HOPE that lasts forever!
HOPE is a word often reduced to something bland, weak, insipid. We use the word to mean a vague wish or a desired outcome:
- I HOPE the weather's fine tomorrow.
- I HOPE I have enough money to tie me over till pay day.
- I HOPE that things are well with you.
- I HOPE you're not angry with me.
- I HOPE my footy team wins today.
- I HOPE I pass my exams this semester.
- I HOPE my “cunning plan” comes to fruition.
Such hopes can easily be dashed with a change in weather; or by circumstances, hormones, feelings, other people, or the mistakes we make.
But we also use the word HOPE to mean something solid, true, and foundational for our everyday existence:
- HOPE keeps you alive.
- HOPE is what keeps you going when it hits the fan.
- HOPE gives you something to live for in spite of dark and difficult days.
- HOPE is having a certain conviction about how things will ultimately turn out in the end… based on God’s promises.
· HOPE is what enables Christians to say at the funeral of a loved one who's fallen asleep in Jesus, "It's been a good day!"
Your source of HOPE is tried when the specialist gets your results, looks you in the eye, and says: "According to your test results, you have about four weeks to live. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do!"
The reality of death - which in time will confront every one of us - begs the question, "Then what?" And whatever answers we come up with, there's another question: "How can I be sure?" Is our answer based on a “vague wish” or a “desired outcome”?
As Christians, our HOPE is based on Jesus' resurrection. It is not a blind leap into the dark, but founded on facts recorded in the New Testament documents. It's based on solid historical evidence that warrants a reasonable conclusion.
The resurrection of Jesus is the single event that distinguishes Christianity from all other world religions. Through the resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that he does not stand in a line of peers with Abraham, Buddha, Mohamed or Confucius. He is utterly unique. He has the power not only to lay down his life, but to take it up again. And that spells H.O.P.E. for every one of us…HOPE that lasts forever.
Following our Easter celebrations until Pentecost, our next worship series will be: HOPE that lasts forever! We will look at: resurrection versus reincarnation, our ultimate healing, our home in heaven, the future of creation, our hope for justice, prayer, and how the Holy Spirit creates hope in our hearts. Come and have your HOPE refreshed as we explore how Jesus’ resurrection impacts our everyday life, death, and eternity!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Prayer Requests For privacy the prayer list is not included in this Blog but if you would like to view the current requests refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this site. If you have a prayer request or wish to be covered by prayer please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Praise point As we welcome Hayley Matilda Schultz into God’s family through baptism.
This week we continue the series, “Jesus crosses the boundaries”. This week’s message: Jesus crosses the boundaries to serve others.
How do you measure or define greatness? Is it about power, position, personality, wealth, influence or accomplishment? Is greatness about being in the Guinness Book of records, or becoming a world champion at some sport, or setting a new world record? Find out what Jesus has to say about greatness.
Bible Reading: Mark 11:1-11; Mark 8:27-34; Mark 9:33-37
Easter service times
Maundy Thursday 7.30pm with Holy Communion
Good Friday 8.45am and 10.30am
Easter Sunday 8.45am and 10.30am with Holy Communion.
PLEASE NOTE NO 6pm Service on 15th April – due to the NOVO Camp
Kingdom Kids at the 10:30am service for ages 0-12.
Kingdom Kids
Come along this Sunday for our 2012 Easter Celebration. It is going to be a jam packed morning of adventure as we learn more about the true meaning of Easter. We hope to see you there. We would like to invite the 8:45am families to join us at 10:30am as there will be no Kingdom Kids at the early service. Gold coin donation per family.
Baby Zone
We still need 4 more volunteers on our Baby Zone team. Please contact Laura Carson ASAP if you are interested.
Play Group
Come along next Wednesday to our 2012 Easter Celebration and final week for term 1.
When: Wednesday 4th April @ 9:30am -11:30am
Where: Church Hall
Who: anyone with children or grandchildren 5 years and under
What: Easter Celebration including special crafts, Easter egg hunt, shared morning tea, story and music time and free play. Everyone is welcome
Contact Beth for more info: 8258 4878
Can you help? We are looking for church members who could come to play group once every now and then to;
1. cut up fruit for morning tea
2. welcome new families
3. help wash up after morning tea
4. read to the kids in our quiet corner
5. chat to families around the adults morning tea table. It would be great to have someone or a few people from our church community sitting around the morning tea table to chat with and encourage new families from our community .Could you help in one of these ways? Please contact Beth for more info.
Move Urban Dance
There will be no dance on Thursday the 5th April due to Easter Celebrations at the church. Dance for term 2 will start up again on the 26th April. Well done to everyone involved. What a great first term it has been!
Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
8263 5087
Women's Fellowship
The meeting on 3rd April will be a bus outing to Vadoulis Garden Centre, Gawler and includes lunch. Bus leaves Para Vista church at 11.00am and returns at 3.30pm. You will need to bring $8.00 for your bus fare plus lunch money and extra if garden shopping.
Another date for your diary is the LWSA Convention at Loxton on Thursday 3rd May. If you are interested in this day bus trip, please phone Jan on 8264 8288.
Easter – Bringing Life to the City 
On Easter Sunday, 8th April, from 1pm to 4pm in Victoria Square, Adelaide (near the water fountain), you are invited to join with Christians from other churches to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. There will be live bands, festival activities and free refreshments. In the past, there has been an Easter march, but this year we are focussing on welcoming the public to a free festival where they can engage with the meaning of Easter.
Your support would be valued! Please pray for God’s leading and blessing upon the Easter Sunday Festival, and I would love to hear whether you can help out on the team!
Yours in Christ, David Christian, on behalf of the SA Awakening Executive (Fusion Australia).Phone 08 8391 0063.
From the Office
Items for sale
Items including a Laminated office desk are on display in the hall All offers will be considered.
Thank you for the privilege
After just over 11 years, next Thursday I finish in my position as Administration Manager at Good Shepherd. I thank the Board and congregation for the honour of allowing me to serve in this capacity for an extended period. It is an important position, along with the entire Administration Team, as it frees the Ministry staff to concentrate on the ministry for which they are trained and employed to do.
When I commenced there were few structures in place. I can leave with confidence that very good procedures and practices are now in operation.
I look forward to the next chapter of my life without the stresses of paid employment.
John Dolling
Media Matters – Autumn Edition
Read the latest media ministry news. Your copy has been placed in your pigeon hole and outlines news and information about what Media Matters is doing and planning to do through radio, TV, Video and around the world via the internet. For further information FREECALL 1800 353 350, or www.lutheranmedia.org.au
The Lutheran
APRIL ISSUE OUT NOW
LEARNING TO FISH
Cambodia’s brand-new Lutherans know how to cast a net—and not
only for fish.
Cambodia’s brand-new Lutherans know how to cast a net—and not
only for fish.
A PLACE WITH SPACE
It’s not that doubters don’t have faith; they just need a space to explore.
It’s not that doubters don’t have faith; they just need a space to explore.
FAITH & FOOTY
A NSW footballer makes the sporting field his mission field.
A NSW footballer makes the sporting field his mission field.
Subscriptions – 11 issues per year; $39 Australia, $41 New Zealand.
notice board
Please check the church notice board for further details of all notice board news
SA/NT District Synod Song Competition
Write a New Faith Song for Synod
Sing a new song to the LORD! Psalm 98:1 (CEV)
And yes, we are looking for a new song! The SA / NT District of the Lutheran Church are meeting in Alice Springs this July for our synod. We would like to “Sing a New Song” on this year’s theme:
‘Love comes to life’.
‘The Lord make your love increase and overflow’
1 Thessalonians 3:12
We invite you submit a song on this theme and/or text.
An opportunity to express your faith in Jesus and to add to the worship music of our Church community.
See the letter of invitation on the notice board.
Friends of Lutheran Archives Special meeting. Topic: Re-enacting the Klemzig story. Hear about the Polish re-enactments of the departure of the first Lutherans from the Klemzig district to South Australia in 1838. Dr Anitta Maksymowicz will tell why the present-day Poles are interested in this and show a DVD of the events (see article in Together). (Note change of venue) At Concordia College Chapel, 45 Cheltenham St, Highgate, on Monday 2nd April at 7.30 pm. Gold coin donation.
The Lutheran Church of Australia will be conducting the 2012 Board for Lutheran Aged Care Australia conference in Adelaide from 2nd - 4th May 2012. Information and registration forms are available from the information area.
St. John's Lutheran Church, Tea Tree Gully
Would like to invite you to join them in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the church at
182 Hancock Road, Ridgehaven on Sunday 6th May 2012. Worship starts at 10.00am followed by a shared community lunch and an afternoon of fellowship.
182 Hancock Road, Ridgehaven on Sunday 6th May 2012. Worship starts at 10.00am followed by a shared community lunch and an afternoon of fellowship.
BREAKING THE CHAINS. An Easter Drama and Musical at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Aberfoyle Park.
St Stephen’s Lutheran Church presents “A Bloke Called Jesus”: the life and death of the Outback Christ. Good Friday, 6th April at 6pm and 8pm. 152 Wakefield Street, Adelaide.
Your help is still urgently needed ...
Lutheran Community Care is still in the midst of our Food Parcels+ Lenten Appeal and needs your help to support South Australian families doing it tough. The Food Parcels+ Appeal provides more than just a hand out through a parcel - it allows the staff and volunteers to provide support and care to individuals and families until they can make it on their own.
So far through your donations LCC have been able to provide over 380 Food Parcels+ to those in need. This is not far from the goal of 700 Food Parcels+ but further help is still needed. If you have not already done so could you help by making a donation to support this goal of giving 700 Food Parcels+ before Easter?
If you can't make the donation before Easter LCC can still use your support in the period following the holidays. The support we provide during this time after is just as important as the support given before so that we can continue to work with these families in need through Financial Counselling, Personal Counselling and Emergency Relief amongst more of the many services we offer across our sites.
To donate to the Lutheran Community Care Food Parcels+ Lenten Appeal, you can visit the website www.lccare.org.au or call the staff on 08 8269 9333. You can also fill out the Lutheran Community Care insert from the March edition of Together magazine. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
Grassroots Training at Australian Lutheran College
Over the next few months, Grassroots Training will hold the following workshops in Western Australia and South Australia. These workshops are open for all to attend.
- A two day workshop on ‘Spiritual Resilience’ led by Dr John Kleinig (Author of ‘Grace upon Grace: Spirituality for Today’), will be held at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Parkwood WA on 27th and 28th April.
- A team of presenters led by Rev Bob Kempe (ALC Lecturer in Clinical Pastoral Education) will run a series of workshops on ‘Building Healthy Relationships’. These workshops will be held on a Tuesday evening over 4 weeks from 17 April through to 8 May and will be held at Australian Lutheran College, North Adelaide SA.
- A two day workshop on ‘Leading Ministry Teams’ facilitated by Rev Robin Stelzer (Ministry Team Leader, Rochdale Qld), will be held at Tanunda on 1st and 2nd June.
Register for these workshops online now at www.alc.edu.au. To obtain more information, please phone 8267 7390 or email enquiries to: admin@grassroots.edu.au.
Vacancies
Please check the church notice board for details of all job vacancies
Lutheran Education Australia is seeking an Administrative Assistant.
Life is like a ten speed bike;
most of us have gears we never use!
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm
