Strathalbyn Lutheran Church

24/10/2026

Truth & freedom were key themes in the Reformation. And they’re also prominent themes in John 8:31-36. Hence why this text has been chosen as the Gospel reading for Reformation Sunday.

In these verses Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 36)

Jesus is making an exclusive claim: his teaching- the saving message he lived out and proclaimed- is the only one that can set us free from sin and worldly ‘truths.

What teachings and ‘truths’ do we need to be set free from because they contradict Jesus? And how might we share the freedom that Jesus brings with those who are still in bo***ge?

Join us for worship at 9am tomorrow at Strathalbyn (or via our live stream) as we thank and praise Jesus for setting us free!

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3exirJPlmY

17/10/2026

The trapdoor spider has been given this name because of the camouflaged silk door that it builds over the entrance to its burrow. It sits just beneath the door, waiting to jump out and catch any insects that walk by.

In Matthew 22, the Pharisees acted just like trapdoor spiders. They too set up an intricate trap to catch their prey. Rather than silk, it was made of cleverly constructed words designed to curtail Jesus’ saving mission. However, it was wildly unsuccessful. Jesus evaded it with ease.

This episode reminds us that we face traps from the enemy, the world and our sinful nature, including the words traps that we’re prone to setting for each other. Praise Jesus that he has freed us from all these traps by his conquering death and resurrection!

Join us worship tomorrow (9am at Salem & 11am at Strathalbyn) or via our live stream (11am only) as we worship our gracious and merciful God.

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzEBaVSCST0

14/10/2026

Tonight we're beginning a fortnightly Bible on the gospel of Mark. This study has come out of the Presence conversational space that recently concluded. However, it’s not just for those who did Presence; everyone is welcome to attend.

We’ll be using something called the Bible Discovery Method to dwell in selected passages from Mark’s gospel. What's this method? You’ll have to come along to find out 😊.

27/09/2026

26/09/2026

Tomorrow we’re celebrating River Sunday. We’ll be thanking God for the rivers and waterways that flow through our world, providing living water for the land, animals, plants and us. Each drop of water is a testimony to the Father’s great love for us.

We’ll also be reflecting on the river of life mentioned in God’s Word. In Ezekiel 47, we hear how this river flows eastward from God’s temple and creates new life in the inhospitable Dead Sea. And in John 7, Jesus declares that this living water (i.e. the Holy Spirit) now flows from within those who believe in him.

As we immerse ourselves in the river of life, let’s to listen to how the Holy Spirit is flowing through us, out of us, and around us.

Join us worship tomorrow at 11am at Strathalbyn (or via our live stream) as we worship our Creator and Sustainer.

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDY04QHroPM

19/09/2026

Tomorrow we’re celebrating Outback Sunday. We’ll be joining our voices with those of the vast, arid, and sparsely populated interior region of our country as we worship our God.

And we’ll be listening to the groans of the outback. We'll hear the wild animals lament over the destruction of their wilderness home (Joel 1:20). And we'll hear the whole creation groaning as if it were in the pains of childbirth as it waits for all things to be made new when Christ returns (Romans 8:22).

As we resonate with these groans, we’ll also listen to our Saviour Jesus who groaned on our behalf when he was tempted by the devil in the outback. We’ll also pay close attention to his promise to all creation to make all things new.

Join us for worship tomorrow (9am at Salem & 11am at Strathalbyn) or via our live stream (11am only) as we worship our Creator and Redeemer.

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_l5X8gkME

12/09/2026

Subterranean locations (I.e. earth, ground & land) are important theological images in the Christian understanding of the effects of sin and death and the reality of hell. As we celebrate Land Sunday, we hear a set of readings that contain these rich images.

The land was cursed because of Adam’s sin (Genesis 3:17). The blood of the murdered Abel cried out to God from the ground (Genesis 4:10). And Jesus prophesied that he would go to the heart of the earth to save humanity (Matthew 12:40).

May we listen intently to the cries of the earth as we reflect on how we’ve compounded its curse. And let’s rejoice that the blood of Christ speaks a better word than the blood of Abel! (Hebrews 12:24)

Join us for worship tomorrow at 9am at Strathalbyn or via our live stream as we continue celebrating the Season of Creation.

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddqs4SQhQhw

05/09/2026

Throughout September we’ll be participating in the Season of Creation. We begin this Sunday by celebrating a new festival in the church calendar: the Feast of Creation in Christ.

As we explore the creation account in Genesis 2, we’ll join with all creation- the sun, moon & stars, animals & plants, the land, oceans & forests- in singing hallelujah!

And we’ll reflect on how the love, care, purpose and grace inherent in God’s creation and the fact that the whole world has been created in Christ Jesus (John 1:3) is good news for all people.

Join us for worship tomorrow (9am at Strathalbyn & 11am at Salem) or via our live stream (9am only) as we praise our loving and gracious Creator.

Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxU-T0gG5ZM