In the movie, The Mission, Robert De Niro plays the role of Rodrigo Mendoza, a South American slave trader who is convicted of his sin and attempts to go to the village of the people he had forced into slavery and atone for his trespasses. In one of the most powerful scenes of the movie, Mendoza, while dragging his weapons and armoury from a hessian net behind him, attempts to ascend the falls where the native inhabitants live. Struggling, almost asphyxiated from the cords binding him, he encounters the chief of the village who, upon recognising the slave trader, pulls his knife and holds it threateningly in front of his neck. Instead of killing the slave trader, he cuts the bag of armour from his back and throws it into the river where it is carried away out of sight.
De Niro, released from the sin of his past, shrieks loudly, weeping into the heavens as the very people he sinned against have freed him.
This is what happens when the unclean spirits of this world attach to us. Whether the demon of greed, or spite, or hatred, or arrogance – they become that sin that so easily entangles us which the writer of Hebrews pens.
In our gospel lesson for the day, Jesus encounters a man, inside of a church, who has an impure spirit clinging to him. It recognises that the day they had feared has come: the destroyer of evil has entered the church and commands the spirit to free the man. And when the spirit leaves, thrown into the abyss again like the armour of Mendoza, a shriek is heard. A wail of sorrow and joy and pain and relief.
This weekend, we’ll take a look at the freeing power in Jesus, the Christ, in his words as he cuts the entangling cords of the spirits that dig into us – but one in particular.
Find out which one that is this weekend.
Pastor Reid
Bible Readings: Mark 1:21-28, Genesis 12:1-8
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.
Transform
Transform ministry is about to begin! Transform (a confirmation program) is designed for people of all ages. You’ll see the opening video this weekend to prepare us for the kickoff.
Here are the dates you need to know as of right now:
February 11: Planning and organisation time for our youth programs. 12:00-2:00 Good Shepherd education room.
February 18: Parents information time. We’ll distribute the brochures, the calendar for the year, the parental forms, and a brief vision for what we’re trying to accomplish. 12:00 – 1:00 GS sanctuary.
February 25: First Transform session. Because we’ll be starting at 12:00, it will be great to have a lunch packed for your 11-13 year olds. We’ll have lunch together, then 1:45 minutes of teaching, learning and practicing the faith. We’ll start in the hall and move to different areas of the campus.
Keep your ears and eyes open for updates.
Vacancy - Young Families Coordinator
The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista is seeking someone with a passion for seeing young people and their families progress their faith journeys, to join their ministry team in a new, exciting position – ‘Young Families Coordinator’ on either a 0.8 or 1.0 basis.
In conjunction with the congregational Lead Pastor, this position will be the primary connection between the congregation and the onsite Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School.
In addition, with the support of other teams, this role also includes the leadership and oversight for the care and spiritual development of people in 12 – 23 years age groups.
This is a leadership role that includes developing ministry vision, preparing, nurturing and equipping teams, and intentional ministry planning.
The successful applicant will be driven by a passion for ministry involving children, young families and schools. They will also bring a natural ability to develop meaningful personal connections for ministry using good communication skills. The ability to work in a team and with other teams is essential.
For more information please contact the office or via the net at http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/church-worker-support/calls-employment-volunteering/ under Young Families Coordinator.
Ladies Fellowship
Meeting 6th February – early start @12pm. Bring your own Lunch. Fruit platter provided
Bible study: Pastor Reid
From the Office
Assistance
Can you assist with helping to improve our facilities?
Our new foyer and cafe look very clean and modern. This is offset by the tired appearance of the woodwork and walls in the toilet corridor which is visible from the new area. We are looking for volunteers to help freshen up this area.
Help is needed to:
• sand the woodwork ready for painting ( 1 door would be a great help)
• paint the wood work
• gyprock the walls
• paint the walls
If you can assist in any aspect of this project please contact John Dolling or Stephen Zanker.
Parking lot safety – One Way Traffic
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.
Notice Board
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Faith Gym
You are invited to consider joining one of the short courses that will be offered at Faith Gym here at Good Shepherd, facilitated by appropriate lay people or pastors. We’ll be starting Wed February 21st 2018, 7:30pm. Contact the office for more information.
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in
Cambodia and Tonga.
Craft Group
We are a group of ladies who meet together most weeks to craft and also support, encourage, affirm and celebrate one another. We each bring our own craft to do: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting/applique, just to name a few of the crafts that we do regularly. Sometimes, not much craft gets done; we just sit and talk for 2 hours!
When: Thursday evenings @ the GSPV Lutheran Church
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Invitation to attend events at Australian Lutheran College (ALC)
ALC invites you to attend the following events being held on Monday, 26 February 2018, which mark the beginning of a new academic year for the College. The day will begin with worship in the College Chapel at 9.00 am followed by the Opening Lecture at 9.30 am in the Refectory. This year’s lecture will be presented by Rev James Winderlich (ALC Principal) and is entitled,
‘The shape of things to come for a church who learns: ALC’s renewing purpose to serve as an enquirer centred, transformational learning community.’
If attending either the service or the lecture, please park off campus and enter via the entrance at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For all enquiries or to notify of your attendance, please contact ALC reception on (08) 7120 8200 or email: alc@alc.edu.au. For those unable to physically attend proceedings, the lecture will be live-streamed via the ALC website – www.alc.edu.au.
“Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
