Sometimes, crowds take on a life of their own and absorb anyone in their path.
In our gospel lesson Palm Sunday, we notice that one of the main characters of the story is the amorphous crowd which has been traveling with Jesus, following his progress and daring to hope that he might be the one about whom all the prophets spoke: to be the true king of Israel – eject the Romans and establish the reign of man forever.
It would have been very easy for Jesus to revel in the love. It would have been very easy for him, like it is for us, to simply take up the call of the crowds, not because he wanted to, but because it’s such a wonderful feeling to be adored. But he didn’t.
He remained silent – the ‘Hosanna’s’ shouted – “Save us!” – would be accomplished in his time and in his way set aside for him by his Father in Heaven.
Listen carefully this week for the complete story of the crowd and what happens in Jesus’ good time.
Bible Reading: Matthew 21:1-11, Romans 1:16-17
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids
This Sunday will be our last session of Kingdom Kids for Term 1 as we will be taking a break over the school holidays. At our 10.30am service the children will be invited out to make butterflies for the Easter Sunday 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 only on our church App! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Our last session for Term 1 will be held at 9.30am in the OSCH room over at the school. We will be celebrating Easter! Please bring a plate of party food to share. 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 held our Girl/Guy Night with a twist. We sent the girls off with the male leaders to do “Bloke stuff” and the guys stayed with the female leaders to do “Girlie stuff”. This proved to be an interesting, yet fun night for all. We did discover though that girls are happier to adapt to doing guy stuff, rather than guys are at doing girl stuff.
SOUL Crew is being held again this Friday due to Good Friday next week. This week SOUL Crew will be invaded by aliens, and the only way to save SOUL Crew is by the telling of the Easter story and convincing these aliens that they should come to know our awesome saviour Jesus and what He has done for us. It will be a great night.
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. Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin - Faith Formation Leader
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.
From Death to Life
And she sat up and ate. Olives, bread, honey. She smiled and played. Alive! This little girl was dead, wept and wailed over, is now alive! Jairus was a man of faith and desperation. He knew his child was dying. He’d seen her struggle for each breath, touched his daughter’s chalk white skin, and felt her raging heat. Seeing her dying he rushed to Jesus, the source of healing and hope.
And Jesus followed; he prayed and touched the little girl, though she was dead. And she lived and ate and played. (Mark 5:21-43) Can you imagine the wonder and joy of that moment for Jairus and his wife, the moment where fear and grief were exchanged for delight! It’s a moment our team are privileged to share daily with mums and dads. They bring their sick sons and daughters to the Maranatha Health clinic in grief and fear, seeking a place of healing and hope.
Dr Suren Krishnan, an Australian surgeon who recently volunteered at the Maranatha Health clinic in Fort Portal shared with us his wonder at watching a child climbing the playground with his siblings, a child who days before had been on the brink of death from malaria.
This Easter as you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the giver of life, please give to Maranatha Health. Your gift will bring joy to parents and children by providing access to healing and care in the Kabarole District, Uganda.
www.maranathahealth.org/give
First Aid
Thank you to all who responded to the First Aid register. A list has been compiled and is displayed near the worship host desk for reference. Please advise us if your circumstances change.
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 Brooks, 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
East Africa Hunger Crisis
The outlook for the coming months for people in East Africa looks difficult. The drought is widespread, and is deteriorating faster than was even expected.
Conditions are worrying across:
* southern and south-eastern Ethiopia
* northern and coastal Kenya
* almost all of Somalia
* south-eastern South Sudan
* north-eastern Uganda
Please follow this link https://www.alws.org.au/ if you can help.
You are invited to a STATIONS OF THE CROSS An Easter Reflection
Good Friday – 14th April 2017
1pm to 5pm
Please see notice board for further information
Position Vacant
Mainly Music Co-Ordinator (paid position)
4 hours/week including Monday morning session. Ideal position for parent with young children.
Full job description available from office.htlc@lca.org.au or Phone: 8261 6236
Stalin & stinging-nettle soup! At the April meeting of Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) Elisabeth Edser, a member of Blackwood congregation, will describe her mother’s journey from Poland to Australia & the unbelievable challenges that she had to face. Please come & join us on Monday April 24th, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city, 7.30 pm. Supper & gold coin donation.
2017 “Organists Meet and Swap” with the theme, ‘looking back – moving forward – reaching out’, will be a stimulating networking event for all your church’s organists and worship musicians.
PROGRAM features a thought-provoking keynote presentation in celebration of the 500 year old Reformation, practical ‘Stop Talk” on Pogson pipe organ, demonstrations of software to easily arrange music for various worship musicians…. And more!
SATURDAY MAY 20TH at St Martins Lutheran Church, 82 Cliff St.,
Mannum 10am to 3-30pm with relaxing optional River Paddle Boat Cruise 4pm to 5-30pm
Cost : $12, students free….. (Cruise cost extra). Contact Joy Mildren - 0458 650 135 or 8367 9969, joymildren@hotmail.com for more details.
“Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2
