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The Heart of Sharing Jesus

As Christmas draws near, I invite you to reflect on the beautiful opportunity Christmas provides to share God’s love with others. In the story of the babe of Bethlehem, we see the heart of our faith: God coming to us in humility and love, offering hope, meaning, and purpose to a world in need.

According to McCrindle Research, this year, Christmas traditions will draw people together in many ways…

76% of Aussies plan to spend time with family.
49% will decorate their homes.
40% will bake Christmas treats.
39% will visit Christmas light displays.
37% will rewatch a classic Christmas movie.

And 1 in 5 Australians (20%) say they’re planning to attend a church service.

This babe bore witness to truth not through power or status, but through love, prayer, service, and suffering. His kingship whispers through the quiet moments of compassion and sacrifice—moments that show us what true hope looks like.

Sharing this good news is not about pressuring others or seeking to dominate the conversation. Mission is about living out the hope we have in Jesus, so that others may see and be drawn to Him. It’s about serving others in kindness, praying for their needs, and even walking alongside them in their struggles.

This Christmas, consider who in your life might need to hear of God’s love in a fresh way. Perhaps it’s a friend, a neighbour, or a colleague. Invite them to join you at a service or a community event, or simply share with them why the birth of Jesus brings hope to your life.

Let’s be ready to share the reason for the hope we have, as Peter encourages us in Scripture—not with coercion, but with gentleness and respect. Together, through love and faithfulness, we can point others to the King who truly gives life.

May God bless you as you reflect on His great love and look for ways to share it this Christmas.

A Multi-Cultural Celebration of Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday was a very special day at Our Saviour’s, Knox, this year. Our worship service brought together for the first time members of our Ringwood-Knox Parish with members of both our Finnish Lutheran Church and South Sudanese Fellowship. These communities both use our building for worship.

The service involved participation from all three groups, with scripture readings from Peter Renner (Parish Chair) in English, Pastor Peter Deng reading in the Nuer language, and Elias reading in the Finnish language. Communion was jointly administered by Pastor Peter Ghalayini, Pastor Peter Deng and Pastor Ian Vainikka. In addition to Brendan Scott and our Knox band, we were treated to two hymns sung in language by our South Sudanese Fellowship, and Satu Kirk from our Finnish congregation played our organ beautifully, including a rousing rendition of A Mighty Fortress is our God to conclude our service.

Following this very enriching worship experience we joined together in fellowship over our annual Parish Longest Lutheran Lunch. This also was a multi-cultural event, combining a traditional BBQ and salad meal with rice salads provided by our South Sudanese members and a special addition for our dessert of Finnish cinnamon buns freshly baked for the occasion. Donations contributed were collected for the work of Australian Lutheran World Services.

This was indeed a memorable celebration of Reformation Sunday.

Holy Trinity Benalla Closes Its Doors

On Sunday, 22nd September, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Benalla held its final service before closing its doors. Pastor Ernie Kiss led the service, Pastor Brett Kennett (Pastor for Congregational Support) delivered the sermon, and Pastor Matthias Prenzler (Assistant Bishop) conducted the closing rite. Those gathered were uplifted by the inspirational singing of the St Paul’s African Choir from Shepparton, who brought joy, warmth and hope to the occasion.

Holy Trinity’s story stretches back to the 1950s, when Lutherans first gathered in Benalla, and formally became a congregation in 1966. The church’s roots are deeply tied to post-World War II migrant ministry. Supported by the Wangaratta congregation, the early members—a mix of European Lutheran migrants and local Australians—built a strong and resilient community. This early backbone of the congregation thrived for many years, despite the challenges of families moving to larger cities for work and education opportunities.

Those who stayed in Benalla formed a close-knit, hard-working community that not only focused on spiritual growth but also on serving others. Holy Trinity members served their wider community faithfully, empowered by God’s grace as they gathered for worship.

One of the wonderful aspects of the congregations history was its willingness to ‘get church out to the big wide world’ as one member put it to me recently. Prior to the opening of the church building the congregation participated in parish (with Wangaratta) worship services in a variety of locations, including a communion service on Lake Eildon itself! There were regular congregational excursions for fellowship and service activities.

Other aspects of the congregation’s life included Saturday evening worship services followed by shared meals, a thriving Sunday School, youth programs led by a part-time youth worker, welfare fundraiser for drought assistance, and special ecumenical outreach initiatives like Easter dawn services and Christmas caroling at a local housing commission precinct.

The congregation worked exceedingly hard to maintain its financial viability. Fundraisers, such as firewood, cattle and garage sales, helped.

Every event brought people together, fostering deep connections and a shared sense of purpose.

But over the years, as the congregation aged and more families relocated, Holy Trinity faced a steady decline in numbers. By 2024, it became clear that the church could no longer sustain itself. The decision was made to close, with a final service on 22nd September marking the end of an era. Pastor Brett’s sermon theme, “Well done, good and faithful servants” (Matthew 25:23), captured the heart of the congregation’s legacy—one of faithfulness, service, and dedication in response to God’s gift of salvation by grace through faith alone.

During the closing service, sacred items from the church were carefully removed. The next chapter for the physical building will see it repurposed as a home for the local Salvation Army, including their much-needed food bank ministry—a fitting continuation of the church’s service to the community.

Looking ahead, members of Holy Trinity are already involved in a parish partnership with Wangaratta and are eager to explore new regional opportunities with neighboring parishes – and they are still committed to ‘getting the gospel out to the big wide world’.

Geelong Lutheran College News

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet!

Geelong Lutheran College St John’s Newtown was awash in red, white, blue and a lot of baguettes on Friday 19 July for the campus’ celebration of Bastille Day.

This annual event is one of the highlights of the GLC St John’s Newtown calendar, where the campus celebrates its French language program and all things French. The day started with two fabulous French performances from the Year 1 and the Year 3-6 choirs, before each class took to the stage with their creative outfits for the costume parade.

Taking school to the slopes

The Geelong Lutheran College Armstrong Creek Year 12 Outdoor Education class had a blast on their recent Bogong High Plains Snow Camp.

The 10 students had two nights camping back country, where they carried their own tents, prepared their tent sites in the snow, and self-catered for the trip, cooking their meals on Trangia stoves. During the camp they explored the Bogong High Plains on skis, before carving up the slopes by either ski or snowboard at Falls Creek.

The Bogong High Plains Snow Camp is one of several Outdoor Education experiences offered at GLC Armstrong Creek to students from Year 9 onwards. Other opportunities include Fairhaven Coastal Camp, Portland Camp, Glenelg River Journey, Mount Stirling Snow Camp, Mount Buller Snow Camp, and Gariwerd Rock Climbing Camp.

Adult Baptism at Outer Eastern Lutheran Church, Lilydale

Outer Easter Lutheran Church celebrated a very special event on Easter Sunday.

We were blessed to have Bishop Lester baptise JJ, who had come to the strong personal conviction that he wished to be baptised.

It has been a long time since OELC has been able to celebrate an adult baptism, and it gave us great joy to share this occasion with JJ and his family.

JJ spent considerable time working his way through the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s publication ‘God for Us’. This small book has been produced as a guide for adults new to the Christian faith, and provides an outline and explanation of the key beliefs and understandings of Christianity and the teachings of the Lutheran Church.

JJ was helped in this journey by Barry Petering, a long-time member of the congregation. Barry worked one-on-one with JJ, responding to questions and filling in the gaps.

This time last year, the congregation celebrated its own renewal as it transitioned from a pastor-centric model to a lay-led model. It has been a year filled with blessings and many learnings.

Photos supplied by Sabine Haeusler

Empower 2024

LYV Empower is our annual event to equip our leaders in their ministry to the youth. This year we met on Saturday 10 February at Wyndham Hobson’s Bay Lutheran Church, Tarneit, and also online. Our focus was on inclusiveness and difficult conversations – a topic chosen at the request of leaders who have had to deal with this over the last few years, and who needed information on how to respond in a Lutheran environment.

A quote that summed up our discussions came from a story in ‘The Lutheran’ from November 2016: “We would rather err on the side of helping hurting people than on hurting helpless people.”

During the morning sessions, we focused on ways leaders could handle difficult subjects through the lens of our Christian faith, if it comes up in large groups, small groups or in individual conversations. The main overall message was on love and care, not condemnation. Material we covered included LGBTQ+ terminology, suicide statistics, and ‘Homosexuality: what the LCA says’ (lca.org.au/homosexuality-lca-says/). If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at: lyv@lca.org.au.

We had other electives in the afternoon, including camp directing, being on a committee, and leading a simulation game.

We finished the day by launching our new website: https://www.lutheranyouthvictoria.com.au/

Next year’s Empower will take place on Saturday 15^th February 2025 – claim the date!

Installation of Sherry Hong at Redeemer Waverley

There was great rejoicing on Sunday 17^th February at Redeemer Waverley, as Sherry Hong was introduced to the congregation and officially inducted into her role as the congregation’s Multicultural Events Coordinator.

For many years the congregation has been running an English Conversation Class as a means of meeting members of its community and reaching out to them. The City of Monash, in which Redeemer congregation is located, is one of the most culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse municipalities in Melbourne, with more than 54% of the population born in a country other than Australia, and more than 56% of households speaking a language other than English at home. In more recent times, the congregation has also run a weekly Table Tennis Club.

Through such activities, the congregation members are committed to meeting members of the community, and to form friendships and connections, so that they can also introduce them to our Lord.

Emeritus Pastor Wayne Muschamp led the worship service, which was very fitting given his involvement and leadership in the establishment of these mission initiatives during his years as congregational pastor. The congregation is currently in pastoral vacancy, but the congregation continues its commitment to its mission in the community.

In introducing Sherry to the congregation, English Conversation Class Convenor, Merrilyn Beaumont, said, “Sherry brings a great deal of experience and vision to this innovative role. She has worked in industry, managing business and coordinating events. She has used these skills to establish the Gospel CAN organisation, which brings hope through Jesus Christ to sufferers of cancer. Sherry coordinates a team of twenty volunteers who work alongside sufferers and their families, through music and the Word.

In 2024, Sherry will work with our congregational ministry teams to bring Christ to our local multicultural community, focusing on creating events to bring people into our church.”

The first planned special event is the annual church picnic, which is now reframed as a lantern festival.

This is an exciting time for the congregation as it works together with Sherry and discovers how the Lord wishes to bless this ministry.

Summer Sizzler at Sale

On Saturday, 20^th of January, about 30 people attended the Gippsland Parish ‘Summer Sizzler’ at Sale, a follow-up to the successful July ‘Winter Warmer’ at Traralgon. This ‘Australia Day’ styled event was also a fund raiser for the very worthy ‘Asia Focus Australia’ Lutheran charity which promotes Christian mission worldwide.

The annual, prestigious and hard fought ‘thong throwing’ contest opened the occasion, with Kylie Bentham the winner. This was followed by a traditional Aussie BBQ and salads, with thanks to the Sale members.

Michael Groves spoke about his nine-day Asia Focus visit to Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, with 22 other Australian Lutherans. A special highlight was visiting the land purchased by Asia Focus for displaced Lahu refugees with the water supply by the Thai government and the refugees establishing a viable settlement! At Tahaw village the group helped construct a rice mill while learning the intricacies of village life.

Ritva Hannola spoke of the importance and effectiveness of Asia Focus in enriching impoverished people the world over, but especially in Asia and Africa, through material support and the proclaiming of the Gospel.

‘Just desserts’ followed, whereby attendees brought a dessert to share for the fundraiser. People voted with their wallets, with over $600 raised for Asia Focus and the surprise winner being Michael’s strawberry jelly. Sweet success!

Pastor Tony Castle and Michael Groves then led a ‘Spicks and Specks’ style set of engaging musical activities and songs.

A joyfully blessed day of fundraising, fellowship and laughs.

Pastor Tony Castle with this year’s legendary Thong Throwing competition winner, Kylie Bentham. She keeps the trophy for a year!

‘Women of Purpose’ – Gippsland Women’s Retreat

In October the annual Gippsland Women’s Retreat was held in the Lutheran church in Sale, with 19 women, one baby, and our pastor taking part. This event has always been a great blessing to those able to attend, and this time was no exception.

Representatives from our five (small to very, very small) congregations took part in the planning over the previous months. It was decided to alter the usual format, and have women preparing and presenting a series of shorter Bible studies, rather than one longer pastor-led study, which has been the main part of the morning program previously. Pastor Tony led the opening devotion. We also managed to surprise him with an impromptu role in the afternoon program (see photo).

The theme “Women of Purpose” was explored through the lives of four women in the genealogy of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 1. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba were each used by God and recorded for all posterity as significant forebears of our Saviour, in the fulfillment of God’s purposes for all humankind. Their very colourful and challenging stories were explored.

The afternoon program included monologue-type skits by four Biblical women, whose stories are inherently part of the story of their husbands, without the Bible giving much, or even any, information about them. They would have been women whose life also was fulfilling God’s purposes, and we could easily imagine the situations those roles may have put them into. Mrs Noah, Mrs Job, Mrs Jonah and Mrs Pilate led us on journeys of humour, along with serious musings that all still pointed to God’s love for His people.

An offering in support of the training of youth ministry leaders in LCANZ raised $485. Singing and other activities filled out the day. Shared lunch and cuppas before and after the program gave opportunities to catch up with friends, get to know others, and strengthen ties between the far-flung congregations of our parish.

Big thanks are due to everyone there, and especially to our Heavenly Father whose Word is an unending source of treasures, and who has a special purpose for each person in His big story.

Ordination of Pastor Jacob Fabich at Mildura

Pastor Jacob Fabich was ordained on Sunday 3^rd December at his home congregation of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mildura. It was a perfect Mildura summers’ day for the happy celebration.

The church was full to overflowing for worship, with many travelling from Shepparton, Murray Bridge and other congregations, to witness Jacob’s next step in his spiritual journey.

It was a blessing for Mildura members to be able to host this very special event, as they have witnessed Jacob’s nurturing in the faith from his birth.

Bishop Paul Smith delivered the sermon and led the Rite of Ordination, which was followed by the joyous singing of the African choir from Shepparton. Pastor Jacob was also greeted by District Bishop Lester, Assistant Bishop Matthias Prenzler, and Pastors Colin Simpkin, Lucas Matuschka, Murray Smith, Paul Calnan, Avito da Costa and Carl Richter.

Following the service, a relaxing time of fellowship was held on the church lawns in glorious weather, with even the mosquitoes staying away – a perfect end to this special day for the congregation. The afternoon tea was followed by an evening meal for invited guests.

Jacob was installed at the Eudunda/Robertstown Parish in South Australia on 28^th January 2024. We pray that Jacob’s service to the people of Eudunda/Robertstown will be a blessing to both him and the members of the parish.

Photos provided by the Mildura congregation: