Para Vista Lutheran Church

Waiting for the World to Change (Video)

This is a video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl.

Many know this story: Abram and Sarai are given a directive from God to pack up the tent and travel from Haran and move to Canaan, the Promised Land. Not only does God promise them a place, but he promises them a family and a legacy. Generations of descendants will be uncountable because of the couple’s faithfulness.

After twenty-five years of waiting, of watching, of wondering whether Abram misheard God, three visitors arrive in the desert. What happens next truly is a precursor to how we experience Advent and hearing God in the waiting.

Waiting for the World to Change (Audio)

This is a audio message by Pastor Rolly Stahl.

Many know this story: Abram and Sarai are given a directive from God to pack up the tent and travel from Haran and move to Canaan, the Promised Land. Not only does God promise them a place, but he promises them a family and a legacy. Generations of descendants will be uncountable because of the couple’s faithfulness.

After twenty-five years of waiting, of watching, of wondering whether Abram misheard God, three visitors arrive in the desert. What happens next truly is a precursor to how we experience Advent and hearing God in the waiting.

When the Good Shepherd Returns (audio)

This is a recording of the online worship recorded on 22 Nov 2020.  It includes the third and final message in the series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Rolly Stahl: "When the Good Shepherd Returns".

When our Good Shepherd returns, it will be good for us to be ready and waiting with expectation; to be using the gifts and resources he has entrusted to us for his kingdom’s cause; and to be reflecting our Good Shepherd’s compassion and care to those who need it. That’s the essence of his three parables in Matthew 25.

During these days, we have many opportunities to share the kindness of Jesus with others: a caring phone call or an encouraging email; supporting relief agencies such as the Ingle Farm Family Hub, Maranatha Health, or Australian Lutheran World Service; praying for/with those who are struggling; random acts of kindness; getting to know someone from a different culture; blessing your neighbours.

Faith expressed in love. Love active in service. It is participating in the good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. It is Jesus reaching out to others through you and me!

When the Good Shepherd Returns (video)

This is a recording of the online worship recorded on 22 Nov 2020.  It includes the third and final message in the series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Rolly Stahl: "When the Good Shepherd Returns".

When our Good Shepherd returns, it will be good for us to be ready and waiting with expectation; to be using the gifts and resources he has entrusted to us for his kingdom’s cause; and to be reflecting our Good Shepherd’s compassion and care to those who need it. That’s the essence of his three parables in Matthew 25.

During these days, we have many opportunities to share the kindness of Jesus with others: a caring phone call or an encouraging email; supporting relief agencies such as the Ingle Farm Family Hub, Maranatha Health, or Australian Lutheran World Service; praying for/with those who are struggling; random acts of kindness; getting to know someone from a different culture; blessing your neighbours.

Faith expressed in love. Love active in service. It is participating in the good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. It is Jesus reaching out to others through you and me!

(Title graphic: "Body of Water Under Clouds With Sun Rays", George Desipris, pexels.com)

Faithful in the Master's Service (Audio)

This is the second in a 3-message series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Reid Matthias on 15 Nov 2020: "Faithful in the Master's Service".

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’” ~Matthew 25:21

Can you think of a time in your life where someone in authority, whether parent or boss, was pleased with you and your work? Which was the greater reward: the outcome or the words of joy from the authority?

For the contemporary church, Jesus speaks this parable not so much as a warning, but as an encouragement to use his greatest gift to us to multiply and build the kingdom. What is this gift? Is it money? Is it a talent? Or, is it something far greater?

Read Matthew 25:14-30 in preparation for the parable to the 21st century Church.

Faithful in the Master's Service (Video)

This is the second in a 3-message series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Reid Matthias on 15 Nov 2020: "Faithful in the Master's Service".

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’” ~Matthew 25:21

Can you think of a time in your life where someone in authority, whether parent or boss, was pleased with you and your work? Which was the greater reward: the outcome or the words of joy from the authority?

For the contemporary church, Jesus speaks this parable not so much as a warning, but as an encouragement to use his greatest gift to us to multiply and build the kingdom. What is this gift? Is it money? Is it a talent? Or, is it something far greater?

Read Matthew 25:14-30 in preparation for the parable to the 21st century Church.

(Title graphic: "Body of Water Under Clouds With Sun Rays", George Desipris, pexels.com)

Ready At All Times (audio)

This is the first in a 3-message series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 8 Nov 2020: "Ready At All Times".

This Sunday, we will be exploring one of Jesus’ stories about a wedding – where there were 10 bridesmaids. Some made it into the wedding banquet, and some missed out. We will try to work out why that happened, and what we can learn from this story.

And we will be talking about Jesus’ return. How often do you think about that? And when you do, what questions arise? What feelings do you have about that? Is that something you are ready for? How about your family and friends?

Ready At All Times (Video)

This is the first in a 3-message series "Your Destiny Awaits", by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 8 Nov 2020: "Ready At All Times".

This Sunday, we will be exploring one of Jesus’ stories about a wedding – where there were 10 bridesmaids. Some made it into the wedding banquet, and some missed out. We will try to work out why that happened, and what we can learn from this story.

And we will be talking about Jesus’ return. How often do you think about that? And when you do, what questions arise? What feelings do you have about that? Is that something you are ready for? How about your family and friends?

(Title graphic: "Body of Water Under Clouds With Sun Rays", George Desipris, pexels.com)