Lutheran - St. Paul's Sydney Podcast

This past week, the mess and brokenness of our world became painfully real for many with the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach. Yet, even among the death, grief, tears, and anger, we see signs that God is present—revealing His love and grace through the actions of many who protect, console, and care for others.

Advent is a season of waiting and watching for Jesus in the midst of our broken world. Many of the Advent readings acknowledge...

All through Advent we hear that Jesus is coming, and we must be prepared! We can prepare our hearts for His arrival by reflecting on God’s Word- we can prepare our homes for the Christmas season with decorations - and we can prepare our world by praying for and caring for our community. 
 Wherever you are this Christmas, please consider preparing for the season by bringing joy to those otherwise forgotten in one or more of thes...

This week we welcome Pastor Allan Taruste, who is visiting St Paul’s. Pastor Allan will speak on ‘Advent- the time of now and not yet.’ Our gospel reading Matthew 3:1-12 this week tells of John the Baptist calling the people of Israel to repent and be prepared for the coming of the Lord. In the Bible ‘repent’ means to ‘turn back’. As we begin this Advent season, may we turn back from the distractions that so readily occupy our mind...

We are in the final week of the church year- about to head into Advent and the Christmas season! This week our sermon is based on Colossians 11:15, 20. The message is that our great King, Jesus, does not seem to be like the kings of this world, or any king we might imagine! He does not rule in pleasant gardens, showing us majesty in flowing velvet robes and golden crowns. He rules in humility, by doing his Father’s will, and in bea...

This week’s Gospel reading Luke 21:5-19  reminds us of the ‘signs of the times’. Jesus is speaking to his followers of the trials they will endure to follow him as they wait for the fulfillment of God’s kingdom on earth. This reading could be a worrying one- indeed these days even moreso, as we see nations going to war against nations, and terrible disasters all around the world. We might well be inclined to be fearful. 
 Howev...

How gracious our God is in giving us good things! How much more gracious that we can share these good gifts with others! This week we welcome Sarah from Australian Lutheran World Service to speak at St Paul’s- opening our eyes and hearts to their work overseas.
 We are thankful for ways we can assist their service- including Walk My Way- a fundraising walk that will be held in Sydney next Saturday 1st of November. Please consid...

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is God’s endless creativity and diversity. This week at St Paul’s we celebrate the ways God has given our community many cultures and ways of living. We are all followers of Jesus and live in his love, and this week we will gather with other Lutherans from across Sydney to worship together! Please remember that our service will be at 4pm on Sunday, followed by a shared dinner. If you are joining us...

Remember the parable of the ten virgins, who didn’t bring extra oil for their lamps while waiting for the bridegroom to arrive? In the middle of the night their lamps were out and they could not greet him! They were excluded from the wedding feast, because they were not prepared. (Matthew 25:1-13)
 
 Today’s sermon reminds us we need to be vigilant in other ways too. We hear that God uses people we may not expect to pass on...

This week’s Gospel reading speaks about how faith ‘like a mustard seed’ can do great things! What examples do you have in your life that might show this is true? This week at St Paul’s Michael Relf, from ‘Celebrate Messiah’, will share with us some of his stories of God’s goodness through faith.  Our faith in Jesus is a gift freely bestowed by the Holy Spirit- let’s remember this week to be grateful for that gift! Whether we are in...

This week St Paul’s is holding a ‘Sharing Sunday’. Our focus is on the great gift of community that God gives us. We know that God’s plan for humanity is to live in close relationship with God and with each other. This week we are learning a little more about our Christian family here in Sydney- finding out people’s unique talents or the things they love to do. We are hoping there might be some surprises!
 Getting to know one a...

This week we remember that ‘Heaven celebrates over us’! We know how easy it is to step away from God. The results of this are all around us in the world today. However, we also know that God never leaves us, and that Jesus walks beside us, gently calling us back towards Him whenever we stray. The Bible reminds us that when we repent (literally, ‘to turn back’) all of Heaven rejoices and God welcomes us with open arms. What a beauti...

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers in the congregation and community! May God bless your day with family, smiles and the richness of His presence. May He guide and protect you as you shepherd your family and enjoy your children.
 This week’s sermon considers our stewardship of our time. God gives us each day of our lives, and He calls us to follow Him. What does it mean to make sure we use our time well, and celebrate God’s gift...

One of the things we learn very quickly in life is that food is powerful. Over the centuries, food has been a political tool used as an effective means of power and control. Revolutions have been drafted and policies written on napkins at the table. Negotiations have been conducted, deals brokered, and lives affected by what has been agreed to at the table.  The table is not only the place where relationships are built, but where p...