Para Vista Lutheran Church

Mission in Africa (Video)

What is it we are called to do in our lives?
Matt and Dodie Dutschke, along with some friends, went to Kenya in June to show the heart of Jesus to African communities. They felt a compelling urge to make a difference and have been actively involved in printing Good News Readers. By sharing the Gospel, they felt a need to put their faith into action in practical ways. Matt and Dodie believe that if everyone fulfills their calling through action, our world would be a better place.
Jesus had a heart for the poor, the widows and orphans, and we who have much, can make a difference for those that have nothing.
It does not matter where you feel called, it could be serving at the local church soup kitchen, it could be cleaning the church, it could be visiting the sick, but God has a plan for us all to make a difference for good in our world.
This Sunday, Matt and Dodie will share a snapshot of their trip to Kenya. They had many “God moments”, tears of heart break yet many tears of joy. Come and hear their story.
Matt and Dodie

Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (Message) and Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)

Mission in Africa (Audio)

What is it we are called to do in our lives?
Matt and Dodie Dutschke, along with some friends, went to Kenya in June to show the heart of Jesus to African communities. They felt a compelling urge to make a difference and have been actively involved in printing Good News Readers. By sharing the Gospel, they felt a need to put their faith into action in practical ways. Matt and Dodie believe that if everyone fulfills their calling through action, our world would be a better place.
Jesus had a heart for the poor, the widows and orphans, and we who have much, can make a difference for those that have nothing.
It does not matter where you feel called, it could be serving at the local church soup kitchen, it could be cleaning the church, it could be visiting the sick, but God has a plan for us all to make a difference for good in our world.
This Sunday, Matt and Dodie will share a snapshot of their trip to Kenya. They had many “God moments”, tears of heart break yet many tears of joy. Come and hear their story.
Matt and Dodie

Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (Message) and Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)

Freed from Offence (Audio)

Have you noticed how easily people are offended these days? Or perhaps it’s you who’s quick to take offence. It’s not simply a societal issue but a personally spiritual one.  Offence robs us of joy, perhaps also shutting us off from growth and freedom. In our bible reading from Mark 6 we’re told that the crowd took offence at Jesus, and he could do no mighty work there (Mark 6:3-6). As we unpack this Scripture, we’ll not only explore how we can live free from offence, but how we can also bring freedom to others.

Pastor Peter Steicke

Bible Readings: Mark 6:1-6 (NRSVA)

Freed from Offence (Video)

Have you noticed how easily people are offended these days? Or perhaps it’s you who’s quick to take offence. It’s not simply a societal issue but a personally spiritual one.  Offence robs us of joy, perhaps also shutting us off from growth and freedom. In our bible reading from Mark 6 we’re told that the crowd took offence at Jesus, and he could do no mighty work there (Mark 6:3-6). As we unpack this Scripture, we’ll not only explore how we can live free from offence, but how we can also bring freedom to others.

Pastor Peter Steicke

Bible Readings: Mark 6:1-6 (NRSVA)

Serving Jesus In All You Do (Audio)

I will shortly be retiring. With my retirement looming, it’s natural to ask, “What’s next?” You can retire from your employment, but not from God’s calling on your life. This means that rather than experiencing retirement as a loss of vocation, it is instead a refocussing of our vocation. It is a season when we have more time to focus on other callings than our employment and earning a living. My job is what I’m paid to do. My on-going calling is to serve Jesus and be a blessing to those around me in Jesus’ name (verse 17). This on-going calling is not merely what I do, at a deeper level it helps to define who I am as a follower of Jesus. This has relevance not only for those who are retired, but for all of us and in all the different seasons of life and for whatever situation you find yourself in, especially in times of changing circumstances.

This is also a reminder that our dignity is not determined by our pay cheque! And contrary to the deceitful lie that our culture tells us, the contributions that we make to the lives of others, are not measurable by the dollar! So, as we step into something new (a new season; a new job; a new relationship; a new city; a new responsibility), we do well to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance (verse 15) and prayerfully ask the question: “How can I serve and honour God and be a blessing to others in this new situation?”
Exploring that may turn out to be the most important (and fulfilling) thing that we ever get to do.
Pastor Richard Haar

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT)

Serving Jesus In All You Do (Video)

I will shortly be retiring. With my retirement looming, it’s natural to ask, “What’s next?” You can retire from your employment, but not from God’s calling on your life. This means that rather than experiencing retirement as a loss of vocation, it is instead a refocussing of our vocation. It is a season when we have more time to focus on other callings than our employment and earning a living. My job is what I’m paid to do. My on-going calling is to serve Jesus and be a blessing to those around me in Jesus’ name (verse 17). This on-going calling is not merely what I do, at a deeper level it helps to define who I am as a follower of Jesus. This has relevance not only for those who are retired, but for all of us and in all the different seasons of life and for whatever situation you find yourself in, especially in times of changing circumstances.

This is also a reminder that our dignity is not determined by our pay cheque! And contrary to the deceitful lie that our culture tells us, the contributions that we make to the lives of others, are not measurable by the dollar! So, as we step into something new (a new season; a new job; a new relationship; a new city; a new responsibility), we do well to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance (verse 15) and prayerfully ask the question: “How can I serve and honour God and be a blessing to others in this new situation?”
Exploring that may turn out to be the most important (and fulfilling) thing that we ever get to do.
Pastor Richard Haar

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT)

Living as an Overcomer (Audio)

All of us have areas of our lives where we feel challenged or overwhelmed. What if it’s in this precise area you can grow as an overcomer? This Sunday we’ll be looking at David up against Goliath and see how we too can be victorious over the giants that assail us.
As Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Pastor Peter Steicke

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 17:4-49 (NCV), John 16:33 (ESV)

Living as an Overcomer (Video)

All of us have areas of our lives where we feel challenged or overwhelmed. What if it’s in this precise area you can grow as an overcomer? This Sunday we’ll be looking at David up against Goliath and see how we too can be victorious over the giants that assail us.
As Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Pastor Peter Steicke

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 17:4-49 (NCV), John 16:33 (ESV)

What are you living for? (Audio)

A message by Pastor David Altus.

What gets you up in the morning, keeps you together during the day, and keeps you going to the end? We all need a reason and motivation for living. In today’s Bible reading St Paul reflects on
the motivation and power behind his life and ministry, something every Christian can live by.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

What are you living for? (Video)

A message by Pastor David Altus.

What gets you up in the morning, keeps you together during the day, and keeps you going to the end? We all need a reason and motivation for living. In today’s Bible reading St Paul reflects on
the motivation and power behind his life and ministry, something every Christian can live by.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636