Friday, April 13, 2018

Undercover Jesus

Have you ever seen that TV show, “Undercover Boss”?  The premise is pretty simple.  CEO’s of large corporations or national retail and restaurant chains get a costume and make-up team to put them in disguise and they go to work at the coal face of their business, alongside the everyday workers that they employ.

Because people don’t expect to see the national head of their company working alongside them, getting their hands dirty, the often bizarre looking makeovers usually work.  As a result, the workers often share details of their lives and unknowingly and openly discuss their grievances or frustrations with the company and its operating procedures.  Things they would never dream of complaining about to their boss.  Sometimes it causes conflict, but more often than not, the boss is touched by the personal stories of their employees and is impressed by their dedication and insights into the company.  They also reward the workers for their efforts, bringing a renewed joy to those who in many cases have invested the majority of their working life in the company.

In Luke’s gospel, we hear the account of two of Jesus’ disciples walking to Emmaus when Jesus meets them on the road.  The strange thing is they do not recognise him. This has some interesting side effects.  They openly communicate to Jesus their confusion and frustration that their expectations of Jesus had not been met.

But Jesus comes right alongside them, joining them on their journey in their pain and confusion.

Jesus doesn’t get all indignant with the two disciples for their lack of understanding and faith.  Instead he walks with them in their grief and piece by piece reveals to them the reality of the resurrection, rekindling in their hearts a fire of hope and joy.

Join us this Sunday to hear more of how these two disciples encountered an ‘undercover’ Jesus, and how we still encounter Jesus today.

Vicar Mat von Stanke

Bible Reading: Luke 24:13-35
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.

Praise Point
Jurgen and Marienne extend a warm welcome to all who wish to join with them to celebrate their wedding day at 3pm on Saturday 14th April at Influencers Church, 57 Darley Road, Paradise.

We praise God for Hannah Rose Bates daughter of Alisa and Daniel who will be baptised into God’s family this Sunday.

We thank and praise God for the wedding last weekend of Tayla and Tennyson Jaensch.

Wanted!
For Novo camp next week:-
-leftover wool from any projects - any ply, length or colour.
-anyone who would be willing to loan some knitting needles for the weekend - for beginners so preferably longer and thicker.
Please drop into the church office or pass on to Elsa Matthias.


From the Office

We are looking for people who are willing to be trained to serve at Good Shepherd in a number of areas at the 8.45am and/or the 10.30am services.

Particularly we are looking for people to fill the roles of:

1. Serving Holy Communion
2. Preparation of Communion before the service begins
3. Cleaning & pack up of Communion when the service concludes
4. Worship Hosting

You can specify how frequently you'd like to be rostered.
People of all ages are welcome.
Full training will be provided for anyone interested.

Please contact Belinda Konrad on 08 8263 5087
belinda.konrad@paravista.org.au

Coffee machine
The coffee machine is available to use at any time by any of the groups wishing to use it.   Instructions for the machine are located along side.  If you are experiencing any difficulties with the machine please contact the office.

Dishwasher instructions
Please be aware the instructions for the dishwasher have changed slightly.  Please ensure the dishwasher is turned off after use via the yellow on/off button on the machine.  The isolating switch is no longer required to be turned off due to the height restriction for some.  Instructions for use of the machine are located on the wall behind you when looking at the machine.

Café/new area dedication
Let’s celebrate the gifts we have been given in this new area.  We are looking for a team to lead and organise this event.  Please consider if your care group could organise this or personally contributing to assisting by contacting the office with your ideas and skills.

Finance Report 
Offerings
January – March 2018
Total Offerings – Budget $129,000     Actual $118,750               UNDER $10,250

Budget Summary
January – February 2018
Total Income – Budget $92,180          Actual $83,400               UNDER $8,780
Total Expenses – Budget $87,246       Actual $74,876               UNDER $12,370

Notes since last Board meeting:
Offerings in March were around $3,500 below budget both in plate and REG.
Income is below budget due to low Offerings since the beginning of the year.
Plate offerings are down around $550 a Sunday (8.45 $175; 10.30 $375) compared to 2017 and down around $630 a Sunday compared to first 9 Sundays in 2017.
Expenses are under budget primarily due to staff expenses as the new position has not yet commenced.

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

Friends of Lutheran Archives
Alfred Traeger - Could we ever forget him and his marvellous inventions of the pedal radio and a morse typewriter keyboard?  Dr Pauline Payne, historical consultant, will tell us more about this remarkable man at the next Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 23rd April, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City 7.30 pm.  Supper and gold coin donation.  All welcome.

Plant Stall
ADVANCE NOTICE!!  We will be running our popular Plant Stall once again in early June to support the valuable work of Lutheran Community Care through their Family Zone Hub in Ingle Farm.  If you are a gardener who has spare cuttings or plants you could pot up now and then donate, we would love to hear from you!  Please contact Sonia bshulme@gmail.com

Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world.  You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda.  You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda.  Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner
Saturday 5th May 2018
6.45pm for a 7pm start
Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

Enjoy a three course meal (including Ethiopian flavours), entertainment, silent auction, wine pull and all the latest updates and plans from our work in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $100 per guest, or individuals for $110 per guest. Please RSVP by 25th April 2018: www.trybooking.com/SUBZ.

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“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”
Romans 5:17