Advertise on podcast: Lutheran - St. Paul's Sydney Podcast

We are so glad you have joined us at St Paul’s! This week we hear of Jesus being recognised in breaking bread at Emmaus. What joy his disciples had in recognising the Risen Jesus! How excited have you felt at seeing a friend or relative you have missed? Can you recall the great happiness with which you embraced them again? May you feel that same joy today as we share Jesus’ meal at the altar and go into the world renewed. Amen.   Message read by Bridgitte Willshire. Support the show

Welcome, in the joy of the Risen Christ! We love that you are here with us. This week we recall things we struggle to believe in, whatever that might be for us. In Thomas’ case it was that Jesus had truly risen. We might struggle to believe that God has our life in his hands, or that we are truly loved by Jesus. Thomas believed in Jesus’ resurrection because he could reach out and touch Jesus. God’s word reassures us that blessings are even greater for those who believe and have not yet seen Jesus. May we also remember that each person around us carries the image of God. Jesus walks beside us and among us- we see him in the care of a friend, or in the love of a mother who provides for her child. May your eyes be open this week for all the signs that Jesus is truly risen, and that he truly loves you.   Message presented by Pr. Allan Taruste. Support the show

Dear Church Family! Welcome to this most heart-wrenching and most heart-lifting period of our church year! We are so glad you are here with us. This week we go through many emotions as we travel with Jesus from his last meal with friends to his death and finally into his everlasting life. We are especially ‘moved’ during the darkest times as we remember Jesus died for us- all his suffering was freely given so we might be in full relationship with his Father, our God. What a gift of love! How much more we rejoice to see him out of the tomb- and recall that as Jesus is not in the tomb he is free to be here with US, every day, walking beside us in our own journey. God bless you this Easter and always!   Message presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold. Support the show

Message written by LCA for Good Friday and read by Bridgitte Willshire Support the show

Message presented by Helen Buchholz of the German Lutheran Church Sydney. Support the show

 May you feel the joy of welcoming Jesus into your heart this Palm Sunday!  This Passion Week may you travel with Jesus through the highs and lows of life- through great joy and great pain. Our Lord invites you to walk with him into grace and towards eternal life. Please join us on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday to remember, repent and rejoice! Message presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold. Support the show

Welcome to St Paul’s- we’re glad you’re here! This week we hear John 11:1-45  again great messages of hope- that God’s Spirit revives us and faith in Jesus overcomes death. From a valley of dry bones to a return to life for Lazurus, God’s Spirit moves through God’s word for us. If we can trust and take hold of that same Spirit within us, we too will be renewed!  Where does your life feel like a ‘valley of dry bones’? How can you ask God to breathe into that situation and renew it?  We pray that you will be blessed with peace and refreshment as you ponder God’s word this week. Amen. Message presented by Rev. Allan Taruste.   Support the show

Gospel - John 9:1-41  We are glad you are here with us! This week we’re focused on Jesus’ healing touch. He makes a blind man see- leading to lots of questions from those who should be ‘in the know’. The man who was blind stands firm in his responses to the Pharisees- he knows Jesus healed him and believes!               Where, in your life, are you sure Jesus is working? How exciting to know he is with you! In what persistent difficulty might he work a miracle? Remember Jesus knows your heart! May you be blessed with confidence in him. Amen. Message written for LCA and read by Bridgitte Willshire.   Support the show

This week’s Gospel John 4:5-42  reminds us that our God is a God of surprises. In the story of the Samaritan woman, we see Jesus conversing with someone he shouldn’t have been. According to the social rules of the day Jesus was forbidden to speak to a woman unaccompanied- even more so a woman who was not Jewish! Yet his conversation with the woman at the well brought followers to God through her excited testimony.     We as Christians believe that each person is created in the image of God. Yet often we don’t acknowledge, notice or truly listen to those around us. Take some time to reflect on our Gospel reading this week and recognise how much might have been missed if Jesus had not chosen to ask the Samaritan woman for a drink- or if she had ignored his request, as would have been socially acceptable? Whose invitation to know God better might you be missing? Take a moment this week to start a conversation with someone new. They might give you a fresh way to see God! Amen.   The message was presented by Pr. Allan Taruste. Support the show

This week’s Bible readings Matthew 17:1-9 remind us that we are God’s chosen people- created through God with a vision to share His peace and community in the world. We begin with the obedience of Abraham, who listened to God and was blessed with many descendants. His act of faith is recognised in Romans 4, where St Paul reminds us that faith in God is righteousness and brings us God’s favour. Jesus, God’s only Son, is our ultimate gift from God- the One who is given that He may bring us back into a true relationship with our Creator. May we remember this Lenten season to be faithful, knowing as we await Jesus’ triumphant resurrection we must first pass through His sacrificial death. Amen. Presented by Rev. Allan Taruste  . Support the show

This week’s Gospel reading Matthew 4:1-11  reminds us of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Although we live in ‘civilised’ cities and towns, we also sometimes feel we are in a ‘desert’- a dry place away from spiritual refreshment or deep springs of community. Similarly, we are constantly tempted- by consumerism, acquisition of wealth, and our own selfishness. However, as we look upon a world that seems out of control, ruled by danger and constantly changing for the worse, we may also be tempted to fear. 1 John 4:18 reminds us that perfect love casts out fear; in whom does perfect love shine? Jesus bears this perfect love, giving His life for us so that we may share in it. Our greatest temptation can be to forget this and live in the fear the world instils. The end of this reading tells us after He was tempted Jesus was attended by angels. Picture those angels around you this week, as you shift your focus away from temptation towards His love. Amen  Message presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold.  Support the show

This week’s Gospel Matthew 17:1-9  shares the story of God’s confirmation that Jesus is God’s Son. Imagine being surprised by someone you know being transformed into a glowing, white presence! Peter said, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here’. The brilliant light of Jesus lifted his heart! When God confirmed Jesus as God’s son, Peter was struck with awesome fear.    I can’t help but think of who we follow these days- those who illuminate themselves with light. It might be an Instagram influencer with a ring light, or a news reader under the studio spotlight- we listen carefully to the news they bring and we try to follow in the paths they might lead us. But Jesus was lit with an inner light- a brilliant glow that signified He is the Son of God. When God spoke, he brought this realisation into Peter’s heart, transforming him. It was Jesus who told him not to be afraid.    Let’s think again about those influencers and their spotlights. They use artificial lights that help to enhance their message but the paths they draw us down often lead to fear, anxiety or doubt that peace will ever reign. What instead if we turn to Jesus, whose pure light from within signifies that He is the true guide to follow? He speaks peace, and casts away fear. Let’s imagine ourselves surrounded by that ‘bright cloud’ that holds God’s glory this week, and seek to be true followers of Jesus, with peaceful hearts. Amen. Message Presented by Rev. Dr. Don Wicklman.   Support the show

This week’s Gospel reading Matthew 5:13-20,  speaks of salt and light. Imagine going out for a really good meal- the table is set and you’re with great company. You’re full of anticipation, ready to enjoy the food brought to the table. But precisely as the dishes are delivered, the waiter blows out the candles on your table. You’re plunged into darkness. The food is placed on the table and you begin (with difficulty) to eat. It’s then that you discover not only can you not see the good food- it’s tasteless, with no seasoning at all. How might your experience of the meal be affected?              Now consider our human life and that of others being like this same meal. Although God made a world that is good, we live in darkness- surrounded by sin and its effects. How can we shine God’s light in this context? How about the food? Could we add the goodness of a sprinkle of God’s Word to every day? How might this change the experiences of ourselves and those around us? Let’s pray this week to be someone who reflects the light and goodness of God to others, working with God to bring His Kingdom more fully into our world. Amen. The message was presented by Pr. Allan Taruste   Support the show

We hear often that God’s Kingdom is an upside-down Kingdom.  Today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 5:1-12 which incorporates the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us of this. Here on earth we celebrate ‘big’ wins, ‘striving for goals’ and ‘likes’. We pay little attention to small things, or things that need extra care- although sometimes these are the very things we might find most beautiful! Have you ever seen a peacock spider? I encourage you to look it up and see if you can watch one dance! We could squash a peacock spider with our size and hurry- while striving towards our next goal.   Yet God is attentive to the small things- not kings but children; not wise men but those who starve beyond the city gates. There is hope for all of us in this. We will always find someone ‘above’ us, with more ‘likes’, or more lofty goals. It might make us feel weak, insignificant or overlooked. Yet in the Kingdom of God we are loved, valued and ‘seen’- with just as much beauty as our Creator has given us. We are as brightly shining in the eyes of our Father as that peacock spider! May we see others with those same eyes this week. Amen. Message presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold.  Support the show

Have you ever had a perfect relationship? Do you have a friend or loved one that you’ve never had an argument with, never forgotten something important about, or who you always treat really well? No? Usually we can identify things in our relationships that are a source of hurt or harm; it’s part of being human. We aren’t Jesus! This week Paul 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 reminds us that we are all united in the family of God, and that we should do our best to stay in relationship with one another. The example of the Trinity- our God who is ‘Three-In-One’, perfect in love and relationship, is the same example God’s people should follow. We should follow Jesus. Let’s try each morning to remember that Jesus’ way is also our way. Each time we try our relationships will have a better chance of flourishing, and flourishing in His love is God’s plan! Amen.  Message presented by Pastor Ray Pace of Toowoomba Qld Support the show