Contact December - January 2012.indd

OH, THAT YOU WOULD TEAR
THE HEAVENS AND COME
DOWN. (ISAIAH 64:1A)
st john’s northbridge
contact
Like the prophet Isaiah we often
wonder why God seems to be hiding
when we need him the most. How
often do we cry out to God to help
us in our distress and all we hear
is silence? But isn’t that the way
with God? First we experience his
harshness then comes his mercy.
He gives us over to sin before he
forgives us. Before resurrection we
see death. Before birth there is
pain. Isaiah was troubled by this
and so are we. Many have tried
to find answers to the question of
God’s apparent inaction in the face
of pain and I have to say that at the
end of the day none of them are
very satisfying. The answer that the
Footprints in the Sand story gives is
as good as any ie it is when we are
celebrating and sharing the love of god
going through our worst difficulties
that God is carrying us and that’s why we only see one pair
of footprints. But let’s imagine for a moment that God could
tear open the heavens and come down to wipe out all the
Volume 44 No 6
causes of misery in the world. Where would he start? If we’re
What Would Tear the Heavens & Come Down . . . 1
honest we have to say that you and I have been the cause
Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
of some misery in our time so what would stop God from
Marlene’s Musical Interlude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
wiping us out? This is where we begin to see the magnitude
of God’s love because he did come down. And he came
Friendship Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
down much lower than Isaiah expected. Not as a vengeful
People of St John’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
God with a sword in his hand but as a babe in the manger
Our Northbridge Neighbours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
to be one of us and one with us. He came down as the God
who breathes and bleeds and sweats and dies. The heavens
Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
were torn open and the Spirit descended on him when Jesus
German Carols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
was baptised in the river Jordan. Similarly, the Jerusalem
Longest Lutheran Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Temple curtain was torn from top to bottom when Jesus
Biscuits for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
hung in desolation on the cross. There, he not only carried
Pastor Greg’s WA Distric Travels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
us but suffered for us so that God would no longer count
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
our sins against us. Now, baptised into Christ, our heavenly
What Is Evangelism? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Father delights in us as much as he delights in his own Son
Jesus! What a sweet exchange this is. As we celebrate the
Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
first coming of Christ this Christmas we can also anticipate
Rosters for December - January
his second coming with great excitement. Why? because
Worship Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
then he will come down once again to save us from a life
Ministry Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
that is all to often unfair and painful and raise us up to
lutheran church of australia
December 2011 - January 2012
a new life that is characterised not by distress and divine
silence, but by ceaseless praise, peace and divine union.
Amen, come Lord Jesus.
The blessings of the holy season to you all. Pastor Greg.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday 11 December
6.30pm Children’s Christmas Service
Tuesday 20 December
7:00 pm Danish Christmas Service
Printed and Published on behalf of St. John’s Lutheran Church Perth WA
Friday 24 December (Christmas Eve)
4:00pm German Children’s Service
5:30pm German Service
7:00pm Lessons and Carols – Organ & Choir
8:30pm Lessons and Carols - Instrumentalists
11:00pm Slovac Service
Saturday 25 December
8:30am Holy Communion – Band & Choir
10:10am Holy Communion - Organ
Print Post Approved PP602669/00269
o
n Sunday the 23 October, St Johns held one of it’s largest Confirmation services in recent memory.
Everyone was dressed in their finest. Even Derek Denby, who spent the day and night before travelling from a
soccer tournament in England – without any sleep – managed to arrive looking fresh.
They processed into the church carrying candles which symbolised their baptism:
Simone Brandsch, Lowenna Clemence, Hannah Davidson, Derek Denby, Amy (You Mu) Ge, Socrates Ge,
Ruth Hunduma, Arne Kuehn, Phoebe Lawes, Luke Nickolai, Steven Pocock, Ben Schuler, Carolin Scriba, Will
Siebert, Yeva Tamba, Grace Theodorsen, Charlene Thomas, Jack Wilson.
All of the Confirmees participated in the service, including the readings and responses, prayers and explanations of
Baptism and Holy Communion.
On the overhead screen, Megan Rohde showed a presentation of photos of the Confirmees with sentences
from their Faith Statements.
After the service, everyone enjoyed a cake baked by Heather Mithen, before heading to their
respective family gatherings.
y
esterday, our family celebrated Hannah Davidson
and Steven Pocock's confirmation day. There
were 18 young teenagers confirming their faith ... so
the church was overflowing. What a blessing for all
the families to see and witness, the special service.
Following the service we all met at Michael and Sonja's
home at Mt Hawthorn in Perth and shared lunch
together. The younger ones really enjoyed the pool
there too. This is one of the rare occasions when the
entire family was caught on film together.
I thank God for them all.
Rosemary Davidson
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Page 2
MARLENE'S MUSICAL INTERLUDE NO.2
n the evening of Saturday the 8th of October, Marlene & Michael Crone, Matthew Koo and Jeremy Huynh delighted
the 76 strong audience at St John’s with a varied selection of classical, up tempo and original musical items. Marlene
demonstrated a number
of intricate examples of
the amazing array of
music which the violin
can produce. Michael
accompanied Marlene on
the organ and the piano, as
well as solo performances
on the piano of Bach's
Prelude & Fugue and
Brahms' Rhapsody. Matthew
proved his talent as a
composer by playing three
of his original compositions
- two accompanied by
Marlene and the third
included Jeremy. Matthew
was inspired to write
You and I inspired by his
girlfriend ...who was present
and applauded. Jeremy, who
has previously accompanied
Marlene, played the cello, harmonising beautifully. To conclude the evening, Matthew's composition of Your Love,
was presented in four parts by the Chamber Choir conducted by Katina Bay. Jin Betterman wrote new English words
as Matthew's original song was written in Korean. The Interlude evening was a resounding success enjoyed by many
visitors to St John’s as well as members. These wonderful, talented musicians helped contribute $800.00 for the Faith For
the Future. On behalf of the community of St John’s, I sincerely thank each one of them for their generosity in sharing
their God given talents. Marlene has returned to Mainz in Germany to continue her studies in Bachelor of Music and
we wish her every success as we keep her in our prayers. P.S. Videos from the concert can be now viewed on Marlene's
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/violinemc2
Marlene Crone & Alex Naisbitt
i
FRIENDSHIP GROUP NEWS
w
hen I returned home from Friendship Group today I felt very blessed. In the absence of both Pastors Greg and
Andre who were at Parkwood in conference with the other pastors of the WA District Kay Robinson led us in an
inspirational study on the theme of Forgiveness. She chose the letter from St Paul to a fellow believer and slave owner
Philemon and his appeal to Philemon to forgive his slave Onesimus for running away and also that he Paul would pay
back any debts that Onesimus had incurred. Similarly Jesus has forgiven us our debt of sin with his death on the cross
and resurrection. We thank you Kay for your enthusiastic, loving presentation.
Also we were privileged to welcome Cathy Sudharsana (daughter of June Westhoff) who lives in Ubud Bali with her
family and has built up the school started by her father in law in the 1950's. Cathy shared her passion of education
being the way out of poverty for the Balinese. Currently there are over 1,000 students, 300 in the junior high and
800 in the senior high school. She spoke of the difficulties facing a growing number of students who due to the
cancellation of promised government assistance are unable to pay the fees for the 3 years of senior school where
they are trained in vocational skills relating to hospitality ( $1,000 for 3 years). If any reader would like to sponsor a
student for all or part of the cost please contact Cathy by email ([email protected]). More information on the
web site www.klubkokos.com
During the coming weeks we will be planning our annual celebration of Advent which will be on Wednesday 14
December at 11am with HC in the church and afterwards we will enjoy a feast in the hall. The offering on that day will
be shared between ALWS and Cathy's school in Bali.
The first meeting in 2012 will be Wednesday 8 February at 11am.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philemon verse 25
Jennie Edwards
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Page 3
people of st john’s
BAPTISM and WEDDING
m
any Katanning Kowalds were at St Johns on Nov
20th to celebrate the baptism of baby Archie Schell,
son of Connie and Steven. Big brother Jack (3) was
page boy at Auntie Amanda Kowald’s marriage to Matt
Gilfellon on 7 October, also at St John’s.
PEOPLE NEWS
m
ichael Crone, our youngest organist and violinist,
is travelling to the USA on Dec 2nd as a member of
the Hale School Jazz Orchestra. Michael writes: We’ll
be going to New York where we’ll go to various Jazz
Clubs (e.g. Village Vanguard and Birdland Jazz Club) and
have a workshop and rehearsal with the Standard Youth
Orchestra and Julliard School of Music. We’ll also be
having rehearsals with other schools such as Riverdale
Country School and then will transfer to New Haven,
Connecticut, where we’ll have workshops with people
such as Noah Baerman (Jazz Professor at Weslyan
University). We’ll then travel to Boston to perform with
Foxboro School.
r
onald Feierabend is looking forward to his dreams
coming true with the hope of purchasing and farming
a cane farm in Queensland previously owned by an uncle.
Ronald, we will miss you!
s
tefan Solmundson ( Yr.10) has got on his bike and
is crossing the Nullabor as we write ! Not running
/ riding away from home – but joining schoolmates and
staff on a fundraiser to help their school build and create
a solar-powered car ! Who says Generation XYZ haven’t
got go-go-go in them?
f
lying on a jet plane in early January is Allison Bessert
who arrived in Perth nearly a year ago, got a job as
an au pair and within days was our newest Breath of
Fresh Air in music at St Johns. Alison both sang and
keyboarded for us all year, as well as contributing greatly
to the warm and lively spirit among our young muso’s at
St.John’s. Allison is returning to complete her studies in
Early Childhood Education. God bless you dear Allison as
you rejoin family and friends back at Wisconsin, USA
atthew Koo is also flying off on a jet plane in
January. Matthew has been a regular Sat night
musician and many of our Contact readers will remember
his brilliant compositions when performed at the St Johns
Musical Evening in October. Matthew will spend time
with family in Korea before returning to work and study
in Perth in March.
lso missing from St Johns will be Dale Offszanka,
Verity and baby Lukas. Dale , another fine muso
who plays drums and guitar, is moving with family to
Geraldton where he’ll be working. Verity and Lukas
have been regulars at Coffee-time Mums and they will
be sorely missed.
nd especially at this festive and musical time of year,
to all our musicians at St Johns, we say (in the words
of Abba ) :
“ Thank you for the music, the songs we're singing
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing…. ”
m
a
a
a
j
oe and Pauline Mills , former members of St John’s
and now living in the tropical Queensland city of
Cairns, hosted family and friends from all over Australia,
England and Italy for the recent wedding of daughter
Finola. In true Mills' style they hosted family and
friends from all over Australia, England and Italy, as they
celebrated the marriage at St Mary’s by the Sea of Finola
and Jason Hall. Finola’s sister Sarah, husband Adam
and baby Amir Janali flew over from Perth and were
joined by a group of St John’s close friends - Leanora
Hotker, Rob & Ronda Rohrlach and Pam Vassi. The
bride is a grand-daughter of our former pastor and
much- loved James and Margaret Pietsch.
SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS
t
here were a few special ‘o’ birthdays in the last two
months, namely Ian Schurmann, Ian Schupelius,
Marie-Luise Schmidt, Glenn Baxter and Sarah Klahn.
The slightly less important birthdays ending with a ‘5’
were celebrated by Shirley Kahlfeld, Ann Hopfmuller,
Alex Naisbitt and Jill Wright.
We hope you all enjoyed very happy celebrations!
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Congratulations
s
t St Lukes’
Parkwood
Longest Lutheran
Lunch, members
celebrated the
engagement of Pastor
Paul Hannola and
Karen Martin when
dessert was rolled out
-- the 'icing on the
cake' of the lunch.
Karen is the Ministry
Coordinator with
Lutheran Youth of
Queensland.
t John’s people were involved in various ways when
CHOGM was in town. Not sure if they met the Queen
or the various Presidents & PM’s, but people like Jennie
Edwards, Lovena and Exi Misama, as well as John
Yates carried the prayer flag and the Commonwealth
flags as well, praying for peace and progress through
CHOGM. Pastor Greg led the meditation sessions each
morning and a Taize service at Wesley Church in the
City. Maya Kraj-Krajewski was seconded from her
usual position at the WA Police Academy to work in the
Communications Department.
Page 4
OUR NORTHBRIDGE NEIGHBOURS!
t
he Contact presents it’s readers with some samples of St John’s people’s comings and goings in our own front yard
around Aberdeen St and a closer look at who our Northbridge neighbours are.
John Hyde MLA for Perth and Allanah McTiernan, Mayor of Vincent are both supporters of the Spirit of the Streets
Choir and have been invited to be “X Factor judges” at the S.O.S. Christmas Party in St John’s Hall on 13 December.
John was one of our Friday Forum guest speakers this year too.
St John’s Dreaming is the name of a new enthusiastic St John’s group, wanting to sit down with indigenous families
just sharing, talking, listening and getting to know each other, with everybody wanting to do something to try to bridge
the gap. Gatherings will be advertised in the St John’s weekend Bulletin.
Seen at the State Library Scene in Northbridge:
Several of our St John’s members seen at Hugh Mackay’s Book Launch of his best-seller and Friday Forum series:
“What makes us Tick”. Pastors & others at the State Library Theatre attending “The Dream and the Dreaming”
about Lutheran Missionaries in Central Australia. John Bruin ( our resilient St John’s lawn-guardian) working on
photographic research in the State Library upper echelons.
John Yates continues to be a constant presence as a Northbridge prayer leader and encourager. There are Christians,
scripture-students and Jesus followers from a number of churches around the Northbridge streets who meet and pray
– and a strong Christian presence at the Overflow Café ( cnr Newcastle & Lake Sts). John encourages people to attend
the Friday after noon prayer sessions at St John’s Church. He also organises a breakfast in St John’s hall every couple of
months. A group of people who conduct ministry in Northbridge meet to share and learn about each other’s ministries.
TAFE Aboriginal Studies Support staff, Cherie and Alisha were guests at our Naidoc Day celebrations in St John’s
courtyard. Very supportive’—’in a very practical way -- of any efforts we make to help, befriend and begin to understand
our indigenous Northbridge neighbours.
Jennie Edwards and her ESL students came to look, listen and learn from our CHOGM display in the Hall. The
students, mainly from Asian countries, took particular interest in the displays about the many Commonwealth
countries in their home region. Jennie’s students have also been welcome guests at our Friday Forum sessions, and
have sometimes joined in song with our Spirit of the Streets choir people ( who gather at our Hall every Tuesday –
to sing and socialise).
Wei You ian, a regular and active member of our St John’s community (who speaks Chinese) is a businessman
who’s also vice-president and general-secretary of ACMF — Association of Chinese Mainlanders & Friends. He was
the organiser of a spectacular event recently at the Perth Convention Centre highlighting the Year of Chinese Culture.
Several St John’s regular members were gobsmacked at the business and cultural contributions of our Northbridge
Chinese friends and neighbours. Charles (as we also call him) and his wife Shuling have the delightful Endless
Delights Chinese restaurant on Newcastle Street, behind the church.
Mike Lauer (and some associates) are still combing the streets of Northbridge on Friday and Saturday nights as Street
Chaplains. Wonderful work they do, assisting, encouraging and supporting those in any kind of trouble on the streets.
Friday Forum people at St Johns during 2011 have learned much from many guest speakers from Northbridge:
Abuatika (Perth Mosque), Katina (Drug Arm), Sam (Passages in Palmerston St), Colin (Salvation Army services),
John (Aboriginal Wartime Service Graves), Alex Bainbridge (Social Justice activist), Ramdas OAM
(Multicultural Centre WA ) .
We look forward to any readers’ contributions to Our Northbridge Neighbours
Harry Mithen
BOOK REVIEW - “PRISON TO PRAISE” by Merlin Corothers (Cost $9.95)
This is an exciting and inspiring true short story. Once you start reading it you can’t put it down! Since 1972 it has
been translated into many different languages and ten million copies have been sold worldwide. In the book, Merlin
describes how his life was transformed through Jesus Christ and he shares many of his own experiences as an army
Chaplain. He emphasizes the power of praising and thanking God in and for ALL circumstances and the difference this
made in his life and in the lives of those he ministered to. This book is a powerful tool to help us outreach to others.
Lyn Wicks
I highly recommend it to every one.
DEUTSCHE WEIHNACHTSLIEDER BEI KERZENLICHT
German Carols by Candlelight on Sunday the 11 December from 6pm onwards
at Lake Jualbup in Shenton Park
BYO picnic, rug or chairs, singing voices and Christmas spirit!
For more information contact Christa Loos 9457 5007
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Page 5
LONGEST LUTHERAN LUNCH
o
n Sunday 30 October, about
100 members and friends of
St John’s sat at a lunch table, with
Lutheran Congregations that stretched
from WA to New Zealand, to enjoy
good food, fellowship and perfect
weather at the Longest Lutheran
Lunch. Many thanks to the organisers
and the large group of enthusiastic
people who set up, cooked, served
and cleaned up afterwards – and to
everyone who attended. All proceeds
($505) were donated to ALWS for the
African food crisis. Check out what
other congregations got up to at their
Longest Lutheran Lunch: www.lca.org.
BISCUITS FOR CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS.
i
f you are able to bake some biscuits to be handed out to the children after the Christmas services, please bring
them into the church by Sunday 18 December. Also, if you’re able to help package the biscuits on that day,
please let Conny Scriba (9408 0219) know.
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Page 6
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” (St. Paul)
art of my work in the WA District involves making
time for pastoral visits to the
various Lutheran congregations
in our rather wide-spread District.
These visits are for the purpose
of caring for the pastors and
their families and listening to the
parishoners, praying with them
and offering them help from the
District where ever possible. In
recent times there have been some
rather urgent needs amongst our
sister congregations with pastors
Paul Hannola and Adrian Kitson’s
imminent departure, and quite a
lot of sickness especially amongst
the pastors and their wives. While
on these visits I also get to do
some fun things that a city slicker
like me rarely gets to do. While in
Esperance recently I got to drive a
brand new header, even harvesting
a paddock of peas and loading them into the bin. The
owner, Mark Wandel, said in church next morning that
I got him praying very fervently as he saw me almost
back into the silo! Praise God there was no
p
damage. Also, I’ve learned the secret of getting a whole
row to yourself on the flight back to Perth. It’s simple,
just visit the Hoffrichter’s pig farm
just before you board the plane.
Apparently the staff at Sky West could
smell me coming. But hey, isn’t the
piglet cute! Then last weekend, after
leading an Advent evening service at
Katanning I spent the early hours of
Monday morning in a tiny two seater
Skyranger airplane, assembled and
piloted by pastor Heath Pukallus.
What an exhilirating experience that
was! I recommend it to anyone who is
mad enough to accept an invitation!
But seriously, Please pray for our
sister congregations and their pastors,
especially for those who are facing
times without a pastor through the
Call system or Rest and Refreshment
leave. Pray that solutions to
inadequate finances will be found.
Also pray that all marriages will be
strengthened and remain strong and that those who are
unwell will be brought back into good health very soon.
We are all in this together and we all need each other.
OBITUARIES
EVELYN KOWALD 1941-2011
We were all saddened at news of Evelyn’s fairly sudden
death in Royal Perth Hospital last month, where she had
seemingly been recovering from surgery and treatment.
Her husband Garth was with her in hospital for the last
few weeks of her illness, and she’d been surrounded by
family and friends in the days before she died. Evelyn,
Garth and their extended family were well-known and
much-loved by their local communities.
Evelyn Lorraine Kowald was born in Narrogin, WA on
3 March 1941, the eldest of five daughters of Herbert
and Gwendolyn Lange.
Evelyn grew up on the family farm at Wickepin, a
good grounding for her life as a farmer’s wife after she
married Garth Kowald in January 1962. The marriage
was blessed by the arrival of four children, Julianne,
Catherine, Alayne and Murray. Sadly Catherine died
as a baby, and Julianne was taken tragically as a young
woman, leaving a young son Matthew to whom Evelyn
has been a very special grandmother.
Evelyn was a wonderful support to Garth on the farm
taking part in all aspects of farm life, but still found
time to become an expert in floral art, gardening, and
cake decorating, as well as being on many church and
community committees.
Evelyn will be remembered with love by her family and
many who knew her in the church and wider community.
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
WOLFGANG HABLITZEL:
Born in Stuttgart in 1941, Wolfgang Hablitzel arrived
in Australia from South Africa in 1981 with his wife
Heidi and sons Wolfram and Joachim, and very soon
purchased a home in Coolbellup and joined the RheinDonau Club he where became a champion in the
Table tennis club.
He is remembered by his family and friends for being
a very special character; hospitable, helpful, a talented
worker in the engineering business that he joined in
1983 and very sociable. Wolfgang was very proud of
his Swabian heritage and his German education, and he
used his gifts to set up his own engineering company
with his sons.
He is mourned by his wife Heidi, Wolfram, Joachimn
and many friends.
LYDIA GERSCH
Lydia Gersch, a pioneer member of St John’s has passed
on to eternal rest, at the age of 97.
Born Lydia Meyer, she grew up in Perth and was baptised
and confirmed at St John’s. Her parents were very active
members, father Paul being on the building committee
when the church was built.
Following her marriage to accomplished musician Paul
Gersch, Lydia spent the rest of her life in Victoria and
Queensland.
She died in Toowoomba in November.
WHAT IS EVANGELISM?
i
By Dr John Yates.
ntroduction
The word “evangelism” is scary for many Christians,
and “evangelist” can conjure up images of fiery preachers
in Hay St Mall or American televangelists distorting the
message of Jesus. This is very unfortunate, as the practice
of evangelism is presented in a wonderful positive light
in the New Testament. The simplest way to clear up the
many popular confusions about evangelism is to look at
how the key words are used in scripture.
The Biblical Vocabulary
Strictly speaking the word “evangelism” does not appear
in the Bible at all, but our English term comes from
three closely related words. The most common of these
means “the good news” (euangelion 72x), the rarest
means “someone who brings the good news” i.e. the
evangelist (euangelistes 3x), and the key term for our
topic means “to announce good news” (euangelisomai
52x). This vocabulary was very familiar to the people of
Jesus’ time. The Old Testament speaks in various places
of a messenger who brings the good news of God’s
victory over evil powers, e.g. “the feet of him who brings
good news, who publishes peace, who brings good
news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says
to Zion, “Your God reigns.”” (Isa 52:9). Similarly in the
Roman Empire the herald would bring “good news” from
the imperial court, such as the birth of an heir, or an
important military victory. All of these examples involve
a verbal pronouncement. This use likewise dominates
the Gospels; Jesus in fact is the great Evangelist. “Jesus
came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and
saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is
at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:1415). We see from this text that there are four primary
elements to do with evangelism 1. Proclamation of the 2.
Gospel message, involving a call to 3. Repentance and 4.
Faith. Like Jesus, the apostles preached the gospel of the
kingdom of God and commanded their hearers to turn
from their sins and totally trust in God (Acts 2:36-40; 14:7
16:10 etc.). Importantly, wherever the word “gospel” is
used in the New Testament it is always used with words
of speaking (preach/teach/speak/persuade) and hearing
(heard/received). In other words, evangelism essentially
involves the communication of a verbal message.
What About Good Deeds?
The New Testament is full of exhortations to model a good
and godly life in this world (Matt 5:16-17; Phil 2:15; 1 Pet
2:12 etc.) None of these urgings however are coupled with
the language of evangelism. This does not mean there
is no connection between good deeds and evangelism.
Acts of kindness and care create an environment whereby
people in the community beyond the church become open
to the message of the gospel brought by the evangelist.
What distinguishes “evangelism” from broader concepts
such as “mission” is that evangelism always involves
the use of language1. Actions in themselves speak
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
louder than words, but without words actions are always
ambiguous. The New Testament understanding is that
only the verbal presentation of the gospel of Jesus can
bring people into the kingdom of God and of Christ. The
evangelist has the one great aim of seeing men and
women come to love and worship the one true and living
God revealed in Christ (1 Thess 1:9-10).Guilt or Grace?
Many sincere Christians feel great guilt about their failure
to evangelise. The teaching of Jesus in Luke 15 goes
a long way towards resolving this problem. To explain
his own passion in reaching out to “tax collectors and
sinners” Jesus told three parables, about a lost sheep, a
lost coin and a lost son. In each case the return of what
was lost issues in a spontaneous outbreak of joy that
cannot be restrained, “‘Rejoice with me, for I have found...”
(15:6, 9, 32). God’s joy in bringing the lost back to himself
is the power which motivates us to proclaim the gospel
(1 Thess 1:6). Wherever spiritual joy abounds it always
inspires vangelism (John 4:29). Such a joy grows from the
personal revelation that God enjoys us! To 2 try share the
good news of Jesus when we are motivated by the bad
feelings of guilt is a contradiction in terms. Thankfully joy
is a gift and the person who communicates this wonderful
divine joy to us is the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Christ made some tremendous promises about the impact
the Spirit of God would have on his Church, “you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
and you will be my witnesses ... to the end of the earth.””
(Acts 1:8); “God did not give us a Spirit of fear, but of love
and of power...” (2 Tim 1:9). The key to bold and effective
evangelism lies in being empowered by the Spirit of Jesus.
This is something we are encouraged to pray for, “13 If
you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will the heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”” (Luke 11:13).
Conclusion
“Evangelism” has enjoyed a bad press in the wider
Australian community and caused much confusion in the
Church when it has been divorced from the joyous news
about Jesus himself. Every Christian who communicates
the wonderful words of the gospel to their family, friends,
neighbours or workmates is an evangelist. The role of
the evangelist is neither to get people to church nor to
convince folk against their will to believe what we do. All
that God asks us to do is to share how much Jesus means
to us, not in our own strength or wisdom but in the power
of the Holy Spirit. “But how can they call to him for help if
they have not believed? And how can they believe if they
have not heard the message? And how can they hear
if the message is not proclaimed?15 And how can the
message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent
out? As the scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of
those who preach the good news!””(Rom 10:14-15)
1 For the LCA’s Statement on Mission please see:
http://www.lca.org.au/resources/cticr/dsto2revi1.pdf
Page 8
TRANSFORMATION
i
t is generally considered that the Lutheran Reformation
began when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to
the church door in Wittenberg on the 31st October 1517.
These Theses were aimed against the sale of indulgences
that the powerful Church at that time had instituted and
Luther was calling for reform of this practice. However
when Luther did this he was doing so as his regular work
as a university researcher. Nowadays researchers publish
their findings in international journals and/or deliver
papers at conferences so that their contemporaries may
critique them. Luther was doing this by inviting discussion
on the Theses when he nailed them to the door. However,
rather than getting discussion amongst theologians (many
of whom immediately discredited them as they saw them
as a threat to their elevated positions of importance),
the Theses were published and widely distributed and
discussed by the lay people throughout the land.
It wasn’t until 1519 while Luther was wrestling, yet again,
with St Paul’s letter to the Romans that he became the
great Reformer. Until that time Luther hated the term
righteousness of God which until that that time, as
taught by the Church, was accepted as meaning that
righteousness by which God is righteous and by which he
punishes sinners and the unrighteous. “Isn’t it enough,”
he said, “that we miserable sinners, lost for all eternity
because of original sin, are oppressed by every kind of
calamity through the Ten Commandments? Why does
God heap sorrow upon sorrow through the Gospel and
through the Gospel threaten us with his righteousness
and his wrath? … I meditated night and day on those
words until at last, by the mercy of God, I paid attention
to their context: The righteousness of God is revealed in
it, as it is written: ‘The righteous person lives by faith.’ I
began to understand that in this verse the righteousness
of God is that by which the righteous person lives by a
gift of God, that is by faith. I began to understand that this
verse means that the righteousness of God is revealed
through the Gospel, but it is a passive righteousness,
i.e. that which the merciful God gives us by faith, as it is
written: ‘The righteous person lives by faith.’ All at once I
felt that I had been born again and entered into paradise
itself through open gates. Immediately I saw the whole
of Scriptures in a different light.” This episode of Luther’s
life is known as his Tower Experience. This victorious
revelation empowered Luther to carry through his work of
reforming the Church.
As the Reformation movement grew Luther gained both
enemies and friends. His enemies were those who did
not want any changes to be made to the way the church
operated as it was basically governed by Canonical Law
(that is, following the traditions and decrees passed at
various councils of the Roman church throughout the
ages) and the Papacy (popes, cardinals and bishops).
(Note: the Roman Catholic Church has since undergone
various counter reformations amending some of their
practises and confirming others.) His friends were those
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
who welcomed the fresh insights that Luther brought into
interpreting the Scriptures. However there were also those
who thought that Luther did not go far enough with his
reform agenda.
Following the Tower Experience, Luther was empowered
to oppose the power of the Roman church. At the Diet
of Worms (a general assembly of the estates of the Holy
Roman Empire that took place in Worms, a town on the
River Rhine in 1521) and at which Luther uttered those
well-known words: “Unless I am convicted by Scripture
and plain reason---I do not accept the authority of popes
and councils, for they have contradicted each other---my
conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I
will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is
neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.
God help me, Amen." Following this Diet and for his own
safety Luther was taken to Wartburg Castle where he
stayed for a number on months and during which he
translated the New Testament into the German language.
Many people misinterpreted Luther’s reforms. When he
told them that they were free from the impositions placed
upon them by church authorities they took it to mean
that they could do whatever they wished. Consequently
while Luther spent time in Wartburg Castle the people
of Wittenberg began to destroy church property. Luther
had to return to that troubled town where he preached
a series of sermons to the people in order to curb their
behaviour. Basically he told them that they were not
put right with God by keeping the Law (obeying the Ten
Commandments) but by Faith alone, a free gift of God.
However, as Christians they were now under a new law,
the law of love, in which they were to love and respect
God and their neighbour (Matthew 22:37). They were to do
their best to keep the Ten Commandments, not in order to
obtain God’s forgiveness (salvation) but because they had
been forgiven by faith alone in Christ alone. Consequently
such behaviour as they had shown was completely out of
character with Christian behaviour.
For a Christian, spiritual life is one of constant growth. As
St Paul writes in I Corinthians 13:11,12: “When I was a
child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned
like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways
behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a
mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in
part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” I
believe, along with the Lutheran Church, that the Old and
New Testaments of the Holy Scriptures are the “divinely
inspired, written and inerrant Word of God”. We many
misinterpret some passages but we dare not exclude
any of them for if we do, where does one stop? Instead
of ending up with a Holy Bible will have a holey Bible.
We must wrestle with obscure passages and allow God,
through the Holy Spirit, to reveal their meaning to us.
May God be with you as you meditate upon His Word.
Peter Hueppauff.
Page 9
worship roster december - january 2012
Communion services are held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at
8:30 am and on the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 10:10 am. Also on the 1st and
3rd Saturday evenings. Sometimes the Organ service is at 8:30 am, sometimes at 10:10 am. The general pattern of services is two Band services in a
row at each time, followed by two Organ services.
Saturday 3 December
6:00 pm
André Meyer
Sunday 4 December
8:30 am
André Meyer
10:10 am
André Meyer
Saturday 10 December
6:00 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Sunday 11 December
8:30 am
Greg Pfeiffer
10:10 am
Greg Pfeiffer
6:30 pm
Saturday 17 December
6:00 pm
André Meyer
Sunday 18 December
8:30 am
André Meyer
10:10 am
André Meyer
Saturday 24 December
Holy Communion
Advent 2
Organ
Holy Communion
Band
Worship
Worship
Advent 3
Children’s Christmas
Service
Organ
Worship
Band
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Advent 4
4:00 pm
German Children’s Service
5:30 pm
German Service
Band
Holy Communion
Organ
Worship
7:00 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Lessons & Carols
Organ and Choir
8:30 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Lessons & Carols
Instrumentalists
8:30 am
André Meyer
Christmas
Band/Choir
Holy Communion
10:10 am
André Meyer
Organ
Holy Communion
Saturday 31 December
6:00 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Sunday 1 January
8:30 am
Greg Pfeiffe
10:10 am
Greg Pfeiffer
Saturday 7 January
6:00 pm
André Meyer
Sunday 8 January
8:30 am
André Meyer
10:10 am
André Meyer
Saturday 14 January
6:00 pm
André Meyer
Sunday 15 January
8:30 am
André Meyer
10:10 am
André Meyer
Saturday 21 January
6:00 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Sunday 22 January
8:30 am
Greg Pfeiffer
10:10 am
Greg Pfeiffer
Saturday 28 January
6:00 pm
Greg Pfeiffer
Sunday 29 January
8:30 am
Greg Pfeiffer
10:10 am
Greg Pfeiffer
Saturday 4 February
6:00 pm
André Meyer
Sunday 5 February
8:30 am
André Meyer
10:10 am
André Meyer
Sunday 25 December
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Taize
Christmas 1
Organ
Holy Communion
Band
Worship
Holy Communion
Epiphany 1
Organ
Worship
Band
Holy Communion
Worship
Epiphany 2
Band
Holy Communion
Organ
Worship
Holy Communion
Epiphany 3
Australia Day
Band
Worship
Organ
Holy Communion
Taize
Epiphany 4
Organ
Holy Communion
Band
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Epiphany 5
Organ
Holy Communion
Band
Worship
Page 10
St John’s Contact December 2011 - January 2012
Page 11
10.10
6 pm
8.30
21 Jan
22 Jan
28 Jan
29 Jan
H VanRooyen
D Lauer
B & N Scott
K Robinson
R Thomas
G Belke/L.Misama
D Lauer
R Rorlach
F von
R & M Hammerer
F von
Altenstadt
D Sackville
M. Graebner
Organ
TAIZE
Organ
C Menk
Band
Organ
Matt..Koo
Band
T Yensch
R Lamont
A Naisbitt
B.Celliers
M Crone
D & J Wilson
Bodenstaff
M Lauer/P Hueppauff
L Misama/R Belke
E Schmidt
R Rorhlach/N Kroyer
S Morick /R Belke
E Schmidt
B. Robins E Vlahov
J Kahlfeld
M Waldhuter
J Morick
M Rohde
J Kahlfeld
J Kahlfeld
M Rohde
J Morick
J Kahlfeld
J Kahlfeld
M Rohde
M Waldhuter
4 Feb
5 Feb
M Altus/ E Misama
Band
L. Misama
G ienert
10.10
N Kroyer
E Mueller
D Sackville
6 pm
M Rohde
B Robins/R Rorhlach
Organ
K Robinson
A & J Garafolo
C Robins
8.30
B Robins
M Rohde
Band
S Reid
N & S Reid
L .Wicks
10.10
Chief Ushers: A Garofolo 9450 1860
Coffee/Readers: P Vassi 9227 8072If you are unable to read as rostered, please DO NOT swap. Let Pam know, so that Bible Readings can be sent to the right person.
All other rosters: Please find someone to swap with. Do not leave vacant! Many thanks
14 Jan
15 Jan
Organ
Band
E.Mueller
Organ
Band
R Rorhlach
Exi Misama
E Schmidt
S Eggart
M Altus
J Garafolo
A Majer
S Eggart/R Thomas
M Altus/G Belke
M. Wolter
L Wicks
A. Hall
N Kroyer
M Altus B Robins
Instrumentalists
Lessons & Carols
V Hopfmueller R Rorhlach
Band & Choir
A Hopfmueller
R Belke E Misama
Organ
Janine Symons
TAIZE
Organ & Choir
Organ
G Lienert
Lessons & Carols
Matthew Koo
Band
D Sackville
E Vlahov
Band
Maya K.K.
J Morick
M Rohde
M Altus/R Belke
Band
E & L Misama
Organ
H Van Rooyen
B Celliers
M Graebner
S Morick O Walkemeyer
M Rohde
Data Projector
N Kroyer
R Rohrlach/P Hueppauff
Communion
Galvin Chong
H Mithen
Organist/
Music
D Sackville
K Robinson
Reader
A. Garafolo
B & C Robins
B & N Scott
R Rorhlach
G lienert
R Rorhlach
8.30
10.10
6 pm
8.30
10.10
H Mithen
Hueppauff
D Sackville
---------------------------
P’ Wunder. R Thomas
Kay Robinson
S Morick Eug.Schmidt
R & M Hammerer
S Morick A Naisbitt
S Eggart.A
.M Freeman
B & N Scott
8.30pm
8.30
10.10
6 pm
G Lienert
C Robins
German Children’s Service
German Service
K Robinson
B Robins
4pm
5.30pm
7pm
10.10
6 pm
8.30
6 pm
8.30
10.10
6 pm
8.30
7 Jan
8 Jan
1 Jan
31 Dec
25 Dec
24 Dec
17 Dec
18 Dec
M & K Waldhuter
G Belke A Naisbitt
A Majer
Childrens
Christmas
Service
B & C Robins
E Ellis
M .Graebner
10.10
6 pm
8.30
10 Dec
11 Dec
10.10
6pm
K Robinson
R Thomas
M Altus/L Misama
Ushers
R&P
Hueppauff
A Majer
Welcomer
R Rohrlach
Early Birds
6 pm
8.30
Time
3 Dec
4 Dec
Date
ROSTERS FOR DECEMBER - JANUARY 2012
E Cellis/ L Hotker
J Belke/H Penelis
C Lennox /L Boyle
P Wund./D Lauer
S Kahlfeld/N Sellner
T Yensch/C Wood
R Thorpe/M Lee
Y Abraham/D Hawiley
L Hotker H Hall
J Belke N Sellner
M Lee/R Thorpe
H Penelis/Y Abraham
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Hawiley S Kahlfeld
P Wundersitz C Wood
H Penelis D Hawiley
H.Hall E.Cellis
P Wundersitz
T Yensch
S Kahlfeld/N Sellner
Coffee
D Hawiley
J Kahlfeld
D Hawiley
J Kahlfeld
-----------------------------------
J Kahlfeld
D Hawiley
J Kahlfeld
Sunday
Office
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
Pastors:
Greg Pfeiffer (08) 9204 1052
[email protected]
André Meyer (08) 9444 9484
ST JOHN’S OFFICE SCHEDULE:
Monday to Thursday: 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Friday: 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Tel (08) 9227 8072
www.stjohnsperth.org.au
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Chairman:
Vice Chairman::
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Members:
Jon Offszanka
Noel Reid
Exilema Misama
Bill Trenear
Di Lauer
Stuart Morick,
Hermann Scriba
Guardians:
Mark Altus
Eva Vlahov
Jennie Edwards
Church Office
(08) 9227 8072
Prayer Chain
Contacts:
ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CONTACT
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16 Aberdeen Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000.
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