A Geelong-wide Reformation Service was held at Geelong Lutheran College, 2 – 38 Burvilles Road, Armstrong Creek, in the gymnasium on Sunday, 27 October at 10 am. All the local Lutheran pastors led 170 people in worship. The choir from Geelong Lutheran College, St John’s, Newtown, sand two songs before the beginning of the service to set the tone for the service. Pastor Boyd Briese, from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Geelong, presented the address. The South Sudanese Youth Choir sang a song of praise in the Nuer language after the sermon. Holy Communion was administered as part of the service.
Following the service Michelle Filipovic, Ministry Support to Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants, spoke to the congregation about the great things that the Lutheran Church is doing to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the Geelong region. Vicki Gollasch from the Australian Lutheran World Service also shared with the congregation some of the wonderful ways that this organisation, through the donations of Lutherans around Australia, is doing to support people in need in the third world countries in our region. What wonderful ways to show that God loves everyone, wherever in the world they are and whatever their situation.
This was followed by the Longest Lutheran Lunch, which is observed every year about this time. This gave those present from the Greater Geelong area to enjoy some fellowship over a picnic lunch.