With the beginning of
September, summer draws to a close. Hopefully, you had a good month of
August. In our congregation, the highlight of the summer was again Camp
Lutherlyn on Golden Lake, where we had more than 70 participants this
time. A big and heartfelt thank-you to Dan Sommerfeld, who, with all his
experience, had organized a wonderfully varied and enjoyable program –
something that required much preparation and work. Also many thanks to all
the others who helped and assisted.
On the Sunday at camp, we could
celebrate a church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Eganville where
Pastor Annette Smith conducted a lively service. I found the wall hanging
at the altar impressive, which you see in the photo. It is a presentation
of the first verse of Psalm 127:
“Unless the Lord builds the
house, those who build it labour in vain.”
I think that this word has a
special meaning for the congregation in Eganville because they lost their
former church in a terrible fire, and they know all too well that it is
because of grace that they are able to celebrate services in such a
beautiful building again.
At summer camp, thank God,
there were no real problems. The children and young people had much fun in
play and arts and crafts, soccer and volleyball, at dress-up dinner,
talent show and kangaroo court. It was important to us that church service
and the word of the Bible, singing and praying, represented the foundation
of our community. Because this was also clear to us
regarding the camp: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it
labour in vain.” And it was all about this: To enable children and adults
to form their life into a house of faith. And it continues: Now on
September 7th, Sunday School starts again,
on September 26th and 27th, confirmation instruction
and youth meetings begin.
But also building the House of
the Lord, in a literal sense, has continued in our congregation. A
heartfelt thank-you to all those who have supported our church this
summer, in clean-up and repair and other jobs. Something special was the
renovation of our organ which was done by Burkhard Möller. On September 28th,
during the church service, he will explain and demonstrate the details of
the repair work. But to build the house of our congregation requires even
more - love and willingness, imagination and good ideas, which the Holy
Spirit grants us. Therefore, six congregational members will take part in
the program “Mission For Others – Taking It Home", in order to get new
ideas.
In a prayer from China it says:
Lord, awaken your church,
and begin with me.
Lord, build up your congregation,
and begin with me.
Lord, let peace and the light of knowledge of God
shine everywhere on earth,
and begin with me.
Lord, bring love and truth
to all people,
and begin with me.
With kind regards,
Your Pastor Alexander Mielke
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IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL
TIME OF THE YEAR...
Sunday school returns on September 7 in English at
9:45 and German at 11:00. We have fun activities planned to welcome
everyone back and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We are also looking for volunteers to help in the
Sunday school one Sunday per month in both the English and the German
services.
If you are interested in helping out please contact
Heike Block-Mielke.
We cordially thank Pastor Lange who conducted the
services on two Sundays in August!
The organ has been renovated. On September
28, Burkhard Moeller will be present in our services and give a
presentation on the achievements.
A musical experience of the Gospel of John
On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, the Passion
of John, as composed by John Reeves, will be presented in a concert
in our church. John Reeves is a renowned Canadian composer who worked for
CBC Radio for many years and is especially familiar with Gregorian music.
Our concert is part of his ecumenical project in automn when the Passion
of John is going to be performed in various languages (German, English,
French, Italian, Czech and Welsh) as well as in many churches (also Roman
Catholic and Anglican). We cordially invite you to this special musical
event which is going to start at 8:00 p.m.
After summer vacations we will organize
Youth Meetings. Youth are invited to funny and exciting evening
meetings or excursions. We are going to have a first meeting Saturday,
September 27, 5:00 p.m., in the church. Whoever is interested, welcome
to contact Tanya Zielke or Pastor Mielke.
The Literature
Circle
will meet again: Monday,
September 8,
2:00 p.m. in the parsonage. Welcome! Please contact Mrs. Kaethe Kleinau or
Pastor Mielke if you are interested.
The first Confirmation Class after
summer vacations will be on Friday, September 26, 6:30 p.m., in the
church. Please bring your children and invite families you know so
that the teenies get to know the Christian faith and sense good fellowship
in the confirmation course!
The fathers of our confirmands, holding their
kids' candles, on Pentecost Sunday 2008.
On October 12, we will celebrate a Joint
Family Service on the occasion of Thanksgiving, focusing especially on
the partnership with the Day Care in Sao Paulo / Brazil.
The Sunday before, we will celebrate German
Thanksgiving, on October 5.
Short report on the Summer Camp
If last year was a quiet camp with 40 people, this
year was anything but! We had 92 people roll through at various times, on
average 74 for the week. 4 teams of 11 each, many kids and toddlers, and
families, and German people. We had 24 white water rafters, and 33 at the
owl beach, as well as 33-1st time campers, yes 33! We went to Church in
Eganville also. The 2 girls cabins were full with 8 girls each+ 2
counsellors. The 2 boys cabin had 5 & 6 kids in them, cabin 1 was strictly
for families. We had kids playing badminton at 6am! Aside from the usual
team mascots, we also
had a 4ft "Taz" that was our "lost & found" mascot.
The weather was coolish but not rainy and the mosquitos were nothing to be
feared. Dan Sommerfeld
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The Team: Rebekka, Shannon, Pastor, Dan, Jan- Hendrik, Steffi,
Franzi, Andreas |
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Also at
the camp: Pastor Christoph Ernst from Ottawa with family, and Iris'
sister with kids from Attendorn |
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There are more photos on our
homepage:
www.martinluther.ca
!
Camp Lutherlyn from Sat Jul. 26th to Fri Aug.1st, 2008
(6 nights) [photos]
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WEDDING
Andrea Wienecke and John Anthony Schmidt
August 16, 2008
Strive
first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
