Announcements
Contact Us: admin@ericksonlutheranchurch.ca
Erickson Lutheran Church Facebook Page
Administrative Assistant - Sylvia Linda Kaktins 204-636-2259
Council Chair - Dolores Hall 204-636-2415
...A New Version
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus’ are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray:
“Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.”
“That is correct.”
“And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.”
“Very good...you have understood everything so far.”
“When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.”
“Precisely.”
“So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time was worse than at first.”
There was a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
“ You didn't know? It was then that we danced!”
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.
It’s not WHAT you have in your life, but WHOM you have in your life that counts.
Council News
Council met on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 via Zoom and phone. The 2021 Budget was prepared for presentation at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Sue & Jayme are working on iMovie to put together short video clips of song and music, readings by congregation members and sermon to send out or post on Facebook if we are unable to gather in-person.
Discussion on the possibility of rental of the parsonage. With Heather’s commitment to providing Pastoral services to ELC, the parsonage would not be used for a couple of years. If renters were in residence, insurance would be reduced. No pets, no smoking. We are asking congregation members if they know of someone reliable that would be interested in a long-term rental. Thank you to Cliff & Mary Nichols for accepting the appointment as Auditors.
Submitted by Benita Nylen
Living Our Faith
The ELCIC four-year emphasis on Living our Faith, invites us to pray, read, worship and love. In 2020 we were encouraged to pray, now in 2021 we are challenged to read. “Why should we read the Bible/study the Bible?” It is God's very words to us. How awesome to receive a letter from our best friend, God!
We receive assurance that God does not change. We find, biblical history, scientific and prophetic accuracy. The Bible is so important that Jesus said, “people do not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We even sing these words in ‘Seek Ye First’ The Bible gives us a measuring stick how to live our lives. The Bible equips us to serve God.(Ephesians 6:10-20 the whole armour of God) The word of God is alive (Hebrews 4:12)
What do Liturgical Colours Mean
Colours have been part of the liturgy since the beginning of the church.
Colours are one way the church connects to particular seasons.
The altar guild is responsible for changing the vestments on the pulpit, altar, lectern, and banners. The changing colours remind us that there is change happening in the church. The colour used in Advent is blue/violet; Christmas - white; Epiphany to the baptism of Jesus - white; the rest of Epiphany - green; Ash Wednesday and Lent - purple; Easter - white; Pentecost season - green. Special Sundays like Reformation and Pentecost the church is blazing in red.
In February we move to the season on Lent. The invitation to Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17. We begin our 40 day journey toward Easter. The readings from Mark’s gospel invites us to reflect on what it means to be in community with one another, with the world, with creation, and with God.
We remember the ‘pancake suppers’ and the midweek ‘soup and prayer’ events that took place in our community. We gives thanks for people connecting with our community staying in touch and offerings God's peace.
We are encouraged to engage with scripture reading
Ash Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Lent 1 Mark 1:9-15
Lent 2 Mark 8:31-38
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him and let all nations know! Praise Him for strengthening our faith, Praise God for His abundant grace!
