Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated its 100^th anniversary on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was the guest preacher.

First, Kingsville, ON

On Sunday, November 7, 2021, Our Saviour celebrated its 75^th anniversary.

Pictured are (L to R): Cherie Janovicek, banner bearer; Rev. Dr. Roger Ellis, Sarnia; Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to Bishop Hardy, preacher; Rev. Paul Pollex, Vacancy Pastor, Chatham; Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee, First, Windsor; and Cherie’s grandson Robert Janovicek, cross bearer

As part of our English District regional church workers’ gatherings, every worker received a Ministerial Health Commission (MHC) fridge magnet with the strong encouragement to place on their family’s fridge when they arrived home. The reason? Because our MHC is here to care not only for the church worker but for their whole family. The magnet is a small way to let the whole family know there is care and support a web site or a phone call away. "Standing with Church Workers and Their Families for Their Strengthening”, the members of the commission are “Caring & Hopeful, Serving & Committed, Committed to Integrity & Trustworthiness.” We are thankful to the church worker who sent us this picture.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:7, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Veterans are owed both respect and honor. In recent years, our nation has become more acutely aware of our veterans’ needs with the Wounded Warrior Project, treatment of PTSD and the catch phrase, “Got your six.” In the military, “got your six” means “I’ve got your back.” The saying originated with World War I fighter pilots referencing the rear of an airplane as the six o’clock position. If you picture yourself at the center of a clock face, the area directly in front of you is twelve o’clock. Six o’clock is what lies behind you. On a battlefield, your “six” is the “most vulnerable.” So, when someone tells you that they’ve “got your six,” it means they’re watching your back. (Taken from www.wehaveyoursix.org) By extension, that person expects you to have their back as well.

In this month of November, there may be no greater respect and honor given to our veterans than for our entire nation to have our veterans’ backs along with each other’s back. Veterans need our love and care. Thanks be to God we can reveal to them - and our nation - the One who always has our backs with His unfailing care and everlasting providence. The gift of the Gospel is the greatest assurance that one’s back is covered now and for eternity. Read more as this article explores the ways we can have veterans’ and each other’s backs by sharing the Gospel truth about God, our Rock, Refuge and Mighty Fortress.