Bethlehem News

It was a bittersweet day in Athol Street on Sunday. We witnessed a lovely little girl baptised into God's family and Bec G. became an official member of the Wagga Wagga Lutheran Parish. But then we had to say goodbye to Pastor Mike and Narelle. We have been so glad they were able to spend the last year with us, sharing with us their love, support, and special talents, and we all wish them God's blessings in their future work.

Last Saturday we held a Quiz Night in support of the Lutheran School Project in Cambodia. Here is an update from LCA Mission Director Neville Otto on the latest status of the project. I am pleased to advise that the land has been purchased thanks to the generosity if God's people in the LCA and in the Lutheran churches in Cambodia and Singapore. We are waiting for some of the final costs but essentially we expect only a small shortfall now and so there is unlikely going to be a need for a loan.  The money raised at the quiz night is a really important contribution towards this. If we happen to raise more funds than the land cost these will be quarantined for the sole use of developing the pre-school and bible training facilities  On 4 September there was a meeting in Adelaide involving Cambodian Church leaders with a small team representing the major partners being the LCA and the Lutheran Church in Singapore. The people at the meeting included LEA Director Steve R...

Pastor Mike sees whether the scissor lift will serve as an alternative pulpit  but discovers it to be a little rocky for fiery preaching. The Renovation Work Continues... Working Bees were held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week to continue the renovation work happening at Bethlehem. The ceiling has been fixed with the scissor-lift proving a perfect piece of equipment for this work. After a few lessons the crew were in and out amongst the pews with great skill. In addition to this ceiling repair a start has been made on preparing for recarpeting with the stairs to the loft having the carpet removed and a clean up of the loft area being undertaken. Cabling to the data projector has been replaced and upgraded, cabling for the sound system run from front to back and all flouros in the ceiling lights replaced. There was a need to move a number of pews out of the way of the scissor-lift and we discovered many pieces of old chewing gum!! These hav...

A couple of weeks ago, our Sunday Service was especially notable for two reasons. Firstly, we were joined in worship by our School's Year 6 class.  The students sang a particularly catchy version of "This Little Light of Mine" and memorably raised (though the sheer power of song) a window blind to bring in the sunshine; they also gave the Bible reading and led us in prayer.  In addition, the students helped out Pastor Mike with his sermon on the workers in the vineyard, to their (and our) amusement! Towards the end of the Service, Rebecca Gunia was introduced to the Congregation and installed in her work as our School's new Deputy Principal.  Bec comes to Wagga Wagga from Western Australia, so she's a long way from home. Please pray for her as she settles into the School and her new home here.

Thanks to everyone at Bethlehem for your warm welcome - we feel that we are settling in well to our new community and very much enjoyed the Installation Service and lunch that followed. Thanks Jill K for your newsy report and pictures (although I am not sure the alb is very flattering!) This last Sunday I was pleased to lead the service at Bethlehem for the first time and reflect on how all encompassing the grace of God is. We focussed on Romans 5 - "God shows how much he loves us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." We also saw how real this word is by looking at how Jesus met an outcast woman at the well and engaged deeply and graciously with her despite how others saw her. Check it out in John 4. Each of us can say with certainty God is gracious to all - even me. God bless your week! Pastor Mike

This week we had a very special service, with the installation and welcome of Pastor Mike and Narelle Fulwood to our Parish.  Pastor David Grulke, Assistant Bishop of the NSW District, conducted the service. Malcolm presented Pastor Mike to be installed as Pastor to Bethlehem Parish then... Pastor David Grulke performed the installation of Pastor Mike. Pastor Gary and Pastor Clem welcomed Pastor Mike and Narelle to Wagga...  and Jenny Smith gave a warm welcome on behalf of Bethlehem Milbrulong. After the service, the congregation adjourned to the hall, where a magnificent lunch was provided.  Pastor David was invited to tell us about his work as a Chaplin in the Army and Pastor Mike also got up and told us a little bit about himself and Narelle. Pastor Mike and Narelle will only be with us for about a year, so please keep them in your prayers as they do God's work among us. Pastor Mike and Narelle