God’s compassion for ALL people

This Sunday will be our final part of our series: Growing God’s heart for ALL people. We’ve been reflecting on the story of Jonah.

In chapter one, Jonah flees. But God finds him. You can run, but you can’t hide. 
In chapter two, Jonah cries out and God hears. When you’re down, look up.
In chapter three, God gives Jonah and Nineveh a second chance. Thank God for second chances!
In chapter four, Jonah is angry. The LORD reminds Jonah that there are more important things than air conditioning: God’s compassion for ALL people. 

Over these weeks I’ve wondered how the story of Jonah became part of the Bible. We do not read of any friends travelling with Jonah.  My best guess is that when Jonah returned from Nineveh to Israel, he must have either written down his story, or told others of his adventures (who wrote down his story). 

Now most of us do not tell stories that expose the very worst of our character – unless God has transformed our character since.  In that case, we usually tell our stories to highlight how God has changed our understanding of who He is and what he wants for us; and the difference this has made in our lives. 

I wonder how Jonah was a different person in the years after this story.  Let me admit, I see a lot of Jonah in me.  His story reminds me how much I need Jesus to save me and change me. How about you?

The hero of this story is the LORD – who never gives up on us, no matter how much we mess up.  In Jesus, we see the LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. In Jesus, we discover God’s compassion for ALL people. 

Bible Readings:   Jonah 4:1-11
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.

Step Up
Our Step Up - Preparing for First Communion in 2017 program began last Sunday with a shared family lunch.  Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers as they explore Holy Communion.

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday at our 10.30am service for 10 months old – Year 4’s.
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.  Due to the chilly winter mornings we will be adjusting our start time to 10am finishing round 11.30am on Wednesdays.  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.

Youth Ministry
Friday night as we are still having chilly winter nights, and a lot of people love getting into their pj’s to get warm, we are having pyjama/onesie night.  It is not compulsory, but young people are able to come along all nice and snug for this week.  We will be looking at loving our enemies and just how hard that can be for us all.  Would love to see you there, and invite heaps of friends too.

Due to extremely keen and enthusiastic young people, next week we are kicking off our bible study.  This will be fortnightly, running opposite nights to our youth events.  This will be strictly looking at a topic relevant to the young people and delving into the scriptures.  These nights will be more like a small group, and all are welcome.  Our first series we are looking into is “Following Jesus in a selfie-centred world.”

We are also very excited to have approximately 40 people coming along to our NELY event on Saturday for our Gameshow day.  This is promising to be a fun event – watch this space for how the event went!

Exciting times as lots are happening with our young people.  Please contact me for further details regarding youth ministry - Margot 0401 850814 or Margot.Mertin@paravista.org.au

Para Vista Women’s Fellowship Meeting - September 5th
You are most welcome to attend our next meeting in Good Shepherd Church Hall
at 1.00pm for Bible Study with Pastor Reid immediately after we welcome everyone.
This will be followed by a simple afternoon tea during which we mix and chat to one
another. We would love to see you there - Tuesday, September 5th, 1pm - 2:45pm.

Maranatha Health
It's blooming wonderful to celebrate Maranatha Health with you at our Spring Party!
Saturday 16th September
10am-12pm (presentation at 10:45am)
Knightsbridge Baptist Church Hall & Garden, 455 Glynburn Rd, Leabrook SA

This event is a thank you to our supporters, a welcome to new supporters, and a chance for to hear about the latest developments in Uganda.

BYO rugs or chairs
Gold coin donation
Please RSVP for catering purposes (incl. dietary needs) 12th September contact@maranathahealth.org

Notice Board

Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
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Employment
Project Coordinator - Lutheran Community Care, Blair Athol SA
Education Leader - Lutheran Schools Association SA, NT & WA, North Adelaide SA
Youth Ministry Coordinator - St Michael's Lutheran Church, Hahndorf SA
Personal Assistant to the Secretary of the Church - North Adelaide SA

Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

LCC job vacancies
Several job opportunities have become available at Lutheran Community Care in the last week. Please visit www.lccare.org.au/careers.html for more information.

Lutheran Homes Glynde Spring Fair 2017
is on Saturday 9th SEPTEMBER, from 9.00am till lunchtime at 22 Avenue Road Glynde.
Stalls include Biscuits and Cakes, Books, CD’s, Craft, Jams & Chutneys, Jewellery, Plants and Toys  plus Devonshire Tea and continuous Sausage Sizzle.

Proceeds go to LHI Resident Care Facility projects at Glynde. If you have any questions or donations for the fair please contact Marion Schubert 8336 4361

https://www.growministries.org.au/

“Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13

Thank God for second chances!

This Sunday we continue to unpack the story of Jonah in our worship series: Growing God’s heart for ALL people.
Jonah rejected God’s command to go to Nineveh, and ended up having a three day ‘spiritual retreat’ inside a huge fish. After getting spewed up onto dry land, the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:1-2 NIV)

The LORD did not give up on Jonah – or on the people of Nineveh.  The LORD spared them and gave them a second chance.  

Have you ever messed up so bad – and felt so guilt ridden and ashamed that you wondered whether God was finished with you? 

Truth is God never gives up on you!  Jesus is God’s lifeline of grace, redemption and hope.  In Christ, we have a future in God’s good plans! 

Jesus came into the world to save sinners – people who’ve messed up in all sorts of ways – just like Jonah, just like me, just like you… and just like every other person on this planet.

Thank God for second chances! 

Bible Readings: Jonah 3
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.

Step Up
Our Step Up - Preparing for First Communion in 2017 program will commence this Sunday 20th August with a shared family lunch.  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 available this Sunday at our 10.30am service for Reception – Year 7s.  Please note that due to the Step Up luncheon we will not be providing lunch for our Kingdom Youth so please come and collect them at 12 sharp from the OSCH room in the school.  Thank you.  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.  Due to the chilly winter mornings we will be adjusting our start time to 10am finishing round 11.30am on Wednesdays.  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.

Youth Ministry
Last Friday night we looked in depth at the parable of The Rich Young Man and established what is really important to us and where Jesus fits into that.  On Monday we served at Meet’n’Eat and this was very rewarding for all those who came along and served.  We will be looking at making this a regular event, a great way of giving back to our community. Our next event will be next Friday 25th August.

Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or Margot.Mertin@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.

Maranatha Health
It's blooming wonderful to celebrate Maranatha Health with you at our Spring Party!
Saturday 16 September
10am-12pm (presentation at 10:45am)
Knightsbridge Baptist Church Hall & Garden, 455 Glynburn Rd, Leabrook SA

Delicious morning refreshments (brunch) provided, with traditional Ethiopian coffee and espresso coffee for sale. Enjoy live music, lawn games and peruse market stalls for homemade, African and original wares for sale (proceeds to MH).

This event is a thank you to our supporters, a welcome to new supporters, and a chance for to hear about the latest developments in Uganda.

BYO rugs or chairs
Gold coin donation
Please RSVP for catering purposes (incl. dietary needs) 12 September contact@maranathahealth.org

Notice Board

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.

Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.

Employment and Volunteer opportunities at the LCA
Employment
Project Coordinator - Lutheran Community Care, Blair Athol SA
Education Leader - Lutheran Schools Association SA, NT & WA, North Adelaide SA
youth ministry coordinator - St Michael's Lutheran Church, Hahndorf SA

Volunteer’s role:
Overseas Mission
Photographers

Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

Lutheran Homes Glynde Spring Fair 2017
is on Saturday 9th SEPTEMBER, from 9.00am till lunchtime at 22 Avenue Road Glynde.
Stalls include Biscuits and Cakes, Books, CD’s, Craft, Jams & Chutneys, Jewellery, Plants and Toys  plus Devonshire Tea and continuous Sausage Sizzle.

Proceeds go to LHI Resident Care Facility projects at Glynde. If you have any questions or donations for the fair please contact Marion Schubert 8336 4361

https://www.growministries.org.au/

Faith can move mountains

Matthew 17:20

When you’re down, look up!

Last Sunday we kicked off our new series: Growing God’s heart for ALL people. Over four weeks, we are looking at the story of Jonah and asking God to help us see ALL people through his eyes.

God gave Jonah a mission, but Jonah ran in the opposite direction. Things got rough and Jonah ended up inside a huge fish. Jonah gets to have a “three day spiritual retreat” – a time to reflect and pray. 

No doubt it was a traumatic experience. Yet Jonah cries out to the LORD; and the LORD listened to his cry and saved him. Jonah discovers there’s no place beyond God’s reach. 

We see this repeated over and over again in Scripture, especially in the ministry of Jesus. When people turned to Jesus for help, Jesus reached out to them and saved them.  Through his death and resurrection, the same thing happens to us.  

When you and I are overwhelmed, take a leaf from Jonah’s book: When you’re down, look up!  

Bible Readings:   Jonah 2 (For similar prayers when people were overwhelmed,
see Psalm 18:1-7, 16-17, Psalm 69:1-4, 13-18) 
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.

Step Up
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 available this Sunday at our 10.30am service for 10 month olds – Year 1.  Kool Zone will not be available this Sunday.  Kingdom Youth will be staying in to worship with their families.  We look forward to seeing you!

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.  Due to the chilly winter mornings we will be adjusting our start time to 10am finishing round 11.30am on Wednesdays.  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.

Youth Ministry
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.

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 08 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au for further information.  Alternatively please mark your connect card with “Convention”

Ignite the Future building update
The steel works have been completed and signed off by the engineers.  Work has commenced on the roofing section above the narthex and by print time should be completed.  Timber framing for the remaining roofing structure and walls has commenced.  Take time to view the progress through the cut out in the corridor doors or through the glass panel in the door at the rear of the hall.

Finance Report
Offerings
January - July  2017
Total Offerings – Budget $299,500    Actual $305,662    Surplus $6,150

Budget Summary
January – June 2017
Total Income – Budget $286,550        Actual $288,755    Surplus $2,205
Total Expenses – Budget $269,678    Actual $265,299    Deficit $4,379

Notes since last Board meeting:
•    July offerings were well above Budget, with plate offerings on 3 Sundays well above expectations. 
•    Offerings are now $6,150 above budget.
•    Income is slightly over budget due to Interest received over budget.
•    Most Expenditure lines continue to be maintained below budget. 

Ignite Budget Update
•    We received $3,600 in July for the Ignite the Future building fund and with what has already received in August there is currently now only $312 still to be received.  Thank you to all who have honoured their pledge for the Ignite project.
•    Donations for the Ignite project are still appreciated as there are fittings and furnishings still required to make the new area hospitable.

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.

Wine and Cheese Night
We are bringing the Cellar Door to school on Saturday 26th August from 7.00pm.
Ticket includes complimentary arrival glass of wine, feasting on a magnificent grazing table filled with an impressive selection of produce, together with acoustic tunes, plus on the night purchase raffle tickets to be in the running to win some amazing prizes. Boutique beers, Cellar door wines and soft drinks can be purchased on the night!

We appreciate your assistance in spreading the word and supporting this community school event to raise funds for school projects together fostering fellowship in the community. Tickets on sale now, $25 per person.

Enquiries / ticket sales to Sharon at school 8264 7966 or email admin@gspv.sa.edu.au 

Notice Board

Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.

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
Business Director

Volunteer’s role:
Overseas Mission
Photographers

Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

https://www.growministries.org.au/

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh;

is anything too difficult for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27

Growing God’s heart for ALL people

What comes to mind when you hear the name “Jonah”?  Maybe: “Whale”?  

Lots of people know about Jonah – the prophet who hears from God but refuses to do what God tells him.  As spectators of the story, we can easily look down on Jonah: “What is Jonah hoping to achieve by running away from the LORD?  Doesn’t he know that’s impossible? Who does he think he is?” 

But then the story draws us in – as participants.  Like Jonah, we find ourselves trying to keep God at a comfortable distance.  We want God’s blessing for ourselves; but not for those who are different from us – or those who may be hostile to us.  Like Jonah, we want them to ‘get what they deserve’.

Hmmm.  What would happen if God gave us what we deserve? 

Go to the cross... that’s where Jesus took what we deserved.  Was it only for you and me?  No, it was for ALL.   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

The LORD wants to help Jonah - and us - see ALL people through his eyes: as objects of his love and compassion. As we explore the story of Jonah over the next four weeks, my prayer is for us to be Growing God’s heart for ALL people.
Part one this Sunday: You can run, but you can’t hide. 

Bible Readings:   Jonah 1:1-17.  (For background, please read 2 Kings 14:23-29.  Jesus also refers to Jonah in Matthew 12:38-41, and Matthew 16:1-4.) 
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.

Step Up
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 begin for Term 3 this Sunday at our 10.30am service.  Available for children who attend Kindy – Year 7.  We look forward to seeing you!

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.  Due to the chilly winter mornings we will be adjusting our start time to 10am finishing round 11.30am on Wednesdays.  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.

Youth Ministry
Our first event for the term was held last Friday night.  We looked in depth at the parable of The Lost Sheep and how it relates to our everyday life in today’s society.  We “lost” some sheep during the night, we studied the parable, we found our rhythm as a flock and we even ate some “sheep”.  It was a really enjoyable night and a good time was had by all.  Our next event will be held on Friday 11th August.  Love to see you all there and bring along a friend or two.  We are also holding a service event and encouraging as many young people as possible to come along to Meet’n’Eat on Monday night 14th August to serve.  This is a great way to give back to the community, so if interested please have your young person/people at the school gym by 6.15pm.  Hope to see a lot of familiar faces there.
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.

From the Office

The 2017 ALWS (Australian Lutheran World Service)
Annual Report has been received at the Office and has news relevant to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista.  If you wish to view this copy please contact the office.

Wine and Cheese Night
We are bringing the Cellar Door to school on Saturday 26th August from 7.00pm.
Ticket includes complimentary arrival glass of wine, feasting on a magnificent grazing table filled with an impressive selection of produce, together with acoustic tunes, plus on the night purchase raffle tickets to be in the running to win some amazing prizes. Boutique beers, Cellar door wines and soft drinks can be purchased on the night!

We appreciate your assistance in spreading the word and supporting this community school event to raise funds for school projects together fostering fellowship in the community. Tickets on sale now, $25 per person.

Enquiries / ticket sales to Sharon at school 8264 7966 or email admin@gspv.sa.edu.au  

Notice Board

Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.

All Things New Sala Exhibition by the Department of Visual Arts
This is a display of beautiful art works by many artists, in the St Stephens hall, as well as a display in the Church.  Paraments from St Stephens and Dernancourt will be displayed around the Church.

The opening is on Sunday 6th August at 2pm by Rev Adrian Kitson. This will also be the launch of the new Visual Arts website by Linda Macqueen. The exhibition runs on Saturday and Sunday, 1-4pm for the month of August.

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
Business Director

Volunteer’s role:
Overseas Mission
Photographers

Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

https://www.growministries.org.au/

“Love one another with brotherly affection.

Out do one another in showing honor.”

Romans 12:10