Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Psalm 127:1 Dear members and honoured guests of Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church! We thank you for participating in the happy occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our congregation. From humble beginnings, with only a few people founding this church under the leadership of Pastor Karl Wulf in 1955, this church has first been a home to many German immigrants who arrived in Canada in the 1950s and 1960s. Then through the dedication and commitment of our members and the tireless work of Pastor Otto Winter and Pastor Eberhard Schwantes it has become a bilingual congregation with almost 500 members, many different circles and activities and with a Day Care for 72 children. We are part of the life of the community along the Lake Shore; and we are glad to have good relationships with other faith communities in the area and in the GTA. Martin Luther Church is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Protestant Church in Germany. Martin Luther (1483-1546), whose name we bear as a congregation, has once written: "Faith and love are the whole essence of a Christian person. Faith receives, love gives. Faith brings the people to God; love brings God to the people. Through faith he lets God be benevolent towards him, through faith he is benevolent towards people." If we were to make wish today, it should be that we strive forward with this awareness that our congregation will continue to be a place of faith and love. Stefan Wolf Pastor