Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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“But they that wait upon (hope in) the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
When we first moved to Montreal in 1998, I was on my way to Chateauguay to look at some properties (houses). As I approached the Mercier bridge I noticed all vehicles had come to a complete stop with police officers all over the bridge. I noticed an elderly woman wailing … “Please help my son… please help my son.”
To my horror, I learned that a young man had just jumped over the bridge to his death. Every muscle in my body went numb as I drove across the bridge to Chateauguay. I pulled into the Zeller’s parking lot still shaking. The event shook me and I wondered what must have caused this young man to take his life.
As I considered what had just happened it dawned on me that, there are no simple explanations or answers to such tragic events. I thought maybe the young man saw no hope in his situation and ending it all was his only solution. I also realized that for many people hope is not real, it is something that is unattainable.
Edward Mote (1797-1874) wrote a hymn and the first verse sums up hope for those whose faith is in God, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name."
At this junction in the life of our parish, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, we are at a cross road experiencing a significant drop in worship attendance and financial uncertainties. Some look at our situation as hopeless and wonder how far can we go on, and others look at it as an opportunity to pray, to trust and surrender all to God. I believe God is in control of his Church. This is my personal belief. You see, my friends, it all depends on our perspective of who God really is. Either we see the cup is half full or half empty. I believe God has given us the gift of hope.
When we have hope, we go through the trials of life knowing that they are only temporary, and that we will spend eternity in rest and peace in the Light of God's Love.
Jesus said: "The thief (hopelessness) comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
You see, someone who is hopeless and alone usually cannot help themselves out of their situations. They have a great sense of loss and helplessness. Our case is different for we have the Word, the Bread and the Wine … we have hope. Best of all we have each other because God believes in us.
A new year is upon us and no one knows what is in store for us, but one thing I do know and that is God is still in control no matter what. One definition for hope is: To look forward to with confidence or expectation. This is my pledge for the days, months and years to come for "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name." "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,"
I leave you with this thought: Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men and women who kept on working.
Josh Hartnett says: “Hope is the most exciting thing in life and if you honestly believe that love is out there, it will come. And even if it doesn't come straight away there is still that chance all through your life that it will.”
We must expect our miracle. Somewhere in the midst of asking, believing, hoping, and expecting God to answer, we will find what we are looking for. We do not need to be disappointed and feel alone. Hope Is Real, just try it. We can have hope! God's love in our hearts will ignite the flames of hope we have buried deep inside our hearts. God's Word can encourage us as we read it with great anticipation and faith.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
(Romans 15:13)
Your friend and pastor,
Samuel King-Kabu.
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| Inger and Pr. Niels Ebbe Huus |
IN MEMORIAM: Inger Huus, wife of Pastor Niels Ebbe Huus, passed away on December 8, 2010 in Denmark. Some of you will remember Pr. Huus, the Danish pastor who was stationed at Grimsby Church in Ontario from October 6, 2003 to New Year 2005, when they finally retired. They have visited St. Ansgar’s on two occasions and he conducted the Danish Christmas service here once during the time they were in Canada. Pastor Huus and Inger were married in 1996. It was his third marriage. Inger was known for her superb cooking – especially her frikadeller. She was also known for her radiant smile.
Niels Ebbe Huus invited Derek Yaple-Schobert to give a piano recital at Grimsby Church in 2004. They moved back to Europe, to the Danish/German border town of Flensborg in the Slesvig Holstein region and in November 2005 they arranged for Derek to come to perform and to give a talk to the students there, subsequent to a recital at the Odense Musikforening, which both Inger and Niels Ebbe attended. In Nov. 2007, Niels Ebbe Huus was instrumental in arranging an official recital for Derek at the Flensborghus-Sydslesvigsk Forening SSF, as well as a return recital at Duborg Skole (where the language of instruction is Danish) in Flensborg. Derek is continually grateful for his efforts in promoting him.Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2011/09/09
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal