Baptism
Holy Baptism is a precious gift from God and a Sacrament in the Lutheran Church.
If you are interested in being baptised or getting your child baptised, that is wonderful! Baptism is the beginning of a journey with Jesus where He calls us to follow Him. A life following Jesus means a life with Jesus as our constant companion and a life where we worship regularly and grow in our faith. This means that almost always a Baptism is conducted as part of our Worship Service, and those baptised are members of Christ’s Church (and are normally seen as members of our Congregation). For this reason, parents presenting children for baptism are asked to explore their own faith prior to baptism, and the promises made in the Baptismal rite.
Please email church@glps.qld.edu.au, or speak with Pastor after our regular worship Service, to find out more about baptism, to inquire about possible dates of a baptism, and to arrange times to meet with Pastor. Pastor (usually together with a member of our Congregation) will meet with you to discuss further the above.
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Weddings
The Church believes marriage is a gift given to us by God. It is a gift not only for Christians but for all people. However, a Christian wedding is special in that it involves Scripture readings which bring the Word of God to bear on the marriage, and prayers and blessings for the couple. The vows taken in a wedding are very profound (“For as long as we both shall live…”) and are made not only in the presence of family and friends but in the presence of God.
Because of all this, some preparation is required for those seeking a wedding conducted by a Pastor of our Church. This preparation involves several sessions with Pastor for pre-marriage instruction, to explore what the Bible teaches about marriage, and to prepare the necessary legal paperwork. Pastors of the Lutheran Church of Australia (as ‘Registered Ministers of Religion’) are also required by law to perform marriages according to the Rites of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
If you are interested in having Pastor conduct a wedding ceremony, please email church@glps.qld.edu.au. We can then speak about details such as possible dates and times, church requirements, donations schedule, etc. It is helpful to contact Pastor well in advance of a proposed wedding date to ensure that the Pastor and church are available on the date you may choose.
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Funerals
One of the great gifts our God has given is the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. As the world stops to celebrate Easter we rejoice in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As human beings on this earth, we acknowledge we are mortal and one day we too will pass from this life. Human beings have sensed the mystery of death, and the pain of grief, since time immemorial. Every society has developed rites to mark the passage from life through death and to commemorate the dead, and we do this through the funeral service.
Funerals are conducted by the Pastor for members and friends of our faith community, in consultation with Funeral Directors.
For more information, please email church@glps.qld.edu.au or call 0401 100 795
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First Communion
Holy Communion is a precious gift from God and a Sacrament in the Lutheran Church.
Our Catechism teaches: ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples and said: “Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, He took the cup after the supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and said, “Drink of it, all of you; this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me”.’ Our Catechism also teaches: ‘ A person rightly prepared to receive this sacrament… who believes these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”.’
The Lutheran Church of Australia has adopted the practice of accepting baptised children at the Altar to receive Holy Communion (usually from around 10 years of age). The children are required to complete a course of instruction led by the pastor. A family member (usually a parent) also attends this course. Those who attend this course need their own Bible, as well as a copy of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (both can be provided by the Congregation). ‘First Communion’ does not take the place of ‘Confirmation’, and it is also an expectation that anyone who receives their First Communion will complete the Course of Instruction leading to ‘Confirmation’ at the appropriate time.
If you wish to enrol in the next First Communion group or would like more information on this, please email church@glps.qld.edu.au
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