Questions that deserve an answer has been our worship series over the last six weeks. Last Sunday’s question: What is God’s response to suffering? In a nutshell, God doesn’t give us an explanation; but an incarnation. In Jesus, God gets tangled up in our flesh and blood, and enters the depths of our human suffering. Jesus suffers with us. And Jesus suffers for us – to free us from its grip and bring us into his resurrection. Jesus brings us into God’s grand restoration plan.
As the final part of this series, Sunday’s topic touches on eternity: What about heaven and hell?
There are lots of ideas about this in pop-culture:
“I don’t want to be floating around on the clouds playing a harp!”
“If I do enough good things, then that should be enough to get me into heaven.”
“I want to go to hell because that’s where the wildest parties will be!”
“Really wicked people like mass-murderers deserve to go to hell.”
What is heaven like? How does a person end up there?
What is hell like? How does a person end up there?
Best to get the good oil on this from Jesus. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NLT)
Sunday Readings:
Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats.
Luke 16:19-31 Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Syrian Refugee Crisis
Your help is needed urgently for people fleeing the civil war in Syria. Through ALWS (Australian Lutheran World Service) you can help protect refugees seeking safety in neighbouring Jordan. You can make a donation at www.alws.org.au
In Kingdom Kids this term, our focus is “Serving in our Church”. If you are a parent or grand parent, please remember to have your child or grand child 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.
Serving in Our Church Wrap Up with Maranatha
On Sunday 20th September, Kingdom Kids will be wrapping up Term 3 by participating in the Maranatha Health Market Stall. Our Kingdom Kids have been praying for Maranatha Health throughout this term. We will be celebrating answered prayer and preparing for the stall. Please come along and encourage the Kingdom Kids after the 10.30 service at the stall and ask them about the prayers that God has answered!
Baby Zone
Did you know that Baby Zone runs during the school term at our 10.30am services for 0-2 year olds? In Baby Zone we talk about the same simple topic for one month.
Our topic for September is: I See God’s Love at Church
Jesus Came to Church (See Luke 2:22-38)
I like to come to church (See Psalm 122:1)
This month your child will:
- hear words and songs about God’s love;
- feel glad to be at church with people who demonstrate God’s love to them;
- participate in enjoyable activities at church.
Faith at Home
September booklet out now! Pick up a copy of the September 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.
Maranatha Health Market Stall
Join us on Sunday 20th September following our worship services for a cuppa and a chat and purchase some delectable goodies, with all proceeds to support Maranatha Health. The children of Kingdom Kids will be helping create and serve so please get involved too.
If baking or creating is one of your strengths, please bring a plate of baked goods or craftwork to sell at the market stall following the services. All donations of goods will be much appreciated!
For more information please speak to Bronwyn Holliday, Julie Freund, Wendy Hampel or Keren Sutton.
From the Office
Budget 2015
January thru August 2015
Total Offering - Budget $344,000 Actual $338,057. DEFICIT $5,943
January thru July 2015 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $317,831 Actual $314,590. SHORTFALL $3,241
Total Expenses - Budget $309,671 Actual $293,135. SHORTFALL $16,536
Project SURPLUS for 2015 $10,039 against Budget deficit of $4,175
Notes
- Offerings in August were $917 over budget.
- Both REG and plate offerings slightly exceeded Budget with plate offering consistent during the month.
- Income dropped below budget as July offerings below budget.
- Expenses were just over budget in following lines:
- Staff due to handover/takeover of admin office role during the month and final payments to retiring staff member (not including LSL)
- Support expenses over Budget as payments made for budgeted amounts to school and Valley View Chaplaincy.
- Expenses in some other areas were under budget.
Trusty Chair movers
Assistance is required to move the some of the chairs in the complex so the carpets can be cleaned. Half an hour of time is all that is required. Proposed times for requirement are 29th October at 1.pm to move the chairs out and then 09.30 on the 1st October to move them back again. Please mark your connect card with ‘chairs’ and date available or, send an email to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or call the office on 8263 5087 with your availability.
Cebu Mission Fundraising Team News
The Fundraising Team would like to advise that the sum of $4500 was transferred to the mission to be used where most needed. Most of the funds were raised from the music night in June and other events such as scone day, donations and chocolate sales. Thank you to all the members of Good Shepherd Para Vista who have supported these events and bought friends along to share in the joy.
The Offering Bowl
A gift of generosity too numerous to count
The offering bowl a creation to behold
After standing all week in a cupboard alone
Of a Sunday fills with coin and note
With gifts given from sweat and toil
To stand on the altar, the foot of the cross
Filled to the brim
It becomes the focus of what can be done
To ease the world of its endless charm
And offer peace and hope
To those who concede to the work of the contents
That get shared around; to return in an infinite form
Of the human mind in creation's way.
Stephen Zanker
The church offering bowls have seen generosity too numerous to count over the years and are wearing out. Please consider if you have a talent or know of someone who could produce new ones to use for our Sunday services. Contact Stephen szanker@paravista.org.au or the front office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au, PH 8263 5097 or mark your welcome card ‘offering bowl’ if you are able to assist.
Noticeboard
Lutheran Community Care
BAROSSA: Volunteer for Christmas Hampers
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the packing and distribution of Christmas Hampers. Packing and distribution will take place in December. If you have time to spare and would like to help those in need this Christmas, please contact our office at 08 8562 2688 for more information on how to get involved.
ADELAIDE: Donations of bric-a-brac appreciated
Lutheran Community Care Op Shops at Blair Athol and Payneham are running low on bric-a-brac items to sell. If you are looking to clear out your cupboards we will gladly accept any donations. Please drop them off at LCC, 309 Prospect Road, Blair Athol and we'll take care of the rest. Thank you in advance for your support.
Lutheran Community Care - Loaves & Fishes
This month we invite you to replenish our Emergency Relief shelves with:
Canned Fruit, Coffee, Long Life Milk and Toothbrushes
Thank you for helping us help others.
Your LCC representative will ensure we receive your donation.
2016 Australian Christian Diaries are now available for order.
Please indicate on your connect card or contact the church office before September 30 to place your order. The cost is $10.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
Meeting on Monday 21st September 7.30 pm at Bethlehem House, Flinders Street in the City when the guest speaker will be David Moore, a researcher & linguist from Alice Springs. His talk will be of interest to anyone who has heard about the work of Hermannsburg and the Finke River Mission. Letters and postcards tell parts of the story of the mission in 1903-1962. These letters & postcards have recently been translated from Aranda into English. All welcome. Supper & gold coin donation.
Lutheran Nurses
Monday 21st September at 7.30pm at the District Office, 137 Archer St., North Adelaide with entry from the rear. Guest speaker is David Phillips, Glynde on “Changes in Residential Aged Care". All are welcome not just nurses; CPD evidence is available if necessary.
LUTHERAN HOMES GLYNDE SPRING FAIR 2015
Saturday 10 October, from 9.00am at 22 Avenue Road Glynde. There will be a wide range of stalls including: Books, White Elephant, Giftware, Plants, Devonshire Teas, Cakes/Biscuit and a Sausage Sizzle. Money raised goes to LHI Glynde Nursing Home projects.
The Glynde Thrift Shop will also be open. If you have any questions or donations please contact Marion Schubert 8336 4361
Mendelssohn Festival
ADELAIDE TOWN HALL, Friday Oct 23rd, 8:00 pm OR Saturday, Oct 24th, 6:30pm, Mendelssohn Festival. Glorious Lutheran Musical heritage courses through the Bach inspired music of Mendelssohn's creative program featuring the Reformation Symphony, No 5, arias from St Matthew's Passion and other compositions. Bookings are at BASS, PH 131 246.
“The Lord bless you and keep you”
Numbers 6:24
