St Paul's Lutheran Church, Shepparton

Sunday 12th February - 10am

2012-02-08T21:56:00.002+11:00

This Sunday marks the beginning of our parish AGMs. St Paul's is the first cab off the rank - so to speak with service beginning at 10am.

Service will be followed by our AGM with important information and decisions regarding the building of our new church.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Here are the readings for your preparation:

READINGS:
2 Kings 5:1-14 The healing of Naaman the Syrian
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul's self-denial in the cause of the gospel
Mark 1:40-45 Jesus heals a man with leprosy

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Sunday 5th February - 10am

2012-02-02T10:19:00.002+11:00

This Sunday we have a guest preacher by the name of Pastor James May. Pastor May serves the organisation: Lutherans in Africa (http://www.lutheransinafrica.com) and is visiting us for a few days.

Our service, which be a parish mission service will begin at 10am. It will be followed by a shared lunch and then Pastor May will speak about his work in Africa, training evangelists and pastors from Lutheran Churches in a number of countries.

I look forward to seeing you there.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Sunday 29th January - 11am

2012-01-25T21:27:00.001+11:00

This Sunday we will gather for worship at 11am for a Service with Holy Communion. With the new school year beginning in the following week, we will take the opportunity to pray for and bless our students and teachers as they embark on another year of learning.

The readings assigned for this Sunday are:

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 The Lord promises a prophet like Moses

1Corinthians 8:1-13 Christian freedom & love for others

Mark 1:21-28 Jesus teaches with authority

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

Sunday 15th Janauary - 8.30am

2012-01-08T18:20:00.004+11:00

This coming Sunday, the second Sunday after Epiphany, we gather together for worship at 8.30am. Here are the readings for your preparation:

1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) The Lord reveals himself to Samuel
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
John 1:43-51 We have found the Messiah

God's blessing and peace for the week ahead,

Pastor Matt

Sunday 8th January - 11am

2012-01-05T10:17:00.004+11:00

This Sunday, 8th January, we will celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. Joining with the wise men in bowing down before the Saviour of the world, bundled up in our flesh and blood, and praising God for this wonderful gift to all people.

Service will begin at 11am and will be followed by our regular shared lunch.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 1st January 2012

2011-12-27T16:34:00.002+11:00

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

2011-12-20T16:07:00.005+11:00

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

2011-10-19T10:46:00.002+11:00

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

2011-08-11T12:22:00.000+10:00

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!

2011-08-01T21:19:00.002+10:00

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

2011-06-30T21:25:00.004+10:00

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!

2011-04-25T17:19:00.013+10:00

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

2011-04-19T08:15:00.004+10:00

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

2011-04-07T09:32:00.005+10:00

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

2011-03-24T11:23:00.002+11:00

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

2011-03-16T09:22:00.002+11:00

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

Service times November 2010

2010-11-06T10:50:00.001+11:00

Service times for November and December 5 are as follows:

7th November - Service with Communion (8.30am)
14th November - Service with Communion (11am) guest preacher Pastor Graham Zweck
21st November - Service of the Word(8.30am)
28th November - Service with Communion (11am) guest preacher Pastor Allan Heppner
5th December - Service of the Word (8.30am)

God bless you all,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 26th September - 11.00am

2010-09-22T13:27:00.003+10:00

God has blessed our congregation abundantly in the way He has added to our number over the past few years. We've got to the stage where we are overflowing and while we wait for a new church, we've had to make short term arrangements to worship in a larger building to accommodate our growing number (93 at worship on 12 Sept.!)

From this Sunday (26th Sept.) we will be hiring St David's Uniting Church in King Street, Shepparton for weekly worship. It's just around the corner from St Paul's and will provide space for many more to join us in receiving God's grace through word and sacrament.

Here's a map showing where St David's is in relation to our current church:

View Larger Map

This Sunday we will begin in new surrounds with the baptism of Garang Deng.

I do hope you can join us. Service will begin at 11am.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 19th September - 8.30am

2010-09-16T12:15:00.003+10:00

This Sunday worship will begin at 8.30am at our church in Fahey Street.

I mention the location because as of the 26th September we will be renting St David's Uniting Church in King Street for weekly worship due to the fact that we have outgrown our current building and are not yet in a position to build our new church. More details will be posted early next week.

I'm planning to preach on the gospel reading from Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the shrewd manager and offer the reflections here from our LCA worship resources:

Jesus is talking to the affluent here, people who are so wrapped up in their pursuit of money and consumer material goods that they don't bother giving time to pursue their eternal welfare before it is too late. This illustrative story does not praise dubious practice in business. Jesus uses the astuteness of the dishonest manager as the quality to be emulated by Christians when addressing their spiritual needs. The children of light (disciples of Christ) are not as industrious by and large at pursuing eternal life as the children of this world are in getting ahead! The second comparison is in faithfulness of stewardship. Christ makes the point that Christian service needs to be directed single-mindedly to the Lord, not mixed also with material greed.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 5th September - 8.30am

2010-09-02T14:41:00.004+10:00

This Sunday service begins at 8.30am in Shepparton. Given that Sunday is Fathers' Day, the gospel reading from Luke 14 is likely to challenge us as Jesus declares that whoever follows Him must hate their father, etc.

Rather than closing our ears to this difficult reading, there is much blessing as we consider how Jesus calls us to keep our priorities in check as we walk as His disciples. It's essentially a first commandment text reminder us to fear, love and trust God above all things!

See you Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 29th August - 11am

2010-08-26T17:28:00.001+10:00

This coming Sunday (29/8) is the fifth Sunday of the month and falls out of our regular pattern of service times. Worship will begin at 11am and will include Sunday School as usual.

Here are the readings for your preparation:

Proverbs 25:6,7 The wisdom of humility
Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16 Obligations in community, home, and church
Luke 14:1,7-14 Humility and hospitality

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 8th August - 11am

2010-08-07T20:52:00.002+10:00

My apologies for the late posting!

Service tomorrow will begin at 11am and will be followed by our monthly shared lunch.

See you then.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 1st August - 8.30am

2010-07-27T17:02:00.001+10:00

This Sunday service begins at 8.30am. I look forward to being together in worship once more, receiving the rich mercies from our Lord through Word and Sacrament.

Here are the service details and a reflection from the LC-MS worship department:

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26
Colossians 3:1–11
Luke 12:13–21

Faith in Christ Is Rich toward God

To live for earthly things “is vanity and a striving after wind,” and work that is driven by such vanity “is an unhappy business” (Eccl. 1:14; 2:23). The man who lives like that has nothing to show for “all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun. . . . All his days are full of sorrow” (Eccl. 2:22–23). So, too, your “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5), makes a god out of that which cannot give you life or happiness. For “one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). But “Christ who is your life” (Col. 3:4), in giving you Himself, gives you all the wealth of heaven. Instead of striving to lay up treasures for yourself, be “rich toward God” in Him (Luke 12:21).

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For the 4th & 11th & 18th July

2010-06-27T19:44:00.003+10:00

Service on the 4th July will begin at 8.30am.

READINGS:

Isaiah 66:10-14 Rejoice with Jerusalem

Galatians 6:7-16 Do good to all

Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Jesus sends out the seventy

Service on the 11th July will begin at 11am.

READINGS:

Deuteronomy 30:9-14 A call to obey God whose word is very near

Colossians 1:1-14 Paul's thanksgiving and prayer

Luke 10:25-37 The parable of the good Samaritan

Service on the 18th July will begin at 8.30am.

READINGS:

Genesis 18:1-10a A son promised to old Abraham and Sarah

Colossians 1:15-28 The supremacy of Christ; Paul a servant

Luke 10:38-42 Jesus visits Mary and Martha

For Sunday 27th June, 11am

2010-06-25T09:32:00.002+10:00

Oops, I did it again! No, I'm not promoting Britney Spears' ditties, I'm apologising for neglecting the blog again for the last month or so. But knowing that I'm forgiven by grace through faith in Christ our Lord, I'm not going to dwell on my failings!

Instead I'm going to tell you to come along and receive this same gift at worship this Sunday which will begin at 11am.

We will commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession - the central document of our Lutheran Confessions and one of the clearest expositions of the true Christian faith ever penned.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:12-16

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 30th May

2010-05-27T20:56:00.000+10:00

This Sunday we have planned a parish service which will take place at the home of Roger and Lyn Reid, a place known as Moroco West Station, approximately 25 km east of Mathoura. Service will begin at approximately 10.30am - but please be flexible as we have a couple of bus loads coming from Shepparton.

A light lunch will be provided after the service.

If you would like directions or more info, please give me a call on 5821 5206.

Hope to see you there.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

They're all here...finally!

2010-05-19T19:51:00.002+10:00

Melania's sister, brother in law and nephews and nieces finally arrived this morning, landing in Melbourne at 5.05am. At last this family which has been separated for 17 years can start to make a life together again. Thanks to all those who have supported them and are continuing to do so in so many ways.

The quality of this video is not the best due to some problems converting it, but you get the idea.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

Sunday 16th May

2010-05-12T20:30:00.001+10:00

There will be no service in Shepparton this week as we are visiting the Warrnambool congregation for the weekend and doing a fundraising presentation for the SW zone of our District.

Service next week (23rd May) will be at 11am for our Pentecost celebrations.

Pastor Matt

A joyful reunion

2010-05-07T15:09:00.002+10:00

Melania is reunited with her mother after 17 years of separation!

Melania's brother and sister were only babies when she was separated from them. The younger two boys were not even born - so it was a reunion and an introduction!

For Sunday 9th May - 11am

2010-05-02T20:35:00.001+10:00

In order to ensure I'm keeping up with posting, I thought I'd publish next Sunday's service times without too much comment this week! It looks like being a hectic one with Melania's mother and siblings arriving Tuesday morning direct from the refugee camp in Tanzania. It will be a time of thanksgiving and joy!

Service next Sunday will begin at 11am.

Here are the readings for your preparation:

Acts 16:9-15 Paul takes the good news to Philippi

Revelation 21:10,22 - 22:5 The new Jerusalem

John 14:23-29 'I am going to the Father'

God's blessing on your week,
Pastor Matt

2010-04-30T15:18:00.002+10:00

Jesus Turns Sorrow into Joy

On earth “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Already the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). His Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household” (Acts 11:13–14). He gives freely “from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6), “and death shall be no more” (Rev. 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, “making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), so He is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35), which His Spirit works in us by His grace. (from www.lcms.org)

Service this Sunday will begin at 8.30am.

Please note that the funeral for Heather Voros will take place at St Paul's, beginning at 10.30am on Saturday, followed by committal at Pine Lodge Cemetery.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Ps 116:15)

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 25th April - 11am

2010-04-22T21:57:00.006+10:00

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep (from http://www.lcms.org)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the Father and became flesh among us in order to rescue us, His sheep. He laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. As they hear His voice and follow Him, “they will never perish” (John 10:28), for “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand” (John 10:29). In the same way, faithful pastors (literally, “shepherds”) “care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28), “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Therefore, with all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers his flock in worship, as they cry: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday.

Come and listen to the voice of your Good Shepherd as He calls you to eternal life through the forgiveness of your sins.

Divine service begins at 11am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 18th April - 8.30am

2010-04-17T11:33:00.000+10:00

I must apologise once more for getting out of the habit of updating the blog each week. I'm afraid it has slipped off my regular routine and I usually only think of it when it's too late for the week. I will make every endeavour to 'get back on the horse' from next week!

In the meantime, service tomorrow is at 8.30am and I look forward to seeing you there.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Holy week service times

2010-03-31T10:15:00.001+11:00

Service times for holy week are as follows:

Maundy Thursday: Service with Communion; 6pm
Good Friday: Service of Word and Prayer; 11.00am
Easter Sunday: Service with Holy Communion; 8.30am

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 10th January - 11am

2010-01-05T16:35:00.004+11:00

This Sunday as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus, we will be thinking about the way His baptism shows how completely He identifies Himself with us sinners. As He is baptised by John, Jesus reveals how far He will go to save us and the Father and the Spirit proclaim their love and approval of all that He is about to do.

For us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus, this Sunday brings great hope as we are reminded that we are incorporated into the Body of the One with whom the Father is well pleased.

Service begins at 11am and will be followed by our monthly congregational lunch.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For the week of Christmas

2009-12-22T14:59:00.001+11:00

Service times for this week will be as follows:

Christmas Day:
Service with Holy Communion beginning at 11am
Sunday 27th December:
Service with Holy Communion beginning at 11am

I pray your preparations for the celebration of the incarnation of our God are peace filled and joyful.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 13th December - 11am

2009-12-10T14:21:00.000+11:00

This Sunday we will be holding a Service of Advent readings and Carols which will begin at 11am. Service will be followed by a shared lunch and a rehearsal for the Children's Christmas presentation which will take place on Sunday 20th December.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 6th December - 8.30am

2009-12-02T08:53:00.001+11:00

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Malachi 3:1–4

Philippians 1:3–11

Luke 3:1–6

The Preaching of Repentance Prepares Us for the Coming of the Lord

The preaching and baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3) prepare us for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The historic work of John the Baptizer was completed with the first Advent of our Lord Jesus in the flesh, but the ministry of the Forerunner continues in the preaching of Law and Gospel and in Holy Baptism. Through His messengers, the Lord calls people of all nations to “see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). Our haughtiness is removed, and our mountains of pride are brought low, but the Lord humbles us in order to exalt us in His mercy; He fills up our valleys with His peace. As the Lord has begun this good work of repentance in us, so also does he perfect it by His Word and Holy Spirit, and He “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). He purifies us to be His priestly people, precious in His sight, abounding in faith and love, so that our very lives are offered in righteousness to the Lord (Mal. 3:3–4).

Divine Service this week (6/12) will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 29th November

2009-11-24T13:10:00.007+11:00

This Sunday we will be having a parish service at the Tongala Aged Hostel, which will be followed by a Parish Picnic at the Tongala Village Green. A bus will depart St Paul's at 9.30am sharp, and service will begin at 10.30am.

Over Advent I will be posting reflections made available through the LC-MS Commission on Worship. Please use them in your preparation for worship each week:

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Jeremiah 33:14–16

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13

Luke 21:25–36

The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us

The Season of Advent focuses on the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and this first Sunday establishes this theme for the rest of the season. The Son of God came long ago to be our Savior, “a righteous Branch,” descended from David (Jer. 33:15). As He then came into Jerusalem, riding on a lowly donkey to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world (Luke 19:28-40), so does He come to His Church today in the humility of Word and Sacrament to deliver the fruits of His Passion: the forgiveness of sins. He absolves us and establishes our hearts, “blameless in holiness before our God and Father” (1 Thess. 3:13). The same Lord Jesus, who came to Jerusalem then, and who comes to us now in peace, will come again with power and great glory on the Last Day. Then there will be “distress of nations in perplexity,” with “people fainting in fear.” Yet, as we anticipate that great and terrible day, He bids us to rest securely in Him: “Raise up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25, 26, 28).

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 8th November - 11am

2009-11-04T15:58:00.000+11:00

This week service will begin at 11am and will be followed by our monthly shared lunch.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 11th October - 11.00am

2009-10-09T15:08:00.000+11:00

This Sunday we will be reflecting on the theme of our recent Synodical Convention, "Learning to walk again" with particular reference to David's prayer in Psalm 86: Teach me your way O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Make me wholehearted in fearing your name.

Service will begin at 11am and will be followed by lunch.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 20th September - 8.30am

2009-09-17T14:22:00.003+10:00

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

We will hear the familiar words of Jesus where he said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Together with the second reading from the epistle of St James, we will be reminded of the danger of following our inner desires to be and to have more and more, without concern for our motives.

Jesus calls us not to seek prestige and power and position, but to delight in the opportunity to serve as we have been served by Him through the free gift of forgiveness and life received in His name.

Kids' Club will take place immediately after the service this week.

On another note our trip to St John's Jeparit last weekend was a wonderful experience, with the most gracious and generous hosts, and great encouragement for our growing ministry here in Shepparton. You might like to see a video of the bus trip by following this link http://sites.google.com/site/shepplutheranbuild/videos

See you Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 6th September - 8.30am

2009-09-04T14:56:00.002+10:00

This Sunday we will meet for Divine Service from 8.30am.

We will hear the wonderful example of the Syro-Phoenician woman who had faith in even the smallest 'scraps' of the Lord's mercy. Because she accepted she was truly undeserving, she was grateful for whatever the Lord could 'throw her way' and the result of her faith was the healing of her daughter.

We too need healing and we too deserve nothing but the judgment of God. Will we have faith in the 'scraps' of mercy that come our way as Jesus serves us through Word and Sacrament?

Kids' Club will meet immediately after the service while mums and dads enjoy a cuppa.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 30th August - 11am

2009-08-25T11:50:00.011+10:00

This Sunday we will celebrate Refugee and Migrant Sunday as we give thanks to God for bringing us together from around the world and uniting us in Christ as one family. We will take the opportunity to acknowledge our diverse roots and to pray particularly for the countrymen and women of our members who are still suffering as refugees around the world.

This Sunday will also be a very significant celebration for our congregation as two teenagers receive the washing of renewal in Holy Baptism, and as they are joined with another six young people to receive first communion. Please pray for Safari and Shukuru, along with Ater, Sarah, Baranabas, Kamandula, Ntole and Mwamini.

Please join us for a celebratory luncheon after the service.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 23rd August - 11am

2009-08-21T20:25:00.000+10:00

Divine service this week will begin at 11am.

I'm preaching on the epistle reading from Ephesians 6:10-20 as we consider the implications of our call to spiritual warfare. One word comes up again and again as St Paul points to the tactics we are to utilise in this war - stand!

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 16th August - 8.30am

2009-08-12T21:09:00.001+10:00

So often we act as though the greatest wisdom in life consists in milking every last scrap of self indulgent pleasure out of our days, with little regard for how it impacts us more deeply. Even in the church people often succumb to the false notion that what they do with their bodies, for example, has little impact on their spiritual well being. Such an approach to life often suggests that wisdom lies in juggling daily 'pleasures' with spiritual 'duties'.

Who'd have thought that true wisdom would come in ordering our whole lives according to the word of God and the praises of His goodness in our Lord Jesus?

As the psalmist (and the writer of Proverbs) says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. True wisdom comes through a knowledge of our standing before God as sinners, utterly dependent on His grace and mercy in Christ.

This week I'll be preaching on Ephesians 5:15-20 where St Paul calls us to "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 9th August - 11am

2009-08-07T20:34:00.001+10:00

This week worship will begin at 11am and will be followed by a congregational lunch.

We will witness new birth by water and the Word as Hugo receives the washing of regeneration.

The readings are:
2 Samuel 18:5-9,15,31-33 The death of David's son Absalom
Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2 Be imitators of God
1 Kings 19:4-8 Elijah fed by God

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 2nd August - 8.30am

2009-07-30T10:24:00.002+10:00

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

Jonathan Krause from Australian Lutheran World Service will be our guest this week and will speak after the service about the work our church does through this agency.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 19th July - 8.30am

2009-07-15T14:52:00.000+10:00

This Sunday (19/7) Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

The Gospel reading will lead us to reflect on our desire to get away from all the stresses and demands of everyday life - especially those demands that come from those 'need' us. Jesus and His disciples experienced this desire as well - the need to take time out. Like us however, no sooner did Jesus decide to take time out than He was confronted once again by the needs of the people. As He looked at them, we're told He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd and so He began to teach them.

On Sunday we'll be thinking about what it means that Jesus' compassionate response to the needs of these people was to teach them and what this means for us as we seek His compassion as well.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

2009-07-02T17:30:00.000+10:00

This Sunday (5th July), Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

We will welcome back some of our young people from Christian Life Week camp.

In the sermon we'll be thinking about the Lord's promise that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9) and how this brings us great encouragement in the face of our personal limitations.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Confirmation

2009-07-02T17:17:00.003+10:00

Last Sunday we held our Confirmation service here at St Paul's. As you can see above our three confirmees were Sifa, Katelyn and Laura. It was a great day of celebration and joy as these three were confirmed and received the body and blood of our Lord Jesus together with the congregation.

We crammed 80+ people into our little church, highlighting our continuing need to address our lack of space. Please keep these three young people in your prayers.

For Sunday 14th June - 11am

2009-06-10T19:52:00.000+10:00

This week I'm attending a workshop on Biblical peacemaking led by an organisation called 'Ambassadors of Reconciliation'. It's been wonderful to be reminded of the great treasure the church has been given to offer to all sinners - forgiveness in the name of Christ. Nothing new of course - it's the same good news through which the Holy Spirit brought us all to faith - but how refreshing to hear it spelled out so clearly!

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 11.00am and will be followed by a congregational lunch. Come and receive the reconciliation God offers through His Son Jesus.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 7th June – 8.30am

2009-06-06T12:46:00.001+10:00

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am this week.

My apologies for the late notice.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 24th May - 11.00am

2009-05-20T10:31:00.002+10:00

So often people mistakenly believe the Christian faith is about being freed from the troubles of this life - as if Jesus was the magical 'pill' that inoculates us from any kind of hardship or suffering. While we'd all like to have a trouble free life, Jesus actually offers us something far more wonderful - life with Him. This Sunday we will hear Jesus' prayer from John 17 where Jesus Himself prays not that we would be taken from the troubles of this world, but that the Father would protect us from the evil one. With God's presence to support us, the hardships of this life provide a profound opportunity to bear witness to the love and mercy of God in Christ for us.

Divine service will begin at 11.00am.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

Sunday 17th April - 8.30am

2009-05-14T15:14:00.001+10:00

This Sunday we will hear a remarkable reading from the gospel of St John in which Jesus declares us to be His friends. Think about that for a moment. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One through Whom all things were made, considers you His friend!

How and why this is so will occupy our thoughts on Sunday. Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace to you,
Pastor Matt

Sunday 26th April & 3rd May

2009-04-22T18:05:00.000+10:00

Service times for the next two Sundays:

April 26th - Divine Service begins 11.00am

May 3rd - Divine Service begins 8.30am

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Service for Holy Week

2009-04-08T16:33:00.006+10:00

Please join us this week as we are served by God's word and Holy Sacrament, witnessing again the love of the Father in life, death and resurrection of His Son, our Lord Jesus.

Maundy Thursday - Service with Communion, beginning 5.30pm
Good Friday - Service of the Word, beginning 8.30am
Easter Sunday - Divine Service celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord, beginning 11.00am

Sunday's service will include the resurrection of three little ones through holy baptism - Ananiya, Mechac and Koleta Dieudonne. Service will be followed by a shared lunch and an ongoing Easter celebration - African style! Please join us.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 5th April - 8.30am

2009-04-03T08:47:00.002+11:00

I'm sorry I didn't post anything last week and am only just getting to it on Friday this week. I have to say that the last couple of weeks have been fairly crazy, especially last week with the arrival of one of our Congolese member's children from Africa. It's been a wonderful experience to witness this family being reunited and praising God for His grace and mercy. I hope to post some photos here in the next few days.

I should also say that we are getting pretty close to putting in our application to the City Council to obtain a planning permit for our new church on Poplar Avenue. Just this week we received the concept plans from the draftsman and we are all delighted with the amazing result he has achieved. These plans will be 'revealed' on Sunday following service.

In the meantime, we're cleaning up the new block of land in Poplar Avenue on Saturday. If you can be there for an hour or so from 9am it would be a great help.

Now to the purpose of this post! Service this Sunday will begin at 8.30am and will include the joy of two baptisms - Benjamin O'Connell and his cousin, Stephanie Dawes.

Please remember to turn your clocks back an hour for the end of Daylight Savings on Saturday night.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 22nd March - 11.00am

2009-03-20T09:15:00.003+11:00

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 11.00am. The first reading from the book of Numbers will tell of the people of Israel in the wilderness under attack from serpents following their unfaithful grumbling against God. In His mercy God promised them healing if they looked to the raised bronze serpent when they had been bitten.

How much more won't we receive eternal healing when we look not to the serpent, but to the Son of Man lifted up on the cross for our salvation?

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 15th March - 8.30am

2009-03-11T13:31:00.001+11:00

This Sunday service will begin at 8.30am.

The sermon will explore the 10 commandments under the theme of "Rescue from the minefield of sin."

God bless,
Pastor Matt

The Passion of our Lord

2009-03-05T14:52:00.002+11:00

As we're meditating on the Passion of our Lord throughout Lent, I thought some of you might be interested in an Issues, etc program that discusses Jesus' suffering and death from a medical perspective.

For Sunday 8th March - 11am

2009-03-05T14:15:00.003+11:00

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 11.00am. In the gospel reading we will hear Jesus predict His own suffering, death and resurrection - something that shocks His disciples. But even then more shockingly Jesus calls everyone who follows Him to willingly take up their cross.

As we reflect on this text on Sunday we will be thinking about what it means to take up our cross and follow the Lord. Despite popular opinion this is far more than just enduring suffering. It's about choosing the way of the Lord despite the fact that it may be the unpopular option. Being a disciple is not about being cool, it's about being faithful and receiving the gifts the Lord has won for us.

Service will be followed by our monthly lunch.

A quick reminder that we are having "fortnightly" midweek Lenten service at Shepp. Here's the schedule:

Thursday 12th March 7.00pm
Midweek Lenten devotion:
THEME: The Wound of Betrayal

Thursday 26th March 7.00pm
Midweek Lenten devotion:
THEME: The Wound of Apathy

Thursday 2nd April 7.00pm
Midweek Lenten devotion:
THEME: The Wound of Denial

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 22nd February

2009-02-19T15:14:00.002+11:00

This Sunday there will be a parish service in Echuca, beginning at 10am. The service will be followed by our Parish AGM and then a shared lunch.

St Paul's are running a bus from Shepparton, departing from the church at about 8.30am. Please let me know if you would like a seat.

This means there will be NO SERVICE IN SHEPPARTON THIS WEEK.

Please go to Echuca's blog for more info.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 15th February - 8.30am

2009-02-12T11:44:00.002+11:00

Our thoughts during this past week have been dominated by the devastation and heart break caused by the bushfires throughout Victoria. As we gather together this Sunday to pray for those in need, we will be reflecting on God's presence with us in the midst of tragedy. It's timely that Psalm 30 was assigned for this Sunday and will form the basis of our meditation.

As we continue to offer the victims of this disaster the support of prayer, we also have the opportunity to support them with their physical needs. I'm certain many of you have already responded in various ways.

Our District President has advised that our district has set up a facility whereby financial donations will be made available to those parishes in the affected communities so they can reach out in mercy to their neighbours on behalf of the whole church. If you wish to give through this facility please go to www.lca.org.au and follow the links.

It has also been suggested locally that we as a parish might offer some tangible support in the form of non-perishable food, toiletries and the like to our near neighbours. On Sunday we will have the opportunity to bring these gifts along and they will collected (through to Tuesday at Shepp) and then delivered to the Salvos for distribution.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 8th February - 10am

2009-02-06T12:17:00.002+11:00

My apologies to one and all for neglecting to update the blog until Friday!

I'll keep it quick - Service this week will begin at 10am and will be followed by our congregational AGM. Please join together with us as we celebrate our life together as the body of Christ in worship, and then as we consider what this new year has in store for us.

Following the meeting we will have a shared lunch on what promises to be a much cooler day!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 1st February - 8.30am

2009-01-29T09:52:00.000+11:00

This Sunday (1/2) Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

Here are the readings for your preparation:
DEUTERONOMY 18:15-22
1 CORINTHIANS 8-1-13
MARK 1:21-28

I'll be preaching on the reading from 1 Corinthians.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 18th January - 8.30am

2009-01-15T16:21:00.003+11:00

This coming Sunday (18/1) Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

We will be hearing readings dealing with the calling of the Old Testament prophet Samuel as well as a reading about the calling of Jesus' disciple Philip. These readings serve to illustrate a Godly response to God's call on our lives. Together with Samuel we are to recognise that God seeks to speak His word to us, and like Philip, we are to see that God desires that we bring others to "come and see Jesus."

In the midst of our anxieties about being called by God, these readings provide encouragement and confidence. A young boy and a "country" lad called into service by the Lord merely point others to the One who changes hearts and creates faith. I guess you could say it's about knowing who your Friend is, and introducing Him to others.

See you Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 11th January - 11.00am

2009-01-07T19:18:00.002+11:00

The season of Epiphany continues this week as our focus turns to Jesus being revealed through his baptism in the waters of the Jordan. It's an unusual way for God to reveal Himself - but a blessed one for us sinners. Jesus reveals Himself as God and man and willingly takes on the guilt of our sin as identifies with us in this baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of [our] sins.

If He's guilty in our place, that means we can be declared righteous in His place! What a sweet swap!

Divine service begins at 11.00am and will be followed by our regular monthly lunch. I look forward to your company!

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 4th January - 8.30am

2008-12-31T12:54:00.003+11:00

This Sunday we will be celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord a couple of days early. The word 'epiphany' means 'manifestation' or 'showing plainly'. Epiphany is an extension of Christmas. Now Christ, who came to earth, is shown as Saviour to the whole world - to us and to all people, as originally to the wise men from the East.

We will be thinking about how Christ continues to reveal His glory to us, and through us, to the world.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 28th December - 11.00am

2008-12-26T14:17:00.001+11:00

Divine Service will begin this Sunday (28/12) at 11.00am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 21st Dec & Christmas Day

2008-12-18T22:33:00.005+11:00

In the midst of the hectic pace of December, the peace of God is about to descend upon us as we rejoice in the gift of the Christ Child once again. Over the next few days we will have plenty of opportunities to hear the angels' joyful proclamation, to sing our favourtie carols and to take the very body and blood of our Lord who was born of the Virgin Mary.

Please join us for the following services:

Sunday 21st 8.30am - Service of readings and carols
Sunday 21st 7.30pm - Children's Christmas Service
Christmas Day 11.00am - Service with Holy Communion

The peace of God be with you all,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 14th December 2008 - 11.00am

2008-12-11T15:35:00.002+11:00

This coming Sunday (14/12), service will begin at 11.00am and will be followed by a community lunch. During the service we will be privileged to witness Maeve Sefton, along with Ayowen, Emanuwel, and Awal Deng receive the gift of new life as they are baptised into the family of God.

Please come along and rejoice with us as God does His work in our very midst!

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 30th November - 10am

2008-11-26T14:32:00.002+11:00

St Paul's will be hosting a parish service this Sunday, beginning at 10am. We will begin our new church year together as a parish, reflecting on the coming of our Lord Jesus and His call for us to keep watch so that we don't miss out the abundant gifts He has prepared for us.

Service will be followed by a shared lunch and then we're off to the soccer pitch for a social game of soccer (either as players or spectators). There will also be an opportunity for people to inspect the proposed site of our new church.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

God bless,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 23rd November, 8.30am

2008-11-18T14:14:00.003+11:00

This coming Sunday we've had to rearrange our service times as we have a guest preacher, Pastor Allan Heppner, the District's Pastor for Congregational Support.

Pastor Allan will be leading studies in Shepparton on Saturday morning (9am - 11am) on outreach and evangelism, and will be following it up with a sermon on discipleship on Sunday morning. Service will begin at 8.30am.

I look forward to seeing you all there as this will be a wonderful opportunity for us to be reminded of how we are called to serve God by serving those around us.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 16th November, 8.30am

2008-11-13T14:38:00.001+11:00

This Sunday (16/11) Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

As we enter the second last Sunday of the Church year, our thoughts continue to be on end times, and in particular, St Paul's admonition in 1 Thessalonians for us to be alert and self-controlled, encouraging one another and building each other up. Clearly this is not a call for the church to become a mutual admiration society. Instead it is a call for us to live with the end in sight. To live in such a way that we do not fall asleep through the neglect of our faith or allow our brothers and sisters in Christ to fall asleep and therefore be lost to the Lord. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For 2nd & 9th November

2008-11-01T17:31:00.002+11:00

My apologies for not posting these times earlier.

Service times as follows:

Sunday 2nd November - The Festival of the Reformation will be observed with Divine Service beginning at 8.30am.

Sunday 9th November - Service will begin at 11.00am

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 26th October - 11.00am

2008-10-21T15:41:00.003+11:00

It seems to be a natural inclination of ours to try to get God to specify just how much 'we have to do.' Not wanting to go beyond the letter of the Law, we join with the Pharisee who asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

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.'

Jesus' answer simply reveals that the whole law of God, as well as each individual law, is dead without 'love to God and neighbour' lying behind it and within it. Confronted with this simple, yet profound reality, we must realise our inability to live up to this great commandment. Even the bare minimum is too much for us to do ourselves.

This recognition leads us to our Saviour, who loved us and God perfectly by giving up His life for our salvation.

How do we then love God and neighbour? We'll be thinking this through this coming Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

Upcoming services

2008-09-16T23:15:00.001+10:00

Service times for the next few weeks are as follows:

Sunday 21st September: 8.30am

Sunday 28th September: 11.00am

Sunday 5th October: 8.30am (please note Daylight Savings begins this weekend)

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

They're here!!!

2008-09-13T19:46:00.007+10:00

At 5.55am today Moses' four brothers and his sister touched down in Melbourne to join their brother for a new life in Asutralia. After one hiccup after another there was much rejoicing and thanksgiving as we met these amazing young people. The weary travellers were supposed to arrive at 12.30am but at about 2.30am we discovered they had been stranded in Dubai. Unable to contact anyone at that hour we had a nervous wait for the next flight and thank God for answering our prayers and delivering them!

What a day! Forty-five minutes sleep in 48 hours and a family expanding from 4 to 9 in the blink of an eye! (It'll be 10 in a few weeks!)

The entourage of supportive friends couldn't contain themselves - declaring that God is indeed great!

Enjoy these couple of photos - hopefully there'll be more in the Shepp News on Monday.

For Sunday 14th September - 11.00am

2008-09-11T14:25:00.002+10:00

Our Service will begin at 11.00am this Sunday (14/9) and will be a time of great rejoicing as we celebrate God's work among our congregation. We will witness the baptism of Jack Donaldson, receive quite a number of people into membership, and praise God for finally uniting Moses with his siblings. Our thanksgiving will be followed by lunch together.

With respect to Moses' siblings, here's the most up to date news:

IOM have confirmed that after the hiccup of last week, Moses' siblings will be boarding a plane at 4.15pm in Kampala today (11/9) and God willing, will arrive in Melbourne at 12.30am on the 13th September. Please keep them in your prayers as they make this final leg of what has been a long journey.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 7th September - 8.30am

2008-09-03T21:39:00.002+10:00

As we remember our earthly fathers this Sunday we will also have a chance to consider how it is that we are blessed to have a heavenly Father.

While we all clearly fail to live up to the 'rules of the family', we who have 'put on Christ' in holy baptism (Romans 13:8-14) have also received adoption and acceptance into the family of God. As those who have been forgiven in Jesus we are therefore freed to come before God with the confidence of children who come to their Father for all they need.

Divine service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 31st August - 11.15am

2008-08-26T15:19:00.003+10:00

This Sunday (31/8) we will be holding our service in Cobram, meeting at 11.15am at the Uniting Church hall in Hay Street, Cobram. A bus will be leaving St Paul's at 9.45am and if you would like a seat on the bus, you'll need to contact me by Wednesday (ankernator@gmail.com). Service will be followed by lunch together - please bring something to share. Please note that there will be NO service in Shepparton this week.

Last Sunday we heard Peter's bold confession, claiming without hesitation that Jesus is 'the Christ, the Son of the living God'. As we follow on from that reading this week (in Matthew 16:21-28) we hear Jesus saying he 'must’ go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. After the triumph of recent days these words leave the disciples bewildered. Their Messiah of God must fail? However, the Lord knows that the only way to glory for him and for us is through death. Both death and Satan must be conquered. So he went.

If we then need to pick up our cross to follow him, let it so be. That which may stand in the way of salvation needs to be sacrificed

God's peace to you all as you prepare for service this week,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 17th August - 8.30am

2008-08-13T12:11:00.003+10:00

This week we'll be hearing of an encounter Jesus had with a nagging Canaanite woman who's daughter was suffering demon possession. Although she wasn't a Jew, she'd obviously heard of Jesus and His ability to heal and drive out demons. So out of love for her daughter she took the bold step of approaching this Jewish rabbi for help.

Her first plea for help was met with silence from Jesus. It seemed unlikely He was going to answer her request. Unperturbed by this, and determined to gain Jesus’ help, the woman continued – nagging if you like! She prayed again, ‘Lord, help me!’

This time Jesus responds with a heavy rebuff declaring that it's not right to offer His blessing and help to the gentiles (non-Jews) before it has first been offered to God’s chosen people (the Jews). At this point even the most tenacious nagger would have been tempted to give up! But not this woman. She knew that Jesus had the power to free her daughter from bondage to the Devil, and she had faith that He would have mercy and do it. So again she calls for His help.

Jesus hears her persistent, determined prayer for help and understands that her ‘nagging’ reflects her absolute confidence that He will hear her prayer and answer it. Jesus honours her ‘nagging’ as a sign of great faith and grants healing for her daughter.

On Sunday we'll be thinking about how this encounter encourage us to prayerful 'nagging' as we seek the help and support of our Lord in daily life.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

See you there!

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 3rd August - 8.30am

2008-07-31T14:22:00.001+10:00

This Sunday Divine Service will begin at 8.30am. I'll be preaching on the feeding of the 5,000 from Matthew 14. We'll particularly be considering how the Lord takes our meagre offerings and uses them to bless others as He supplies their needs for this life and the next. When our eyes see only what we lack, Jesus invites us to give with confidence in His blessed abundance.

A reminder that Kids' Club meets this Friday at 4.30pm and Confirmation from 5pm.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

PS see below for some great news!

Art work courtesy of www.jesusmafa.com

SUCCESS!!

2008-07-30T14:33:00.002+10:00

I have received some wonderful news that I'm sure our members and friends will be delighted to hear. As many of you are aware, we have been assisting our brother Moses in applying for his orphaned siblings to join him here in Australia. After many months the Australian High Commission in Nairobi contacted me to advise they've approved the application! Praise God!

It's now only a matter of weeks before this dear family will be reunited after many years of hardship. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout this process. I look forward to posting some photos of the reunion when the children touch down in Melbourne.

We've also had similar fantastic news for Bahati and his family. Two of his children who were separated from him many years ago have also been approved for migration! God willing these children will also be here in the coming weeks. We thank God for His protection of these children and pray for a blessed reunion with their Baba.

I'll keep you posted as things develop.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 27th July - 11.00am

2008-07-25T14:40:00.000+10:00

My apologies for not updating the blog earlier this week.

Service this Sunday (27th July) will begin at 11.00am.

For your preparation, here are the readings:

Genesis 29:15-28 Jacob works 14 years to marry Rachel
Romans 8:26-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 Parables of the kingdom

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 20th July - 8.30am

2008-07-15T14:54:00.002+10:00

Many people are surprised when they discover that the church on earth is not a place of perfection. The existence of apparently good and bad people, side by side in the pews, causes some to scratch their heads. To the cynics among us this might even be seen as a sign of God's powerlessness in the face of evil.

Jesus challenges this notion in the parable of the wheat and the tares that we will be hearing this Sunday. The fact that God allows both "good" and "bad" to co-exist in His church is actually a sign of His grace as He continues to offer forgiveness and life in Jesus' name. His love for us impels Him to wait for judgment, longing for more and more to receive the gift of forgiveness and salvation.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am this Sunday.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 13th July - 11.00am

2008-07-09T15:20:00.000+10:00

This Sunday we will be hearing the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13). The temptation with this parable is to focus on the different soil types that are mentioned, and to make all kinds of rash assumptions about mission and the success of it based on the 'type' of people we are reaching out to. But to focus on this is to miss the point.

The Parable of the Sower reveals to us how lavishly God sows the seed of His word. With complete abandon He spreads this life giving seed without concern for the cost, looking forward to reaping the harvest that grows. I think the artwork by James Tissot captures this extravagant sowing quite nicely.

Service will begin at 11.00am and will be followed by our monthly congregational lunch. All welcome!

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 6th July - 8.30am

2008-07-02T15:28:00.002+10:00

Life, it seems, is all too often little more than a series of burdens that we must try to endure and make the most out of. In this age of self sufficiency we are often left to our own devices to cope and encouraged to look within to find the strength to get through it all. Trouble is there are some burdens we just can't do anything about. Try as we might, they continue to 'haunt' us to the point of despair.

St Paul knew this well when he said, " I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." He was, of course, speaking very specifically about the burden of his continued struggle with sin - a burden that saw him failing to resist sin as he truly desired. A burden he was powerless to overcome.

Into our burdensome existence the Lord Jesus speaks and says, 'Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.' This Sunday we will be focusing on how this rest Jesus offers us can transform our burdened lives.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 29th June - 10.00am

2008-06-26T12:10:00.001+10:00

PARISH SERVICE 10AM

This Sunday (29/6) Trinity Lutheran Church in Echuca will be hosting a service of the Goulburn Murray Lutheran Parish. Service will begin at 10am and be followed by lunch and an opportunity to spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ from across the parish. Please come along to worship together and get to know one another a little better.

If you wish to meet at St Paul's at 8.40am to arrange car pooling, there may even be some spare seats on the bus.

During the service we will hear the story of the call for Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. As we consider the willing obedience not just of Abraham, but also of Isaac, we will have an opportunity to think about the place of faith and trust in the life of the Christian.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 22nd June - 11.00am

2008-06-19T12:22:00.002+10:00

Divine service this Sunday will begin at 11.00am at St Paul's.

The readings for your preparation are:

Genesis 21:8-21; God's promise to Hagar and Ishmael
Romans 6:1b-11; Dead to sin, but alive to Christ
Matthew 10:24-39; Do not be afraid; take up your cross and follow Christ

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 15th June - 8.30am

2008-06-11T12:40:00.003+10:00

This Sunday we will continue to ponder the great mystery of God's promises to the aging Abraham and barren Sarah. Just when doubts threatened to consume them, God Himself visits with them and restore the hope of the promise. Sarah's laughter of scoffing is turned to a laughter of joy as the most unlikely thing happens - she bears the child God had promised.

As we think on this we will take the chance to reflect on the faithfulness of God in the midst of our doubts. As St Paul says in the second reading, it is while we were still sinners that the Lord Jesus died for us. God's work doesn't wait for our perfection - instead He takes up our flesh and blood, washing it clean in His forgiving love, and dares to use us in service to the world.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 8th of June - 11.00am

2008-06-06T14:40:00.000+10:00

A quick note to let you all know Divine Service will begin this week at 11.00am, and will be followed by a community lunch.

The readings we will be hearing are:

Genesis 12:1-9 The calling of Abraham
Romans 4:13-25 God's promise to Abraham received through faith
Matthew 9:9-13,18-26 Jesus calls Matthew, heals a woman, and raises a child

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 1st June - 8.30am

2008-05-27T12:49:00.002+10:00

All of us from time to time have grand plans for how we might build our lives. Whether it's in regard to a career, our family or our attitudes and actions for the sake of others - we often long to build our lives on a foundation of integrity, honour, success and compassion - among other things.

But how often don't our attempts to build our lives in these ways come crashing down in a pile of rubble?

In the gospel this week (Matt 7:21-29) Jesus calls us to build our lives on His word by hearing it and acting on it. At first glance it might seem as though Jesus is telling us to do what we have tried and failed to do ourselves - to build our lives on a standard we long for, but can never achieve. But as we hear Jesus' call this week we do well to remember that His is a word of forgiveness and life. So acting on this word is firstly about receiving forgiveness through the Word of God made flesh, and then with His help, seeking to live as His new born people.

Divine Service will begin at 8.30am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 25th May - 11.00am

2008-05-21T11:06:00.004+10:00

A number of years ago a singer by the name of Bobby McFerrin sang the song, 'Don't worry, be happy.' This catchy tune suggested that stress and worry, even when it was well founded, could be driven away if you just made a decision to be happy. If only it was that easy!

In Matthew 6:24-34 Jesus also calls us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink or what we will wear. Instead of insisting that we merely 'turn that frown upside down,' Jesus encourages us to get our priorities right and to recognise God's wonderful provision.

But more than that Jesus identifies that our obsessive worrying about things of this world reveals that we are seeking the wrong things. The answer to our worries is not to force happiness, but to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and then everything else falls into place.

Divine Service begins at 11.00am.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 18th May - 8.30am

2008-05-14T10:43:00.002+10:00

This Sunday we celebrate Trinity Sunday where we focus on what it means that God comes to us as three persons in one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This mystery that seems to contradict our reason, is very much a part of our existence as God's people. After all our life of faith begins with our baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. And so we will especially be thinking about the significance of having the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit applied to us in baptism as we meditate on Matthew 28:16-20.

Service will begin at 8.30am and will include the baptism of Charlie Schulz.

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday 11th May 11.00am

2008-05-07T10:57:00.013+10:00

As the photos show, our Kids' Club has been thinking about our Pentecost celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit. We hope to have some of their work decorating the church on Sunday as we gather at 11.00am for Divine Service.

As we think about the gift of the Holy Spirit we will be hearing about the specific work He was sent to do. All three of our readings this week focus on the way in which the Spirit enables God's people to speak the Word of God which points us to Christ and the salvation offered in His name. This is beautifully proclaimed in the Gospel reading where Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles is linked to their calling to forgive sins in His name.

Following service we will be joining together in our regular congregational lunch. As it's Mothers' Day as well, the men and children will take care of lunch which will give us a chance to serve and honour the mothers in our midst.

God's peace,

Pastor Matt

For Sunday 5th May - 8.30am

2008-04-29T14:45:00.002+10:00

Thursday 1st of May is the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord this year. As we are not having a service on Thursday, we will be including our commemoration of the Ascension in our Sunday service (5th May). In particular we will thinking about what it means for each of us that our Lord took our human nature into the heavenly sanctuary when He ascended.

Service is at 8.30am.

KIDS' CLUB will also meet this week, from 4.30pm-5.30pm on Friday night at the church. Please pass the word around to all those with children.

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Matt

For Sunday the 27th of April

2008-04-24T11:40:00.001+10:00

Divine Service this week will begin at 11.00am.

The readings are as follows:
Acts 17:22-31 Paul in Athens
1 Peter 3:13-22 Suffering for doing right
John 14:15-21 The promise of the Holy Spirit

God's peace,
Pastor Matt

NB Don't forget our parish ride day on Saturday (weather permitting). We'll leave from St Paul's at 10am. Please arrive fuelled up and ready to go.

For Sunday 20th April - 11.00am

2008-04-14T15:31:00.003+10:00

This Sunday (20th April), Divine Service will begin at 11.00am and will be led by Pastor Graham Zweck.

The readings for the day are:
Acts 7:55-60 The death of Stephen
1 Peter 2:2-10 God's chosen people, a royal priesthood
John 14:1-14 Jesus the way to the Father

A reminder that our parish ride day will take place on Saturday April 26th so dust off the leathers and make sure there's plenty of rubber for a quick fling around the hills! More details to follow.

God's peace be with you,
Pastor Matt