Atheism and Christianity – two different faiths?
1. In faith, atheists believe that God doesn’t exist, so supernatural events cannot happen. This faith is based on materialism and the scientific method.
2. In faith, Christians believe that God does exist, and that God chooses to get involved in this world. This faith is based on the account of Jesus passed down to us from eye-witnesses.
With two vastly different world views, it is difficult to engage in meaningful conversation. As a committed Christian theist, all my evidence for believing in Jesus is dismissed as invalid by an atheist friend. And my atheist friend is alarmed that I can believe in God doing miracles! I guess that 100 years from now, we will both know who was right.
I believe that my faith is a gift of God, worked by the Holy Spirit through the Good News of Jesus. If my atheist friend comes to faith in Jesus, it will also be a miracle worked by the Spirit of God. In the meantime, I keep praying for the Holy Spirit to grant revelation to both me and my friend – so that we may both come into what God has prepared for those who love him.
This section from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Christians helps me make sense of the difficulty in communicating between the two faiths perspectives: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" - but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God; so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them, because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-14 NIV)
Pr Rolly Stahl
Prayer Requests Not included in this newsletter, but if you would like to view the current requests, refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this Newsletter. If you have a prayer request or wish to be covered by prayer please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
This week we continue the series, “Hope that lasts forever (How Jesus’ resurrection rubs against everyday life)”. This week’s message: HOPE for Our Ultimate Healing. Every time we get hurt or fall sick, we long to be well again. So we dress our wounds, rest our strained muscles, take medicine, or seek out doctors in the hope of healing.
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, Colossians 3:1-4
Kingdom Kids at the 10:30am service for ages 0-12.
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is on holidays.
Our program for term 2 will begin on Sunday 29th April. We look forward to seeing you all then.
Baby Zone
We will run sessions during the term 1 school holidays. We hope you can join us.
Urgent prayer
Baby Zone is struggling to survive with very few team members and no team leader. For this reason we have had to cancel the program on several occasions. Please pray for this ministry and consider getting involved.
Play Group
Playgroup is recommencing on Wednesday 2nd May and we look forward to seeing you there. Contact Beth for more info 8258 4878.
Move Urban Dance
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!
Step Up To Communion 2012
Our invitations for this year’s Step Up program have been sent. If you would like to be involved but missed out, please email or call me so that I can send you the information ASAP.
Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
8263 5087
BSF (BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP) is an interdenominational women’s bible study happening weekly at Good Shepherd.
Each Tuesday morning from 9:30-11:30 between 50-60 women of all ages are meeting to study God’s word.
Babies and children up to school age are wonderfully cared for and taught in their own age-specific classes.
This year the focus is on the book of Acts. Would you like to join us? Turn up on any Tuesday morning to join an introductory class, or contact Sonia Hulme on 7122 2903 for more information.
Please note office closed for staff meeting
On Thursday 26th April from 9.00 to 10.00am.
Women's Fellowship
Instead of our regular meeting which would have been on 1st May you are encouraged to attend the 46th Lutheran Women of SA (LWSA) Convention on Thursday 3rd May 2012 in St Peter's Lutheran Church Loxton from 9.30am - 3.45pm. Please bring BYO lunch and cup.
If you would like to participate in a day trip by bus, please phone Jan on 8264 8288. The bus will leave Para Vista Church at 6.00am and return by approx.7.00pm. The fare will be approx. $45.00. There are still a few seats available.
The June meeting is a luncheon at 12noon in Para Vista Church Hall. Donation $10.00. Guest speaker Matthew Huckel on his experiences as a Music Therapist. Please phone Jan on 8264 8288 to book.
Upcoming Fundraising Events
A Night with the BordererS
The Event will be held on Saturday 26th May 2012 at the Para Vista Lutheran Church. Come along for a fun night with Jim and Alex. Bring your friends and make up a table of 10. Raffles, Lucky Squares, Lucky Spot Prize. Lots of dancing and fun for everyone. BYO alcohol, soft drinks and plate of nibbles. Tea and brewed coffee provided. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from the Church Office during office hours Mon - Fri. Hurry, they won't last long! All proceeds go to the Cebu Missionary Foundation in the Philippines.
The Event will be held on Saturday 26th May 2012 at the Para Vista Lutheran Church. Come along for a fun night with Jim and Alex. Bring your friends and make up a table of 10. Raffles, Lucky Squares, Lucky Spot Prize. Lots of dancing and fun for everyone. BYO alcohol, soft drinks and plate of nibbles. Tea and brewed coffee provided. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from the Church Office during office hours Mon - Fri. Hurry, they won't last long! All proceeds go to the Cebu Missionary Foundation in the Philippines.
Cebu Mission Fundraising Team
Thank you to all those who supported our Pancake Day in March, we raised $221 for the Cebu Mission.
We are still looking for another Team member, so if you are thinking you would like to be involved in some fundraising and have a passion for the poverty people, then please prayerfully consider joining our team.
Plant Stall
Our Fundraising Team have been asked to hold a Plant Stall at the Rubies Night on Fri 18th May. If you have any pot plants you don't want any more or some that you have potted up since my last request, then please bring them along to the Hall on Fri 18th. Please put a label on your plants as to what they are and flower colour if they flower. If you can't get your pots to the Hall, please contact Joan on 8262 7429.
If your plants aren't ready to sell by May, we will be holding our annual Plant Stall on 17th and 24th June, so bring them along then.
Thank you again.....in anticipation.
From the Office
Item for sale
A laminated office desk is for sale and is on display in the hall All offers will be considered.
On the Notice Board
Are you interested in seeking God’s blessing
for the health, life and mission of our Good Shepherd community?
If you are a person who loves to pray,
or if you like praying together with others,
or if would just like to try it out…
then please come along come to our:
Good Shepherd Prayer Gathering
Tuesday 1st May, 2012, 7:30 – 9pm
in the Worship Centre.
We will sing.
We will learn a little about prayer from the Psalms (so please bring your Bible along).
And we will pray.
Pr Rolly Stahl (We hope to have two more prayer gatherings in 2012: 7th August, 6th November)
Why You and I should be donkeys (so we can be sheep)
Explore what it means to follow Jesus into the most challenging places on earth, where drought and famine and conflict devastate people’s lives.
Come and hear Jonathan Krause (Community Action Manager for Australian Lutheran World Service) speak
on Wednesday 9th May at 7.30pm at St John’s Lutheran Church, Balmoral Road, Dernancourt
Supper to follow.
WANTED: Driver/ Shed Worker
Lutheran Community Care provides community services on behalf of the Lutheran Church in SA and NT through a range of programs.
We are in need of a driver/shed worker in our Blair Athol Lutheran Community Care Op Shop.
We need your skills as a driver/shed worker to help with deliveries, pick ups, dispatching of boxes and various goods, and other general duties. If you can spare several hours every Tuesday on a regular basis we'd love for you to join our friendly, dedicated team.
Contact: Natalie Bubner, Shops Manager 8269 9338
Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm
