Para Vista Lutheran Church

God's Gifts into Gear: Pastor Rolly Stahl

In Romans 12:1-8,  Paul anchors us in the grace of God which brings us into a life of worship. It’s about renewing our minds in God’s truth and putting our bodies, hearts and minds into acts of serving others. It’s getting God’s gifts into gear. It’s what God made us for!
Romans 12:1-8

Hope Fuelled Generosity: Pastor Rolly Stahl

In our culture, advertising sows seeds of discontent, enticing us to buy, consume, and accumulate. The Fear Of Missing Out drives our choices and habits. We confuse our needs with wants, and our wants are never ending! As if this life is ALL there is… and whoever has the most toys wins!
Have we lost sight of our identity, security and destiny in Jesus?
Jesus urges us to lift up our eyes to heaven and focus on what will last forever. In Christ Jesus you're a loved child of the King, with an eternity to enjoy all the treasures of heaven! With certain hope of that inheritance, we can experience contentment in life and practice the joy of being generous!
Matthew 6:19-24, 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19

What is Given...: Pastor Reid Matthias

I want you to know about the gift that keeps on giving. It’s grace, isn’t it? Certainly, when we think about gifts, we think about money, time, objects given to people we know and love, but true grace is an unmerited gift or sacrifice to people we may not know (or may not even like). The people in Asia Minor had experienced this unmerited favour of God and were brought to their knees begging to be part of the grace-ful opportunities that marked life in the body of Christ.

So was the church in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The Comforted by the Comforter: Pastor Peter Steicke

Peter Steicke walks us through the journey of comfort in the Holy Spirit. Using the text from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Peter sheds light on the difficult path of suffering that pushes us towards God who in turn then pushes us back to each other so that we, as a body, suffer and rejoice together in spite of all difficulties.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11 ESV

Do You Want to Get Well?: Pastor Reid Matthias

This week, we see through the eyes of the Suffering Servant how the glory of God is revealed in the man who the world has considered ‘incomplete’. He has waited thirty-eight years by the pool of Bethesda. Every day, as he gazes up towards the temple of Israel on its mountain, he is reminded that he can never make it there - so he must settle for the scraps of people who are allowed into the courtyard.
And then, the one with all the power arrives…
John 15:1-15

Jesus Shows Us How to Care: Pastor Rolly Stahl

What can we learn from Jesus as we participate in HIS ongoing ministry of care to grieving and hurting people? As much as Jesus’ miracles amaze me, I am equally impressed with the pastoral care Jesus gives to people one on one. This Sunday we explore a time when Jesus turns up at a funeral, and reaches out to a widow with compassion and care.
Deuteronomy 24:17-22, Luke 7:11-17

Being careful: Pastor Reid Matthias

The Father’s heart, Jesus, was transplanted into the body of Christ, the Church. Now its life is mysteriously and miraculously hidden in the Father.

Praise, Serve, Obey:- Pastor Rolly Stahl

How are we to respond to the unfailing love of God the Father who created and sustains us; for the grace of our Lord Jesus who has made us right in God’s eyes; and to the Holy Spirit who has created faith in our once dead hearts and made us alive forever with Christ?

We explore three words that shape our response to our Father’s compassion on us as his dearly loved and forgiven children: Praise, Serve, Obey.

The Protection of God the Father: Pastor Reid Matthias

As Paul writes to the Ephesians who are in the midst of a true struggle against the enemy, Satan, and not human flesh and blood, there is a hidden and beautiful piece of scripture that reminds us the function of the armour is much more important.

Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

He's got the Whole World in His Hands: - Pastor Rolly Stahl

Jesus’ death and resurrection demonstrates the Father’s love for us - and assures our future. The world we live in is not perfect, and neither are we. Yet, because we are in Christ, we trust our Father has got the whole world in his hands – including us. ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)