Culture is the ideas, customs and behaviours of a group of people. For instance, the descriptor of Western Culture stereotypically would be, post enlightenment, post Christianity, secular understandings.
The other idea of a culture, though, is the cultivation of bacteria or tissue cells in an artificial medium containing nutrients.
This week, we’re going to explore both ideas of culture and how each grows and spreads. Using the early church as a ‘science project,’ we’ll explore the question: What were the conditions for the early church to spread? What did the ‘petri’ dish contain? How does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch help us to see what evangelism looked like in the early church and now in the late church?
During the beginning of the great persecution, directly after Stephen became the first martyr, the Christian world was in growth mode - just as Jesus predicted. “You will be my disciples in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” The persecution did not have the desired effect – exactly the opposite. The faith was cultured and grown due to the perfect conditions.
Now, in the 21st century, how do we capture the Spirit’s fire in sharing the message of the Messiah in the same kind of culture?
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-39
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.
Morning Tea
At this week’s Sunday services there will be ‘Rite of Vicarage Completion’ for Mat von Stanke as his placement at Good Shepherd comes to a close.
We will share a morning tea together after each service, in celebration of Mat and the von Stanke family.
Please bring a plate to share for morning tea, and take it to the kitchen upon arrival at either the 8:45am or 10:30am service.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Tuesday 3rd July @1pm
Bible Study: Pastor Rolly
Youth
REBEL - METRO CLW 2018
Years 7-9 July 9th – 13th
Years 10-12 July 16th – 20th
Port Hughes Accommodation Centre
$220 per camper
For more information and to register: http://blueprintministries.org.au/
Registrations close 1st July
Please contact Chelsea Schiller if you require financial support to attend
chelsea.schiller@paravista.org.au
From the Office
Plant sale
With extra sales, $640 was raised for the Family Hub at Ingle Farm. The money was gratefully received when delivered this week. It will be used to support their playgroup.
Ideas for playground
Chelsea will be co-ordinating additional equipment for our play area. If you have any ideas or sources for equipment please see Chelsea.
Flooding
All the damage from the flooding has been rectified. A special thank you to Lindsay Freund and John Dolling for organising repairs to the distribution board which means that there is lighting and power to all sections of the plant.
We are investigating with the builders the cause of flooding.
Support for the Family Hub
This Sunday Kathleen Wilson, Manager of the Family Hub at Ingle Farm, will speak at both services. She will inform us how they support many in need in the local community.
In this cold weather one item that is always in demand is food. We are instigating a food collection at both services on a monthly basis commencing on Sunday 1st July. From then on the collection will be on the last Sunday of the month.
Next week via email and the Weekly News, you will receive a list of the foods they find very useful to support families in need.
Ideas for cafe
There will be a meeting next Thursday 28th June at 7:30pm in the church to discuss the cafe - its physical appearance and how it can best be utilised to help meet our mission.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG) www.lll.org.au/REG
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. No personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG, the appropriate forms are available from the table at the rear of the sanctuary or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details.
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942.
Notice Board
Blueprint Ministries Appeal Dinner
Saturday 14th July 2018
Mawson Lakes Hotel & Function Centre
$69 individual tickets // $448 table of 8
Speaker is Jonathan Krause – Community Action Manager for Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)
All tickets can be purchased online at www.blueprintministries.org.au or by contacting us directly. Tickets are available until 1st July unless sold out prior.
Australian Lutheran College has launched its 2018 annual appeal
Your support of this appeal is vital, as together in partnership with you, ALC prepares people to serve in and through the Church. If you haven’t received a copy of the appeal letter, please make enquiries with your Pastor/Church Office or contact the College direct via email: alc@alc.edu.au or ph: (08) 8267 7400. A message from the ALC Principal, Pastor James Winderlich, concerning the appeal, is also available for viewing on our website – http://www.alc.edu.au/community/your-support/annual-appeal/. Your donation to the ALC annual appeal is tax-deductable and donations made before 30th June will enable you to claim your benefit this year. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith;
be courageous; be strong. ”
1 Corinthians 16:13
