Latvian ev.Lutheran Church in Sydney
Events
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2008 On Sunday November,2nd, The Congregations Choral Ensemble, held it's inaugural Choral Concert. The concert was well attended. It consisited of 16 songs, a number of Bible Readings, a prayer and two hymns. Although there are only seven singers in the ensemble, at times it sounded as if a full choir was singing on the balcony. The ensemble was formed a couple of years ago, with the intention of serving God, and bringing Glory to His name through Spiritual Song. The Concert was well received and the hearty applause at the conclusion, was a testimony to the quality of the singing. After the concert, everyone gathered in the hall for a light luncheon.
Ivars Birze, Imants Liepiņš, Ināra Gedgovds. Kārina Baumanis, Ingrida Gedgovds, Brigita Kubliņš and Tamāra Koskins. On Sunday October,12th, Pastor Colvin MacPherson along with organist Tamara Koskins, drove to Wollongong to hold a service for the Latvian community who live on the South Coast. The congregation is not large (about 25 members), but what they lack in size, they make up for in friendliness. It was a warm and sunny day and that also described the atmosphere at the service and coffee afterwards. Pastor preached on the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, emphasising that every lost sinner is important to God. Jesus died for all men and God seeks the lost. After the service everyone gathered in the hall for coffee and fellowship. One of the members turned 95 that day and so all were treated to a celebratory glass of champagne. The afternoon was spent in great Christian fellowship.
Valters Balodis and his wife Laimdota was held Sunday,13th of July. Festivities began with a service in St.John's followed by lunch in the hall. Pastor led the congregation in folk songs, quizzes and other fun activities. A good time was had by all. Interestingly, the event brought together three former presidents of the ladies auxialliary as well as the current serving president.
Velta Mežkaza; Irma Bertrand; Māra Saulītis and Tamāra Koškins The inaugural ecumenical prayer service, praying for Christian Unity was held in the Sydney Catholic University in Strathfield, on Wednesday, May 14th. Pastor Colvin MacPherson attended, along with Pastor Geoff Stevenson (Uniting Church); Father Mathew (Coptic Orthodox Church) and Father Jack Evans (Roman Catholic). There was a beautiful Spirit of Unity and a desire to break down barriers between Churches.
On Sunday 23rd March, Easter was celebrated with a service which included a confirmation ceremony for two of our young people. To view photos please click here. On Sunday 30th of March, our oldest living member, Elza Celinskis celebrated her 100th birthday (31st March), with a luncheon in the Church hall. Dean Colvin MacPherson greeted her and led the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving. Elza received messages from the Queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth II; as well as the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Kevin Rudd, the premier of NSW, Mr Morris Iemma and the president of Latvia.
2007
On Sunday 16th September, the Congregation celebrated its annual Harvest Thanksgiving, with a Service followed by a fete in the Church Hall. Harvest Thanksgiving is one of two annual fund raising events for the congregation, and has always been a popular event in the Congregation’s calendar. The Church Service was well attended. Pastor Colvin spoke on the need to always be thankful to God, even when things do not turn out as we would like, because after all, God is in control. During the Service the Congregation was treated to three songs performed by the Congregation’s vocal ensemble. After the Harvest Thanksgiving Service the Church Hall quickly filled with parishioners eager to taste the fine food prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary. The cake stall, as always proved popular, tempting those with a sweet tooth. Likewise, raffles were popular, especially for the smoked salmon, smoked trout and orchids. Having enjoyed the fine food and fellowship, people went home, having spent another enjoyable Sunday at their Church. Proceeds from the day were in line with expectations, so all in all a great day. To view photos click here.
On Sunday 29th July, Pastor Colvin received a pleasant surprise when just before the service, he was told that that the Church Ensemble was going to participate in the service with a new song from their repertoire , to celebrate his birthday.
Our South coast neighbours July 07 About 80 kms south of Sydney is the coastal city of Wollongong. The Wollongong Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation has a membership of about 30 and latvian services are held on a quaterly basis. Dean Colvin MacPherson is the congregations pastor. Services are held at the St.John’s Lutheran Church, Wollongong. At the Sunday 29th July service Dean Colvin MacPherson spoke about Jesus likening the Kingdom of Heaven, to some leaven which was mixed into three measures of flour, which subsequently leavened the whole mixture. He explained that the dough was the world and that the leaven was The Word of God. When God’s Word is sown in the world, it infiltrates people’s hearts and minds, and achieves the purposes that God has forordained. Secondly, Dean Colvin spoke of the Apostle Paul’s usage of leaven in a negative sense, that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. In the case of the Corinthian Church, the bad leaven was pride. One ill intentioned word can ruin a person’s relationship with another. We should always be on guard as to our words and actions. Dean Colvin then stressed that the positive leaven is love. People should strive to sow God’s love in their words and actions. One loving word or loving action can have a great effect for good.
At the conclusion of each worship service light refreshments are served in the Church hall, and this Sunday was no exception. The tables as always had been beautifully decorated with flowers from Mrs Balodis garden, and were filled with lovely homemade sandwiches and cakes. The Chairman of the congregation, welcomed everyone and also took the opportunity on behalf of the congragation to wish Dean Colvin MacPherson a happy birthday for the day before. The trip down to Wollongong is always a pleasant experience, as the people are warm and friendly and are a fine example of true christian fellowship. On Sunday, 15th July the Congregation had it's annual "Winter Lunch" celebration. After the service, parishioners gathered in the hall for a lunch of Latvian style rissoles, veges, mash potatoes, and the ever popular dessert "Heavenly Manna". Having enjoyed a nice lunch and a glass of wine, it was time for a traditional sing along accompanied by Imants Licis on electric piano.
The day concluded with some more singing, and the lucky door prize raffle . Having spent a pleasant day at the Latvian Church, most went home for a well earned nap! Thanks to Lauma and Juris, and of course our ladies for another great day. Services at Bankstown Aged Care Facility Over the last few years, a number of Latvian people have taken up residence at Bankstown Aged Care Facility . The facility has both hostel and nursing home accomodation. Pastor Colvin regularly visits Latvian residents on an individual basis, providing them with spiritual care and administering Holy Communion. As of June this year, Pastor Colvin commenced a regular monthly Communion Service at Bankstown Aged Care . Services are held on the second Monday of the month. Residents, along with family members, gather in the small Chapel for a time of singing, Bible reading, prayer, reflection and Holy Communion.
Though the group is small, the atmosphere is very pleasant, and testifies to the promise given by Jesus, that where two or three gather together in His name, He is in the midst of them. Pastor Colvin, and residents alike, look forward to this monthly gathering, as it brings blessings to all.
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I.Gedgovds,K.Baumanis,Pastor,I.Gedgovs,I.Liepins,T.Koskins 
At coffee after the service, Mr Eigits Timermanis ,Church Council Vice-President passed on the congregations best wishes to pastor , and presented him with some beautiful orchids. Greetings , best wishes, and beautiful orchids, were also extended to Mrs Irma Bertrand former President of the Ladies Auxiliary , who shares her birthday with Pastor Colvin. 
This was followed by the feature event: A presentation by Lauma and Juris Reinfelds about their life in New Mexico. Lauma gave a very interesting talk about their experiences over 17 years in New Mexico accompanied by a pictorial presentation by Juris. Despite a hearty lunch, the audience remained alert and the accolades at the conclusion spoke for themselves. 
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