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This week we commemorate the Reformation, and Martin Luther’s bold stand to bring the truth of God’s Word to the fore. We are blessed as Lutherans to rely on God’s Word as the light to our path and keep our eyes on Jesus as the centrepiece of God’s plan for the redemption of the world. His teachings bring true wisdom and life. May you take time this week to rest in God’s Word and allow it to transform your heart. Amen. Presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold Support the show

At St Paul’s this week we have the great joy of celebrating our annual ‘Multicultural Service’ with Lutheran congregations from around Sydney. If you are able, please join us at 4pm on Sunday! Our readings emphasize the gifts God has given us in the many cultures and people who surround us in this city. What unites us is Jesus and his love. We give thanks for this gift of God’s by loving him and each other. Please know you walk alongside others in Christ’s family this week- pray for one another with love and thanksgiving- and remember to celebrate our wonderful God from whom all good things come. Amen. Message presented by Pr. Boaz Gill from Lutheran Pakistan Congregation Sydney. Support the show

This week Paul reminds us to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always!’ It’s a scripture we’ve heard often, but these days it might seem harder and harder to put into practise. Paul reminds us how to do it- focus on the good things that God brings to us. How much beauty can you actively observe this week? Where will you find loveliness? ‘In You is gladness, in all our sadness’ is a song we often sing- let’s carry it in our hearts! Message presented by Pr. Allan Taruste Support the show

This week Jesus tells a parable Matthew 21:33-46  with great news for us- if we share the fruit of knowing God we will be a part of God’s Kingdom! What ‘fruit’ do we have through hearing Jesus’ words? We have fruit such as love, gentleness, patience, peace, endurance and joy. If we share these with the people around us- making sure they know that God is the source- not only can we look forward to sharing the Kingdom of God in eternity, we bring it closer to us here on earth Presented by Pr. Ray Pace. Support the show

This week’s Gospel  Matthew 21:23-32   reminds us of the old saying, ‘Say what you mean and mean what you say!’ What do you mean when you say you are a   Christian? Do you mean only that you go to church once a week and know all the responses in the liturgy? Or do you mean that you do your best to walk with Jesus and follow his ways, every day of your life (and still go to church!)? Today Jesus points out the very human act of saying one thing and doing another. Let’s do our best this week to follow Jesus’ example of divine love and obedience- being trustworthy in our promises and staying close to God. Amen. Written and presented by Pr. Havaard Osland Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s and Redeemer! You are precious to God and to us. This week’s Gospel invites us to consider what is fair, and according to who. How many times have you thought, “That’s not fair!”? It may have been something you felt you were missing out on; it might have been something one cultural group experiences in comparison to another. We look at things with our human perceptions, and we never think we get everything we deserve. However, God sees and knows the whole plan. We need to trust in God’s ways and do our best to walk with patience and compassion, with Holy Spirit’s guidance. May you be led by God in humility and grace this week. Amen. Presented by Pr. Allan Taruste Support the show

We hope your week has been blessed. This week we hear about who we belong to and with. What tremendous news to know we belong to Jesus! In a world full of strife and loneliness, we can call on the name of our Lord and know we will be heard. May you take the opportunity this week to help someone you meet feel less alone- and perhaps even let them know that they too can be part of God’s family. Amen. Written and presented by Bruce Arnold Phd. Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s! We wish all fathers and father-figures a blessed and joy-filled Father’s Day! This week’s gospel reading brings us great hope. Jesus reminds us that if we gather in his name- in Christian community- he will be there with us. Fathers, when you gather your family to pray together, Jesus is with you! May you always guide them towards the love and peace of Christ. And may all who know Jesus gather often to receive his holy meal. Amen. Presented by Peter Hong Ning Support the show

This week Jesus explains what is required of him to bring salvation to those who believe. He challenges his disciples by boldly telling them that they will suffer in following him. Jesus speaks into our situation today, asking what it is we find important- and reminding us that those things ‘of this world’ will not ultimately bring us into God’s kingdom. What are you holding on to that might be leading you away from the love and salvation of Jesus? Ask God this week to free you from this and refocus your desires on Jesus.  Presented by René van den Tol Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s. May God bless you richly this week! This week we share a well-known reading from Romans Romans 12:1–8 about how we are part of the Body of Christ- each with different gifts and functions. Have you considered this recently? Maybe it’s time to consider again how your unique gifts and talents might speak to others in these troubling times- when fear and uncertainty abound. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart and share where God might bless someone this week with your hands or words. Amen. Message written and presented by Pr. Allan Taruste   Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s! Have you ever been through a really difficult time and wondered what it was about? Later- did you come to find that that time led to a great deal of growth or understanding? Perhaps you were able to reflect on it and use what you learned as a way to help others.  Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers in their jealousy, yet Joseph was given the opportunity to bless his brothers greatly and receive them with love. Can you be courageous in times of trial, remembering God is with you? May God bless you in all your difficulties this week and keep your heart strong in him. Amen.   Presented by Pr. Allan Taruste Support the show

May you be blessed as you join us at St Paul’s this week! This week’s Gospel reminds us that we can always trust Jesus. Sometimes we find ourselves worrying over an event or outcome; often this worry comes from something we have no control over. Peter never expected to walk on water- when he realised his precarious situation his doubt almost sank him. We too can almost ‘sink’ under the weight of worry or fear in our lives. Let’s remember that Jesus asks that we trust him and walk towards him boldly. Amen.   Presented by Peter Hong Ning and written by Bishop Richard Schwedes Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s! It’s good to have you with us. This week we hear a very well-known story- or is it? Jesus and the 5000, miraculously fed with just five loaves and two fish. Our sermon reminds us the disciples had nothing to give, and yet all were fed and food was left over! The part we might miss is that the food was only supplied as the disciples themselves were without supplies and looking to Jesus for provision. They felt they could do nothing- yet trust and faith that Jesus could meant all were satisfied. May you trust God to provide this week; not just for you but for others who might need your help! Amen.   Presented by Pastor Stephen Schultz Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s! We’re so glad you’ve joined us! This week we hear Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. Can you imagine finding something so wonderful and so rare that you’d sell everything you had to buy it? You’d have to give up the comfort and safety of your home- your car, and certainly any heirlooms you have from your family. Those things are precious in this world but, as Jesus reminds us often, the things of this world do not pass to the next. God’s Holy Spirit has given us much more- we have an inheritance in Heaven to look forward to! May we live with true joy as we carry the pearl of God’s grace in our world this week. Amen.   Presented by Pastor Allan Taruste Support the show

Welcome to our church family! We love that you’re here! Speaking of family- how does yours work? Or your community? This week we focus on giving- in many ways giving and service are what make our families and communities function. When we give- hope, encouragement, resources, our time, financial assistance and in many other ways- we help our family and community to grow, healthily and happily. Often service and giving mean that we are making sacrifices, just as our Lord Jesus sacrificed- even giving himself for us.  This sort of ‘Jesus-giving’ is not natural for us- hence Paul’s encouragement in Romans to live in God’s Spirit rather than in the flesh. May we recognise the ways we are blessed by giving and receiving this week and ponder how Jesus might encourage us to give more fruitfully in our lives. Amen.   You can watch the video at https://vimeo.com/677574580?fl=pl&fe=sh Presented by Bridgitte Willshire Support the show