Excerpt from Belay Zelleke’s sermon
Throughout life, there are many moments of crisis, whether personal, communal or global, which make us raise our eyes to the heavens and ask two questions:
Why, Lord?
And
Is this the end?
It’s a natural response to question the omnipotent God. Our human failings want to know why this pain and suffering has come upon us and ultimately, will this pain and suffering be a sign of the end of all things. In our scripture reading this week, we recognise Jesus’ lordship over all things including pain, suffering, death and Satan. Christ the King is supreme regent over all that might occur from this day until his eventual return. But in the meantime, how do we deal with what is promised? Natural disasters? Disease? Sudden, catastrophic death? How do we speak about the end times with regards to ultimate victory. Explore with Belay this week as he takes on one of the toughest questions of all time.
Pastor Reid Matthais
Bible Reading: 1 Pet 3:15-18, Luke 21:5-19 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 the 10.30am service this Sunday, twins – Aimee and Olivia Taylor, daughters of Brianna Gilroy and David Taylor will be welcomed into God’s family through Holy Baptism.
Ladies Fellowship
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
As we busily begin to prepare for Christmas, the Family Hub at Ingle Farm are busily planning to bring a little Christmas cheer into the lives of the children of the 250 families they support. They are planning to have a family BBQ and give 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 this Sunday November 25th in 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. There is only a small window of opportunity between the end of the second service and the Half Yearly meeting. Just enough time to grab a bite to eat and support a worthy cause. Sausages will also be available after the first service.
• purchase plants from the plant sale in the hall.
• if you will not be at church on Sunday you can donate by depositing your donation into the following LLL church account BSB 704942 Ac No 129523 (marked clearly Family Hub) or drop a donation into the church office by Monday November 26th.
Thank you for all your support during 2018.
Good Shepherd Social Club
Our 2019 year commences on Thursday 31st January, 1.-3.30pm in the Church Hall.
We welcome anyone that would be interested in coming to a free one-off introduction on any Thursday afternoon.
Activities include meeting other members, playing different card games or carpet bowls and enjoying coffee and a chat.
If you wish to join after your free one off visit then the weekly fee is $3.00 per person.
Please contact Tom Curnow - President on 72254593 or 0400 258 410 or Mike Hancock -Vice President on 0403375474 for any enquiries.
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 at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au 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.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
