Calvary Lutheran Church

Calvary Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church of Australia. (See About Lutherans for more information.) We meet at our church centre, in Greensborough, a suburb in Melbourne’s outer North East.

We take our name “Calvary” from the hill outside the City of Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. That event is the very heart of our faith, since the Gospel we believe and proclaim is Salvation through Christ: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). The name “Calvary” stands for all that God has achieved for us through Jesus’ sacrificial death. We proudly bear this name, since it reminds us of the whole reason that our congregation exists!

Our membership is made up of people from all ages and all walks of life. Seeing an eighty year old playing with a toddler is typical of the way people mix at Calvary. Also, many of our members have come to Australia from other countries, including the US, Canada, Germany, Latvia, UK, to name but a few.

On average, about 70 people attend our worship service each Sunday morning. Being a smaller congregation, it doesn’t take long to get to know everyone. And it doesn’t take long for new members to be able to use their gifts and abilities in some way. Calvary is a congregation where you are able to give as well as receive.

The combination of ‘new’ and ‘old’ Christians is refreshing. Some have been involved with the Lutheran Church or other Christian churches all their lives. Many have decided later in life to make a Lutheran congregation their spiritual home. Some have only recently learned the good news of God’s love and forgiveness, freely available through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Celebrating Holy Communion

Holy Communion
As Lutherans we believe that in the sacrament of Holy Communion, Jesus truly offers us his body and blood to eat and drink, as a pledge of the forgiveness that he has won for us. We welcome to our altar all those who believe, as we do, what Jesus promises in his Word: This is my body. This is my blood.

This special meal is for all baptised Christians who take Jesus at his word and believe that he is truly present with us, as he promises. We ask that, when practical, anybody wishing to join us for Holy Communion, advise the pastor of this prior to the service.

Baptism
The Word of God teaches that Jesus welcomes little children and adults as members of his church through Holy Baptism. At Calvary we are always happy to welcome families seeking baptism for their children. We also encourage and invite such families to be part of our worshipping congregation, so that the seed of faith planted in their children is nourished through Sunday School and regular worship.

Bible Study & Spiritual Formation
At Calvary we hold regular Bible Study so that our members have the opportunity to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. These are often, though not always, conducted by the pastor, and follow a format of presentation mixed with group discussion.

From time to time, we run various courses aimed at specific areas of spiritual growth, such as biblical history or daily Christian living and relationships. For example:

Masterplan (a 30 session course on the Bible and its message in both the Old and New Testament);
Living With Purpose (a six session course on Spiritual Renewal and living in Christian Relationships);
The purpose Driven Life (a 5 week reading program focussed on living in God’s purpose for our lives).

Prayer
While all Christians need to follow a life of daily prayer and devotion, we have followed the example of many other churches, by setting up a prayer-circle. This group of people gather on the third Thursday evening of each month to pray for the individual and collective needs of the congregation and community. Those who need prayer are asked to let pastor know. The team will pray for you and lift your needs before God’s throne.

Sunday Worship
Children are welcome at worship each Sunday. Indeed they are part of the family of God! There is a special Children’s Address each service, where all children are invited to the front of the church for a special time of learning and sharing with Pastor or a layleader.

A Baby Change room is planned for the new facilities where parents can feed or change babies. Also available is a Parent’s Retreat room for parents with upset toddlers or preschoolers!

Sunday School
Sunday School is offered each Sunday during school term for children over 4 years old. Start time is approximately 10am. Mostly, children join in the start of worship with their families and are invited to attend Sunday School soon after the Children’s Address.

Playgroup
Playgroup is held at the temporary parish centre (4 Oldstead Road) once a fortnight during school terms. In 2004, playgroup happens fortnightly on Mondays (beginning the second week of each school term) at 10.15am to 11.45am.

Children enjoy free play, a Bible story and activity and a morning snack time while the mums (or dads) help out and enjoy a chat.

Calvary Kids
Calvary Kids is a fun time of play, craft and Bible stories for primary school aged children. Calvary Kids takes place once a month on the second Friday of each month (during school term) from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Return to Top
Youth Ministry

Young people at Calvary who are starting or have started secondary school are invited to join in the Ministry to Adolescents Program (MAP). MAP is a series of eight learning modules produced by the Lutheran Church of Australia, and encourages the use of a variety of activities to assist young people in learning and growing together as Christians.

After completing the four modules dealing with the main teachings of The Christian faith, participants in MAP are invited to publicly confirm their faith during worship (at a special “Confirmation Service”). They may also take part in their first communion at this time. MAP meetings continue after confirmation where four modules dealing with life issues are discussed and explored.

Apart from MAP, there is also Youth Fellowship. This ministry concentrates on providing safe, caring and Christian social interaction and fun for young people aged 10 and older. It is over-seen by adult leaders but led by the young people themselves.

Youth Ministry however is more than just the youth group: it also involves ministry done by the youth of the congregation. So our youth, like all other members, are encouraged to serve and to be part of all activities of the congregation, using their gifts in service of others, eg. worship ushering, helping at Sunday School or helping provide worship music leadership.

Return to Top
Ladies Fellowship

An enthusiastic group of ladies meet once a month to enjoy a Bible study and a variety of fellowship activities. They periodically get involved in craft projects, catering for congregational events, and fundraising efforts for the church.

Return to Top
Calvary Piecemakers

This quilting group hosted by Calvary members meets once a month and invites the wider community to come along and share ideas and fellowship.

Return to Top
Pastoral Care

While our Pastor offers care and spiritual counsel to all members and inquirers, we also have a group of pastoral assistants, who offer practical help and emotional, personal and prayer support to those who need it. The pastoral assistants meet monthly with Pastor to confer over the needs of our members, and to pray for others.

Return to Top
Membership

Anybody can become a member of our church. We freely welcome all people, just as Christ has welcomed us. The pastor of the parish periodically holds membership or inquirer’s classes for those who wish to have instruction in the Faith, in preparation for acceptance into membership. We however do not pressure people to take any formal steps. This is up to the individual and we respect and support individual privacy and freedom.

Return to Top
Administration & Committees

Church Council

Oversees all the administration of the congregation.

Pastoral Assistants

Meet once a month to participate in study, prayer and to explore ways to minister to members of the congregation and the community.

Congregational Life Committee

Organises fellowship events and other activities; the highlight being the Calvary Family Camp held annually at Araluen Lutheran Camp, Anglesea.

Property Committee

Organises working bees and maintenance of the church building and manse.

Calvary Planning Group

Oversees and reports on all the plans for the Calvary Retirement Village and Church Extensions.