Upcoming Services at Trinity Lutheran Church, Warrnambool

Sunday 11th October at 10.00am - Live Stream

Sunday 18th October at 10.00am - Service of the Word

Visitors are always welcome to worship with us.  

Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

We are Chosen

We are chosen! We are adopted! We are graced! We are saved! We are forgiven! We are known and loved! We are guaranteed an inheritance that will never spoil or fade! May we become more like Christ, and may we live for Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Notes on the Second Reading for this coming Sunday: Romans 12:1–8

The first eleven chapters of Romans contain Paul's clear teaching that being saved comes through faith alone along with the free gift of Christ's own righteousness being bestowed on the repentant sinner. Now he appeals through those very mercies of God (verse 1) for Christians to show outwardly by their personal holiness the complete change which God has made on them inwardly. This offering of spiritual sacrifices extends to using the differing spiritual gifts he has given each believer to build one another up.

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Notes on the Gospel for this coming Sunday: Matthew 15:10-28

The Canaanite woman's initial piteous cry for help was met by silence from the Lord. Her faith was further put to the test by his seeming heavy rebuff. A Gentile, she yet continued to call on him as 'Messiah' (Son of David) to help.  Jesus honoured that persistent expression of faith. Faith is the key to receiving the blessings of Christ, regardless of race, sex, colour or ability.

Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on the water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Notes on Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

As the God of Israel showed his almighty power by dividing the Red Sea to save his people, so the man Jesus in this miracle shows his power as God over the elements of nature. No less today he looks for the implicit trust of his people as they are beset by the storms of life's events. While our faith might often waver, yet his hand will raise us up. We therefore trustingly await his reassuring, 'Peace, be still!'

A Baptism this Sunday, the 2nd of August - Praise the Lord