To be Lutheran is to preach Christ and him crucified!
by Bishop Paul SmithPrint Friendly, PDF & Email
Romans 1:16,17 says, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”’
‘What is a Lutheran?’ and ‘How should we commemorate the Reformation?’
They say that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, and there is a famous picture from the history of the Reformation period that gives a simple but profound answer to these two good questions.
In the German town of Wittenberg, where Dr Martin Luther preached, taught and made his family home with his beloved Katie, there is a painting in St Mary’s Church by the artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. I have included a photograph that I took of this painting for you. It is a very large painting above the altar at the front of the church, and the painting was finished in the year 1547.
In this painting, we see Luther in the pulpit, looking towards the congregation. His right hand is raised, pointing towards the image at the centre of the painting between Luther and the congregation, showing our Lord Jesus Christ suffering and dying on the cross for the sins of the world.
If you look carefully at the way the artist has painted the figure of Luther, you can see that his other hand is placed firmly on an open Bible, with him in the pulpit.
In this painting, the artist has given a good explanation of what it means to be ‘Lutheran’. If you look at Luther, he will be pointing away from himself, saying, ‘Don’t simply look to me; look to Christ, your Lord and Saviour!’
A Lutheran studies the Scriptures and listens to the preaching and teaching of the Scriptures, to learn Christ and him crucified for the salvation of the world.
In recent times, some folk have added the word ‘Confessional’ to the word ‘Lutheran’ to distinguish between Lutherans. Many are uncertain whether or not they are ‘Confessional’. This Wittenberg painting gives a simple explanation of what is ‘confessed’. Confessional Lutherans are those who confess the good news of Christ and his cross, pointing away from ourselves to what the Lord has done for us. This good news is at the heart of all our Lutheran Confessional writings.
Finally, how does this painting from Wittenberg help us to discern how best to commemorate the Reformation? Reformation is the time of the church year when we recommit ourselves to be people of the gospel. We recommit ourselves to the mission that God gives us, to find good ways to share the good news of Jesus Christ with friends, neighbours, family members and work colleagues, with the heart that the Apostle Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians:
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some (1 Corinthians 9:20–22 NRSV).
God bless your Reformation reflections and your community’s commemorations, that the light of the gospel would shine to the ends of the earth as we confess with one voice, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord.’
I have included two prayers for your reflection. The first is from our church’s liturgical resources for the Commemoration of the Reformation. The second is a prayer for the unity of the church by William Laud.
Almighty and eternal God, in mercy you give the light of your gospel to your church. Keep us in sound teaching, so that we may firmly believe and faithfully follow your saving Lord, and finally, with its holy comfort, die in peace and joy. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gracious Father, we humbly pray for your holy universal church, fill it with all truth; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purge it; where it is in error, direct it; where it is superstitious, rectify it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it, where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided and torn apart, reunite it, O Holy One of Israel. Amen. – William Laud 1573–1645
Pastor Paul Smith
Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
6pm at Wanera Wine Bar in Angaston, Thursday November 27th
Hosted by John Harms, gifted writer, historian, publisher, speaker, publishing consultant, MC, lunch host, broadcaster, and co-creator of the very popular Footy Almanac website. John will chat to with 5 ministers in the book The Hugamug Club – our own Brian Schwarz, Robert Voigt, Amel Manyon, Len Gerschwitz and Jim Bryan … and later Steen Olsen will launch the book.
For $30 attendees also enjoy a 2-course meal - alternate drop menu of beef or chicken + vegetables, and alternate desserts.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Southern Barossa Lutheran Church Call Committee Update
Earlier in the year the decision was taken to suspend the Call Process until after review of the recent survey. Review of the results was completed by Church and Parish Councils together with the Ministry Team, Call Committee and Governance Council.at the workshop on 19th October.
The Call Committee have met and resumed the Call Process with the aim of being in a position to make a call at the end of January 2026.
Next week the list of ‘pastors available for Call’ will be available via the newsletter (email and hard copy) for any member to suggest names for consideration by the Call Committee.
Please contact one of the Call Committee members if you have any questions.
Kind Regards SBLC Call Committee – Michael Heinrich, Wendy Liebelt, Dennis Canute,
Paul Schubert, Katrina Neldner & Phil Hiscock
Refer to Attached.
GO GREEN THIS CHRISTMAS
Order from The Hub for pick up on Saturday 6th December.
To purchase a tree phone The Hub, 8563 3748 or come in.
Orders close Friday 21st November.
Small and Medium trees $70. Large, limited numbers available $80 Cash or card.
Grown by Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Birdwood.
Proceeds go to support the School Chaplaincy program.
There’s nothing like the fragrance of a freshly cut Christmas tree.
LUTHERAN HOMES BAROSSA 2025 CHRISTMAS FETE
10am – 2pm Saturday 29th November.
Stallholders wanted.
Please spread the word.
Contact Belinda on 8563 7700
SBLC SAFE CHURCH TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:
Level 1 (live, online) If you need to complete or update your Level 1 training you are welcome to join a group of Langmeil members.
Monday Nov 24 …” Induction” … 6.30pm for a 7pm start finishing 8.30pm
Tuesday Dec 2 … “Safeguarding” … 6.30pm for a 7pm start finishing 8.30pm
Both parts need to be completed for Level 1. Please register using the form available on the LCA website Safe Church Training - Lutheran Church of Australia (scroll down to the 'Australian live online webinar level 1’ which contains the link to the form).
Any issues registering, please contact your Safe Church Coordinator (listed below) who will be able to support you further.
SBLC Child Safe/SMO Coordinators
Bethany/Tabor - Marilyn Mensforth bethanytaborsccoord@gmail.com
Grace/Schoenborn - Jenny Noll jedanoll@gmail.com
Langmeil - Emma Hiscock emma.hiscock@lca.org.au Lyndoch
Graham Fromm grahamfromm@outlook.com
Sunday 2nd November SBLC Services
No SBLC Worship Services this Sunday 2nd November.
10am - Thanksgiving Service, Tanunda Show Hall. "150 Years of Faith, Culture, and Community:
2pm - Thanksgiving Sunday at Faith Lutheran College. Collectively celebrating 180 and 40 years, 220 years of Lutheran Education.
Bible Readings
The First Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 The righteous will live by faith OR Isaiah 1:10-18 God tells his people: Become clean
Psalm 119:137-144 OR Psalm 32:1-7
The Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11,12 Paul’s thanksgiving and prayers for the Thessalonians
The Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus
Please pray for the SBLC
Heavenly Father, we come to you as members of the SBLC asking for your guidance in the timeline that has been planned and the call process that is about to ramp up.
We know you have everything in hand, may our wants and needs align with the plans you have for us here in the Southern Barossa.
Bless all the teams that are working to make this happen and may it always be to glorify you. In your name we pray, Amen.
Lutheran Media celebrates 80 years of history: real stories, real hope
As Lutheran Media continues to celebrate 80 years in Australia and New Zealand, it has launched a history webpage dedicated to honouring the hardworking and inspiring individuals who have contributed to its success.
Visit the Our History – Real Stories, Real Hope – Lutheran Media webpage for a trip down memory lane and see glimpses of historical figures and poignant moments.
Own a piece of Lutheran Media history
Don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of Lutheran Media history with the book that details eight decades of outreach, which began with the radio broadcast of The Lutheran Hour in September 1945.
Lutheran Media Ministry in Australia and New Zealand: 80 years of blessings is a celebration of Lutheran Media’s 80th anniversary. It includes stories from former directors and presenters, with reflections on the highs and lows of financial constraints on its ministries and the impact of media on everyday lives.
You can buy this new special edition collection of stories and images for AU$15.00 via the Lutheran Media website or by phoning 1800 353 350 during SA business hours or emailing enquiry@lutheranmedia.org.au
Join the final celebration
You can also join fellow supporters and friends for the final celebration of Lutheran Media’s 80th anniversary. A special worship service and lunch will be held on Sunday 2 November 2025 at St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Hahndorf SA. The service, which will be livestreamed, begins at 9.30am (ACDT) and will be followed by a light lunch and fellowship. Find out more on Lutheran Media’s website.