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 the gift of his Son. When you feel anxious that you may not be ready for visitors, pause and let your heart rest in Jesus love, which casts out fear; and when you hurry to tidy your house before those visitors arrive, take a moment to consider that the Lord of All came to this world in a messy stable. Jesus is indeed the ‘reason for the season’. Amen.

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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 Jesus is the head of the Church, and we all live in his Body; through his servant heart we return to our fullest relationship with God. May we look for things that are not what they seem this week- examples of leadership through laying down of power, or selfless care that lifts someone lowly. This is the love and example of Jesus, alive in our world today. Amen.

The sermon was written for LCA and read by Shane Rosenzweig.

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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 these days- instead he encourages us not to be afraid! He tells us that when we are persecuted we will have an opportunity to testify to him and his goodness, and that we will stand in God’s wisdom- Jesus himself will give us the words to answer those who persecute us. May we stand firm in the faith that God has given us, gaining courage in the love we have experienced and that we know will carry us through great trials. Amen.

Message prepared by LCA and presented by Bridgitte Willshire.

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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 world we pray for their continued courage, strength and action. Please keep an eye out for their Christmas ‘Gifts of Grace’ program for another opportunity to assist.

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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! Our Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus commanded us to love one another, thus showing the world that we are his disciples. (John13:34-35) We look forward to this gathering of love and worship. May your week be blessed with the love of Jesus. Amen.

This message was written and pre4sented by Pr. Havard Osland of the Norwegian Lutheran Church Aust. 

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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 we are distracted or expect lofty speeches instead of gentle words; if we are too busy keeping up with the culture of the world and do not bend to hear the words of a child, we may miss something God is trying to tell us. We too may be excluded from a great goodness that God wishes to bring into our lives because we did not listen to God’s voice.
 
 This week let’s remember God speaks through others to us. May our hearts be peaceful and receptive to God’s voice. Amen.

Written and presented by Pr.David Christian.

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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 know that we can do great things through God who saves and redeems us with the gift of His Spirit. Amen.

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Written and presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold.

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