News

The St John's Half Yearly Meeting, which was planned for Sunday 29 November, has been tentatively rescheduled for Sunday 13 December 11.30am at the Concordia Chapel.. If social restrictions remain in place by this date, the meeting will be deferred until February 2021.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36

Helping those in need is something that we are called to do – it is something that shows we have a living faith in Christ. In recent times Mother Teresa was a good example of someone who lived out this calling in their lives. While these works are important, they are not something that contribute to our salvation – if they did, then we would always fall short of what God requires.

Instead we rely totally on Christ and what he has done for our salvation. He saves us through giving his life for us on the cross. He clothes us with his righteousness and he feeds us with his Word and through his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. In response to all that Christ has done and continues to do for us, we can go out with peace and joy to not only care for one another’s physical needs, but we can point them to Christ who can look after their spiritual needs. Because it is putting your faith and trust in Christ that separates the sheep from the goats.

Stephen Noblett

This Sunday we were looking forward to Welcoming home to St Johns Stephen Noblett to preach to us face to face on the weeks leading up to his ordination. The Lockdown has changed our plans. We are thankful that Stephen was able to record his message on Tuesday before the lockdown so that we can all receive his message as we worship at home this weekend.

Stephen grew up in the St John’s Church Community in Unley. He is the Son of Peter and Dawn (dec.) Noblett. He has spent the last 5 years training to serve as a pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia. In two weeks, (if pubic worship has recommenced), Stephen will be ordained as a pastor of the LCA at the Concordia College Chapel.

At the time of recording Stephen reported to me the plan at that time for the ordination service. He explained how different this year’s ordination service on the 6th December will be with each ordinand able to have only 10 guests present and the service live streamed for all to watch from home. Right now we wait to see if the ordinations will even be able to take place on that day or will need to be postponed! After ordination Stephen will then serve the Southern Flinders parish which includes congregations in Appila, Booleroo Centre, Jamestown, Laura and Wirrabra.

Stephen, this is not the home coming we wanted to give you! Still, welcome home! We pray God’s blessings on you as you offer your gifts to the church and begin your years of service as a pastor. Stephen, May God the Good shepherd provide you with every good thing you need to do his will!

Jesus said: “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.” Matthew 25:14

God has appointed each of us to be stewards of His gifts / his wealth. And the greatest of these gifts is the Gospel – the Good news that God has come to rescue us from our mess, forgives us, save us, make us his own and share his eternal love with us.

This appointment to invest the gift of the Gospel is significant. The way we use our time has the potential to change eternity for others; for as we invest the Gospel in others it has the potential to multiply and bless many more over time.

You have probably heard statements like: ‘Time is the most valuable thing we have to spend’ and ‘lost time is never found again!’ So may we make good use of our time together today by reflecting on our place in time and eternity and how we can use it to the Glory of God.

One of the great challenges to the way we use our time can be the danger of comparison. When we start to look at what others have and forget about the gift we have been given we run the risk of dis-appointing ourselves. If you identify with this, recognize it now, be assured, God’s gift is for you, his gift is new ever morning. He continues to gift you with his love and eternal promises so that you can start again!

So be prepared to celebrate your appointment, see the gift you have received and simply put it to use where you are and be blessed!

Enjoy the gift and share it – You are loved!

Pastor Nigel Rosenzweig and Pastor Andrew Brook

“You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven..” (Matthew 5:14 NIV)

Why We Are Waiting

This has been the year of waiting. Waiting for the pandemic to hit us. Waiting to see how badly we would be affected. Now, we are waiting for restrictions to be wound back, and especially for our state borders to be opened. Waiting to return to normal, if that’s possible, while we wait for a vaccine. Waiting, and wondering, and perhaps worrying.

Today we place our waiting in the context of God’s promise to us that he has everything in hand. Jesus, the Bridegroom is coming back for his Bride, the church. If Jesus seems to be delayed, it’s because of God’s patient love for the world, and his desire for his good news to reach more and more people. God calls us to wait wisely, with hope and energy, shining the light of Christ in our lives and actions.

Peace in Christ

Pastor Andrew Brook

“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17 NLT)

Lifting up the Light of Christ

Today, in churches across the world, Christians will take some time out in their worship to read out the names of loved ones who have died believing in Jesus. They’ll light a small candle as a focus for their prayers, and also as a way of symbolizing the life that these saints now live in the presence of God, because of the life of Jesus Christ. It’s a day to grieve, but with hope, as those who have trusted their lives to Jesus. We look back with thanks, and we look forward with hope through the God who promises that those who trust in Jesus shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Andrew Brook & Pastor Nigel Rosenzweig

Martin Luther’s no-big-deal posting of the "95 Theses" lead to a surprising reaction. Certainly to him. And it landed him in considerable trouble, involving him in years of distressing, dangerous, and even life-threatening situations.

But he found relief and comfort from the promises of God, especially those in Psalm 46. That psalm gave rise to his hymn ‘A mighty fortress is our God’, and helped his followers to deal with their worries and fears.

Knowing that God is our safe haven enables us to cope with the fears that constantly bug us in our daily lives. His promises help us to stand firm and to make the decision to let no fear control us.

God bless you today,

Pastor Neil Stiller & Pastor Andrew Brook

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2.3

God’s still in charge

Last week our federal government handed down a very much delayed budget. It’s been that kind of a year. Nothing has gone according to plan. For us. And for those who lead us. We are all looking for security and stability in this most testing of years. Some hope to find this in the measures in the budget designed to rebuild the economy. Others look for strong leaders to follow.

Christians believe that all authority rests in God. Everyone and everything else lets us down. But God won’t. His Son Jesus Christ has shown us that God’s love is stronger even than death. Faith in God is what empowers us to work for him, and to labour in love, serving him by bringing his good news to the world. Hope in Jesus is what drives us on and keeps us strong.

Peace in Christ

Pastor Andrew Brook & Pastor Nigel Rosenzweig

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8,9

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

In many ways it has been a really ugly year. Many of us have struggled to stay on top of things. We can blame COVID-19 for much of it. Remember the panic buying in the early weeks - and now as the pandemic drags on there is often frustration, a lack of patience, grumpiness. Then there’s the bigger picture. Recession, unemployment, increasing debt. Trade wars and tension between China and Australia. An ugly picture in many ways

We long for hope, peace and beauty. What we’ve been experiencing hasn’t been lost on God. Today we focus on Paul’s words to his friends in Philippi, - God’s grace brings beauty out of ugly things. This gives us joy in the face of ugliness, and enables our lives to reflect God’s hope-filled love and grace to others.

Peace in Christ

Pastor Andrew Brook

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12b, 13b,14

Living from the future

It has been a long and hard year, and the future that will unfold into 2021 also seem uncertain. Today we invite the Apostle Paul to speak into our current situation. Paul knew all about tough times. His letter to the Philippians was written from a prison cell. But when Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul’s life was completely turned around. He had to learn a whole new way of living, because of getting to know Jesus, and the power of his death and resurrection.

Almost 2000 years later, we are still blessed by Paul’s words. They remind us that security in life is not based on our achievements, but on the fact that through Jesus, God has reached down to us and made us his children. And this means that hope and purpose is found in our relationship with God. We live from this certain future, now and forever with God.

Peace in Christ

Pastor Andrew Brook & Pastor Nigel Rosenzweig