For some, it might be a chariot of fire; for others, it could be a hobbit (the actor’s name of Frodo Baggins was Elijah Wood, in case the reference caused you to scratch your head); for many, it might be from our scripture lesson for the day. After a roller coaster ride of events that would leave almost anyone gasping for breath, Elijah finds himself holed up in the same mountain where Moses encountered God – where God passed by.
In God’s pass over the mountain, he brings an earthquake, a mighty wind and a fire – but the scriptures say that God was not in them. God chose to show himself to Elijah in a completely different way:
In a still small voice.
In some ways, it’s a new birth for Elijah. After his time in the cave, he has a new life when he exits and what happens afterwards has a profound effect on our Biblical story.
How many times do you reflect on your own roller coaster ride? What kinds of things are mountain top experiences for you? What kinds of things push you to hole up for a while, to sook and feel that life just isn’t fair?
What do you do when life comes with neither a chariot nor a fire?
Bible Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-18; John 3:1-21
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Ignite the Future building update
From Sunday 18th June the hall and the front foyer entry to the hall will be out of bounds as the builders require access to the hall for painting. A container has been placed on site to relocate storage items in the short term. Items may be stored at the rear of the church and in the pigeon hole corridor so we ask for your patience as this is only short term. A working bee to move all the items will be occurring as this news gets released. First fix electrical, plumbing and security has been mainly completed for the new store and education centre. Lining of the store walls is nearly completed and lining of all other walls and fitting of doors in the hall area have commenced. The builders plan to commence structural steel works on Monday 19th June so keep an eye on the viewing panels for the external structure.
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.
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday at our 10.30am service. All zones will be operating. Our Kingdom Youth (Year 5-7s) will finish off the term with lunch at 12.
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
Playgroup will be held at 9.30am in the OSCH room over at the school. 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.
SOUL Crew is on this Friday night and we are having our mid-year fun event. This is going to be held at Latitude and will be an evening of bouncing, climbing and flying!! Then in two weeks’ time we will be finishing our series on “Jesus – Who Is He?”
We are really excited to now be opening up SOUL Crew to those in school year 6. 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.
Christian Life Week is coming up in the July school holidays and these are week long camps, spending time with other Christian teens hanging out, playing games, studying the bible and having small group discussions. This year the camp is held at Port Hughes and run over 2 weeks – split into school year levels -and the camps will be tailored to the specific age groups.
10th-14th July – Year 7-9
17th-21st July – Year 10-12 Cost $220-00
Para Vista has a number of campers already registered and also quite a few SOUL Crew leaders will be leading on camp. I urge you to go ahead and register and be set for an awesome time. If finances are the only reason stopping any young person attending camp, please contact me and we can come to some sort of arrangement. Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
From the Office
Finance Report
Offerings
January - May 2017
Total Offerings – Budget $218,000 Actual $218,093 SURPLUS $93
Budget Summary
January – April 2017
Total Income – Budget $180,700 Actual $182,318 Surplus $1,618
Total Expenses – Budget $169,172 Actual $161,300 Deficit $7,872
Notes since last Board meeting:
• May offerings were slightly below Budget, but still currently on budget.
• REG was under budget and plate offering as budgeted.
• Income is slightly over budget due to Offerings.
• Most Expenditure lines continue to be maintained below budget.
• We received $4,095 in May for the Ignite the Future building fund and with that already received in June there is currently just over $14,500 of pledged money to be received.
Ignite Budget Update
• We received $4,095 in May for the Ignite the Future building fund and with that already received in June there is currently just over $14,500 of pledged money to be received.
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.
Candle trimmer
A volunteer is required to learn the art of candle trimming for our alter setting each Sunday. This position only requires approximately 15 minutes to trim candles and ensure they burn brightly on a Sunday. Please contact the office or Stephen on 8250 1690 or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au to learn the burning art of candle trimming.
Parking lot safety reminder – One Way Traffic
Remember our car park is now permanent one way to all traffic. Entry only permitted from Montague Road and all vehicles are required to exit onto Hillary Crescent. Traffic signs indicating flow of traffic are in place. Please note this is a shared area and speed is restricted to 10KPH
Friends of Lutheran Archives
Dresden Missionary Clamor Schurmann did much more than minister to Aboriginal people in SA. He also spent 40 years as a pioneering parish pastor and district president in Victoria. Betty Huf is an historian specializing in the history of the Western District of Victoria, and has written books about the German & Wendish settlers of the Hamilton area. Come along to the Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting on Monday 26th June, 7.30 pm at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City. Supper & gold coin donation.
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
Professional Standards
The Professional Standards Department of the SA/NT District was established by the LCA to assist all those who engage with our church to care for one another.
There is now a Professional Standards Officer in every District of the LCA.
Caring for one another requires a little effort from us. It's something we need to choose to do. It's love in action.
It's what we are called to do as Christians.
The LCA and its districts have policies and procedures to help us know appropriate ways of behaving and responding to matters that life throws at us. We need to take special care of the vulnerable people, the frail, the sick, the sad and especially our children. In the past we may have tried to ‘fix things up’ after an incident occurred, but our new focus is on the prevention of harm.
The LCA offers a number of different types of training and workshops to help congregations meet their Health and Safety, and ChildSafe obligations.
As part of this Good Shepherd will host two opportunities to participate in the Professional Standards Workshop (PSW) on Sunday 6th August and again on Sunday 10th September commencing at 12.30pm and finishing at 6.30pm. You only need to attend one.
This workshop focuses on the prevention of harassment and abuse (including Safe Place) and ChildSafe team member combined into one workshop, removing the need for congregation members to complete two types of training.
This is the foundation training which must be completed before other levels of training offered by the LCA.
The workshop numbers are capped at 35 people. This is due to the interactive nature of the sessions so early registration is recommended. Registration is via online system and is accessible here: https://goo.gl/Zanktk and also via the SA/NT District website. If you do not have computer access please contact the church office and they will assist in registration.
Cost for each participant is $40.00. If this is prohibitive for you please contact the church office or Stephen on 8263 5087 and some concession can be arranged.
This workshop is required by all church leaders and recommended for all adult members. A luncheon will be provided for participants directly after service on Sunday to enable the workshop to commence and finish on time. Please see the notice board and slide adverts for further information.
Preparing For Marriage Course
4th, 11th & 18th July 2017 from 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 388 Montague Road, Para Vista
An enjoyable, interactive, non-threatening way to share time with your partner and other couples, bringing benefits that can last a lifetime.
• Topics include: resolving conflict, realistic expectations, communication, and God’s Plan for marriage
• Presented in a relaxed adult educational style (it is not counselling)
• For couples planning to marry and for those recently married
Cost $100.00 couple
For more information please contact Merv & Ros Thiele 0429009847 or email: mervrost@bigpond.net.au
Shed Happens
Real-Deal Marriages Are Worth It
“Be turbocharged to good love, from good love to great love”
Learn How Men & Women Can Appreciate One Another’s Differences
Venue: St John's Lutheran Church Hall
Address: 182 Hancock Rd, Ridgehaven
Date: Wednesday 21st June 2017
Time: 6.00pm Registration - 6:30pm Sharp Start to 9:30pm
RSVP required by: 16th JUNE 2017 to arrange catering
Phone Jim Molloy: 0438 899 629 to reserve your seat and arrange payment
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4 NIV
