And it’s no wonder really. Studies of the brain have indicated that we are hard wired to derive meaning from stories; to remember details and order events in ways that help us to understand the world. Most of us will recognise that we remember stories more easily than we remember shopping lists. Yet the real trick is in our imagination. When we encounter a really well written and engaging story, with interesting and dynamic characters, we imagine ourselves in the story. We associate with or at least empathise with the characters and the situations they encounter. These are the things that make a story memorable.
So, what about the Bible? About 43% of the Bible is written in the form of narrative, or storytelling. However, it has one significant difference to other stories. God, the author and main character of the story, has actually made us characters in the continuing and unfolding story of his intervention and restoration of a broken and fallen world.
In the book of Acts, chapter 2, Peter is laying out the events of Jesus life, death and resurrection and explaining what this means for those who are gathered around listening to his message. When they ask him what they should do in response to his message, Peter says this “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him.”
This part of the story directly involves us, we don’t have to imagine it. God has called us to himself, we have come to him and we have received His gifts of baptism, forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. But that isn’t the end of the story. The promise of these gifts is also for those who are still far off.
Throughout the book of Acts, God uses his disciples to bring this message to far off places. We are also God’s disciples and he invites us to join with him in the work of calling out to those who are still far from His kingdom. He is inviting us to take up our role in the best-selling story of all time, the story of his redemption of the entire world, the Bible. It is God’s story and promises; it is our story and God’s promises to us; it is everyone’s story, and God’s promise to all.
Vicar Mat von Stanke
Bible Reading: Acts 2:36-42
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.
Biggest Morning Tea
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea. We raised a total of $231. It was great to see people from the church, school and playgroup interacting together. Thanks for your support.
Tina Pfeiffer and Lenna Uebergang
Youth
Black Dagger Night
7.15pm Friday 15th June at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista
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.
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.
Plant Stall
Our popular plant stall will be held on 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.
Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
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“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
Acts 13:47
