MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNANCE COUNCIL
The Combined Barossa Congregation consists of Bethany, Tabor, St Johns, St Paul's, Langmeil, Lyndoch and Schoenborn.
Good Shepherd Sunday proved to be a truly memorable and Spirit-filled day, one that beautifully marked the culmination of a journey that began five years ago. Back then, representatives from six congregations across the southern Barossa gathered with a shared vision: to walk together in faith and, in time, become one united congregation. That vision came to life in a powerful way as more than 300 members were gathered at the Harvest Centre and guided by our Good Shepherd. The day began with a joyful worship service led by Bishop Andrew Brook.
With the uplifting support of our very first “Living Vine” band, the Centre resounded with heartfelt songs of praise, creating an atmosphere of celebration, unity, and deep thanksgiving. The joy continued beyond the service, as each congregation held a special meeting to take the next formal step. In an overwhelming show of unity and shared purpose, members voted to proceed with the amalgamation.
This was an exciting and significant milestone in our collective journey. This was followed by the inaugural meeting of Living Vine Lutheran Church. During this important gathering, the Constitution was formally adopted, and the Governance Council was elected. With one nomination received for each role, the following members were elected:
Chairperson – Chris Pfeiffer. Secretary – Phillip Hiscock. Treasurer – Dean Hoklas. Additional Members – Brian Eckermann, Craig Rogasch, Chris Canute and Edward Liebelt
The celebrations concluded with a time of warm fellowship over tea and coffee, as members reflected on the journey so far and rejoiced in becoming one united congregation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this vision and supported the journey along the way. Your faith, commitment, and willingness to walk together have made this day possible.
As we move forward, we do so with confidence and hope, trusting that our Good Shepherd will continue to guide and sustain us. United in purpose and strengthened in faith, we look ahead with excitement to all that God has in store for us as we serve together in His Kingdom.
There has been a slow start to the term with our Club and Wyldlife groups and we pray for regulars to return for fellowship and new friends to join.
Last month the Young Life Australia group launched our EOFY appeal "For Every Teen" and we thank those people that have already donated.
Donations - Long-life Milk and Lemonade would be appreciated for our lunch club and breakfast clubs.
*Up-coming events:
Can and bottle run to be held in June
Wine and Beer Sale on the 10th of Jul
Trivia Night in August yet to be advertised.
SUNDAY 10 MAY 2026
Bethany: 10:30am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Grace St Paul’s: no service
Langmeil: 8:45 Pastor Jim Bryan & 10:30am FUEL
Lyndoch: 10.30am HC Pastor Graham Jenke
Tabor: 9am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
BIBLE READINGS
The First Reading: Acts 17:22-31 Paul in Athens
Psalm 66:8-20
The Second Reading:1 Peter 3:13-22 Suffering for doing right
The Gospel Reading: John 14:15-21 The promise of the Holy Spirit
Tabor Lutheran Church AGM will be held after the Sunday 24th May 2026 service.
Bethany Lutheran Church AGM will be held after the Sunday 24th May 2026 service.
BethanyTabor Lutheran Parish AGM will be held at 2pm, Sunday 24th May 2026.
WEDNESDAY 13th MAY 2026
Grace St John’s 2pm HC
THURSDAY 14th MAY 2026
ASCENSION DAY
Tabor: Combined Service 7:30pm with Pastor Gus Schutz
Sunday 3rd May 2026 Worship Services
Bethany: 10:30am Layled Service
Grace St Paul’s: 9am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Langmeil: 8:45am HC and 10:30 am HC Pastor David Christian
Lyndoch: 10.30am Pastor Greg Schiller
Schoenborn: 9am service
Tabor: No Service
BIBLE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026
First Reading: Acts 7:55-60 The death of Stephen
Psalm 31:1-5,15,16
The Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10 God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood
The Gospel Reading: John 14:1-14 Jesus the way to the Father
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
‘Home via Hermannsburg: William Wilkinson’s 847 Day Top End Red Centre Quest’
21 May at Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide
A talk titled as part of the festival.
The Australian Lutheran College (ALC) Library
13 May at its 22 Pulteney Street site in Adelaide’s CBD
Special viewings and discussions on some of the rare books from its collection on
Sharing our Lutheran Stories
LCANZ churchwide entities will share stories of Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand with the wider community through an exhibition, guided tours, workshops and presentations during South Australia’s History Festival in May.
The new Church House Exhibition Centre will open its doors at 139 Frome Street in Adelaide for the month-long celebration of history and community connections from 5 May. Visitors to the centre will be able to go on a nearly 200-year ‘journey’ focusing on the mission and service of Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand.
The ground floor space, which is designed to welcome members of the church and general public alike, will share stories through enlightening information panels, historic and current-day photos, interactive audio-visual displays and rare artefacts and artworks, with much of its contents being sourced from our LCANZ’s Lutheran Archives. Bookings are not required to visit the centre during its regular opening hours (Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm); however, emailing ahead to exhibitioncentre@lca.org.au is recommended for guided tours.
Lutheran Archives will also offer guided tours, as well as a course and workshops, among the more than 550 events that make up the annual festival. Archivists will guide walking tours entitled ‘German Adelaide: Culture’, ‘German Adelaide: Community’ and ‘German Adelaide: North Adelaide’ twice each, while also hosting a course over three weeks on genealogy for ‘absolute beginners’ and one-off workshops on the topics of ‘Reading German Documents: Fraktur and Kurrentschrift’ and ‘Researching German-Australian Family History’. The course and workshop will be held at the Archives’ base at 27 Fourth Street, Bowden, in inner-suburban Adelaide.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) are presenting a talk titled ‘Home via Hermannsburg: William Wilkinson’s 847 Day Top End Red Centre Quest’ as part of the festival on 21 May at Immanuel Lutheran Church North Adelaide, while the Australian Lutheran College (ALC) Library will host special viewings and discussions on some of the rare books from its collection on 13 May at its 22 Pulteney Street site in Adelaide’s CBD.
More information, including how to book for the Archives and ALC Library events, is available online at https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/ by using the program search bar.
The Church House Exhibition Centre still has openings for volunteers, so if you live in Adelaide and would like to serve in this way, please email exhibitioncentre@lca.org.au
READ MORE STORIES ABOUT history, History Festival, LCA history, Local Mission
To register go to ....
https://biblecollege.sa.edu.au/open-events-2026/(https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbiblecollege.sa.edu.au%2Fopen-events-2026%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDlwUjNabk9XU01qZUZxWnNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzUxNDc3MTU2OTIyODA2MQABHgIWWDQ9eSQfk2VPqPrhNuFv2HYbErbjjpR1c7nxqjgEz0MdxXtBKZEt4AWf_aem_OCVZidPOLom1Uie-1_QOXg&h=AT7eD96kszvJ2dwNPLsXsg5jRWVUYgOOWAZWyePCSQyBTGvxaoDYftWQkqmfBtTPnwpsLez5nKA1zCY9u5GI6ESf57vAq2OiqM1Jl71OyJk29uhPUayeQm_X6a0C-2UeWIBrP0-jr4Ivkg&__tn__=-UK-R&c0=AT7DOcnJm3Q4dhdNoFlOlTetJYC4hAjvr83s3UzzCd4ljbqVcv8bEU6UUZJNTr0Q_Uu2mfLbmcTlKApirxEPQ1tJGt7xe5rEmof5jknlwLipColFWrnSp5wPz61ggd8MU7gTWFyF1vjpYQFjugsNNnGj5lOHdIU3f0W54sllnw)