For Sunday 1st January 2012

Just a very quick note that service will be at 5pm this Sunday, 1st January.

We pray you have had a happy and blessed Christmas and look forward to being together this Sunday to give thanks for the year that has been and to begin the new year with God's blessing.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Christmas Day - Sunday 25th December 11am

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

This Sunday we join with Joseph and Mary, the angels and the Shepherds, and saints of all times and places as we rejoice in God's gift of a Saviour to the world. Born in lowly circumstances, without pomp and ceremony, God took on our flesh to bring forgiveness and life and salvation to all who look to Him in faith.

Give thanks with us as we sing His praise in English and Swahili.

Service begins at 11.00am.

A blessed Christmas to you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 23rd October - 11am

This week we will begin worship at 11am and the service will be followed by the half yearly meeting of the congregation. There's a strong emphasis in the readings this week around the call to be holy as God is holy and the link between holiness and loving God and neighbour. Lots to think about and much to do if we take our Lord seriously.

When questioned about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Thankfully our holiness is not dependent on perfectly keeping these two great commandments. Rather it is a gift from the One who continues to love God the Father and neighbour perfectly on our behalf.

Here are the readings:

Leviticus 19:1,2,15-18 Be holy as the Lord is holy

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Paul does not speak to please people

Matthew 22:34-46 The great commandment

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

St Paul's Lutheran Choir

Here's a little taste of our service last Sunday - the choir welcomed President Greg and members of DCC with this beautiful Swahili song of welcome. After a wonderful time together in worship we then enjoyed an amazing African feast!

Please consider giving to this urgent need. I was in these camps last year and I can tell you that if the camps are a better option than staying at home, these dear people must have been through unimaginable hardships. www.alws.org.au

July service times

3rd July - Service with Holy Communion, 8.30am

Genesis 24:34-38,42-49,58-67 Abraham's servant finds a wife for Isaac

Romans 7:15-25a The struggle of the sinner-saint

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Jesus reveals the Father, and the weary find rest in him

10th July - Service with Holy Communion, 11am followed by lunch

Guest preacher - Pastor Graham Zweck

Isaiah 55:10-13 God's word will succeed

Romans 8:1-11 You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 The parable of the sower

17th July - Service of the Word, 8.30am

Genesis 28:10-19a Jacob dreams of a ladder from heaven to earth

Romans 8:12-25 Our future glory is beyond compare

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The parable of the weeds

24th July - Service with Holy Communion, 11am

Guest preacher - Pastor Graham Zweck

1 Kings 3:5-12 Solomon's prayer for wisdom

Romans 8:26-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 Parables of the kingdom

31st July - Service of the Word, 11am

He is risen!

We have had a huge, but amazing weekend. One of the highlights was our youth leading a 'Living Stations of the Cross' on Good Friday - we have an incredible bunch of young people who blessed us with a very moving reflection on the passion of our Lord.

Here's a couple of photos:

Our Easter Sunday celebration of the resurrection saw 8 baptisms and 11 adult confirmations, with about 140 attending worship on the day. It was chaotic to say the least, but what a joyful occasion. Photos are coming!

In between Good Friday and Easter Sunday I was privileged to preside at the blessing of the marriage of one of our Burundian couples - what an experience! Here's a photo of the groom showing the world he is committing himself to his dear bride with the giving of the ring.

As exhausted as we all are today, it's been the greatest joy to be part of such an amazing series of celebrations.

He is risen! Kristu amemefufuka!

Pastor Matt

Service times for Holy Week

Service times for Holy Week are as follows:

Maundy Thursday: Service with Holy Communion and stripping of the altar; 8pm

Good Friday: Living Stations of the Cross led by GM Lutheran Youth; 10am

Easter Sunday: A celebration of the resurrection with Holy Communion.; 11am

During the service on Easter Sunday we will also celebrate the resurrection of 8 little ones through holy baptism, and the confirmation of 11 adults who have been undergoing instruction through Luther's Small Catechism.

Every blessing as you prepare to remember and celebrate all that our Lord Jesus has done for you, Pastor Matt

For Sunday 10th May - 11am

This Sunday worship begins at 11am, with our monthly shared lunch to follow. We'll be hearing perhaps the most well known passage from the prophet Ezekiel - the valley of the dry bones - and thinking about God continues to breath life into our sin dead bodies through the forgiveness of our sins.

The other readings are included below for your preparation.

FIRST READING Ezekiel 37:1-14 Vision of the valley of dry bones
SECOND READING Romans 8:6-11 The Spirit of God lives in you
GOSPEL John 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus- Jesus’ last sign

Don't forget our gathering on Saturday night where I'll share images and stories from my time in Africa. We're using it as a fundraiser for the work of ALWS in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Sth Sudan.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 27th March - 11am

This Sunday service begins at 11am.

Here are the readings for your preparation:
Exodus 17:1-7 The Israelites put God to the test
Romans 5:1-11 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
John 4:5-42 Jesus and the Samaritan woman

Please remember that youth begins this Friday at 6.30pm and don't forget our Children's Ministry Worskshop taking place next Saturday, 2nd April.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 20th March - 8.30am

My sincere apologies for my lack of attention to this blog for the last couple of months. Since arriving back from Africa it seems life has got a lot more hectic. That said, I hope to be back here each week to keep you all up to date.

This Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent, will see worship begin at 8.30am.

The readings for Sunday are:
Genesis 12:1-4a The call of Abraham
Romans 4:1-5,13-17 Abraham, our father, justified by faith
John 3:1-17 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son

Other congregational activities for the week include:

African bible study / Pastor's class - Tuesday from 7pm
Bible Study - A Longer Look at the Lessons - Thursday 7.30pm

Advance notice that Youth will begin for the year on Friday 25th March at St Paul's.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt