Local

Dear friends and colleagues,

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose birth we prepare to celebrate and herald!

In just a few short days the aisles of our churches will have again been fully transformed into the road to Bethlehem; our chancels into stables and our altars into mangers. And we ourselves, God willing, will also have been changed – if only for a few brief moments – into reverent shepherds and gift bearing magi. Advent will have again done its job and all will be rightly and fittingly prepared for this special celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

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Television is more than a communication medium. It’s about hope and heart and story. “And wow…does our church have a great story to tell(!) and so television becomes tell-a-vision: not only the vision of ministry, but the vision of God’s purpose to love and bless every person on the face of the earth,” says the St. Peter’s leadership team. For more than half a century, thanks to a great cloud of witnesses and supporters, St. Peter’s has been doing just that.
   The St. Peter’s Community is buoyed by the connection they are making with viewers from coast to coast to coast. Almost every day, St. Peter’s receives emails, calls, and letters from people across the country who have been transformed by a message of hope and who share the impact of the television ministry in their lives:

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Our small village church in Williamsford has been able to assist the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in a big way. At a worship service yesterday they blessed and then boxed up for shipping 584 knitted teddy bears, 86 quilts, blankets and afghans and 26 baby and children’s knitted hats and sweaters. Home Hardware staff in Southampton helped us to box up these gifts to be sent to those in need. They will be shipped to Winnipeg to CLWR and then flown out to those in need in all parts of the world.

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What happens when a congregation reflects on the question “Who is welcome?”

The congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Leamington, ON did just that and in doing so have changed their very identity.

   Rev Sylvia Swiatoschik used to hear “Oh, you are from the German church on the corner”, now when she introduces herself, the reply is “Oh! You are from the church with the cross!”

   In autumn of 2018, a simple wooden cross was erected outside St. Paul’s. This warming cross had many hooks on it so warm things could be attached; scarves, hats, gloves and especially work socks were very popular. Neighbours were invited to add items as well. At least twice a week open hooks were filled with new or gently used items.

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“I am looking forward to this weekend,” I said to my husband back in late May. Before he got a chance to ask the question I read on his face – or at least I thought I did – I answered: “These events are well planned, I want to be with other women, and I like the theme of the retreat.” 

   He needed this explanation because most of the time I procrastinate when travelling; putting off packing, checking every room in the house too many times before leaving, and needing that one more cup of coffee when I should be backing out of my driveway. And I never forget to mention that I would rather stay at home. 

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On a sunny Sunday morning in August, Grace church on Green Lake Road hosted an outdoor service and picnic.  Notices had been placed in mail boxes across the community to invite families in the neighbourhood to join in on a special gathering.

Arrangements were made to have “The Intermittents”, a Pembroke area men’s choir on hand who opened the event with songs from memory lane and to lead with hymns during the service.

Pastor Leena led the service with communion under a tent that offered welcomed shade on the side lawn of the church yard.  There was an abundance of positive energy as the group, young and old, grandchildren and grandparents and those in the middle, shared the fellowship.  It was a God sent moment.

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