LCNZ Update 23 March 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Give Way
This coming Sunday at 5.00am, New Zealand drivers will have to start operating with two new give way rules. The TV and media campaign has been underway for some time now telling us that we need to change the manner in which we drive and the way we treat other users of the road. Things will be different from this Sunday; we’re been asked to give way in a new way.

I think the Lenten season we’re journeying through at the moment also suggests that we change. It’s a bit of a directional thing as well, much like driving. It’s a season for doing the U-turn … turning away from those debilitating and wayward directions we may have been (have been!) travelling in (that’s sin for you!!), back towards a gracious and loving, full-of-compassion and forgiving God. I suppose it’s a bit of a ‘give up; give way’ thing too … giving up our sinful past and our sinful present, and giving way to the kind rule and tender directing of God in our lives … welcoming the one who knows the way because he is the way, the truth and the life, and inviting him to set our paths and directions straight.

Coincidently, this coming Sunday is also the ‘xx^thb’ anniversary of the day that by the power of the Holy Spirit my life changed direction forever through the water and Word of Holy Baptism. And so, along with dear Pastor Luther, may I also encourage you to begin each day by giving way … giving your life back to the gracious God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in whose name you were claimed and eternally blessed.

Twenty20
Last weekend 14 people from throughout the LCNZ met at the National Office in Wellington for the T20 Administration workshop, led by Katharina Borszik. Here’s what I wrote in an email to the participants this morning –

First, I want to express huge appreciation to Katharina for her energy, enthusiasm and leadership for the T20 workshop on the weekend. Katharina – we appreciate your love for the church and your desire to see things done well so that the ministry of the gospel can be supported wherever we are! Thanks to your “honey” as well; Daniel – thanks for your support of Katharina.

And to the rest of you – it was great to spend the weekend with you, laughing, learning, sharing, eating and worshipping together. I trust that the weekend was a blessing to you, and that through you it will be a blessing to your congregations.

A Church That’s Keen To Grow
Last week I seemed to spend a fair bit of time on the road, visiting and talking with some great people around our church. Early in the week I had a wonderful meeting in Marton with the folk from St Martins Marton, Trinity Feilding and St Lukes Palmerston North. Why? Because people from those congregations want to explore ways of doing ministry in even better and more effective ways throughout their region … and they want to help each other, and work in ministry together. Exciting eh!

Later in the week I met with some equally lovely and committed people on the North Shore of Auckland. What a beautiful place, and what wonderful passion and vision these people have for seeing the church grow in that part of Auckland. It’s early days at this stage (although the North Shore will tell you that they have been dreaming and waiting on God for 38+ years now), but we’re keen to explore how God might use us the LCNZ grow his kingdom in this part of Aotearoa and bring more people to the saving love of Jesus Christ. Exciting eh!, he says again … and he says it again, because this is the sort of stuff that makes a President’s heart leap for joy.

Keep praying for all this Spirit-inspired enthusiasm that is in our church.

Special Servants Of Love
Next week we will farewell Pastor David and Barbara Wundersitz from Auckland; their 2 month locum ministry at Mountainside will come to an end. We thank God for them and for their ministry of love and encouragement amongst the members of Mountainside. Travel back safely to Australia, and come and see us again soon … and thanks David for your continued support of all things black when it comes to sport!

At the end of next week we will welcome back to New Zealand Pastor Robert and Lynette Wiebusch. Robert and Lynette will serve a short locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington (including the Wairarapa) from Sunday 1st April to Sunday 15th April. We’re looking forward to welcoming them back to a place they called ‘home’ for many years, and we know that that their ministry will be blessed also.

And Pastor Martin and Liz Schirmer will arrive in Auckland to begin their locum ministry at the beginning of April through to the end of May.

We are so blessed and so grateful to God for the way he continues to look after us even during pastoral vacancy situations.

Which Brings Me To Calls
St Pauls Wellington will conduct their next call meeting on Sunday 1st April. Mountainside is in the process of interviewing possible candidates with a view to conducting their next call meeting sometime after Easter. Please continue to pray for the Spirit’s leading and guidance on these call processes.

National Office
This week Petrus Simons, member of St Pauls Wellington, began a short-term assignment of assisting in the National Office. Petrus’ main task is to take care of administrative matters and little tasks about the place that haven’t been able to be attended to during the period the National Office has been without a permanent Administrator. We’re very grateful for Petrus’ willingness to help in this way. We will also soon begin the advertising process for the new Administrator.

Bach Cantata Vespers
8.00pm Good Friday – St Pauls Wellington
If you’re around Wellington over the Easter weekend, why not come along to the special Bach Cantata Vespers for Good Friday at St Pauls?

Membra Jesu Nostri
Dietrich Buxtehude

Ensemble Abendmusik

Lisette Wesseling, Anna Sedcole & Rowena Simpson sopranos
Emma Drysdale alto & Mark Whitfield counter-tenor
John Beaglehome tenor
Timothy Hurd bass
Richard Apperley director

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

Special LCNZ Update

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Death of Pastor Romans Reinfelds
Pastor Romans Reinfelds – long-serving Pastor of St Mara’s Latvian Lutheran congregation in Christchurch – has died in Wellington aged 97. His funeral will be held at Lychgate Chapel, 306 Willis Street, Wellington tomorrow (Wednesday) 14th March at 11.00am.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 8 March 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Sheltered From the Storms
Last weekend many places in the North Island were hit by a weather bomb – a storm that had its genesis in the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria, a storm that increased in intensity as it crossed the Tasman with the Long White Cloud in view. It had its most destructive effect in some parts of Whanganui and Southern Taranaki, and even as I write (almost a week on) some 1000+ homes are still without electricity.

At the same time we’re hearing about destructive flooding in parts of Australia, destructive twisters in parts of the US, and fairly recently seriously cold temperatures in Europe resulting in a number of deaths.

Some of the storms that come our way and hit us are not of the climatic variety. At the moment I’m aware of a number of folk who are experiencing various forms of storm in their life – bereavement, illness, ageing and wearying, job and vocational uncertainty, personal relationship issues, financial concerns, etc.

I recently encouraged a good friend with these storm-protection words, and I offer them to you too, just in case you’re experiencing a storm or two at the moment –

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.’
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge
Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble,
    I will rescue them and honour them.
With long life I will satisfy them,
    and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:1-4,14-16)

Ecumenical
On Sunday 26th February Leanne and I were guests at the Liturgical Farewell to Bishop Thomas Brown, Anglican Bishop of Wellington. I found that a very inspiring event for a number of reasons, but mainly because it helped me reflect on the call the church has placed on me to be ‘bishop’ – to be pastoral and shepherding in my servant-leadership of you in the LCNZ. It seemed from everything that was said at this service, that Bishop Tom had been a great bishop; a servant at heart with a pastoral love for his people … and I came away thinking – Lord, please help me be like Tom … loving and pastoral.

Earlier this week I attended my first National Heads of Churches meeting in Wellington. We’re a small player in the NZ church scene, but well-respected and valued. Many around the table remember with great affection and appreciation the contribution that Steen Olsen made during his time to this forum, particularly as chairman. And so I was warmly welcomed by other church leaders. I was impressed with the spirit of unity in the group, especially the unity of purpose we share with respect to sharing Jesus and his love with the nation. We received the final report on the Engage campaign which saw churches throughout New Zealand offering hospitality in the name of Christ to visitors and communities during the recent Rugby World Cup. This ecumenical ministry initiative was considered so successful that the NZ Engage team has been asked to oversee the same ministry for RWC 2015. One of the exciting things to look forward to is the bicentenary celebrations of the arrival of the Gospel to Aotearoa in 2014.

Twenty20: Administration Workshop

• LCNZ National Offices, 14 Oxford Terrace, Mt Cook
• 17th and 18th March 2012 (Sat + Sun) … opportunity to worship at St Pauls on the Sunday
• See the website for more information

Luther’s Works For Sale
The complete set of Martin Luther’s writings in 54 volumes including a Companion Volume with an introduction to the evangelical writings is for sale (published by Concordia Publishing House in St Louis, Missouri). The seller was planning to offer them on EBay and/or Amazon at about NZ$600 but would much prefer that they stay in New Zealand for, say, $NZ500. If you are interested, please contact the National Office of the LCNZ.

Locum Ministry
Pastor Norm Bergen and Kay completed 10 weeks of locum ministry at St Pauls, Wellington and St Francis, Mauriceville West last Sunday. We’re so grateful to God for providing pastors to our church during vacancies, and thank Norm and Kay for their time and ministry of love. At the same time, we continue to thank God for Pastor David Wundersitz and Barbara who are serving in locum ministry at Mountainside.

Call News
Pastor Matthew Wilksch informed members of the Auckland Lutheran Parish last weekend that after prayerful consideration he believed that God was leading him to decline the call to Mountainside. So, that call process continues, and St Pauls Wellington is working towards holding a call meeting on Sunday 1st April.

Bach Cantata Vespers

• Saturday 10th March, 5.00pm
• Widerstehe doch der Sūnde (Stand firm against sin), BWV 54
• St Pauls Lutheran Church, 12 King Street, Mt Cook Wellington
• Music provided by Ensemble Abendmusik directed by Richard Apperley
• Cantor, Organist, and Preacher: Mark Whitfield

Let Us Pray
I encourage you to include in your prayers –

• Pastor Allan Heppner, Debra and their family, as we offer them to God for his protection during Allan’s illness. Allan continues to receive chemotherapy treatment.
• The family of Ray Meharg (Mountainside) as they mourn the death of Ray’s dad during the week, and the family of Shanon Peters (Wellington) as they mourn the death of Shanon’s mum in the USA recently.
• I would appreciate your prayers for our family too – my Dad, who has been unwell for many years, was admitted to Intensive Care at Whanganui Hospital this morning, struggling with breathing.
• Preparation for the T20 Administration workshop.
• Pray for the computer system at the National Office. About 2 weeks ago it crashed, and now we’re in the process of restoring/recovering everything to a new computer. I’ve heard from Wayne this morning that all our information has been restored to the new system; thank God for that!
• That God would provide in his good time –
• An administrator for the National Office
• Pastors for St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa and for Mountainside

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand