God’s Word is the foundation for building congregations

President Robert Bugbee addresses students and faculty at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton.

EDMONTON — Delivering the Gospel to God’s people is an important privilege and requires proper preparation, says the president of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC).

Rev. Robert Bugbee told students and faculty of Edmonton’s Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) about his vision for LCC and about Christ’s commission to preach the Gospel to the world February 25.

The lecture was Bugbee’s first opportunity to address the seminary since his election in June 2008.

“I think all of the things that we chafe with at times – money shortages or conflicts between pastors and people, or conflicts among groups of people in the congregation or anemic outreach emphasis – all of these kinds of things ultimately are traceable to a neglect of the Word,” said Bugbee.

“So I think we need to try to build our congregational life in a way that will maximize immersion on the Word.”

Bugbee spoke of the high calling of the pastoral office, the privilege of being able to speak the Gospel to God’s people and to the world, and of the importance of proper preparation for the office of ministry.

He talked about the importance of the in-depth study of the Bible, of remaining in the Word devotionally, and of proclaiming the Word in a way which is both faithful to the text and applicable to the lives of God’s people.

He concluded his lecture with a description of the work LCC is doing on the world scene, as he noted the various mission projects in which LCC is engaged.

To watch President Bugbee’s lecture, go to http://tinyurl.com/presidentbugbee

Based on a report by Dr. Edward Kettner

Ukrainian introduces sushi and God’s Word

Youths prepare Japanese food during a recent event at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ont.

KITCHENER — God’s crazy about food. Just ask Ukrainian seminarian Oleg Schewtschenko.

The soon-to-be-ordained minister used sushi and other Japanese delicacies February 28 to show 35 youths how God uses food to reach his people.

The afternoon of fun, food and fellowship took place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ont. and kicked off with a devotion incorporating Old and New Testament passages.

Oleg described his presentation: “Through a myriad of Bible passages, ranging from the Old Testament account of heavenly manna to the New Testament story of the feeding of the 5,000, I showed how God uses food, over and over again throughout the scriptures, to come to His people.”

After the devotion, Schewtschenko called on professional chef Karen Stickel to help the youths prepare several Japanese dishes.

Drawing on seaweed, mango, avocado, crab and smoked salmon, the youths rolled up their own sushi rolls.

They then crimped dumplings bursting with beet and garlic.

Chop sticks in hand, everybody sat down to reap the benefits of their hard work – which were, of course, accompanied by green tea and pickled ginger.

“The event was a great way for young adults from all backgrounds to come together and meet new friends and try new things,” stated the submission. “And the delicious meal was just the icing on the cake, or should I say, the wasabi on the sushi.”

Schewtschenko recently completed his studies at St. Catharines’ Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary. He will be ordained March 28 by Robert Bugbee, president of Lutheran Church–Canada and will serve a congregation of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine.

First-hand report from Chile sparks request for donations

Damage from the February 27 earthquake. (International Red Cross Photo)

WINNIPEG — Lutheran Church–Canada has donated $10,000 to Chilean earthquake relief.

Rev. Robert Bugbee, LCC president, made the announcement this week, after receiving an e-mail from Rev. Carlos Schumann, president of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (ILCC).

Bugbee said the money will come from the church’s emergency-relief fund, and he called on members to help out.

“I would like to ask if you can help provide additional funding for the Chilean church,” said Bugbee. “I know we just came to you on behalf of Haiti so I find it difficult to ask again, but, having met Rev. Schumann in Korea last year, I know his passion for touching lives of his fellow Chileans with the great good news of the Gospel and I also know, from our own experience in both Nicaragua and Thailand, how God can use these tragedies.”

According to news reports, the February 27, 8.8-magnitude earthquake—which was 700 to 800 times stronger than the earthquake that hammered Haiti—has already claimed more than 300 lives. It has also affected more than two-million people.

Its epicenter was about 100 kilometres northwest of Chillan, Chile, a city in the country’s north.

President Schumann said some have decided to respond to the quake with violence, and now the government has enacted a 6 p.m. to noon curfew.

Nora Schumann and Carlos Schumann, president of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile, at the International Lutheran Council meeting in Korea, August 2009.

“There have been incredible sackings, robberies, assaults to aid vehicles, toll collections by delinquents, and deaths by violence,” he reported. “The citizens have armed themselves to defend their possessions.”

Despite the violence, the ILCC has developed a plan of action. He said the church will focus its efforts on smaller locations that have suffered proportionally more than larger cities and are often forgotten by TV cameras.

Closer to Santiago, Chile’s capital city, the church will contact former members and family members of current members and create a focal point for operations.

The church is also posting information and photos on its website, www.ielchi.cl.

“We are not a church with a great impact capacity,” said Schumann. “We do not have a great amount of members that can move ahead great tasks of reconstruction. We must focus on that in which we can achieve success, still considering the outside support both in human as well as material resources.”

Schumann said the church has received offers of support from Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, the United States and Canada.

Meantime, Bugbee reminded Lutherans in Canada to remember how God “has blessed our country, and in turn, how we can bless others.”

He said individuals can make donations by visiting www.lutheranchurch.ca/donate or send cheques marked Chile Relief to 3074 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2.

Haitian schools now using French-language hymnal

The new French-language hymnal.

HAITI – A hymnal is no longer just a hymnal for Haitian school children.

Some Lutheran schools in the Caribbean-nation are now incorporating Liturgies et cantique luthériens (LCL), Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC’s) new French-language hymnal, into their daily routines.

About 500 copies of the hymnal were sent to Haiti at the end of February.

Concordia Publishing House coordinated the shipment.

Lutheran schools hope to use the hymnal as a French-language textbook and to introduce hymns to children.

The hymnal will familiarize members with the mechanics of using a hymnal and with regular, structured worship.

LCL was published for the first time in November 2009.

Initially, LCC’s Comité  liturgique francophone proposed using 100 copies of the hymnal in a Haitian Lutheran school, which lacked textbooks and materials written in French.

However, the January 12 earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people, increased the need for school textbooks.

Lutherans in Togo are also using the hymnal to train church leaders for worship services that follow the church year.

LCC president calls for prayers after Chilean quake

Debris lies on the coast close to the epicentre of an earthquake that generated waves flooding many towns to the north and south, in Pelluhue. (ACT Alliance website)

WINNIPEG — The president of Lutheran Church-Canada is asking members to include citizens of Chile in their prayers after an earthquake struck the South American country February 27.

Rev. Robert Bugbee, LCC president, said he hopes to learn in the coming days how Canadians can direct their gifts to members of a small partner church, Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (CLCC).

“In the meantime, name these people and this land before God in your prayers, that the injured may be rescued, the grieving comforted, and those who give care strengthened for their work,” said Bugbee.

The magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck off the country’s northwest coast, and by Monday had already claimed more than 700 lives.

Some news agencies reported the earthquake affected nearly two-million people.

Rev. Carlos Schumann, CLCC president, said members of his church got through the earthquake without suffering any serious damage.

“Our houses, church and schools buildings didn’t suffer serious damages,” he said. “But it is still shaking and will be so for some days.”

Schumann said the church will spend the early part of this week planning spiritual and material help for those affected.

On February 28, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs reported that 5,000 Canadians live in Chile, and of those about 1,000 live in the affected area.