The Promise of Pentecost – Convention Opening Divine Service

EDMONTON – Approximately 450 people gathered for the Opening Divine Service of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) 12^th Regular Convention on the evening of Friday, June 10, 2022.

LCC President Timothy Teuscher served as presiding minister and preacher for the event, with his sermon focusing on Acts 2:37-47. LCC’s three Regional Pastors—Revs. Marvin Bublitz, Robert Mohns, and David Haberstock—served as liturgists and assisting ministers for the opening service. Additional assisting ministers included Revs. Russell Howard, Vincent Moore, Mark Hennig, Keith Hoveland, Alexandre Vieira, and Scott Lyons.

“What has happened to the fires of enthusiasm and conviction that once burned so brightly in the hearts of those who bear the name of Christ?” President Teuscher asked in his sermon. “What we need is to be aroused and fired with that same holy zeal and fervor which marked that first Pentecost.”

“What has happened to the fires of enthusiasm and conviction that once burned so brightly in the hearts of those who bear the name of Christ?” President Teuscher asked in his sermon. “What we need is to be aroused and fired with that same holy zeal and fervor which marked that first Pentecost.”

Thankfully, he said, Scripture says the promise of Pentecost is “for you and your children and for all who are far off.” That includes us today. But how do we receive that Pentecost life? It does not come, President Teuscher explained, through church programming or emotional manipulation or cajoling. “Rather, the answer to this most important question is found in the simple description of those early believers as recorded by St. Luke: ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’” In other words, they devoted themselves to the apostolic message of Jesus Christ crucified and risen; to worship in the Divine Service; to the Lord’s Supper; and to prayer together in word and song. The result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

“In this way and in this way alone, the Holy Spirit is poured out again and again in order to sustain people—yes, even you—in this one saving faith in Jesus Christ,” President Teuscher said, “to enable you to ‘stand firm in the faith.’”

The message to stand firm was also highlighted in the hymn of the day, “Here Stand We on the Word Alone”—a new hymn text by the LCC hymnwriter Rev. Kurt Reinhardt. Jennifer Maxfield served as organist for the service and Rev. Scott Brayall as trumpeter. The service also featured a pre-recorded virtual choir led by Rev. Paulo Brum. Sasha Sam served as crucifer, and the members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmonton assisted as altar guild and as ushers.