For Sunday the 1st of April - 9:00am

Jesus lived as a servant to all people. He was able to do this because he was completely secure about who he was. Unlike normal human beings, who compete and compare, and who quarrel about who is the most important, Jesus simply rested in the approval he had from his Father in heaven. Because he rested in this approval, he was free gladly to stoop down and serve those in need.

This Sunday we will be hearing about Jesus’ servant attitude. We will be hearing about how Jesus willingly went to his suffering and death, trusting that he would be more than vindicated in his life of love. And we will be hearing about how Jesus shares this servant attitude with us, as we trust that with him we have the love and the approval of our Father in heaven.

This week we will be meeting at 9:00am for a service with Holy Communion. Our children will be having some special involvement in this Palm Sunday celebration.

God’s peace,

Fraser Pearce, Pastor

For Sunday the 25th of March - 10:00am

This Sunday we will be celebrating ‘The Annunciation’ – that is, we will be remembering with thanks to God the time when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.

One of the things we will be thinking about is how Mary is a model to us of living with faith in God. Before Mary had done anything special, God showed his grace to her; when Mary heard God’s word, she simply trusted God; and through her faithful reception of God’s word she bore Jesus, the saviour of our world. As we faithfully receive God’s word, which he graciously gives us, we too can bring the light of Christ into the world today.

This Sunday we will be meeting at 10:00am for a service with Holy Communion. Our Sunday school will be meeting at about 10:45am.

God’s peace to you,

Fraser Pearce, Pastor

For Sunday the 18th of March - 9:00am

Bendigo Lutheran Church

One of the most controversial things that Jesus did was welcome sinful people to his table. Even though Jesus was above reproach (so much so that his enemies had to think up false accusations against him), he welcomed people whose faults were obvious to all. When Jesus did this he was not showing his approval of sinful behaviour; instead he was showing that God is merciful to those who turn to him for forgiveness and healing.

This Sunday we will be hearing one of Jesus’ most famous parables – the parable of the prodigal son. Jesus told this parable to people who were grumbling because of the way he welcomed sinners. As we hear this parable we will think through the way that God welcomes us, even when our motivations for returning to him are mixed. We will also think through the fact that God gives us all the gifts he has so that we may live joyfully together as God’s people.

This Sunday we will be meeting at 9:00am for a service with Holy Communion. The Sunday school will meet at about 9:45am.

God’s peace,

Fraser Pearce, Pastor

Sunday 11th March 2007 - 10:00am

Pastor Fraser will lead the service this Sunday with Holy Communion at 10am in Bendigo.