LCNZ Update 1 June 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Time to Tell the Stories
I get the opportunity some days to either drive our 7-year old daughter to school or to pick her up from school and drive her home. She’s a talker, and during that 11km trip I get to hear quite a bit, especially about what’s going on at school and the new things she’s learning. I get to hear her stories.

At the moment she’s telling me a lot about the phases of the moon and the constellations of the stars. I’m hearing about Matariki (the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster referred to as the traditional Maori New Year). And this morning on the way in I heard about her cross country running … if you’re good enough you get chosen for the Eastern Zone, and if you do well there, then it’s the Wellington regionals, and from there the nationals … and from there? Well, she worked out, that would be international … the Olympics. And then she quickly added, “Mum (who’s a teacher at her school) said we might be learning about the Olympics next term.”

I’m getting ready for more stories.

Friends, I like to think that we’re entering a season of the church year where we really get excited about telling the stories … and in particular the story of God’s amazing love for everyone in Jesus Christ. Since the beginning of the church year (Advent) we’ve been caught up in something wonderful – God revelation of himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ – his birth, his ministry, his suffering and passion, his death, his glorious resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of God, and most recently the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This is the story of God’s loving engagement with you and me, and with his creation.

If you like, we’ve been included in God’s story of love, and now, with the promise of and out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, we are told that we will have everything needed to tell the stories of God (you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth).

Question: can you and your church community be as excited about telling the story of God as my 7-year old is telling me about what’s going on at school? I hope you can, by the power of the Spirit, and so we pray similarly to last time …

• Lord, bless us all as we desire to act for you under the influence of the Spirit and tell the amazing stories of God’s love for all people. Amen.

Taking Faith Home
In order to tell the stories of God’s love, we need to be constantly reminded of them – ideally every day. There is a wonderful resource available on-line called Taking Faith Home which I know some congregations are downloading and making available each week. This resource links Sunday worship (and the stories) with household faith formation Monday to Saturday. It’s designed to help households and families live, share and celebrate faith together each and every week.

You can sign up to receive this free at http://www.formingfaith.com/6.html - go to the bottom of the page and sign up. And I’d like to encourage pastors and parish office staff to check this out and print it in your regular weekly bulletins.

• Thank you Lord God for making resources available to us and to your church, so that we might be nurtured in our faith in you and equipped to tell the stories of your love. Amen.

Memorial Service: Pastor Allan Heppner
A Memorial Service for Pastor Allan Heppner will be held at 7:30pm on Wednesday 13th June at St Matthew Lutheran Church – 27 Abbotsford Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200.

• All welcome to come and share with family and friends to give thanks to God for the life of Pastor Allan.
• The service will be followed by a time of fellowship with supper.
• Please bring a plate if you are able.

Correction to Manawatu Address
Please note this correction to the address for the Manawatu Lutheran Parish:
P.O. Box 47
Palmerston North Central
Palmerston North 4440

Haere Ra; Haere Mai
Last Sunday marked the completion of Pastor Martin Schirmer’s locum ministry at Mountainside Lutheran Church and the North Shore. Thanks Martin and Liz for your time with us and for your ministry of love and pastoral care for the people of Auckland. Haere ra / farewell.

And welcome to Pastor Rex Mickan and his wife Robyn, who begins his locum ministry in Auckland this coming weekend. To you we say Haere mai / welcome, and God bless.

Retired seminary lecturer, Dr John Koch will start a 6 week locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West in mid-June. We look forward to welcoming John and Karen to New Zealand too.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church – and in our case, here in the LCNZ – those who will come and fill in during vacancies. Bless their presence and their work among us, and watch over the families and friends they leave behind in Australia to be here. Amen. 

From Council of Synod
What follows is a brief dot-point summary of some of the discussions had at the recent Council of Synod (CoS) meeting at St Pauls Christchurch last weekend (this summary courtesy of Pastor John Davison, Vice President).

• Thanks for prayer, encouragement, expressions of sympathy to Pastor Mark with the recent death of his father.
• Need to focus on the “joy of the Lord.”
• Vicar Tat Tsui approved for ordination on 29th July, 2012.
• Pastor Joe Kummerow acceptance of the call to Mountainside.
• The President’s support team is in place.
• CoS members will attend the next Kogodus II Prayer Retreat at Foxton on 14th-16th September, 2012.
• National Youth Camp at Foxton , 9th-13th July, 2012.
• National Prayer Network being developed.
• Church Workers Conference will be held in Whanganui from 19th-21st June, 2012.
• Twenty/20 Administration Workshop valued and appreciated.
• Presidents pastoral e-mail updates are appreciated. (To subscribe to this list, send an email to itofficer@lca.org.au giving the email address you need included.)
• Insurance issues were discussed.
• Tax deductibility of donations from NZ to Australian Lutheran World Service. This would be an expensive and complex process to set up. Suggested that anyone wishing to donate and receive tax deductibility use local (NZ) agencies which do similar work as ALWS.
• Salaries for Special Ministry Pastors (SMPs).
• LCNZ Salaries Advisory Council needs new members with financial skills.
• Grants approved for Mountainside, The Olive Tree, Whanganui and for SMP travel for training.
• LCNZ National Office Task Force options.
• Thanks were expressed to Katharina Borszik for contribution to COS and Twenty/20 training as she and her Daniel prepare to depart for a two year stint in Dubai.
• Gateway Gift major grant applications need to be in by the end of July.

• Almighty God thank you for the varied gifts of the members of the Council of Synod, and that through this council you provide for the on-going care of your church in New Zealand. Continue to help this council – and all our committees and task forces – to act on every opportunity for fruitful service. Send your Holy Spirit that everything we think, say, and do may be for the common good of your church and the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At the conclusion of our meeting on Saturday afternoon, we conducted a Rite of Farewell and Blessing for Katharina. During this rite there was opportunity for each of us to thank Katharina and to affirm publically with thanks the way that God has used her in ministry here in the LCNZ. We prayed for Katharina and Daniel that the Lord would continue to use them and bless them for ministry in Dubai.

Later in the afternoon we were taken on a tour around some of the worst affected earthquake areas of Christchurch.

We shared an evening fellowship meal with the members of St Pauls and then engaged in some dreaming and visioning for how God might want to use St Pauls Christchurch to continue telling his story of love in their city and community. On the Sunday morning most members of CoS were able to join St Pauls for worship and I was privileged to preach.

Thanks Christchurch for a wonderful weekend, and thanks for the little shake-up (or two) while we were with you. May the Spirit of God continue to shake (stir up) within you a desire to instruments of his love and healing.

Finally
Could pastors and parish office secretaries please consider doing the following:

• Cutting and pasting most/all of this regular update and including it in whatever weekly or regular bulletin/newsletter you provide for your people?
• Encouraging your members to sign-up to this update by sending an email to itofficer@lca.org.au?

Nga mihi nui.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 21 May 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Mountainside Call Accepted
Yesterday morning it was announced to the Auckland Lutheran Parish that Pastor Joe Kummerow had accepted their call to be pastor at Mountainside Lutheran Church. There is great excitement in Auckland and in the Kummerow family as they now look forward to forming a new partnership in ministry. No dates for the Kummerow family shift to New Zealand or for Pastor Joe’s installation have been set yet, but watch this space … I’ll certainly let you know.

• Heavenly Father, thank you for providing shepherds for the sheep, and thank you for leading Pastor Joe to accept your call to be the pastor of your people in the Auckland Lutheran Parish. Watch over Joe and Julie and their children as they now prepare to leave their home and their friends in Wodonga and shift to New Zealand. Continue to fill him with your Holy Spirit so that the desire to tenderly care for your people in Auckland and give freely of himself to them may grow. And when he comes to Auckland, help him to proclaim the gospel clearly and lead your people boldly, so that the people of Mountainside will hold firmly to the word of life, rejoice in your grace, and shine brightly as a light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wellington/Wairarapa Call
Pastor George Samiec, an Australian pastor serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England has been called to St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa.

• Heavenly Father, please reveal your will for Pastor George and his wife Charlotte as they consider this call, and watch over and care for the members of St Pauls and St Francis as they wait. Amen.

Tat Tsui Approved for Ordination as an SMP
During the College of Presidents meetings in Adelaide this past week, the College approved Tat Tsui for ordination as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) for Botany Lutheran Church. Tuesday 15th was an exciting day for Botany and for the LCNZ as God affirmed his call on Tat, and as I received word from Joe that he was accepting the Auckland call.

• Continue to pray for Botany Lutheran Church and for Tat and his wife Irene as they now prepare for Tat’s ordination.

The ordination date is Sunday 29th July at Botany, preceded by a concert organised by Botany Lutheran Church on Saturday 28th July at All Saints Anglican Church, Howick (more details to come).

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 10 May 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Act-ing Under The Influence Of The Spirit
I love the weeks after Easter day. The Easter Eggs (ooohhh, I love those marshmallow ones!!) and the Hot Cross Buns might well and truly be gone from the shop shelves, but in the church we just keep on celebrating the best thing that’s ever happened – God coming to earth in the form of His Son, dying on the cross, destroying the power of sin, death and the devil and rising again – and he shares that with each one of us by virtue of our baptism.

And I love the Bible readings we’re having in Sunday morning worship at the moment too, especially the readings from Acts. What wonderful and inspiring writing this is from Luke … stories of Jesus’ resurrection power taking shape in that post-Easter period of time and amongst post-Easter disciples … the Holy Spirit’s presence, the boldness the believers had in proclaiming Christ, conversions to Christ because there is “no other name”, baptisms, etc.

If you or your church wants to be inspired for ministry and mission in the power of the Holy Spirit, read the Acts of the Apostles, and pray, ‘Holy Spirit, come.’

And as we read and listen to these ‘acts’, we’re also getting ready and excited, and being inspired for the Lord to invite us again to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us so that we may be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

All in all, it’s a great time to be church.

• Lord, bless us all as we desire to act for you under the influence of the Spirit! Amen.

Call News
Mountainside, Auckland:

• Continue to pray for Pastor Joe Kummerow and his wife Julie and their children as they continue to seek the Lord’s will with regard to the call to the Auckland Lutheran Parish. Joe also holds another call (to a congregation in South Australia).

Wellington / Wairarapa:

• Pastor Vince Gerhardy declined the call to St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa. A call has now been sent to Pastor George Samiec, an Australian pastor serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. Please pray also for George and his wife Charlotte as they receive the call material and discern God’s will for them.

Approval Sought For Ordination As An SMP
On Sunday 29th April, the members of Botany Lutheran Church (our Chinese congregation in Auckland) voted overwhelmingly to ask the Church to ordain Vicar Tat Tsui as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) in Botany. It was an exciting day for Botany and for the LCNZ as God affirmed his call on Tat. The Council of Synod have received Botany’s request, and have now made application to the College of Presidents and the General Church Council of the LCA/NZ for Tat to be ordained.

• Please continue to pray for Botany Lutheran Church and for Tat and his wife Irene as they now wait for approval to be given. There are exciting ministry opportunities in this place and amongst the Chinese; pray that the Holy Spirit would move amongst them and inspire them to be witnesses to the end …

Thank You From Allan Heppner’s Family
Debra, Eloise, Daniela and Rochelle and the extended Kells and Heppner families would like to thank you for the love and support you have shown to us and Allan on his journey to heaven. Allan was a much loved husband and dadda and we miss him every day. We have been overwhelmed by the number of cards and emails that have been sent to us. Please accept this thanks as our reply. I love the Lord for he heard my voice (Psalm 116.1).

• Compassionate God, the strength of all who suffer, bring hope and peace to Debra, Eloise, Daniela and Rochelle, and also to Buster and Joan and their extended family. Amen.

Appreciation For Faithful Service
On Saturday 25th May, the Lutheran Laymen’s League will at its AGM, thank God and honour Buster Kells for his many years of dedicated service to the ministry of the LLL in New Zealand. The church also thanks you Buster and Joan for your love for the Lord and his Church.

• Lord God, we pray that you would guard the life of Joan and Buster, and that you would watch over them as they go out and come in, now and forever. Amen.

From Palmy To Nelson
This Sunday the people of the Manawatu Lutheran Parish will thank to God and pray his blessing on Amy and Terrence Brinkman as they shift from Palmerston North to Nelson. For the last 3 years Amy has been Parish Worker in the Manawatu. Amy – thanks for your wonderful, Spirit-infused ministry in Palmerston North and Feilding. Thanks also for your presence at and contribution to our Church Workers conferences over those years and for the other ways you served our church, especially at our National Youth Camps.

• Lord God who provides all good things, we thank you for Amy and Terrence – for their presence and their ministry in our church. Be with them as they move from Palmy to Nelson; to their new home and their new place of work. As they have been a blessing to us, make them a blessing to others in their new community and their new place of worship and ministry. Keep us united by your Spirit, and help us to remember each other in our prayers. Let nothing ever separate us from your love in Christ Jesus, so that we may meet again as your children in our eternal home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please Note These New Contact Details
Vicki Wood, Office Administrator:
Manawatu Lutheran Parish
250 Church Street
Palmerston North

manawatulutheran@inspire.net.nz
Phone: 06 357 0030

Postal Address:
PO Box 4248
Palmerston North 4442

Some Meetings
Another round of meetings on both sides of the Tasman are about to kick-off:
Anglican/Lutheran Dialogue - 11th May Feilding
Finance Advisory Committee - 12th May Wellington
College of Presidents - 14th-16th May Adelaide
Lutheran Support Ministries - 19th May Wellington
Lutheran Laymen’s League - 26th May Palmerston North
Council of Synod / Gateway Gift Trust Board - 25th-26th May Christchurch

• Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church which is your body, by whom we have been chosen as ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation, direct us, we ask, in all our doings with your most gracious favour. Let all our plans and purposes be in accordance with your holy will, our aim only that we may serve you and the people of your church faithfully. Enlighten all who participate in these meetings with the Holy Spirit as we consider together the opportunities and the responsibilities of the church in these times. Inspire our minds, assist our wills, and strengthen our hands that we may not falter or fail in the work you have given us to do, to your honour and glory. Amen. (From The Minister’s Prayer Book).

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 26 April 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
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

LCNZ Update 25 April 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
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.

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.

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.

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

LCNZ Update 4 April 2012

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

Good Friday … Good Easter … All’s Good
It’s a bit of roller-coaster weekend, this one we’re about to embark on … supper together … a betraying kiss in the garden from a friend … a trial of sorts … a rooster … “no, I’ve never met him before” … a bloke called Barabbas … crucify him crucify him … a cross, some nails, a green hill outside a city wall … “my God my God why have you forsaken me?” … “it is finished.”

One of the prayers we will use in worship this Good Friday says this –

Friday is sacred and labelled as “Good” because of what you came to do for us on the cross, Lord Jesus;
die for our sins only to rise again from the dead.
Today we ponder your words from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
On account of this cry, Lord Jesus,
you remind us that you know our human pain and abandonment;
Continually remind us that nothing, not even death itself,
can separate us from your love for us.

The Pharisees and scribes remember that the one that had just been killed claimed he would rise again after three days. So a guard is placed on the grave, but three days later comes an announcement from that resting place of death – he is not here; he has been raised.

Friends, this weekend, roller-coaster as it might seem … through all sorts of emotions and twists and turns … is a good weekend. The message you will hear in our churches this weekend, from pulpits, from pastors and lay-worship leaders, will be the proclamation of the Gospel – Christ on a cross for sinners, for the forgiveness of sins.

Together with the Easter morning acclamation – he is risen; he is risen indeed, alleluia! – it is all good news and raises those who hear it to new life.

May you hear this message again and live!

Celebrating the Easter Weekend in the LCNZ
Here’s what’s happening in terms of worship during this holy weekend in our churches around Aotearoa. If you’re holidaying around the country and away from home, consider setting aside some time to worship somewhere else –

Botany
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Service (foot-washing, stripping of the altar)
Good Friday 7.00pm The Supper / reflection on the way to the cross (at Formosa Camp Site)
Easter Sunday 10.00am Service at Botany (lighting of the paschal candle)

North Shore
Easter Sunday 5.00pm Easter Worship

Mountainside
Maundy Thursday 6.45pm Passover Service
Good Friday 10.00am Passion Narrative
Easter Sunday 10.00am Easter Worship (followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the kids)

St Matthew Lutheran Church Hamilton
Good Friday 9.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday
 8.45am Fellowship Breakfast
 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Whakatane Lutheran Church
Good Friday 9.30am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday 9.30am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Kawerau Lutheran Church
Good Friday 11.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Tauranga Lutheran Fellowship
Easter Sunday 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

WhanganuiGood Friday Easter walk with other churches around Whanganui East
Easter Sunday 9.00am Easter Worship

Marton / Halcombe
Good Friday 9.00am Community Good Friday walk (starting at Living Hope, continuing to Roman Catholic Church, the Gospel Chapel, The Square, finishing at Elim for refreshments)
Easter Sunday
 9.00am Worship with Holy Communion
 11.00am Worship with Holy Communion (Halcombe)

Manawatu
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Worship with Holy Communion
Good Friday 9.30am St Lukes Palmerston North
 10.00am Trinity Feilding – Ecumenical Event at the Civic Centre
Easter Sunday 9.00am Trinity Feilding (with Holy Communion)
 10.30am St Lukes Palmerston North (with Holy Communion)

Wairarapa
Good Friday 5.00pm Fellowship Tea and Worship (66 Park Road, Carterton)

Wellington
Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Worship with Holy Communion
Good Friday 10.00am Worship
 8.00pm Good Friday Vespers – Membra Jesu Nostri (Buxtehude) as part of the Bach Cantata Vespers series of worship services offered at St Pauls
Easter Sunday 10.00am Worship with Holy Communion

Upper Moutere / Hope
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Worship
Good Friday 9.30am Worship
Easter Sunday 9.30am Worship

Christchurch
Maundy Thursday 7:30pm Informal Holy Communion and stripping of the altar
Good Friday
 9:00-9:55am Christ’s Passion service
 10:00-noon Annual “Journeying with the Cross” inter-church pilgrimage via 4 Burwood churches (starting at 212 Burwood Road; finishing with hot cross buns at St Paul’s, 130 Burwood Road; offering received for Christchurch Women’s Refuge)
Easter Sunday
 6:30-7:00am “Son Rise” Celebration
 7-8:30am Easter BBQ Breakfast
 9:00am Easter Celebration with Holy Communion

Nau Mai / Haere Mai
Last Sunday the members of St Pauls Wellington welcomed Pastor Robert and Lynette Wiebusch back to New Zealand. Robert and Lynette are offering a short locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington (including the Wairarapa) from Sunday 1st April to Sunday 15th April. And welcome also to Pastor Martin and Liz Schirmer who have arrived in Auckland just in time for the busy Easter weekend. They will serve in locum ministry from now until the end of May. May the Lord bless your time and your ministry amongst us.

Call News
On Sunday, St Pauls Wellington issued a call to Pastor Vince Gerhardy (Caboolture, Queensland) to be their next pastor. The call committee at Mountainside has been 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.

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

Lord, In Your Mercy: Hear Our Prayer
Can I suggest the following for inclusion in your prayers –

• The people of Fiji in the wake of flooding and storms
• Protection of lives and property here in New Zealand as we prepare to experience the same weather system that has affected Fiji
• Pastors, worship-leaders, musicians and anyone with the responsibility of leading us through a wonderful weekend of worship
• Pastor Vince Gerhardy as he considers the call to St Pauls Wellington
• All Kiwis – as they pause and holiday this weekend – that somehow, somewhere they might get an idea of what the weekend’s really about and catch a glimpse of the Lord Jesus who has died and risen again for them
• Those who are about to be joined to Christ and his death and resurrection through Holy Baptism – that they and we all may continue to daily die to sin and be risen to new life with him

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

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