Para Vista Lutheran Church

When my girls were young, they loved listening to stories.  It always amazed me that they wanted to hear the same stories over and over again.  And it wasn’t just a ploy to avoid going to bed!

We loved telling them Bible stories.  And they loved listening.

Why do people of all generations like stories?

Because we are curious.  Stories draw you in.  As you imagine or observe the characters, and the tensions between them, you start wondering how things will work out for them. (By the way, that’s why we sometimes keep watching a dull movie right until the end!)

A really good story or movie gives us something to consider, reflect on, and discuss with others.  As we wrestle with the story, it wrestles with us.  Stories have the capacity to shape and transform us – for better or for worse!

Jesus was a master storyteller. He uses illustrations from everyday life to explain how things are in the kingdom of God.  As we get older, we may have become so familiar with those stories that we no longer listen, reflect, or wonder about its meaning for us today.

When it comes to the stories Jesus’ told, we do well to ponder:

• What is the main point of the story?

• What did this story mean for those who first heard it?

• What might this story mean for us today?

• If we take this story on board, what needs to change in our lives?

What I still love about reading God’s story is that my story is now part of it.  Fact is we all need to live for a greater story than just ourselves.  The joy of doing life with Jesus is getting to play a part in God’s restoration story for his world.  His story is the only one that has a glorious ending.

Come along this Sunday as we talk about stories, and then unpack two stories that Jesus told.  Who knows…?  It just might change your life.

Joy in Jesus!

Pr Rolly Stahl

All of us grew up in some sort of family – whether it was with biological parents, adopting parents, a single parent, grandparents, relatives, family friends, or others who raised us.

We have all been shaped by our families. Families have great potential for blessing… or messing. The legacy of our family influences us for the rest of our lives.  If your family has been a place of acceptance, understanding, mutual support, and healthy boundaries, chances are you have a sense of self-worth and confidence.  If your family of origin was dysfunctional, then the wounds can last a long time. This is also true of “church families”.

Jesus was not always understood by his immediate family.  Like when at the age of 12 he had an extended stop-over at the Jerusalem temple (Lk 2).  Or when his brothers bagged him out about getting to Jerusalem to bolster his public image (Jn 7:3-5).  Or when his mother and brothers turned up in Capernaum because they thought he’d lost his mind!

The leaders of ‘God’s family’, the teachers of the law did not know what to make of Jesus.  They treat him with suspicion and hostility.  They constantly find fault with him and accuse him of breaking the law. They label him as a drunkard and a glutton, a friend of sinners, a blasphemer, and as being possessed by the devil!

This Sunday, we see how Mark weaves two stories together where Jesus experiences “family misunderstanding”.  In effect, Jesus ends up asking the question: “Who is my family?”

Jesus’ answer is both simple and profound, revealing and challenging.  Come along to the Good Shepherd family gathering this Sunday: where we come together in God’s name, celebrate what it means to belong to his family, listen to his word, share in the family meal (8:45am), and then live out the grace and truth of Jesus in our families and communities.

Joy in Jesus!

Pr. Rolly Stahl

ll of us grew up in some sort of family – whether it was with biological parents, adopting parents, a single parent, grandparents, relatives, family friends, or others who raised us.

We have all been shaped by our families. Families have great potential for blessing… or messing. The legacy of our family influences us for the rest of our lives.  If your family has been a place of acceptance, understanding, mutual support, and healthy boundaries, chances are you have a sense of self-worth and confidence.  If your family of origin was dysfunctional, then the wounds can last a long time. This is also true of “church families”.

Jesus was not always understood by his immediate family.  Like when at the age of 12 he had an extended stop-over at the Jerusalem temple (Lk 2).  Or when his brothers bagged him out about getting to Jerusalem to bolster his public image (Jn 7:3-5).  Or when his mother and brothers turned up in Capernaum because they thought he’d lost his mind!

The leaders of ‘God’s family’, the teachers of the law did not know what to make of Jesus.  They treat him with suspicion and hostility.  They constantly find fault with him and accuse him of breaking the law. They label him as a drunkard and a glutton, a friend of sinners, a blasphemer, and as being possessed by the devil!

This Sunday, we see how Mark weaves two stories together where Jesus experiences “family misunderstanding”.  In effect, Jesus ends up asking the question: “Who is my family?”

Jesus’ answer is both simple and profound, revealing and challenging.  Come along to the Good Shepherd family gathering this Sunday: where we come together in God’s name, celebrate what it means to belong to his family, listen to his word, share in the family meal (8:45am), and then live out the grace and truth of Jesus in our families and communities.

Joy in Jesus!

Pr. Rolly Stahl

A Audio message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 30 May 2021.

The wind is an awesome power, one that is often forgotten about. With the sun, we can feel the heat and we know its source, but with the wind, we have a little understanding of how heat and cooling create the wind – but where does it start? Where does it finish? Where does it go when it stops?

This, in a nutshell, is how Jesus responds to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews. “Do not be amazed that you must be born again.”

There is a true power in being born again through water and the Spirit. In Lutheran circles, we don’t often talk about born againedness, as we often leave that to the Pentecostals (much to our detriment). But what does it actually mean? Do we actually understand the power of rebirth into Christ and the Spirit’s push into the Kingdom of God?

As you read through the oft quoted passage from John 3, notice especially verses 3 and 5. Jesus impresses upon Nicodemus the results and the benefits of being born again, of baptism and the power of God through his son.

Don’t be afraid if someone asks you this week if you are ‘born again.’ Even if you didn’t have a rapturous experience and burning in your heart at your baptism, know that Christ the Lord has given you new birth through his death and now you are raised a new creation.

Pr. Reid Matthias

A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 30 May 2021.

The wind is an awesome power, one that is often forgotten about. With the sun, we can feel the heat and we know its source, but with the wind, we have a little understanding of how heat and cooling create the wind – but where does it start? Where does it finish? Where does it go when it stops?

This, in a nutshell, is how Jesus responds to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews. “Do not be amazed that you must be born again.”

There is a true power in being born again through water and the Spirit. In Lutheran circles, we don’t often talk about born againedness, as we often leave that to the Pentecostals (much to our detriment). But what does it actually mean? Do we actually understand the power of rebirth into Christ and the Spirit’s push into the Kingdom of God?

As you read through the oft quoted passage from John 3, notice especially verses 3 and 5. Jesus impresses upon Nicodemus the results and the benefits of being born again, of baptism and the power of God through his son.

Don’t be afraid if someone asks you this week if you are ‘born again.’ Even if you didn’t have a rapturous experience and burning in your heart at your baptism, know that Christ the Lord has given you new birth through his death and now you are raised a new creation.

Pr. Reid Matthias

The Grow Ministries team are introduced to the Good Shepherd Congregation to share what they are learning at the Grow Coaching sessions.

“Get ready. Get set. Go!!”

During childhood we heard these words at the start of a race, or a treasure hunt, or perhaps some other adventure.  With the word: “GO!!” we get moving as quickly as possible – because we don’t want to miss out.

When traffic lights turn green, I like to get moving as quickly as possible.  Why? Because I want to help motorists behind me get through the intersection without having to wait for another cycle of traffic light changes.

Just before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, he urged his followers to stay put in Jerusalem and to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was “get ready” and “get set”.

Ten days later, when the promised Holy Spirit came, it was all “GO!!”  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with signs and wonders that caught the attention of the thousands who were staying in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter points his audience to Jesus.  Peter calls them to repent and to be baptised into the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins – so they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Around 3000 people responded to the Good News of Jesus by being baptised. People from all nations came to celebrate a Jewish festival; many went home knowing Jesus!

God’s desire to bless all people is still his mission for us.  It happens as we share the love and Good News of Jesus with others.  Jesus tells us: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

God doesn’t want anyone to miss out.  Our Father wants every person to come into his family through Jesus so they can do life with him and inherit eternal life.  Given the heart of God and the eternal benefits for all who are in Christ, I wonder: “Why we slow to GO?”

Pentecost reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, change our hearts, and infuse our souls with God’s love for others – regardless of their cultural background.

May God infuse us with a fresh anointing of his Spirit that moves us to engage with our community – so that all may know Jesus and worship him.

Pr Rolly Stahl

“Get ready. Get set. Go!!”

During childhood we heard these words at the start of a race, or a treasure hunt, or perhaps some other adventure.  With the word: “GO!!” we get moving as quickly as possible – because we don’t want to miss out.

When traffic lights turn green, I like to get moving as quickly as possible.  Why? Because I want to help motorists behind me get through the intersection without having to wait for another cycle of traffic light changes.

Just before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, he urged his followers to stay put in Jerusalem and to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was “get ready” and “get set”.

Ten days later, when the promised Holy Spirit came, it was all “GO!!”  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with signs and wonders that caught the attention of the thousands who were staying in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter points his audience to Jesus.  Peter calls them to repent and to be baptised into the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins – so they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Around 3000 people responded to the Good News of Jesus by being baptised. People from all nations came to celebrate a Jewish festival; many went home knowing Jesus!

God’s desire to bless all people is still his mission for us.  It happens as we share the love and Good News of Jesus with others.  Jesus tells us: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

God doesn’t want anyone to miss out.  Our Father wants every person to come into his family through Jesus so they can do life with him and inherit eternal life.  Given the heart of God and the eternal benefits for all who are in Christ, I wonder: “Why we slow to GO?”

Pentecost reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, change our hearts, and infuse our souls with God’s love for others – regardless of their cultural background.

May God infuse us with a fresh anointing of his Spirit that moves us to engage with our community – so that all may know Jesus and worship him.

Pr Rolly Stahl

An audio recording of a message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 16 May 2021.

Stay put. Don’t move. Wait.

Do you know how easy it is to sit still? Especially when you’re excited about something? Or if you’re frightened? Maybe all the time? Humankind is designed to move, yet over one hundred times in the Bible, we are reminded to quiet ourselves, sit still and wait for the Lord.

Why is this?

Why did the Spirit take a week to show up after the Ascension? Was it a test?

This week as we continue our theme on Stay, read through Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:4-8. Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple. Write down some thoughts about how you would have felt, what you would have thought and what you would have liked to do.

Then, on Sunday, we'll share some of those thoughts.

A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 16 May 2021.

Stay put. Don’t move. Wait.

Do you know how easy it is to sit still? Especially when you’re excited about something? Or if you’re frightened? Maybe all the time? Humankind is designed to move, yet over one hundred times in the Bible, we are reminded to quiet ourselves, sit still and wait for the Lord.

Why is this?

Why did the Spirit take a week to show up after the Ascension? Was it a test?

This week as we continue our theme on Stay, read through Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:4-8. Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple. Write down some thoughts about how you would have felt, what you would have thought and what you would have liked to do.

Then, on Sunday, we'll share some of those thoughts.