Monday, January 28, 2008

Who Am I?

Hello again!
Can you believe it? Two posts on the same day!! Finally, my free host managed to upload the entire file, so here it is for you!

This week, visiting Pastor Fred Veerhuis from St Paul's Lutheran Church - Sydney brings us a message about who we are and how we respond to who Jesus Christ is. This was recorded at our monthly evening service: if you find yourself in Wollongong on the last Sunday of each month, won't you join in worship with us? We worship in a very relaxed manner with no pressure; a great way to finish the day and get ready for Monday morning!

Click to download and listen: Who Am I?

Sunday 27 January 2008
Epiphany 3

Prayer of the Day.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming as the light for the world. Shine into our darkness, so that we see God's love, and follow in the way you show us. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings for the Week.
Isaiah 9:1-4
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Photo credit: 'Who Am I ?' by Bensik Imeri, Landskrona, Skåne, Sweden.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

A Fond Farewell...

Hello Again!
This week, we reach a milestone in the history of our Parish- Pastor John leaves to take up another parish in Renmark, South Australia.


A farewell gift from the Ladies Group presented by Mrs Carmel J.


Pastor John and Family share a prayer with St Johns Congregation Chairman Michael D.

So, in this last message, join Pastor John in his presentation of the Word and in a fond farewell to the Illawarra Lutheran Parish.

Click to download and listen:
A Fond Farewell (Grace Full).


Illawarra Lutheran Parish
20 January 2008
Epiphany 2


Prayer of the Day.
Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Take away our sin and make us your holy people. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Reading for the Week.
Isaiah 49:1-7
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Photo credit: 'Aloha' by Margan Zajdowicz, Rockville, MD, United States.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Belonging.

Hi All,
How much do you love those that you love? Kids, parents, siblings, friends: they all have a place in our heart that causes us to do things we wouldn't do for a stranger, even from our own culture.
Why then, did Christ come to give His life for all of us? Would you give up your very life for your family, let alone an evil stranger from another culture? No. But that's the point! Christ was the only one who could do such a thing, and so He was accepted in the eyes of the God of perfection, his father.

Click to listen: Belonging.

January 13 2008
Epiphany 1

Prayer of the Day
Loving Father, you anoited Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed Him as you dear Son. Thank you for making us your children by water and the Spirit. Keep us faithful to you throughout our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

This Weeks Readings.
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

Photo credit: 'Friends' by Gabriella Fabbri, Rapallo, GE, Italy.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Going and Growing!


Hello Again!

In this week of Epiphany, Pastor John preaches from the text of the reading this week: Ephesians 3:1-12.

This text gives us a glimpse into the very mind of God. Revealed in His word is the fact that He wants ALL humans to spend eternity with Him.

But how does a perfect God, who cannot stand any imperfection, have a relationship with sinful people?

Listen to Pastor John as he walks us through this wonderful plan of God in Christ Jesus!

Click to listen: Going and Growing.

Prayer of the Day.
Eternal God, you led the wise men by the shining of a star to adore your Son. Guide the nations by His light, so that the whole world sees your glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

This Weeks Readings.
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

Photo credit: 'Finished Projects 1' by Sanja Gjenero, Zagreb, Croatia.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

A New Beginning!

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!
It's been a while, but I've finally been able to upload a huge batch of Pastor John's messages for December 2007 at a new file host.
So without further ado:


Prayer of the Day
Almighty and merciful God, we thank you for sending your Son to become human like us, so that we might become your children. Make us who trust in Jesus to be more and more like him. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

This Weeks Readings.
Isaiah 63: 7-9
Hebrews 2: 10-18
Matthew 2: 13-23

Photo credit: 'New Year Graphics' by Owais Khan, Karachi, Pakistan.