A QUIET DAY RETREAT - STREAMS IN THE DESERT
Saturday 28th February at Bethany Lutheran Church.
Arrive from 9am for a 9.30am start - 4.00 pm.
Cost: $10. Morning tea provided. BYO lunch.
Bring Bible, notebook/journal, sunhat, water etc.
Info/register by 23rd February - Karen 0408 600 480, Merryl 0477 898 009
Take time out to reconnect with God through short, guided reflections and space to ponder, pray, take a walk, and be.
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SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2026
Combined Service 9am led by Pastor Peter Bean
Harvest Centre, Faith Junior Campus, 16 Maria St, Tanunda
Followed by the Call Meeting
SBLC Sunday 1st February 2026 Services
Bethany: 10:30am Baptism, Pastor David Gogoll
Grace - St John’s: 9am Service
Langmeil: 8:45am and 10:30am. Both Services with HC, Pastor Peter Bean
Lyndoch: 10:30am Lay Worship
Schoenborn: 9am Tabor no service
First Reading
Micah 6:1-8 The Lord’s case against Israel
Psalm
Psalm 15
Antiphon: The just will live in the presence of the Lord. OR Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right. (Ps 15:1,2 NRSV)
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 God chooses the weak
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12 The beatitudes: life in God’s kingdom
When light is given
by Anastasia Kim
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3–6
For Paul, darkness is not simply a lack of information. It is not something that is resolved by clearer explanations or stronger persuasion. Darkness exists where the light of the gospel is unseen, not because the light is weak, but because hearts are veiled.
Paul is careful here. If the gospel is hidden, it is not the preacher’s failure. Nor is it hidden from everyone. It is veiled only to those whose minds are darkened, those bound by ‘the god of this age’. The problem is not that Christ lacks glory, but that human beings resist seeing God where God has chosen to be revealed.
And where is God revealed? Not in visible success, religious triumph or spiritual achievement. God’s glory is made known in the face of Jesus Christ. In weakness. In suffering. In the cross.
There are days when this truth comes to me quietly. Nothing seems to change. Faith does not feel brighter or stronger. And yet, the word still meets me where I am, not demanding clarity, but giving light.
This is why Paul refuses to preach himself. He knows that no amount of charisma or effort can create faith. Faith does not begin with human decision. It begins where God speaks. Just as light did not reason its way out of darkness at creation, so faith does not arise from our insight or resolve – it is created.
The God who once said, ‘Let there be light,’ still speaks. He shines into hearts. He gives the light of the knowledge of his glory. And that glory has a face. Not an idea. Not a principle. A person. Jesus Christ.
This is a quiet comfort, especially when faith feels fragile or when nothing appears to be happening. The church does not depend on its own brightness. Ministers do not carry the light. God gives it. God speaks it. God creates it again and again.
Where darkness remains, we do not despair. We trust the One who still says, ‘Let light shine.’
Creating God, you who speak light into darkness, shine again in our hearts. Give us the light of knowing your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Anastasia Kim lives in Brisbane and serves as an aged-care chaplain. She holds a Bachelor of Theology from the University of Divinity and is currently undertaking a Master of Theology at Australian Lutheran College. Her ministry and studies are shaped by a commitment to pastoral care.
CHAIR YOGA
Thursdays 8.45am – 9.30am at Tabor Church Hall, Tanunda.
This is a low impact class which can help with mobility, strength and balance, all from the comfort of your chair!
A gentle and revitalising class designed to be safe, enjoyable and suitable for all levels of mobility.
$10 per class
For more information call Lynda 0428 191 962
HAPPENING AT THE HUB
The Hub Committee would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ our wonderful volunteers who helped to make the Yiros Stall at The Hot Rod Show a great success. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to Chris and Dennis Canute, Karen and Bob Mitchell, Kathryn Marschall, Raelene Mattner, Sue and Geoff Nicolai, Pr Will Samson, Val and David West, Angelique Weyerhauser, Elaine Wilson, Merv Storton (loan of BBQ and Gas) and especially to Jeanette Marshall for her amazing organisation skills. We raised $2255.95 towards the running of The Hub.
Happening this week.
Kids go back to school this week. Art group starts 10am Wednesday morning.
We are very blessed at The Hub to have Pastor Will Samson from Barossa Community Church as a tenant in one of our small offices. He was instrumental in setting up the Heat Refuge a couple of weeks ago, and it’s wonderful to have a Pastor on site. He’s also rather handy for lifting heavy things. Pastor Will came to faith in Jesus in 2004 in Wynnum, Queensland, and has been actively involved in both community and church-based ministry ever since. He was ordained as a Baptist Pastor in 2014 and has been serving the Barossa Community Church since 2021.
Will is also a qualified and experienced Social Worker and Counsellor. Will is deeply committed to helping those who are lost discover hope in God, and to encouraging believers to explore and richly live out their faith and God-given gifts. He is passionate about seeing God’s people and their communities thrive and grow.
The Samson family includes Will, his wife Tegan, their children Summer and Isaac, and their adopted daughter Jess, who lives in Brisbane. Will has had a lifelong interest in motor racing and motorcycling, pursuits he continues to enjoy whenever possible.
Lenten Series: “Jesus’ Words from the Cross”.
In His final moments on the cross, Jesus spoke seven profound statements - words that echo through history and speak directly to our hearts today. These are not just words of suffering; they are words of hope, forgiveness, love, and victory. Each phrase reveals the depth of God’s grace and the power of His plan for redemption. Join us as we journey through “Jesus’ Words from the Cross”, exploring what a selection of these statements mean for our lives. Discover how his words bring comfort in pain, assurance in uncertainty, and strength in surrender. This series will draw us closer to the heart of Christ and remind us of the incredible love displayed on Calvary.
Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect, renew, and rejoice in the message of the cross.
Each following service is at 7:30pm, Wednesday Evening, during Lent.
Ash Wednesday, 18th February: Grace St Paul’s. Pastor Peter Kriewaldt
Wednesday 25th February: Schoenborn. Pastor Greg Schiller
Wednesday 4th March: Tabor. Pastor Ian Lutze
Wednesday 11th March: Bethany. Pastor Brian Schwarz
Wednesday 18th March: Langmeil
Wednesday 25th March: Lyndoch. Pastor Jim Bryan
SBLC Sunday 25th January 2026 Services
Bethany: 10:30am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Grace - St Paul’s: 9am
Langmeil: No Services
Lyndoch: No Services
Tabor: 9am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
25/1 Bible Readings
The First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4 People who have lived in darkness have seen a great light
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 An appeal to avoid factions
The Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus begins his work - light has dawned
SBLC Sunday 1st February 2026 Services
Bethany: 10:30am Baptism, Pastor David Gogoll
Grace - St John’s: 9am Service
Langmeil: 8:45am and 10:30am. Both Services with HC, Pastor Peter Bean
Lyndoch: 10:30am Lay Worship
Schoenborn: 9am Tabor no service
First Reading
Micah 6:1-8 The Lord’s case against Israel
Psalm
Psalm 15
Antiphon: The just will live in the presence of the Lord. OR Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right. (Ps 15:1,2 NRSV)
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 God chooses the weak
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12 The beatitudes: life in God’s kingdom
Movie "In-Lawfully Yours". 7pm Sunday, 1st February 2026 at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Nuriootpa. $5 includes Popcorn & Drink.
Moving to the small town of Bethel Cove, Jesse a non-Christian divorced woman from New York City, meets a widowed Pastor.
She finds herself clashing with the local community as she begins a comical faith journey during church sermons and falling in love with the pastor.