Gerhard Forde writes:
The Theology of the cross arises out of the realization that it is simply disastrous to dissolve the cross in the story of glory. Jesus was crucified “outside the camp,” not in the temple, as the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us. The cross insists on being its own story. It does not allow us to stand by and watch. It does not ask us to probe endlessly for a meaning behind or above everything that would finally awaken, enlighten, and attract the exiled, slumbering soul. The cross draws us into itself so that we become participants in the story.
We have followed the journey of the cross in Lent – Dying to Live. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:24,25)
In essence, the story from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday to Easter is that Jesus was crucified so we also are crucified with him. We become part of the story.
Journey with us to examine the cross and the empty tomb.
We hope you are dying to live!
These are exciting times for young people at Good Shepherd. The first weekend of the school holidays is NOVO, a Christian camp for high school students around the state. We have an excellent group of students and leaders attending the camp – more than a dozen! In conjunction with Golden Grove Lutheran, we have been allowed the opportunity to ride on the Golden Grove school bus with them, but in order to keep costs down, we’re looking for someone who is able and available to drive the bus to Mt. Barker on Friday, April 21st. The bus serves many purposes, not just transportation, but connection with Golden Grove; it also benefits those parents who are working on the Friday. If there is someone willing to drive the students, we would greatly appreciate it!
I would like to thank the incredible the team which has invested time and talents into the Holy Week worship services. From the worship teams including band, sound technicians, worship hosts and those who work with the visuals. Thank you to the visual arts team and all who have transformed the visual space of Good Shepherd into a multi-sense area. Thank you to the ministry team – Rochelle, for her organization of the worship services, Rolly for his incredible ability to bring the message of the scriptures to life, Margot and Kathy for including the youth in everything that we do; Stephen, Sooty, Belinda and Helen for all of their behind the scenes coordinating. To Steve for continually ministering to those all he encounters.
God’s peace to you all on the holiest of holidays – Easter.
Pastor Reid
Bible Reading: John 20:26-29
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Last Sunday the children made butterflies for the Easter Sunday Service. This Sunday the children will be invited forward to place these butterflies at the front of the church to symbolise our new life in Jesus.
Activity folders and Easter booklets will be 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.
Due to the school holidays Kingdom Kids will now be on a break, returning Sunday 7th May. Happy Holidays!
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
The children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt for their last session this term. Due to the school holidays, Playgroup will now be on a break, returning Wednesday 3rd May.
Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker
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
From the Office
Offerings
January - March 2017
Total Offerings – Budget $133,500 Actual $131,017 DEFICIT $2,483
Budget Summary
January 2017
Total Income – Budget $54,675 Actual $54,196
Total Expenses – Budget $41,758 Actual $41,840
Brief report on progress since last Board meeting:
• March offerings were slightly over Budget.
• REG recovered from downward trend in February and plate was also encouragingly above budget.
• Both income and expenditure are in line with budget.
• We received $5,090 in March for the Ignite the Future building fund and with that already received in April there is currently just under $18,000 of pledged money to be received.
• Audit was conducted in March. Waiting to receive the written report by end of April.
Emergency exit pigeon hole corridor
Please note a key has been hung on the left of the pigeon hole corridor door for emergency exits. The key will be required to exit the external gates out of hours. The key and door are to be used for emergencies only.
THIS KEY IS TO BE USED IN EMERGENCY ONLY
Air conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been closed down for the winter months. To prevent accidental usage the remote controls have been removed and will be returned when the units are opened for summer.
Chair movers
Two to three volunteers are required to assist moving chairs for the Monday night on Tuesday 18th April. Please mark your connect card with your availability.
Easter Car parking
The school oval has been made available for parking for the Easter services. Members are encouraged to park on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval and keeping as close to the fence as possible.
For sale
Surplus to requirement a Godfrey Steel 4 drawer filing cabinet. $100.00 ONO. For further information please contact Stephen, the church office on 8263 5087or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
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.
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.
“He was delivered up for our trespasses
and raised for our justification.”
Romans 4:25
