Convention Worship

Photographed by Thomas Winger

WINNIPEG – Throughout Lutheran Church–Canada’s 13^th Synodical Convention, participants took time for prayer and worship, beginning with the opening Divine Service on Friday, June 12.

Saturday began with a Service of Prayer and Preaching. Rev. Marvin Bublitz, LCC’s East Regional Pastor, served as preacher, and Rev. Andrew McDonald (Lord of Life/Shepherd of the Valley, Kamloops/Salmon Arm, BC) and counsellor of the Okanagan Circuit served as liturgist. In his sermon, Rev. Bublitz expounded upon the Scripture reading from 2 John 1-12.

Rev. Bublitz used the image of a three-legged race to illustrate how walking together requires having a shared direction, with each member caring about the other’s needs. In the same way, a synod “doesn’t work if each one sets out in their own direction,” he said. He implored the assembly to walk together in the truth. For “this is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 1:6).

Photographed by Thomas Winger

Photographed by Thomas Winger

Noon Daily Prayer was led by convention chaplain, Rev. Cameron Schnarr (Beautiful Savior, Winnipeg). Capt. Rev. Sye Van Maanen (Riverbend, Edmonton), a Chaplain of the Reserve Forces, led Responsive Prayer 2 in the afternoon. Saturday evening saw Rev. Schnarr lead Compline to mark the close of the day.

Sunday morning opened with Matins, with Rev. Robert Mohns, LCC’s West Regional Pastor, leading the service and Rev. Kurt Lantz (Resurrection, St. Catharines, ON) serving as liturgist. During his sermon Rev. Mohns spoke of the faithfulness of Christ to His church despite our own unfaithfulness, and how Christ has “prepared a banquet for us” as spoken of in the Gospel reading from Luke 14. He also encouraged those gathered to not grow weary in doing good.

Following the sermon, a choir made of members of Shalom Oromo Lutheran Church sang a song entitled “Uumaman dura kan ture”.

Noonday prayer was led by Rev. Schnarr. Sunday afternoon also featured a short service to commemorate the 33 LCC pastors and 4 deacons who entered into glory over the past four years. The service was led by Rev. Barry Wood (St. Matthew’s/Grace, Roblin, MB/Zorra, SK).

Photographed by Sura Tulu

Monday morning’s service of prayer and preaching was led by Central Regional Pastor (and LCC President Elect) David Haberstock, with Rev. Vishal Paul serving as liturgist. During the sermon, which was based on the reading from 3 John, Rev. Haberstock spoke of how love in Christian life is a blessing Christ works in our hearts, how our confession unites us across countries and borders, and how this unity flows forwards into hospitality for each other.

Following the final business session, responsive prayer was led by Rev. Cameron Schnarr. The final service closed with those gathered singing “Christ the Eternal Lord” together.

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