Lutheran - St. Paul's Sydney Podcast

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 acknowle...

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...

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 per...

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 und...

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 seaso...

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 s...

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 Go...

This week’s Gospel reading John 1:29-42  contains an exciting declaration! Andrew says to Simon, “We have found the Messiah”, and brings Simon to Jesus. How do you think you would have felt, knowing you had found your long-promised King and Saviour? Jesus was the Christ, who would draw all people back to a loving and true relationship with God.
             What, these days, might spark the same excitement? I wonder how the social isolation many feel, or the disconnected and fragmented state of our communities, or even our leaders in troubling times- might really respond to the news, “We have found th...

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season! As we remember the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ once again, may we be filled with hope and great joy. We are also fast approaching the beginning of a new year. This may bring feelings of trepidation alongside those of anticipation. The world is changing quickly, and in ways we often don’t expect. Just as in Matthew’s Gospel reading for this week, when Joseph was awakened and sent on an unexpected journey, we need to listen for God’s voice and guidance as 2026 arrives. May you reflect on the...

Written and presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold

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Bishop Richard Schwedes' interview on HOPE FM 

AI and searching for God's real love.    

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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 the darkness around us, yet they point beyond it to the light and hope God brings through Jesus—and ther...

Presented by Bridgitte Willshire.

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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 these ways. God does not forget them- indeed, God says the vulnerable and needy are those closest to His heart. May we b...

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 minds- especially as the festive season approaches. When you feel yourself drawn towards buying that ‘one last gift’, pause and thank God for...

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 bearing the worst of sufferings so that we can be closer to our loving God. This same King Je...

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. 
 However, Jesus reassures us as we read further. He does not say that we will not struggle or suffer in t...

To day's sermon was written and presented by Pr. Fin Klein of Harndorf.

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The sermon was read by Bridgitte Willshire and written for All Saits Sunday by LCA

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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 consider joining the walk or sponsoring a walker if you are unable to attend. In this 75th year of ALWS serving the...

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 it would be wonderful if you could bring a dish from your own cultural background to share...

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 God’s word to us. How closely are you listening to the people God brings into your life? If...

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 a time where we feel our faith is small, or whether we feel God is lifting us up, we...

Written and presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold.

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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 another better builds relationship and helps us to see the face of God more clearly in those ar...

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 beautiful picture! Just as in the words of ‘Amazing Grace’ we are lost, then found; our hearts long to return to...

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 of each day? How might it look in your life to live out the knowledge that ‘b...

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 power games are played, influence is exercised and socioeconomic hierarchy is kept in balance. Jesus is confronted by some of these power games a...

It is a pleasure to return to St Pauls this week to lead you in worship and explore something that is foundation to the Christian faith and life: Generous Living.
 Generosity can have a huge impact on people.  
 As I watched Spotlight last Sunday with the story of Danny Abdallah not just meeting Samuel Davidson, the man who killed his children in gaol, but also sharing forgiveness and prayers together. You could see how Danny’s intentional forgiveness had an impact on not just Samuel but also the reporter Michael Usher.  
 And the truth is generosity is foun...

This week we are blessed by the service of Pastor Peter Bean. Pastor Bean is preaching on compassion, drawing from Luke 10. He reminds us that the life of a Christian is one that reflects Jesus- we are to live as a ‘walking, talking, breathing, acting image of God.’ The word ‘acting’ in this case does not mean ‘pretending’, or ‘making believe’, but fully engaging in the struggles of this world and each other to bring God’s love and peace into our communities.
 May we be present this week for someone who needs care and step willingly into service beside them...

This week’s Gospel reading Luke 12:32-40  reminds us that we must keep our eyes on Jesus, for Jesus is our true treasure. Jesus’ words to us are compelling- we do not know when He will return, and when He does we must not be found distracted, or wandering away from His love.
As humans we are often tempted to worry more about the things we have, or wish to accumulate, than about the goodness of eternal life that awaits us in Jesus. Let’s take time this week to re-focus and simplify our thoughts, knowing that if we have...

Our sermon this week reflects the message of our Ecclesiastes reading- Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23  that true wealth cannot be found in the work and struggles of this life, but only in the joy of knowing Jesus.
 Many recent world events show us clearly that humanity is ‘out of alignment’ with God’s visions of peace, hope and love. We continue to strive but find no lasting peace in our possessions; in fact, even our ‘toil’ is buying us less than it once did. What a clear indication that we are ‘off track’!
 May we, this week, focus our ‘...

When reading through this week’s Scriptures I noted the explanation below our Luke passage in my bible. The author writes beautifully about Jesus teaching us to pray. “The pattern for prayer that Jesus gives his disciples is short on our wants and big on God’s wants. Half of what Jesus tells us to do in prayer is worship God, keep him holy, and ask that his kingdom and his will take shape, not ours. God the Father looms large. For us, it is enough that we get what we need for spiritual and physical sustenance, and that we gro...

This week we hear the story of Mary and Martha, and their different approaches to having Jesus visit. This is a familiar story to many of us, and at times I’m sure we have seen ourselves as either the frustrated Martha or the quiet, listening Mary. Linking this story with the second reading from Colossians, Colossians 1:15- 28   Pastor Mike Semmler gives us a message of hope: reminding us that whether we think we are doing the ‘right’ thing, or whether we are aware we are not a peace with others and ourselves- God is with us. From the moment o...

“Go and do likewise.” These are the final words of our Gospel reading this week (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus is speaking about the Samaritan’s actions in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He could also say this of his own actions. This week God reminds us that we have received mercy from God through Jesus so that we can pass this mercy and love on to others. Sometimes that’s easy, isn’t it? When your child does well at school and comes home with an award it’s easy to shower them with love. But life’s not always joyful...

This week our second reading is Galatians 6:1-16. Paul’s words to the church invite attention- ‘So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.’ (v9) There is a lot around us currently that might make us ‘grow weary’; laying heavy burdens on our hearts, family lives, community and culture- even before we start thinking about ‘doing what is right’. We may be tempted to give up. However, we also know of Jesus’ great invitation to ‘come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and...

This week’s Gospel Luke 9:51-62  reminds us that there can be no half-heartedness in following Christ. We know as Christians that God is the ultimate King of the World (apologies to Leonardo De Caprio!) and that God has already triumphed over evil and sin. We are already on the winning team if we are followers of Jesus. However, it doesn’t always FEEL like that, does it? There are times in our lives when the road ahead looks bumpy, when our plans are destabilised- even where God seems to have let us down and we are in big troub...

This week we remember that God is our help when we are in tough times. Our sermon reminds us that Elijah, God’s great prophet- a man who had seen God’s great works and healing for himself- also experienced feeling alone and being disappointed in God. When tough times come we lose our sense of perspective and even small things can appear overwhelming. We can get stuck in that feeling and unable to move forward. Elijah was relieved by an angel of God, sent with food and water to revive him. He had to go on a long jour...

This week we celebrate Trinity Sunday. The Triune nature of our God is a mystery ‘more than we can bear’ (John 16:12b) as this week’s Gospel reading says. Have you ever tried to use a tripod and have one leg collapse? Or have you put one on the ground and noticed it wouldn’t stand until you made sure all the legs were the same length? When you get it right you have a really steady camera stand, or easel for your next piece of art. This week we spend time thinking about how God is one and yet thre...

Today we celebrate the gift of Pentecost- when the Holy Spirit was poured out for us. What a wonderful blessing! This is a fantastic reminder that the best gifts often don’t come in boxes and can’t be wrapped in fancy paper. The best gifts are those we receive with our hearts- and that can be passed on to others in love. The greatest love we can pass on is the love of Jesus. God sent the Holy Spirit to help the disciples and us to share the news of Jesus with the world. Let’s pray this week f...