For the word of God is alive and active…
The book of Hebrews was written to a group of people who were daily threatened with all the things that tear joy from life: hardships, persecution, pain and terror. These things translate very well to our contemporary life and not just to Christians. More and more, though, Christians, including those who live in relatively peaceful places like Australia, are understanding what the early church was going through whether attacked by the government for their beliefs, persecution for doctrinal statements, the pain of watching faith being abused in all spheres of culture and the terror of the unknown.
But the author of Hebrews offers a suggestion to those who are struggling with staying on target with regards to their lives of faith. Use the Word of God.
Lutherans believe that the Word of God is three things:
First and foremost, the Word of God is Jesus Christ - the living Word who was with God in the beginning and is the Word of life even today.
Secondly, the Word of God is the preached word – for faith comes through hearing, and all of us, whether we recognize it or not, came to faith by hearing someone speak about it.
Lastly, the Word of God is the written word – the Bible, the scriptures. When we speak of Sola Scriptura in our series, we understand that the scriptures are the cradle of Christ and it is here that we run headlong into the breath of God in the flesh who has come to save the world, not condemn it for its faithlessness.
What do we do with this written word? How do we use it? How does it become alive and active? How do we see its sharpness which penetrates to divide even soul and spirit, joints and marrow?
This week we’ll look at the difficulties of truly living as people of the Word, people of the Book, people who actively allow the scriptures to cut them to the quick, incise sin, like a cancerous tumour, from our lives.
Come and open the book with us this week!
Bible Readings: Hebrews 4:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Proverbs 30:5
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
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 is now on holidays. We will resume on Sunday 6th August at 10.30am.
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 just outside the parenting room.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available on our church Facebook page!
To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Playgroup is now on a break. We will resume on Wednesday 26th July.
SOUL Crew is currently on a break for the school holidays. Our first event will be held next Friday 28th July. This term we are going to be looking at Jesus – Who Am I? What does it mean for us as individuals to live in Christ? I look forward to another exciting term ahead of us. For term 3 dates check out the flyer.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Notice of Meeting
Please note that the next meeting takes place in our renovated Good Shepherd Hall at 1pm, Tuesday, August 1st with Pastor Rolly leading the Bible Study. This will be followed by coffee, tea, biscuits and a social gathering.
Anyone still wishing to donate to the Lutheran Community "Socks and Jocks" collection may take this last opportunity to do so.
The Maranatha Health Quiz Night is on Saturday 5th August
Shrug off the winter blandness and let your inner patterns shine! Sharpen your wits for a night of African and general knowledge puzzling, dress in your favourite colourful patterns, grab a team of friends, bring some delicious nibbles, and come for a night of fun. There will be a special kids quiz, lots of prizes, fun games, and the latest news from our work in Uganda. All proceeds to the work of MH. Saturday 5th August, 7pm sharp start
Endeavour College, 85 Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes
Tables of 10. Adults $20, kids aged 10 years and over $10, kids under 10 free. BYO drinks and nibbles (alcohol allowed) Hot drinks available. Limited space so get in quick!
RSVP 28th July contact@maranathealth.org
From the Office
Good Shepherd Representative
The next General Convention of Synod for the Lutheran Church of Australia will be held at Rosehill Gardens in western Sydney from 2nd to 7th October 2018. The LCA’s 19th general synod will feature the theme 50.500 faith.freedom.future. If you wish to represent our congregation at this gathering please contact Stephen or the front office on 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au for further information. Alternatively please mark your connect card with “Convention”.
URGENT 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 or mark your connect cart candle trimmer.
Ignite the Future building update
Steel work is now well under way and roofing material should start to be put into place.
The bi-fold doors have been installed to the chair store and this completes part of the project.
The narthex is available for use again this week. Remember the rear doors are inaccessible for emergency use.
Free Books/DVD/Videos/CD’s
There are still a number of free items on the table in the hall with materials that you are free to help yourselves to. Request that the items are not returned to the library.
Adelaide Show Outreach
If you received a copy of the Volunteer’s Response Form from Con Schlenk last Sunday please contact the office as the wrong form was accidently issued out. If you didn’t get a form and would like one please let the office know. Please consider this outreach program as a way to be trained then engage others in a thought provoking way about their spiritual life and open the gate for a discussion. Please contact the office or Con Schlenk on 08 8359 1965 for further enquiries
Notice Board
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
Adelaide: Op Shop Volunteers Needed
LCC is in need of volunteers to help in our Op Shops at Blair Athol and Smithfield. We are also looking for volunteers to help sort donations at the Blair Athol shop. 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
Winter Appeal – Donate and Give Hope
This winter we are asking you to donate and give hope to those who need it most.
Many of the people that Lutheran Community Care meets are homeless and they urgently need assistance this winter. Not only have they survived the circumstances which have resulted in homelessness, the isolation they often experience adds a further burden and getting support can be difficult. With your help, we can help people get back on their feet and experience hope again. Please visit www.lccare.org.au or phone 8269 9333 to make a donation. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Professional Standards
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.
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.
What happened to teachers in Lutheran schools in June 1917?
The greatest blow to the Australian Lutheran Church in World War I was the closure of its SA schools. Some were re-established within a decade, and today the sector flourishes. But what became of the 50 teachers who lost their positions on 30 June 1917? Jen Zerner has investigated this as an Adelaide University project, and will be the guest speaker at the next Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 24th July, 7.30 pm in Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city. All welcome, supper & gold coin donation.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
