Church News: June 2001

We express our thanks for all donations and for the active attendance of our Church Services, and cordially invite you to stay for a while after the Services for a cup of coffee!

Our Groups and Circles

The Ladies' Group
meets on June 13th, at 7:30 p.m.

The Church Council
also on June 13th, at 7:30 p.m. ( 2nd Wednesday of each month) The congregational council is made up of twelve officials elected by the church congregation plus the pastor. They gather once per month to discuss the business and finances of the church.

The Youth Group
meets for further planning of the Youth Service on May 26th and on June 16th at 5:00 p.m. at Pastor Wolf's, 3203 Gatliff Ave., Mississauga.

Youth Group
May 26th and June 16th at 5:00 p.m. at the parsonage.

Confirmation Instruction
May 28th, June 11th and June 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at the parsonage
(twice a month on Mondays)

Mission Circle
Wed. June 6 - last one before we break for the summer.

Bible Study
2nd Monday of each month at 7:30 at church

Church Choir
Rehearsals every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the church We will break for the summer on June 15th.

You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching the good news of peace by Jesus Christ; he is the Lord of all.
Acts 10, 36

Verse for the Month of June 2001

Meditation on the Verse for the Month

Dear Congregational Members,
Peace - that means in Acts of the Apostles, from where this text is taken, very clearly: peace between a Roman commander and Peter. An unusual meeting, two men being brought together by two dreams, men from two different nations and originally from two different religions. Besides, one is even a commander of the occupying army. But all this, in truth, does not matter, where people meet in the name of Jesus; this is exactly what Peter says, as he stands facing Cornelius: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." Peter the Jew, the disciple of Christ, and now the one who proclaims the Gospel, and Cornelius, the Roman, who first devoted himself to the cult of the Roman state and then, presumably, became a Jew.

It is assumed that he did not totally change over; it remains an assumption, though. In any case, both men have, in their life, a history of faith which is closely connected to the Jewish faith and the faith actualised through Jesus. They are both God-fearing, pious,. They pray, they live their life in a union with God, even though both do this under very different circumstances. There are turning points, events, which are outstanding for both, which drive them and make them continue on the road of faith, believing in one God. They both know that their meeting is not by chance, but willed by God. For Peter it is, furthermore, his first missionary meeting with a non-Jewish person. This is once again clearly pointed out, when, in the course of the story, it is stated: "And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles." It leads to a baptism in the house of Cornelius. When people meet in faith, origin, nationality, social rank, profession, nothing counts any more.

There is a peace which overcomes borders and unites people; and this during a time when they were enemies. It is a beautiful story, because it relates that peace is possible, when there is trust in God and his guidance. Our world - and also we - need this peace which surmounts walls and borders. Let us hold this hope alive and let us live it!
With heartfelt greetings,
I remain for this month,
your Pastor.

Confirmation on June 3rd, 2001 - Pentecost

On June the 3rd, we will confirm four young people of our congregation:

Nicole Koo Tze Mew
Stefan Rinas
Peter Karthaus
Ryan Boyce

All four have proven during the instruction classes, which they attended regularly, that they conscientiously solved the tasks which were assigned to them, and they also learned Bible verses by heart. They have been tested in all this during instruction periods.

On Sunday, May 27th, they took part in leading the Service and recited some of the important pieces. I am glad about this and can only hope that they will continue to enjoy the Services and the life of the congregation.

I took over this group in December from Pastor Schwantes. The time went by quickly. Hardly has one had time to get used to each other, and then it is over. I want to thank the Four at this point for participating so well. I will miss you, even though I hope that we see each other regularly during services.

It would be good to have succeeded in keeping the interest alive in terms of questions of faith. Confirmation instruction can neither answer all questions, nor can it ensure that one knows everything all the time. To believe means to grow. This happens our whole life through. Even grown-ups have still questions. But our congregation remains dependent on young people coming to us, belonging to us, to enrich our congregational life with their ideas and their visions.

When I saw this picture, I found that it fits this event well. Pastor Schwantes and I could only lead you to the bridge. It is up to you now, to go further. It was also only possible to tell you about the reflection in the water, the landscape reflected there in the water, you have to discover by yourself.

To you and to your families, we wish a beautiful day and God's blessings for your life's journey.

Your Pastors,

Eberhard Schwantes and Stefan Wolf.

Congregational Picnic

The annual Picnic of the Congregation will be held at Camp Edgewood on June 17th. We invite everyone, especially families, as we will have a bilingual Family-Service besides a program for children. The Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Please note that there will be no Service at the church on that Sunday.

For those who have never been at Camp Edgewood, here is a description of how to get there:

Highway 401 west, Exit 312 (Guelph Line 1), then 17 km north through the villages Haltonville, Brookville and Darbyville, then turn left at the first stop sign which is at the intersection of Guelph Line and the Town-line (Eramosa/Milton), then simply follow the signs to the Camp. Just to be sure, here is also the address of the Camp: 49 Memorial St., Eden Mills, Ontario, N0B 1P0 Telephone: (519) 856-9622

Congregational Assistant

From June 25th to July 4th, Wolfgang Loest, 18 years of age, a student from Germany (Berlebeck), will complete a placement in our congregation. These placements are a requirement of the educational system. Wolfgang is looking forward to it, as he plans, after completing High School, to study Theology and become a Pastor. I still know him from my old congregation. The aim for him is to get some insight into the work of a Pastor in a congregation. Wolfgang's family is very active in the church community.

Summer Camp at Camp Lutherlyn

Our summer camp this year will be held from July 28th to August 4th. For the first time we run this camp together with the "Christ the King- Dietrich Bonhoeffer Congregation" of Pastor Giebel. We have space for approximately 40 persons and still need some camp counselors. The fee is about $165 for food and accommodation. Families are also invited to come to camp. The transport of the children still has to be discussed. Usually, some parents have brought their children directly to the camp. An information meeting will take place after the Youth Service on the 24th of June. Please register your child / children or your family on the attached form. (see the backside!) and send this form immediately to the church or hand it in. Thank you!

We baptized

Lucas Manuel Zultner

I will bless you so that you will be a blessing.
Genesis 12, 2

The Last Word

The people for whom we are a support, give us stead-fastness in life.
(Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach)