In this issue
Pastor’s Message
Understanding your identity…
Who are you? At first this may seem a simple question to answer. But as we know, we are all on a journey of discovery in our lives as we think about “Why am I here? Helping one another, and helping our children and family explore their ‘sense of identity’, can bring great blessing in to this world.
Personal identity is one of the most important things to understand about ourselves, and to help those who are ‘growing up’ to understand. Knowing who we are, what makes us tick, what makes us laugh, what gets on our nerves, what brings us true joy—those are essential things to name because that understanding affects everything else.
Personal identity affects how we look at life, how we deal with conflicts, and even who we choose as friends. And very often, your personal identity—how you see yourself—is often shaped by your early experiences in life.
Christian people see their identity anchored in several places. On the one side we think of the beauty of creation, and how everyone is unique. You were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Think about this for a moment: you are a masterpiece of God, chosen and made by His hands. But, on the other side, we also understand that we live in a broken world. We don’t always get it right. Bad things happen to us that can affect us at the very core of our being. Our ‘identity’ is found in who we are and what we do, both ‘good’ and ‘bad’.
This coming Sunday many Protestant Denominations will be celebrating what is known as ‘The Reformation’. In some ways, this is about our ‘identity’ as a ‘church’. As part of the Bible Readings for this Sunday we hear: “To those who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32).
Jesus offers us true freedom. True freedom is knowing that the failures that haunt us ultimately have no hold over us. True freedom is knowing that the pain we feel in this life will one day be gone and forgotten. True freedom is having the ability to discern the difference between that which we want and is good for us, and that which we want and is bad for us. Jesus says that true freedom is finding a sense of identity beyond the ‘good’ and the ’bad’ we experience and do.
The good news is that nothing can make the Lord stop loving us. We know this for sure when we look at the cross of Jesus. When we receive God’s love, we receive the truth that we are enough just as we are, we are loved, we are forgiven, we are held in God’s care for all eternity. Freedom is being liberated and finding our identity as one who belongs to God. This is the truth that sets us free.
May you know God’s blessings and peace.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
For more details for Grace Lutheran Congregation, including resources for ‘Church at Home’ and Children’s message videos, please see our Facebook page or our website.
Email: mark.brinkmann@lca.org.au
Phone: 0499 014 189
Chess Mates Tournament
Chess Mates Tournament Opportunity – Sunday 14 November Our newest co-curricular activity of Chess Mates has proven to be very popular. The class is currently …
Chess Mates Tournament
Chess Mates Tournament Opportunity – Sunday 14 November
Our newest co-curricular activity of Chess Mates has proven to be very popular. The class is currently full for this term, and we are looking forward to ongoing opportunities for our students. Whether your child currently participates in the lessons or not, there is a Chess Mates chess tournament open to all students in Prep – Year 6. The tournament will be held on Sunday 14 November at Petrie Terrace State School with two divisions.
Beginners Division:
- Prep to Year 2 students
- 9:00 – 11:00am
- 5 games, 10 minutes each
Open Division:
- Prep to Year 6 students
- 11:30 – 3:00pm
- 7 games, 15 minutes each
Should you or your child be interested in signing up for the chess competition, visit chessmates here.
Medals will be presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and lots of fun will be had for all!
Jasmine Deighton
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
50th Celebrations
Grace Primary Turns 50! Last Saturday night (23 October) the community of Grace came together to celebrate the primary school’s 50th anniversary in style at …
50th Celebrations
Grace Primary Turns 50!
Last Saturday night (23 October) the community of Grace came together to celebrate the primary school’s 50th anniversary in style at a Gala Dinner at the Redcliffe Dolphins Leagues Club. Pioneering families of the area – Kindred, Misso and Fenwick were all in attendance as well as past and present Principals of Grace Places which include Grace Creche and Kindergarten, Grace Lutheran Primary School and Grace Lutheran College. Sponsors of the evening included Think2Be/Sesame Lane, Crew Legal, Look Education, Caporn Piling and MSP Photography.
Photos by MSP Photography
From the Principal
50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Oh what a night we had celebrating at the Dolphin’s Leagues Club the 50th anniversary of our school. There were so …
From the Principal
50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Oh what a night we had celebrating at the Dolphin’s Leagues Club the 50th anniversary of our school. There were so many people attending who actually summed up the history of the school. From the founding parents of students who started 50 years ago, to past chairs of Councils and Parents and Friends Associations, to people from other local Lutheran Schools (Living Faith Lutheran Primary School and Grace Lutheran College) to past Principals and staff and current parents and staff – there was a multitude of people who have been very important in our school’s history. It was noted on the night that the original idea of the school being a Christian primary school on the Redcliffe Peninsula with students at the centre and community in its heart has been maintained and developed and the hope is that we will always continue with these thoughts as we begin planning for the next 50 years of Grace Lutheran Primary School.
Building Project
Thank you to the parents who have contacted me with concerns about the Early Learning Centre building project. Although it seems like a huge site, the new building will not take up as much of the playground as it would seem at the moment. Most of the dig currently, is for earth works and a renewal of the carpark at the front of the school. The project has hit a few stoppages as was expected with Covid issues and supply of materials and some of the earth works causing concerns for strong foundations for the project. We do look forward to the Early Learning Centre being finished though which should be early next year.
I would like to mention again as many people have asked me this question, the school having an Early Learning Centre will NOT mean the closure of the Grace Creche and Kindergarten in Redcliffe. This magnificent facility with its outstanding staff has been in operation for well over 50 years now and we hope very much to have a long friendship with the staff of the centre as two Lutheran Early Learning facilities on the Redcliffe Peninsula. I commend Grace C and K to you, because they do start their enrolments with babies at 6 weeks of age whereas we our centre be licensed for children from 2 – 5 years of age.
Trudy Moala
principal@glps.qld.edu.au
Dates for your Diary
Dates for your Diary Wednesday 27 October – Thurs 28 October – Year 2 Camp Thursday 28 October – GLPS celebrates World Teacher’s Day Friday …
Dates for your Diary
Dates for your Diary
Wednesday 27 October – Thurs 28 October – Year 2 Camp
Thursday 28 October – GLPS celebrates World Teacher’s Day
Friday 29 October – Ekka Public Holiday
Wednesday 3 November – Prep Orientation 2022 and 2022 Prep Parent Welcome Morning Tea
Friday 5 November – Year 6 to Grace Lutheran College for Transition Day
