Congregational Newsletter April


Congregational Newsletter April 2008 [PDF] printable version
Last updated: April 19, 2009 Our 51st Year April 2008
Calendar for April 2008 [PDF] Misericordias Domini April 6, 2008 Jubilate April 13, 2008 Sermon The Martin Luther Church Social Activity Going to a CONCERT!!! Friday, April 18, 2008 at 8 p.m. J. S Bach and the Spirit of his Century: Organ and Harpsichord Knox College, University of Toronto, Knox Chapel, 59 St. George St., Toronto Kantate April 20, 2008 Rogate April 27, 2008 Ascension of Jesus May 1, 2008 German Service at Martin Luther Church with and invitation to all German-speaking Christian congregations in Toronto Exaudi May 4, 2008 Eve of Pentecost (Holy Communion for Confirmands) Saturday, May 10, 2008 Pentecost and Confirmation, also Mother's Day (Canada) May 11, 2008 Trinity May 18, 2008 1st Sunday after Trinity May 25, 2008 2nd Sunday after Trinity and Congregational Picnic at Camp Edgewood, Eden Mills June 1, 2008 3rd Sunday after Trinity June 8, 2008 4th Sunday after Trinity June 15, 2008 5th Sunday after Trinity June 22 2008 6th Sunday after Trinity June 29, 2008 7th Sunday after Trinity July 6, 2008 8th Sunday after Trinity July 13, 2008 9th Sunday after Trinity July 20, 2008 10th Sunday after Trinity July 27, 2008 Camp Lutherlyn from Sunday Jul. 27th to Friday Aug.1st, 2008 (5 nights) 11th Sunday after Trinity August 3, 2008 12th Sunday after Trinity August 10, 2008 13th Sunday after Trinity August 17, 2008 14th Sunday after Trinity August 24, 2008 15th Sunday after Trinity August 31, 2008 16th Sunday after Trinity September 7, 2008 17th Sunday after Trinity September 14, 2008 18th Sunday after Trinity September 21, 2008 19th Sunday after Trinity September 28, 2008 20th Sunday after Trinity Thanksgiving (Germany) October 5, 2008 21st Sunday after Trinity Thanksgiving (Canada) October 12, 2008 22nd Sunday after Trinity October 19, 2008 23rd Sunday after Trinity October 26, 2008 Reformation Day October 31, 2008 24th Sunday after Trinity November 2, 2008 Third Last Sunday of the Church Year November 9, 2008 November 16, 2008 Eternity Sunday November 23, 2008 1st Advent and 53rd Anniversary of Martin Luther Church November 30, 2008 2nd Advent 3rd Advent 4th Advent Christmas Eve December 24, 2008 Christmas Day December 25, 2008 Sunday after Christmas December 28, 2008 New Year's Eve December 31, 2008 Church News Archives: March 2008 February 2008 Dec 2007 and Jan 2008 Nov 2007 Oct 2007 Sept 2007 May - July 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 Dec 2006 and Jan 2007 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 July-August 2006 May - June 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 Dec 2005 - Jan 2006 November 2005 October 2005 Aug - Sep 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005	DEVOTION Dear Members and Friends of Martin Luther Church ! At the Easter Sunrise Service at Humber Bay West Park, young people of our congregation presented a play about the special experience of Thomas, of whom we hear in the Gospel of John, chapter 20. On Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to the disciples as the Resurrected, in a house, where they had hidden out of fear. But Thomas had not been present, and when the others told him about Jesus, he could not believe. “Unless I see in his hands the prints of the nails, and place my fingers in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Thomas remains reserved and sceptical; he wants to better understand and find out, and not to commit himself too quickly. This figure of Thomas in the New Testament is very important, for it actually embodies the difficulties which people can have with faith. And it makes it clear that Jesus has patience with the doubting, that Jesus wants to gently open a path for the doubting, which he can walk. One week later, Jesus again came into the midst of his disciples and turned directly to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand, and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” What Thomas needed, Jesus gave him, something tangible, something concrete, an experience which encouraged him to trust in the Resurrected. And when Thomas, overwhelmed by this experience, calls out, “My Lord and my God!”, Jesus says, “Have you believed, because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Just Saturday before Easter, an article appeared in the Toronto Star about the BBC program “The Passion”, which describes that historians have reconstructed a different form of the cross than the one we are familiar with today. According to them, the cross at that time, had the shape of a capitalized T, the forearms of the condemned were nailed to the cross beam, and with some effort, he could place his bent legs on a small board for support. It seems as if the figure of Thomas almost embodies the scientific method of systematic doubt, of experiment and exact analysis. What does this historic thesis mean to us? It does not put into question the central message of the New Testament. First, there are, also in the church history, varying shapes of the cross, as a quick glance of the domes and altars of the confessions represented in Toronto shows. Furthermore, the T-form, reconstructed today, even is known in church history as the Francis-Cross, which the founder of the Order of Francis of Assisi had chosen as a sign of humility. And second, the message of the cross is crucial, not the shape it may have. What is crucial is that Jesus had died to take upon himself our guilt. And that he is raised, again, as even the doubting Thomas was to experience. There exists a bronze sculpture by Ernst Barlach, which shows Thomas and the Resurrected. In 1999, my wife and I were able to visit the atelier in Guestrow of this famous artist from northern Germany (1870 -1938). Barlach created these figures in 1926 and called them “Meeting again (Das Wiedersehen)”. He portrays Thomas as someone who makes the discovery that the seemingly impossible is possible: Death does not take away a loved one forever, death is not final. In death, Thomas has collapsed without strength, but on Jesus he raises himself up again. His eyes look toward Jesus, are searching for the familiar features and find them. Jesu eyes, however, are turned into a different direction; they already see the other world of God and point Thomas also in that direction. In his portrayal of these two figures, Barlach goes very far, Thomas does not only touch Jesus, he clings to him, with his arms around him. He searches for support and he finds support. For Jesus gives Thomas support, his hands carry Thomas with his doubts and suffering. Beside a picture of this sculpture, I once read, ”To believe means: To hold fast to the Lord, whose name is Jesus. I hold fast, because I am being held”. That is of what faith consists: I search for Jesus who has overcome death and who shows me the path to life. I have little strength, doubts beset me. And I experience: More than I hold fast to Jesus, he holds me. This is the Easter experience that I wish you. With kind regards, your Pastor Alexander Mielke. THANKING HEIKE EBLE FOR HER SERVICES OVER MANY YEARS On March 2nd, we have bid farewell to Heike Eble in a joint service, who wished to resign her services as principal organist of Martin Luther Church. On this Sunday of the Annual General Meeting, many members of the congregation were able to attend. President Edmund Scholz thanked Heike Eble for the 19 years of faithful and devoted service on the organ bench. It had always been a great joy to work together with Heike, and he hoped that good contact would remain and that the congregation would continue to see her once in a while in the church service. Pastor Mielke reminded of the Third Advent Sunday, when Heike, in spite of the terrible snow storm, reached the church in time after a drive of 2 ½ hours, and could accompany the children in their presentation of the Christmas play. This showed her great devotion to her service. As one thank-you token amongst others, Heike was presented with a large photo, which shows her on the organ bench of our church. The new principal organist of MLC is Klaus Schneeberger, whom we thank cordially for his willingness; we wish him God’s blessing for his service. CONCERT GOLDBERG-VARIATIONS On Palm Sunday, March 16^th, we could experience a magnificent concert in the Martin Luther Church. The Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach were presented, which have a special meaning for Canada’s musical history through the interpretations of Glenn Gould. This time, they were presented in an arrangement for string trio by Dmitry Sitkovetsky, a new, charming experience of this famous composition. The artists, who enchanted through their sensitive, precise and elegant interpretation, were: Marie Bérard (photo left) (violin), Concert Master of the Canadian Opera Company Concert, Associate Concert master of Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra in San Diego, California, Member of the Faculty of Glenn Gould School in Toronto since autumn 2000; Teng Li (right), viola, Principal Violist of the Toronto Symphony, Member of the Music Faculty of the U of T, Member of the Chamber Music Society Two of Lincoln Center; Winona Zelenka (centre), cello, Principal Cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, who had her concert debut at the age of 13 years with the Calgary Philharmonic and her solo debut at the age of 17 at the Carnegie Recital Hall. During the summer season, she plays regularly with the Santa Fe Opera and presently records Bach’s Solo Suites. A heartfelt thank-you to Ali Giedraitis, who organized this concert, Heidi Jonuschies, who created the poster for the concert, and Dina Wancar, who not only takes responsibility at the cash box, but in many other areas. GOING TO J. S. BACH CONCERT The Martin Luther Church Social Group is happy to announce we are going to a CONCERT!!! Friday, April 18, 2008 at 8 p.m. J. S Bach and the Spirit of his Century: Organ and Harpsichord Knox College Chapel, University of Toronto 59 St. George St. at Willcocks, Toronto Tickets: ADULT/SENIOR: $40.00 STUDENTS: $20.00 CHILDREN UNDER 18: $10.00 Information 416-978-2079; www.artoftouch.ca Let us know if you are coming by signing up on the sheet in the entrance of the church. Parking is Meter Parking. Nearest subway is Queens Park then take streetcar 506, Carlton Streetcar West, 3 blocks to St. George & College and walk 1.5 blocks north EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE A wonderful experience was the Easter Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast at the church. A heartfelt thank-you to the organizing team and the confirmands and youths who presented a very nice play! More photos... FAMILY CHOIR In the Easter Sunday Service, we enjoyed the musical contributions of the Family Choir. Children and young people are also welcome in this circle and people who enjoy singing new, mainly English songs. The circle meets once a month for practice. We gladly welcome people to sing with us. If you are interested, contact Iris Schweiger, 905-625-9174, or Heike Block-Mielke, Tel. 289-232-3034. BRASS BAND Calling on all parties interested in playing in the church band! We are a group that enjoys contributing to Sunday and special occasion church services and would welcome additional brass and woodwind instrument support. All experience levels welcome. The next practice is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th at 7:30 pm at the church and we welcome all new participants. Please call either Ron Mayer 416 373-5120 or Sylvia Kunde at 905 889-6632 for further details. Looking forward to seeing you. SWIM PARTY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL The children and parents hat a lot of fun at the Swim Party of our Sunday School at Memorial School, 44 Montgomery Road on March 22^nd. Many thanks to all who have organized this and helped out! More photos... NEW CONFIRMATION COURSE STARTING I cordially invite to a new confirmation course. This will be held over a longer time. It is to begin in the second half of September of this year and lead to confirmation on Pentecost in 2010. Confirmation instruction is a very important opportunity to become familiar with the foundation of the Christian faith and to experience community with other young people. By meeting every second week, the burden of transport for parents is not as heavy, but over a longer period of time, more trust can develop within the group and the congregation. Children are welcome to be registered also at a younger age, even shortly before they reach the age of 12. I invite to a first information meeting on Friday, June 6^th, at the church, at 7:00 p.m. Please inform me per telephone or e-mail, if your child is eligible. ADULT RETREAT AT CAMP EDGEWOOD At the adult retreat at Camp Edgewood, February 15^th to 17^th, we looked intensely at the Letter to the Romans and Paul’s life work. In wonderful winter weather we enjoyed being together and had a lot of fun. You can also experience Camp Edgewood again: at the congregational picnic on June 1^st, to which we cordially invite you. ENGLISH LITURGY At the General Annual Meeting the decision was made that the Joint Services will be conducted with English liturgy and hymns in the future, because the combination of English and German elements often led to confusion. A main reason was that all German-speaking members are familiar with English, while to many English-speaking people German is a foreign language. So let us enjoy this good opportunity to create community and better get to know each other in the joint service! FILM AFTERNOON AT CLUB HEIDELBERG A cordial invitation is extended to a film-afternoon on Sunday, May 4^th. It takes place at Club Heidelberg in St. Catherines at 2:00 p.m. Presented will be “Visions of Germany” and “Magic Moments with Andre Rieux”. Around 12:15 p.m., the bus departs from near Martin Luther Church. The event is free of charge, just have some money with you for coffee and cake. A cordial thank-you to Mr. Gerhard Sauer, who organizes and supports this trip! ASCENSION DAY SERVICE FOR ALL GERMAN-SPEAKING CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS On May 1^st, Thursday, we celebrate Ascension Day in a German church service at 7:00 p.m. Here we can greet congregational members of other German-speaking churches in Toronto. A cordial welcome to this special church service; it is very positive when we, as the host congregation attend in large numbers and bid welcome to our guests! LADIES GROUP TO THURSDAYS Due to the new composition of the Church Council, the meetings can take place only on Thursdays; therefore, the Ladies’ Group meets also on Thursday on a trial basis. We ask for your understanding and hope that in spite of this, many will attend. SPRING CLEANING AT THE CHURCH Urgently needed: Spring cleaning at Martin Luther Church! For the special events at Ascension Day and Pentecost, our church should look spotless and beautiful. Please help with the Spring Cleaning on April 26^th! OPEN HOUSE AT THE PARSONAGE We cordially invite to an “Open House at the Parsonage”. As a family, we feel very comfortable in our new home and want to invite you to this afternoon of meeting one another, on Saturday, April 12^th, from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Our address is 3203 Gatliff Avenue, Mississauga, Northeast of the corner Dundas and Dixie. ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY GROUP My wife and I want to begin an English Bible Study Group. It is important for us to listen to God’s word together and to give each other spiritual impulses. We cordially invite to a meeting of a first discussion on Sunday, April 6^th, at the church, after the English Service. _____________________ Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church 2379 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Toronto, ON M8V 1B7 Telephone: 416-251-8293, Fax: 416-259-2889 www.martinluther.ca Pastor Alexander Mielke, Cell Phone: 416-567-2487 Email: alexander.mielke@rogers.com Radio Devotion (in German) every Sunday 9:30 a.m. on AM 530 Editor of MLC Newsletter: Pastor Alexander Mielke; Translations: Kaethe Kleinau; Homepage and List Administrator: Mona Frantzke; Mailing List: Anita Ratz EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST Please add my name and my email address to the MLC-distribution list: Name: ________________________________________________________ Email-Address: __________________________________________________ Please send to: Mona Frantzke, List Administrator, webmaster@martinluther.ca or: Martin Luther Church, 2379 Lakeshore Blvd West, Toronto, ON M8V 1B7