In our new worship series: Questions that deserve an answer, we’re tackling some of the intellectual challenges of our time. Last Sunday, Pr Noel launched this series with some insightful responses to the question: Does science disprove God?
This Sunday’s question that deserves an answer: Can we trust the New Testament accounts of Jesus? We’ll be addressing two related issues:
1. Can we trust Jesus’ disciples told the truth?
Sceptics claim that the disciples “fabricated” their accounts, attributing miracles to Jesus to confirm him as the Son of God. When people with a naturalist world-view decide that miracles cannot happen, then no amount of historical evidence will convince them.
Yet to the open minded, the historical evidence is indeed compelling. No one living around that time denied Jesus’ miracles – not even the Jewish leaders who conspired to kill him!
Tens of thousands of people witnessed Jesus. The experiences of a bunch known as The Twelve were crucial to how the accounts of Jesus came about.
2. Can we trust the New Testament texts?
Some claim that the texts have been tampered with down through the centuries, and therefore cannot be trusted. In light of the evidence, we will see that the integrity of the New Testament text is exponentially more reliable than any other texts that have come down to us from ancient times.
Sunday Readings:
Luke 1:1-4 Luke affirms that accounts of Jesus - based on the first eyewitnesses - were in circulation.
1 John 1:1-4 The testimony of an eyewitness who - along with others - knew Jesus personally.
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
How to become a member at Good Shepherd
If you are interested in becoming a member of Good Shepherd we invite you to attend our next Discovery course in August. When you take the step to become a member of a local church you are making a commitment to God’s mission through that church. Discovery will provide you with the opportunity to hear about the exciting mission God has called Good Shepherd to and how you can be part of it.
Discovery is also a great way to get to know other people new to Good Shepherd who are considering membership. Our next Discovery course will be held over two evenings, Tuesday 18th and Tuesday 25th August. The first evening begins with a meal at 6.30pm in the church hall and finishes at 9pm. The second evening is from 7pm – 9pm in the Education Centre at the rear of the hall.
You can register for Discovery in the following ways: by phoning the office on 8263 5087, emailing churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or, by writing ‘I would like to register for Discovery’ on your Connect Card at a Sunday service.
This term, our focus will be on “Serving in our Church”. If you are a parent or grandparent, please remember to have your child or grandchild serve alongside you in your ministry area at least once this term. This will give the children an opportunity to think about where they might like to serve in their church as they grow.
Last Sunday we enjoyed a presentation from Maranatha Ministry. The children were given an opportunity to serve in the Maranatha Ministry through prayer and making things to sell at our end of term service event.
This Sunday we have Perry coming in to talk to the children about Worship Hosting. All zones will combine in the school library to begin with before breaking off into their zones.
Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.
Baby Zone
We would like to remind parents of babies and toddlers about our wonderful Baby Zone room! In Baby Zone we talk about the same simple topic for one month.
Our topic for August is: “God Gives Me Friends”
David and Jonathan Were Friends (See 1 Samuel 18:1-4) Love each other (See John 15:12)
This month your child will:
- hear songs and words about God’s gift of friends;
- feel glad to be with his or her friends;
- play with toys and materials to learn about friends.
Faith at Home
August booklet out now! Pick up a copy of the August booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk and the parenting room.
Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker
Prayer Requests:
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
From the Office
Audio Visual for Hall
The tech team have completed modifications for audio visual (AV) in the hall. The system can now be run independently to the church. To operate the system a key will need to be signed out from the front office. For any questions on the system please contact the administration staff.
Results from the extraordinary meeting of the members of the congregation
On Sunday 19th July an extraordinary meeting of the members of the congregation was held to make a decision about the future direction of the Good Shepherd Village. The Village Board wishes to thank all those who attended and prayerfully considered this matter. The motion put forward was:
That the PVLHI Board be authorised to negotiate the assumption of the assets of PVLHI by Fullarton Lutheran Homes Incorporated (FLH) under the certain conditions:
The decision in favour of the motion was unanimously agreed to and the board will now progress the merger of Para Vista Lutheran Homes with Fullerton Lutheran Homes.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from the information rack at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942
Heating our facility
To assist all users of our facility in keeping warm the following actions will help to heat the areas in an economical way. When heaters are turned on, ensure the ceiling fans are turned on to a low speed. For the auditorium the switches are located in the rear corridor and speed setting 5 or 4 will suffice. In the hall and the rear right of the auditorium the fans are in the dark boxes on the ceiling. The switches for these are located along the northern brick wall in line with the fans. Select speed setting medium.
Valiant Man DVD
The office is looking for a DVD of ‘Valiant Man’ by Allan Meyer. If anyone has one they’d like to sell - please ring the office or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Noticeboard
Friends of Lutheran Archives - Why did Martin Luther see educational changes as critical for his theological reformation? What educational insights from Luther are relevant for the LCA today? Dr Malcolm Bartsch, emeritus ALC lecturer, will explore the topic 'Learning for faith and for life: Martin Luther as educational reformer in home, school, university and church' at the (FoLA) meeting on Monday August 24, 7.30 pm in Bethlehem House, Flinders Street, Adelaide. Supper & Gold coin donation. All welcome!
Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $11 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.
“Love one another”
1 John 3:23
