Lutheran - St. Paul's Sydney Podcast

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...

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...

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 encoura...

Welcome to St Paul’s- we are happy you have joined us! This week we hear Jesus’ well-known parable about a farmer scattering seed on different soils. The seed is God’s Word, and the soil our hearts. We pray that your heart’s ‘soil’ is ready to receive the truth of Jesus- for He will shelter you in the heat of daily challenges and encourage your roots to grow deeply in His care. May you always know the grace and protection of God’s care.
 
Presented by Pr. Allan Taruste

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God bless each one of you and thank you for joining us this week! Our Gospel reading reminds us that God gives us peace and rest; what life-giving words, especially at this time in history. Jesus tells us that we can live in God’s ways, being blessed with God’s care and provision. When the world is worrisome and confusing God’s Word brings us hope. May you dwell in the same Word this week and know that peace. Amen.
 
Presented by Bishop Richard Schwedes

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May you be blessed this week, as you join us at St Paul’s! Today we are reminded of Jesus’ words to his disciples- that those who welcome them (and hear with joy their message of God’s love) welcome God himself into their midst. What a beautiful message for the people of God’s church! Those we meet bear the image of God and as we share God’s love with them we recognise his presence with us.

The message is presented by Pr. Ray Pace of Toowoomba
  

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Welcome to St Paul’s! We are so glad you are with us this week. Often God’s Word gives us a challenge; this week is one of those times. Jesus tells us that we must follow him- at the same time he warns us that this will be difficult. Are you willing to give up the comforts of this world for the grace and joy of God’s Kingdom? Jesus promises that discomfort for his sake in this world will bring joy with him in heaven. May we be ‘up’ to the challenge of being Christ’s hands, feet and voi...

Welcome to St Paul’s- we love to have you with us! This week we hear the Great Commission of Jesus- we are to go out and tell the world the Kingdom of God is near. A couple of Sundays ago we celebrated Trinity Sunday- that God is Three- Persons- In- One. What this really means is that God lives in relationship and love. Do you do the same? How can you walk alongside someone in your community this week, modelling God’s unending love and relationship? Perhaps this will lead to conversation about God’s Kingdom on earth- the Ho...

Welcome to St Paul’s! May God bless your time here.This week we celebrate one of the great mysteries of God- Trinity Sunday. God is revealed as three people in one, a difficult concept for our human minds but one that reveals the richness and beauty of our Creator. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bless us with a diversity of ways to be loved, accompanied and led towards fullness of life. We celebrate this Sunday with a Young-Adult-Led service, celebrating God’s gift of youth with us. May you feel the warmth of the fell...

Welcome to St Paul’s! This week we are joyful in celebrating Pentecost and God’s gift of the Holy Spirit! We also welcome Papua New Guinean interns from Warrambui, who will bless our service with song and stories. Please plan to enjoy lunch with us after worship- bring a dish from your own cultural background to share. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to keep us in closer community with God and with each other. Let’s spend this week reaching out to our neighbours with the Holy Spirit’s grace and love!

Message presented by Pr. All...

Thanks for joining us at St Paul’s this week! Did you realise Jesus was still thinking of YOU, even as he returned to his Father in Heaven? That’s right- look at his prayer from John 17- Jesus prayed protection over you as he went to be with God! Jesus’ desire was that you would be protected in God’s name, and that you would be drawn closer in unity with your Christian sisters and brothers all around the world. Isn’t that a beautiful thought? Remember, as you go through this week, that you are under the protection...

Welcome to St Paul’s! We love that you are here. This week we hear Jesus comforting us and reminding us that we will never be alone. He will send the Holy Spirit to be with us, to guide us and bring peace to our hearts. How wonderful to have a Saviour who cares for us so deeply! Indeed, we are privileged to be a part of God’s family- eagerly seeking the love that brings us eternal life through the cross of Easter. May you be blessed with peace and hope.
 
Message presented by Dr. Bruce Arnol...

Welcome to St Paul’s! There is room for you in God’s house! In these times of worldly trouble and strife, how good it is to reflect on these words of Jesus from John 14! Do not let your heart be troubled. Pass it over to the keeper of your life- let it be bathed in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit! Recall this week our great hope- that we belong to Jesus, and that He has made a place for us with God, through His great act of reconciliation on the cross. Amen.

Message pres...

We’re glad you’re here with us at St Paul’s! Join us this week as we listen to the voice of our Great Shepherd, who brings us life to the full. Our world currently seems full of chaos and pervasive fear- yet we know that there is a greater hope. As we continue in this Easter season let’s open our ears and our hearts to the voice of Jesus, who gave his life so we could know peace and joy- then reach out to our neighbours and share that source of joy. Amen.

Message presente...

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.

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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 rememb...

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 t...

Message written by LCA for Good Friday and read by Bridgitte Willshire

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

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 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.

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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...

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 c...

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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