Friday, August 25, 2017

God’s compassion for ALL people

This Sunday will be our final part of our series: Growing God’s heart for ALL people. We’ve been reflecting on the story of Jonah.

In chapter one, Jonah flees. But God finds him. You can run, but you can’t hide. 
In chapter two, Jonah cries out and God hears. When you’re down, look up.
In chapter three, God gives Jonah and Nineveh a second chance. Thank God for second chances!
In chapter four, Jonah is angry. The LORD reminds Jonah that there are more important things than air conditioning: God’s compassion for ALL people. 

Over these weeks I’ve wondered how the story of Jonah became part of the Bible. We do not read of any friends travelling with Jonah.  My best guess is that when Jonah returned from Nineveh to Israel, he must have either written down his story, or told others of his adventures (who wrote down his story). 

Now most of us do not tell stories that expose the very worst of our character – unless God has transformed our character since.  In that case, we usually tell our stories to highlight how God has changed our understanding of who He is and what he wants for us; and the difference this has made in our lives. 

I wonder how Jonah was a different person in the years after this story.  Let me admit, I see a lot of Jonah in me.  His story reminds me how much I need Jesus to save me and change me. How about you?

The hero of this story is the LORD – who never gives up on us, no matter how much we mess up.  In Jesus, we see the LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. In Jesus, we discover God’s compassion for ALL people. 

Bible Readings:   Jonah 4:1-11
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.

Step Up
Our Step Up - Preparing for First Communion in 2017 program began last Sunday with a shared family lunch.  Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers as they explore Holy Communion.

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday at our 10.30am service for 10 months old – Year 4’s.
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 on our church Face Book page!  To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.

Little Lambs Playgroup
Playgroup has now moved back to the church hall.  Due to the chilly winter mornings we will be adjusting our start time to 10am finishing round 11.30am on Wednesdays.  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.

Youth Ministry
Friday night as we are still having chilly winter nights, and a lot of people love getting into their pj’s to get warm, we are having pyjama/onesie night.  It is not compulsory, but young people are able to come along all nice and snug for this week.  We will be looking at loving our enemies and just how hard that can be for us all.  Would love to see you there, and invite heaps of friends too.

Due to extremely keen and enthusiastic young people, next week we are kicking off our bible study.  This will be fortnightly, running opposite nights to our youth events.  This will be strictly looking at a topic relevant to the young people and delving into the scriptures.  These nights will be more like a small group, and all are welcome.  Our first series we are looking into is “Following Jesus in a selfie-centred world.”

We are also very excited to have approximately 40 people coming along to our NELY event on Saturday for our Gameshow day.  This is promising to be a fun event – watch this space for how the event went!

Exciting times as lots are happening with our young people.  Please contact me for further details regarding youth ministry - Margot 0401 850814 or Margot.Mertin@paravista.org.au

Para Vista Women’s Fellowship Meeting - September 5th
You are most welcome to attend our next meeting in Good Shepherd Church Hall
at 1.00pm for Bible Study with Pastor Reid immediately after we welcome everyone.
This will be followed by a simple afternoon tea during which we mix and chat to one
another. We would love to see you there - Tuesday, September 5th, 1pm - 2:45pm.

Maranatha Health
It's blooming wonderful to celebrate Maranatha Health with you at our Spring Party!
Saturday 16th September
10am-12pm (presentation at 10:45am)
Knightsbridge Baptist Church Hall & Garden, 455 Glynburn Rd, Leabrook SA

This event is a thank you to our supporters, a welcome to new supporters, and a chance for to hear about the latest developments in Uganda.

BYO rugs or chairs
Gold coin donation
Please RSVP for catering purposes (incl. dietary needs) 12th September contact@maranathahealth.org

Notice Board

Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.

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Employment
Project Coordinator - Lutheran Community Care, Blair Athol SA
Education Leader - Lutheran Schools Association SA, NT & WA, North Adelaide SA
Youth Ministry Coordinator - St Michael's Lutheran Church, Hahndorf SA
Personal Assistant to the Secretary of the Church - North Adelaide SA

Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

LCC job vacancies
Several job opportunities have become available at Lutheran Community Care in the last week. Please visit www.lccare.org.au/careers.html for more information.

Lutheran Homes Glynde Spring Fair 2017
is on Saturday 9th SEPTEMBER, from 9.00am till lunchtime at 22 Avenue Road Glynde.
Stalls include Biscuits and Cakes, Books, CD’s, Craft, Jams & Chutneys, Jewellery, Plants and Toys  plus Devonshire Tea and continuous Sausage Sizzle.

Proceeds go to LHI Resident Care Facility projects at Glynde. If you have any questions or donations for the fair please contact Marion Schubert 8336 4361



“Greater love has no one than this:
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13