Latest News
Here you will find other news & events about the life and activities here at St Luke's and at our partner church in mission, St Alfred's Blackburn North.
Our regular Sunday Service is at 9.30AM.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Sunday July 31 2022 - The Forest Underground
We welcome Tony Rinaudo this Sunday
Tony has a truly inspiring story to tell about the regeneration of millions of hectares of land firstly in Niger, west Africa, and then into many other countries across the globe.
In his 17 years in Niger, Tony, who grew up in Myrtleford in Victoria, discovered an embarrassingly simple and affordable method of regreening land by reviving damaged trees rather than planting new ones. It’s a technique that not only alleviates poverty and soaks up carbon, but also costs almost 36 times less than planting trees from scratch.
This is not some green fantasy. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has, from small beginnings, already regreened more than 18 million hectares in 27 countries, reduced our carbon footprint and transformed millions of lives and livelihoods.
The Forest Underground offers tangible hope for climate change, as well as a deeply moving account of one man’s faith-journey. In a seemingly hopeless crisis, this is the good-news story that will move hearts and hands to care for the planet.
Tony has a wonderful faith in God, and his prayers were answered magnificently with the profoundly simple but effective Farmer Managed Natural Resources FMNR method
Come and hear about this ongoing green revolution that is providing food and income for many, and restoring land once left desolate.
Everyone is welcome!
... read more
Sunday July 24 - True Spirituality
Last Sunday we commences a new sermon series called "Signposts to Life" at St Luke's.
Rev Mike McNamara from our partner church, St Alfred's will preach and our Associate Minister Rev Dr Mark Simon will lead.
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday July 17 - New Sermon Series - Signposts to Life
This Sunday we commence a new sermon series called "Signposts to Life" at St Luke's.
Our Senior Minister Rev Peter MacPherson will lead the service and our Associate Minister Rev Dr Mark Simon will preach.
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday July 10 2022 - Safe With the Lord
This coming Sunday July 10 we welcome Revs Maree and Graeme Vines from our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Graeme will lead our service and Maree will continue our Keep The Faith sermon series and preach from 2 Timothy 4:9-22
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday July 3 2022
This coming Sunday July 3 we welcome Rev Mavis Payne from our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Mavis will lead our Holy Communion service and will continue our Keep The Faith sermon series and preach from 2 Timothy 4:1-8
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday June 26 2022 - Keep Going
This Sunday our Associate Minister Rev Dr Mark Simon will continue our Keep The Faith sermon series and preach from 2 Timothy 3:10-17
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday June 19 2022
This Sunday our Senior Minister Rev Peter MacPherson will lead our Holy Communion service.
Associate Minister Rev Dr Mark Simon will continue our Keep The Faith sermon series and preach from 2 Timothy 3:1-9
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday June 12 2022
This Sunday June 12 we welcome Liz Bolton, Assistant Minister at our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
We have a special service this week with the theme "Christian call to mission" taken from Acts 8
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
Sunday May 29 - We Welcome Lauren Weatherlake
This Sunday May 29 we welcome Lauren Weatherlake, Assistant Minister at our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Mark Simon will lead the service and Lauren will continue our sermon series from 2 Timothy "Keep the Faith"
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday May 22 - Be Strong In Christ
We are grateful to live in a democracy and have the privilege to vote.
This Sunday Mark Simon will continue our new sermon series called "Keep the faith" - based on Paul's second letter to Timothy.
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday May 15, We Welcome Rene Pfitzner
This Sunday Rene Pfitzner from our partner church St Alfred's will continue our new sermon series called "Keep the faith" - based on Paul's second letter to Timothy.
Our Mark Simon will lead our Communion service.
After Rene has preached, he will drive to St Alfred's and preach at their 10AM service.
All are welcome!
If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to watch the livestream from St Alfred's or listen to the audio recording.
... read more
Sunday May 8, Mother's Day
This Sunday (May 8) is Mother's Day in Australia.
Loving God, thank you for mums and children and for all the joy of family life.
We thank you too for grandmothers, for women who are mother or aunty figures, for women who enrich the lives of those they encounter in diverse ways.
Be with those who are grieving the loss of their mother; be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love.
Let your love be present in every home, and help your church to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Keep The Faith - New Sermon Series
This Sunday, May 8, we commence a new series called "Keep The Faith", based on Paul's second letter to Timothy.
We invite everyone to come if they can!
Our partner church St Alfred's has recently begun livestreaming their 10AM services so if you cannot attend, please take part from home
ANZAC Day Weekend April 2022
Ahead of ANZAC Day on Monday April 25 we reflect on the costly courage and sacrifice by our armed forces and the families left behind since the 1915 landings at Gallipoli.
God of love and liberty,
we bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy.
We remember those who in time of war faithfully served their country.
We pray for their families, and for ourselves whose freedom was won at such a cost.
Make us people zealous for peace, and hasten the day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither learn war any more.
This we pray in the name of the one who gave is life for the sake of the world:
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
At our Sunday service this Sunday April 24, we will remember and give thanks for our freedom, and to particularly pray for the people of Ukraine.
... read more
St Alfred's Livestreaming Has Started!
If you cannot attend our Sunday services in person, you can now watch our partner church St Alfred's 10AM service live!
The service is also recorded, and you will be able to watch the recording at any time
https://www.stalfreds.org/stalfreds-online/
The audio recording of our sermons will continue and is available on our https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/sermons
... read more
Easter Services at St Luke's
We were delighted to have about 90 to 100 people join us on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Good Friday April 15 9.30AM Witness His Death
Easter Sunday April 17 9.30AM Witness His Resurrection
We looked at Matthew's Gospel account of the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus on the 3rd day.
You can view the recorded livestream of our partner church St Alfred's
... read more
Sunday March 27 Welcome To Liz Bolton
We welcome Liz Bolton, Youth Minister at our partner church St Alfred's to our service.
Liz will be our guest preacher, continuing the sermon series from the Old Testament book of Joshua
Everyone is welcome!
As always the audio will be available for later listening or download, and you can also see our Partner church St Alfred's online You-tube service.
Sunday March 13 - We Welcome Mike McNamara
We look forward to welcoming Senior Associate Minister Mike McNamara from our partner church who will continue our sermon series called "The Promised Land - The Book of Joshua"
All are welcome!
As always the audio will be available for later listening or download, and you can also see our Partner church St Alfred's online You-tube service.
... read more
Sunday Feb 20 - We Welcome Rev Rene Pfitzner
This Sunday we welcome Rev Rene Pfitzner, the new Associate Minister of our partner church, St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Mark Simon will lead our Holy Communion service, and Rene will preach.
We have commenced a new sermon series from the Old Testament book of Joshua called "The Promised Land"
Everyone is welcome!
Sunday January 16th 2022 - Andy Little (MAF) To Preach
We look forward to welcoming Andy Little (MAF) who will preach from Psalm 100.
Andy and his wife Mif are members at our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Andy has worked as a Pilot for MAF in Arnhem Land and in PNG before moving to Mareeba, North Queensland where he is helping to train student pilots.
All welcome!
Sundays in January 2022 - God Our Rock - A Series from Psalms
Welcome to church in January 2022!
We are holding our regular 9.30AM public worship services, welcoming everyone!
Our theme is "God - Our Rock" and we will be looking at different Psalms
As the covid19 pandemic continues, we acknowledge that God is our Rock.
Sunday November 28 - Peace and Hope
This Sunday we begin Advent.
Advent is a vital season in the church calendar when Christians focus on the coming birth of Jesus. Properly understood, Advent is about preparing ourselves in heart and mind to understand the significance of Jesus coming into the world.
Hope, love, joy and peace are the traditional themes of this season.
The first week we focus on Peace and Hope.
Our Associate Minister Rev Mark Simon will preach.
We continue to produce our weekly pre-recorded on-line service, and worship at home printed notes.
May you find time to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas this year.
Video Service
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/worship-at-home
Audio Sermons:
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/sermons
... read more
Promoting The Gospel - Sun November 21
Great news! We resumed public worship services on Sunday November 7, in accordance with the current covid19 restrictions.
We continue with our on-line recorded services.
This week our Senior Minister Rev Peter MacPherson preaches on the theme Promoting the Gospel
"How To Grow in Faith"
Video Service
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/worship-at-home
Audio Sermons:
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/sermons
Sunday October 3 On-Line Service - Living In Challenging Times
We continue to record the video services at our partner church, St Alfred's. You can watch or listen each week.
We conclude our series from the Old Testament book of Esther with the apt series title, “Living in Challenging Times.”
Rev Dr David Williams, preaches from Esther 9-10
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/worship-at-home
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/sermons
... read more
Covid19 Update - September 19 News
The Victorian State Government has continued the lockdown for Melbourne, for a further 6 weeks, and the plan to come out of lockdown will be cautious and gradual.
We are blessed to have the technology to connect on-line and continue church in this way.
We look forward to when we will meet in person, but until then, on-line it is! We invite you to listen to the audio sermons or watch the videos.
Victorian lockdown continues - on-line services only
On Monday August 16, the State Government extended the lockdown for another two weeks, with a further extension likely.
Therefore our services will remain on-line only. We continue to record the video services hosted on our web site, worship at home notes, and post the sermons as audio files.
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/worship-at-home
https://www.stlukesvermont.org.au/sermons
On Sunday Aug 22 we will begin a new series in from the Old Testament book of Esther with the apt series title, “Living in Challenging Times.” Why study Esther, you might ask? Here are some thoughts...
... read more
AUGUST 11 - Services remain SUSPENDED due to continuing Covid19 lockdown
Melbourne remains in covid19 lockdown - so we cannot hold public worship services Sunday Aug 15.
However, we will have our on-line video services and worship at home resources
We conclude our sermon series from Acts on the early church, entitled Jesus Is Lord, this week the theme is Peter Escapes, taken from Acts 12:1-24
... read more
9.30am Sunday Service resumes onsite from 1 August
With the easing of public health restrictions, St Luke's is resuming our 9.30am service.
This Sunday we continue our series on the Early Church, with Senior Minister Peter MacPherson preaching from Acts 11 where the Apostle Peter explains his vision.
... read more
ANZAC Day 2021
This Sunday April 25 we mark ANZAC Day during our 9.30AM service.
We pray that we, and all the people of Australia and New Zealand, gratefully remembering those who fought for our freedom, their courage and their sacrifice, may have grace to live in a spirit of justice, of generosity, and of peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from Charles Sherlock, ‘Australian Anglicans Remember’ p.51).
... read more
A Great Celebration after Dedication of our New Facilities!
At long last, the day has come when we gathered together in worship and our new facilities were officially opened by our Regional Bishop Paul Barker.
After the ribbon cutting, prayers were offered to our God to give thanks for the new facilities.
We will soon have some more photos to share of this occasion.
The attached photo is from today's service (April 11 2021) with Bishop Paul Barker preaching.
... read more
Easter Services at St Luke's
9.30am Good Friday (Reflective service)
9.30am Easter Sunday (Communion service)
We enjoyed being able to meet and worship together in person this year after the long covid19 shutdown in Victoria last year. We are grateful to God and praise Him for our freedom to meet together.
Some 90 people attended our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
... read more
Church Working Bee Sat March 20
After the church park has been a building site for many months we are now restoring and replanting garden beds.
Saturday March 20 was a beautiful warm sunny Melbourne day, and with the kind help of our partner church St Alfred's we had a team of forty hard-working people to restore old garden beds and to create new garden beds, and general maintenance work on the property.
We were served a wonderful morning tea by equally hard-working people in our kitchen, and it was served in the proper covid19 safety approved manner.
... read more
Car Park Now Finished
We are delighted to report that the car park is now open and being used for parking for church services and by the ballet school parents.
Traffic management on site is much safer by having clearly marked one way direction arrows.
Enter from Canterbury Rd, and exit onto Mitcham Rd.
We have two large spaces for disabled access.
We invite you to come along to our Sunday 9.30AM services!
... read more
Moving Forward Building Project
St. Luke’s is undergoing a property makeover to provide better community facilities. Construction work is about to start on what is being called the Moving Forward project to enhance people’s experience of coming to St. Luke’s.
The car park is being expanded and paved. New indoor toilets are being built providing disabled amenities. As well there will be easier access to the building for wheelchairs and those with disabilities. It’s hoped the works will be completed before the end of the year.
... read more
Moving Forward Building Project
Improving our facilities for the Vermont community.
... read more
Prayer And Scripture for This troubled time
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, healer and friend, come and care for all of us through the danger anduncertainty of the coronavirus epidemic. To people who are sick, bring healing. To people who are displaced, isolated, or cut off from family, friends or work, bring comfort andcompanionship.
... read more
Sunday March 15 - Lent Sermon Series
We started our short series called "The Young Jesus" as recorded in the Gospel of Luke 2-3.
You can listen to the sermon by clicking the link below
We looked Jesus as a baby being presented to the Lord in the Temple, as required by Old Testament Law, and how the devout Simeon, full of the Holy Spirit recognised the child as the long-promised Messiah.
... read more
BBQ Dinner February 22nd with Greg Sheridan
On Sat February 22nd about 250 people enjoyed a wonderful evening at St Alfred's with a BBQ followed by a fascinating talk from noted journalist and The Australian Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan.
Greg spoke about his latest book: God is Good For you: A defence of Christianity in troubled times
... read more
A Prayer For Australia Day
We bless you, God of the Universe, for this land, for its contrasts of landscape and climate, for its abundance of wealth and opportunity. We bless you for our history, with all its struggles in adversity, its courage and hope. Give us in our diversity tolerance and respect for each other and a passionate commitment to justice for all. Bless us so that we might be a blessing to others. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
... read moreA Prayer For Australia in Drought and Fire
A Prayer For Australia In Drought And Fire
Our heavenly Father, creator of all things and especially the creator of this land and its original peoples, we call out to you in these desperate times as fires have swept across several parts of our country. Our hearts cry out to you for those who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost properties in the wake of these ravaging fires.
New Sermon Series - Solomon and The Kingdom of God
Sunday January 5 2020 we began a new sermon series called "Solomon and the Kingdom of God" based on 1 Kings 1-11
King Solomon takes over from his father King David and Israel is at a critical time in its history.
What's That Got to do with Christmas? Sun Dec 22 5PM
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, about 125 adults and 35 children enjoyed a wonderful drama and carols service - a terrific cast of 13 talented kids told the story of Christmas
1 empty Christmas tree + 2 excitable children + 11 mysterious visitors = one very big story.
“What’s That Got To Do With Christmas” uses fun and drama to explore what was really going on in Bethlehem all those years ago as performers come down the chimney to spread the word about Christmas.
You can still see this performance at our partner church St Alfred's on Christmas Eve at 5PM
Explore Christmas
Welcome to Church! This morning we begin a new series called "Explore Christmas ". This series will focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Our Associate Minister Rev Mark Simon will lead the service and our Senior minister Rev Peter MacPherson will preach from the passages Luke 1:1-4 and John 20:24-31 with the theme of Is Christmas Believable?
Everyone is welcome! We have refreshments after the service, and we would love to spend time with you.
... read more
Sunday October 20th St Luke's Day
We had a wonderful morning to celebrate St Luke's Day!
Our Associate minister Rev Mark Simon (both pictured) led the service and our Senior Minister Rev Peter MacPherson preached from the passage Philippians 3:10-21 with the theme of Transformed In Christ.
... read more
Sunday September 15th New Sermon Series - The Christian Life
Together with our partner church St Alfred's at Blackburn North we began a new eight week sermon series called The Christian Life based from Paul's letter to the Philippians.
We will consider what it means to be a Christian and what changes occur in life when you become a Christian. You are encouraged to use the "Discipleship Explored" resource which goes through Philippians
... read more
Saturday September 14th Men's Brunch
On Saturday September 14th about 50 men of all ages met over a wonderful breakfast at St Alfred's Anglican church, our partner church,and then heard an inspiring and challenging discussion on the Lobbe family's story of living with mental illness.
It is an amazing story of resilience and at times was raw with emotion but ultimately a great story of family, friendship and community support
Men's BBQ Grill Sat September 7 5pm-7pm
As part of the Explore series at our partner church St Alfred's, we joined with the men of St Alfred's for a Men's BBQ Grill!
We heard from Andrew Grills during the evening. Andrew has spent most of his life as an officer in the Australian Army. Graduating with the Sword of Honour from the Australian Defence Force Academy, he served in Infantry and Intelligence, including several visits to the Middle East, operations in East Timor with the commandos and a postgraduate degree in International Relations from Oxford University. Andrew later became an Army Chaplain at the Australian Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, before leaving the full time Army in 2013 to plant a new church in Geelong with City on a Hill. The church began with 8 adults and in God's grace has now grown to a community of more than 400 people and is in the process of planting a new church of its own. Andrew has been married to his beautiful wife Danna for 20 years and has five young children. He loves the ocean, travelling, playing with his kids (including attending their innumerable sporting matches) and reading military history.
Life Explored
On July 21 we started a special new 7 week series called Life Explored.
Life Explored is an informal and relaxed seven week course. Its for anyone who wants to find contentment and happiness in life. Its run by ordinary Christian people local to you and is completely free. You don't need to know anything about the Bible, and you won't be asked to pray or sing. You can ask any question you like, or you can just sit and listen. Whoever you are, whatever you're thinking Life Explored is a place for you to discover the greatest gift in the Universe.
... read more
Men's Brunch Saturday May 25
Sixty five men, ranging from 15yo to 90yo met over a delicious brunch and then listened to an energised and inspired Max Meyers talk about "lessons from Life"
We met at our partner church St Alfred's in Blackburn North.
Stay tuned for details about a weekend Men's camp in August at Marysville.
The next Men's brunch will be 14th September.
See the attached file for upcoming dates!
You can listen to the talk here: https://www.stalfreds.org/sermons/mens-brunch-with-max-meyers/
... read more
New Sermon Series-Sermon on the Mount
Our new sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. These chapters are often thought of as containing the essence of Jesus’ teaching. People who are not Christians will sometimes refer to Jesus as a great teacher, thinking about his emphasis on mercy, love, peace and turning the other cheek. But how many have actually read the Sermon on the Mount and heard the call to “the narrow road that leads to life” (Mt 7:14)? What does he mean about building your house on rock? Or storing up treasures in heaven? These are challenging chapters indeed. This will be a great series for anyone thinking about Christianity.
... read more