Ministry
Ministry Message
A New Way of Seeing
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
I have spoken with many people recently about the glorious change in weather brought upon us by the arrival of Autumn. While in the northern hemisphere the earth seems to let out a sigh of relief after Winter has passed and Spring has arrived, in Australia it is Autumn that often brings a sense of relief to the world around us. Refreshing rains come, cooler days make living more bearable and the spectacular colours of the leaves bring about a new sense of life, even if we know that those leaves will soon fall as Winter settles in. I certainly find the seasonal change helps me to see the world in a different way.
The fact that Easter always falls at this time of the year seems to be a fortunate coincidence, as Easter brings about the reason to see all of life differently, and that is the hope of life after death. Jesus’ death on the cross brought us reconciliation with God, it is true. His resurrection, however, gives us a whole new reality. By virtue of our faith in God and his connection to us through baptism we have been born again, or born ‘from above’, meaning that he sees us differently. Yes, we are sinners, but on account of Jesus’ sacrifice, he also sees us as saints. Our identity and status have completely changed – and they have changed for good.
Knowing that God sees us differently means we see the world differently too. Yes, we will die, but he will raise us to life. What hope that brings, especially when we face an uncertain future. Yes, we live here on earth and need to earn a living, but our citizenship is in heaven, where we have an eternal inheritance. What hope that gives us when life turns out differently to what we had planned. Yes, we will face temptation and even succumb to it at times, but sin does not reign in our lives; instead we live in the grace of the cross and the hope of the resurrection. It is living in this hope that helps us to see the world differently and to focus on what is truly important.
It’s easy to feel that we are bound to a certain way of living and a particular way of seeing the world: getting qualifications, finding a job, earning a good income, buying property, having a family, building a healthy bank balance and making sure we have enough to live on when we can’t work anymore. When this order starts to break down we can question what life is all about. Thank God for Christ’s resurrection and for the way it brings about the dawn of a new reality and a new way of seeing the world around us. He has something planned for us in the future that is better than we could ever plan for ourselves; and he has a reality for us here and now that is more meaningful and fulfilling than we might ever believe is possible.
Pastor Dale
Youth Events
LIFT: Salisbury Lutheran Youth
Year 7 – 12, Friday 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 12 May (Bible Study) led by Pastor Greg
Friday 19 May (Synod set-up)
Friday 26 May (Bible Study) led by Pastor Greg
Friday 2 June – Blowdart Skirmish
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
Years 6-12 from 7.00pm–9:30pm
Who is he? JESUS
Friday 19 May
Sunday 28 May - N.E.L.Y.
Further information contact Margot Mertin 0401 850 814 mmertin@paravista.org.au
Senior Youth St Paul Lutheran Church
Year 8-12, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Saturday 13 May – Glow Night
St Paul Lutheran Church hall, Cost $2.00
SPY
Year 6-8, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Friday 19 May – Bread + Fish
St Paul Lutheran Church Hall, Cost $2.00
Boys bring Supper.
For more information please contact Nicole Hall, SPLC CYHM Coordinator, mob 0412686342