An African proverb: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.”
It takes a whole community to grow a healthy community.
It takes the whole body of Christ to care for the whole body of Christ.
One of the most destructive lies of our culture is the myth of individualism – that we are self-made, self-determining humans who can forge our own sense of meaning, purpose, and destiny in this world: “My way!”
How does that work out for us?
We play games of pretend. We don’t know how to ask for help when we need it – or how to help others when they need it. We get stuck in our isolation.
We need the interconnection and sense of belonging that community provides.
This Sunday, we look at the story of a chap with lots of demons. He lived among tombs and was prone to self-destruction. His existence was wretched, an isolated “hell on earth”. No one could help him.
Until the day Jesus turned up. Jesus set him free, and sent him back home with a mission. Likewise, Jesus sets us free – from isolation to community.
Bible Reading: Mark 5:1-20.
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday.
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during the services. Please help yourself to them in the narthex.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available only on our church App! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
New venue and time!!! Due to the church hall renovations, Little Lambs Playgroup will be held on Wednesdays at 9.30am in the OSCH room over at the school. Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.
Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker
Last Sunday SOUL Crew leaders hosted a congregation fun day. We started with a sausage sizzle and then had fun with the families with things such as egg and spoon race, three-legged race and as it was so warm we even had a water balloon toss, ending with a full on water balloon fight. The afternoon was enjoyed by all, young and old. Stay tuned as we hold more of these events throughout the year.
SOUL Crew will be held this Friday night. We are having our Girl/Guy Night but it is with a twist! What is the twist – come along Friday night to discover what the twist is. It will be a night of fun and learning. SOUL Crew is a great way for like-minded teens to come together and explore their faith in a safe non-judgemental environment, so feel free to invite all your friends.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader
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.
PARA VISTA WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP - Tuesday, April 4th at 1pm
Our bus trip has been booked for May, so we will meet in April on the date above at the usual time. If you have booked for the bus trip to Ashbourne on May 2nd, your payment of $59.50pp, to our treasurer, Dawn Spencer, would be appreciated before the day of the outing, possibly at the April meeting. We have several seats available on the bus, so any members, who wish to come but have not as yet booked, please do so with Ruth or Ragna. Thank you.
Ordination meetings start soon
All LCA/NZ members are invited to be a part of the discussion regarding the ordination of women and men in the church, with consultations already started.
Your chance to be involved can be by attending one of the consultations as below:
Sat 1 April, 9am St Paul Lutheran Church, Blair Athol SA
Sun 2 April, 2pm St Paul's Lutheran Church, Glenelg SA
Sun 23 April, 2pm Zion Lutheran Church, Berri SA
Sun 7 May, 2pm St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa SA
All available details of consultation meetings are listed in the table on the OWL (Ordination We’re Listening) website at owl.lca.org.au/consultations
Further information can be requested from the LCA National Office email admin@lca.org.au or phone 08 8267 7300.
Conferences
There is a wonderful opportunity for faithful Christian growth for both men and women coming in May. The Grace Conference, held May 27th, is an encouragement for women of any age. If you would like more information, please speak with Andrea Brooks, Kathy Tscharke or Debbie Wesselingh. Also, the Adelaide Men’s Convention occurs two weeks prior, Saturday, May 13th. More information will be coming in the next weeks, but space is limited. Sign in early!
From the Office
Redevelopment progress
Thank you for your patience and understanding during the upgrade of our facilities.
At present the builder is ahead of schedule. You can view the progress through the doors in the corridor where the pigeon holes are. The hall has been rearranged so it is much more user friendly for coffee and socializing after services.
Thank you for your generous support both financially and in labour. This has enabled the project to proceed after 4 failed attempts between 2003 and 2014. So far we have received just under $100,000 from the Ignite appeal. There is another $20,000 that was promised yet to be received. This is being given on a regular basis throughout the year. If you did not get the opportunity to give towards the project or wish to give a further donation this can be done in 2 ways – in an envelope labelled Ignite and placed on the offering plate or by EFT – Account Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista BSB 704-942 Ac No 154796 (addS1 if transferring from another LLL account).
Last chance to obtain the Anniversary wine
The red has all gone and there is only 2 dozen white left. You will have to be quick to get the last bottles. See John Dolling if you want to be one of the lucky ones to get these never to be repeated wines.
Notice Board
You are invited to a STATIONS OF THE CROSS An Easter Reflection
Good Friday – 14th April 2017
1pm to 5pm
Please see notice board for further information
Good Shepherd Lutheran School are fundraising with Entertainment Books.
Available as a digital phone app or hardcopy book of vouchers, Entertainment offers 50% discount and 2-for-1 offers for many of the best restaurants, arts, attractions, hotels, travel, shopping and much more! Memberships are $70.00 with $14.00 from each sale going toward school fundraising. To preview or make a purchase, visit http://form.e.entertainmentbook.com.au/ats/msg.aspx?sg1=9d56619f97c104403ae339aa9712435f or contact Sharon at the school on 8264 7966. Books will be available from 9th April and can be delivered to church or picked up from the school.
Upcoming public lecture at ALC
Australian Lutheran College is hosting a public lecture presented by visiting German theologian, Pastor Christian Wolff on Wednesday, 5 April 2017 at 4.30pm. His lecture is entitled, ‘The Church in a multi-cultural and a multi-religious society – Germany’s experience.‘ The lecture should go for no more than an hour and will be held downstairs in Hebart Hall in Lecture Room 1. All are welcome to attend.
For further information or to notify of your attendance, please phone the college on (08) 7120 8200. If attending the lecture, please park off campus and enter the grounds via the entrance at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide.
“Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9
