But verses 12-14a is just important to the Israelites who have been in captivity. ‘Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will see me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.’
In the midst of captivity, God says that we will ‘call,’ ‘come to him’ and ‘pray,’ and in the midst of that we will remember and find the Creator.
There are many times when I wonder why we pray, and even more so, how do we pray effectively. This week, in John 17, we find Jesus, God’s son, calling out to God, coming before him and praying. Even Jesus! He prays for himself, the disciples and all future believers, and what he prays for is life changing.
Come engage in the prayers of Jesus and how they develop our ideas for evangelism and what we should be aiming towards as we pray in the 21st century.
Pastor Reid Matthais
Bible Reading: John 17:20-26, John 15:18-25 NIV
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.
Holy Baptism
At this Sunday’s service Cody Jolly, second child of Matthew Jolly and Cara Quinn and Zac Steicke, second child of Ryan and Jess Steicke will be welcomed into God’s family through Holy Baptism.
The Good Shepherd Remembrance Service
An opportunity to reflect on the lives of loved ones who have gone before us, will occur on Saturday November 17th at 1:30pm. If you, or someone close to you has encountered loss, come as we remember together the lives of people who touched us greatly.
We are excited to have Pastor Mark Worthing, author and scholar, to share at our men’s breakfast on Saturday, November 17th at 7:30am. Come hear about the new books he has written and enjoy his wit as he shares with us from his own Lutheran story and heritage.
New Members Information Evenings
Will be two consecutive Wednesdays at the end of November. On the 21st and 28th of November, those who are wanting to join Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are welcome to come and hear and be part of the future of this place of worship. The sessions will begin at 7:00pm. and tentatively conclude at 8:30pm.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Christmas lunch 4th December at the Blue Gums Hotel $20.90 per head – payment to
Dawn Spencer.
It’s that time of the year again to cook honey biscuits for Lutheran Community Care. These are distributed to those less fortunate such as the residents at Glenside and the RAH. No nuts or hundreds and thousands! Iced with long sprinkles or plain OK. Please leave in the church kitchen in a container labelled “Ladies Fellowship” by Sunday 25th November.
Support for the Family Hub Christmas Activities
The Family Hub supports 250 families. They are planning to bring a little Christmas cheer into the lives of the children by having a family BBQ and giving each child a small gift. To standardise gifts they have requested financial support rather than actual gifts. You will be able to financially support the Family Hub next Sunday 25th November through various ways:
• placing a donation in an envelope in the box on the platform at the front of the church (where food donations are stored).
• purchasing lunch after service and before the Half Yearly meeting -sausages $2, steak sandwich $4, family package 10 sausages for $15.
• purchase plants from the plant sale in the hall.
• if you will not be at church on that Sunday you can donate by depositing your donation into the following church account BSB 704-942 Account 129523 (marked clearly Family Hub).
Experience Christmas Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for people to be involved – please chat to Chelsea Schiller 0447 225 517 chelsea.schiller@paravista.org.au if you’d like to be involved in any way.
From the Office
Half Yearly Meeting
All congregation members are invited to attend an exciting recap of the last six months and gaze into the future. Begins after the second service on Sunday 25th November 2018 at 12pm.
Minute Secretary
Are you a good listener, able to summarise what you hear? At the Half Yearly Meeting on November 25th we are seeking to elect a new Minute Secretary for our church. The role is not time consuming, and involves attending our church's general meetings twice a year to take minutes, and providing the draft minutes to the Chair for review. Handover and support is available. Please contact Keren Sutton or the church office to nominate.
Time Out/Devotion Books
If anyone would like to order a 2019 Time Out Devotion book please let the office know via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087
Yearbook 2018
If anyone would like to order a 2019 Year Book please let the office know via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087.
Notice Board
Trinity Place – Serviced Apartments Available!
Trinity Place is a part of the Aged Care Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church at Pasadena.
We provide 32 serviced apartments as a part of our Retirement Village, and some apartments have recently been vacated.
If you are retired, independent, looking to downsize and would like some basic assistance (such as a midday meal, laundry, cleaning), please contact Matt Johns on 8277 2446 or visit our website www.trinityplace.com.au.
Peter Steicke’s new book ‘Favoured’ is now available in paperback on pre-order now. Books are $20 each and will be available from this Sunday onward in between services and after the 10.30 service from Debbie Wesselingh.
Live Christmas Trees
Holy Cross Birdwood is once again offering live Christmas trees for $40. If you wish to order one contact John Dollling 8367 5296 or jdolling@bigpond.net.au by Sunday 25th November. Proceeds are used to support chaplains in schools.
“Hymns We Love”
Come for a time of informal community singing of hymns you love. To be held at
Zion Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Road, Glynde on the first Monday of the month starting November 5th, then December 3rd and January 7th. Come at 10-30 for cuppa and biscuits. No cost – just come!
If you need more information, please contact Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/8367 9969.
The Franklin Graham tour is coming in the first part of 2019. We encourage anyone who wants to be part of the tour to pick up a flier in the café of Good Shepherd and share them with whomever they come into contact.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.”
Psalm 145:18
