What do we make of miracles?
Lots of people refuse to believe in miracles because they
assume there is no God. Or even if there was, God would not override the laws
of nature that he created in the first place.
Since the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven
scientifically or philosophically, the denial of God’s existence is just as
much a statement of faith as believing
that God exists!
If one acknowledges the possibility of God’s existence, then
surely the Creator of all that exists could also work miracles. Christians
believes that God exists, and that God is personally involved in his creation.
We hold that the Bible is a record of God’s involvement in his world - for all
of us.
Not every page of the Bible mentions a miracle. Yet, we read accounts of God acting in human
history in spectacular ways. So when God
visits planet earth in his Son Jesus, we should not be surprised that Jesus
“speaks” restoration into the brokenness of our world.
Timothy Keller makes these incisive comments:
Jesus’
miracles…were never magic tricks, designed to impress and coerce. Instead, he
used miraculous power to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and raise the dead.
People tend to think of miracles as the suspension of the natural order. The
Bible says that God did not originally make the world to be filled with
disease, hunger, and death. Jesus’ miracles are not just proofs that he has
power, but wonderful foretastes of what he is going to do with that power.
Jesus came and is coming again to redeem the world where it is wrong and heal
the world where it is broken.
Timothy Keller, The
Reason for God – Conversations on Faith and Life. Discussion Guide – Six
Sessions (Zondervan, 2010), 18.
I find myself saying “YES!” How about you? Jesus’ miracles demonstrate that the
brokenness we experience was not God’s intended purpose for us. They are “foretastes” of how Jesus will make
everything right again at the end. The
crucified and risen Jesus will return and make “all things new” – including those
who trust and follow him. So why not say
“Yes” to Jesus – and be part of God’s restoration plan?!
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
Timothy
Keller’s book, The Reason for God, Belief
in an Age of Scepticism is one of the best books I’ve ever read, addressing
common objections against Christian faith with warmth and clarity. Our church
library has a copy, call number: 231/KEL
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 in the series
“You Got It! (Colossians)”. This
week’s message is “Radical
Relationships” Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
(Col 3:20 NIV)
Bible Reading: Colossians 3:18-4:1
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids is in recess for the school holidays. We look forward to
starting our exciting program for term 2 on the 5th May.
Baby Zone would like to thank you for the donations that have already
been received. We are very grateful! There are still a few materials needed so
please have a look over the list below for any items that you may be able to
donate for our exciting new program.
Small plastic watering can and toy
gardening tools
Colourful scarves for waving around
(small ie. bandana size)
A few animal puppets
A few people puppets
1 set of plastic bowls
(ie. Ikea ones),
1 set of plastic spoons,
1 set of plastic cups
(ie. Ikea ones),
1 set of plastic spoons,
1 set of plastic cups
1 set of large plastic toy food
Several fake/plastic/silk flowers
Several soft balls
Unbreakable mirror
2 magnifying glasses
2 masking tape (thin)
2 clear sticky tape (thin)
1 pkt Blu tac
5 small glue sticks
Blue and green crepe paper
1 pkt large paper plates
Playgroup is in recess over the school holidays. We will be starting
up again on Wednesday 2nd May.
Little
Lambs Playgroup is looking for a new coordinator. There is an amazing team of
ladies who run the playgroup together; we are looking for someone to oversee
and coordinate this team! Please consider if this might be you?
Laura Carson - Children
and Family Team Leader
Step Up 2013
Step Up is generally aimed at
children in grade 5 who are interested or have a desire to participate in Holy
Communion.
Our planned dates are:
Sunday 5 May – Step Up lunch following the 10.30am
service.
Fridays 10, 17, 24, 31 May – probably at 7:30pm
Possible dates for Step Up to
receive Holy Communion: Sunday 9 June or 23 June.
All sessions will be held in the
Good Shepherd Primary School. Mary Jo Zwar is our Step Up facilitator – and she
is fabulous. We ask at least one parent to attend each session with their
child.
To register, please notify our
church office (8263 5087 or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au) with names (child and parent/s) as well as contact information (email
and phone).
Women’s Fellowship
Next meeting: Tuesday 7th
May, 1.00pm @ Para Vista Church Hall.
The theme is “My Cup Runneth Over”
Bring your favourite cup/mug/glass
and tell us why it is special to you
Cebu Missionary
Foundation News
- Firstly, a very big thankyou to all who bought tickets for the River Boat
Music Cruise. What a wonderful night it was! We had great music
from the Adelaide Old Time String Band, who all donated their time and talents
for the night.....Thankyou! Many thanks to those on board,
who so generously bought raffle tickets, lucky squares, coin slide, guessing how many Ringpulls in a jar, etc. Congratulations to all the prize winners and many thanks to all those who donated the prizes. We raised the wonderful sum of $2370 for the Mission!
who so generously bought raffle tickets, lucky squares, coin slide, guessing how many Ringpulls in a jar, etc. Congratulations to all the prize winners and many thanks to all those who donated the prizes. We raised the wonderful sum of $2370 for the Mission!
Next Fundraiser is the Sausage Sizzle Day on
Sunday 26th May after both morning services. There will also be Steak
Sandwiches available after 2nd service. Have some lunch and stay for the church
AGM at 12.30pm. We will also be holding our annual Plant Stall on Sunday 23rd
June and possibly the following Sunday 30th also. You are welcome to pot
up some plants from your garden now and donate to the stall in June. More
details later or ask Joan McCarthy by calling 0402 469 433.
Joan McCarthy (Team Leader)
Joan McCarthy (Team Leader)
Card Stall
A variety of cards will be on sale again 5th May 2013
after both morning services. Sue will also have a unique range of
Mother’s Day cards for sale as well. Treat mum to something special and support
the Cebu Missionary Foundation.
Maranatha Health
Breakfast at Bron's on 18th May
Hi everyone, come and join us 18th May for another
“Breakfast at Brons” to raise money for Maranatha Health. Get a group together
and enjoy a morning of fun and laughter… Come any time during the morning… Send
an email or text one of us to make a booking. Look forward to seeing many of
you there.
Bron and the team
From the Office
A view of Adelaide to be experienced - I am seeking the assistance of a couple of
members to assist in cleaning the gutters here at Para Vista. The task would
only involve an hour of spare time whilst being able to gain a view of the
surrounding area not normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the
office on 8263 5087 or put on your Sunday welcome card your intention to be
part of the “View Adelaide with a
difference” team.
Soft
Dividers For Sale/Donation - The church has a number of soft room
divider surplus to requirement. The
dividers are self-standing in various colours and in good condition. Each divider is approximately 1200mm wide X
1800mm high. Please contact the church
office or Stephen on 8263 5087 churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Member
for the Village board - There are currently 2 vacancies
on the Good Shepherd Village Board for 2013.
One is minute
secretary- role is to take the minutes of the Board meetings. Other secretarial
duties of the Board are fulfilled by other Board members. If you interested or
want additional information contact Board Chair Faye Godfrey – 8264 7415 or
Stephen Zanker 8263 5087 szanker@paravista.org.au
For
Sale - The
church has three professional table
tennis tables for sale. Please contact
Stephen or the front office on 8263 5087or via email szanker@paravista.org.au
for further information.
Staff
Leave
Noel from 18 April to 1 May,
Helen from 17 April to 6 May
Stephen from 29 April to 6 May
Notice Board
'Prepare Training' for
Facilitators
Training
qualifies educators to deliver the Preparing for Marriage program for couples,
which assists in focussing on critical relationship issues, identifying areas
of strength and potential growth, and choosing a positive direction for the
future. Educators must have relevant training in teaching, social work, family
therapy or pastoral care.
Prepare Core Training, Friday 14 June
[9.30am-4pm]
Going Deeper Training, Friday 12 July
[9.30am-3pm]
Venue: Magill
Cost: $250.00
[NB:
Fee covers both training days, but you can attend the second session later in
the year if preferred]
Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity 12-19 May 2013
An outline of a
service that may be adapted for local use has been prepared by a small group
through SA Council of Churches. It is available at www.sacc.asn.au or phone 8215
0300.
The Service invites
us all to:
- Give thanks for all that the Churches do together
- Consider any place within our own denomination – eg synod, board, council, congregation, agency, committee - in need of healing, especially as it pertains to the structures, practices, systems or processes
- Pray for God’s grace to move from fractured witness to a deeper expression of unity in Christ within this place in our church.
From Fractured Witness to
Healing, Wholeness and Unity in Christ: Ecumenical Prayer Service during Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity
“…that they may all
be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21) South Australian
Council of Churches invites
you to a service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Wednesday 15 May 2013, 8am - 9am
- Parkside Baptist Church, 100 Young Street, Parkside
RSVPs would be helpful, or for more
information, contact Geraldine Hawkes, South Australian Council of
Churches. E: sacc1@picknowl.com.au | Ph: 8215 0300 | www.sacc.asn.au
Receptive Ecumenism
Workshop
- Wednesday 15 May 2013, 7.30pm for 7.45pm - concluding with supper at 9.15pm
- Morialta Uniting Church, 26 Chapel Street, Magill
The workshop,
hosted by Morialta UCA and Magill Interchurch Council, will explore key
elements of Receptive Ecumenism and what possibilities exist for action at the
local level. It will be facilitated by Marelle Harisun (Uniting
Church), Drew Thomas (Quaker) and Geraldine Hawkes (SA Council of Churches)
Making Disciples of All
Faith Connections for
Adults with Intellectual Disability
Saturday,
18th May, 2013
9.00am
– 1.00pm
Venue:
Golden Grove Lutheran Fellowship
Address:
Corner of Sunnybrook and Richardson Drive,
Wynn Vale
Venue: To get
there: Bus Stop 57 on the M44 bus route
Cost: $15, payable on the day, includes materials
and morning tea
Barmera Parish Dried Apricots Missions Fund
Raising
Each 500gm bag is
sold for $10.50. The apricots are grown without any sprays, but do have Sulphur
preservative. They come straight from the grower so have not been
rehydrated as have those which are commercially available
in Supermarkets. MORE apricot, LESS water for your money, so
good value.
Except for a quite
small amount retained for maintenance, the Funds raised this year will be
forwarded through the Lutheran Board for Missions to Projects we have already
supported in Cambodia and to the Mango Tree Rehabilitation Centre for the
Disabled in Tonga, via NazCare Australia Inc.
Apricots are now available from the church
office. Call in during office hours 9am – 3.45pm Monday to Friday. Orders: phone 8263 5087 or via email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Lutheran Church
of Australia, SA/NT District Job Opportunity DIRECTOR FOR CHAPLAINCY MINISTRIES
Up to Fulltime Position (negotiable) Commencing 1st July, 2013
The LCA, SA/NT District has a created a new Department for
Chaplaincy Ministries to support and grow chaplaincy ministries in the
District. We are seeking a suitably qualified person to fill the position of
Director. Contact Kate Hampel 8267 5211 Email: Kate.Hampel@sa.lca.org.au for the position description
Applications close Friday 17th May, 2013
Forgive everyone everything
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
