Sowing God’s Word in Pinnaroo

20 July

On Sunday, 12th July, a crowd gathered at the local footy club to celebrate the installation of our new pastor, Pastor Bryce Clark, supported by his lovely wife, Judy. Brothers and sisters in Christ travelled from many LM-A congregations including Mildura, Loxton, Callington and Jeparit, as well as international visitors from the LCMS (a complete fluke that they were visiting on this particular weekend!).

The opening hymn, 191, began the service by reminding us all of the foundation our church is built upon:

“The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord
she is His new creation
by water and the Word:
from heaven He came and sought her
to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her,
and for her life He died.”

Pastor Matt Anker led the congregation in the Divine Service, with his sermon focussing on the gospel reading from Matthew 13:1-24: The Parable of the Sower. What a wonderfully appropriate text for an installation, as Pastor Bryce has been called to be faithful to the pastoral duties of Word and Sacrament ministry, bible study, home visits and catechesis of the younger members of the congregation, faithfully sowing the seed of God’s Word.

We are very grateful for the help, support and encouragement we received from everyone on this special day, and we are excited and humbled to have Pastor Bryce as our shepherd. Please pray for us as we strive to support Pastor Bryce in this calling, keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Christ and sharing the law and gospel message with all whom the Holy Spirit draws unto Himself.

From the Saints at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pinnaroo