Grace and peace to you from God.
Jonah Kroehn – He’s Alive
Friends … I’ve just been made aware that perhaps the use of my rather cryptic language in speaking about the baptism of Jonah Kroehn made it seem as if Jonah had died as well.
I’m really sorry if I’ve confused or worried anyone.
My intention of course was to simply acknowledge that in Holy Baptism one does die to sin and is raised to newness of life in Christ Jesus (check Romans 6) … and that’s why I referred to his baptism as a dying and rising all in one.
Jonah is well and truly alive!
Kogudus
I also forgot to mention that a Kogudus Retreat is taking place in Ngaruawahia this weekend called – Prayer: Growing in a Relationship, not Mastering a Technique. Please pray for blessing at and through this event.
Botany Lutheran Church
This Sunday I will participate in worship and preach at Botany Lutheran Church. After worship, the congregation will meet to vote on whether to make application for Vicar Tat Tsui to approved for ordination as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP). Two weeks ago Pastor Martin Schirmer and I conducted a colloquy with Tat, and a report on that still needs to go to the College of Presidents. Please continue to pray that God will bless this process and provide Botany with the pastor-shepherd they need.
Fruit That Will Last
The National Office has a box filled with hundreds of copies of a booklet entitled – ‘Fruit that will last.’ It is a guide to making one’s will. Inserted in it is a list of all aspects of the work of the Lutheran Church to which you might make a bequest. Of course, you can also make bequests to your local congregation.
To LCNZ congregations: If you would like to draw your members’ attention to the importance of making a will and how we should go about it, please let us know and we will send you the required number of copies of the booklet. We would like to hear from you by 15th May.
From the booklet –
A gift to your church is a gift of eternal value … producing fruit that will last. Your gift will make it possible for others to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and to follow you to eternal life. A gift to your church is a gift that lasts. It continues to make a difference in the world.Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
