Friday, June 1, 2018

Living Acts

I think it would be safe to say that in our contemporary Western Culture, more people would know the name Luke Skywalker, than Luke, the Evangelist.

At times, Luke, the Gospel writer, seems to be overlooked in favour of the other Gospel writers, except, of course, at Christmas time.  But Luke, when his body of New Testament writings is accounted for, is the predominant writer of the New Promise – the New Testament; his two works, Luke and Acts account for one quarter of the pages.

Strangely, in most churches, the book of Acts is rarely ever used as a preaching text.  So, we will take a look at the living book of Acts and how it intersects our daily lives on a very personal level.  The Acts of the Apostles, as the book is correctly called, has two main functions.  To explain:

1. How Jesus’ apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and were led in their ministries
2. How the birth of the early Christian Church changed the landscape of the culture.

In essence, we find a flow of movement in the ancient Christian world.  A movement from Crowd, to Community, to Culture.

As we ponder our future here at Good Shepherd in the 21st Century, we’ll run right through the book of Acts chasing down opportunities to understand The Way (as the early Christian church was called) and put flesh on it for cultural living in our context.

This week, in chapter 5, the disciples are performing signs and wonders, even so much as being healed from Peter’s shadow!  Thrown into jail, the Apostles may have been wondering if this was the end, but an angel breaks them out and tells them to go back into public, back into the crowd, to continue to create a community that hears about this ‘new life.’  (Acts 5:20)
Come hear about the new life this week.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Acts 5:12-20
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.

Youth – Save the dates
Youth Night – Activities
Friday 15th June
Combined with Golden Grove Lutheran Youth

Metro CLW
School years 7-9:  9th to 13th July
School years 10-12: July 16th to 20th July

More information on both of these coming soon!


Thank You
Thank you so much to the people of this congregation who donated wool and knitting needles for the NOVO camp in the April school holidays.  Your donations were much appreciated.  If you were one of these people, you will find your knitting needles in the church office if you would like them back.
Elsa Matthias

From the Office

AGM questions
There were questions/information raised/supplied at the AGM last week that are addressed below.

1. LLL Matching deposit funds for LLL account holders to match their deposit against our congregation. 
Information can be found here or at www.lll.org.au or by calling the LLL on 1800 556 457.  This could allow Good Shepherd to borrow funds at 5% p.a. See the article below.

2. Furniture equipment request for the café playground
A request for the type and design of furniture you would like to see in the café area.  Please let John Dolling know.

3. Equipment request for the playground
A request for the type and design of equipment you would like to see in the playground area.  Please be mindful that the area will be predominantly aimed at the 5 years and under age group.  Please let John Dolling know.

4. The dedication Sunday for the new works had been set for Sunday 16th September.  The Transform Team are organising this and would love to hear from you if you wish to provide input.

5. The popular report from District Synod can be found here or go to http://www.sant.lca.org.au/events/convention-of-synod/.  If you require a hard copy please contact the office and they will print you a copy.

Kitchen Café Instructions Manuals
Manuals for the operation of equipment in the kitchen and cafe area have been placed into the appropriate areas.  Please be patient as they are still in compilation for completion.  Please refer to these manuals as a first reference for the operation of equipment.

Check list for the use of areas 
A check list of tasks on completion of use of all facility areas has been placed into the areas for reference.  If you use one of the areas please check the area has been left appropriately.  Remember you may be the next user of the facility.

Security of church
Request members on locking facility do a complete building check prior to setting the alarm.  As you move through the building shut all the doors and windows pushing on double doors to ensure second door is locked.  Please take note of the keypad near the office entry and it there are staff names on the key pad please do not set the alarm.

Lighting the facility
If you use the facility after hours please ensure the lights in the ablutions and the front foyer are turned off.  These are not yet connected to the main control panel.  A number of lights will come on after hours for security and are not able to be switched off.

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
Lutheran Teachers College est. 1968 (LTC) was the training ground for prospective teachers and Lay Workers in the church for many years.  These people are now part of Australian Lutheran College.  At the Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 18th June,
Dr Richard Hauser (a published author) directs a panel of 7 early LTC graduates and a lecturer as they reflect on their LTC experience – serious & funny.  Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, City, 7.30 pm.  Supper & gold coin donation.  All welcome.

Time is running out!!!
Bible Society Australia has had positive feedback to the new film documentary called “For the Love of God” which is screening currently all over the country.  You are encouraged to be equipped by this film as it is suitable also for non-Christian people. Invite and take an interested friend.  There is a screening at HOYTS Tea tree Plaza Modbury on Mon 4th June 6pm.

The tickets need to be purchased on-line before the event. To buy tickets:https://fan-force.com/screenings/for-the-love-of-god-hoyts-tea-tree-plaza-sa/
Click here for more information on the film, and click here to watch the trailer.

Plant Stall
Our popular plant stall will be held on 3rd and 10th June after both services.  This is an opportunity to support the valuable work of the Family Zone Hub at Ingle Farm.  Lutheran Community Care have established this centre and it's right on our doorstep, so we are keen to encourage their work with families in need.

Need your interest?
LLL account holders can provide additional support to a particular project or department of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) by nominating their account to be ‘non interest-bearing’. As a result, the LLL is able to provide an additional benefit to LCA projects based on 5% of total ‘non interest-bearing’ deposits held for each project.

An LLL ‘non interest-bearing’ account has the other usual features and access of an LLL Account.

Your ‘non interest-bearing’ instructions can be changed at any time in writing to the LLL.  Please include your account details and your signature in writing, and then post the instructions to our office in North Adelaide.

If you have an existing LLL Account and wish to provide this support to a particular project, fill in a new LLL Account Application form and complete the ‘non interest-bearing’ instructions.  Then transfer the desired amount of money from your existing LLL Account into the new ‘non interest-bearing’ account.

It is possible for an LLL ‘non interest-bearing’ account to also be a Matching Deposit.
LLL non interest-bearing accounts are a great way to support the ministry and mission of the LCA.

Australian Lutheran College has launched its 2018 annual appeal
Your support of this appeal is vital, as together in partnership with you, ALC prepares people to serve in and through the Church.  If you haven’t received a copy of the appeal letter, please make enquiries with your Pastor/Church Office or contact the College direct via email: alc@alc.edu.au or ph: (08) 8267 7400.  A message from the ALC Principal, Pastor James Winderlich, concerning the appeal, is also available for viewing on our website – http://www.alc.edu.au/community/your-support/annual-appeal/.  Your donation to the ALC annual appeal is tax-deductable and donations made before 30 June will enable you to claim your benefit this year. Thank you for your ongoing support.

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“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
Acts 5:42