This Sunday we’re going to trace the first disciples’ expectations of how things would work out with Jesus; and compare that with Jesus’ restoration plan.
Through his death Jesus had taken the punishment for the sin of the world. Through his resurrection Jesus had won the victory over death for ALL people. Now it was time to share this Good News throughout the world.
Jesus commissions his disciples to be his witnesses – to the ends of the earth. For parochial Jewish chaps, this would have been the last thing on their minds.
In effect Jesus tells them: “But wait, there’s more for you to do in my restoration plans for my world. But wait, there’s more my Father wants to give you so you can do it: the presence and power of the Holy Spirit!
Pentecost was a harvest thanksgiving festival, drawing people of Jewish faith from around the world to Jerusalem. It was the perfect time and place for God’s great opening act: sharing the Good News of Jesus with ALL people.
Bible Readings: Acts 1:1-8 Acts 2:1-41
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
To celebrate Pentecost and the passion of the Holy Spirit, you might like to wear red, orange, or yellow to worship this Sunday.
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. This is held over two evenings, Tuesday 17th and Tuesday 24th May. 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 Discover in the following ways: by phoning the office on 8263 5087, emailing churchenquiries@parvista.org.au or, by writing ‘I would like to register for Discovery’ on your Connect Card at a Sunday service.
The AGM’s of church and school
The AGM’S of the congregation and school will be held on Sunday May 29th @ 12:30. Information will be available by Sunday May 22nd. There will be a meal available after the 10:30 service
“Stand Firm” Bible study
What is spiritual attack? Are there evil powers working against me? How do I stand firm against such “powers”?
Vicar Dan will be leading a Bible study over two nights (Wednesday night, 18th & 25th May, 7:30pm–8:30pm) in the church. The study will look at the role of prayer in standing firm against evil “powers.”
Prayer is a gift from God (Luke 11:1–13). One of the purposes of prayer is to strengthen God’s people to stand firm against attack from the evil powers that lead humanity to disobey God. These evil powers include the world, the devil, and the sinful nature (Ephesians 2:2–3). This struggle is real and encompasses all Christians in the present age.
Join us as we unpack the theme of “power” in the book of Ephesians, and how prayer is God’s gift for standing firm when attacked by evil powers.
Calling a Senior Pastor
We have commenced the process of calling a Senior Pastor.
• The first step for those who call Good Shepherd their church home is to fill in a questionnaire. This can be done online or in hard copy. We encourage you to do it on line as this saves a lot of collation of data.
We encourage everyone to complete the survey as this information will form the basis of the pre-call meeting and will determine the gifts we are seeking in our new Senior Pastor
• There will be a pre-call meeting on Sunday June 5th at 12:30. This will be led by Pastor Brain Schwarz representing the LCA. Information from this meeting will be passed onto Bishop David Altus so he can assess the gifts required by the new Senior Pastor.
• A Call Team has been chosen by the Board from those who expressed an interest. The names of the Team will be included in the next weekly news
• On Wednesday June 22nd the Call Team meets with the Bishop to discuss Pastors who are available for call and have the gifts required to lead us in our Mission
If you have Pastors you think should be considered contact John Dolling 8367 5296 jdolling@bigpond.net.au
Please join us this Sunday at 10:30am for a Pentecost service to remember! Kids and families will have a special activity and part in the service. We hope you can join us and we look forward to seeing you then!
There will also be activity folders, personal journals and a range of kids bibles to use during the services.
Faith at Home
May Faith at Home booklet out now! Grab your copy from the Kingdom Kids sign-in desk or the parenting room, OR you can access it via the Good Shepherd phone app.
New resources OUT NOW in the church library!! Pop in and borrow something!
Playgroup
Please join us for Little Lambs Playgroup next Wednesday 9:15am in the church hall. Anyone is welcome and we would love to see you!
Youth Ministry
Term 2 for youth commenced last Friday with a movie night screening God’s Not Dead. This term we are undertaking a Bible study based on the movie God’s Not Dead. If you were unable to come and see the movie you will still be able to participate in the fortnightly studies as the relevant part of the movie to be studied will be viewed at each youth event. Youth events run Friday fortnightly. The cost is $2 to help cover the cost of supper.
Metro CLW
Camp for students in years 7-12 in July school holidays. Early bird registration closes today. (Friday May 13th)
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.
PVLW Fellowship
On Tuesday, June 7th at 1pm we have our regular meeting and DOROTHY BUSCUMB, a member of our executive committee, will be sharing her story. She is a member of Good Shepherd and this may be an excellent opportunity for congregation members to get to know her. So you are all most welcome to join us as we hear Dorothy give us her personal profile. Pastor Noel starts with a short Bible Study at 1pm.
Fund Raising Luncheon
On Tuesday, JULY 5th at 12 noon, our Fellowship invites you to attend our annual luncheon here in Good Shepherd Hall. Invitations have gone out to other Northern Zone Fellowships, too, but we would really like congregation members to attend as well. We will cater for 80 people with wine, two courses, an excellent guest speaker and a few lucky door prizes. We also hope to have a trading table with many goodies for sale. Note the date of July not June. Men are most welcome, friends, partners, spouses. We look forward to seeing you there. Wish to book? Please contact RUTH OSTER on 8265 0221 or Email kroster@senet.com.au
This May is MaranathaMONTH and we invite you to run a fundraiser in honour of mothers in Uganda (and everywhere!) We're making May a month of sharing stories of mums, children and families whose lives are impacted by the work of Maranatha Health, and who positively impact those around them.
Host an event and share stories from our work in Uganda. Download an event kit to make the planning simple or create your own MaranathaMONTH event. Let us know what you are planning to do because we love to share your story too! For more information: www.maranathahealth.org/month or contact keren.sutton@maranathahealth.org
Maranatha Health - Stall and Soup Sunday
Soup weather is here, and Maranatha Health is always ready to serve!
Join us in the hall on 29 May after services for a warming mug of soup and cheese toastie lunch. Browse at our stall of homemade and homegrown goods, with items donated by our generous Good Shepherd community. Any donated items are welcome before services on the day. All proceeds of sales go towards the work of Maranatha Health. www.maranathahealth.org
Thank you for your continued support in prayer, giving and serving! We look forward to catching up with you over a cup of steamy soup soon.
From the office
Budget 2016
January – April 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $169,250 Actual $165,241 UNDER $4,009
Budget Summary
January – March 2016
Total Income – Budget $130,348 Actual $128,340 UNDER $2,008
Total Expenses – Budget $111,741 Actual $108,934 UNDER $2,807
Notes:
• REG continues to be over budget in 2016 with the highest amount for the year in April and $1,500 per month more than 2015.
• April was the first month plate offerings each Sunday were below $4,000 for over 10 years.
• Although offerings are $4,009 below budget to end of April the total amount is $2,400 more than end of April 2015.
• Expenses are below budget to date due to staffing positions not being filled. All positions have now been filled.
• Expenses are below budget by more than income is below budget to date.
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.
Vacancy Painting volunteers
To ensure our complex is kept in a presentable state some areas require a fresh coat of paint. There are a number of areas requiring refreshing especially for the 50th anniversary. Please contact Stephen, the office on 8263 5087 or mark painting on your connect card to be actively involved in improving the presentation of our facility. All materials and paint will be supplied.
Noticeboard
Lutheran Community Care
Loaves & Fishes – for May, we invite you to replenish our Emergency Relief shelves with:
Hard Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Sanitary Pads and Tuna
Thank you for helping us help others.
Your LCC representative will ensure we receive your donation.
Boomerang BACK to Hermannsburg and Neuendettelsau in Germany. At the Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday May 23rd, Pastor Rob Borgas of Finke River Mission in Central Australia will tell us about the 2015 concert tour to Germany & why it was so important for the Aboriginal people of Central Australia. Bethlehem House, Flinders St. city, 7.30 pm, supper & gold coin donation.
Lutheran Nurses
Monday the 23rd of May at 7.30pm in the SA District Office at 137 Archer St, North Adelaide Guest speaker is Dr. Chris Hahn on “GENETIC ENGINEERING [the Genome of Cancer]".
All are welcome not just nurses. CPD evidence is available if needed.
“And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
