Bits and Pieces – 59th Edition – April 18, 2021

The Free Presbyterian mission in Liberia is making great strides under the able leadership of Rev. Dave DiCanio and Miss Joanne Greer.  As well as the regular mission work, Dave has inaugurated a radio ministry by building a radio station complete with 150ft. tower.  There has been considerable local interest as Dave heads up the ministry and technical end.

Now they are planning to add a Christian school to their ministry, the culmination of Joanne’s dreams.  In Liberia, her primary focus has been on the children, and a Christian school is the logical extension of that.

Dave and Joanne presented a comprehensive proposal to the Mission Board in September 2020 to launch a 5-year pilot program with a start date of September 2021(DV).

The Mission Board approved the proposal and is asking for prayer for this new venture, and also for help with building rental, initial classroom and office setup costs, which are estimated to be about $40,000.  So that work can get underway efficiently donations should be directed to the Toronto church by the end of May.  Tax receipts will be available.

I spent an hour in the bank with my Dad, as he had to transfer some money. I couldn’t help but ask him, “Why don’t you activate your internet account?”  “Why would I do that,” he asked. “Well, you won’t have to spend an hour on things like transfer.  You can also do your shopping online.  Everything will be so easy.” “If I do that I won’t have to step out of the house,” he said.

“Yes, yes,” I said excited to introduce him to the world of Net banking.  I told him how even groceries can be delivered right to his door.  His answer left me tongue-tied.

He said, “Since I entered the bank today I have met four of my friends.  I have spent a while with the staff that knows me very well by now.  You know that I live alone, and this is the company I need.  I like to get ready and come to the bank.  I have time.  It is the physical contact I need. Technology isn’t life. Spend time with people, not devices. [Author Unknown].

Friday past was the 500^th anniversary of the Diet of Worms.  Its strange title may sound to our ears like a gastronomic delight for our feathered friends, but a Diet was a major formal deliberative assembly of the Holy Roman Empire called to deal with all kinds of political and religious issues.  It was held in the Imperial Free City of Worms (in Germany) from 28 January to May 25, 1521.  It was to this Diet that Martin Luther was summoned on April 16 to either renounce or reaffirm what Pope Leo V called “heresy.”

Famed historian Merle D’Aubigne described the august assembly before Germany’s greatest son was arraigned. “Never had man appeared before so imposing an assembly.  The Emperor Charles V, whose sovereignty extended over great parts of the old and new world; his brother the Archduke Ferdinand: six electors, most of whose descendants now wear the kingly crown; twenty-four dukes………eight margraves (governor of a border province); thirty archbishops, bishops and abbots; seven ambassadors….in all, two hundred and four  persons; such was the imposing court before which appeared Martin Luther.”

The Diet of Worms would have been forgotten that year had it not been for the courageous stand of Luther.  He was given safe passage to the Diet but was kidnapped by friends on the way home.  He was hidden in Wartburg castle, and while there translated the New Testament into the language of the German people, one of his greatest achievements.

Challenged by the Chancellor of Trier, in Worms, “Unless….I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture, or on plain and clear grounds of reason, so that conscience shall bind me to make acknowledgement of error, I can and will not retract,  for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything contrary to conscience.  Here I stand.  I can do no other.  May go help me.  Amen”

After three lovely Sundays meeting in the Lord’s house after lockdown, Ontario has shut down again.  We are confined to our homes and only allowed out for works of necessity. The church may still open but to a maximum of ten people.  The services will continue to go out on Sermonaudio. The prayer meetings will continue on Zoom.