtitle of each form to confirm you have the correct documents for calling a candidate or a vicar. Congregations are encouraged to use website fillable forms as scanned, handwritten forms can be difficult to read.
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ONLINE - REMINDER - February webinar dates available now on the LFC website!
Lutheran Foundation Canada is offering two webinars on Estate Stewardship (February 16 and 18). Learn how your estate can be a blessing to your family and the ministries you love. Register at: www.lutheranfoundation.ca/webinars.
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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Authority in Love
“And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” - Mark 1:22
Authority is a word we are sometimes afraid of and don’t like to hear. In our fallen world, authority can be abused, and it can be used to exploit, harm, and oppress. People are rightly suspicious of this kind of authority. Authority in creation works for our good. Jesus’ authority is something we need. We need Him to show us what to believe and how to live, for Jesus’ authority is always connected to His love. “I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Jesus uses His authority by laying down His life, giving life.
God has given you authority as well through the various vocations He has established in your life: parent, spouse, worker, neighbour, and church member, to name a few. What does it mean to use this authority in love and how does it impact the decisions you make? Our churches are a place where the outside world can get a glimpse of how God uses His authority for the purposes of love. Sometimes that’s going to offend the world and sometimes it’s going to be attractive, but in all cases, it is needed. Supporting our churches means they will be there to continue to share this message to all those who willing to hear.
A charitable gift in your Will provides ongoing support to your church long after you are not present in the pew. To learn more about your how you can impact your congregation, visit www.lutheranfoundation.ca.
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46% of Canadians have not spoken to their family about their intentions for their Will. The top reasons for not doing so are: they haven’t thought about it (64%); they believe their Will is a private matter (17%); and that they believe it is too soon (11%). Although it is certainly not a requirement to share your intentions with your family, it may be a great way to teach them what is most important in your life, especially if you are leaving a gift to support your church.
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The Son of God, Christ Jesus, Makes Us a New Creation
The Lord alone “is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Is. 40:28). He “sits above the circle of the earth” and “stretches out the heavens like a curtain” (Is. 40:22). Yet, His almighty power is demonstrated chiefly by His mercy and compassion. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Is. 40:29). The only begotten Son of the Father, the very Word by whom all things were made, becomes flesh and takes all the poverty and weakness of our sin and death upon Himself, bearing it in His body to the cross. As He dies for us there, He also raises us up, a new creation, in His resurrection from the dead. Thus, by the preaching of this Word, He heals “many who were sick with various diseases,” and He casts out “many demons” (Mark 1:34, 39). And His preaching continues through those whom He has sent, who are “entrusted with a stewardship” to “preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16–17). Thus, we are set free by the Word of Christ, and we exercise our freedom in loving service to others.
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