Vol. II - Issue #9   

Nov. 7, 2011  

Collect:

Readings:      

• Amos 5:18-24
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Meditation:

The Gospel Prepares Us for Our Heavenly Bridegroom's Coming

The Day of the Lord is "darkness, and not light" (Amos 5:18, 20) for all who trust in their own righteousness and piety. The Lord will not accept their "burnt offerings and grain offerings," nor will He look upon their "peace offerings" (Amos 5:22). Instead He desires a heart of faith that trusts in Him, which lets "justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24) in love for the neighbor. In order for the "lamps" of our lives to burn brightly with such love, we must be filled with the "oil" of forgiveness through faith in our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Matt 25:1-4). Therefore, as we await His coming, wisdom directs us "to the dealers" (Matt 25:9), that is, to the ministers of His Gospel. Thus we wait upon the Lord, and we "encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Waking or sleeping, we are prepared to meet Him when He comes "with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God," and "we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:16, 17).

For Dr. Ed Lehman as he assumes the position of acting President at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton

Several weeks ago in our ABC Connect, we carried an advertisement on behalf of the Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre in the New South Wales District of Lutheran Church of Australia.  They were looking to engage an intern to work at the Retreat Centre for the next year.  Jensen Buck, daughter of Rev. Rod and Rhonda Buck applied and has been accepted into the program.  We pray God`s blessing on this new direction in her life.

• 6th Annual Love Life Conference - Nov. 19th, 2011 - Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

You can also check out abcconvention.lccabc.ca for all things convention! (Deadlines, Notes, Bulletin PDF's etc.)  

Congregational Constitutions    

Congregations need to make sure that they identify themselves in their constitutions as not-for-profit organizations.  A suggestion is to include the following statement immediately following the section where the congregation identifies its purpose and mission:

"XYZ Lutheran Church in Anytown, shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members, and any profits or other gains to this congregation shall be used in promoting its objectives as described above."

"Responding to Sexual Temptation in a High Tech Society" 

is the title of Mr. Ted Kober's presentation at the 6^th Annual Love Life Conference at Concordia University College of Alberta on Saturday, November 19^th.   From ages 10 to 92, Christians struggle with sexual temptation from the Internet, cell phone, and other technology. The result? Broken marriages, hurting families, and damaged ministries and businesses. While not all are tempted, everyone in our society is impacted by its effects.  Ted Kober's two-part workshop prepares you to help a loved one or yourself respond through the power of the Gospel. Learn the extent of this issue and how to experience healing through biblical peacemaking.  The conference begins with registration at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at 3:20 p.m. (although there is a bonus panel discussion that will conclude at 4:00 p.m.).  

The conference pre-registration fee is $25.00 (includes lunch) and $30.00 (at the door). Students are FREE!  

For more information and to register and make payment online visit: www.LoveLifeEdmonton.com or http://www.lccabc.ca/news/love-life-conference/. You can also register by calling the ABC District Office at: 780-474-0063 (ext. 102).  This conference is sponsored by: Lutherans for Life - Canada; Concordia Lutheran Seminary; Concordia University College of Alberta; and the ABC District.

*If you are able to project video on to the screens in your sanctuary or education centre, you are encouraged to show the promo video that was produced for the Love Life conference.  You can access the video at:  http://vimeo.com/30571714.

What do Faith (Surrey) and Christ (Markerville, AB) and Walnut Grove (Langley, BC) have in common?

These three congregations are going through the Transforming for Missions (T4M) process.   Faith had their T4M weekend consultation on October 28-30; Christ's consultation will be November 11-13; with Walnut Grove's T4M consultation taking place on November 25-27^th.    The T4M process includes: a self-study of the congregation and the community in which the congregation is located; a 6 week Bible study called, "Motivation for Mission"; prayer vigils, a weekend consultation with a team consisting of pastors and laypeople; and prayerful discussion of the T4M consultation team report.  When a congregation adopts the T4M consultation report, a coach is assigned to the congregation to walk with the congregation through the process of acting on the prescriptions in the consultation report.  The T4M process is designed to address internal congregational challenges while at the same time getting the congregation (i.e. pastors and laypeople) to act and think like missionaries.  If you are struggling and frustrated by your inability to develop meaningful relationships in your community, especially with those who are not believers in Christ, then you will want to consider the Transforming For Missions (T4M) process.  Contact: Dr. Glenn Schaeffer for more information.

Please pray for these three congregations.  Here is a prayer you might want to use:  

Gracious and loving Father, we ask that You bless the members of Faith (Surrey), Christ (Markerville), and Walnut Grove (Langley) as they participate in the Transforming for Missions process.  We pray the members of these congregations will have a greater sense of what it means to be a missionary people in our post-church culture and a mission-driven congregation to the people who live in the community surrounding their buildings.   We pray they will take all necessary actions to be a Your missionary people in coming months so that Your name is glorified and Your kingdom might grow! In Jesus' name we are bold to pray, Amen.  

• 100th - St. John's, Vernon, BC - Nov. 11 - 13, 2011
• 50th - Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Calgary, AB - June. 10, 2012 

Have you read any of the Resources of the Week?  Any ideas for future ones? Please share them with us, and we will look into them!