St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Steinbach

“This Changes Everything” Ephesians 2:8
July 2018

What is it that changes everything? Grace!  What is Grace?  It means getting what we don’t deserve.  What don’t we deserve?  Well it’s eternal life because we have this thing called sin.  And sin stains us, and sin gets in the way of having a full relationship with God. 
As Christians, and more specifically, God’s Grace is at the core of who you are.  As Ephesians 2:8 writes-“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.”   Grace is God’s free unmerited gift, and we do not have to do anything to earn it because Christ has done all the work on the cross, so that we can be free to choose this amazing gift at no cost to us.
How many of us know what Grace is?  I mean, we talk about it a lot, we speak of it, but do we really have an idea what it really is all about? How it changes our hearts, identities, perspectives, communities, perceptions, and in essence how Grace changes everything!   When I was at Luther Village for their grade 7-10 camp, a couple of weeks ago, the first question I posed to them was “What is Grace?” -Getting what we don’t deserve.  We spent the week focusing on how grace changes our hearts (The Road to Emmaus); how grace changes our identities (Saul’s conversion); how it changes our purpose (the Parable of the king and sheep and goats); how it changes our community (The Canaanite woman); and our perspective (The Parable of the Prodigal son). 

An average day at camp looked like this: We began with eating breakfast together, at 8:30am, than off to the chapel for a “Morning Mash up”a 30min Worship session, complete with a skit and intro to the theme of the day.  Following the mash up,  I had my first of two 90min sessions on the theme of the day.  In the evening, I did another 90min session and I ended the day with a five minute devotion at campfire. It is important to mention that each morning, and before bedtime the cabins had their own devotion time. So prayer, and God’s Word were a vital part of the week. 

Each lesson was interspersed with games, role playing, reflection and Bible time.  The last 15mins of our final session together Friday morning was spent answering questions about matters of faith.   I was blessed to have some good questions, like why God gave someone Depression?  How can God be everywhere?  Why did He act unjustly in some parts of the Bible (Noah and the Flood)?  Great questions eh?  I encouraged them to keep questioning matters of faith, and I encourage you to ask the questions.  Asking questions is a great way to learn more about our faith.  When you think about it, if Luther didn’t question his own faith, and the actions of the church, would there have been the beginnings of a Reformation?

When I wasn’t teaching, I either spent my time hanging out with the youth as they swam, or with the camp nurse and her family, as we discussed matters of faith.

Besides getting to know 33 amazing youth, and their four counsellors, there was many highlights of the week.  One was being able to join all of them on their Tuesday overnight canoe/tenting trip to Blueberry Bay. Now, Blueberry Bay is approximately five kilometres north east of Luther Village.  It was quite the adventure, as we had to not only take our own gear with us, but we had to pile all the food, tents, sleeping bags, firewood, and water (for the trip, as we purified water when we arrived).  It was quite the feat! Can you picture three people, their own clothes, and some camping supplies all piled into a canoe?  It was a sight to behold!  Thankfully, we were allotted two rest stops along the way for water and a homemade snack.

While at Blueberry Bay, we were swarmed by Ontario mosquitoes, deer and horseflies, and  during our evening session, I came to discover that there really comes a point when mosquito repellant doesn’t work anymore.  Our evening session was cut short because the mosquitoes were too oppressive.  The next morning we were greeted with a huge thunderstorm, and high winds, which just makes for an even better experience. Even though the storm pushed us back a couple of hours, the crew was still in high spirits.  For many of our youth, this was their first time canoeing and tenting, so it was really neat watching their excitement.  Our canoe trip back was a bit more challenging because we had head winds and white caps the whole way (3 hours paddling).  We relished our two breaks in the calm bays.  Although it was challenging, we all made it back to camp in one piece.

It was such a blessing spending the week getting to know the youth around our Synod, and spending time in God’s Word, and in his creation, as we explored how Grace, God’s Grace, changes everything.  Thank you for all your prayers!  And may you know His grace more and more each and everyday. 

Pictures from Luther Village

Pictures from Luther Village2

Stations of the Cross-walking the walk
February 14, 2018

During this season of Lent, many Christians take on various forms of spiritual disciplines.  Some resort to more devotional time, others it’s more prayers, and for others service to others, while others walk the Via Dolorosa-or way of sorrows, aka-The Stations of the Cross.  For centuries, Anglican churches have observed these Catholic stations of the cross, but within the last 50 years Lutherans, (Pastor Terry has done them), Presbyterians, and other Protestant have walked this path, using various forms and prayers.  The stations are a prayerful way to connect with our LORD’s final steps on earth, without having to take a costly trip to the Holy Land.

And really, when you think about it, Christians have always wanted to visit the Holy Land to walk in Christ’s steps—from the Garden of Gethsemane, through the high priest’s courtyard, by Pilate’s house, through Jerusalem, out to the hill of crucifixion (Calvary/ Golgotha), and to the tomb. Over time, A winding route, created by pilgrims formed, from the ruins of Antonia Fortress, held to be where Jesus stood before Pilate, then west to the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where well worn steps from the knees of millions of pilgrims make their way up to Calvary.  Over the years, the Via Dolorosa has seen alternative routes because of diverse opinions on the locations of Christ’s walk to the cross. Eventually stops developed, and in 1342, Franciscan monks were given protected custody of these holy sites, that still stand today.

No longer associated with the corrupt indulgences of the Middle Ages, walking the Stations of the Cross (stations), is increasingly embraced by Christians yearning to know God more deeply. As we prayerfully walk from station to station, we connect in a profoundly transformative way with the stages of Christ’s earthly journey.   At each station we are invited to listen to God’s Word, pause in prayer, and join our voices in song.  Through these fourteen pauses, we allow ourselves to enter into a profound spiritual experience, and the stations help us to develop empathy for others who walk with and beside us, as we go from situation to situation in our lives on our way to Heaven.

On Good Friday, we have been invited to join Christ our Savior Parish in walking the Stations of the Cross through the streets of Steinbach-beginning at their church and ending at ours.  For those who can’t make the pilgrimage, not to worry!   The fourteenth station, will be held in our parking lot.  We will make sure to finish our 10 am Good Friday service in time for you to get your jacket on and go outside to join our fellow Brothers and Sisters  for the final station.  Each station will be reenacted (still frames) to give us a more realistic feel.  It is a powerful journey, and I lovingly encourage you to join with us as we remember Jesus’ final steps on earth.

So, come and see, come and experience Christ’s love as we walk the Stations of the Cross.  And as my mom always said…”don’t knock it, until you’ve tried it.” You’ll be glad you did!

Blessings on a most Holy Lent
Rev’d Melissa+

August 16, 2017
Running the Race set before us, SPY Survivor Retreat, 2017

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2a)

Running the race, what a great theme for all of us this summer, especially with the Canada Games in full swing! Let us stop and reflect upon the sacrifices that each has to endure in order to achieve their goals. For some, their summers do not consist of sleeping in until 11:30am each day, instead it’s 5am practice. It is about training the body to be stronger, faster, better than anyone else. It is about being ready for the race. And for athletes who do double duty, like my friend, Heather Moyse, who used to train for Olympic bobsled and rugby during the same year, there is not much “time off” at all. Parents of athletes also know about the sacrifices. But it is the training, and the discipline, and correction that makes you stronger. But the journey of the athlete, like the journey of a Christian, is not always a smooth one. There are challenges, and set backs along the way. Your emotions are always high, and sometimes the challenges make you feel like you’re alone, and it takes all that you have to get back up again. But even in the midst of all of this, you have teammates and supporters who are there to cheer you on, no matter what.

St Paul uses this analogy because he was writing in a time where athletic competition (the Pan-Hellenic Games) were really popular. They knew that as an athlete it involves two things-the journey, and the goal. And both of these can be used as metaphors for our own Christian lives.
As Christians, we too are like athletes because daily we are training for the race of life. Our daily training involves being in the Word of God, in prayer, worshiping together, and than taking that message for the day out in our lives. It is as vital for us as Christians, as it is for athletes to train each day! For us, being in God’s Word helps us to be prepared for the competitions that life throws at us, at unexpected times. When we feast on His Word, we come to know Him more and more, and we will be able to face the challenges and temptations with Him guiding us. His Word is our armour to help us in the battles of life.
As Christians, we too are on a team, of Saints, a cloud of witnesses both in heaven and on earth. When we face the trials and tribulations of life, those competitions, we never do it alone, as we always have our teammates with us. This is why it is so important that we belong to a community of the faithful. We need to be here for one another, helping and encouraging one another onward in this race. And part of our preparation is that we make joining together in worship an important part of our journeys of faith, even in summer it is important that we pause and going in Worship. It is when we are gathered, that we are fed on God’s Grace and His Word.

With all of these things in mind, 15 youth, along with their leaders, spent July 31st-Aug 3rd running the Survivor race in beautiful Lake of the Woods. And in true Survivor fashion, they were divided into three teams and had to complete tasks based on strength, wit, and stamina. They built cardboard boats and raced them. They had to do an obstacle course relay race, which included running, jumping swimming, sliding, and crawling their way to the finish line. They had to find puzzle pieces in the sand, build the puzzle and figure out a riddle and locate coordinates on a map.
All of these challenges reminded them of how important it is to work together to conquer the tasks at hand. They even had to work together to prepare meals, and to keep the living quarters clean. The teams quickly learned how to use the different gifts God has given them to achieve the different tasks. They were encouraged, by their teammates, to overcome their fears so the tasks may be completed. It was amazing to see their grit and determination as they slugged their way through some of these difficult challenges. And yes, after day 1 they were feeling it! But as one youth said.. .“I don’t get sore, I get better”. Which incidentally became the motto for the week!
Besides the tasks, we gathered for an hour each day in God’s Word. Learning what it means to run the race; respecting God’s creation; being His light in the world; and talking about where we go from here.
It was such a blessing watching each of them grow in their faith, and in community. We had such a wonderful week, and we would like to thank Darlene for opening up her cabin for us to learn more about God, and one another. My prayer is that as we prepare to begin another year of youth, Thunder-Clay year, that they will carry with them the lessons they’ve learned from the retreat, not only for this year, but for years to come. For the youth are our present and they are our future. And remember, they too, are running the same race we are. So, let us run the race together, young and old, let us run together encouraging one another along, for we all have a place on God’s team. So let us run the race set before us, being His light, and bearers of His truth to this world.
May our Heavenly Father bless you as you enjoy the final weeks of summer.

October 28, 2016
Zacchaeus “The pure one” –“the Righteous one”

The story of Zacchaeus is too amazing a story to not share. As children, we sang songs about him, drew pictures of him in Sunday School and just saying his name, puts a smile on our faces. His story is one of the best known Biblical stories from the New Testament. It is such a human story, a short man climbing up a tree to see Jesus. You can just see it unfold in your mind, someone who would do anything to get a glimpse of the Saviour, of the One who was, who is, and who is to come.
Zacchaeus’ life was not easy, he was a very wealthy tax collector who spent his days going around taking money from Jewish citizens, and giving it to the Romans. There certainly was no “righteous” bone in his body. His ways led him to be an outcast amongst his people. What a lonely life he must have led.
But on this day, things were about to change for Zacchaeus. Jesus comes to town, and something stirred Zacchaeus to seek Him out, from a tree. He didn’t know what to expect, but the most amazing thing happened. Jesus stopped and looked up at him, and saw what was in his heart. “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus wasted no time, and was happy to welcome Jesus into his own home.
Zacchaeus could have stayed up in the tree, and ignored Jesus’ invitation. Plenty of times people do, why? Because it is much easier to go on with our own life, with our busy schedules, than it is to stop and welcome Jesus into our own lives. It takes risk to stop and allow Jesus into that part of us where our true self resides. But Zacchaeus took the chance and welcomed Jesus in. And it was his encounter with Jesus that changed the way Zacchaeus saw the world. Zacchaeus no longer took from others, but rather he gave.
The story of Zacchaeus is a powerful story of change-redemptive change! As we celebrate Reformation Sunday, may we look deep within ourselves and ask “what part of me, of my life, needs to be reformed?” May you have the courage to be transformed by the Grace and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. To really experience true freedom in Christ.
Rev Melissa+