Unbelievably, these are the same people at the beginning of the passage who are described as ‘Jews who believe in him!’ But Jesus, in the book of John, has this way of offending almost everyone he comes into contact with - especially those who presume to be more religious. It is these ‘Jesus-believing-Jews’ who have yet to understand what God’s glory really looks like. It’s not about who they are or who they are descended from, it’s about God the Father and his word that Jesus obeys.
Last week we unearthed a discussion about what we encounter in scripture and how we encounter it, but this week we see how God’s glory is bound up in the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Here are a couple of questions we’ll be looking at in depth in John 8:31-59:
1. What is glory? Why is it important?
2. Why does God seek it for Himself? Doesn’t he already have it?
3. What does Jesus mean by, ‘whoever obeys my word will never see death?’ What word is this?
4. Lastly, we have been following the path that Luther’s theology sets up for us, ‘By grace we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus who we encounter in the scriptures for the glory of God alone,’ but what is at the heart of our path of salvation?
Come along and find strength and hope in God’s glory!
Bible Readings: Psalm 19:1-4; John 8:48-58
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
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.
Our Step Up - Preparing for First Communion in 2017 program will commence on Sunday 20th August. If your child is now in year 5 or about 10 years of age they are welcome to participate. If you would like to register your child for Step Up, please ring the church office on 8263 5087 or email your details to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au by August 18th.
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids will be staying in worship with their families this week as one of our families will be leading worship. We will be encouraging and supporting them as they serve in this special way. Kingdom Kids will resume next Sunday 6th August at our 10.30am service.
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 on our church Face Book page! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Playgroup has now moved back to the church hall. We thank Tony for kindly allowing us to use the OSCH space during the hall renovations. We will keep to our 9.30am time slot on a Wednesday for now. 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.
Welcome back to term 3! Our first event for the term is this Friday night starting at 7pm. This term we are going to be looking at Jesus – Who Am I? What does it mean for us as individuals to live in Christ? It will be a great fun filled night looking at what the parable of the lost sheep really means in relation to Who Am I in Jesus. Bring your bibles, your sense of adventure and your friends. Cost is $2 to cover the cost of supper.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
NELY (North Eastern Lutheran Youth)
Our next exciting event is scheduled for Saturday 26th August and will be held at St Paul, Blair Athol. It will be a day of gameshow fun, friendship, fellowship and food. Event is open to all young people in school years 5 to 12. Cost is $15 to cover dinner, snacks and hours of fun. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event. These are on sale now until 23rd August via www.nely260817.eventbrite.com.au Looking forward to seeing you all then. Any further queries plase contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814.
Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Notice of Meeting
Please note that the next meeting takes place in our renovated Good Shepherd Hall at 1pm, Tuesday, August 1st with Pastor Rolly leading the Bible Study. This will be followed by coffee, tea, biscuits and a social gathering.
Anyone still wishing to donate to the Lutheran Community "Socks and Jocks" collection may take this last opportunity to do so.
The Maranatha Health Quiz Night is on Saturday 5th August
Shrug off the winter blandness and let your inner patterns shine! Sharpen your wits for a night of African and general knowledge puzzling, dress in your favourite colourful patterns, grab a team of friends, bring some delicious nibbles, and come for a night of fun. There will be a special kids quiz, lots of prizes, fun games, and the latest news from our work in Uganda. All proceeds to the work of MH. Saturday 5th August, 7pm sharp start
Endeavour College, 85 Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes
Tables of 10. Adults $20, kids aged 10 years and over $10, kids under 10 free. BYO drinks and nibbles (alcohol allowed) Hot drinks available. Limited space so get in quick!
RSVP 28th July contact@maranathealth.org
From the Office
Professional Standards Workshop
Last opportunity to register for participation in the Professional Standards Workshop on Sunday 6th August commencing at 12.30pm and finishing at 6.30pm.
Registration is via online system and is accessible here: https://goo.gl/Zanktk and also via the SA/NT District website. If you do not have computer access please contact the church office and they will assist in registration.
IT House keeping
Please note the use of USB sockets on the projection PC to charge phones or smart devices is not permitted and is to cease forthwith. The projection PC is a critical piece of infrastructure in our church. In order to minimise the chances of things going wrong during worship sessions it is essential that it is only to be used for activities directly related to projection.
To also maintain the integrity of the projection computer casual web browsing is not to be conducted on this machine. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Good Shepherd Representative
The next General Convention of Synod for the Lutheran Church of Australia will be held at Rosehill Gardens in western Sydney from 2nd to 7th October 2018. The LCA’s 19th general synod will feature the theme 50.500 faith.freedom.future. If you wish to represent our congregation at this gathering please contact Stephen or the front office on 08 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au for further information. Alternatively please mark your connect card with “Convention”
Free Books
There are still free books and AV items available on a table in the hall with books that you are free to help yourselves to. Request that the books are not returned to the library.
Notice Board
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
Adelaide: Op Shop Volunteers Needed
LCC is in need of volunteers to help in our Op Shops at Blair Athol and Smithfield. We are also looking for volunteers to help sort donations at the Blair Athol shop. If you want to contribute to the community and be part of a friendly team, contact Di for more information: 8269 9300 or dgerrie@lccare.org.au
Winter Appeal – Donate and Give Hope
This winter we are asking you to donate and give hope to those who need it most.
Many of the people that Lutheran Community Care meets are homeless and they urgently need assistance this winter. Not only have they survived the circumstances which have resulted in homelessness, the isolation they often experience adds a further burden and getting support can be difficult. With your help, we can help people get back on their feet and experience hope again. Please visit www.lccare.org.au or phone 8269 9333 to make a donation. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Employment and Volunteer opportunities at the LCA
Employment
Chief Executive Officer
Chaplaincy
Business Director
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Assistant Manager
Volunteer’s role:
Blea Board Vacancy
Overseas Mission
Photographers
Humanitarian Roster – Lutheran World Service
Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26
