Ministry
Ministry Message
A symbol worth knowing
There are many labels and brands that are instantly recognisable because of their prevalence in our culture and their widespread popularity. The Nike swoosh, the Coca Cola label and the big M of McDonalds are just a few that stand out clearly thanks to thoughtful product placement and significant marketing investment.
The cross is the universal symbol of the church and it too is instantly recognisable. In the Lutheran Church, however, there is another symbol that is often seen in books, church buildings and schools but not everyone knows what it is or what it means. It is the Luther Rose, a symbol that Luther used as his own personal seal and that he crafted himself to be a visual reminder of the hope he has in Christ. Given how often we come across this symbol it is worth knowing more about it.
At the centre of the Luther rose is a black cross inside a red heart. For Luther, it was important to keep the heart in its original colour, to show that the cross of Christ, though a place of death, actually makes us alive again. As it says in the book of Romans, ‘the righteous will live by faith’, which of course means faith in Christ. Though we are sinners, Christ’s death cancels our debt before God and our faith in him is credited to us as righteousness. We are new people and we have new hearts that can love God and our neighbour.
Luther placed this red heart inside a white rose, for white is the colour of the angels. It was the angels who came to bring joy, comfort and peace to Mary and to the shepherds in announcing the imminent birth of Jesus and to the women and the other disciples at the empty tomb after his resurrection. As Christians, we have a special kind of peace that the world cannot give, thanks to the saving work of Christ. It is this peace that is to characterise our lives, not stress or anxiety about what our future holds.
Luther also wanted his rose to be placed in a sky-blue background to indicate that we have already begun to live with the hope of heaven. We have eternal life now and we wait in hope for it to be realised completely, whenever that day may come. This helps us to live as strangers or refugees here on earth, knowing that our true citizenship and inheritance are both in heaven.
Finally, Luther enclosed his rose within a golden ring, symbolising that the blessings we await in heaven are not only of the greatest value, but will also last forever. In our heavenly home, there will be no end to our sense of peace and joy and fellowship, both with God and with other people; there will be no more tears, or death – just life with God.
As we approach the end of our term and the focus on our theme of Saints and Sinners it can be encouraging to think on these things knowing that we have this great peace and hope right now. It is also comforting when we consider those Christians, whom we love, who have died in the faith have entered into this hope already. Born as sinners, they have been made into saints by faith in Christ and now join the communion of saints of all time with the angels and our heavenly Father, waiting for the day when we will join them.
Pastor Dale Gosden
Youth Events
LIFT - Salisbury Lutheran Youth
Year 7 – 12, Fridays 8.00pm-10.00pm
Getting real with God, walking through the Bible, and asking difficult questions. Oh and a lot of food. For more information contact Patrick on 0413 105 120
Golden Grove Lutheran Youth
Year 7–12, 7.15pm–9.30 pm
Continuing a journey games, meet new friends and connect with Jesus
Friday 23 June - Bible Study led by Pastor Greg
Friday 30 June – Dinner
Friday 7 July - Bible Study led by Pastor Greg
Website: http://www.gglc.org.au Facebook/Instagram: gglcyouth email address (youth@gglc.org.au) Jesse Hahn – 0431 523 160
Soul Crew - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Para Vista, Year 6-12, 7.00pm–9:30pm
Who is he? JESUS
Friday 30 June
Further information contact Margot Mertin 0401 850 814 mmertin@paravista.org.au