But humans tend to speak… and then keep on talking. In our prayers, we use word after word to convince God of our cause and/or need and we believe like the widow seeking justice, if we can somehow browbeat God with our voices, he will bend low to our desires.
We don’t often spend time listening and it takes a gentle (or not so gentle) earthshake to move us to silence.
So it was for the apostle Paul (Saul). As a hero of the Jewish faith, he believed that his calling from God was to eradicate the early Christian church from the face of the earth. He was present at the stoning of Stephen and available to seek out the people of The Way (Christians) to send them to prison. He wasn’t listening to God’s word for his life because he was too intent on making his own noise.
He couldn’t obey the call of God because he was unable to hear God’s voice in his own religious busyness.
This week, we take a look at Saul’s conversion in Acts 9. Although I hope you have heard and read the story before, we will find that in order for Saul to hear the transformation that God had for his life, he had to be silenced, blinded, hungry and thirsty, brought to his knees and then, when God was ready, God would share with Saul the call to new life.
How do we, today, understand silence and spiritual blindness? What do we do when we don’t even realise that we are hungry and thirsty for something greater? How do we hear God’s voice in the world today? And then, once we have heard it, how do we obey?
Pr Reid Matthais
Bible Reading: Acts 9:1-19
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.
Baptism
At the 10.30 service this Sunday Charlie Louis Richter, son of Jan and Tammy will be welcomed into God’s family.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Reminder to pay Dawn Spencer for September trip. Husbands welcome.
Small Groups Dinner
For anyone currently in a small group, and anyone interested in more effective small group ministries at Good Shepherd. Please inform your group, save the date, and come along!
Bring a sweet or savoury to share. BYO Drinks and glasses.
RSVP by phoning the church on 08 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Youth
Youth Retreat – SAVE THE DATE
Combined with Golden Grove Youth, we are going on retreat!
Friday 5th – Sunday 7th October 2018
Camp Kedron, Barmera (there will be a bus)
For youth in year 7-12
More information coming soon!
Grow Ministries LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
2019 Grow Leadership Program
Are you aged between 18-25 years and interested in developing your leadership skills and have a heart for ministry? Please contact Chelsea if this is something you would like to explore. Applications close Sunday 30th September, 2018.
Little Lambs are collecting, are you able to help?
We’re looking for:
• Cardboard tubes from cling wrap/alfoil
• Plastic Nutella jars (empty, clean & dry)
• Band aids
• PVC piping
• Dot markers (ones used in bingo)
• Large plastic buttons
• Golf tees
• Dried natural items like seed pods, gum nuts etc
Feel free to drop them into the Church Office or leave them in the donation bin outside the Parents Room at church.
Supporting School Families with English as their Second Language
Do you have a heart to support families with English as their Second Language?
At Good Shepherd Lutheran School, we continue to support families from non-English speaking backgrounds and welcome them as valued members of our community.
We have recently invited families to have school communication and notes clarified and hope to start a conversational English group within the school community for those interested so they might develop mastery of the English language and build stronger relationships. We anticipate a gradual take up of these opportunities over time.
If so, contact Tim Oestmann during the school week on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (Morning) Ph: 82647966 or email Tim (Pastoral Care Coordinator): pcc@gspv.sa.edu.au for more details.
From the Office
Rostered on for Morning Tea?
Have you been rostered on for morning tea in the new area and are not quite sure what to do? A set of procedures has been written and left in the Café area for your use. These are not an exhaustive set and can be changed or you may do things slightly different. They are a set of guidelines to assist and make the task smooth for you. Please notify the office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with any discrepancies that you notice or contact the office during work hours. Thank you to those who do serve in this area.
Volunteers are a Blessing
Many people who call Good Shepherd their church home volunteer in many aspects of congregational life. Some volunteer on a weekly basis.
Last week there were 2 examples of volunteers at work:-
• 6 people shifted all donated food at LCC Family Zone into their new storeroom. This will make it much easier to locate food and distribute it to families in need and to monitor what food they are short of and require as donations.
• 8 members of the church and school communities attended the working bee on Saturday. Windows were cleaned and now gleam, walls and doors in the toilet corridor were sanded ready for painting.
Thank you to these volunteers and all who volunteer to make our congregation function so it can be a blessing to many.
Painting Corridor
The toilet corridor is ready for painting. This will be completed over the next 2 weeks. It is a large task. If you are handy with a paint brush or roller we would be excited to hear from you. Painting can be on a week day or weekend. If you able to assist even for an hour contact
John Dolling 8367 5296 or 0409 819 864.
LCC Food Collection
Next Sunday is the last Sunday of the month so we will have our usual food collection for LCC. Details of food required will be sent via email next week and will be included in next week's Weekly News.
Help with Homework Club
Several members from Para Vista are involved in a Homework Club at the LCC Family Hub at Ingle Farm. This has become so successful that extra help is needed on Tuesdays 3-4:30pm to hear students read and assist with their homework. Helping out weekly would be ideal but occasional help would also be appreciated. More information contact Helen Hearne
0413 088 502 or 8263 7434.
Finance Report
Offerings
January – July 2018
Total Offerings – Budget $298,000 Actual $284,121 UNDER $13,879
Budget Summary
January – June 2018
Total Income – Budget $292,040 Actual $278,341 UNDER $13,699
Total Expenses – Budget $283,918 Actual $261,362 UNDER $22,556
Notes since last published report:
• Offerings in July were around $2,500 below budget.
• Offerings through REG were in line with Budget with plate again well under. Plate was helped by last Sunday in month were 2 large amounts were given; otherwise we would have been $5k below budget for the month.
• Expenses slightly under budget in June, mainly due to staff expenses.
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
The Hits of Stage and Screen
Presented by Neighbourhood Watch SA and the Band of the South Australia Police
Wednesday 22nd August at 7.30pm Adelaide Town Hall $25 per ticket available through Bass outlets or online at www.bass.net.au
All proceeds go to Encounter Youth.
Faith Gym
A reminder that our current faith gym courses - Network or Gossiping the Gospel – will be on again this Wednesday.
SALA Exhibition at Good Shepherd Para Vista
Valley View Op Shop
Cnr Paul’s Drive and Vale Ave
Open Mon - Fri. 9am - 4pm
Super Saturday Sale 1st of every month
Next week Bric a Brac - buy 1 Item and get 1 free.
Upcoming Events at Australian Lutheran College
All are welcome to attend the following event which will be held at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) in August. Entry to the campus is via the driveway at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For catering purposes, please advise ALC of your planned attendance – either email alc@alc.edu.au or phone 08 7120 8200.
German-Australian History and Heritage Conference 18-19 August 2018
Fascinating talks by local, interstate and international speakers on a range of topics about Germans and Lutherans in Australia, and German family history research. Why were Queensland Aboriginal Lutherans considered a security risk in World War 2? How German was the city of Adelaide? Other highlights include: Germans in Tasmania, the life of pastor’s wife Vida Liebelt, Post-World War Two migrants and the Lutheran church, using DNA for family history research, how to research overseas, and much more. One day $130, both days $225. Live-streaming option also available. See http://conference2018.germanheritage.org.au for details and booking.
Professional Standards Training
The following link will take you to the updated Professional Standards training schedule as well as the updated Professional Standards Webinar training schedule.
http://www.sant.lca.org.au/events/training-workshops/
Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
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http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
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“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
