LCNZ Update 28 December 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Call News
I write to inform you that last Sunday, Pastor Lee Kroehn announced to the members of the Manawatu Parish  that he had accepted the call to St Johns Lutheran Church in Unley, Adelaide, South Australia. I won’t write  much here, but will rather save it until the time draws closer for Lee, Anna, Owen, Imogen and Jonah to leave  New Zealand. Suffice it to say that we commit them to the Lord’s continued protection and care as they  complete ministry with us here in the LCNZ and as they prepare to return “home” to begin the same ministry of  God’s love come to life in Adelaide. Thank you Lee and Anna, together with your children, for sharing life and  ministry with us here.

Continue to pray for them, and pray also now for the members of the Manawatu Parish as they begin seeking the Lord’s will with regard to a new pastor.

Ma te aroha o te Karaiti; with the love of Christ

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 21 December 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

All My Heart This Night Rejoices
Today I attended the funeral of an elderly man whose earthly life had been transformed into the life that endeth never, simply and profoundly because he belonged to and was loved through life and death, and into life again by the one born in the manger. He was a friend of Jesus; Saviour of the world. You too are invited again to kneel at the manger; to receive Jesus as your friend and Saviour, and to hear him invite you to share eternity with him –

Hark! a voice from yonder manger
    Soft and sweet,
    Doth entreat:
Flee from woe and danger.
Children, from all ills that grieve you
    You are freed;
    All you need
I will surely give you.

And you may reply –

Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish,
    Live to Thee,
    Die to Thee;
Thus I shall not perish,
But in life that endeth never,
    Joyfully,
    Peacefully
Dwell with Thee for ever.

Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen Paul Gerhardt 1607-1676 (LHS-24)

I pray that this Christmas it will dawn on you once again, how blessed you are to belong, by your most holy baptism, to the God whose love comes to life in Christ, born at Bethlehem. Because of this baby … swaddling clothes and all that stuff … oh yes, and a cross … because of this one – Immanuel – you will dwell with Him for ever. May your heart rejoice this Christmas and always.

Christmas Worship Throughout Aotearoa
Wherever you are – except way up north or way down south (or out at the Chatham Islands) – there is a  Lutheran Church waiting to welcome you to Christmas worship.

Check this out –
Mountainside, Mt Wellington, Auckland

• Christmas Eve, 6.00pm (with Children’s presentation) and 11.00pm (Carols and Readings)
• Christmas Day, 10.00am

North Shore, Auckland

• 23rd December, 5.00pm, Carols and Readings

Botany Lutheran Church, Botany, Auckland

• No Christmas Eve service – will be joining with Mountainside.
• 22nd December, 7.00pm, Carol, drama and Christmas dinner (yum yum)
• 23rd December, 10.00am, Carol and Lessons, Holy Communion
• Christmas Day, 10.00am, Carol, reading and lesson, Holy Communion

St Matthew Hamilton – 27 Abbotsford Street, Whitiora, Hamilton

• 21st December, 7:30pm, German Readings and Carols Service
• 23rd December, 10:00am, Lessons and Carols Service
• Christmas Day, 9:00am, Divine Service with Holy Communion (H.C. liturgy set to carol tunes)

Tauranga Lutheran Fellowship – Community Centre, Carmel Country Estate, 11 Hollister Lane, Ohauiti, Tauranga

• 23rd December, 10:00am, Divine Service with Holy Communion (H.C. liturgy set to carol tunes)
• Please note there is no service on Christmas Eve or Day

Kawerau Lutheran Church – 256 -258 River Road, Kawerau

• 23rd December, 7.00pm, Divine Service
• Please note there is no service on Christmas Eve or Day

Whakatane Lutheran Church – 27-29 Hinemoa Street, Whakatane

• 23rd December, 9.30am, Divine Service
• Christmas Day, 9:30am Divine Service

Marton/Halcombe

• Christmas Eve, 7.30pm – St Johns Lutheran Church, Kimber Street, Halcombe – service led by Bethney Stafford
• Christmas Day, 10.00am – St Martins Lutheran Church, 94 Pukepapa Road, Marton – service led by President Mark Whitfield

St Lukes Palmerston North

• Christmas Eve, 7.00pm
• Christmas Day, 10.00am – Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion
• 30th December, 10.30am – Combined Worship

Trinity, Feilding

• 23rd December, 9.00am
• Christmas Day, 9.00am – Worship with Holy Communion

St Pauls Wellington

• 23rd December, 10 a.m.
• Christmas Eve, 7 p.m.
• Christmas Day, 10 a.m.
• 30th December, 10 a.m.
• 6th January, 10 a.m.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church/The Wetlands Chapel, 130 Burwood Road, Christchurch

• 20th December, 7:30pm – Scandinavian Christmas: Informal Multi-Language Worship with Scandinavian Society, supper after.
• 23rd December, 10am – Advent 4: Informal Inter-Generational Worship (Faith Inkubators) with Holy Communion, morning tea after. 
• Christmas Eve, 7:30pm - Traditional Christmas Readings & Carols, with Holy Communion.
• Christmas Day, 9:30am – Informal Jesus’ Birthday Celebration (including birthday cake!), with quake-displaced Emmett Street Church.
• 30th December, 10am – Christmas 1: Contemporary Worship (without Holy Communion), morning tea after.
• 6th January, 10am – Epiphany: Traditional Liturgical Worship (without Holy Communion), morning tea after.

Church Organ Available
Mountainside Lutheran Church have an Allen Digital organ available to any parish/congregation in the LCNZ. Keith Duncan writes –

The Allen 225 in Mountainside is now surplus to the parish requirements. I have been asked to approach you to determine whether any other parish in the LCNZ would be interested in the Allen. Allen Digital Organ – MOS series 2, Model 225, manufactured 1981-82. Full 2 manual AGO console with moving stop tabs – 32 note pedal board.

National Office Closed During Christmas / New Year
21st December – 8th January 2013 Office closed
21st December – 30th December President Mark on call
1st January – 8th January President Mark on leave – please call Vice President, Pastor John Davison on 07 8395768 during this time in emergencies

Ngā Mihi O Te Kirihimete
My wife Leanne, and children – Chelsea, Brittany and Charlotte, together with me, thank you all for your aroha and support throughout 2012. Many of you have been the means by which God’s love has come to life in our lives just when we needed it, and we thank you for that.

May Jesus – Saviour, friend of sinners, Son of God, Prince of peace, baby in a manger (etc.) – be Immanuel (God with you) now and throughout 2013.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete; Christmas greetings and blessings to you all, from the Five Welly Whitfields.

Me te aroha nui ki a koutou katoa; lots of love to you all.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 1 December 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Rhythms of Life
My youngest daughter, Charlotte (7) and I have a rhythm to Thursday afternoons between about 4:05pm and 5:30pm. It goes a bit like this –

4:05pm

• I collect Charlotte from her after-school sports program.

4:05+5 seconds pm

• Charlotte reminds me that its “treat day.”

4:15-20pm

• We go to New World supermarket at Chaffers and Wakefield Street to buy soup and ciabatta bread for evening meal.
• Once the soup and bread are in shopping basket, we head down the confectionery aisle. Charlotte chooses her ‘treat’ … usually a chocolate-covered licorice log thing.

4:25pm

• We drive home and as we pass the stadium, we always have a little conversation about the next cricket or rugby game that’s advertised on the big signs, and we always try and beat each other to spot the next train on the suburban line that goes past our street. We usually always invent new spoonerisms as we drive up the gorge to our home, and make each other laugh.

4:30pm

• We arrive home and Charlotte asks if I’ve checked for mail. She checks for mail, and then we head inside. She unpacks her bags, finishes any left-over lunch, turns the TV on to Disney Channel, while I make myself a cuppa and then fall asleep reading the suburban paper in the comfy chair near the sunny window.

5:30pm

• I get the soup cooking and thinly slice the ciabatta bread, in readiness for a family that will now come and go in dribs and drabs through until about 8:45pm.

That’s just one little piece of the rhythm of our lives; I’m sure you have rhythm in your lives too!

I’m writing this on the eve of the beginning of a New Year. Sunday is Advent Sunday which marks the beginning again of the rhythm of life called the Church Year. Once again – just as each Thursday afternoon is ‘once again’ for Charlotte and me – we embark on a familiar journey which will have us (1) prepare for the first advent/coming of Jesus Christ, (2) his birth, (3) his ministry on earth, his suffering, death and resurrection, (4) his ascension into heaven, (5) his provision of the Holy Spirit, and (6) that post-Pentecost period when we as Church are empowered and inspired and encouraged to fulfil our baptismal calling to proclaim the mighty acts of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

So, “Happy New Year” to you all! I pray that as the year unfolds, you again will be embraced by the rhythm of the salvation story that God tells through various sections (chapters and movements). And can I suggest that every day of this New Year you allow yourself to be embraced by an even more ‘personal’ rhythm of life … a rhythm that begins (and ends) with these words – in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – a rhythm that begins new each morning as we remember whose we are, and who it is that we serve.

• Stir up your power, O Lord, and come, that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins, and saved by your mighty deliverance; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Prayer for Advent Sunday)

100th Anniversary of Ordination: Hamuera Te Punga
On Sunday 16th December at 11.00am at Halcombe Lutheran church, Pastor Trevor Jurgens will lead a service to celebrate the 100th year since Hamuera Te Punga was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in South Chicago, USA. During the service the congregation will be invited to sing the Halcombe Lord’s Prayer (bring your best voices; it goes up real high towards the end!) which was brought to Halcombe by Hamuera's wife, Lydia.

• Thank you Lord God, for your gift to this church of Pastor Hamuera Te Punga. Thank you for calling him to be a shepherd and overseer to care for your flock. Thank you also for his whanau who continue to worship and serve you through the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. Amen.

50th Anniversary: Harrison St Community Church/St Johns Whanganui
On Sunday 9th December, our sisters and brothers in Whanganui will be gathering in worship, thanksgiving and fellowship to celebrate God’s faithfulness to them over the past 50 years. There is much to thank God for. Just the other day, Pastor Phil sent me the following email –

This is a small thing for a big church but for us it is cause for a celebration. We are having a small ceremony to welcome a family into our church. First time in years. We are also moving to two tables at communion. We have gone from 12 to up to 21. Keep praying we are working really hard and at times it is difficult to find time but God will find a way. Cheers and blessings Phil.

Praise God for this, and let me suggest that you send a greeting and a message of encouragement to Whanganui on this special day.

• Heavenly Father, continue to fill this congregation with your gracious presence, and build up your people through your gospel as they continue to gather here and call on you. Give them the joy of your salvation as they gather to thank and praise you at this anniversary time. Amen.

Nau Mai; Haere Mai: Janet and Pastor Brian Schwarz
We welcome Janet and Brian to New Zealand for a short stint of locum ministry in Wellington and the Wairarapa. Thank you so much for your willingness to come and at such a busy time of the Church Year too. We hope and pray that you will enjoy your time with us, and that your ministry amongst us will be a blessing both to you and the people of God you serve.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and fill in during vacancies. We thank you for Janet and Pastor Brian. Give them joy in their time of ministry amongst us. Thank you for their ministry of encouragement among us. Amen.

Servant of Christ Award: Buster Kells
Buster Kells from St Lukes Palmerston North is to be a recipient of the Servant of Christ award for 2012. For health reasons however, Buster and Joan were not able to travel to Adelaide in November for Buster to receive his award. Plans however are being made for a special event to coincide with worship at St Lukes Palmerston North in late January when I will read the citation to Buster and present him with his award. There is also a plan to acknowledge this during LCNZ District Convention in June next year. The full citation (which will be read in all LCNZ congregations on Advent Sunday) reads –

Servant of Christ Award 2012 – Citation for Albert Joseph (Buster) Kells
A journey begins with a single step, but sometimes even a long journey does not take us far from where we began. The value and significance lies not in the distance covered but in the quality of the journey itself. Buster Kells has lived and served in Palmerston North, New Zealand, all his life. Since his baptism as an infant in 1934 he has been a member of St Luke’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Palmerston North Boys’ High School as Dux Ludorum in 1952, receiving the Hanney Cup for all round excellence in sport and scholarship. Also an accomplished musician, he played the piano for school dances. After further study he worked throughout his life as an accountant and stockbroker in the city of his birth. Buster married Joan in 1957 and they have four children.

A natural leader, Buster never sought the limelight, but he was glad to be able to serve by providing administrative and financial expertise to his Church. In the faithful following of his vocation Buster has served Christ and his people. His record of 35 years as a member and the administrator of the Lutheran Homes Trust Board in Palmerston North speaks of someone who, in the Lord’s name and with a minimum of fuss, does what needs to be done for the sake of those in need. He was for many years a member of the New Zealand Lutheran Laymen’s League Board and the Church Council and Finance Council of the LCNZ. He also served as a member of the LCA’s General Church Council.

His service in St Luke’s Lutheran Church covers most aspects of congregational life, from small group leader to chairperson and treasurer, to organist and choir director. He also found time to be on the cleaning roster and filled the role of the local LLL promoter and treasurer. Simply put, Buster is ready and willing when something needs to be done. He has a true servant’s heart. Even after he handed to others the reins of the elected leadership of the congregation, he remained willing to serve by helping with other projects including the St Luke’s Centenary in 1982, the 125th anniversary celebrations in 2007 and the Church Building Committee in 1986 and 1987. A gifted speaker, for decades he was a natural choice for MC at parish social events.

Buster has played an encouraging and supportive role for all his pastors down through the years, as well as LCNZ presidents and other leaders, being happy to share his knowledge and wisdom and to be a sounding board in regard to the issues of the day. His pastor Lee Kroehn writes –

Buster is a hard-working, faithful member who has served both his local parish and the wider church with enthusiasm and integrity. His love for the Lord is evident in all that he does for both the church and the community.

In the Manawatu Buster is well known and respected as a Christian whose name is synonymous with the Lutheran Village independent living units which stand as a model of Christian involvement in the community. Through the efforts of Buster and others, the Lutheran Village enjoys a very positive relationship with both the community and the government, culminating in the national award of ‘Residential Trust of the Year’ in 2004. A steadfast and humble witness to his faith, Buster is also a Justice of the Peace and was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for community service in June 2005. He has also served on the Palmerston North Hospital Board.

Upon the recommendation of the Honours Committee, the Lutheran Church of Australia recognises Buster as a fitting recipient of the Servant of Christ award. He represents all those who faithfully hear their Lord’s call and use their gifts and talents as Servants of Christ through their vocations in both church and society.

• We thank you gracious Father for Buster and for his servant-heart and work in the Manawatu parish and in the LCNZ. We commend him and his wife, Joan, to your continue grace and love. Amen.

Call News
Please continue to pray for Pastor Lee, Anna, Owen, Imogen and Jonah Kroehn, as they continue to wrestle with the call Lee has received to Unley / Concordia College (Adelaide). Pray also for the folk in the Manawatu Parish as they journey with Lee and Anna through this call process.

• Lord God, pastor and keeper of the flock, reveal your will for Pastor Lee. Amen.

College of Presidents / Ordination
This coming week I head to Adelaide for the final College of Presidents meeting for the year, and also to attend the Service of Ordination for graduates from Australian Lutheran College, which will be held at Concordia College on Sunday 9th December. Graduate placements are as follows –

Perry Hart to Waikerie South Australia
James Leach to Brinkworth South Australia
Dean Mills to St Michael’s Hahndorf/Bridgewater South Australia
Sam Modra to Tabor Victoria
Ken Schultz to Alice Springs Northern Territory
Tim Spilsbury to Whyalla South Australia
Kees Sturm to Coonalpyn South Australia

• Heavenly Father, bless these men in the ministry of your gospel. Make them faithful pastors, patient teachers, and wise counsellors, so that your people may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Visit of LCA Business Manager
Next week, the Business Manager of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA), Debbie Venz will be in Wellington, working with our new LCNZ Administrator, Robert Hagen. Debbie will assist Robert in understanding the administrative processes and connections between the LCNZ and the LCA.

• Lord God, thank you for calling people into tasks of administration and management in your Church. Thank you for Debbie and Robert; bless their work of support for your church. Amen.

Competition Winner
Jonathan Stolk from Whanganui supplied the winning entry in the colouring competition to supply a new title page for the LCNZ Directory which picks up on our synodical theme – Where Love Comes to Life. Congratulations Jonathan! Your prize is prize a family pass for 2 adults and 2 children to a movie of your choice.

• Gracious Father, thank you for Jonathan, and for his gift to our church of a new drawing for the cover of our directory. Thanks for all the good things that you have blessed Jonathan with … especially his talent on the football field too. Keep him, and his Mum and Dad (Margreet and Adrian) safe in the love of your dear son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Council of Synod
The report from last weekend’s Council of Synod (COS) meeting will appear in the next issue of The Olive Tree, due out before Christmas.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you …

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa
Secretary – New Zealand National Church Leaders Meeting (NCLM)

LCNZ Update 20 November 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Call News
While I was visiting the Manawatu Lutheran Parish and preaching / leading worship on Sunday, I informed the members of Trinity (Feilding) and St Lukes (Palmerston North) that their Pastor, Lee Kroehn has received a call to St Johns Lutheran Church and Concordia College in Adelaide.

And so I invite you, the LCNZ whanau to pray for Lee, Anna, Owen, Imogen and Jonah as we did on Sunday morning during worship, that God would reveal to them his plans and purposes; his will –

Lord God, we pray for Pastor Lee and Anna, and Owen, Imogen and Jonah as they seek your will with regard to the call you have placed on Lee to consider pastoral ministry at St Johns and at Concordain College. We pray in the words of the psalmist, that you would lead us in your truth and teach us, for you are the God of our salvation; for you we wait all day long.

And so, by your Holy Spirit we pray that you would lead your servant, Lee into your truth as he considers the call to serve your people in Adelaide; reveal to him the way he should choose. Give Lee and Anna especially, your peace and a sense of your closeness to them as they wrestle with this call.

And watch over your people in the Manawatu Parish during this time of consideration and discernment. Keep all of us safe and guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Amen.

100th Anniversary of Ordination: Hamuera Te Punga
On Sunday 16th December at 11.00am at Halcombe Lutheran church, Pastor Trevor Jurgens will be leading a service to celebrate the 100th year since Hamuera Te Punga was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in South Chicago, USA. During the service the congregation will be invited to sing the Halcombe Lord’s Prayer (bring your best voices; it goes up real high towards the end!) which was brought to Halcombe by Hamuera's wife, Lydia.

Council of Synod Meets this Weekend
Please pray for your Council of Synod (COS) as it meets this weekend in Wellington. We have important work to do; most importantly, to focus on the mission opportunities that the Lord has given the LCNZ. In that respect it is my hope to engage COS even more intentionally on the matters raised at the LCNZ Summit in July 2010. This Summit offered enthusiasm, energy and vision for a church moving forward and growing; it provided impetus for us as Church to be faithful to God’s call to be salt and light in the world. Pray for us so that we will remain focused on the privileged task at hand.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you …

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa
Secretary – National Church Leaders of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 1 November 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Shifting, Packing, Unpacking, Moving On
Two days ago, the father of one of my wife’s teaching colleagues died. Later that same day we heard that Leanne’s uncle’s mother had died in the USA. At the same time we were hearing of the destruction of life and property to the people of the Caribbean, and of the impending destruction that super-storm Sandy would wreak on the USA. Back here in Godzone, the harrowing stories of survival for some – at least for some short hours after the February 2011 Canterbury earthquake – are being retold as the inquest into the collapse of the CTV building in Christchurch unfolds, and the questions are asked as to why those that survived the initial quake could not be rescued in time.

And I’m unpacking boxes again. That’s right … my third shift and unpack in a year! This time I’m unpacking and setting up in the new LCNZ National Office in Thorndon, Wellington.

Why am I writing this?

The prayer in the Funeral Rite of the Church says this – As we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, prepare us all for the world to come.

There’s something quite plain and straight-forward about those words … a reminder of the transitory nature of life here on earth … but at the same time an affirmation in our cry for help (prepare us) that there is one who has already prepared us for eternity (the world to come). There is something quite plainly non-permanent about life here on earth. It is a lot of shifting, packing, un-packing, moving on.

It can be quite unsettling … except for one thing: the absolute certainty of the faithfulness of God towards his people.

In these days of celebration/commemoration – Reformation Day / All Saints Day – we are reminded of the all-sufficient grace of God for all people, and in the face of change and uncertainty, we can say with the psalmist –

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46)

Or as dear Martin would sing –

A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon,
our faithful helper in all need, no matter what may happen.

Though hordes of devils gather here, all eager to devour us,
we tremble not, we do not fear, they cannot overpower us.

Despite all foes, the Word shall stand against all their endeavour;
God's gifts and Spirit, close at hand, shall be with us forever.
Though they cause distress, take all we possess,
though they hurt and kill, we are victorious still;
the kingdom's ours forever. 

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Martin Luther 1483-1546

Wherever you are my friends … whatever you’re packing or unpacking in life … if things are changing and moving for you, let the prayer conclude –

As we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, prepare us all for the world to come. And when our last hour comes, support us by your power, and take us home to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

100th Anniversary Of Ordination: Hamuera Te Punga
On Sunday 16th December at 11.00am at Halcombe Lutheran church, Pastor Trevor Jurgens will be leading a service to celebrate the 100th year since Hamuera Te Punga was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in South Chicago, USA. During the service the congregation will be invited to sing the Halcombe Lord’s Prayer (bring your best voices; it goes up real high towards the end!) which was brought to Halcombe by Hamuera's wife, Lydia.

Safe Place Team Leader Training - Whanganui
This week, Anna Kroehn completed Team Leader training in Whanganui, and by all accounts (well, the one I got from her husband Lee) there was great engagement from those participating. Thank you Anna for this blessing that you (and Lee) bring to our church.

LCA/LCNZ Youth Forum
From the 5th to the 7th of November a group of young LCA members from all over Australia and New Zealand gathered together in North Adelaide to speak about current issues facing the church. This was an initiative of the LCA’s Board for Youth and Family Ministry (BYFM). The forum, called 'Have a Voice, covered topics like: the way the LCA works through Synod, the future of the LCA, worship, human sexuality and the opportunity refugees are for our church. The young people showed a true passion for the church and its future. They were energised and enthused to hear how our church is dealing with issues that they face as members of the LCA and LCNZ. While the forum was hard work, the youth also had a fantastic opportunity to relax at The Beach House in Glenelg on Saturday evening on the waterslide, dodgem cars and arcade games. The two New Zealand representatives who attended the forum were Rachel Nelson from Palmerston North and Chelsea Whitfield from Wellington. Both young ladies spoke confidently and competently concerning the LCNZ within the context of the forum. Resulting from the forum, BYFM will discuss recommendations made by the young people and present the to the LCA General Synod in Adelaide next April. (Lee Kroehn)

From the President of the Church, Dr Michael Semmler

In 1667 John George II, the Elector of Saxony, ordered the first REFORMATION FESTIVAL. The chosen date for the celebration was 31st October, the anniversary of Luther’s famous posting of the 95 theses. Luther chose the eve of All Saints Day (Nov 1) to post the theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517 to take advantage of the larger crowds who would be expected to gather for worship at this ancient celebration. With the rediscovery of the ramifications of the doctrine of justification, that is, the good news of salvation by grace through faith for Christ's sake, a reformation took place across the church in many parts of the world. It is our heritage to this day. Celebrate the grace of God in Christ who delights in having mercy on us.

Installation gf the Director of Lutheran Media Ministry
Pastor Richard Fox will be installed as the Director of Lutheran Media Ministry on Sunday 2nd December 2012.

Short Term Research Grants Available
Do you need some basic research into some aspect of your congregation or church ministry? Is there something you need to know which could benefit you and others involved in similar ministries? Australian Lutheran College is providing a limited number of $5,000 grants for short-term research projects as part of the launch of the new Australian Lutheran Institute for Theology and Ethics (ALITE). For more information contact the Director, Rev Dr Stephen Hultgren at alite@alc.edu.au. Information will also appear on the ALITE website. See www.alite.alc.edu.au after 9th November.

Appointment of LEA Research Officer at ALITE
Dr Mark Worthing has been appointed Research Officer for Lutheran Education Australia through the new Australian Lutheran Institute for Theology and Ethics at Australian Lutheran College.

The Lutheran – Sneak Preview Each Month
You are encouraged to use the new ‘sneak preview’ monthly promotional resource for The Lutheran. It can be easily shared with congregation members, family and friends, or embedded into your congregation’s website. This resource, as well as pew-bulletin inserts and a PowerPoint slide for the current edition, is available from the ‘Promote Us’ page on The Lutheran’s website (www.thelutheran.com.au) from the 1st of each month. It’s also very easily ‘shareable’ from the ‘We Love The Lutheran’ Facebook page.

General Synod Agenda, Proposals and Board Reports Due
Agenda and Proposals: the following LCA bodies may submit proposals for inclusion on the agenda: congregations, LCA boards, standing committees and commissions, General Pastors Conference, General Church Council and it’s Executive, District Synods, Districts Church Councils and Pastors Conferences. Board Reports: reports are to be no more than four pages (approximately 2500 words). Financial reports are to be one page only and should be for the three years ending 31st December 2009, 2010 and 2011. Provision will be made for full reports and financial reports to be posted on the Synod website if required. All reports and proposals must be emailed to the Synod Secretary at debbie.venz@lca.org.au by 15th November 2012.

Please Pray For

• Sharolyn and Dennis Mollet’s granddaughter, Sophie who was to undergo planned open-heart surgery this week. This has now been postponed and hopefully will happen next week. Pray also for Sophie’s parents – Sheree and Ricky.
• Buster Kells who has recently spent some time in hospital. He’s home now.

Jesus, what a friend we have in you, and what a privilege it is to carry our cares and concerns to you. We lift to you your friends, Sophie and Buster, and their families, and all who are unwell at the moment, and we ask you to take and shield them in your loving arms. Grant them fullness of health in your good time and according to your gracious will. Amen.

Church Workers Meet in Christchurch
Last week 9 of the LCNZ Church Workers gathered in Christchurch for the final Church Workers’ conference of the year. On the middle day of the conference we were guided in a spiritual retreat which saw us do a number of things designed to help us ‘retreat’ into the gracious presence of God … we slowed down … we sat for long moments of silence … we listened to scripture being read to us … we walked the beautiful wetlands near to St Pauls Lutheran Church in Burwood, Christchurch … we worked in groups of three on an interesting exercise to create visual expressions of ‘situations’ in life real to us at the moment and how God might be speaking into those ‘situations’ … we were ministered to by the gentle breath of the Spirit of Jesus.

We welcomed two people to their first LCNZ Church Workers’ Conference – Ben Grulke, who is the new parish worker in the Manawatu. Nau mai, haere mai Ben; it’s great to have you working alongside us in Kingdom work. And we also welcomed Pastor Joe Kummerow (Mountainside) to his first conference. Great to have you on board too Joe … and thanks for going along with the time-honoured tradition we have … viz. the new kid on the block takes the minutes!

We prayed in our closing service –

Bless our church as it ministers the gospel of our suffering Saviour. Uphold our President Michael and District President Mark. Guide our College of Presidents as they assign graduates into the ministry, and give patience to those parishes who are in the call process. Watch over our Council of Synod so that it may administer the affairs of your Church in such a way that pastors, church workers and members are inspired, equipped and encouraged in the ministry of the Gospel. Open our hearts to hear your call to serve here in your church in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Amen.

Next Edition of the Olive Tree
The theme of the December edition of the Olive Tree is “What does Christmas means us in the LCNZ.” It would be great to get stories from local congregations on how they celebrate the story of the birth of Jesus. The text comes from Mathew 2:1&2 (When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”). Please submit articles to Dan by the 15th November at dcars1976@gmail.com.

Longest Lutheran Lunch: Story Time
More than 100 congregations across Australia and NZ joined in this year's Longest Lutheran Lunch. Visit www.lca.org.au/longest-lutheran-lunch.html to see an amazing photo from Warracknabeal (Victoria), hear tales of wood-fired pizza and Barossa reds (of course!), and witness a community lunch enjoyed with a local Uniting Church in Australia!

Here’s what happened in some of the LCNZ congregations –

• Upper Moutere
• Was an outreach event with over a dozen visitors
• Had food from 10 different countries of heritage
• Held a ‘Mighty Fortress’ building contest for children
• Was visited by Martin Luther during the worship service
• Christchurch
• Coincided with Christchurch’s annual Neighbourhood Week, thus qualifying for some City Council funding ($150)
• We hand-delivered 1,000 invitations to letter boxes of homes around our church centre in the EQ-damaged suburb of Burwood
• From noon to 3pm, a steady stream of neighbours and church members enjoyed the free sausage sizzle, fizzy drinks and ice-cream cones, plus the HUGE bouncy castle for kids
• We sponsored the Covenant Players drama group to provide all-ages friendly, gospel-centred street theatre periodically throughout the afternoon
• Mountainside, Auckland
• God blessed us with a beautiful spring day, as the members and friends of Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland, NZ, gathered to share fellowship and hospitality with our community and with each other.
• Within half an hour of our Reformation Day worship service ending, we had set up long rows of tables lined by chairs. Many hands helped to cover the tables with paper, set out carafes of juice and water, and organise the food.
• Lunch was ready, and we formed a long line to be served with long bread rolls filled with lettuce and carrot, ham, egg salad, cheese and tomato, with potato salad and rice salad on the side. It took some time to serve around 90 people, but it was worth waiting for. Dessert of cup cakes, fruit salad and ice cream followed.
• Mountainside members had invited friends to come along, and we invited residents in the neighbouring streets by offering them a voucher for a free lunch. We felt happy and blest to be able to share our hospitality in this way. Praise God for his generosity to us all.
• Hamilton/Bay of Plenty
• About 30 people from Tauranga, St Matthew – Hamilton and Kawerau attended the Divine Service with Holy Communion followed by the Longest Lutheran Lunch in Tauranga
• The Sermon Text was the Gospel lesson for Reformation Day, John 8:31-36, and the thought to take away from the sermon, “None of us like to be exposed. … The only exposure we need is to faith, grace and the Word of God. With these we need fear no other kind of exposure
• Between the savoury and desert we treated to a visual and oral presentation “Wandering to Wittenberg” by Jill Hobden. Jill had recently been in Wittenberg when Pr Norm Bergen preached there as part of the English ministry provided in Wittenberg for tourists.
• Summerset Retirement Village, Palmerston North
• 25 people attended more than half the guests have lived a LONG time 80+
• 2 guests attend International Pacific College (IPC) having come from Japan and one of them – Tuk – entertained between main and dessert with the violin
• We worshipped after our lunch of sausage rolls, savouries, sandwiches, fresh fruit salad, meringues and whipped cream
• It was a very interdenominational group that enjoyed food, fellowship, faith
• We had a truly blessed time – one lady who has always said ”no” to joining us for a meal – enjoys coming to worship – this time came for the meal and that was a special of this day for me.
• Whanganui
• Pastor Phil writes – we had a great evening for our Longest Lutheran afternoon / evening tea. It was a great evening in Whanganui, where we were able to share an evening meal with our friends from Marton. We had the team out delivering some flyers around the neighbourhood and also had another 8 people come in and join us for the meal. We were a little low on food so rang for pizza’s and you should have seen the look on the delivery guys face when I told him I was trialling a new form of communion wafer and could he leave them up the front. Priceless. All in all we had 45 people to our dinner. Catering for this many was a good warm-up for when we celebrate our congregation’s 50th anniversary on the second Sunday in December. More info to follow.

LCNZ Administrator Nominated for Awards
The LCNZ’s new administrator, Robert Hagen has been nominated for the New Zealand Television awards to be held in Auckland this weekend, in the following categories –

1. Best multi-camera direction for “A Gala Concert” featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and
2. Best popular documentary for “Rhodes, Actor Singer”

We congratulate Robert and wish him every blessing as he and his wife, Jill head up to Auckland to enjoy the experience of the awards this weekend.

National Office Shift
The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful new location from which to function as the National Office of the LCNZ. Again, we thank Robert and Gerhard (Hoppe) for overseeing the shift which went very smoothly last Friday. Most of the boxes are unpacked and we’re settling in nicely. Please come and visit if you’re in town. Our address again – Level 1, Molesworth House, 101 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington.

Bach Cantata Vespers Begin 6th Year of Ministry to Wellington & NZ
The Bach Cantata Vespers on Saturday 10th November will mark the beginning of the 6th year of this unique-in-New Zealand music ministry to the people of New Zealand. Some interesting statistics from the past 5 years to ponder and to praise God for –

• 24 Bach Cantata Vespers since the first one on Reformation Day, 2007
• 65 people (singers, instrumentalists and preachers/speakers) have been involved in the ministry, plus countless others from St Pauls who assist
• The average attendance at each service is 70, with a highest attendance of 150 for this year’s Good Friday Vespers
• A variety of people attend – from other churches and some with no church or faith connection
• One of New Zealand’s leading choral ensembles, The Tudor Consort has sung for a Vespers

We invite you to thank God for this ministry and pray for his continued blessing of it … and we invite you to attend the next Vespers – Saturday 10th November at 5.00pm.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you …

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 17 October 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Staying in Touch: Hearing and Speaking
Kia ora koutou my dear friends. Last week I heard but I had trouble speaking; last week I received but I couldn’t send. “Sounds like email/internet connectivity problems there, Mark” I hear you saying. And you’d be right! Whilst in Adelaide for meetings last week, due to what we might call ‘technical difficulties’, I was able to receive all in-coming emails, but none of the ones I wrote and ‘sent’ went!

Eventually, on the last day I was there, I found a way to send.

Receiving and sending; hearing and speaking … this reminded of the message I preached at Pastor Joe Kummerow’s installation at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland a few weeks back. I preached on the healing of the deaf and mute man in the gospel according to St Mark (Mark 7:32-35), under the theme, Touching Ears, Touching Tongues, Touching Lives.

I encouraged pastor and people together to be open (Ephphatha) to hearing and speaking the gospel of Jesus … to hear God speak his love for us in Christ, and having heard, to proclaim this love to the world.

And may I encourage you – whoever you are / wherever you are – to be open (Ephphatha) to how God might be speaking into your life/lives … that your ears and eyes and hearts might continue to be open to what the Spirit of Jesus is saying … that mouths and lives also may be open to proclaim the good news of Jesus to others.

There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. (Mark 7:32-35)

We pray with the psalmist:

• Lord, open my lips (and my ears and my heart), so that my mouth will declare your praise. Amen. (Psalm 51:15)

Clapping in St Pauls / St Francis: Wellington/Wairarapa Call Accepted
On Sunday the people of God at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West heard the great news, that Pastor Jim Pietsch had accepted the call of God through his people to be their new pastor … and in keeping with the encouragement of the psalmist they clapped! A long vacancy extending back to July 2011 is about to come to an end. Pastor Jim will come to us from the Melbourne North West Regional Ministry Multipoint Parish in Victoria, where he has been pastor since November 2006. Pastor Jim intends relocating to Wellington in January next year with installation set for some time in February.

During the vacancy we have been grateful to God for providing locum ministry through the following pastors – Norm Bergen, Robert Wiebusch, John Koch, and Colin Hartwich. Pastor Brian Schwarz will start his locum ministry at the end of November through to the beginning of January.

• Lord God, we thank you for speaking by your Holy Spirit into the heart of Pastor Jim, and we thank you that he heard your call to serve your people in Wellington and the Wairarapa, and that he has answered ‘yes’. Watch over Jim as he concludes your ministry through him in Melbourne and as you prepare him to come to us. Thank you for watching over your people in Wellington and the Wairarapa during this vacancy, and for sustaining them by the ministry of your grace. Amen.

Adelaide Meetings
I spent last week in Adelaide attending a College of Presidents’ meeting, being involved in interviews with the graduating class of Australian Lutheran College (ALC / The Seminary), and attending a General Church Council meeting. While I still find elements of these meetings somewhat overwhelming, I also continue to grow in my understanding of a church whereby the love of God comes to life in places and ways way beyond our LCNZ experience. It is also exciting for the College of Presidents to have opportunity to interview and speak with graduating pastors and their wives. Graduation and ordination is set down for the second weekend in December in Adelaide.

• Lord God, shepherd of the sheep, thank you for providing pastors for your church. Thank you for the ministry of Australian Lutheran College in shaping and forming men for pastoral ministry. Thank you also for the leadership of our church – at National and District level. Continue to bless their work for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

The Next Edition of The Olive Tree
A message from our editor, Dan:

Hi everyone. 

I am writing to let you know the theme of the December edition of the Olive Tree. The theme is “What does Christmas means us in the LCNZ.” It would be great to get stories from local congregations on how they celebrate the story of the birth of Jesus. The text comes from Mathew 2: 1,2 (When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”)

All articles should be emailed by the 15th November to Dan.

Happy writing and God Bless. 

Dan Carswell

Gifts of Grace
The brand new 2012 Lutheran World Service (LWS) Gifts of Grace for our Lutheran family is hot off the presses and fresh on the website!

In Gifts of Grace this year, you’ll find ducks (10 of them), chickens (a whole farm), Seed Vouchers (including ground-nuts), fishing gear for South Sudan PLUS a dozen more gifts. There’s a ‘hot’ Mystery Gift, as well as our famous Lutheran Long Drop Loo. Buy gifts online.

Gifts start at only $5 (for a Rooster), and six gifts are under $12. That means Gifts of Grace are a perfect way to get kids and grandkids and Sunday Schools thinking about others at Christmas! LWS have created a two minute promo clip for Gifts of Grace. Watch it on YouTube but beware! The jingle will stick in your head forever, as will its star – the world’s cutest piglet!

Last year, more than $518,000 of life-changing aid was given through LWS Gifts of Grace, and was delivered by our Lutheran teams and other partners across Asia and Africa.

Gifts of Grace is a wonderful way we can come together as a Lutheran Church, help others, and live the values of love and service in a very practical way. I hope you can use it in your ministry.

Longest Lutheran Lunch: 28 October

Church Workers Conference
Next week the pastors and lay church workers of the LCNZ will meet in Christchurch for the final Church Workers’ Conference of the year. The middle day will be set aside for guided spiritual retreat (I’ll report on that next time around). Please pray for us as we travel, meet together, talk, study, pray and worship.

National Office Shift
Most of the boxes are packed and we’re almost set to go. New administrator, Robert Hagen has overseen the preparation-for-relocation process so far, and has done thorough planning for when the time comes for us to move into the new office. The shift will happen on Friday 26th October.

And to Close, Listen to this from Harrison Street Community Church, Whanganui
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. I do believe we are beginning to cook with gas. First free soup night at HSCC was great. We got visitors who came for tea and stayed and I got to see the members of my congregation talking and interacting with people from our area. It’s about relationships. Praise God we are on the move.

… I reckon Pastor Phil’s excited about something. And so he should be. A church cooking with gas … the Spirit (= breath, wind, gas) stirring in his people … reaching out and connecting with their community … touching people with love of Jesus.

… yes Phil, along with the rest of, we’re excited too! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! … or could that be Holy! Holy! Holy!

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 2 October 2012

Nga mihi o te ra
Greetings of the day…

The National Office of the LCNZ is about to shift to a new location. Please note the following:

Physical Address after 26th October
Lutheran Church of New Zealand
Molesworth House
101 Molesworth Street
Thorndon
Wellington 6011

Postal Address – effective immediately
Lutheran Church of New Zealand
P.O. Box 12470
Thorndon
Wellington 6144

Email Addresses
President: president@lutheran.org.nz
Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) Administrator: lsm@lutheran.org.nz

Ma te Atua e manaaki
God bless…

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 24 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Wellington / Wairarapa Extend Call
At a meeting at St Pauls Lutheran Church in Wellington yesterday, Sunday 23rd September, Pastor Jim Pietsch – currently serving the Melbourne North West Regional Ministry Multipoint Parish in Victoria – was called to be Pastor of St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. Please ask the Lord of the church to bless Jim as he listens to God speak through his Spirit and as he discerns God’s will with respect to this call. And pray for the members at St Pauls and St Francis as they continue to wait for a new pastor.

• Lord God, we pray in the words of the psalmist: lead us in your truth and teach us, for you are the God of our salvation; for you we wait all day long. By your Holy Spirit instruct your servant, Jim, as he considers the call to serve your people in Wellington and in the Wairarapa; reveal to him the way he should choose. Amen. (Ps.25:1,5,12)

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 21 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Partnership in the Gospel
It’s been an exciting couple of weeks in the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, since I last wrote to you. I’ve experienced great joy as President as I have participated in and shared in moments, conversations, events, etc. where partnerships have been established and celebrated; partnerships that, God-willing, will strengthen and enhance our witness to the saving power of the gospel of Jesus.

Let me tell you all about it!

Partners in the Gospel in Auckland
On Sunday 9th September around 170 people gathered at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland to welcome Pastor Joe and Julie Kummerow and their children (Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander), and to see Joe installed as Pastor of the Auckland Lutheran Parish. There was great joy as both Joe and the congregation committed to a partnership in the gospel that will see the love of God in Jesus Christ continue to be proclaimed through the various ministries of that parish.

Our sung prayer after we’d called ‘Naumai; haere mai’ (welcome) – as the Kummerow family entered the church at the beginning of worship – was that this pastor and these people would be one, bound in love for ever, growing close together day by day; growing as God fills them with his life.

We pray for you Joe and Julie and te tamariki o te whanau Kummerow (your family), that you settle in well to life and ministry here in New Zealand, and that joy will be in abundance as you hear Jesus speak to you and as you open your hearts and lips and lives to share him with Auckland.

• Heavenly Father, we thank you for calling Joe to be a steward of your holy mysteries and for giving him to this parish as its pastor. Fill him with your Holy Spirit, so that he may tenderly care for your people and give freely of himself to them. Help him to proclaim the gospel clearly and lead your people boldly. Watch over Julie and the children also, as they settle into the routine of home life and school life. As this parish is led by Pastor Joe let it hold firmly to the word of life, rejoice in your grace, and shine brightly as a light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kogudus – a Partnership / Relationship of Prayer
Over 40 people gathered at the call of the Holy Spirit at Foxton Bible Camp last weekend (14-16 September) for a Kogudus Retreat under the theme – Prayer : Growing in a relationship; not mastering a technique. And we were blessed as we were drawn close to the Father God’s heart. Under the capable and gentle leadership of Sharolyn Mollet, the Spirit stirred in us as we heard stimulating presentations, and were given opportunity to meet in small groups and to pray intentionally for each other.

The adage that a family that prays together stays together is true for our church also, and is God’s plan and purpose for us.

I want to highlight the blessing for me personally and for four other members of your Council of Synod (COS). We were placed in our own small group. What a blessing this was as we read scripture together and talked, as we discussed matters pertaining to our role as servant leaders of the National Church, and as we prayed for the Church and for the Lord’s will to be done through us and in us. And what a wonderful moment when the five of us were invited by Retreat Chaplain, Pastor Phil Husband, to stand together as one during Sunday worship, surrounded by the people of the Church praying for us.

It was also a joy to welcome the participation of sisters and brothers in Christ from other church denominations as well (remember, it’s all part of this relational thing when you belong to Christ!).

• Lord of relationships, thank you for relating to us in such loving ways and for inviting us to into relationship and partnership with you through the gift of prayer. Thank you for the blessing that Kogudus was and is to so many in your Church. Amen.

A New Partnership in Ministry at Marton and Halcombe
On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of ‘introducing’ the members of St Martin Marton and St Johns Halcombe to Sharolyn and Dennis Mollet. Of course, most of these folk know each other already. But on Wednesday evening, we marked the start of a new partnership in ministry.

Sharolyn and Dennis have heard the Lord’s call to offer themselves for specific pastoral ministry in Marton and Halcombe, where it is hoped that, God-willing, Dennis might eventually offer himself as an SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor) for these two congregations. At this stage we’re just beginning the journey … exploring and discerning God’s will; it’s not formal yet. However over the next few weeks and months, Sharolyn and Dennis will meet regularly with the folk at Marton and Halcombe, so that together they can hear the call of God to be partners in the ministry of the Gospel.

• Lord, you surely know the plans for your people – plans to give us a future with hope. Please prosper your plans and purposes for the partnership in ministry that is beginning between Sharolyn and Dennis at Marton and Halcombe. Amen.

The National Office Parternship Team
It’s been said that behind every good church there’s a good administration (well, there’s a saying that goes something like that, anyway). During this past week we have welcomed a new part-time administrator to the LCNZ National Office. Robert Hagen comes to this position with great skills and with a real desire to assist our church in attaining real efficiency in administration. Welcome Robert!

So on Tuesday past, we gathered as a team for the first time – Wayne Drogemuller (Treasurer who has also kept the administrative home fires burning since August last year / thanks Wayne!), Robert Hagen (new LCNZ administrator), Anna Kroehn (Lutheran Support Ministries administrator), Petrus Simons (who has done wonderful work sorting through files and folders and stuff), and yours truly.

We opened our day together in the name of the God of relationships – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and then spent the day talking together and working out how best we could function in such a way that the Lord’s ministry through the LCNZ might be supported and blessed.

• Lord God of relationships, please bless the partnerships in ministry that exist in our National Office. Keep those partnerships and friendships strong, that we may be a blessing and support to your church. Amen.

Child Safe Team Leader Training – Whanganui

• Wednesday 17th October and Wednesday 24th October
• 7.30pm at Harrison Street Community Church (ending by 9.30pm)
• Attendance at Team Member training is a pre-requisite for this training
• RSVP to Anna Kroehn, LSM Administrator if you are planning on attendin

And Finally Partners (or should that be “take your partners …”) …
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1 3-6)

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 5 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

In the Family
Friends – I have been informed of the death of Trevor Wishnowsky, saint and child of God, member of St Johns Lutheran Church Halcombe, who was called to be at home with his Lord yesterday morning. May you all, along with Barbara and her family be encouraged by what Jesus – Lord of life and death says to us:

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

In asking you to pray for Trevor’s family, I also need to ask you to pray specifically for his son-in-law, Lawrence Satherley who ended up in hospital later in the day. I don’t have details to share of the circumstances surrounding Lawrence’s hospitalisation.

• O God of grace and mercy, we thank you for your loving-kindness show to Trevor who, having finished his course in faith, now rests from his labours. Give to Barbara and her family and to all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in your loving care that. casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with Trevor we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Funeral details:

Friday 7th September
11.00am Funeral Service at St Lukes Lutheran Church, Palmerston North
2.00pm Committal at St Johns Lutheran Church, Halcombe

Kogudus Retreat … Prayer – growing in a relationship; not mastering a technique
You are warmly invited to the Kogudus Retreat on Prayer on 14th – 16th September 2012 at Foxton Bible Camp. The retreat seeks to deepen your walk with the Lord through worship, teaching, discussion and prayer ministry. Kogudus is an Estonian word that means Christian fellowship. The retreat format provides an environment of encouragement in which you can ask and discuss questions, share what you have already learned and just simply grow in exercising your faith. The retreat begins meeting by 6pm on the Friday evening to start with a meal and conclude at 2pm on the Sunday. In between there is a mixture of teaching, prayer, good food, laughter, opportunity for a walk, fun, and fellowship.

• 14th – 16th September 2012
• Foxton Bible Camp
• Register online at http://goo.gl/vkYjP

Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill
Yesterday I did two things with respect to the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill which passed its first stage with a conscience vote in Parliament last week:

1. I provided all pastors of the LCNZ and the Council of Synod (COS) with a copy of the letter that The President of the Church, Dr Michael Semmler, sent to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in the Australian Parliament in March of this year. While this was written for the Australian context, it also has relevance for us here in New Zealand.
   
   You can check this out in more detail from the LCA website at http://www.lca.org.au/lca-says-no-to-same-sex-marriage.html
2. I also read from Dr Semmler’s letter during a discussion on the Marriage Amendment Bill that we had as part of the National Church Leaders meeting in Wellington yesterday, and these comments were appreciated.

I was disappointed to hear that the Dominion-Post newspaper (and possible others) reported on the weekend that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand had no comment to make on this matter. While this is technically true, the reason that there was no comment made was due to the fact that I was out of Wellington at the time, travelling to the Bay of Plenty to do parish visiting and also to attend an Anglican-Lutheran Consultation meeting in Feilding on the way. By the time I received the communication from the journalist and his question (will the Lutheran Church conduct gay marriage?), it was already too late for any response from me to be included in the paper.

I hope to provide you with some information that might be helpful to you as you consider communicating with your local MPs on the matter.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 30 August 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

A Strong and Praying Council of Synod
This past weekend, your Council of Synod (CoS) met in Wellington for its latest round of meetings. We began on the Friday evening by hearing St Paul speak to and encourage us –

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

We, your servant-leaders acknowledge that we must be strong in the Lord and that we must function in the strength of his power so that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand and its members may be supported to continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness.

In view of the fact that St Paul points out that God’s people will be attacked and undermined in the ministry of Christ’s gospel, he encourages us to put on the whole armour of God and to pray in the Spirit at all times. We pray against this wily and devilish reality in Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer when we ask that the wicked foe will have no power over us.

And so your Council of Synod began a prayer journey this last weekend which will see each member commit to intentional prayer with another member of COS; a prayer partnership we hope and pray will make us strong in the way we function as a servant-leadership body, a prayer partnership we hope and pray will make us more loving and caring of each other, and a prayer partnership that will support the Lord’s ministry through our church.

COS members have been encouraged to regularly email, phone, or text one another in order to be intentional in this prayer partnership. And it may interest you to know that the LSM are also overseeing the establishment of an LCNZ Prayer Chain.

• We pray in the Spirit – clothe us in the armour of God that we may stand strong against the devil, always ready to proclaim the gospel of peace … we pray in the Spirit – wrap your church, the Lutheran Church of New Zealand around with the armour of God, that we may boldly make known the mystery of the gospel. E te Atua atawhai whakarongo mai ki ta matou inoi; God of grace you hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Report From Council of Synod Meeting
What follows is a summary of some of the main matters discussed and decided upon at the Council of Synod meeting this last weekend –

• We heard that the local authorities in Whakatane are planning to begin work on the stream in the township that has caused flooding issues with our manse there. In the meantime COS made a decision to rent the manse for anywhere between 18 and 24 months. We expressed our appreciation to Roxanne Bakke who does an amazing amount of work looking after the Whakatane manse.
• In an attempt to be more efficient and focused in our serving on COS, Pastor Member, Chris Janetzki has offered to draw up draft portfolio responsibilities for each member.
• President Mark and Vice President John have been invited to convene a Planning Group to start organising the Convention of Synod of the LCNZ next year. Thought is being given to asking Botany Lutheran Church to host this event.
• There is always an attempt to have mission as the main focus of our COS meetings. President Mark attempts to set a pro-active mission focus as he reports on his engagement with pastors, church workers and congregations around the LCNZ. Once again we spoke of the need for the people of the Lord’s church in New Zealand to be people of the Word – i.e. reading the Bible and having regular devotions. Interestingly, the theme for the LCA/NZ General Synod next year is ‘Growing in Christ.’ Unless we feed on him, how will grow?
• COS are looking to explore the possibility of lay representation on the General Church Council (GCC). This is permissible under GCC guidelines and would reduce the amount of time that President Mark is away from the LCNZ and his family.
• COS voted to negotiate a 1-year lease for new office space in Molesworth House in the suburb of Thorndon in Wellington from the beginning of November. Our lease at Oxford Terrace runs out at the end of October. A Task Force continues to explore the possibility of a ‘low-cost’ option for locating the National Office at St Pauls Wellington.
• COS has appointed Mr Robert Hagen as the new LCNZ Administrator. Robert will begin his orientation next week.
• COS were also informed that Anna Kroehn has been appointed by Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) to the position of part-time LSM administrator.
• A reminder to all congregations to ensure they are registered for charitable status so that members can claim tax deductions on donations with the encouragement to donate the deductions to further support the work of sharing the Gospel through the ministry of the church.
• COS was informed of an initiative from Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) which is setting up a Prayer Network across New Zealand to pray for the LCNZ, members, committees , congregations and ministries.

Haere Mai (Welcome) Colin and Mary
Pastor Colin Hartwich and his wife Mary arrived in Wellington last Friday to begin a locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West (Wairarapa) through September and part of October. We welcome them to our place and our church, and wish them much joy as they live and serve amongst us.

• Again Lord, we say thank you for providing shepherds for our souls and for your church. Thank you for Colin and Mary. Amen.

Installation at Mountainside – Sunday 9th September
An exciting day looms for the members of the Auckland Lutheran Parish, and indeed for the whole of the LCNZ. If you’re anywhere near the Auckland area on the 9th September, then consider calling in to Mountainside Lutheran Church to share in the joy of welcoming Joe and Julie and their children – Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander to New Zealand, and to the joy that is the installation of a pastor to ministry in this parish.

Mountainside Lutheran Church
Sunday 9th September, 10.00am

• Lord Jesus, continue to watch over Joe and Julie and their family as they settle in to life in New Zealand and prepare to begin ministry amongst your people at Mountainside. Amen.

Your Place – Upper Moutere … feature on Radio New Zealand National
Check this out … Upper Moutere featured on Jim Mora’s Afternoons on Radio New Zealand this afternoon (Thursday 30th August). Most of the initial 140 immigrants were Lutheran Protestants, but within a few short years more than a quarter of them had left the district. It was, in fact, a settlement built around a pub. A Mr Cordt Bennseman built an inn between Richmond and Motueka, and the town grew around it. Present day Upper Moutere is not a great deal larger than it was 160 years ago. Follow through to the Radio New Zealand website to listen to the interviews, featuring Jenny Briars. There’s even mention made of the great Aussie pastor in UMO … Chris Janetzki. The publican told Radio NZ that Chris played rugby for the local team and that he thought that he would have to be a prop (go Rangers!!), but we all know that Chris is one of the finest fullbacks in the valley!

175 Stories … where history comes to life!
As part of the 175th anniversary celebrations for the LCA/NZ next year, a collection of 175 stories that will together reflect the history of Lutherans in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South-East Asia will be compiled. These stories will be about ordinary Lutheran men and women who exemplified service or who figured in significant events in our Lutheran narrative. The stories, which will be about people now deceased, will tell not only what they did but also something of their personality and faith. Lay people will feature prominently in the collection. We realise that not everyone can write confidently, so suggestions and ideas for stories are also invited. Examples of stories are available upon request. Please send stories (around 500 words), with a photo if possible, and suggestions for stories to Dr John Koch: john.koch@lca.org.au or to 34 Gallery Road, Highbury SA 5089. Also include the author’s name and contact details.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 10 August 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Excerpts From a Letter to the Lutherans of Aotearoa-New Zealand (with a bit of help from St Paul)
I’ve loved the readings from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians over recent Sundays, and I’ve had the privilege of preaching on them as well.

In this update, I’ve simply picked out some of the best bits and I offer them to you as encouragement.

Long before God laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. (Eph.1:3-6)

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Eph.1:11-12)

Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. (Eph.2:16-18)

I ask the Father to strengthen you by his Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength – that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (Eph.3:14-19)

God can do anything – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph.3:20-21)

Get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline … pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (Eph.4:1-3)

Stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. (Eph.4:4-6)

We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. (Eph.4:14-16)

Take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. (Eph.4:20-24)

Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Watch the way you talk. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph.4:25-32)

• Dear Lord God, help us watch what you do and then do it ourselves, like children who learn proper behaviour from our parents. God, what you mostly do is love us. By your Spirit help us keep company with you and learn a life of love. Help us to watch how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Help us to love like that. Amen. (Eph.5:1-2)

(All quotations from The Message, ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

Chinese Gold – 28th / 29th July
Just as the Chinese are heading the medal table at the Olympics, so too our sisters and brothers from Botany Lutheran Church (BLC) ‘took the gold’ a couple of weekends back, excelling in their ability to prepare and facilitate a wonderful celebration to mark the ordination of Tat Ming Tsui as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP).

More than 300 people packed into All Saints Anglican Church in Howick for a concert of wonderful music on the Saturday before the ordination – much of the music in the concert praised God and proclaimed his love for all people in Christ. I commend the members of BLC for their vision of engaging with their community and for their commitment to giving witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that many lives were gently touched by the Spirit of Jesus as a result of this concert. I believe this concert is intended as an annual event.

Then on the Sunday morning, the Spirit gathered about 150 people together for the ordination of Tat. People travelled from as far away as Turakina Beach (who came from there?), Wellington, Hamilton, Brisbane, and Mountainside (which isn’t very far away, eh). There was a real sense of joy in the Lord amongst the congregation and a deep sense of gratitude to God for providing them with a new pastor. My conversations with various members of BLC reveal that the Spirit is stirring this congregation in amazing ways towards being intentional about sharing Jesus – the Bread of Life – with Auckland.

During the service we also acknowledged the wonderful way that God had worked through his servants, Pastor David and Annie Chiang in establishing BLC.

• Again we pray: thank you Lord God for watching over Tat and Irene, and the members of Botany Lutheran Church during this time of preparation and affirmation of call on Tat to become a pastor for this congregation. We are grateful to you for your provision of pastors and we thank you for the foundational ministry provided by your Spirit through the ministry of Pastor David and Annie. Grow this congregation in faith, hope and love. Amen.

Haere Ra (Farewell) Rex
This Sunday marks the end of the locum ministry of Pastor Rex Mickan at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland. Thank you Rex for your faithful ministry in the Lord’s church here in NZ; we wish you blessing as you return home to Sydney. Pastor Colin Hartwich will be the next locum pastor at Wellington / Wairarapa, beginning at the end of August.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and serve during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Pastor Colin Hartwich. Thank you for their ministry of encouragement among us. Amen.

It’s Almost Naumai / Haere Mai to the Kummerow Family
Please continue to pray for Pastor Joe Kummerow, his wife Julie and their family as they prepare to relocate to New Zealand – and particularly to Mountainside at the end of next week.

• Lord Jesus, we pray that you would watch over Joe and Julie and their family and provide travelling mercies as they prepare to leave friends and family and a familiar place to come us here in New Zealand to begin ministry amongst your people at Mountainside. Amen.

Meetings, Meetings … And More Meetings … In Order to Bring Glory to God
Tomorrow the next round of quarterly meetings for the LCNZ begin in Wellington – Finance Advisory Council (FAC) and the Lutheran Layman’s League (LLL) meet on Saturday 11th August; Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) meet on Saturday 18th August, and the Gateway Gift Trust Board (GGTB) and the Council of Synod (COS) meet on the 24th and 25th August.

The leadership of your church have some very challenging and important matters to discuss during this round of meetings.

I believe the real challenge for us is to make sure that all of us – those of us in national leadership and those of us worshipping and serving in local congregations – remain absolutely committed and focused on the task that we have been called and claimed for through our baptism – viz. to let our light shine to the glory of God the Father.

These days it’s very easy to become distracted by things that take us away from the main task at hand. St Paul will even encourage us in our second reading this coming Sunday, not to make room for the devil (Eph.4:27).

I’ve been asked by some on COS to ask you – the church we serve – to pray for us in these coming days and meetings – so that we will remain focused on Jesus and on the task of proclaiming him to New Zealand, and not be distracted by things that should not distract us.

• Almighty God, direct and guide us by your Holy Spirit both to plan and to accomplish those things that will benefit Your Church and glorify Your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 20 July 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Get Cheering
A couple of weeks back on a lovely crisp winter’s Saturday morning, I was working in our garden planting the first of the new roses. Through the clear winter air I could hear cheering from a sports game at the local park. It could have been midget rugby, or football or hockey. Whatever it was, the parents / spectators were in full voice encouraging their children … kick it, tackle, run … try!!

In a few days’ time we’ll be cheering for our heroes … for the black singlet and the silver fern as Kiwis go for gold at the London Olympics. Even though they’ll be running, throwing and rowing around the other side of the world, if you’re anything like me, there’s something pretty special about cheering our athletes on and encouraging them to do their best.

I’m looking forward to conducting the rite of Holy Baptism for a young child in 3 weeks’ time … the rite of initiation and incorporation into Christ that sets all the people of God on the journey – the race of life through to eternity. And one of the special things we pastors get to do during the rite of baptism is to ask the spectators whether they’ll cheer this new little runner on –

Members of X congregation: Receive N, whom God has given to us as our brother/sister in Christ. Pray for him/her and be a good example to him/her.

We don’t have to wait for a baptism to take place to offer the ministry of encouragement. On Sunday I preached in a couple of our congregations and I was absolutely delighted that during worship a leader in one of the congregations offered love and encouragement to a new young member of that particular congregation. “You belong to this family; consider us your sisters and brothers,” the young man was told. Wow! What wonderful encouragement.

And just last week … the ministry of encouragement in faith and life in Christ was given to about 28 of our young people at the LCNZ National Youth Camp held at Foxton Beach during the second week of the holidays. (Here, I might just record our appreciation as a church to all those who planned the camp and looked after our young people during the week – especially to Pastor Lee Kroehn and his wife, Anna).

What opportunities are you aware of that God is giving you to encourage someone in their life-long journey (race) with Jesus. Who are you going to cheer on?

May the writer to the Hebrews give you encouragement too –

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Back to my roses. When I put them in the ground they were just bare sticks it seemed, but I’ve been checking on them every day and guess what? I’ve noticed they’re growing fresh, young leaves. I think I’ll have to set up a roster with my girls to keep going out and checking (encouraging) my roses when I’m away.

Get the picture?

• Father God, thank you for loving us through your Son Jesus, and thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who encourages us and cheers us on as we journey through life to eternity, looking to Jesus. Open our eyes and ears and hearts to the opportunities that exist for encouraging and cheering on others. Amen.

Thanks For Cheering Us On – Karen & John
This Sunday marks the end of the locum ministry provided by Dr John Koch and his wife Karen to the members (runners in the race) of St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. We thank them for their ministry of love and wish them safe return to their home in Adelaide. At the same time we’re thankful to God that Pastor Rex Mickan continues to cheer on the folk at Mountainside. Pastor Colin Hartwich will be the next locum pastor at Wellington / Wairarapa.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and fill in during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Robyn, and Dr John Koch and Karen. Thank you for their ministry of encouragement among us. Amen.

Cheering the Chinese
Next weekend will be a very exciting weekend for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand as we gather to cheer on Vicar Tat Tsui and the members of Botany Lutheran Church. We need as many spectators as we can gather to offer encouragement and love to Tat and our Chinese sisters and brothers in this congregation as Tat is ordained as a Special Ministry Pastor (SMP). And if you’re in Auckland the evening before, make sure you come along to the concert that the members of Botany have organised to celebrate this wonderful occasion –

Saturday 28th July 7.00pm
Nightingale Concert – Celebrate the Word of God through music
All Saints Anglican Church
Corner of Cook Street and Selwyn Road, Howick

Sunday 29th July 11.00am
Divine Service including the Ordination of Tat Ming Tsui as an SMP
Botany Lutheran Church
150C Harris Rd, East Tamaki

• Thank you Lord God for watching over Tat and Irene, and the members of Botany Lutheran Church during this time of preparation and affirmation of call on Tat to become a pastor for this congregation. Give us joy as we cheer you for your provision of a pastor, and as meet to celebrate next weekend and encourage our sisters and brothers in life and ministry. Amen.

A Race Run and Finished
On Monday morning Betty Ennis – mother of Janine Lipsys (wife of Pastor David, Christchurch), completed her earthly race and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus in eternity. Please keep Janine and David and all their families in your hearts and in your prayers. I am informed by Pastor David that Betty’s funeral is being planned for 11.00am on Friday 27th July at St Lukes Lutheran Church, Palmerston North.

• God of peace and joy, we thank you for your grace to Betty and to all your people who have finished the course of their lives in faith and now rest from all their work. Comfort Betty’s family in their time of mourning, for you are the only source of true comfort, and in your love you long to comfort us. Care for us and remind us that you are always near. Bring us, and all who have fallen asleep in faith, to perfect joy and fulfilment in your eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Media Prayer Day – Sunday 5th August … Praying Across NZ and the World
Christian Broadcasting Association (CBA) writes –

We’ve been in touch with more than 1,700 churches across NZ … and now will have people praying around the world. Phil Guyayn (CBA Managing Trustee) has just returned from the United States, where he visited Karen Covell who heads up the Hollywood Prayer Network. Karen mobilises tens of thousands of Christians around the world to pray for the ‘world’s most influential mission field’ … Hollywood, the epicentre of the western world’s media and entertainment industry. Karen is asking her vast network of intercessors to join us in prayer on Sunday 5th August. It’s exciting and encouraging to know that when we pray on Media Prayer Day, we’ll be joined by brothers and sisters in the faith around the planet.

What else can you do?

• Please remind/encourage everyone in your circle of influence to pray on the day. Invite them to engage by visiting www.mediaprayerday.com
• Please encourage others to view and share the 3-minute YouTube video.
• Please encourage participation on our FaceBook page

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 22 June 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Up the River … (Without a Paddle?) … Peace; Be Still
During this past week the Pastors and Church Workers gathered at Harrison Street Community Church (St John’s Lutheran) in Whanganui for the second of our annual Church Worker Conferences. Despite being small in number, the conference provided a wonderful opportunity for sharing, mutual support and encouragement, worship, prayer, study, and just generally some time away from the coalface of our ministry situations in order to be refreshed and recharged.

On Wednesday afternoon, we left the hustle and bustle of city life behind and drove up the picturesque Whanganui River Valley road through the communities of Atene (Athens), Koroniti (Corinth), and Ranana (London) to the quietness, remoteness and solitude of Hiruhurama (Jerusalem).

Hiruhurama was once an important kainga (fishing village) on the Whanganui River in New Zealand where a Roman Catholic mission was established in 1854. Hiruharama was the site where, in 1892, Suzanne Aubert (better known as Mother Mary Joseph) established the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion. They became a highly respected charitable nursing and religious order. A convent remains on the mission property as well as a beautiful weatherboard church. Well-known New Zealand poet James K. Baxter and many of his followers formed a community at Hiruhurama in 1970 and Baxter is buried there.

Before we left this beautiful place, Pastor Lee Kroehn (Manawatu) led our closing devotion and prayers for the day in the church – Hato Hohepa (St Joseph’s) – and read the following from the gospel for this coming Sunday –

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

In this gorgeous location … up the river … with some of feeling at times as if we’re up the river without a paddle or two due to the pressures and demands of ministry … together with our Lord speaking to us, we were able to be still and to experience the peace of Jesus. It was, as some of us agreed, a most spiritual experience (to use a very clichéd phrase).

• Lord Jesus, please speak peace into our lives and say “be still” to the storms when they gather around us. Remind us that you are in the boat of our lives (paddling up the river) with us. Amen.

Memorial Service: Pastor Allan Heppner
Pastor John Davison (Hamilton / Bay of Plenty) reports that about 41 people gathered at St Matthew Hamilton recently to give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Pastor Allan Heppner. One couple travelled from Te Kuiti. Debra and Rochelle Heppner, together with Allan’s parents-in-law Buster and Joan Kells were also present. John said that it was a blessing for everyone concerned.
· Gracious God, we thank you for the memories you give us of those who were special to us and a blessing to our church. We continue to thank you for Allan and ask you to be close with your peace and stillness to those who grieve for him. Amen.

Graduate Debrief
On Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th, together with the other Presidents of the Church, I participated in the Graduate Pastor debrief in Adelaide. Included in the class that graduated at the end of 2010 were our own Pastor Chris (Ernst) Janetzki and his wife Haidee from Upper Moutere / Hope. These two days gave the graduates a wonderful opportunity to share their “highs and lows” with their colleagues and to receive love, counsel and support from the Presidents of the Church. I was very impressed with the calibre of this group of young pastors, and was taken especially by the ways in which each was intentionally engaging in the ministry opportunities and locations in which they’d been placed.

Chris and Haidee are no exception; they are a wonderful blessing to our church here in Aotearoa-NZ, and especially in the communities of Hope and Upper Moutere. They need our love and support as they continue to grow in ministry and serve the Lord of the Church.

• Thanks Lord for the young and energetic Graduate Pastors in our church, and thanks especially for Chris and Haidee who you’ve given to us here in NZ. Watch over them and bless them in their ministry and life, and bring Chris and Haidee back to us refreshed after their time in Australia. Amen.

Naumai; Haere Mai
Welcome to Dr John Koch and his wife Karen. John has begun a 6 week locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. It was great to welcome John and Karen to our Church Workers conference during the week too.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and fill in during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Robyn (Mountainside) and Dr John Koch and Karen (Wellington/Wairarapa). Bless their presence and their work among us, and watch over the families and friends they leave behind in Australia to be here. Amen.

Childsafe
Just a wee reminder … ChildSafe training takes place at Harrison Street Community Church (St John’s Lutheran Church), 98 Harrison Street, Whanganui … tomorrow (Saturday 23rd June) from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Annual Leave
I am taking 3 weeks annual leave from today until Friday 13th July. During this time if you need to contact someone from the National Office, please do the following:

• Email lcnz@clear.net.nz or phone (04) 3852540, or
• In an urgent / emergency situation contact the Vice President of the church, Pastor John Davison on 027 5078897

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa