Upcoming Services at Trinity Lutheran Church, Warrnambool

Sunday 30th August at 10.00am - Live Stream

Sunday 6th September at 10.00am - Divine Worship, with Pastor Colin

Sunday 13th September at 10.00am - Live Stream

Sunday 20th September at 10.00am - Service of the Word

Sunday 27th September at 10.00am - Live Stream

Sunday 4th October at 10.00am -  Divine Worship, with Pastor Colin

Please note that the writer of this blog is away for the next few weeks, so there'll be no new posts until October. 

Visitors are always welcome to worship with us. 

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

 

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

There are six parables grouped together in this Sunday's gospel reading. The first two, the mustard seed and the yeast, deal with seemingly insignificant agents that actually achieve very powerful effects. The word of God works this way, both in the church and in the lives of individuals. The next two, concerning the hidden treasure and the fine pearl, describe two different people who, contrary to their expectations, find the kingdom of God in different ways. Both are willing to forget about everything else in their desire to obtain and keep it. The following fifth parable warns the hearer that there are eternal consequences connected with the way in which one receives the gospel of the kingdom. In the sixth parable we can see that those entrusted with proclaiming the kingdom have the old well-known and well-trusted treasure (i.e. Christ's teachings) but also have an ever new exciting evaluation of that treasure as they constantly find new means of applying it in new situations.

A Baptism this Sunday - Praise the Lord

  

Listening and Taking the Next Faithful Step

Our parish has two important meetings coming up this weekend; we're thinking about next steps after a period of uncertainty. We thank our visiting pastor and visiting Assistant Bishop for their insights and leadership. 

I Do Not Have to Hold Everything Together

This is a pertinant prayer for me at the moment. Thank you for sending me this message, and keep reminding me of this. 

Our God Searches for Lost Sheep

Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Funeral for Bette

 

We farewelled our dear Sister in Christ, Bette, yesterday at a funeral just right for her personality and christian values. Vale Bette. Jesus has welcomed you into his arms. 

A Prayer

Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, 

know your sheep and call us each by name. 

In a world where trust has been broken and your people have been wounded, draw near to us with your gentle voice. 

Lead us away from fear and harm, and into the safety of your care. Restore what has been lost, heal what has been hurt, and gather us again into one flock under your grace. 

Teach us to recognise your voice above all others, to follow where you lead, and to rest in the promise that no one can snatch us from your hand. 

For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 A Confesional Prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday

Gracious God,

we come before you wounded and weary. We have been hurt by those who should have cared for us and burdened in ways you did not intend.

We confess that we have sinned: in fear and mistrust, in anger and silence, in losing sight of your goodness and care.

We confess that we have not always listened for your voice, the voice that calls us by name, the voice that leads us beside still waters.

Have mercy on us, Lord. Restore us, heal us, and gather us again as your flock.

Amen.