願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God
O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, O Christchurch
I am currently in Christchurch visiting Pastor David Lipsys and the members of St Pauls Lutheran Church. I flew in late yesterday morning just in time for Pastor David and me to make it to the memorial service in Latimer Square marking the 2nd anniversary of the February 22nd 2011 earthquake which caused massive destruction in the city and the loss of 185 lives.
The service was attended by a crowd of about 2000 people and was led by representatives of the Christian community in Christchurch.
In tomorrow’s gospel reading we will hear Jesus’ lament, O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem … how often would I have gathered your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Luke 13:34).
What a beautiful expression of God’s love, protection and safety.
As the crowd sang, stood in silence, remembered, wept, prayed, and listened to readings from scripture … I had this sense of the city of Christchurch and its people being bathed and wrapped in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Or maybe put another way, we were assured that God was gathering this city together under his protective wings through te korowai o Karaiti (under the cloak of Christ).
O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem … how often … O Jerusalem, O Christchurch … as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings … O Christchurch, O Christchurch … be assured of the love of God … who is gracious and full of mercy, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Joel 2:13).
I apologise for the quality of this photo of the crowd in Latimer Square; it was taken on my iPhone.
St Johns Halcombe
As we prepare for the closing service of St Johns Halcombe on Sunday 2nd June, a small group is working to make sure that this will be a time for us to acknowledge the wonderful blessings of God in and through this congregation since 1875.
We have asked Anne Somerville (granddaughter of Pastor Hamuera Te Punga) to gather something of a journal about people who have connections with St Johns.
Anne writes as follows –
Reflecting and thinking about the Lutheran Church is something we do! We reflect about what was and what might be. We think about our role and those we know in these reflective wonderings … what we can do … what we have done … photos and stories and bits of memorabilia come to mind … the church is about people and relationships with God and with others. Many of us across the church in New Zealand know of St. Johns, Halcombe. As plans are being made for the closure of the church plant there is the thought that we can collect memories, stories and a history of the lives of the people who have worshipped their Lord within the nurturing Halcombe church environment. If you have written stories to share, photos we can copy or memorabilia you can photo or scan … please become part of the journal being produced, edited and compiled about St Johns. In the editing process we will be considering how best to produce the journal when we see the contributions.So Anne is asking for –
- 1-liner memories
- Articles of up to 250 words
- Photos … and
- That you might share this message with those you know who have interest in the Halcombe church.
175th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA), which includes the LCNZ
Anne is also collecting photos to be used at the General Convention of Synod of the LCA in Adelaide in April, for a display celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Church.
Again, please send photos of individuals, with permission, to Anne by 26th February 2013 by email at anne.somerville@xtra.co.nz.
Ambassadors of Reconciliation Workshop (Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th February)The Director of Reconciliation Ministry in the LCA, Pastor Bruce Zagel, together with his wife Kathy, will be in Wellington next week to conduct a conflict-coaching and peace-making workshop with the members of Council of Synod (COS).
We believe it is really important for the servant-leadership of the Church be equipped to model and encourage a culture of peace-making and reconciliation that is based solidly on the peace and reconciliation ministry that God accomplishes with and for us in Christ.
It’s possible that Bruce and Kathy will come back to the LCNZ to offer this ministry to more of us in the future. Pray for this workshop, because we are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Council of Synod (Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd March)
Following our three days together for the Ambassadors of Reconciliation workshop, COS will move straight into the first of its regular meetings for 2013.
The new Executive Officer of the LCA, Peter Schirmer will be our guest for part of the first day of our meeting.
Church Workers Conference (Tuesday 5th – Thursday 7th March)
Pray for the pastors and church workers of the LCNZ who will meet for their first regular conference at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland.
LCNZ Administrator at Administrator Training in Adelaide
The LCNZ’s administrator, Robert Hagen has spent the last week with administrators from other districts of the LCA at Administrator Training.
We’re blessed to have Robert working with us, and we pray that his time in Adelaide will have been a blessing to him as he continues to work to make our National Office increasingly efficient.
Thank you Petrus Simons
I want to mention here our thanks as a Church to Petrus Simons, who for most of the last year has worked in the National Office, sorting through all sorts of material including files, LSM resources, and all sorts of documents. Petrus also helped pack up the old office in Mt Cook ready for our shift to Thorndon.
Petrus, we really appreciate your servant heart, and the efficient manner with which you approached your tasks.
News from some of our congregations
St Martins, MARTON
Please continue to pray for the congregation of St Martins and for Dennis and Sharolyn Mollet as they continue to discern God’s will with regard to Dennis becoming an Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at Marton.
Redeemer, HAWKES BAY
Last Tuesday, Pastor Trevor Jurgens and I met with the members of Redeemer to start planning for life after Pastor Trevor retires as an SMP. I invite you to pray that God’s plan and purpose will be made clear to us as we continue to talk together.
Trinity, FEILDING and St Lukes, PALMERSTON NORTH
I have had an initial meeting with the leadership of the Manawatu Parish and we have started the process of preparing to call a pastor to replace Pastor Lee Kroehn after he returns to Adelaide in April. Again, please pray that God will reveal to us the pastor that he has already selected to be the next pastor in the Manawatu.
Organ Recital / Hymn Festival - Holy Cross Anglican Church, Albany
Albany Community Music & Arts presents Mark Whitfield in Recital
Come and enjoy singing along to some much loved music
Entry is $10 and afternoon tea will be served after the recital
Proceeds go towards organ scholarships for young musicians.
Sunday 10th March at 2.30pm
Holy Cross Church Albany, 222 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany Village
Please note: this is the Church were the Lutherans on the North Shore hold services.
ALIVE! 175
ALIVE!175 will commence at 2.00 pm on Sunday, 21st April at the Adelaide Entertainment Center, after the General Convention Opening Service (10.00 am) and lunch.
Through a combination of live performances and multi-media presentations, you'll travel through our Lutheran history in Australia and New Zealand, celebrate how God is working in our church in the present, and look with hope to how he will lead us into the future.
Local congregations are being encouraged to cancel or at least supplement their regular service on that day in order to attend the Opening Service and Alive!175.
Non-delegate interstaters and us Kiwis are being encouraged to include the day in our South Australian holidays during April.
Ma te aroha o te Karaiti; with the love of Christ ...
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