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121

Church@Home December 2022

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Nurturing our spiritual life

We can all benefit from reading or hearing some encouraging words and experiencing a sense of God’s closeness during the week, as well as at Sunday worship. Therefore, we include these devotional pages for every reader – not just for those who are unable to attend church services regularly. Nurturing our faith at home through regular devotions strengthens our relationship with God. We pray that you will be blessed by these reflections. You will find further prayer, devotional and Bible study resources through the Worship Planning Page from the LCANZ’s Commission on Worship at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/prayers-devotions/ and online worship links at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/churchhome/

Lisa

ISAIAH 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given … And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP

These reflections are from a collection of devotions written for our LCANZ family and friends to help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what we face. You can find these and many others on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion and you can subscribe to receive them daily via email by clicking on the link on that same page.

Our lament and God’s help by Pastor Fraser Pearce

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven (Lamentations 3:40,41).

Read Lamentations 3:34–60.

God’s people know that all things are under God’s rule, and whatever happens in our world (and our lives) happens because God permits it.

This does not mean it is easy to bear suffering, or we should simply keep our mouths shut and take whatever hardship we face without any words of lament. In fact, God gives us his word so that we may take our cares to him, knowing that when we do so, we speak with the voice of his faithful people, and he will hear us in his grace and mercy.

In the Book of Lamentations, the prophet pours out his lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and his intense suffering at the hands of his enemies. More than this, the prophet also acknowledges that his own sin and the sins of the people have led to punishment from God.

But this does not lead to despair, but hope. God allows his people to suffer in this world, including the suffering that comes from our own foolish and sinful thoughts, words and actions. But God gives us his name so that we may call on him in our need and receive the forgiveness and healing only he can provide.

The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘the Lord saves’. Our Lord Jesus bore the punishment for our sins, taking on himself the suffering and abandonment we could not stand. Jesus’ love for us is stronger than death, and his life gives us hope so that we may take our lament to God, knowing he will save us as we call on him.

Have the courage to pour out your lament to God and confess when you have sinned. Put your trust in the Lord Jesus, who saves you from sin, death and hell.

Lord Jesus, you took on the burden of my sin and suffering and pray to the Father for me. Take my words of lament, and give me the joy of your Spirit so I may live life to the fullest. Amen.

A living, growing faith by Pastor Mark Lieschke

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ (Luke 17:5).

Read Luke 17:5–10.

‘If only I had a stronger faith, then I could serve God better. Then I’d be able to give a better witness to Jesus Christ in my life!’

When we speak like that, we can think that before we can do anything worthwhile for God, our faith in him has to reach a certain level.

We may also think that only a person with a strong faith can ever be really used powerfully by God. We may even go as far as to say that only a person with a strong faith in God can really be sure of eternal life.

But none of those things is true. While we might think that measuring the strength of our faith is important, what is essential is that it is faith in Jesus Christ.

We’re saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. So even what we might consider a weak or faltering faith, when it’s focused on Jesus Christ, is a saving faith and a potential power for good. That’s because Jesus Christ connects us to the almighty transforming power of God himself.

God invites us to have a living, growing faith so we can be confident and cheerful about who we are. So, he invites us to look to him for strength so that we can give a good witness to others about our relationship with him.

So, we pray, ‘Lord, increase our faith’ so that we are not misled by doubts, fears, selfishness and lovelessness. And we also pray that God would move us now, as weak as our faith may be, to place ourselves at his disposal and let his power work in our lives for the sake of others.

Because of God’s work in our lives, we can say right now: ‘Lord, fill me with your power, and use me as I am and where I am to bring glory to you always’.

Lord God, thank you for the faith you have enabled us to have in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Increase our faith in him so that we can reflect his love and grace in our lives. Transform and renew us daily into the people you still want us to become. Amen.

PRAYERS                                                                                 – Sourced from justprayer.org

CHRISTMAS PRAYER – ST AUGUSTINE              

Let the just rejoice,
for their Justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their Saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

JESU JOY         

Well for me that I have Jesus,
O how strong I hold to him
That he might refresh my heart
when so sick and sad am I.
Jesus have I, he who loves me,
he who takes me as his own!
Ah, therefore I don’t leave Jesus,
Lest I should break my heart.

– A Celtic translation of ‘Jesu, Joy of
Man’s Desiring’ by J S Bach

LUKE 1:46–49
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour … for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.

Hypocrisy! by Sal Huckel

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (James 2:14).

Read James 2:1–17.

In some circles, we are so sensitive as Christians to the idea of ‘works-based faith’, aren’t we? There has got to be a point, though, where our belief, faith and salvation move us to ‘put legs’ on our faith and love others practically.

Perhaps some criticism of Christianity – the calling out of hypocrisy – is grounded in some truth. Yes, the whole of Christianity can be judged by the attributes of Christ’s people. We still battle the selfish desires of our earthly nature.

Jesus’ words here warn against showing favouritism to those with the money, smart clothes, good car … whatever our modern-day equivalent might be. Bought the pew, made a generous donation and worked the hardest at …

Let’s remember that Jesus has no favourites. Let’s also remember that faith without action (and without love) is dead. The workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20 also remind us that the longest and most hardworking workers are not favoured over those who came late to the party (or the field).

While we know that Christians are not perfect, just saved, let us also remember that hypocrisy has no place in our faith walk, and we need to back ourselves and our claim to Jesus’ promises with a little bit of action and a whole lot of love for others.

Lord, thank you for the promise of eternal life for those who believe in you. Help me to continue to live out my faith with actions that honour you and bring glory to your name and others to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Repentance releases new vision by Kathy Matuschka

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6).

Read 1 Peter 5:5–11.

At times in my life, I have hoped for something special from God. I have had a bit of a vision of what God might do and have charged after it as if I could grasp it if I just tried a bit harder. But it has only been when I got to the point of saying, ‘I give up. Just do whatever you want, God’ that I have seen a breakthrough according to God’s ways and terms.

Do you think that repentance releases new vision and hope? It’s not that God requires that we repent before blessing us, but more that we seem to keep ourselves as individuals and communities bound by our limited imagination for the new things God will do.

So, when the writer of 1 Peter encourages us to humble ourselves so God may lift us up, it’s not about manipulating God but rather about learning to face the limitations of our humanity and turning to God for our vision and hope.

The National Church Life Survey, in which many Lutheran churches from Australia take part, tells us that there are three core qualities most indicative of the health of a congregation: faith sharing, empowering leadership and vision.

Through my work, I see many congregations realising the sense of vision they had in the past is no longer bearing the fruit it once was. Might growing in a culture of repentance help these three qualities to become stronger?

Are you waiting for a new vision in your circles? Do you think that repentance might help? It doesn’t matter whether we think of repentance as naming specific sins or admitting our preference for self-reliance – repentance is all about our orientation.

Dear Holy Spirit, keep reorienting me toward the love and hope you have planted within me, and expand my vision of what you will make of this hope. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

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Sharing Advent’s giving spirit

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Going GREYT! 1 Peter 4:10

Over the years, this column has celebrated how God’s light shines through those who share their talents in his service. Those interviewed are but a small reflection of the many quiet workers in God’s vineyard. This month, as we observe All Saints’ Day, we bring you a posthumous Going GREYT! account of a couple recently called to their heavenly home, whose story shows how God works through the joys and heartbreaks of our lives and remains with us always.

by Helen Brinkman

Picture a big box of kindness filled with Christmas goodies and pantry staples, a Christmas tree full of gift baubles, and gift catalogues supporting people in developing nations.

This is the spirit of Advent shining from Melbourne’s St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Box Hill. The congregation’s Advent Action program unveils giving opportunities throughout this church season.

The congregation’s volunteer Justice and Mercy Ministry Team, a small band of volunteers mostly aged over 60, run the program as one of a range of social justice causes in their local community and beyond.

The group may be small, but its secret is working together with like-minded groups in the local community through the Whitehorse Churches Care group network. Whitehorse Churches Care involves 30-plus churches working together across the council area to support the community’s most vulnerable. It runs a range of outreach services, from a community pop-up space in a local shopping centre to providing care packs. This strengthens their impact and the bonds between the churches, connecting people across denominations, and encouraging opportunities for charitable collaboration.

For example, the Big Boxes of Kindness that Box Hill members are filling this year with festive foods and pantry staples came through another church, also in Whitehorse Churches Care, which offered the Lutheran congregation spare boxes and resources.

Complete with a letter of instruction, the full Big Boxes of Kindness are donated to the local migrant information centre for distribution to new migrants and refugees. The empty box comes with an Advent calendar for volunteer participants to scratch a daily bauble to reveal a pantry item to include. A pack of kindness cards accompanies the resources, with each card depicting a simple act of kindness that families can use throughout the season.

Box Hill Pastoral Care Coordinator Cathy Beaton, 60, also volunteers with Whitehorse Churches Care. She says this is the second year in a row that St Paul’s has been offered the boxes for the congregation to fill.

‘It’s an amazing group – I would not have known about the Big Box of Kindness if it were not for Whitehorse Churches Care’, she says.

Cathy says the Christmas hampers are greatly appreciated by the recipients: ‘I spoke with one of the migrant centre workers earlier this year and she said there was great joy and rejoicing over the hampers, it brought much delight to the people.’

That is only one of the Advent giving choices on offer at Box Hill. Another is the bauble gift tree, an outreach of the Prison Fellowship Australia’s Angel Tree program. Each bauble collected from the Christmas tree in the church’s foyer includes the name and address of a child or grandchild of a prisoner in one of Victoria’s prisons.

With the bauble, the donor gets some guidance on what the child might like to receive, then buys and sends the gift to the recipient on behalf of the prisoner, accompanied by their message.

Thirdly, Australian Lutheran World Service’s Gift of Grace program is promoted as another way to support the season of giving on a global scale. Giving Grace cards as a Christmas gift to family and friends acknowledges a donation of presents – from goats to toilets – to communities in need around the world.

The St Paul’s Justice and Mercy Ministry Team is not your normal committee, says Cathy. Each participant is an ambassador for a justice and mercy cause, from refugees and migrants to Indigenous reconciliation and more.

‘Team members are called ambassadors, as our members are passionate about a justice and mercy cause’, she says. ‘A handful of dedicated people can make a difference.’

And with most members in the group older than 60, age is no barrier to helping out. ‘In fact, it can give people a bit more time to be involved, and to action what they think is important’, Cathy says.

Last year alone, 34 huge red boxes were delivered to the local migrant information centres in Box Hill and nearby Ringwood, about 120 gifts were sent to the children and grandchildren of Victorian prisoners, and many ALWS Gifts of Grace brought joy to children and communities in need.

Justice and Mercy team leader John Hinz and Box Hill Pastor Neville Otto are among the ambassadors in the team, which has run Advent Action for the past three years.

Cathy says it is just the latest in a long involvement for St Paul’s of supporting local organisations, ministries and charities. ‘I think in some ways during COVID we became a bit insular, and everyone was isolated during lockdown. So, it was really important that we could provide a way for people to look outward again’, she says.

And size doesn’t have to be a barrier to action. St Paul’s has shown that working together with others, such as local churches, or the local council, can create opportunities to help.

‘Sometimes we don’t have the resources to do something on our own. But (working) together encourages each other, builds a network of relationships, and together, people can do things that they could not necessarily do on their own if they don’t have enough people’, says Cathy. ‘This gives us a way of connecting with our neighbours, of serving and loving our neighbours.’

Helen Brinkman is a Brisbane-based writer who is inspired by the many GREYT people who serve tirelessly and humbly in our community. By sharing stories of how God shines his light through his people, she hopes others are encouraged to explore how they can use their gifts to share his light in the world. Know of any other GREYT stories in your local community? Email the editor lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au

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‘The church has left the building’: Mission forum told

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‘The church has left the building.’ That was the message – and challenge – from Pastor Nathan Hedt to those at the LCANZ’s inaugural online Digital Mission and Ministry Forum (DMMF) last month.

The LCANZ’s New and Renewing Churches pastor told those who attended the forum held on the Zoom platform that technological advancements, combined with the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, presented new mission opportunities. ‘We don’t just go to church; we are the church. We are the body of Christ’, Pastor Nathan, who presented at the day-long conference, said. ‘Thanks to the possibilities of the digital world, and the pandemic, the church has left the building.’

There were 125 registrations for the forum from across Australia and New Zealand and from as far away as Japan and Africa. Session topics included online worship, online evangelism, and online discipleship.

Lutheran Media Director Richard Fox said the digital world enabled God’s love to reach millions who may never walk into a church building. ‘To hear how we can connect and build relationships in Jesus Christ with millions of people through the latest technologies is inspiring’, he said. ‘What an amazing opportunity we have been given to reach people with the hope of Jesus Christ.’

LCANZ Local Mission Executive Officer Dr Tania Nelson said forum participants were encouraged to ‘keep adapting’, which reminded her of a quote from US theologian Tod Bolsinger. ‘He said: “To live up to their name, local churches must be continually moving out, extending themselves into the world, being the missional, witnessing community we were called … to be: the manifestation of God’s going into the world.”’

The DMMF planning team will review forum feedback and consider future digital mission events and opportunities.

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German Lutherans meet

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In the first conference of its kind, 20 German Lutheran pastors and ministry workers who serve congregations in Australia met in Adelaide recently.

The EKiA, or the Evangelische Kirche in Australien, is a collaboration of Lutheran congregations with German-language services and ministries across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Some of these congregations are part of the German Lutheran Church EKD (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland), some are independent, while others are German-language ministries connected to LCA congregations. There is an agreement of altar and pulpit fellowship between the EKD and the LCA.

The five-day conference in mid-October provided ‘a very fruitful and insightful space for exchange, encouragement and learning from each other’, said Maria Rudolph, who leads the German-language services and ministry at St John’s Lutheran Church in Perth. ‘We were doubly blessed by the presence of EKD Bishop Ute Hedrich and LCA representatives Dr Tania Nelson, the executive officer for Local Mission, and Craig Heidenreich, the Cross-Cultural Ministry facilitator, who enriched our sessions greatly.’

Gerhard Ruediger of the Evangelical German Language Congregation in South Australia said Tania also highlighted the Memoranda of Understanding between the LCA and EKD, reaffirmed in 2001, for the mutual recognition and support of German-language ministry in Australia.

125

New Assistant Bishop for NZ Lutherans

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Pastor Nich Kitchen is the new Assistant Bishop for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), following the retirement of former assistant bishop, Pastor Jim Pietsch. Elected by his fellow pastors, Pastor Nich accepted the nomination because he has a heart for the LCNZ.

126

‘They see me, and not my disability’

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Lutheran Services has been serving individuals and communities in Queensland since 1935. The organisation offers a range of disability support services across six centres. These services include supported-living accommodation, day services, in-home care services, employment and personal growth programs, health and wellbeing programs and behaviour support. Graceville Centre on the Sunshine Coast serves people living with intellectual, cognitive, or psychiatric disabilities through accommodation and support programs. Client Kylie and case managers Daniel and Mary share their experiences with disability and offer their thoughts about inclusion, acceptance and working for positive change in our society and our church.

Kylie Drinnan knows firsthand how important it is for people living with disability to feel safe. Accessible and accepting environments can be hard to come by. However, the members and staff of St Luke’s Lutheran Church and Lutheran Services’ Graceville Centre at Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are working hard to help everyone feel welcome and valued. Kylie shares her thoughts on how we can all better walk alongside people with disability.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST?

Feeling safe is very important to me. I have been at Lutheran Service’s Graceville Centre for 15 years because it’s a safe place to live – both physically and emotionally. The people there are lovely and kind and treat me well.

I also really appreciate feeling accepted. It’s one of the reasons I look forward to going to St Luke’s Lutheran Church, which is just across the road from my unit. I go as often as I can because I always feel good when I am there. It’s a place where I am welcome and valued. I enjoy the services and music, but the morning tea is also a real highlight! The pastors and other parishioners are always willing to stop and have a chat too. Simple things like offering a chat and a biscuit in a friendly, safe environment can help make people with disabilities feel included.

HOW IMPORTANT IS CHURCH TO YOU?

Going to church is a big part of my life. Our faith encourages us to accept everyone and treat all people equally, and I definitely feel that at St Luke’s. Everyone there is welcomed and appreciated for who they are. I even go to their events – like the Annual General Meeting – to show my support and gratitude for what they do.

HOW COULD WIDER SOCIETY BETTER WALK ALONGSIDE PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?

I think we could all be much more accepting of each other. I spend my time in places where people take the time to listen and understand me – where everyone is treated as individuals.

The Nambour Community Centre, Compass Connections Café, St Luke’s … these are all really special places. The people there are lovely and kind; they get to know you personally, right down to the type of milk you like in your coffee (lactose-free, thanks!).

They see me, and not my disability.

HOW COULD SPACES BE MORE DISABILITY-FRIENDLY?

Physical access is a big issue for me. I use a walker and don’t like lifts. So, if there isn’t a ramp, I am automatically excluded from places. You’d be surprised how many places are not designed to cater for people with a disability and unintentionally make us feel unwelcome.

WHAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

I think more awareness and acceptance would go a long way. Everyone is different and has different needs. But feeling safe, welcome and wanted is important to us all.

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Winning scenes make calendar a hit

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by Richard Fox

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Lutheran Media Calendar Photo Competition. We received more than 80 entries which confirmed that we have some amazing photographers in our Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

With three categories to enter this time – Animal, Nature and Landscape – there were three times as many winners as in previous years.

In the Animal category, the winner was Stephen Jericho with ‘The Cow-nsellors’, which is on the cover of our 2023 calendar. Placegetters were Marissa Hartwig’s photo of a parrot and John Neldner’s picture of budgies.

In Nature, Stuart Kleinig came out on top with a shell scene, while talented mother-and-daughter entrants Amy Dahlenburg and Charlotte Dahlenburg were the placegetters with a frosty plant and sunflowers respectively.

And in the Landscape category, Amy Dahlenburg won with a beach rainbow scene, while Julie Oster and Genevieve Clark were the placegetters with images of an old cart and another beach scene respectively.

SHARING TALENTS SHARES HOPE TOO

Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing talents to encourage with hope the people who receive the Lutheran Media Calendar. With Bible verses on each page spread, along with the stunning photography, the calendars inspire many people, as the feedback we receive shows. As Elisabeth told us: ‘Thank you very much for recently sending me a calendar to give to my brother. When I told him I read my Bible every day, he was really interested which was why I decided to introduce him to your great calendar. Thank you.’

Another recipient, Nedrum, said: ‘I’m not religious at all, but have just ordered this for my religious mother who I think will really like it. Thanks for sharing!’

ORDER CALENDARS NOW!

You can order your 2023 calendar/s online at www.lutheranmedia.org.au, by calling us in the office on 1800 353 350 or via email to luthmedia@lca.org.au

We hope you enjoy the calendar as much as we have enjoyed preparing it for you.

Pastor Richard Fox is Director of Lutheran Media.

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Church@Home November 2022

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Nurturing our spiritual life

We can all benefit from reading or hearing some encouraging words and experiencing a sense of God’s closeness during the week, as well as at Sunday worship. Therefore, we include these devotional pages for every reader – not just for those who are unable to attend church services regularly. Nurturing our faith at home through regular devotions strengthens our relationship with God. We pray that you will be blessed by these reflections. You will find further prayer, devotional and Bible study resources through the Worship Planning Page from the LCANZ’s Commission on Worship at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/prayers-devotions/ and online worship links at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/churchhome/

Lisa 

Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP

These reflections are from a collection of devotions written for our LCANZ family and friends to help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what we face. You can find these and many others on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion and you can subscribe to receive them daily via email by clicking on the link on that same page.

Worth everything by Pastor Jim Strelan

In his joy [he] went and sold all he had and bought the field (Matthew 13:44b).

Read Matthew 13:44–46.

What does it mean to you to know you have a God who loves you unconditionally, promises to be with you always, willingly forgives you and lets you start again, and only has open arms for you? What value do you put on that compared to many other things you might have that are of worth?

If your heart is set on something, then nothing will get in the way of you achieving it. You will make sacrifices, forego things, and persevere because you have put value on that thing, and it’s worth everything.

The man in Jesus’ parable who finds a treasure is so overwhelmed and so excited at his discovery that he willingly, with great joy, sells everything to gain it. The treasure for this man and the exquisite pearl for the second man in Jesus’ parable is worth everything.

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like this. Where Christ is king, there is a shift in mindset. All the things in life we enjoy, all the things that are precious to us, all the things we consider to be of great value, all those things we don’t hold onto so tightly that we’re not prepared to let them go. They have great value, but when we are in the kingdom – where Christ rules – that connection means more than anything. Many things bring us joy, but there is no greater joy than being in the kingdom.

The great thing is that the treasure is already in the field, and the pearl is already there. Neither man created the treasure. Neither man actually earned it nor deserved it. But on finding it, both men recognised the value. It was worth everything.

Spend a moment reflecting on the value of the gift you have been given. Acknowledge how much poorer you would be without it. And thank God. What he gives is worth everything.

Thank you, God, for giving me the greatest gift of all and for the joy it brings. Amen.

Rejected to accepted by Sonia Hulme

Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no-one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? (Luke 17:17,18)

Read Luke 17:11–19.

In our house, we have a rule. When dinner is over, everyone who ate should stick around and help clean up. That’s how we show gratitude to the cook. It’s amazing, then, how many nights the cook can identify with Jesus’ question in today’s story of the healing of the ten lepers. In our family, it translates to ‘Were not all seven fed? Where are the other six??’. Yes, despite the rule and without us noticing, children seem to slip away and must be retrieved from all over the house to wash, dry and put away the mess of the day. The very act of coming back shows gratitude, especially if they do it without being forced (we’re still working on that!).

The leper who returned to give thanks after receiving miraculous healing from Jesus was an outsider on not one but two counts. Firstly, he was from Samaria. According to the Jews, he was not included in God’s family. Secondly, he had an illness that resulted in complete social rejection. So, he really did know about life on the edge of society, and his gratitude is correspondingly heartfelt.

Over and over, Jesus specialises in going to the margins, to the outsider and drawing them in, including them, making them whole. In response, those who have been healed of much, forgiven much and loved much respond with great gratitude. I, too, was an outsider before Jesus came to me. Perhaps I still feel on the edge, rejected by others, invisible, unlovely in my own – or others’ – eyes. I am exactly the one he comes to touch and heal and love. He is not afraid of my wounds, sins, and shame. He embraces me, makes me whole and delights in my grateful response. My gratitude is a gift to him and a witness to the world of just how much he has done for me. I truly am a recipient of amazing grace!

Before you came along, I, too, was an outsider in your kingdom. Help me look with eyes of compassion on those who are still lingering on the edge of your love. Let my gratitude show itself in my love for those who are unwelcome because they are different. Amen.

PRAYER

LORD OF LIGHT & DARKNESS      

Jesus,
Lord of light and darkness,
Find us in the darkness,
Find us in the light.

Jesus,
Lord of work and stillness,
Make our work of worth,
Make our stillness yours.

Jesus,
Lord of our past and future,
Cover our anxiety with love,
Cover our hopes with grace.

Jesus,
Lord of everything,
Fill those who have nothing,
Fill us with the right longing.

Jesus,
We are your people,
In darkness and light,
In work and stillness,
In anxiety and hope,
Having nothing,
Yet possessing everything.
Amen.
Sourced from justprayer.org

John 16:22
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Justice requires wisdom by Pastor Glenn Crouch

… they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice (1 Kings 3:28b).

Read 1 Kings 3:16–28.

We often mistakenly equate wisdom and knowledge. Of course, knowledge is very valuable and useful, but just because you know a lot, it doesn’t mean you make good decisions. Wisdom in Scripture refers to practical skills (including decision-making) that lead to living a life that glorifies God. This includes making decisions that promote justice.

In our reading, we see Solomon has no knowledge about who the true mother is, so he devises a test to discover the truth. We may gasp in horror at his proposal, as surely most did within Solomon’s court. This was not something that Israel’s king should propose! But without shedding a drop of blood, Solomon discovers who the mother really is, and she is reunited with her child.

How do you fare when it comes to making wise decisions? How much thought do you give when posting a social media post or sending an email? Do you consider whether some item you want to share is actually true and what effect it may have on those who read or hear it?

I know there are times when my decisions have lacked wisdom. I am so thankful that our Lord Jesus died for all my sins and that through my baptism, I can receive forgiveness – not just today, but every day! Forgiveness is available not only when we make poor decisions but also when we don’t listen to wise advice.

Almighty God, please forgive me for the thoughtless ways I have acted or spoken. Through your Holy Spirit, grant me your wisdom so that I make good decisions and that my words and deeds glorify your name. I ask this through your precious Son. Amen.

At the table by Dianne Eckermann

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11).

Read Luke 14:1,7–14.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus dined with many different people in various places. Jesus ate with a tax collector and a Pharisee, as in the reading today. He fed a crowd with a couple of fish and some loaves of bread and dined with his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. He attended wedding feasts and ate more privately with his disciples at the Last Supper.

These settings have one common feature: Jesus uses these mealtimes to teach others. When he went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, we are told that he was carefully watched. Perhaps some of the other guests were interested in seeing where it was that Jesus chose to sit at the table. However, Jesus also observed that guests picked seats of honour at the table. Jesus chose this moment to talk about humility.

Our modern society generally sets little store by where we sit at a dinner table, so we are unlikely to suffer the humiliation of being moved to a less important place. However, Jesus’ words still hold a message for today, encouraging us to not overestimate our own importance but humbly accept who we are, and we know we are beloved children of God.

While Jesus understands the social hierarchy of his time, in the second part of this reading, he encourages his host to consider those in greatest need, the poor or those with disabilities, and invite them to dine. Unlike close friends and relatives, it is unlikely they can return the favour; however, humbly inviting them will provide happiness for those in need as well as their host.

This is exactly how God receives us. We will never be able to repay the grace and mercy offered to us. Humbly and thankfully, we accept.

Heavenly Father, we humbly thank you for the way in which you know us in all our imperfections yet receive us as your children. Amen.

129

New Assistant Bishop for NZ Lutherans

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by Rosie Schefe

Pastor Nich Kitchen is the new Assistant Bishop for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), following the unexpected early retirement of former assistant bishop, Pastor Jim Pietsch.

Elected to the position by his fellow pastors on 1 September, Pastor Nich said he accepted the nomination to the position to serve with Bishop Mark Whitfield because he had a heart for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, where he grew up in faith. He felt this was a time when he needed to step up.

Ordained at the end of 2014, Pastor Nich served in the Victoria-Tasmania District: first in the Northern Tasmania parish and then as an interim pastor in Mildura.

He was installed as pastor at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland in August 2018.

Mountainside is one of New Zealand’s larger congregations and is its most diverse in cultural identity, serving members from 26 different countries spread across all continents except Antarctica. Approximately 85 per cent of Mountainside’s members are bilingual.

The congregation is part of the LCANZ Cross-Cultural Ministry network, which intentionally links congregations with culturally diverse memberships. Pastor Nich himself has been a consultant to the LCANZ Department of Local Mission’s Committee for Cross-Cultural Ministry since 2021.

Pastor Jim Pietsch retired suddenly from active ministry and his call to St Paul’s Wellington early in August, in direct response to family need – to support his wife Grace as she cares for her ailing mother in Indonesia. Pastor Jim led his final service on 7 August, and the next day flew to join family members in Jakarta.

Pastor Jim was ordained in 1982, celebrating 40 years of ministry in January. He served in parishes at Whyalla and Waikerie in South Australia, and in the Melton, St Albans and Sunbury congregations in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne. He also served a term as manager of theological books at Openbook Publishers.

Pastor Jim arrived in Wellington on Anzac Day 2013 and served at St Pauls for more than nine years.

He served as pastors’ representative on the LCNZ’s Council of Synod from 2015, then assistant bishop from 2017 until his retirement. The appointment of the assistant bishop is made by the Synod of LCNZ on the nomination of the pastors, and as Pastor Jim’s retirement came between conventions, the Council of Synod has appointed Pastor Nich to this position on the nomination of the pastors.

Rosie Schefe is Lutheran Church of New Zealand District Administrator and former editor of The Lutheran.

130

Lutheran nurses visit Central Australia

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Lutheran nurses from Australia, the USA, Singapore and Palestine spent six days in Central Australia in September on a Lutheran Parish Nurses International (LPNI) study tour. The group of 17 visited Hermannsburg (Ntaria) to learn about early mission history, while local Ministry Support Workers introduced them to the scope of ministry of Finke River Mission, and local nurses described health issues in the region. The visitors also joined Alice Springs congregation for English-Pitjantjatjara worship.

– Pastor Bob Wiebusch, LPNI Board of Management