Logo explanation
The cross is central and prominent. Lutheran teaching always points to and revolves Jesus. Our teaching is interpreted by his cross. It’s the lens through which we view the world. The cross shapes our relationships with God and with others.
The circle represents a how all creation finds its centre and its purpose in Jesus.
The background landscape mosaic places the cross in the context of the world in which we live, and our place and purpose in it.
The text (come, listen, live) is embedded around the cross, circling it in a continuous, never-ending movement. The invitation of God to come, listen and live at the foot of the cross is a lifetime calling.
COME – come to Jesus and there you will see how much God loves you and how much he paid to redeem you. His cross is your beginning and your end. Everything in your life and death is anchored and finds its meaning there. Here is where you come to be reborn – to repent, to lay down your burdens. Here you receive new life – forgiveness, renewal and refreshment.
LISTEN – pause at the cross, be still, hear the timeless God speak to you from the cross. Hear his voice in the crosses of your own life and in the life of the church. Lay aside the load you carry, all the voices demanding your attention, even those of your own making. Here at the cross, listen to God and you will receive everything you need …
… that you may LIVE. Life truly comes when we live through the cross of Christ, in the power of his death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus is where God meets us on earth, and we know abundant life in him, life marked by the fruits of the Spirit and life eternal with him forever.
Theme
The Convention of General Synod theme is based on Isaiah 55:3:
… come to me, listen, that you may live.
Daily sermons will explore verses 1-13 of Isaiah 55.
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Day 1 |
Isaiah 55:1 |
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. |
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Day 2 |
Isaiah 55:2 |
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. |
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Day 3 |
Isaiah 55:3–5 |
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendour. |
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Day 5 |
Isaiah 55:6–9 |
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ |
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Day 6 |
Isaiah 55:10–11 |
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. |
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Day 7 |
Isaiah 55:12–13 |
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever. |
