Freedom from Mob Mentality

One of the most overlooked figures, or characters, in the entire Passion narrative, has a huge role to play.  Often, we fixate on Pilate, Herod, or even the High Priest, but aside from Jesus, the character of the crowd, I think, plays the largest role.

The crowd, although made up of many people, is one in character.  As Pilate stands before them, Luke, the gospel writer, records that they shout in unison for Jesus’ death.  As one large and menacing body, their power is sensed even as it overwhelms the sensibilities of Pilate, the Roman Governor.

Crowds can do that.

They have a power that is all their own to either force their will on others, to swallow them up at a whim, or to decimate those who try to get in their way.

What we notice about the Passion Crowd is that it is made up of ‘the chief priests, the rulers and the people.’  (Luke 23:13)  They are passionate for something, of what that is, we aren’t really told, but what we can infer is that they want to see something – a spectacle.  Maybe some of them were hailing Jesus as king the week beforehand as he rode on the back of a donkey.  Maybe they wanted to see him overthrow the Roman occupation.  Maybe others were curious onlookers who like the excitement of the mob, and maybe they want to see the sight of blood being spilt.  Maybe some of them were trying desperately hard to hold onto their Law, their religion, that they wouldn’t stop at murder to make sure that they stayed in power.   They wanted to make a spectacle of Jesus, that no one should mess with the system.

Whatever the reason, they wanted a spectacle.

This week, we take on the role of the Passion Crowd.  Find yourself swept up in the fury and force of the mob that seeks a spectacle.

Maybe you can relate?

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:13-25
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.

Thank you
Several weeks ago there was a request for an area to store household equipment and assistance to sort and shift these items that belong to a member of our congregation who is in detention.  Thanks to the generosity of members we were able to sort, shift and store all his equipment.  Can you please pray that he may be freed from detention and continue his life in Australia free from danger and persecution.

Family Hub Food Support
We will again support the Family Hub by having monthly food collections on the last Sunday of each month.  This food is used to support families in need in the local area.  The first collection  will be on Sunday March 31st.

The Family Hub have identified the following requirements:
• pasta sauce
• tins of baked beans and spaghetti
• 2 minute noodles or similar product
• muesli bars or similar product
• cheese - creamed, sliced, small block grated
• large glad bags.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
2nd April at 1pm
Bible study lead by Pastor Rolly
Our guest speaker this month is Craig Felix, a firefighter from the MFS.  He will speak on fire safety in the home.  Come along to receive some helpful information.

I'm excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. A couple of weeks ago you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Finance Report 
Offerings
January –2019
Total Offerings – Budget $41,300 Actual $34,887 UNDER $6,413

Notes since last published report:
• Expenses for January were approximately $600 under budget.

Free To Take
A mobile trolley has been placed at the rear of the hall with a box of books and a chest of drawers.  If you have use for any of the items please feel free to remove them.  Please do not place the books into the library.

Notice Board

Hymns We Love
Monday April 1st then Monday May 6th.  There will be a ‘winter break’ until we start again on first Mondays September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th  at Zion Glynde Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde.  Arrive at 10-30am for cuppa, biscuits and chat time.  Singing begins at 11am until 12 noon.  ”..you choose the hymns, I play the organ and we made a very ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’!  “  Enjoy airconditioned comfort.  No cost – just come!
Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/ 8367 9969 joymildren@hotmail.com

Tour of SW USA
Dave Anderson has toured Australia several times with his wife Barb.  They performed concerts in many Lutheran churches throughout Australia.  Dave is hosting a tour of SW USA from 1-20 August, 2019.  Full details are available from Jenni Hoffmann 0418895318 or dhoffy@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry
The Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry has been running for over 40 years and is coordinated by people from a range of denominations across Adelaide. The ministry relies entirely on God’s grace through volunteer support from congregations and individuals to finance its work.  You are invited walk with them again this year in Spirit, prayer and financial as you are able to do so. With your support, you are helping to pass on your faith and reaching out to non-Christians.

Please contact Jeff Roberts on 0478 293 650, jmroberts@internode.on.net or Con Schlenk on 0408 811 370, conschlenk@adam.com.au

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Freedom from Control

One of the major skills of parenting is to keep our children safe, without trying to control every part of their existence.  Try treating a 20 year old like a 10 year old, and see how that goes!  We need to give them freedom so they can grow, even if they make mistakes. They learn responsibility by being entrusted with it.

The dilemma in our relationships and workplaces: When we are entrusted with responsibility, how can we avoid becoming control freaks?

As a person who takes responsibility seriously (perhaps it’s “the oldest child syndrome”), I do not pretend to have mastered this!  But I’ve learnt that every person is passionate or obsessive about some things – and not others.

Furthermore, we all have hopes and dreams of how that area of life works out for us.  We like to be in control of that.  In that arena, we seek to establish our significance and security.

What happens inside us when we sense that we are no longer in control?
Fear, anxiety, worry, confusion, anger, grief and conflict!

As the Roman Governor of Judea, Pilate was responsible for tax collection, construction, law and order, and whether or not to impose the death penalty.

On Good Friday, the Jewish leaders want to eliminate Jesus.  But Pilate wants to set him free.  As the conflict of outcomes unfolds, Pilate finds his bastion of control undermined by the angry crowd.  He keeps the peace, but is he in control?

Hopes and dreams, plans and aspirations – they are good things – as servants.
But they can bring us undone if they become our masters.  When the most important thing in life is working out my plans, then I have fallen to the idolatry of self; and my controlling behaviour will negatively impact others.

Scripture reminds us that our plans do not always come to pass, because God is working out his plans for us and his world:

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

You can make many plans,
but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

Paul reminds us that God is also working out his plans through us:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT, cf Proverbs 3:5-6 )

Freedom is having our identity, security and destiny in Christ… and joining God in his good plans!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:1-25
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.

Family Hub Food Support
We will again support the Family Hub by having monthly food collections on the last Sunday of each month.  This food is used to support families in need in the local area.  The first collection  will be on Sunday March 31st.

The Family Hub have identified the following requirements:
• pasta sauce
• tins of baked beans and spaghetti
• 2 minute noodles or similar product
• muesli bars or similar product
• cheese - creamed, sliced, small block grated
• large glad bags.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
2nd April at 1pm
Bible study lead by Pastor Rolly
Our guest speaker this month is Craig Felix, a firefighter from the MFS.  He will speak on fire safety in the home.  Come along to receive some helpful information.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. Last week you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Hymns We Love
Monday April 1st then Monday May 6th.  There will be a ‘winter break’ until we start again on first Mondays September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th  at Zion Glynde Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde.  Arrive at 10-30am for cuppa, biscuits and chat time.  Singing begins at 11am until 12 noon.  ”..you choose the hymns, I play the organ and we made a very ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’!  “  Enjoy airconditioned comfort.  No cost – just come!
Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/ 8367 9969 joymildren@hotmail.com

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Freedom from Expectation

A servant girl saw Peter seated in the firelight.  She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’

Luke 22:56

Here is a snippet from the Passion narrative that is rarely mentioned.  Most of the attention goes to Peter’s response, his three separate and significant denials of Jesus.  Peter had hunkered down in front of the fire kindled in the High Priest’s courtyard.  He had followed the mob from the Mount of Olives where his spontaneous use of a sword had raised Jesus’ ire.

God only knows what Peter was thinking about as he hunched over and bowed his head hoping that the warmth of the fire could reheat the ice that was building in his veins.

It took courage to be there, for sure.  To be implicated with Jesus the ‘insurrectionist (or in modern parlance, terrorist), might direct him on his own pathway towards crucifixion.  But what are the limits of courage?  How far could he go to stand up for his faith in the Arrested One?

According to the Scriptures, at that point in his faith journey, not very far. 

All that it took was for a servant girl and some nameless figures to exclaim into the night with malevolent, public-shaming glee:  “This man!   This man was with HIM!”  We can almost imagine that she pointed at Peter with one finger and Jesus, who is with the High Priest, with another.  As she connected the dots, she brought about a desperate decision for Peter, one that we also face as Christians:

Do we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus?
 
Or do we save face and deny him so that we can live?

It’s a torturous choice, but it has ramifications for not just Peter and Jesus, but those who are watching.  If the followers of Jesus do not claim him, how and why would anyone else?
 
The question for us in the 21st century is this:  How far are we willing to go to associate with the crucified one?  What is the point of no return?  Is it a loss of position, respect, authority or even reputation?  Or is it much cheaper than that?  Is it loss of happiness?

Join with us as we investigate the servant girls’ accusation this Sunday.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 22:54-62
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.

Praise Point
At this Sunday’s 10.30am service the following children will be welcomed into God’s family through holy baptism - Alexia Lily, daughter of Benjamin and Jacqueline Morton and Mia and Kane children of Len and Carol Baker.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. Last week you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club
40th Anniversary
Reserve is next to Yatala Prison and behind the “Grand North” on Grand Junction Road.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’’

Proverbs 3:5-6

Freedom from Duty

Even though Luke, the Gospel writer, gives incredible attention to detail, it is never enough for we who live two thousand years later.  There are so many questions that I would like to ask him, so many thoughts, itches that my brain has about those last days before Jesus’ crucifixion. 

Very often, my inner monologue starts like this:

I wish that I could have seen…so that I could understand…

Throughout the Lenten season, we’re going to be rewinding the clock two thousand years to take an in depth look at some of the more minor characters in the Passion Narrative, to see (perhaps) from a different perspective.

Here are the characters:

March 10 – Temple Soldier
March 17 – Servant Girls
March 24 – Pontius Pilate
March 31 – The Crowd
April 7 – The Centurion
April 14 – Simon of Cyrene
April 18 (Maundy Thursday) Thieves
April 19 (Good Friday) Barabbas
April 21 (Easter Sunday) Joseph of Arimathea and women

This week the question we ponder is:  Which is harder: Choosing the right thing, or choosing the dutiful thing?

Not always are these things mutually exclusive, but what happens when duty demands that we act in the best interests of work, or self, rather than for community and for assisting those who are suffering?

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 22:45-54, 63-65
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.

2019 Welcome Party
Nothing speaks louder about the culture of a school than the interactions that take place within it.  At the heart of our recent Welcome Party was respect for, and interest in others.  A really proud moment for us as a community!

With more than 900 in attendance, The Party provided a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in celebration and the fellowship shared on the night was a very clear indicator of the health of our community.

“To like many people spontaneously and without effort is perhaps the greatest of all sources of personal happiness.” Bertrand Russell

Over my career in schools there are only a few things that stand out as truly powerful catalysts for maximising student learning and success.  One of those factors is ‘Christ centred community’ and the powerful connections that result.   This is the reason why we invest so heavily at Good Shepherd in people and the development and growth of quality relationships. 

My sincere thanks to Reid, Rolly and members of the congregation who contributed to the success of the evening. 

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.  Philippians 4:8-9

https://vimeo.com/320856988

Mission Vision Support Plan – Opportunities to Invest
Last November the new Mission Visions Support Plan (MVSP) was launched at the AGM.  A key aspect of this plan is providing opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into different ministry areas at Good Shepherd.  From March, each month there will be a focus on a specific ministry.

During that month, ministry teams will share stories of impact, celebration and dreams with the community.  And provide opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into these ministries with gifts of money, resources or time.

March focus:  Children, Youth, Young Adults and Family Ministry.

Commencing from 10th March, clearly marked envelopes will be available from the Worship Hosts and the host desks each week for your gift of money or commitment of time or resources.

Alternatively, monetary gifts can be transferred to Good Shepherds account via the details below:

Acct Name: Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating
BSB: 704 942
Acct No: 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)

Please ensure the ministry area is included as the reference.  Donations without a clear reference will be classed as general income.

Many people are passionate about different areas of ministry.  This new initative will provide you with an opportunity to invest directly into the ministry areas you are passionate about, whilst not detracting from your weekly offering.

Please contact Stephen Zanker (Administration Manager) or Garry Schwarz (Treasurer) if you have any questions.

From the Office

Notice Board

Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club
40th Anniversary
Reserve is next to Yatala Prison and behind the “Grand North” on Grand Junction Road.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.’’

James 1:5

Serving Community

Five thousand plus people were sitting on a hillside listening to Jesus as he spoke from his solitary place.  In his compassion, he fed them words of comfort and words of hope, but as the night closed in, as the crowd noticed that it might have been a long time before they ate, maybe they started to get hungry.  Maybe they pulled on the robes of the disciples, and like an ancient communal Oliver Twist, they raised their hands and said,

“We’d like some more, please.”

The begging crowds pushed the disciples to the precipice of doubt and faith – There are too many people.  They’re too hungry.  We need to send them home…

At that moment the disciples felt that their ‘service’ was over, but Jesus had other plans; he pushed them beyond doubt to faith in God that he will provide.

Is this how congregations act and react sometimes?  People from the community reach their hands upwards and say ‘We’d like some more, please.”

And we look at our time poor selves, our congregational budget, our personal skillset and we find ourselves at the same precipice of faith and fear:  They’re hungry and our worship service has ended.  We need to move them on…  Our budget can’t absorb this many people and their needs… I don’t think that I have the right skills, or the right temperament to deal with this change… Someone else can take care of them.

But Jesus has other plans – a serving community uses the gifts of all, blessed by Jesus himself, to provide the miracle.  What does it mean to be a serving community?  Is it a community that serves, or a community that is served?  Or is it both? 

Come hear Pastor Richard Haar’s take, this Sunday, regarding this kind of community.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Matthew 14:13-21
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.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Welcome to our March meeting, 5th March 2019 @ 1pm.

Bring along your olfactory senses (sense of smell) as we have a new challenge for you.  Milla and Lorraine have a spice game where we have to name the spices and their usage.

So come along and enjoy the fun!

Mission Vision Support Plan – Opportunities to Invest
Last November the new Mission Visions Support Plan (MVSP) was launched at the AGM.  A key aspect of this plan is providing opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into different ministry areas at Good Shepherd.  From March, each month there will be a focus on a specific ministry.

During that month, ministry teams will share stories of impact, celebration and dreams with the community.  And provide opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into these ministries with gifts of money, resources or time.

March focus:  Children, Youth, Young Adults and Family Ministry.

Commencing from 10th March, clearly marked envelopes will be available from the Worship Hosts and the host desks each week for your gift of money or commitment of time or resources.

Alternatively, monetary gifts can be transferred to Good Shepherds account via the details below:

Acct Name: Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating
BSB: 704 942
Acct No: 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)

Please ensure the ministry area is included as the reference.  Donations without a clear reference will be classed as general income.

Many people are passionate about different areas of ministry.  This new initative will provide you with an opportunity to invest directly into the ministry areas you are passionate about, whilst not detracting from your weekly offering.

Please contact Stephen Zanker (Administration Manager) or Garry Schwarz (Treasurer) if you have any questions.

Café Name
It’s hard to believe that the café has been up and running for a year now.  It seems like it has been part of who we are for so long that we’ve forgotten what the kitchen/café area used to look like.  It has been a true blessing to use the facilities and we thank God for the way we can gather as community.

But I think it’s time, like after the birth of any baby, to find a name.

Beginning in these next weeks, we’ll be gathering ideas for names from both congregation and the school for the café, the education room (library) and the baby room.  Feel free to be creative and to think of names that could connect our mission and ministry with the name.  In choosing a name, we can then think of new ways to decorate and make the space even more aesthetically pleasing.

Join in the creativity!

There will be a box outside the sanctuary where you can deposit your ideas, or let us know online through this form: https://goo.gl/forms/HrrVXKsQqTfTZfEG2

From the Office

Notice Board

Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club
40th Anniversary
Reserve is next to Yatala Prison and behind the “Grand North” on Grand Junction Road.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’’

1 Peter 4:10