Bethlehem News

Lutheran School Wagga Wagga's second Sustainable Living Festival was a resounding success, if sheer numbers and happy faces are anything to go by!  Some of our congregational members were on hand to help out: For more photos of the day, jump over to the school's newsletter  and the  website of The Daily Advertiser .

Over the last month, a few of our members have been working to prepare the kitchen in the Damschke Memorial Hall for a bit of a make-over.  The renovations have been some time in the making but they are now complete! The Before: The Emptying: The Demolition: The After:    And the   pièce de résistance...

Today was an important milestone in the life of our congregation. Today, 18 October 2015, marks the 90th anniversary since the formation of the first Lutheran congregation in Wagga Wagga. This was the classified advertisement that appeared in The Daily Advertiser on 17 October 1925: At that service, it was decided to form a congregation in Wagga. Six members were enrolled on that day - Mr W Schulz, Mr L Gestier, Mr F Ruschen, Mr T Pumpa, Mr W Kotzur and Mr A Schulz. Pastor Fritsch was invited to return to Wagga on a regular basis (coming from Milbrulong) to conduct services for the sum of 20 pounds for the first 12 months. This congregation called themselves St Paul's. Could those families at that first service have imagined we would be where we are today? Their trust in God and his purpose for their small group is uplifting. In all the changes and wonderful events that have happened in Wagga Wagga and the world since 1925, it is certain that God has been with us.

We celebrated the annual Longest Lutheran Lunch at the Lutheran School Wagga Wagga today. The day started out with a worship service, ably led by Michael and Pastor Clem, with musical assistance by Joanna and the Lieschke girls. Following the service, there was time for a cuppa and quick chat while lunch was set up. We also took the chance to get the oldest and youngest people with us together for a moment: Linda, at 102 years and Micah, just 5 days old. Then it was off to lunch...

Last Sunday afternoon, a group of Lutherans came together for a little game or two of ten pin bowling. Lyn started us off with the first strike of the day. And very quickly, there were rumours flying across the lanes that Richard had been secretly practicing in the weeks leading up to the big game. Some of the day's competitors (note Graeme explaining the finer points of the game to our beginner player) We discovered that George had never played before, but by the end of the afternoon he had perfected his game. It took Michael many tries to find the perfect ball, his game suffering a little for it and George managed to best him (but we're blaming that on beginner's luck). George, demonstrating his newly-acquired sideways bowling technique Michelle tried to pick up some tips and tricks from everyone in holding the ball then proceeded to gutter it twice in succession. Happily, she seemed to finally figure it all out in round eight of the last game. We...