A prayer following the Bondi Beach attack
15 December 2025
by Bishop Paul SmithPrint Friendly, PDF & Email
‘O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry’ (Psalm 88:1,2).
This ‘season of joy’ has also become a season of sorrow, as we have been confronted by the horrific news of the mass shooting of families gathered for a festival of their Jewish faith in Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The Lord’s command, ‘You shall not kill’, teaches us that we should ‘fear and love God, and so we should not endanger our neighbour’s life, nor cause our neighbour any harm, but help and befriend our neighbour in every necessity of life’. The Scriptures teach us that each of us is a beloved creature of a loving creator, and we reject violence that destroys God’s gift of life.
Please pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the Sydney attack. Please pray for those who grieve; for those who are suffering; for those who serve them.
In this season of ‘Peace on Earth’, please also pray that the preaching of the gospel message of the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus for our salvation would bring light into dark places, that we would live as people of hope, welcoming one another just as Christ Jesus has welcomed us (Romans 15).
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
‘Though your tears be rivers running,
though your tears be an ocean full,
though you cry with the hurt of living:
comfort, comfort.
Every valley shall be lifted,
every mountain shall be low,
every rough place will be smoother:
comfort, comfort.
Comfort, comfort all my people
with the comfort of my Word.
Speak it tender to my people:
All your sins are taken away.’
From the song: ‘Comfort, comfort all my people’
Words based on Isaiah 40:1–5
Robin Mann 1949– (1975): LHS 732
Your fellow in Christ,
Pastor Paul Smith
Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
CHRISTMAS EVE Wednesday 24th December 2025
Bethany/Tabor & Langmeil: 6pm Combined Service at Faith Lutheran College, Senior Campus. 130 Magnolia Rd, Tanunda SA 5352
Grace: 6pm Children's Service at St Paul’s Church, Cnr. Murray St & Basedow Rd, Tanunda
Lyndoch/Rowland Flat: 7pm Community Service, Lyndoch Institute, 31 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch
Free tickets need to be booked through Barossa Arts & Convention Centre online or by phone 8561 4299. This is a requirement of BACC.
Costumes will be available for children to dress up.
CHRISTMAS DAY Thursday 25th December 2025
Bethany/Tabor: 9am B/T Combined Service with Holy Communion at Bethany Church, Bethany Road, Bethany.
Grace: 9am at Grace St Paul's, Cnr. Murray St & Basedow Rd, Tanunda
Langmeil: 8:45am with Holy Communion, and 10:30am with Holy Communion at 7 Maria St, Tanunda
Lyndoch: 9am Parish Service at Rowland Flat Trinity Lutheran Church, Barossa Valley Way & Church Rd, Rowland Flat SA 5351
Exciting New Topics - Now Available to Register!
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Friday, 6 March 2026
AI with PURPOSE
Building Confident, Ethical & Future-Ready Classrooms. (Education Specific)
Friday, 26 June 2026
UNLOCKING THE ENNEAGRAM
Transforming How You See Yourself & Others
Thursday, 14 & 28 May* 2026
WELLBEING FOR CHILDREN & TEENS: TOOLS FOR TODAY'S CHALLENGES
Part A: Growing Up Digital
Part B: Emotional Regulation
*Delivered over two evenings
Friday, 7 August 2026
FAITH IN A DIVIDED WORLD
Responding to Polarisation & Dehumanisation
Saturday, 7 November 2026
BE STILL: A DAY OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Spiritual Retreat Day
"PRESENCE: Discover God in Everyday Life"
Begins Wednesday 21 January 2026, 6pm (includes dinner) At Zion Lutheran Church, 85 Murray Street Angaston.
Start the new year with a fresh sense of God’s presence in your daily rhythms.
Our adaption of the LCA 'Presence' Course is a relaxed, engaging, 10-week journey that helps you: notice God at work around you, grow in confidence as a follower of Jesus, and live your faith naturally in everyday moments.
Come as you are. Bring a curious friend. Everyone is welcome — whether exploring faith or wanting to go deeper.
Register now - speak with Pastor Rob on 0437 184 044 or email your interest to angastonlutheran@gmail.com.
Spaces are limited!
KADENCE - MORNING STAR
Kapunda and Districts Choir presents a Cantata celebrating the heart of Christmas.
7pm, 14th December at Christ Church Kapunda.
A service of Cantata and Carols.
Entry by donation to support the Barossa & Kapunda Schools Chaplaincy fund.
Stock up for the School Holidays
Frozen Pizza 2 for $10. 2 litres Vanilla Ice Cream $3.50
Pick-up from The Hub 83 Murray Street Tanunda - Phone 8563 3748
CHRISTMAS AT THE GOOD SEED
Nativities various sizes. Children’s wooden nativity $50
Cards - $2.00 each
Packs of 8 $3.50
12 Boxed cards $13 and Box of 18 for $15.
Christmas items with LED lights and music, Mini nativity scenes, many items reduced.
YOUNG LIFE Summer Camp 2026
Our National Young Life Summer Camp is set for the 12th to 17th of January 2026 at Jindabyne, NSW.
If you have a young person in high school, this is a great opportunity for them to go out and adventure with some local volunteers that love Jesus and have a heart for young people.
For more information see: younglife.org.au/summercamp or contact Tiffany on tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au Please pray for our Young Life volunteers. Pray for energy and continued relationship building.
Pray for young people to sign up to camp and the travel logistics. Thank you for your continued prayer and support.
SBLC Sunday Worship 14th December
Bethany: 10:30am HC Pastor Detlev Vosgerau
Grace St John’s: No Service
Langmeil: 8:45 Pastor Jim Bryan & 10:30am FUEL
Lyndoch: 9am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Tabor: 9am HC Pastor Detlev Vosgerau
First Reading:
Isaiah 35:1-10 God himself will come to save us
Psalm:
Psalm 146:5-10 - Psalm 146:5-10 Antiphon: Praise the Lord, O my soul! (Ps 146:1b NRSV) OR Lord, come and save us.
OR Luke 1:46b-55 - OR Luke 1:46b-55 Antiphon: Jesus Christ our Saviour, eternal God, and Mary's son, we adore you.
Second Reading:
James 5:7-10 Do not lose heart
Gospel:
Matthew 11:2-11 Jesus and John the Baptist