We talk about church workers “receiving a call” from the living God to enter Christian ministry. Many of them have worked in other occupations, but then God calls them into something different. My own story has worked out far different from what I ever expected.
Jesus calls us to follow him. How that works out in our family, work, play, and connecting with people around us will often be different from what we expect.
Still, when it’s Jesus we’re following, the outcomes can be wonderfully surprising! That’s what we find in the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10.
Here are two guys from completely different cultural backgrounds who'd never met before. But they both heard messages from God. And receiving his call, acted on it by getting together to talk it out.
They've got little in common. What will it be like when we put Peter the upright Jew in a room with Cornelius the occupying Roman officer who is a Gentile?
A lot more is on the line than just seeing whether they can bridge the social gap between their different ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. Why did God go to such great lengths to get them together, and how does it work out?
The outcomes were wonderfully surprising! Come along this Sunday and explore this turning point in God’s story for his world – and what it means for us.
Come and find out how we might be more open and aware of God’s calling, so we can more effectively share in his mission of making Jesus known to all.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Acts 10:23b-48
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Prayer Request
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.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Tuesday 7th August 1pm with trading table. Bible Study lead by Pastor Rolly.
A reminder to please bring toys and children’s underwear for Lutheran Community Care for Christmas distribution. Items can be left at church or given to Ragna Gaard or Dorothy Buscumb by 12th August. Reminder to pay Dawn Spencer for September trip. Husbands welcome.
Youth
Youth Retreat – SAVE THE DATE
Combined with Golden Grove Youth, we are going on retreat!
Friday 5th – Sunday 7th October 2018
Camp Kedron, Barmera (there will be a bus)
For youth in year 7-12
More information coming soon!
Grow Ministries LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
2019 Grow Leadership Program
Are you aged between 18-25 years and interested in developing your leadership skills and have a heart for ministry? Please contact Chelsea chelsea.schiller@paravista.org.au
if this is something you would like to explore. Applications close Sunday 30 September, 2018.
Little Lambs are collecting, are you able to help?
We’re looking for:
• Cardboard tubes from cling wrap/alfoil
• Plastic Nutella jars (empty, clean & dry)
• Band aids
• PVC piping
• Dot markers (ones used in bingo)
• Large plastic buttons
• Golf tees
• Dried natural items like seed pods, gum nuts etc
Feel free to drop them into the Church Office or leave them in the donation bin outside the Parents Room at church.
Supporting School Families with English as their Second Language
Do you have a heart to support families with English as their Second Language?
At Good Shepherd Lutheran School, we continue to support families from non-English speaking backgrounds and welcome them as valued members of our community.
We have recently invited families to have school communication and notes clarified and hope to start a conversational English group within the school community for those interested so they might develop mastery of the English language and build stronger relationships. We anticipate a gradual take up of these opportunities over time.
If so, contact Tim Oestmann during the school week on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (Morning) Ph: 82647966 or email Tim (Pastoral Care Coordinator): pcc@gspv.sa.edu.au for more details.
From the Office
The Finishing Touches
We would like to get the toilet corridor painted before the special service on Sunday 16th September. To begin the process we will be holding a Sanding Saturday on 11th August to sand the walls and doors. Due to the hall and cafe being used for SALA it will necessitate an early start and finish. You can start with an egg and bacon sandwich at 8am and get to work by 8:30. We need to be finished by 10:30. We also would like a team to clean the windows of the foyer. More details will be sent by email next week.
A Big Thank You
The response to the food collection for LCC last Sunday was amazing. The Transform Youth sorted all the donations and 7 members transported them to the Hub. They will be stored in a new storeroom being fitted out by Eric Hofmanis. This was a great team effort by everyone. The Family Hub were grateful and send a great big thank you.
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. None of your 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 auditorium 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
SALA Exhibition at Good Shepherd Para Vista
During August, Good Shepherd will be the venue for a SALA (South Australian Living Artists) exhibition to be exhibited in the hall and café area. Leanne Stahl and Ros Thiele displayed paintings and photographic works in the Barossa last year. After various discussions, and with encouragement from others, they explored the possibility of exhibiting at Good Shepherd this year. Together with the Board’s approval, they see this as an opportunity to engage with people from the local community and with other South Australians in an invitational and non-threatening way. Part proceeds of any sales will go to support the work of Lutheran Community Care’s Family Zone at Ingle Farm, whose work will also be promoted.
They also hope that our facilities can be used for other exhibitions, where creative people from our congregation can display a variety of multimedia works.
The Hits of Stage and Screen
Presented by Neighbourhood Watch SA and the Band of the South Australia Police
Wednesday 22nd August at 7.30pm Adelaide Town Hall $25 per ticket available through Bass outlets or online at www.bass.net.au
All proceeds go to Encounter Youth.
Faith Gym
A reminder that our current faith gym courses - Network or Gossiping the Gospel – will be on again this Wednesday.
Upcoming Events at Australian Lutheran College
All are welcome to attend the following events which will be held at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) in August. Entry to the campus is via the driveway at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For catering purposes, please advise ALC of your planned attendance – either email alc@alc.edu.au or phone 08 7120 8200.
Public Lecture: The place of the epistle reading in the Divine Service
Rev Dr Thomas Winger, Principal, Concordia Seminary, St Catherines, Canada and author of the recent Concordia Biblical Commentary on Ephesians, will present this lecture on 16 August from 2-3pm.
Fritzsche Oration
This annual event, organised in partnership with the LCA’s Committee for Lutheran Archives, will be held on Friday, 17 August at 7.30pm.
ALC emeritus lecturer, Rev Dr Peter Lockwood, will give this year’s oration entitled: A small cog in a large wheel: the FRM’s bush courses in Central Australia in the context of the preparation and support of Indigenous church workers.
The presentation will take you inside the bush courses for Indigenous pastors and evangelists that are held three times a year in the remote communities of the Finke River Mission field of Central Australia. These bush courses are a small, but vital cog in the far larger wheel of training and supporting the LCA’s Indigenous church leaders. Starting with a brief history of the courses and a description of the typical bush course, this year’s oration will give you an insight into some of the perennial issues that vex the minds of the FRM support staff, the Indigenous church workers, and the FRM board. The issues inevitably morph into questions for the whole LCA to address, as it continues to grapple with the vital task of preparing Indigenous church leaders for their calling and supporting them in it.
German-Australian History and Heritage Conference 18-19 August 2018
Fascinating talks by local, interstate and international speakers on a range of topics about Germans and Lutherans in Australia, and German family history research. Why were Queensland Aboriginal Lutherans considered a security risk in World War 2? How German was the city of Adelaide? Other highlights include: Germans in Tasmania, the life of pastor’s wife Vida Liebelt, Post-World War Two migrants and the Lutheran church, using DNA for family history research, how to research overseas, and much more. One day $130, both days $225. Live-streaming option also available. See http://conference2018.germanheritage.org.au for details and booking.
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“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
John 15:16
