Services and thanksgiving mark Lutheran anniversary

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
LUTHERANS in Papua New Guinea celebrated the Evangelical Lutheran Church day on Sunday with special services and thanksgiving.
The arrival of pioneer German Lutheran missionary Johann Flierl at Simbang in Finschhafen, Morobe, on July 12, 1886 was the beginning of Lutheran evangelism and faith in PNG.
For Lae City Circuit under the Yabem District, the combined Sunday service at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Bumbu Road brought together a total of 16 parishes.
More than 300 Lutherans gathered for the church service, thanksgiving and choir to celebrate the 132nd anniversary.
Lae City Circuit president Reverend Baafekec Bamiringnuc said the gospel that came 132 years ago in Finschhafen is still alive and the work on evangelism is still ongoing.
“Johann Flierl was one of the missionaries who lived up to the Great Commission, to go and make disciples, to baptise and to preach,” he said.
“The words Jesus made before his ascension, we are still carrying it out today.
“Before 1886, there was no ELCPNG, no unity in the body of Christ, but the 29-year-old missionary planted a seed, and because of the seed, we are here.
He said the theme for this year “Unity of the body of Christ”, for the 132nd anniversary was fitting.