From our scripture reading this week, there is a whole list of them, but I’ll point out three:
1. On my account you will be brought before (rulers)… when they arrest you, do not worry about what you will say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say… (Matthew 10:18,19)
2. You will be hated by everyone because of me. (Matthew 10:22)
3. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew10:28)
Remind me again of the attraction to follow Jesus? Because of him, because of who he is and who he represents, we will be arrested, we will be universally hated and we will be on the run from persecution.
Contemporary Christianity has ceased to understand these difficulties that occur when committed Christians speak up for the breathing grace that entered the world two thousand years ago. Instead of being given words to speak, we prepare in advance our defence – but usually we end up defending ourselves rather than giving a testimony for the gospel.
Instead of speaking the truth of God against sin in this world, we are more likely to give into popular culture so that we are well liked.
What do you mean don’t be afraid of the ones that can kill me? How is that possible? And there is ‘One’ who can destroy both my soul and body? Do I really want to sign up for this?
This week we look at Christ’s claim on our lives, our words and our actions as we dig through the difficulties of the Christian life. Bring your Bibles and follow along!
Bible Readings: Matthew 10:16-20, 26-33
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Next Sunday, March 26, we will have two amazing visitors to our congregation. Dr. Suresh Vemulapalli, director of India Village Ministries, a home for disadvantaged children in India, will be with us to share some of the amazing ways that Christ is moving in the country of India. If you would like more information about India Village Ministries go to http://indiavillage.org/ and check out their website.
Also joining us is Pr. Noel Due, author of three books including “Created for Worship,” “Jesus at Work,” and “A Commentary on Galatians.” Noel is a regional resourcing pastor in South Australia, but also an internationally known speaker and preacher. We look forward to hearing both of them next Sunday.
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.
Please listen out for the spotlight this Sunday for further information.
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday. Our Kingdom Youth (Year 5-7s) will be finishing at 12pm and then sharing lunch together.
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
SOUL Crew is on this Friday night. We will be finding out what Luke has to say to us in a very creative, fun way. We will be commencing the night in the church, starting with worship with our very own band. Then we will head down to Mengkiwodli – school gym – for the remainder of the night. A fun-filled night is planned. Don’t forget to invite along a few friends. Youth is a safe, non-confronting environment where like-minded teens get to share and grow their faith.
On Sunday 26th March the SOUL Crew Leadership Team are hosting a Congregation Fun Day on the school oval after the 10.30am service. Sausage sizzle will be available for gold coin donation and there will be good old fashioned games for all ages to participate in.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader
Young Adults
Good Shepherd community supports SOUL Crew Young Adults hosting an upcoming Worship Night where people can come together to Share, Own, Understand and Live the faith. On Friday 24th March at 7.00pm we will be coming together in worship to discover “Were You There”.
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.
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 Brookes, 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
Ignite the Future building update
The builders will be carrying out Asbestos removal to the Church this Saturday 18th March 2017. They will need to carry out all works as detailed in the EPA requirements and WHS Act2012.
This basically means that only contract personnel are allowed to be on church/school grounds or in the church on Saturday during these works. The site will be not accessible until complete access approval is granted from Air Monitored stations set up by the builder.
Many thanks for your cooperation in this matter. If this is going to cause major issues please contact Stephen.
The builders have completed the hoarding and fencing of the work areas. There is no access to the court yard and during the rebuild members are requested to enter the church via the front entry. The Office entry may also be used for those parking in the rear carparks. Welcomers stationed at the rear entry please encourage visitors/ members to enter via the front or office entry.
For the length of the building works all volunteers and visitors to the church are requested to enter via the front office during working hours and sign in on the visitor’s book. If you are leading a group you are requested to sign in on behalf of the group and then PLEASE sign out again once your group has finished. This is to prevent any health and safety issues during installation.
If you have any issues during this time please contact Stephen or the front office on 8263 5087.
Pigeon Holes
Due to the building works most of the pigeon holes have had to be moved to a temporary position. As ALL the boxes are being moved in the next two weeks it is imperative that all members remove all their belongings till further notice. All information will be sent out via email, and hard copies will still be available from the information area.
Budget
Offerings
January - February 2017
Total Offerings – Budget $93,558 Actual $90,534 DEFICIT $3,024
Notes presented to last Board meeting:
• February offerings were around $3,000 under budget.
• Against the trend of 2016, plate offerings were on budget and REG was well below budget.
• REG was lowest for around 2 years. However February is normally our lowest month.
Ignite the Future building fund
• We received $2,990 in February for the Ignite the Future building fund and currently just over $27,000 of pledged money is outstanding.
Donations to the 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.
Notice Board
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 here 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.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (Fola)
Agnes Dorsch nee Heyne was a brilliant scholar and gifted teacher whose distinguished career culminated in two significant decades at Concordia College (1923-43). As a pastor’s wife she founded the Adelaide Bethlehem Women’s Guild – perhaps Australia’s oldest? – and raised 11 brilliant children. Her grandson, retired neuro-surgeon Dr Nick Dorsch, will outline Agnes’ achievements at the FoLA meeting on Monday 27th March, 7.30pm at Bethlehem House, Flinders Street in the city. All welcome, supper & gold coin donation.
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
Proverbs 20:6-7
