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Weekly messages from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc
Episodes
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?
As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed? (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)
I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?
Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.
When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)
These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).
Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars. Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works. It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.
What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.
Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?
As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed? (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)
I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?
Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.
When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)
These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).
Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars. Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works. It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.
What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.
Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
A message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 13 February 2022.
The aim of our February series, "At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation", is to learn how to share the language of faith, hope and love in our households more naturally. Four key practices can help us to become more “fluent” in this. This Sunday we’re looking at the second of our 4 keys to doing life together with Jesus: “God-talk” in all its forms. Or in other words: “Devotional times without the yawn factor”!
Did you ever pray together as a family? Were there times when your family discussed characters, or passages or stories from the Bible? Did “our Heavenly Father”, “Jesus”, or “the Holy Spirit” ever come up in everyday conversations?
If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generations, then we need the Holy Spirit to help us. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will be creating a passion for us to get better at God-talk in all its forms – in all of life!
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
Sunday Feb 13, 2022
A message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 13 February 2022.
The aim of our February series, "At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation", is to learn how to share the language of faith, hope and love in our households more naturally. Four key practices can help us to become more “fluent” in this. This Sunday we’re looking at the second of our 4 keys to doing life together with Jesus: “God-talk” in all its forms. Or in other words: “Devotional times without the yawn factor”!
Did you ever pray together as a family? Were there times when your family discussed characters, or passages or stories from the Bible? Did “our Heavenly Father”, “Jesus”, or “the Holy Spirit” ever come up in everyday conversations?
If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generations, then we need the Holy Spirit to help us. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will be creating a passion for us to get better at God-talk in all its forms – in all of life!
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Do you ever wonder about the legacy you are leaving behind?
What do you want to pass on to the next generations?
What important things do you want your loved ones to ‘get’ from your life? How are you modelling, encouraging, or helping that to happen?
Many of us lament over children, grandchildren, or ‘once close friends’ who are no longer walking with Jesus or connecting with his Church. We may have feelings of deep sorrow, personal failure about that. We may find ourselves worrying over how things are in their lives now, and anxious about their eternal destiny.
As Pr. Peter mentioned last Sunday, there’s no point reading them the riot act! If we want to influence them positively for Jesus, then they need to experience the kindness and favour of Jesus through us. And we need to keep praying for them!
In our households and networks of relationships, how can share the fullness of life in Jesus across the generations? How can the Holy Spirit help us to nurture our precious young persons in the faith, so they have a better chance of doing life with Jesus as adults?
Acknowledging that we ALL need God’s help to pass on the faith to the next generations, our February worship series at Good Shepherd will be:
At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation.
Each Sunday, we will explore one of four ‘faith practices’ for our households:
- Caring Conversations
- “God-talk” in All its Forms
- Family Rituals and Traditions
- Family Acts of Service
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships. This Sunday we will talk about ‘learning the language of faith, hope and love’ by regularly practicing it in our households. And we will look at the first key to building relationships: Caring Conversations.
In Jesus’ name, I ask our Heavenly Father to fill us with his Holy Spirit: that each of us will be so secure in the Father’s love that the next generations will experience Jesus through us – and do life with him forever! Please join me in praying this for all the families of our Good Shepherd community.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Do you ever wonder about the legacy you are leaving behind?
What do you want to pass on to the next generations?
What important things do you want your loved ones to ‘get’ from your life? How are you modelling, encouraging, or helping that to happen?
Many of us lament over children, grandchildren, or ‘once close friends’ who are no longer walking with Jesus or connecting with his Church. We may have feelings of deep sorrow, personal failure about that. We may find ourselves worrying over how things are in their lives now, and anxious about their eternal destiny.
As Pr. Peter mentioned last Sunday, there’s no point reading them the riot act! If we want to influence them positively for Jesus, then they need to experience the kindness and favour of Jesus through us. And we need to keep praying for them!
In our households and networks of relationships, how can share the fullness of life in Jesus across the generations? How can the Holy Spirit help us to nurture our precious young persons in the faith, so they have a better chance of doing life with Jesus as adults?
Acknowledging that we ALL need God’s help to pass on the faith to the next generations, our February worship series at Good Shepherd will be:
At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation.
Each Sunday, we will explore one of four ‘faith practices’ for our households:
- Caring Conversations
- “God-talk” in All its Forms
- Family Rituals and Traditions
- Family Acts of Service
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships. This Sunday we will talk about ‘learning the language of faith, hope and love’ by regularly practicing it in our households. And we will look at the first key to building relationships: Caring Conversations.
In Jesus’ name, I ask our Heavenly Father to fill us with his Holy Spirit: that each of us will be so secure in the Father’s love that the next generations will experience Jesus through us – and do life with him forever! Please join me in praying this for all the families of our Good Shepherd community.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
An audio message from Pastor Peter Steicke on 30 January 2022.
You could sum up the ministry and mission of Jesus in that one word: favour. He brings the presence, character, values, and inclusiveness of the Father to every person he comes across.
His favour embraces you. On your bad days and your good days.
His favour includes those we might presume to be outside of his reach. In fact, Jesus’ life of favour is not represented by whom he excludes, but rather by whom he includes. There’s a beautiful invitation for us there: receive Father’s favour through Jesus, live in favour, give favour away.
It’s that simple; it’s that profound. For to be sure, favour is life-changing.
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke on 30 January 2022.
You could sum up the ministry and mission of Jesus in that one word: favour. He brings the presence, character, values, and inclusiveness of the Father to every person he comes across.
His favour embraces you. On your bad days and your good days.
His favour includes those we might presume to be outside of his reach. In fact, Jesus’ life of favour is not represented by whom he excludes, but rather by whom he includes. There’s a beautiful invitation for us there: receive Father’s favour through Jesus, live in favour, give favour away.
It’s that simple; it’s that profound. For to be sure, favour is life-changing.
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
A message from Pastor Richard Haar on 23 January 2022.
What does freedom mean to you? Being free is one of the core aspirations of our modern world and is highly important for all of us. This week we will reflect on what it means that Jesus sets us free as we listen to the message of Luke 4:14-21.
One way of expressing the modern take on freedom is that “No one’s the boss of me!” Freedom is thus defined as nobody telling me what to do or how to live my life. However, the freedom that Jesus brings us is much more than that. When Jesus is in charge of your life, you can also joyfully affirm that “Nothing is the boss of me – not sin; not guilt; not fear; not even death – for I am free in Christ!”
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
A message from Pastor Richard Haar on 23 January 2022.
What does freedom mean to you? Being free is one of the core aspirations of our modern world and is highly important for all of us. This week we will reflect on what it means that Jesus sets us free as we listen to the message of Luke 4:14-21.
One way of expressing the modern take on freedom is that “No one’s the boss of me!” Freedom is thus defined as nobody telling me what to do or how to live my life. However, the freedom that Jesus brings us is much more than that. When Jesus is in charge of your life, you can also joyfully affirm that “Nothing is the boss of me – not sin; not guilt; not fear; not even death – for I am free in Christ!”