God is the loving creator of all things and all people.
He made us so that we could live standing in trusting dependence on him,
as if held in his hand.
Where do you stand?
Many people think that Christianity is about trying to follow a set of rules for living a good life – and rules which are heavy on the “thou shalt not”.
However, being a Christian is not about what we do (or don’t do). Instead, it is about what Jesus has done for us, and what he gives us freely: the life we were created by God to lead, living in harmony with him and with other people.
On the following pages of this presentation, we summarise the message of what Jesus came to do for us: the “good news” of how he has given us a new place to stand, a new hope for life now and in the future, not just in this life but in the life to come. Click the image below for the first page of our presentation, “Where Do You Stand?”:
What to expect when you visit
Our main weekly service is at 10.30 am each Sunday. Usually this is the “Divine Service”, which includes a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Every church has its own way of doing things, and if you are visiting for the first time it can be difficult to follow what is going on. This guide is intended to give you some idea of what to expect when you visit. While you are with us, please feel free to ask someone if you are unsure of what is going on at any time.
Before the service
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the door and given a printed bulletin setting out details of that day’s service along with information about upcoming events, and a booklet containing the order of service. This will usually be called “Divine Service Setting One”, “Divine Service Setting Three” or “Divine Service Setting Four”, depending on which service we are using that week.
When you sit down in the church itself, you should find two books near you in the pew. One is the Bible, from which you can follow that day’s Bible readings. The other is the Lutheran Service Book (LSB), which contains the hymns we sing during the service. You may wish to prepare for the service using some of the “Prayers for Worship” on the inside front cover of the LSB, or by reading the Small Catechism on page 321.
The opening of the service
The service opens with the pastor entering the church and greeting the congregation. On most Sundays, he will then give a short talk to the children.
This is then followed by the opening hymn. Please note we normally sit for the hymns, other than the closing hymn at the end of the service.
At the end of the hymn, we stand for the first part of the service, as printed in the service booklet. The service begins with the words, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. These are the words used in baptism, and remind us that we gather as those whom God has made his children in baptism. Some people may make the sign of the cross at this point, as a reminder to themselves of their own baptism.
We then proceed to confess our sins to God, and then the pastor declares God’s forgiveness to us. When the pastor says these words of absolution, he is speaking on behalf of Jesus, and we can be as sure of God’s forgiveness of us as surely as if Jesus were saying those words with his own lips.
The Service of the Word
The service then continues with “the service of the Word”. This starts with the pastor reciting or singing a psalm, before we sing the Kyrie (“Lord have mercy”) and then either the Gloria or the hymn “This is the Feast”, depending on which service we are using. The words and tune for these hymns are set out in the service booklet.
We then have an Old Testament and New Testament reading, before standing to sing the “Alleluia” (as printed in the service booklet) and then remaining standing for a reading from one of the four Gospels.
The Gospel reading is then followed by the hymn of the day, the reciting of the Nicene Creed (a summary of what we believe as Christians) and the sermon. The precise order of these varies, depending on which service we are using that day.
For Lutherans, the sermon is not the pastor telling us how to live our lives. Rather, the pastor’s job is to tell us about Jesus, so that we are reminded of God’s love for us as shown in sending Jesus to live a perfect life, die for our sins, and rise again from the dead so that we may live with him for ever. As the pastor proclaims this, we believe that Jesus himself is speaking through the pastor, and the Holy Spirit helps us to believe in Jesus’ promises for ourselves.
The final part of the service of the Word is the prayer of the church, when we pray for the needs of the church, members and friends of the congregation, and other people around the world. The words of the prayer, including the congregational response for each section (usually “hear our prayer” or “Lord have mercy”), are in the weekly bulletin.
The Service of the Sacrament
We then sing a hymn in preparation for Holy Communion, after which we sing or say the Preface (in the service booklet) and then follow the order set out in the booklet.
This culminates in the pastor saying the words of our Lord, as spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper. When the pastor says Jesus’ words “This is my body…” and “This cup is the new testament in my blood”, the bread and wine become Jesus’ body and blood, because Jesus’ words always accomplish what they say.
Eating and drinking the body and blood of Jesus is not something to be done lightly. For that reason, we ask that if you are not already a member of our congregation or of another congregation in the ELCE, you should please talk to the pastor or one of the elders before receiving the body and blood of Jesus in the Supper. If you are not taking Communion, then please remain in your seat while others go forward.
End of the service, and after
After the distribution of the Supper, we sing a post-communion canticle, followed by a closing prayer and then a final hymn, for which we stand.
We then sit, and the pastor makes some announcements about upcoming events. At the end of this, the pastor leaves the church, and we follow him into the hall where you are very welcome to join us for a cup of tea or coffee.
Lent Devotions 2008: Friday 21 March
Jesus said to her, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Why do they call it Good Friday? It certainly wasn’t good for Jesus. He was physically tortured; He died in agony; and He suffered the pain of hell for you and me as He was forsaken by God because of our sin. It certainly wasn’t a Good Friday for Jesus.
But it was a Good Friday for us. Our damnable sins were placed on the shoulders of Jesus as He hung on the cross. Jesus in our place experienced the eternal punishment we deserved because of our unrighteousness. The debt we owed God (an unpayable debt) was paid in full by Jesus (It is finished). So for us it truly is a Good Friday.
And on this day, we rejoice to know that God must kill us (our old sinful nature) in order to raise us to a new life. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, because He is the one who puts to death and brings to Life. Do you know that you have already died? Yes, in your Baptisms you died with Christ and were buried with Him. But you were also raised to new life with Him in that same Baptism because in Baptism we were united with Christ. So even though we died to our old sinful ways, we were resurrected into a new life with Christ. This new life is characterised by faith in this same Jesus Christ. His Word (the Law) has killed our old sinful nature, but that same Word (the Gospel) has given us new life; a life which will never end.
On this Good Friday, Jesus asks us the same question He asked Mary, “Do you believe this?”
Prayer: Gracious Jesus, thank You for dying for our sins. Thank You for putting our old sinful natures to death. Thank You for resurrecting us to new life in You, now and forever, Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Thursday 20 March
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my Body.” And he took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my Blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the Forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)
What is it that makes Holy Communion “something special?” Today we tend to have the strange idea that in order for something to be “special” it must be a rare occurrence. The idea emerges that if something happens too frequently, it is no longer “special.” I have encountered some people that believe that if they receive the Sacrament too often, it will no longer be “special.”
To this argument I say, “Let’s listen to the words of Jesus.” Jesus took bread and said, “This is my Body.” He took a cup of wine and said, “This is my Blood.” Listen to those words. Whenever we receive the bread and wine in the Sacrament we eat and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus along with the bread and wine. My friends, that will always be special.
You see, the power in the Sacrament rests in the words of our Lord: “This is my Body…this is my Blood…given and shed for you.” It does not rest in our ability to feel “special.” Its power is always there, always available to everyone who eats and drinks, believing these words of our Lord. It is power that works Forgiveness. It is power that Strengthens Faith. It is the Body and Blood of Jesus given and shed and sacrificed for all. Receive the Sacrament. Receive it often. No matter how often, it will always be special.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You gave us Your Body and Blood to eat and drink in the Sacrament. This is special. Remind us whenever we receive Your Sacrament that we are receiving something special because we are receiving Your Body and Blood given and shed for the Forgiveness of all our sins. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Wednesday 19 March
Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter are coming. Look around and tell me what you see; bunnies, cream eggs, Easter bonnets, but probably not a cross or empty tomb in sight. But this text encourages us to look to Jesus.
We are to look to Jesus because He is the Founder and Perfecter of our faith (for more on this see devotion for Saturday 8 March). He is the One who delivers us and fits us out to be people of God through faith in what He has done for us. But what has He done?
He endured the cross. The cross was an instrument of shame, torture, and humiliation; a punishment Jesus did not deserve. However, He voluntarily underwent this punishment in our place. There was no reason for Him to die, as He had no sin. But He voluntarily died because He took our sins upon His shoulders so that we might be forgiven.
And after His death, God raised Him to life eternal. He has passed through death and come out the other side. He now sits at God’s right hand because Jesus, as our High Priest, has completed His work on our behalf. He truly is King of kings and Lord of lords, and one day every knee will bow and tongue confess this.
Look around; enjoy your Easter eggs, but keep your eyes on Jesus. Jesus as He hangs dying on the cross. Jesus as He emerges from the tomb on Easter morning, and Jesus who lives and reigns for all eternity.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep our gaze focused firmly on our crucified and resurrected Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Tuesday 18 March
Help us, O God of our Salvation,
for the Glory of Your Name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for Your name’s sake! Psalm 79:9
In this verse forgiveness of sins is being asked for. It is important to remember as Christians that only God can forgive our sins and that Eternal Life and Salvation comes through faith and belief in Jesus.
This is why we have God come first in our lives. But though we try not to become distracted by bad influences, sin is a clear reality in our lives. Then God has to also return us to a state of wellbeing. He does this by just loving us.
Our God is a forgiving God, as is also shown in this verse. God’s Name is mentioned twice in this verse. Jesus asks God for His forgiveness for man, in His Own Name. Jesus asks God that He forgive man for the honour and glory that is due His Name.
If God did not forgive when being asked for forgiveness, He would hardly be the forgiving God that He claims to be.
Prayer: ‘All the prophets testify about You that everyone who believes in You receives forgiveness for his sins through Your Name.’ Lord, let Your Spirit guide our hearts to repentance of our sin so that we may gratefully receive Your Forgiveness. Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Monday 17 March
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
This verse acts a corrective both to those who, well aware of their abilities, choose to use them selfishly, and to those who feel that they have no gifts at all. Peter rightly assumes that we all have some gifts – find yours and use them! We are called to serve using our gifts and talents for the benefit of others, for the blessing of the body of Christ.
The supreme example is that of Jesus who said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a Ransom for many.” (Mark 10.45) Paul urges us to have the same attitude as that of our Lord Jesus, who “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant… He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2.7-8) This was costly service, sacrificial service, willingly given to secure our Salvation. As Christ’s followers, we are called to be little christs, following in His footsteps, walking the way of costly service, the sacrificial giving of ourselves – serving willingly, not grudgingly.
To serve faithfully, we need to do so in love and with perseverance. We cannot hope to administer God’s grace without the love of Christ. The way we serve is so important – not so much of what you do, but the way that you do it! The gospel of grace should be given like good medicine with TLC. People are more likely to take note of our witness if we deal with them in a gracious manner.
The world needs to see Jesus at work in the body of believers, the Church. Loving service is a powerful witness. May it be said of us, “See how these Christians love one another.”
Prayer: Thank you Heavenly Father for the gifts which You have graciously given to us. Help us to follow the example of our Saviour, who came to serve and to give Himself for us. May we serve You faithfully as we give our lives in service to others. Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Saturday 15 March
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a Gift, through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
During the summer of 1996 I had the privilege of attending an Intervarsity Leadership Training Camp. One speaker, Andrew Page, gave us a wonderful example of how to explain Christian salvation to a non-believer. He said in most religions you have to do all kinds of “good works” to enter through the door of salvation. In Christianity you enter through the door of salvation and then you do all kinds of good works.
This picture of salvation reminds me that my salvation is not determined by my good works or by the sins I commit during my life. My salvation is determined by the redemption of Jesus Christ. As Paul states in Romans 3:23 we “all have sinned” and we all “fall short”. In God’s eyes sin is sin and we are all guilty. Yet, Paul goes on to say that, though we are all guilty, there is hope. We are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.” (Romans 2:24)
Christ redeems us; He bought us our freedom from sin by the blood He shed on the cross. As Christians we trust that Christ not only set us free from our sin, but that He also empowers us to live the way He taught us to live through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to remember that Your gift of salvation came at a cost to Your Son, Jesus. Help us to turn from our sin and trust that the Holy Spirit will empower us to do good works. Amen.
Lent Devotions 2008: Friday 14 March
I Am the True Vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser. (John 15:1)
Why the True Vine? Why not just “the Vine”? This is because Christ is emphasising another I AM statement. The ‘I AM’ was a way that Jesus had, of drawing the connection between Himself and His Father, our Lord. The vine represents growth, life and fruit. What is the point of any plant unless it produces something? We are the branches of that vine, the fruit, and the growth. He feeds us and nourishes us. We grow and should multiply as more and more branches. The Greek word translated ‘true’ in that sentence means ‘real; actual; not counterfeit, but genuine’. Jesus said: I am the real; the true; the actual; the genuine vine. There are many counterfeit vines in this world that we can attach ourselves to—religions such as Mormonism, whose teachings many people cling to— or Jehovah’s Witnesses, but there is only one ‘true’ vine who will enable us to bear fruit for God, and that true vine is Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Let us all grow in Christian wisdom, love and have desire for propagating Your Word and the knowledge of our loving Lord. Amen.