Many hold that beliefs about God, humanity, values, ethics, life purpose, and what happens after death are merely a reflection of one’s upbringing, education and culture.
Since religion and world views vary from culture to culture, many in our Western culture claim: “There is no absolute truth; there’s no spiritual or moral truth that applies to everyone. Truth is a matter of choice. I will determine what’s true for me; you can determine what’s true for you.”
So given the options available people assert: “It doesn’t matter what you believe – as long as you’re sincere.”
Really??!!!!! I’d say that Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot were sincere in their belief to murder millions of fellow human beings. Does that make their actions right? Sincere people can be sincerely wrong!
Jesus repeatedly makes unambiguous claims to be GOD! What evidence do we find in the New Testament historical documents to vindicate Jesus’ claims?
This Sunday we’re concluding our sermon series: ‘God never said that!’ Come along and find out why the claim that all religions lead to God cannot be true, and why Jesus is worth believing in.
It does matter what you believe! The life you live, the values you hold, the legacy you leave, and where you spend eternity will depend on it!
Bible Readings: John 14:1-11, Acts 4:5-13
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. Hopefully you have received an appeal pack by now. If you have missed out and would like one sent out please contact our office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087 and they will gladly post one out to you.
Please prayerfully consider what you can give towards this appeal to help resource the exciting mission God has given Good Shepherd. Achieving our goal of raising $250 000 requires all of us to generously support this project. This is not something that can be achieved through the efforts of a few people. We are confident that God has provided us with the financial resources needed to achieve this goal.
Please note that while we’re asking everyone to indicate what they will give to this appeal by 6th November, your gift can be given after this date in one payment or via instalments over the next 12 months. For gifts made after 6th November, or by Direct Deposit, we ask that you complete the appeal response slip and return it in the envelope provided via the Sunday offering bowl, either before or on Sunday 6th November. You do not need to complete a response slip if your gift is cash or cheque and is given by 6th November using the appeal envelope.
50th Anniversary
As a part of our celebrations of this event we are asking each family to bring food to share for the Sunday lunch for your family and our guests. Request that both a savoury and a sweet plate be provided giving the taste buds plenty of contrast.
The luncheon will be held in the school gymnasium and for the health of all please observe the following:
1. There will be no access to heating equipment on the day so we ask you to bring cold platters to share.
2. Please ensure all food is covered and placed into an esky or cooler bag if the weather is warm to prevent spoilage.
3. Food to be dropped off at the gym at 9:15am or earlier on the day.
4. At the end of the day please collect all your items and take them home with you.
Remember, only disposable plates and serviettes will be supplied for serving of food so please consider this when preparing. If you have any questions or suggestions please discuss with Stephen Zanker or Cees Wesselingh who can be contacted via the front office on 82635087 or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
50th Anniversary - WANTED! Children of all ages for opening song. One rehearsal required. Please enter your names on your family’s Connect Card if you would like to participate. 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. Term 4 commences on Friday 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
Budget 2016
January – August 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $378,550 Actual $365,106 UNDER $13,445
Budget Summary
January – August 2016
Total Income – Budget $368,078 Actual $362,105 UNDER $5,973
Total Expenses – Budget $354,686 Actual $342,263 UNDER $12,423
PROJECTED SURPLUS OF $5,721 FOR 2016
Notes
• Offerings in September were $2,500 under budget due to plate being well below budget.
• All Expense groups were in line with budget in August.
• Projected surplus is maintaining level above $5,000 even though offerings are consistently under budget.
• Renegotiated Loan was repaid in full during September.
• The amount normally paid towards the Renegotiation Loan will now be redirected to the facilities upgrade loan. This should see the facilities upgrade loan repaid in full in April 2017.
Igniting the future Building Connection
A reminder when depositing your pledge envelopes onto the collection plate, to include your pledge form with your donation, even if it is a once off donation. This will assist the finance team in their budgeting for the project.
Hall Floor
The hall floor has been resurfaced. Thank you for your assistance in removing any spills straight away and lifting furniture to prevent damage and keep the floor looking great.
Air conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been opened for the summer months. Overview instructions for use are situated on the wall next to the controllers. If you experience any problem using the units please inform the administration manager during office hours or leave a note in the communications book in the hall kitchen.
Board vacancies in 2017
The following vacancies exist on the Board for 2017:
• Board chair- role of Chair is to conduct Board and congregational meetings and prepare agendas for both
• Vice chair- you may be interested in filling this position with the view of taking over as Chair in the future. Will fill for the Chair when he/she is not available
Board members- we are always looking for new members especially women to keep a gender balance on the Board. If you want more details please contact John Dolling 83675296
October Board report
• 2017 budget was discussed and guidance given to the Finance Team for the preparation of 2017 budget.
• Date of installation of Pastor Reid Matthias – date suggested is 22/01/2017.
• New furniture will be unveiled on the 50th Anniversary service.
• Agenda set for the Half Yearly meeting in November.
• Follow up from joint school/church meeting – procedure developed for the school and church to work closely together on mission.
Support for Lutheran Community Care
LCC AT Ingle Farm will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday October 22nd. Government funding has been slashed so all funds raised will go towards covering the cost of vital programmes to ensure they will be able to continue. They have asked if the congregation can support their fundraiser by supplying some cakes. As they are for sale ingredients of cakes needed to be provided
If you are able to assist cakes can be dropped off at LCC from 8:30 on Saturday morning or delivered to the church before 3:30 on Friday 21st. If neither of these is suitable, cakes can be dropped to my place 28 0Loughlin Road Valley View up to 6pm on the 21st.
Pray continually
1 Thessalonians 5:17
