“Don’t be overwhelmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here.”
Mark 16:5,6a
The traditional translation for the word ‘overwhelmed’ is the word ‘alarmed.’ “Don’t be alarmed,” the young man said. These words take us back to every other time that an angel appears to people and encourages them to have no fear. But ‘overwhelmed’, I think, is a better translation. This word is used only four times in the scriptures, all of them in the book of Mark, in these two verses and two others.
Mark 9:15 – Jesus has just been transfigured and he comes down the mountain with his inner circle of disciples. Maybe the last remnants of the glow are still clinging to him, or maybe it’s the situation occurring at the base of the mountain where the other nine disciples are unable to cast out a demon. The people saw Jesus; they were overwhelmed and ran to greet him.
Mark 14:33, 34a – And perhaps the most comforting ‘overwhelmed-ness’ was Jesus himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death…”
It’s easy to be overwhelmed in the face of the strangeness of our lives, and especially for these women who had come to mourn, to prepare Jesus’ body for a year of decomposition. To have his body stolen would logically be overwhelming, but there was no logic for the angel’s words. Resurrection, logically, doesn’t happen. When you are dead, you are dead and the thought of staying dead overwhelms all of us.
But what the angel says excavates the stone doors to the tomb of fear. Three words.
He is risen.
He is no longer in the tomb. As Peter describes at Pentecost, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!”
So death has no hold over us who have been crucified with him.
Come rejoice. Alleluia! He is risen indeed!
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-8
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.
Pastoral Care
The congregation of Good Shepherd is blessed to have excellent staff members who dedicatedly use their time and talents to further the congregation’s ministry in the name of Christ. One of these staff members, Steve Paech, oversees pastoral care in the Good Shepherd community.
If you would like to contact Steve Paech for pastoral care, his contact details are steve.paech@paravista.org.au or mobile 0410 036 896.
Transform service project
As part of our Transform Confirmation program, we have an opportunity to put our faith into action on Sunday the 8th April. The transform session that Sunday will be at Lutheran Community Care, Ingle Farm, where we will be helping to spread a load of bark around their playground area. In order to get the job done, we are looking for a few people to help us out by loaning us some wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. It would also be helpful if you have a ute or trailer that you could help out with on the day to transport wheelbarrows and tools down there and back.
If you think you may be able to help out, please contact Vicar Mat von Stanke either through the church office or via email mathew.vonstanke@paravista.org.au
NOVO – 2018!
It’s that time of year again to gather together with other high school youth from across South Australia. NOVO is a four day camp designed to meet NEW people, learn NEW things, try NEW opportunities and enjoy worship and activities. The theme for this year is Stand which looks at Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Register here http://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/novo/
There is financial assistance available.
Let’s have a great experience together.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
3rd April @ 1pm
Bible Study – Pastor Rolly
Come hear Ruby Keller tell her story.
Hot cross buns needed for Good Friday
As part of our Easter celebrations we will be serving hot cross buns for morning tea on Good Friday. If you are able to bring a plate of hot cross buns, cut, buttered and ready to serve, that would be greatly appreciated. Please put the buns in the kitchen before service so those people rostered for morning tea can serve them.
From the Office
Assistance required
Please stay for a few minutes after Maundy Thursday and Good Friday 10.30am service to move chairs in preparation for the Sunday Easter Services.
Easter Car parking
The school oval is available for parking for the Easter services weather permitting. 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.
Chairs needing upholstering
We have been very fortunate to have 21 chairs for the church donated (second hand). They are a very close match for the existing chairs and can be viewed in the hall. They need to be recovered. We are seeking recommendations of a good upholsterer with reasonable rates. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please contact John Dolling with details jdolling@bigpond.net.au or 83675296.
Parking lot safety – One Way traffic at all times
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague Road and exiting through the rear gate at all times. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague Road after hours. As this is a shared area, speed is restricted to 10KPH. Some users are not doing the right thing and are leaving themselves open to prosecution.
Notice Board
Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world. You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health
Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.
Gala Dinner
Saturday 5th May 2018
6.45pm for a 7pm start
Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon
Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $100 per guest, or individuals for $110 per guest. Please RSVP by 25th April 2018: www.trybooking.com/SUBZ.
Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.
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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
