In chapter nine, Luke speaks of the disciples being sent out and the ‘went from village to village preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.’
This week, I pondered for hours what the gospel was that they were preaching. In our contemporary day, we preach Christ crucified and raised again – that’s the gospel. In this story, Jesus had not yet died and certainly the time for resurrection had not occurred.
So what was the gospel they preached?
How do we interpret our own story in light of that gospel?
How do we testify to the truth of one we haven’t seen and yet believe?
Bible Readings: Psalm 78:1-7, Luke 9:1-6
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Congregation and school AGM’s
The AGM’s of the Congregation and school will be held on Sunday May 28th at 12:30. Come and hear Pastor Reid discuss with the meeting an “Outline for tomorrow” as we set sail for our future direction.
The Maranatha Team will provide a soup lunch after the second service. Information re the congregational meeting will be available in hard copy on Sunday May 21st and emailed to members early in the following week.
The School reports are available in hard copy or via email from the church office.
Main items for the congregational meeting:
• Presentation of 2016 audited accounts
• Report from Pastor Reid
• Report on Facilities Redevelopment
• Election of Board Chair for 2017 + 1 member of Adjudication Team
Please send your apologies via email or ring the office if you know you are unable to attend.
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.
This Sunday is Mothers’ Day! At our 10.30am service there will be an activity in the hall during the message for children up to Year 4. Kingdom Youth will leave worship before the message to prepare morning tea for mums/significant female carers.
Toddler Zone will not 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
Playgroup is held on Wednesdays at 9.30am in the OSCH room over at the school. Please bring pre-cut fruit to share. Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.
SOUL Crew recommenced last Friday night. We focused on Matthew 16:13-20 – the big question “Who do you say I Am?” We explored a general overview of Jesus and had small group discussion on our understanding of who Jesus really is. We had fun activities where we realised that to really know who someone is you have to ask lots of questions, not just go on assumptions. It was a fun night by all in attendance. Naturally enough we had food to keep the hungry ones happy –that is both food for the soul and food for the stomach!!
We are really excited to now be opening up SOUL Crew to those in school year 6, so look forward to welcoming some new young people. Refer to the flyer for dates and mark them in your diary.
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
Soul Crew Young Adults
Come along for a night of worship, discussion, small group time, fellowship and great music.
Pastor Rolly will be answering some questions relevant to young adults 18 and over. How do I cope with university exam pressure? My journey with Jesus as I’m getting older and possibly leaving the Christian home I may be living in – what does that look like? How does my relationship change with my parents and do I need to “obey” them anymore? Where is my future headed/what does my future look like?
Pastor Rolly may not have the specific answer you are looking for but come along and join in discussing these issues with other young Christians in the same or similar life stage as yourself. Feel free to invite all your friends.
Margot Mertin – Faith Formation Leader
Meet N Eat Ministry
Winter is almost upon us it would seem, with the colder nights followed by chilly mornings. Now having to reach into the wardrobe for a jumper or jacket seems unfair after enjoying the extra daylight and warm temperatures over recent months.
Our ministry turns its attention to those who find this time of the year challenging. Monday night is most import to many in our community as it not only gives them an opportunity to come together with people experiencing simular issues but also in a safe environment.
Our team of dedicated volunteers look to you, our congregation, to reach out to those in your street or neighbourhood who would benefit from joining us on a Monday night and become part of our family. We not only offer a two and at times three course meal, but great companionship and a few laughs along the way. Some of our team members offer support as well as advice where necessary. Slowly we are seeing a difference in the attitude of our guests as they feel more and more accepted.
Please contact me for further information if you feel that you would like to help on a Monday night in person or with a pot of soup.
Blessings to you all
Alan Wheeldon
Team Leader – Meat N Eat Ministry
p.s. Looking forward to moving back to the newly renovated Church facility sometime in July.
From the Office
Ignite the Future building update
The foundation and slab have been laid and while waiting for it to set the structural steel will be getting manufactured. The electrical and mechanical contractor is also working on getting the wiring and mechanical items in place. Check out the progress via the viewing holes in the rear double doors and the door at the end of the pigeon hole corridor at any time.
Finance Report
Offerings
January - April 2017
Total Offerings – Budget $178,000 Actual $179,459 SURPLUS $1,459
Budget Summary
January – March 2017
Total Income – Budget $135,525 Actual $133,343 Deficit $2,092
Total Expenses – Budget $4,128,974 Actual $123,442 Deficit $5,532
Progress since last Board meeting:
• April offerings were well above Budget by over $4k.
• REG again met budget during April. Plate offerings blessed by Easter about $2k more than prior years with another Sunday well above average.
• Offerings have gone from $2,700 behind budget at end of March to $1,459 ahead of budget to end of April. Certainly a praise point.
• Most Expenditure lines are below budget thanks to the efforts of the staff team.
• The audited financial statement was received and will be presented to the congregation for the half yearly meeting in May.
Ignite Budget Update
• We received $4,955 in April for the Ignite the Future building fund and with that already received in May there is currently just over $16,000 of pledged money to be received.
Donations to the Ignite building project can be made via:
The collection plate in an envelope marked Ignite Project, or
Direct debit BSB: 704 942 Account: 154796 Account Name: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Parking lot safety
Due to the number of near misses and incidents in the church/school car park and a duty of care that we as an organisation need to adhere to, the car park at Good Shepherd will become permanent one way to all traffic. This will commence from Monday 22 May 2017. Entry only will be permitted from Montague Road and all vehicles will be required to exit onto Hillary Crescent. New traffic signs indicating flow of traffic will be in place. Please note as this is a shared area speed is restricted to 10KPH
LCA 2017 Yearbook
We have 2 LCA yearbooks available in the office at $25 ONO.
Notice Board
ANZATS conference dinner
Australian Lutheran College is this year hosting the annual Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (ANZATS) conference from 9-12 July.
As part of the conference, a dinner will be held at the North Adelaide Golf Course on Monday 10 July at 6pm. The guest speaker for the evening will be Dr Dylan Coleman, Lecturer in Yaitya Purrana Indigenous Health at the University of Adelaide and author of the award winning book, Mazin Grace.
This dinner is open to the public, but bookings are essential and can be made online at https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/tab3.aspx?EventID=1972512. Enquiries can be made by emailing 2017anzats@alc.edu.au or by telephoning ALC on 7120 8200.
“My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 6:20
