Grace and peace to you from God.
Anzac Day
I have just come home from singing in the choir at the ANZAC service in a packed Wellington Cathedral. Apparently numbers at Dawn Services and commemorations are up again throughout New Zealand; more and more it seems – especially the young – are acknowledging the sacrifice made by so many through many conflicts in order that our nation and other nations might live in peace. We let scripture affirm a great truth as we commemorate – no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).
My Father – Maurice Whitfield (A personal comment from our family)
Over the last week especially, my family and I have been blessed by the great comfort offered by the truth that our dear friend, Jesus lay down his life for my father. A week ago today, Dad was called to his heavenly home, aged 86 years and 2 days.
My wife Leanne wrote in an email to some –
Although we are sad to lose a loving father and granddad, we feel at peace, knowing that his suffering is over. He has been in poor health for some years, but in the past few weeks, he had deteriorated further, and when he was discharged from hospital the last time, about 10 days ago, he went to a nursing home at Bulls. We were at Marton on the weekend, and visited him twice. Both visits were rather emotional, as he was struggling to breathe, and had strong pain from an unknown origin. We had a family party (a very quiet party!) in the nursing home lounge with a birthday cake for him and Charlotte on Saturday. We felt that he could not live for much longer.So last Saturday we gathered at St Martins, Marton with about 230 others to celebrate the love of God in Dad’s life and in ours. We sang, we laughed, we prayed, we heard God speak his amazing love to us through his Word … and above all we thanked God that he loves us so much that he lays down his life – through his Son Jesus – in order that we might live at peace and in freedom into eternity. We continue to rejoice in the release and healing Dad now has from his earthly suffering, and in the gift of eternal life he received at his baptism which he now enjoys in all fullness in the presence of his Lord.
Last Wednesday morning, just after 5am, he peacefully breathed his last and passed from life to life everlasting. We are so thankful that through his witness to strong and committed faith, we are left with the sure hope of seeing him again at the end of our own lives. He has laid a foundation of faith for our whole family ... such a blessing.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
A little additional note … we appreciate the many expressions of love that we have received from people throughout New Zealand and from other places in the world.
A Dying and Rising … All In One
In the same way that my Dad died and now lives eternally through baptismal grace, Jonah Kroehn – son of Pastor Lee and Anna Kroehn (Manawatu) has also died and been raised in Christ. Last Sunday at Hope Valley Lutheran Church in South Australia (I think that’s where it was), Jonah was, as scripture says, buried with Jesus by baptism into death and raised to walk in newness of life with Christ (Romans 6). Our prayer is that Jonah will continue to grow in this beautiful baptismal grace.
Haere Mai Martin & Liz; Haere Ra Bob & Lynette
The LCNZ continues to be blessed through the locum ministries of pastors from across the ditch. Just before Easter Mountainside and the North Shore welcomed Pastor Martin Schirmer and his wife Liz, and St Pauls Wellington welcomed Pastor Robert Wiebusch and his wife Lynette. We’re so grateful for these ministries and especially over the Easter weekend. Bob and Lynette have since returned to Australia; Martin and Liz are here for a little longer.
Which Brings Me to Calls
On Sunday 1st April St Pauls Wellington called Pastor Vince Gerhardy from Caboolture in Queensland, and last Sunday (22nd April), Mountainside called Pastor Joe Kummerow from Wodonga in Victoria. Please continue to pray for the Spirit’s leading and guidance as these pastors consider their respective calls to serve in the LCNZ.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
