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 ‘xxthb’ 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.A Church That’s Keen To Grow
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.
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 sopranosMā te Atua koe e tiaki
Emma Drysdale alto & Mark Whitfield counter-tenor
John Beaglehome tenor
Timothy Hurd bass
Richard Apperley director
God be with you.
+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
