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Waiting in hope at the manger

Advent traditions are oriented towards a theme of waiting and preparing in hope. The four weeks of Advent spark a sense of eagerness and anticipation. During Advent, your congregation might like to use the idea of a prayer manger as part of your worship and preparations. Each of the four Sundays will allow your congregation to add their prayers to the manger.

Individual households can have a prayer manger in their homes, too. You can create the manger using an old box.

Grow Ministries’ GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) Advent event provides ideas and opportunities to share the Advent rituals and traditions that have been passed down through many generations and make new ones. GIFT Advent is available at www.growministries.org.au/product/gift-advent-final/

Manger prayer activity

The symbolism of preparing the manger for the coming of Christ is a meaningful Advent activity.

You will need:

A manger
Strips of yellow paper (as hay)
Pens

What to do:

  1. Set up an empty manger with a small pile of hay next to it (you will need strips of yellow paper as hay for this – A4 sheets of paper cut into 3cm strips).
  2. Have participants offer prayer petitions by writing their prayers onto a strip of paper. Place these petitions as a piece of hay in the manger.
  3. Leave the manger in an accessible location where people can stop by for ongoing prayers throughout the Advent season, adding a piece of hay each time.

Use this manger and hay as part of your Christmas services.

Be COVID-safe Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if you are planning to use this idea in a congregational space we suggest you have a container with clean pencils/pens and another to put used pencils/pens. We suggest having an antibacterial handwash bottle for people to use before getting their piece of paper, or have someone with gloves or sterilised hands handing out the strips.

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LCA International Mission resources

Stay in touch with the latest in international mission news …

Stay up to date with the latest news about what you are doing through LCA International Mission by subscribing to LCA International Mission eNews, delivered to your inbox each month.

You’ll receive inspiring stories of how God is working to build his church, meet brothers and sisters from other countries whose lives have been transformed by the gospel, and receive regular updates about volunteer opportunities, congregational and school partnerships and news about how you can support the work of the gospel.

Subscribe to the LCA International Mission eNews by emailing lcaim@lca.org.au or call us on 08 8267 7334.

 

Wantok Place reopens

Wantok Place, the LCA’s Museum of Papua New Guinea Artefacts, has reopened to the public, after being closed since 18 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Located at 175A Archer Street, North Adelaide, the museum is open every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm. Privately booked tours can also be arranged via email to wantok-place@lca.org.au or by phone with Timothy Pietsch on 0419 606 707.

A special exhibition of rare photographs will be mounted in the foyer of the museum from early November. These photos from Neuendettelsau in Germany depict the life and work of Pastor Johann Flierl, the first Lutheran missionary in PNG. Come and see the photos and the museum!

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Discover God’s call – no matter who you are

by Pastor James Winderlich, Principal of ALC

Australian Lutheran College (ALC) launched Discover in 2020 and its uptake has amazed us. The diverse nature of our first student cohort is a delight. The inaugural intake has members living in five Australian states, while our mid-year intake included a student from New Zealand. The course includes women and men, young and old, and people discerning callings with different vocational outcomes and those looking to study part or full-time.

The only attribute defining a ‘typical’ Discover student is a willingness to complete theological study while engaging in a local ministry to explore God’s call. Recognising the whisper of the Holy Spirit is just the start. Discover uses an action/reflection model to help participants hear and explore God’s call more fully.

Support for emerging church workers and volunteers

The Discover program is designed to uncover and support the LCA/NZ’s emerging volunteers, church workers, teachers and pastors by helping them to become more aware of their calling, to think theologically and to serve faithfully.

This is done through partnerships between:

  • The inquirer, who could be based anywhere in Australia or New Zealand;
  • The inquirer’s local faith community. This could include a congregation, school, aged and community care facility, camp, for example;
  • The wider church community, which could be an LCA/NZ district, department or agency; and
  • ALC.

Combine study and ministry activities

Discover includes a course of academic study and transformative ministry activities. In most cases the study will be through a Diploma in Theology. For people sensing a call to pastoral ministry, the diploma will count as the first year of pastoral studies. For those called to serve as a Lutheran school teacher, it can be used to complete some parts of their accreditation. For people who sense a call to serve as lay workers and volunteers, it will provide a deep grounding in Lutheran teaching and practice.

Unsure about where God wants you?

The Discover program is also designed for people who aren’t sure about where God is calling them to serve. If you are a family member or friend of someone curious about God’s call to them, why not encourage them towards Discover?

For more information about Discover, please email enquiries@alc.edu.au

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