St. Paul's Lutheran

Kiwanis Care Centre Worship Service
2023-12-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Kiwanis Care Centre, 1233 Kiwanis Crescent, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9S 5Y1
Once a month Pastor Fraser and volunteers share a Worship service for members of the Kiwanis Care Centre in Nanaimo. If you would like to help with singing, please come and join Pastor Fraser at the care home as singing voices are always welcome.

Divine Worship
2023-12-17 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(17 December 2023)

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
John 1:6–8, 19–28

The Coming of the Christ Brings True Rejoicing in His Forgiveness

When he preaches repentance, John the Baptist points us to Christ Jesus. John was sent by God “as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:7). He baptizes with water in order to “make straight the way of the Lord,” who shall redeem His people from their sins (John 1:23). That Lord Jesus “who comes after” John now stands among us and makes Himself known to us (John 1:26–27). He has been anointed by the Holy Spirit “to bring good news to the poor” and “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Is. 61:1). By the washing of the water with His Word and Spirit, He clothes His Church with “the garments of salvation” and adorns her with His own righteousness “as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is. 61:10). Therefore, we “rejoice always” in the Lord, “pray without ceasing” and “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16–18). For “the God of peace,” who has called you by the Gospel, will surely “sanctify you completely,” so that “your whole spirit and soul and body” will “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23–24)

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Board Meeting
2023-12-14 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Elected members of the board meet for the monthly board meeting.

Advent Wednesday Evening Worship Service
2023-12-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-12-06 19:00 - 20:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Join us for evening Worship services during the season of Advent. During this we prepare with excitement for the coming of the Savior who was promised through the words of Isaiah:
Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the House of David — “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone. It is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and His free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the House of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary” (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” to be “the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10–14)

The theme of the mid-week Worship services is, “The cloth of the King, the Robe of Righteousness”.

Loaves and Fishes
2023-12-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-12-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Loaves and Fishes is a Nanaimo area food bank that provides food for those in need. Food pick and registration is by appointment only. Please check the information below for additional details. Food pick up is between 11am and 12pm.

Divine Worship
2023-12-10 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(10 December 2023)

Isaiah 40:1–11
2 Peter 3:8–14
Mark 1:1–8

You Are Prepared through Repentance for the Coming of the Lord

“The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1) begins when John the Baptist appears and comes “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). As the prophet Isaiah had written, John is the messenger of the Lord, sent before His face to prepare His way. To this day, the ministry of the forerunner continues in the preaching of the Law and the Gospel and in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. By these ways and means, “the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Is. 40:5), and the Good Shepherd “will gather the lambs in his arms” (Is. 40:11). He speaks “tenderly to Jerusalem,” and He comforts His people by pardoning their iniquity (Is. 40:1–2). What is more, He promises “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Repent, therefore, and humble yourself as you wait for His coming in peace (2 Peter 3:14), because He “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Clay Tree Society Outreach
2023-12-06 09:15 - 10:30, 2023-11-29 09:15 - 10:30, 2023-11-22 09:15 - 10:30, 2023-11-15 09:15 - 10:30 | Clay Tree Society, 838 Old Victoria Rd, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Clay Tree outreach delivers the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people with Developmental Disabilities. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the message of salvation, and visit with people with disabilities. Please contact Pastor Fraser at the church if you would like to assist with this Christian outreach.

Elder's Meeting
2023-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
The elders of St, Paul’s Lutheran Church gather together with the Pastor to discuss the spiritual needs of the congregation.

Divine Worship
2023-12-03 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(3 December 2023)

Isaiah 64:1–9
1 Corinthians 1:3–9
Mark 11:1–10 or Mark 13:24–37

The Lord Jesus Comes in Meekness and Humility to Save Us

Although we pray that God “would rend the heavens and come down” (Is. 64:1), that He would take vengeance against our enemies, we ourselves “have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Is. 64:6). We have continued in our sins for “a long time, and shall we be saved?” (Is. 64:5). Yet, the Lord does not punish us in anger. He comes in voluntary meekness and humility to save us by His grace. Just as He once came into Jerusalem to sacrifice Himself for us upon the cross (Mark 11:4–8), He still comes to His Church with the fruits of His Passion. By His ministry of the Gospel, we are “enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge,” and so He will “sustain you to the end” (1 Cor. 1:5, 8). Although “heaven and earth will pass away,” His words “will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). As He sends disciples to call us to Himself in the fellowship of His Church, so will He “send out the angels” to gather us and all of His elect “from the ends of the earth” to Himself in heaven forever (Mark 13:27)

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Bible Study - Wednesdays
2023-11-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Bible Study continues with a study on the Book of Hebrews. Listen and learn about the early church and the sharing of the Gospel message by the disciples and Paul, as the spread God’s Word throughout the Roman Empire.

Bible study is held at three different times throughout the week. These are three separate groups studying the book of Acts, so there are different times available to study to fit your schedule
Bible study is held at the following times:

Sunday at 9am before church

Monday at 10am at the church

Wednesday at 7pm – this is an online study held via Zoom.

Contact Pastor Fraser at stpaulslutheran.nanaimo@gmail.com for information.

Bible Study will run till the end of June, before it breaks off for the summer months.

Bible Study - Mondays
2023-11-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-11-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-11-13 10:00 - 11:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Bible Study continues with a study on the Book of Hebrews. Listen and learn about the early church and the sharing of the Gospel message by the disciples and Paul, as the spread God’s Word throughout the Roman Empire.

Bible study is held at two different times throughout the week. These are two separate groups studying together, so there are different times available to study to fit your schedule
Bible study is held at the following times:

Sunday at 9am before church

Monday at 10am at the church

Contact Pastor Fraser at stpaulslutheran.nanaimo@gmail.com for information.

Bible Study will run till the end of June, before it breaks off for the summer months.

Divine Worship
2023-11-26 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR
Proper 29
(26 November 2023)

Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24
1 Corinthians 15:20–28
Matthew 25:31–46

By the Cross of Christ, We Enter the Kingdom of Our God and Father

When the crucified and risen Lord Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead, “he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:32). “To those on his right,” who have been crucified and raised with Him through repentance and faith in His Gospel, He will grant the blessed kingdom of His Father (Matt. 25:34). Having been justified by His grace, they live unto righteousness in Him (Matt. 25:35–40). But “those on his left,” who trust in themselves and despise their neighbor, will depart “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Until that day, the Lord searches for His sheep “as a shepherd seeks out his flock” (Ezek. 34:11–12). Through His preaching of repentance, He disciplines the proud sheep and goats, “the fat and the strong,” but through the preaching of forgiveness He rescues the lost, binds up the injured, strengthens the weak and feeds “the lean sheep” (Ezek. 34:16, 20). In this way, He destroys the power of death in the children of Adam by His cross, so that “in Christ shall all be made alive” by His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20–26).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Bible Study - Sundays
2023-11-26 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-11-19 09:00 - 10:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada

LWML meeting
2023-11-23 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League holds its monthly meeting. For more information about the LWML contact Pastor or Joanne at the church.

Worship Committee
2023-11-20 11:45 - 13:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
The worship committee gathers to plan music for the worship services.

Divine Worship
2023-11-19 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 28
(19 November 2023)

Zephaniah 1:7–16
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Matthew 25:14–30

God’s Gift of Forgiveness Engenders Our Forgiveness of Others

The Day of the Lord is “near and hastening fast,” and it will be “a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation” (Zeph. 1:14, 15). The Lord will search out and punish “the men who are complacent” concerning His Word, “who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud” (Zeph. 1:9, 12). Then all their works and efforts will be for nothing: “Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them” (Zeph. 1:13). But those who fear, love and trust in the Lord are “good and faithful” stewards of His property (Matt. 25:21). They live by faith in His free gift of forgiveness, and they multiply His goods in the loving forgiveness of their neighbor, and “the master of those servants” settles His accounts with them by the gracious reckoning of His Gospel (Matt. 25:19). Likewise, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9). Therefore, let us also “put on the breastplate of faith and love” in our dealings with one another (1 Thess. 5:8).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship
