We’re in a sermon series called ‘God never said that!’ We love offering little nuggets of advice, support, or sympathy. They come in handy when we want people to feel better. But what if the guidance you’re giving or receiving just isn’t true? What if God never said that?
Believing things about God that he never said can keep us from having a deeper relationship with him and lead us to give up on God because he isn’t who we believe him to be. Yet the problem isn’t with God, but with what we believe about him.
This Sunday we look at the false belief that says, “It doesn’t matter what you do.” Most people can see the problem with this so we qualify it by saying “It doesn’t matter what you do as long as I don’t hurt anyone.”
What we do matters. It matters to God and it matters to us even if we can prove that it didn’t hurt anyone. This Sunday we will look at the amazing freedom Jesus won for us on the cross and how what we do helps maintain this freedom, or surrender it.
Bible Reading: Galatians 5:16-25; John 8:31-36
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Good Shepherd Remembrance Service
Following on from last year, we’re planning another Remembrance Service for Saturday October 29th, 1:30pm. The aims are to remember loved ones who have died, to share our grief with one another, and to seek God’s comfort in Jesus. It’s open to all who would like to come. As part of that service, we would like to offer family members and friends an opportunity to light a candle.
We also would like to read out a list of names of those being remembered. If you would like a loved one’s name to be read out, you can make this known to us as you enter the church building on the day. Some helpers will be recording names for the list, and if you wish you can include the date of their death.
Following the service, there will be an afternoon cuppa in the hall.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Igniting the Future Appeal
The IGNITING THE FUTURE appeal has been launched as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Appeal packs have been prepared for all our members and if you didn’t collect yours from the hall after service, they were posted out last week. If you do not receive a pack, please contact our office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087 and they will gladly post one out to you.
You can watch the clip used at the appeal launch at the following link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_Ik2lFu7M This clip provides a helpful overview of the project and how it will help both our church and school communities make the most of the opportunities before us to share the good news of Jesus.
50th Anniversary
Reminder of dates:
Saturday Nov 5th social evening @ the church @7:30pm
Sunday Nov 6th celebratory church service at 10am followed by community lunch. Don’t forget to order your Anniversary wine. Keep an eye on the notice board in the hall for updated information.
Kingdom Kids is now on school holidays. We will resume on Sunday 23rd October. Enjoy your holidays! Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children during the holidays.
Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of October that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.
Please remember to let me know if you can join us in the opening song for our 50th Anniversary Service on Sunday 6th November. There will be one practice required on Thursday 3rd November.
Youth is a great way of being fed both spiritually and physically, with like-minded teens learning to own their own faith. We will be having a break until Term 4, recommencing on 21st October. We have a new starting time of 6.30pm; just for next term, as we have some quite significant events planned so a bit of extra time is needed. It’s never too late to start coming along and making some great friendships and connections with fellow young Christians. Check out our term planner for term 4.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Combined North Eastern Lutheran Youth
We have a date for the next event – 19th November – so mark it in your diaries.
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
Pastor Noel’s farewell service
Earlier in the year Pastor Noel informed the congregation that he would finish his ministry at Para Vista during 2016. After consultation with the Board, Pastor Noel has indicated that his last service at Para Vista will be Sunday 27th November. The service will be followed by a community lunch. There will be more details closer to the event.
Garden restoration
Last weekend a team of 14 eager gardeners planted 114 plants and shifted a mountain of mulch to restore our front garden along Montague Road. Thank you to all the volunteers and especially to Hayley and Mark Byford who planned the garden and arrange purchase of the plants.
Board 2017
There will be vacancies on the Board in 2017. To keep a gender balance it would be great if we had several women who were prepared to join the Board. If you are interested or would like more details about the work of the Board contact John Dolling 8367 5296 or jdolling@bigpond.net.au
Preparing grounds for 50th
It would be great if our grounds were neat and tidy for our 50th celebrations. Work has commenced to get them to first class condition. If you can spare half an hour (individually, as a family or group) we can share the tasks among many rather than rely on a few. Contact John Dolling if you can assist.
Thank You
Thank you to the team of volunteers who assisted in moving the furniture for carpet cleaning.
Car parking at the church
Members are reminded that the church car park is not a secure parking area and should take the following precautions when parking.
1. Hide possessions or any valuable items out of sight such as a phone or wallet – better still take any valuable possessions with you.
2. Close all windows and the sunroof (if you have one).
3. Ensure the boot is secured.
4. Lock your doors.
5. Ensure your security system (if fitted) has been activated.
Hall Floor
The hall floor will be getting resurfaced on Tuesday 11th October. The area will be closed to all traffic for a 24 hour period.
Maintenance Vacancy
Volunteers are required to assist in the following tasks:
• Painting – Church and Manse. Some spray painting involved.
• Refixing eaves at the Manse.
• Refixing batons on the Church.
• Gutter maintenance – Church and Manse.
Please contact Stephen on 8263 5087 or mark maintenance on your connect card to actively improve the presentation of our facility. All materials will be supplied.
Noticeboard
Professional Standards Workshop
A Professional Standards Workshop will be held here at the Salisbury Lutheran Church on Saturday 15th October between 9-4pm. Cost $35 per person. REGISTRATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL. Free Crèche available on the day. Please see Lyn or email (family@arckchurch.com.au) about the crèche. Please ring/email the office or email Lyn B if you are attending.
The Fossils are in concert again this year supporting Lutheran Community Care
When: Saturday, 29 October from 7.30pm
Where: Concordia College, Highgate
Tickets: $20 Adult, $15 Concession and Groups of 10+, $10 Children 4-14 years (under 4 free)
Visit trybooking.com/MIPU to book tickets. All proceeds will support families in SA and NT through emergency relief, homelessness support and foster care.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12
