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We’re celebrating 25 years of ministry together. I was installed in this parish on Mothers Day 1994 and we’ve been privileged to serve the community together for all those years.
We’re not the same as we were in 1994. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy Gandalf goes from being ‘Gandalf the grey’ to ‘Gandalf the white’ and something like that has happened to me over this period of time.
As we look back over the 25 years or part of that time, what stands out? We might all have different answers but we can be sure of one thing: God has been gracious to us throughout this time.
We’ve shared God’s gracious love as we conducted 526 baptisms, 248 confirmations, 340 weddings, and 250 funerals. If we could've spread those out evenly over the years we would’ve celebrated one or the other of those events every week with some to spare.
If we compiled a list of highlights it might include:
· Triple C, ministry to children
· Christmas and Easter services at Faith Chapel
· Adding a third Sunday service
· Seminars with Geoff Bullock and Tim Hein
· Establishing “Cross Roads family ministry”
· Grow Love Garden
· The visit of Nadia Bolz-Weber
· Having combined services with the Baptists (and HC!)
Your list might be quite different and you might like to take some of those off the list. With the wisdom of hindsight we might’ve done things differently. With God’s help we did our best.
We’re not finished yet, there’s still work to be done. And when I retire at the end of 2020 the ministry of this parish will continue with the blessing of our gracious, loving God. To God alone be the glory!
The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Read John 10:11–18
We continue from Sunday’s passage, as Jesus explains more about how he is our Good Shepherd.
One thing I enjoy is getting to know people better and hearing their stories. Within our congregation, it is a blessing to discover the prayer warriors, those who care for others, those who open their homes and more. I’ve been the pastor here in Esperance for more than three years now, and I am still discovering new good works happening. No fanfare, just people following Jesus.
Today’s passage reminds us that this Jesus we follow is the Good Shepherd – and that he cares for us so much that he is not only willing to die for us, but he does die for us, willingly! His death is not something forced upon him, nor something he was tricked into. Rather, he chooses to lay down his life for us. But death did not stop our Good Shepherd – did you read verses 17 and 18?
As we discover more about our Good Shepherd, we not only learn the depth of love he has for us, but also that he has a unique relationship with the Father. Read verse 15 again. As we get to know Jesus better, we also get to know the Father better. We also see that the Father and the Good Shepherd work together for our benefit.
I’ve spent my entire life getting to know more about Jesus, and I am still discovering new things.
I encourage you to discover more about our Good Shepherd.
Father, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son to be our Good Shepherd. Thank you that he died for me. Thank you for his resurrection. Create in me a hunger to learn more about my Lord Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Our God searches for lost sheep
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
Read Matthew 18:10–14
Do you recall what God did after our parents ate the fruit way back in Genesis? God came down, walked in the garden and asked, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8,9). They deserved death (Genesis 2:16,17), but rather than obliterating them and starting over, God searched for them. God called out to them. Sadly, our first parents didn’t turn to God; rather, they gave excuses. So, God listened patiently, explained the consequences and then he clothed them before removing them from the garden.
Our God does not sit on his heavenly throne, waiting for us sinners to come to our senses. He is not waiting for us to earn his forgiveness. No, he comes down and enters into our messiness. He comes searching for us. This is the good news of the incarnation – God becomes one of us. The amazing love of our God is seen in how far he goes so that we don’t perish (verse 14).
We all know family and friends, many of whom have been baptised, who have had a church upbringing, but who now seem far away. I encourage you to continue praying for them. Be assured that not only does our God hear us, but he is the God who searches for the lost. He will do mighty things to prevent even one of us from perishing.
Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Bad shepherds do not escape justice
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).
Read Ezekiel 34:1–16
Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?
In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!
And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).
Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.
You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.
For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.
Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.