THE PRINTS OF PEACEAPRIL 2018

A periodical newspaper for and by the people of Peace Lutheran Congregation, Vernon, BC

IN THIS ISSUE

Pastor David’s Message

Church Choir Corner

Council Highlights

Walk to Jerusalem Weekly Devotions

Upcoming Events

A M e s s a g e f r o mP a s t o r D a v i d

Signs of Spring

Lent, the season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday

(February 14) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31) is a period that reflects the time Jesus

spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

The word ‘Lent’ comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." I like to

think of it as the spring-time of the soul. Our practices of repentance, fasting and preparation

for Easter are quickly drawing to a close. Although self-examination and reflection are never

out of season, the mood changes when we turn our focus to the Festival of Easter.

Allelua! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!In the normal cycle of seasons we expect that after spring comes summer. In the Church

Calendar it seems more like Spring (Lent) gives way to another Spring (Easter) in which new

beginnings are announced and the cycle of life turns from death to life.

The empty tomb is a proclamation of God’s new beginning for us all. It affirms that no matter

what experience of death or loss we endure, new life springs up from the ruins. This is the

center of our faith. The risen Christ gives us hope. Life will ultimately conquer death.

Easter then, is a season to acknowledge signs of life. Spring is all around us these days, as

tender green shoots emerge from the ground. Grass is turning green. Water is flowing in

the creek. Our world is coming alive. Pray that these hopeful signs of growth around us

would reflect the growth of the Spirit within. As we devote ourselves to the One who has

risen to new life, that life is reborn in us.

Natalee Sleeth wrote a wonderful hymn of Easter Spring. It may help focus our Easter

mediations.

In the bulb there is a flower,in the seed, an apple tree,

in cocoons, a hidden promise:

butterflies will soon be free!In the cold and snow of winter

there's a spring that waits to be,unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence,seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness,bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season,something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning,in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing,in our life, eternity,

in our death, a resurrection,at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season,something God alone can see.

Easter Blessings, Pastor David

“ P E AC E LU T H E R A N

C H U R C H

C H O I R C O R N E R ”Thanks to the djembe players and to all who sang and processed with other instruments and palms at the Palm Sunday service!

Choir is learning an anthem to sing jointly with the St. John’s Lutheran Church Choir at the annual CLWR Banquet. We look forward to this collaboration for the second year.

Take note of choir rehearsals in the church calendar … there are a few changes for the month of April. (see below)

Shalom!Margaret Hundeby Hunter

CHOIR REHEARSALS:

Monday, 2 April (Easter Monday) - NO REHEARSAL

Monday, 9 April - Rehearsal at 7 pm

Monday, 16 April - NO REHEARSAL

Monday, 23 April - Rehearsal at 7 pm

Monday, 30 April – NO REHEARSAL

Walk to Jerusalem Weekly Devotions

Continuing our walk to Jerusalem, the journey is getting interesting. We are already about 4,000 kilometers down the track, which places us in Nova Scotia. From Halifax we will be flying to Casablanca to resume our walk. Depending on who you ask, this journey is about 9,500 kms, which means we are nearly half way.

Remember that the goal of this walk to Jerusalem is to nurture in each of us a holistic sense of well-being. Devotions are provided in this newsletter for your spiritual reflection. These devotions were used last year, but they bear repeating of you want some guidance for your meditation on the way. If you have joined me in subscribing to the daily prayer provided by my friend and colleague, Pastor Bruce Ehlert from Mt Olivet Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, AB I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have. By sending an email with the word, ‘subscribe,’ in the subject line to pastor.bru@mountolivet.ca you would have received daily short prayers that take only one minute to read but can inspire some personal reflection all day long.

As we continue our journey to our destination, you are invited to monitor your physical activity and record it at the church. We will be aiming to walk a cumulative distance of some 9,500 kilometers. Every step counts as we move together toward our goal. Participating in this communal event may motivate you toward increasing personal exercise and improving your fitness. Please remember that ANY physical activity can be included. If you are actively exercising for 15 minutes you may count that as one kilometers. How we define active exercise might depend on our lifestyle and fitness level. You be the judge. I always say, “Vacuuming counts!” Learning about the places on the map through which we travel will also expand our minds. (If someone is interested in contributing to these ‘travelogues’ please contact Pastor David.)

The map on the wall in the fellowship hall will be updated weekly to display our progress on the path toward Jerusalem. After leaving Canada we can expect to visit Morocco, Libya, Egypt and Israel.

DEVOTIONS: Week 6

Walking Cheerleaders“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off

everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Being the mother of a cross country runner, I know what it is like to be in the “cloud of witnesses” that cheers on the runners. The runners disappear in a flash as they emerge from woody trails, but I am told that a familiar face – an encouraging “Go Dave” – or a thumbs up gesture is energizing to the runner. Likewise surrounding ourselves with encouragers and being encouragers ourselves is uplifting to our spirits and helps us continue on the course setbefore us. It has been said that there are no “lone-ranger” Christians. We need each other. Walking with a companion makes the walk seem much shorter. This week as you walk, think also about that “great cloud of witnesses” in heaven – cheering you on to run the race and persevere in your faith.

Questions to ponder: How can I encourage someone in their faith this week? Think of a time when someone has been a great encouragement to you. Do I have someone in my life with whom I can share deep spiritual thoughts, hopes

and desires? If not, is there someone I know who might be willing to share their spiritual journey with

me?

Week 7What Kind of Walker am I?

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name,Praise the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits –

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

Who satisfies your desires with good thingsSo that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-3, 5

When was the last time you walked with a spring in your step? Was there a reason for that feeling of joyous abandon while you walked? Perhaps you just received an “A” on a difficult exam or maybe it was news of a baby’s birth, or maybe your soccer team won the championship or you were offered a much needed job. While you walk this week, dwell on the verses from Psalm 103. We have many reasons to rejoice and praise God. He forgives all our sins and heals our diseases. He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Now that is something to rejoice about!

Questions to ponder: What are some of the benefits of following God? Think of some good things God has given to you…the things that made you walk with

a spring in your step. What desires has He satisfied? Think about your deepest desires. Do you think they are in line with God’s will?

Week 8Visitors along the Road:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23.

When we think of visitors along the road, the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 naturally comes to mind. We can all somehow relate to that story. The Good Samaritan actually stopped to help the hurting person while others ignored the hurting person. How often can we say that we have walked past a hurting person? How often have we helped a hurting person? The person may not even be a stranger. The excuses are many. To help the hurting person means stepping out of our comfort zone, rearranging plans and yes, showingand living the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This week as you walk you may not see a physically hurting person, but ask God to help you see others as He sees them. If we are willing, He will show us the hurting of this world and fill us with His compassion and love.

Questions to ponder: Have you ever unexpectedly and spontaneously helped a stranger? How did you feel? Think about hurting people you know. As you walk this week pray for those hurting

ones. Does God want you to take some action?

Week 9Who is my Neighbor?

He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with allyour soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love

your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

How’s the neighborhood? That is sometimes one of the first questions a perspective buyer asks when looking at a house, but for many, gone are the days when neighbors sit on porches and spend time with each other. It’s difficult enough carving out time for family, let alone neighbors. Jesus says we should love our neighbor as ourself! This week if you walk through your neighborhood, consider it an opportunity to pray for your neighbors. Pray as you walk by each house. If you see bikes and swing sets, pray for the children in the house. If the drapes are drawn and there’s little activity, pray for those wholive in the house. Sometimes homes become secret cocoons of pain and strife.Just as only God knows what is going on inside our lives, God is sometimes the only one who knows what goes on in our homes. Pray that the Holy Spirit can break through and ease the pain and strife that your neighbors may be experiencing.

Questions to ponder: What can it possibly mean to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength

and mind? Think about yourself.

o Are you pleased with yourself? o Do you love yourself? o Are you able to love others?

Week 10Walking the Walk

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;They will run and not grow weary,They will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31)

One of my fondest memories of 22 years at an inner city church was when Bertha would lead us in “Hold to His Hand, God’s unchanging Hand, Put your Hope in things Eternal! Hold to God’s unchanging Hand!” When Bertha led that song, she would strut across the room and

bring us all into an electrifying cadence of agreement. Yes, when our hope is in the Lord, we can strut, we can sing and we can walk the walk! Our walk with the Lord should be one of confidence and determination – not of gloominess and defeat. May we step out this week and walk the walk with the One who gives us hope eternal.

Questions to ponder: Think about what you place your hope in. Consider hopefulness vs. hopelessness.

Does outlook affect outcomes? Do you need your strength renewed? Do you know someone who needs their strength renewed?

U p c o m i n g a t P e a c e

HERON GROVE SERVICE – Sunday, April 1st @ 2:30 PM

CHOIR – Monday’s @ 7:00 PM (NO CHOIR: April 2nd, 16th or 30th)

CONFIRMATION CLASSES – Tuesdays @ 4:15

ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Animate Faith– Tuesdays, @ 7:00 PM PRAYER SHAWL – Wednesday, April 4th @ 10:00 AM

QUILTERS – Thursday’s @ 10:00 AM

SUNSHINE SENIORS – Friday’s April 13th & 27th @ 1:30 PM

MUTUAL MINISTRY – Tuesday, April 17th @ 5:30 PM

COUNCIL MEETING – April 18th @ 7:00 PM

AURA CHAMBER – REHEARSALS: Tue., April 17 & Fri., April 20th

CONCERTS: Sat. April 21st @ 7:30 PM & Sun. April 22nd @ 2:00 PM

WORSHIP COMMITTEE – Wednesday, April 25th @ 7:00 PM

POTLUCK – Sunday, April 29th

ELW MEETING – Tuesday, April 24th @ 1:00 PM

CLWR BANQUET – Saturday, April 28th @ 5:00 PM

Animate: Faith is a series of studies about central themes of Christian Faith. With a video presentation and some key Bible readings, we will launch into a discussion about what is important to our faith. There are seven sessions in the series, but we will focus in April on the first four. Each session has a different video presenter and some helpful images to deepen our understanding. There is no homework for this study. Just show up and join the discussion on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. The themes we will explore include:

April 3 – God: Faith is a Quest (with Brian McLaren)

April 10 – Religion: Spirituality is Not Enough (with Lillian Daniel)

April 17 – Jesus: The Revolution of Love (with Mark Scandrette)

April 24 – Salvation: Abundant Life Now (with Shane Hipps)

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …P e a c e L u t h e r a n P r a y e r C h a i n

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …Is sponsored by our ELW, it is made up of individuals who have made a commitment to pray for others in need. Those with a particular concern for themselves or others are invited to contact Rita Makasoff and explain the circumstances for which prayers are requested.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE for May edition of

“THE PRINTS OF PEACE” newsletter is April 24th

Thank you!

OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-12:30

Contact UsPam McCreightTelephone 250-545-5787Email plchurch@shaw.ca

Pastor DavidCell 250-309-0747Email davidpop@shaw.caWebsite www.peacelutheran.ca