These resources are being collated to help you to continue to live and grow in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ during this testing time. New resources will be added for the duration, so please come back here often.
These devotions are written by LCA/NZ members to help us meet the challenges we are facing at this time. You might want to meditate on the texts in your own private time and space, or use them to grow in faith together as a household. If you are already receiving Daily Devotions, you will receive these devotions automatically. To sign up to receive them, click here and follow the prompts. Or you can read them here. (Note that those written specifically for this testing time start on 22 March.) We are now producing print versions of the devotions a week in advance, so that you can print them off and deliver them to your computer-less members. You will find each week's print versions here every Friday afternoon.
The Worship Planning Page has been completely revised to provide resources for our Church@Home settings. Resources include:
- Links to live-streaming services (and tips and checklist for those live-streaming)
- Printable service orders, Bible readings and family worship videos
- Sermons for lay reading
- Music suggestions (links to Youtube clips)
- Contemplative prayer sheets (intended for personal meditation on the readings)
- Prayer of the Church and additional prayer points.
In light of the current uncertain times, Grow Ministries (LCA Child, Youth and Family) is supporting households to engage with each other in meaningful and intentional ways around God’s word. Since families now find themselves confined to home, never has the nurturing of ‘faith at home’ been so important. Grow Ministries is here to support you. We will continue to work hard to bring you tools to equip your people and share God's light with those around us.
Videos
Lutheran Media has produced a short video, 'Living with Uncertainty', along other resources to read and watch during these changing times. Visit www.messagesofhope.org.au and www.messagesofhope.org.nz
Worship DVDs and CDs
Lutheran Media is also providing DVDs and CDs of Hahndorf and Toowoomba worship services. To order, visit our website.
We won't be seeing a collection plate for a while, but it's important to continue to support your congregation's and wider church's mission and ministry through your regular offerings. Regular Electronic Giving (REG) is convenient, safe and confidential. Your congregation doesn't receive any information regarding your identity or the amount of your offering. Your REG offering can come from your bank, credit union or LLL account. Click here to find out more about REG (but note that this page is being revised to reflect our current situation). Talk to your treasurer about REG and other ways you can make your offering each week.
Our LCA/NZ Churchwide departments are collating Bible studies that individuals, households and online groups can use while in isolation.
- A collection from our Local Mission departments
- Bible studies from the monthly 'Dwelling in the word' column in The Lutheran
Please let us know at LCA Communications if you have Bible studies or similar resources that you are happy to share.
With many people being confined to their homes for weeks or months, there's no more important time to be ensuring our most vulnerable people are safe. These links provide helpful resources.
Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts – LCA campaign against domestic and family violence
Looking after our health and wellbeing is always important, and the restrictions currently in place present some unique challenges. You will find resources here to support emotional, physical, spiritual, social and financial health and wellbeing at this time. This might be helpful for you and the people you are supporting.
Many people serving the church are now working from home because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The Church Worker Support Department is gathering resources to help support you as you work from home, including particular information about:
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Employment legislation and government support for workers
- LCA Employee Assistance Program.
