No major damage after volcano eruption in Nicaragua
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NICARAGUA – An eruption at Nicaragua’s San Cristobal Volcano on March 9, 2021 showered the nearby area, including the city of Chinandega, in ash but otherwise caused no major damage. The Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua – ILSN) is headquartered in Chinandega, and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has a mission centre in the city.
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CLTS releases new edition of sacred poetry
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ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) has published My Light and My Salvation, a new edition of the poetry of Rev. Kurt E. Reinhardt.
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Communications Director, here! As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a lasting impact in our lives, it is fitting that we continue to remind each other to prioritize mental and spiritual wellness just as we must care for our physical wellbeing.
In LCC's Q&A with Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau, some of the topics discussed include those of guilt and shame, addressing the following questions:
- How do we identify guilt or shame in ourselves?
- What are some signs that a person is experiencing problematic levels of guilt or shame?
- What effects can guilt or shame have on our lives physiologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually?
Ristau explains, "This is how it often goes: the devil points to a true fact, a sin that we ought to feel guilt or shame over, but then convinces us that God is not loving, compassionate, or forgiving. Sin, flesh, Satan, and we ourselves try to keep us away from going to Jesus with our mental and spiritual baggage... Forgiveness is the solution and yet we avoid it."
In these especially isolating times, let us continue to encourage each other in truth and in love—comforting each other with the comfort we ourselves have received from God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
- Your sister in Christ, Alex Steinke
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The Easter Story!
Looking for Kid's Resources for the Easter season?
Booklet available to download for free in French and in English. Physical copies are also available for purchase.
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Remember Lutheran Church–Canada's mission and ministry partners in prayer.
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 MISSIONS IN NICARAGUA!
Rev. Hector Enrique Morales is a missionary pastor serving at Resurrection Lutheran Church in the city if Sebaco.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Your Son sent forth His Church to make disciples of all nations, we lift up before You Rev. Morales, 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 – ‘Someone's In My Seat’
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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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| Rev. James Vosper |
Zion (Plumas, MB) |
La Ronge (La Ronge, SK) |
DECLINED |
March 18, 2021 |
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Almighty God, whose loving care is everlasting, with relieved hearts we are grateful that the latest volcano eruption of San Cristobal in Nicaragua wasn't as severe as first feared. We implore You to continue to watch over and protect Your people in Nicaragua, especially those faced with dangerous ash and debris in the air. We also pray that You strengthen the faith of Your Church through Your Life-giving Word that she may bring comfort and aid to those in need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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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.
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ONLINE - APRIL 25, 2021
Concordia Lutheran Mission Society Annual General Meeting - You are invited to join in the CLMS Annual General Meeting by Zoom on Sunday, April 25 at 5:00 p.m./Eastern 4:00 p.m./Central 3:00 p.m./Mountain 2:00 p.m./Pacific. We will hear reports about our Mission Projects and elect Board Members. Please email Pastor Mark Lobitz, President of CLMS, at mclobitz@gmail.com if you would like to join us for the meeting and receive the Zoom Link.
ONLINE - APRIL 10, 2021
Youth Ministry Round Table: Are you involved in youth ministry at your congregation? The National Youth Gathering invites you to join a round table discussion on current joys and struggles in youth ministry. The meeting will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at 12:20 Pacific time. To receive the Zoom link, please register at www.lccnyg.ca by April 6. If you have any questions, contact lccgathering@gmail.com.
ONLINE - NEW WEBINARS - March webinar dates available on the LFC website!
Lutheran Foundation Canada webinars still available. Updating Your Estate Plans (March 23 and 25) walks you through all the components of a good estate plan. Register at: www.lutheranfoundation.ca/webinars.
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Prepared for Good Works
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
- Ephesians 2:10
We are born spiritually dead in our sins. We are products of a fallen creation, estranged from our Creator and antagonistic towards God. Our present condition is irredeemable, but through Christ, God exchanged our old life in Adam for our new life in Christ, for when He died we died and when Christ was risen we too were raised from our state of death into newness of life.
But we have not been raised to newness of life without purpose. We are made God’s masterpiece in Christ Jesus in order that we may be able to perform good works. Every good work we do in this world is a gift from God, prepared beforehand for us to do. From first to last, from the Lord’s free salvation given to us, to the good works He’s prepared for us to walk in, it is all a gift of God’s grace.
One of our greatest good works is being a blessing to others, especially amplified through the sharing of Christ Jesus and the message of salvation. We are supported in this through the work of our church. Your church will continue this work long after you are gone. Prayerfully consider how you can be a blessing to it through a charitable gift in your Will. To learn more about developing a charitable gift either in life or in death, please speak with a Foundation representative or visit www.lutheranfoundation.ca.
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There are three basic types of Wills in Canada.
- Formal Will – A typewritten Will signed by you in the presence of at least two witnesses (who cannot be your beneficiaries or their spouses). It is advisable to have a lawyer prepare this Will so that you can avoid potential problems such as improper wording or signing.
- Notarial Will – Similar to the formal Will but is only used in Quebec. It is prepared by a notary and signed before the notary and a witness.
- Holographic Will – This Will is completely handwritten, dated and signed by you with no witness involved. This type of Will is not recognized in British Columbia or Prince Edward Island. Experts discourage creating a Holographic Will because it is subject to misinterpretation and challenge.
You Will is an important legal document and therefore should be created with care and attention to detail.
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In the Holy Sacraments, We Share the Glory of the Cross of Christ
Jesus catechizes His disciples in the way of the cross, revealing that He will be condemned and put to death “and after three days he will rise” (Mark 10:33–34). But the Twelve do not understand. Instead, they argue among themselves about who will be the greatest, with James and John requesting the places of honor on either side of Jesus in His glory. However, Jesus has come to make Himself the “slave of all” and “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43–45). He shares the true glory of His cross with all who are baptized with His Baptism and with those who drink His cup of salvation, the New Testament in His blood (Mark 10:39). By these Holy Sacraments, the Lord makes Himself known to all His people, forgiving their sins “from the least of them to the greatest” (Jer. 31:33–34). Though He is the very Son of God, “he learned obedience through what he suffered” and so became our great High Priest, that we may enter His glory by the way of His sacrifice (Heb. 5:8–10).
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