John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Here is the gospel message in twenty-six short words, and yet how often does the contemporary Christian church listen to or understand this message? How often do we attempt to introduce everything but Jesus into the equation of our salvation? …that whoever believes in him… and goes to church every week, reads their Bible once per day, prays before meals and before bedtime, does good things for other people at least once per week… will not perish but have eternal life.
It’s the desperate part of being human. We want control. We want power. We want to have bootstraps and pull them up too. But in terms of salvation, it was all God’s doing. We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
This week, wander the pathways and experience Nicodemus and Jesus’ journey after the spring cleansing of the temple. How does a cleaning up of our theology about salvation allow others to experience both the Water of Life and the Light of the World? How do we celebrate God’s gift to the world in Jesus?
Bible Readings: Isaiah 53:10-12; Romans 8:1-11; John 3:10-21
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.
Kingdom Kids is now on holidays. We will resume on Sunday 6th August at 10.30am.
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 just outside the parenting room.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available on our church Facebook page!
To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Playgroup is now on a break. We will resume on Wednesday 26th July.
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
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 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au for further information. Alternatively please mark your connect card with “Convention”.
Ignite the Future building update
I pray you all enjoyed the fresh brewed coffee in the hall last week. We continue to ask for your patience as there will be no kitchen services available till we get access to the new kitchen/café area so the paper cups will still need to be used.
Thanks to the volunteers: On Monday 14th volunteers helped relocate the library to its new home in the Education Centre. Materials can be borrowed. Unfortunately the library computer is yet to be connected. This will happen when the second stage of our redevelopment is completed. In the meantime simply record borrowings on form provided by the computer.
Also these volunteers shifted all the items from the shipping container into the new storeroom in the hall. This area will become more effective once all the kitchen items are moved into the new kitchen.
The shipping container will remain in the car park for a short time as the school has requested it remain so they can store items to be used in their new redevelopment. The builders have not been able to complete the narthex this week so the area will still only be accessible for emergency use
Free Books/DVD/Videos/CD’s
As the library was moved a stocktake of items was conducted. As a result there are a number of books that are no longer suitable or excess to requirement. A table has been set up in the hall with books that you are free to help yourselves to if you can make use of them. Request that the books are not returned to the library.
You can still help
If you have a couple of hours to spare in the next week please email Stephen on szanker@paravista.org.au or call him on 0403 180 814 or contact the front office on 8263 5087 to discuss a suitable time. Assistance will be required for the following:
• Temporary reset the narthex
• moving items into the store and hall
• Assist in cleaning the donated chairs for use in the complex
• Moving furniture back into the hall and store
As you can appreciate the more assistance given the greater the ability of the ministry groups and you as members will have to use the facility.
Finance Report
Offerings
January - June 2017
Total Offerings – Budget $257,500 Actual $255,888 DEFICIT $1,612
Budget Summary
January – May 2017
Total Income – Budget $237,375 Actual $238,862 Surplus $1,287
Total Expenses – Budget $226,150 Actual $222,512 Deficit $3,638
Notes since last Board meeting:
• June offerings were below Budget, with REG lower than expected.
• May 2017 MYOB has been input and has been checked and is in order.
• Income is slightly over budget due to Interest received over budget.
• Most Expenditure lines continue to maintain below budget.
Ignite Budget Update
• We received $7,245 in June for the Ignite the Future building fund and with that already received in July there is currently now only $3,767 still to be received. Thank you to all who have honoured their pledge for the Ignite project
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.
Spotlight
The spotlight this week will be focused on the Show Outreach Team. This is a team of volunteers who run a stand at the Royal Adelaide Show and distribute a free cuppa and smile to all who are weary or in need of a friendly face. Their primary task is to distribute tracts and scripture portions to passers-by to engage them in a thought provoking way about their spiritual life and open the gate for a discussion.
Please ring Con Schlenk on 08 8359 1965 for further enquiries.
Dried apricots
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.
Professional Standards
Good Shepherd will host two opportunities to participate in the Professional Standards Workshop (PSW) on Sunday 6th August and again on Sunday 10th September commencing at 12.30pm and finishing at 6.30pm. You only need to attend one.
The workshop numbers are capped at 35 people. This is due to the interactive nature of the sessions so early registration is recommended. 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.
Cost for each participant is $40.00. If this is prohibitive for you please contact the church office or Stephen on 8263 5087 and some concession can be arranged.
What happened to teachers in Lutheran schools in June 1917?
The greatest blow to the Australian Lutheran Church in World War I was the closure of its SA schools. Some were re-established within a decade, and today the sector flourishes. But what became of the 50 teachers who lost their positions on 30 June 1917? Jen Zerner has investigated this as an Adelaide University project, and will be the guest speaker at the next Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 24th July, 7.30 pm in Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city. All welcome, supper & gold coin donation.
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them,
With men this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
