Services for Sunday 3rd November (Twenty Fourth Sunday After Pentecost)

Warrnambool       9:00am        Service of the Word
Hawkesdale         9:00am        Service of the Word 
Ayrford                11:30am       Service of the Word

Events for the week:

Sunday (3rd) - The Singing Group will be meeting immediately following the 9am service in Warrnambool, to begin rehearsals for the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the church, which is to be celebrated on 8th December.  Anyone who may be interested in joining The Singing Group for this special occasion, please speak to Lynne or Sonia.      

Reformation Sunday

Pastor Bell had a wonderful glass icon of the Luther Rose with him at service on Sunday, which he used in the children's address.  It was a wonderful reminder to all of us older Christians about our faith.  His explanation went like this.

Martin Luther wanted to tell other people what he believed about God. He taught them using this picture. Can you spot a cross, a heart, a rose, a blue background, and a gold ring? Here’s a simple way to understand what Martin Luther wanted people to understand….

The Cross First, there is a black cross in the middle of a red heart. This reminds me that I believe with my heart that Jesus loves me!

The Heart Even though there is a black cross on the heart and I know that Jesus died on a cross for me, the heart stays colorful and alive. God is the creator and care-taker of all life.

The Rose The heart lies on a white rose like a soft blanket reminding me that my faith gives me joy, peace and comfort. The rose should be white because white is the color of angels.

The Blue Background Blue is the color of the sky and reminds me of heaven. It is also the color of hope all the wonderful things God has promised me.

The Gold Ring Gold is one of the most precious metals in all the earth. God loves each one of us as if we were the most precious thing in all the world. When I look at the ring I don’t see a beginning or an end to it. This is just like God’s love for the world that will last forever and will never end.

By Christine Sawyer

Young Adults Small Group

The Young Adults Small Group began meeting regularly in the last couple of weeks, with an average attendance of about 10 people, including members from Warrnambool, Hawkesdale, Tarrington and Warrayure, as well as a few originating from distant countries.  In the past week we started looking into the importance of baptism and its relationship to original sin, salvation and forgiveness of sins, and how Lutherans and other denominations view baptism.  In the coming week we hope to continue discussing what occurs during baptism, and the important role that faith has in the life of a baptised Christian.

If you would like to join the Young Adults Small Group, or even just visit for a night to see what all the fuss is about, all are welcome to contact Sonia or Ben for further details.  They would both also be willing to assist others who may be thinking of starting their own small group, and would strongly encourage them to do so, as it is a very effective form of building faith and community within the church.

Services for Sunday 27th October (Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost)

Warrnambool     11:00am      Parish Reformation Day Service

This service will be led by Pastor Kevin Bell to mark the anniversary of Reformation.

A community lunch will follow the service.  All parish members, guests, and visitors are warmly invited to this special time of worship, and we look forward to the sharing of fellowship and friendship together.      

Other upcoming events:

Thursday (24th October) - Ayrford Ladies Guild is meeting at the Ayrford hall.  All ladies are welcome to attend.

Friday (25th October) - The Parish Youth are meeting at the Peterings, Dixie, for a Bonfire Evening beginning at 7pm.  All Parish Youth are warmly welcome.

Services for Sunday 20th October (Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost)

Warrnambool    11:00am     Service with Holy Communion (Pastor David Borgas)
Hawkesdale      9:00am       Service with Holy Communion (Pastor Colin Huf)
Ayrford             11:30am     Service with Holy Communion (Pastor Colin Huf)

Upcoming Events:

Sunday 20th October - The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Pastor Peter Koehne will be celebrated at St John's Church Geelong at 10am.  All are cordially invited to attend.

Friday 25th October - The Parish Youth are meeting at the Peterings, Dixie, for a Bonfire Evening beginning at 7pm.  All Parish Youth are warmly welcome.

History of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hawkesdale, by Bruce Mirtschin

Pastors (clockwise from top left): J. Juers (65-76), T. Koch (43-45), P. Koehne (90-00), T. Wiebusch (45-64), B. Fry (83-90), K. Zwar (76-81), D. Borgas (01-13, centre).

HISTORY OF IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 

• Records show German settlers owning land in 1869, near Hawkesdale: W. Ubergang, C. Ubergang & J. Grauer. However they may have moved on as their names did not appear after 1872. 
• 1906 the Nagorcka family from Tarrington purchased land in Minhamite, but still attended church at Tabor 
• After the First World War more Lutheran families moved to the Hawkesdale area but still attended church services at Tabor & Tarrington. ( Jim Uebergang & S. Williams) 
• The families of W. Hausler, A. Noske, W. Kriewaldt, H. Rentsch purchased land in the Minhamite area in 1929 to early 1930’s 
• The families of G.Habel (1932) & B. Mirtschin (1939) purchased land in the Woolsthorpe area 
• The first service was held in the Hawkesdale hall in 1939 with Pastor G. Minge of Tabor. He continued services on a regular basis. 
• Dec.1942 a meeting was called at which a decision was made “to organize ourselves and form a congregation”. Pastor Minge led the meeting with all the above families present. It was also decided to form a congregation and link up with the newly formed Warrnambool Parish with the first resident minister, Pastor T.W.Koch, (1943-1945). 
• Pastor T Wiebusch became minister on 6th May 1945 (Ministered for 19 years until 1964) 
• Services were held on a fortnightly basis from the beginning of 1943 in the Presbyterian Church. (Church hire 6 shillings per service) 
• Funds were collected for a new church building. A sum of 200 pounds was bequested from Mr. August Mibus from Tabor for this purpose. 
• In March 1947, it was decided to purchase a block of land. Acting on behalf of the congregation, Mr. W. Hausler purchased the block on which the hall partly sits for 84 pounds ($168). 
• In Feb 1949, a building committee was appointed and plans drawn up by Mr. Walters, an architect from Warrnambool (a double brick building, capable of seating over 200 people). 
• May 1952 the corner block on which the church now is situated was purchased for 185 pounds ($370). 
• Feb.1954 a tender was accepted to build at 8853 pounds ($17,706) 
• Foundation stone was laid 26th September 1954 after a service held at the Hawkesdale Hall at which Pastor H. F. Quast was the guest preacher. 

Church foundation stone, September 1954

Church dedication, July 1955

Altar on dedication day

• Building completed and dedication service held on 3rd July 1955. Pastor W. H. Paech gave the dedicatory address with assisting ministers, Pastors G. Minge, B Schwarz, E. Wiebusch and resident minister T. Wiebusch. There were 450 people present. Offerings were 400 pounds ($800). 
• 1960 a decision was made to look at building or acquiring a hall. 
• 1961 A Doherty reed organ was purchased. A small pedal organ from the Noske family had been used until then. The Doherty was replaced in 1964 with an Estey reed organ.
• 7th Feb 1965 Pastor J. Juers was installed as minister of the parish and served 12 years. 
• A tender of $22,157 was accepted to build a new hall & the foundation stone was laid in October 1966. 
• Hall dedicated on 4th June 1967. Pastor T Wiebusch was guest preacher, with 400 people present. Mr. I. Smith (MLA) unveiled the memorial plaque 
• Pastor Kevin Zwar became our next minister in December 1976 and served for 5 years 
• After Pastor Zwar’s departure, Pastor E. Kempe conducted services until the appointment of Pastor Bill Fry in January 1983.

Laying of the foundation stone, October 1966

Dedication of Hall, July 1967

Pipe organ

Woodcutting 1985

• Since the new church was built several reed organs had been purchased and used. In 1982 an organ fund commenced. In 1983, a pipe organ was purchased from the Uniting Church, Castlemaine for $6000. Building alterations were made to the church for $11500. The organ was installed for $2000 and dedicated on August 25th 1985.
• Woodcutting began in 1983 with the proceeds going towards the building and organ fund, church work and special needs. 
• Up to the 1970’s a continual growth in numbers was in evidence, with good numbers attending Sunday School, Ladies Guild, Mens Fellowship & Youth Group. 
• The 1980’s saw a gradual decline, with members retiring to Warrnambool and younger people attending educational institutions and choosing jobs in the cities. 
• Pastor Peter Koehne was installed on 20 July 1990 and remained until his retirement. 
• Pastor David Borgas was installed April 2001 and is still serving our congregation. (May 2013)

Pastor David Borgas 2005

Immanuel Church

Services for Sunday 13th October (Twenty First Sunday After Pentecost)

Hawkesdale        9:00am        Service with Holy Communion
Warrnambool     11:00am       Service with Holy Communion

Both services will be led by Pastor David Borgas.

Events for the coming week:

Sunday (13th)
Terang Fellowship Group will be meeting at the Nuske's at 5:30pm.  All welcome.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday 20th October - The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Pastor Peter Koehne will be celebrated at St John's Church Geelong at 9am.  All are cordially invited to attend.

Friday 25th October - The Parish Youth are meeting at the Peterings, Dixie, for a Bonfire Evening beginning at 7pm.  All Parish Youth are warmly welcome.

Walking Fellowship

The walking fellowship had a great time last Sunday; the weather was pretty good for walking and eating and sharing. About 20 adults and 6 children participated; there was enough food and seating for all.  The whole event was a blessing to everyone.

Coming Soon... Young Adult Small Group!

A small group is being set up for the young adults of the Warrnambool (and District) parish to connect over a scrumptious meal, riveting discussion, service opportunities and prayer. The group will have the opportunity to meet weekly in the comfort of each other's homes and is aimed at young adults between the ages of 18-30(ish!). 

To kick start the venture all those interested are invited to share a lamb roast at the home of Sonia Gellert on Monday the 14th of October, from 6:30pm, where we'll have the chance to share ideas about the small group. Please RSVP to Sonia or Ben Croft and bring a salad/dessert. If you cannot make the dinner but would like to join the small group, please talk to one of us!