"These new editions reveal an increasing awareness that the translation of a text must not only be accurate, but also appropriate to the character and style of the original. This is of particular importance for the translation of Luthers catechisms, which were after all written for the benefit of children and ordinary people, as Luther puts it in his Preface to the Large Catechism in 1529, and which were based on his sermon series on the catechism in Wittenberg. Luthers German is direct and colourful. It flows from his pen with dynamism, reflecting the living situation of the preacher addressing a congregation. Luther is not afraid to use the occasional colloquialism, or even to disregard the normal rules of grammar. Some sentences suddenly change direction, and thoughts are not always completed. Often a variety of ideas crowd in on one another within a single sentence. Above all, Luther is inventive and authentic, as far as linguistic expression is concerned." - Author, Friedemann Hebart
Please Note: As many of our regular LifeGroups take a break over the Summer, the final LifeGroup guide for this year will be the LifeGroup guide schedule for publication on Sunday 21st of December 2025 which will serve as a conclusion to our Advent/Christmas teaching series.
New LifeGroup guides will be available in advance of our new sermon Series beginning on the First Sunday in February 2026.
We encourage any LifeGroups that do plan to meet over the summer, to take the opportunity to gather together in your local community in a meaningful way that might serve others or share the love of Jesus with those in your local context. We’d love to hear your stories of what you got up to in the New Year.
Join us this Christmas, in person or online.
CHRISTMAS EVE | Wednesday 24th December
Epping: 7.30pm (English & Chinese combined service)
Newcastle: 7pm
Illawarra: 6pm at Wollongong
Online: 7.30pm (www.youtube.com/c/LifeWayLutheranChurch))
CHRISTMAS DAY | Thursday 25th December
Epping: 9.30am (English) & 11.15am (Chinese)
Newcastle: 9.30am
Illawarra: 8.30am at Oak Flats
Online: 9.30am (www.youtube.com/c/LifeWayLutheranChurch)
Ask people what Christmas means, and you’ll get a different answer every time.
Christmas is presents. Christmas is family. Christmas is decorating. Christmas is carols. Christmas is cricket.
...the list is endless.
But what is Christmas really?
Jesus may be the reason for the season, but what does His birth truly mean for us and for our world today?
Join us as we strip away the busyness to rediscover what CHRISTMAS IS.