Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.
New Life – Growth – Strength – Peace
I love the uniquely New Zealand symbol of the koru – that’s why I’m using it in this update. The koru is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace. It is an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattoos. The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin.As a January and the holidays come to an end and the New Year continues to unfurl, we find ourselves waking each morning again to the various regular (sometimes mundane) routines of life – work, school, meetings, schedules, timetables … work, school, meetings etc.
It’s different however for us Christians. When we wake each morning and start the new day, we’re invited to go back to the point of origin – our baptism. Some might say that going back to the same thing each day is a bit routine; a bit mundane. Not when water and the Word of God are involved. Like the koru, baptism brings new life, growth, strength and peace. Indeed each new day (or routine day for that matter), we are being created anew in Christ and we are being prepared for new opportunities for love and service in his name.
Na ki te mea kei roto i a te Karaiti tetahi, he mahinga hou ia: kua pahemo nga mea tawhito, na kua hou nga mea katoa.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Enjoy the regular daily baptismal routine of being made new!
Talking of New
On Saturday Pastor David & Janine Lipsys moved into their new home in Christchurch. David and Janine’s old home was significantly damaged in the original earthquake (Sept.2010) and suffered further damage with each successive major quake. I was talking to David last week, and he said that both he and Janine were excited about moving to their new home in a more stable suburb of Christchurch. We wish you many blessings and happiness, and an increased sense of safety and wellbeing in your new home.
We continue to pray God that you will do a new thing in Christchurch – viz. bring about healing and restoration of lives, city infrastructure, business and commerce, etc., and also that the earthquakes would come to an end.
Mountainside Call New Pastor: Pastor Matthew Wilksch
Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of leading worship, preaching and conducting a call meeting at Mountainside for the Auckland Lutheran Parish.
At the call meeting the parish resolved to call Pastor Matthew Wilksch (currently serving at Bridgewater in South Australia) to be their pastor. As the whole congregation affirmed the call to Pastor Matthew, we prayed – Lord God Heavenly Father, we pray for Pastor Matthew, that he may be sensitive to your will and to our ministry needs and vision here at Mountainside as he considers submitting himself to our call and to the visitation of your Holy Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I invite you to pray for Matthew’s wife Sandra and their 4 children as they also consider this call.
Installation Of LCNZ President
A reminder to you all that you are warmly invited to attend my installation as President of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand:
- Sunday 12th February at 2.00pm at St Pauls Lutheran Church Wellington (afternoon tea to follow)
- Preacher: Dr. David Stolz (Past Vice President of the LCA/NZ, Past President of the LCA Victoria/Tasmania)
- The Rite of Installation: Rev. Mark Lieschke (President of the LCA New South Wales)
- Congregations (especially within easy reach of Wellington) should be letting the National Office know of numbers intending to attend
As I write this, Pastor David Wundersitz and Barbara have probably touched down in Auckland. They have come to serve in interim ministry at Mountainside during February and March. Welcome! The Auckland people have been looking forward to your arrival, and we certainly pray joy and blessing during your time here in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Manse Blessing
On the Friday evening just passed, over 70 people gathered at the new LCNZ President’s manse in Khandallah in Wellington to seek the blessing of God on this home. Enough members of the Anglican Cathedral choir were present in order for us to enjoy 4-part singing as part of the blessing rite. And then we ‘warmed’ the home for the next few hours.
Olive Tree: Next Issue
A message from our new editor of the Olive Tree, Dan Carswell – Hi everyone. Don't forget the 15th of February is the deadline for articles for the next issue of the Olive Tree. The theme is 'new things Christ is doing in our church' and is based on the text from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18. In the love of Jesus, Dan Carswell. Dan’s email is dcars1976@gmail.com.
Installations
Two pastors with LCNZ connections will be installed into new parishes next Sunday (5th February). Pastor Milton Fritsch who served at Mountainside in Auckland will be installed as pastor in the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in Queensland. Graduate Pastor Wayne George will be installed as pastor in the Greenock Lutheran Parish in South Australia. Please pray for these men and their families as they journey and serve in ministry where the Holy Spirit has called them to journey and serve.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+MARK
President Elect – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
