St. Paul's Lutheran

Divine Worship
2023-07-23 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 11
(23 July 2023)

Isaiah 44:6–8
Romans 8:18–27
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

The Word of the Gospel Bestows the Righteousness of Christ and Brings Forth Faith

The good Seed, which is “the Son of Man,” Jesus Himself (Matt. 13:37), brings forth a harvest of faith and bears good fruits in “the sons of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:38). Whatever is sown apart from His Word is of the devil, who plants the weeds of unbelief and sin, even among the people of God. Thankfully, the Lord is patient and He does not uproot the weeds, lest the plants also be destroyed. He lets “both grow together until the harvest” (Matt. 13:30), while He continues to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. Thus, He preserves His Church in righteousness, because He alone is “the King of Israel and his Redeemer” (Is. 44:6). Since all things are in His gracious care and keeping, “fear not, nor be afraid” (Is. 44:8). For “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19), and in this hope we also wait with patience. Though we do not yet see it, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Rom. 8:26) and, in truth, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-07-30 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 12
(30 July 2023)

Deuteronomy 7:6–9
Romans 8:28–39
Matthew 13:44–52

The Son of God Has Redeemed Us for Himself with His Holy and Precious Blood

The Lord our God has chosen us to be “his treasured possession,” not because of any strength in us, but solely “because the LORD loves” us (Deut. 7:6–8). He is faithful, and He “keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut. 7:9). He has searched for us and found us in love, and He has bestowed on us “great value” by the great price that He has paid on the cross (Matt. 13:45–46). In His joy, He has redeemed us by His cross and gathered us into His kingdom by the Gospel. Now we are “hidden in a field,” covered by the cross and subject to the persecution of the world (Matt. 13:44), not for destruction, but “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Since we “are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28), and because Christ Jesus died, rose again and lives to intercede for us “at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:34), there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-08-06 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 13
(6 August 2023)

Isaiah 55:1–5
Romans 9:1–5 (6–13)
Matthew 14:13–21

Christ Jesus, the Living Bread from Heaven, Feeds the Children of God

By the Gospel of “the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever” (Rom. 9:5), we are “the children of God” (Rom. 9:8), “not because of works but because of him who calls” (Rom. 9:11). Therefore, “listen diligently” and “hear, that your soul may live.” By His sacrificial death in His flesh and blood, He has made “an everlasting covenant” for us. Since He now calls us to Himself, we come to Him “and eat what is good, and delight … in rich food” (Is. 55:2–3). He has come with divine compassion to save us from sin and death and to feed us with Himself. As our Lord Jesus once took bread, “said a blessing,” broke the loaves, “and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds” (Matt. 14:18–19), He also now takes bread, blesses it by His Word to be His very body, and distributes it to His Church by the hand of His called and ordained servants. Just as “they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces,” there is more than enough for His whole Church to eat and to be satisfied (Matt. 14:20).
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-08-13 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 14
(13 August 2023)

Job 38:4–18
Romans 10:5–17
Matthew 14:22–33

Christ the Crucified Comes to Save Us by the Word of Faith

The Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4) is the Author and Giver of life who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the springs of the sea” and “walked in the recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16), and He draws near to us in mercy. We have been “a long way from the land, beaten by the waves” and tossed about by hostile winds (Matt. 14:24). In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us, “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matt. 14:27, 31). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13), and now we call upon Him in faith, because we have heard “through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8).
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-08-20 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 15
(20 August 2023)

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8
Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32
Matthew 15:21–28

The Church Lives Under the Cross of Christ and Prays in the Hope of His Mercy

By her persistent prayer that Jesus would have mercy and help her (Matt. 15:22, 24), and even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection (Matt. 15:23–26), the Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Him (Matt. 15:27–28). Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel, even in the face of the Law that accuses and condemns us. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for the very purpose “that he may have mercy on all” (Rom. 11:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed, but her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His table, but He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father (Matt. 15:26–27). He has brought us to His “holy mountain,” and He makes us joyful in His house, where He hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross (Is. 56:7).
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-08-27 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 16
(27 August 2023)

Isaiah 51:1–6
Romans 11:33—12:8
Matthew 16:13–20

The Lord Jesus Christ Is the Son of the Living God

Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to us: Who do you say that He is? Flesh and blood do not reveal this to us, but by the ministry of the Gospel, the Father in heaven reveals His Son to us on earth, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus, we believe and confess that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, He looses us from all our sins and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). His salvation is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He comforts us with the Gospel in His Church, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we also offer ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Divine Worship
2023-09-03 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Loaves and Fishes
2023-09-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-26 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.

Elder's Meeting
2023-09-05 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.

Bible Study - Sundays
2023-09-10 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-09-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-09-24 09:00 - 10:00 | 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 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.

Divine Worship
2023-09-10 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 18
(10 September 2023)

Ezekiel 33:7–9
Romans 13:1–10
Matthew 18:1–20

Living as Humble Little Children of the Father

True greatness is not self-sufficient strength, but humility like that of a little child. The greatness of childlike faith receives all good things as gracious gifts from our Father in heaven. Apart from such faith, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” but whoever is humbled like a little child will be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3–4). Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God. The Lord sends His watchman to warn us with a word from His mouth, in order that we may not die in our iniquity but be turned from our pride and selfishness to live (Ezek. 33:7–9). Thus, we live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). In the reverent fear of God, we do no harm to our neighbor, but we “pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7) and we “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Rom. 13:8).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Bible Study - Mondays
2023-09-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-25 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.

Clay Tree Society Outreach
2023-09-13 09:15 - 10:30, 2023-09-20 09:15 - 10:30, 2023-09-27 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.

Bible Study - Wednesdays
2023-09-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Online

Malaspina Gardens Worship Service
2023-09-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Malaspina Gardens, 388 Machleary Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 2G9, Canada
Once a month Pastor Fraser and volunteers share a Worship service for members of the Malaspina Care Residence 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.

Board Meeting
2023-09-14 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.

Divine Worship
2023-09-17 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 19
(17 September 2023)

Genesis 50:15–21
Romans 14:1–12
Matthew 18:21–35

Forgiving as the Lord Forgives Us

In settling His accounts with us, our Lord acts not with anger, but with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve, but He forgives all our debts and releases us (Matt. 18:23–27). Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant” and “forgive your brother from your heart” (Matt. 18:33, 35). By the Lord’s forgiveness of our sins, we are free to forgive those who sin against us, because He has been handed over to the jailers in our stead and He has paid our entire debt with His lifeblood. Whether we live or die, we “are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). Since we all will “stand before the judgment seat of God,” we are not to despise our brother (Rom. 14:10), but gladly forgive him. By the grace of God, our brother also “will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4). Though we daily sin against each other, the Lord intends “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Gen. 50:20). Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship

Kiwanis Care Centre Worship Service
2023-09-17 14:00 - 15:00 | 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.

Worship Committee
2023-09-18 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
2023-09-24 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3X1, Canada
Worship Service at 10:30am

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Proper 20
(24 September 2023)

Isaiah 55:6–9
Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30
Matthew 20:1–16

Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ

Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matt. 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy, He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Is. 55:6), “have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Phil. 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

Coffee Service: Refreshments served after Worship
