Message from the LHMSAS Director of Pastoral Care
Greetings to our LHM-SAS Family,
In John 5:17, our Lord Jesus said: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” I believe this oft-skimmed-over verse has the power to be a tremendous blessing, comfort, and encouragement for all of us and all who our ministry reaches.
Patients who have been in the hospital for an extended time often wonder where God is and what God is doing. We may not know all his plans, but we do know that “my Father is always at his work” and that Jesus too is working.
Residents in care facilities often struggle with many things, including the thought of “why am I still here?” Again, we may not know all God’s purposes, but we can comfort them with this knowledge: “your Father is always working and so is your Saviour! God is working in you and for you even right now.”
And for our visitors, discouraged by the trials with the Hospitals and list availability, let us pray, pray and pray again that God would open the doors for us. But let us also remind ourselves that our God is always working. It may seem as if nothing is happening, but God’s work never ceases.
If you would like to join us in the work God is doing through us, please contact me (Pastor Mark) at mrekken@princeofpeace.ca.
May God be with us. Amen.
– Rev. Mark Rekken
I have the desire
“I still have a heart’s desire for visiting patients and being able to minister to them, through our Lord. I recognize it is the Lord’s work, not mine. I can only be his hands and feet, yet I come away feeling privileged to be there.
If anyone is considering doing hospital visiting and if they have a heart to do it; I would encourage them to proceed in their gifting. I believe it is the Lord who gives the desire to do it.
One of my best memories while visiting is when I visited a man who had been hospitalized for several months. I visited him several consecutive weeks. He had not attended church for over 50 years and he had several questions to ask about the Lutheran faith, which lead to a lot of good discussion and prayer. About the sixth time I visited him, he had decided to commit to attending church again and had already started the process of finding a Lutheran church in his area of Calgary and was looking into transportation arrangements as he had no vehicle. He was enthused about attending church again and having Christian fellowship.”
From D.
Interested in being a trained LHMSAS Visitor?
Please contact Rev. Mark Rekken call (587) 228-2597, or email mrekken@princeofpeace.ca