Friday, March 24, 2017

Ego to Others

I think mothers are amazing.

Because I have a great relationship with my mother over the years, I am cognizant of the ways that she has supported me.  Not only did she and my father provide all the daily needs for their children, they went out of their way to make sure that the opportunities for success were placed in front of us, not in a hovering, over-protective way, but with foresight and thoughtful preparation.

So it was with James and John’s mother.  Like any other mother, it seems that she is making sure that her sons will have the best opportunities for success later in life – which is why she kneels down before Jesus and asks that her sons be given places of power beside him.

Jesus is not angry, or even frustrated, but the rest of the disciples are because James’ and John’s  mother asked for the very thing they had not spoken out loud.  Indignant, and perhaps jealous, they reprimand their fellow disciples for the very thing that they seemed to have wanted.  It would take the entirety of the group to learn a new language, one of selflessness rather than selfishness.

Join in the journey this weekend to hear Pastor Noel Due as he takes us on a dive into the deep end of moving from our own ego to look to others.

Bible Readings:  Matthew 10:16-20, 26-33
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday. 

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
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

Youth Ministry
SOUL Crew was held last Friday night.  We looked into Luke 10:1-12 and talked about what it means to us.  Then in a very creative way we came up with a rap to explain the bible verse and had the “SOUL Crew Rap Battle to finish off the night.  Everyone got into rap mode and we had some awesome raps created.  The youth will certainly forever remember that bible verse.  Next Friday we will be having Girl/Guy night with a twist – wonder what that means?  Come along and find out. Just a reminder that we will be having two events in a row due to Good Friday.  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.

This 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.

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.

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!

Notice Board

Dear Good Shepherd Lutheran Community,
We would like to invite you to take part in our Pen pal program. Year 7 students communicate by exchanging hand written letters with people outside of the school.  The letter writing will continue over the next few months and concludes when the volunteer pen pals will come to Endeavour College and have morning tea and a tour of the school with their buddies, in late June. If you would like to be a part of this program, or have any questions,  please phone Julie Freund on 8368 3311 or send an email to Julie.freund@endeavour.sa.edu.au by Tuesday, 28  March.

You are invited to a STATIONS OF THE CROSS An Easter Reflection
Good Friday – 14 April 2017
1pm to 5pm
Please see notice board for further information

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.

Lenten Appeal - Rebuilding lives one step at a time
Please give generously to LCC this Lent and partner with us to equip and empower vulnerable people rebuild their lives one step at a time.  Find out more or donate at www.lccare.org.au or 8269 9333

Adelaide: Volunteers Needed at Smithfield and Payneham Op Shops
LCC is in need of volunteers to help in our Op Shops.  We are specifically seeking volunteers for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Smithfield, or any day at Payneham (Monday-Saturday).  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




“But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16