Along with those characters, we’ve looked at a bunch of things that rob us of the freedom and fullness of life God wants for us. Things that can imprison us and make us miserable include: ego, duty, expectation, ignorance, control, mob mentality, circumstances, the past, hate and death. Jesus came to free us from these!
Over this Easter weekend, we will listen to some more stories:
• Maundy Thursday, we’ll hear the tale of the two thieves crucified with Jesus.
• Good Friday, the one who was released, Barabbas, will tell his story.
• Resurrection Sunday, we will hear from Joseph of Arimathea and the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty.
While Jesus repeatedly told his followers that he’d be killed - and on the third day rise again - it seems that none of them expected it to happen! It’s only when the women arrived at the tomb, and heard the angels’ announcement, that they remembered his words (Luke 24:8).
And over the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to individuals and groups in various places. We have 10 separate appearances recorded in the NT; one of them included over 500 eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Jesus has conquered death - once and for all. No one needs to remain captive to the fear of death! Jesus brings us into his life, giving us a hope and a future – freedom forever!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Maundy Thursday: Luke 23:32-43 (Freedom from the past)
Good Friday: Luke 23:13-25 (Freedom from hate)
Resurrection Sunday: Luke 23:50-56, 24:1-11 (Freedom Forever!)
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.
Easter Car Parking
The school oval will be available for parking for the Easter services weather permitting. Members are encouraged to park on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval and keeping as close to the fence as possible.
Support for Family Hub
Our next food collection for the Family Hub is on Sunday April 28th. Below is a list of food required by the Hub this month. This allows them to support the many families who require assistance simply to put food on the table.
Pasta sauces
2 minute noodles
Cans of spaghetti, bake beans
Cans of vegetables – (not corn thanks)
Muesli bars
Dishwashing liquid
After Sunday one young person said to her mum please don't give me Easter eggs for Easter. I would rather the money so I can buy some food items to support the Family Hub.
If you are available to help sort and transport goods to the Family Hub it would be greatly appreciated. Meet at the church at 9:30am on Monday April 29th.
Two dates for your diary - fundraising for the Family Hub
• the ever popular Plant Stall after both services on Sunday May 5th
• Saturday August 17th a fun filled Karaoke night. More details as we get closer to the date.
Woolies Earn and Learn Campaign
Entertainment Books
2019/2020 Entertainment Book fundraising is happening again this year. Books are available from the Good Shepherd Lutheran School office. The price is $70.00 for a book or digital membership, which will quickly be recovered by the thousands of discount vouchers available.
Payment may be in cash or online via the link here.
To register for this course go to: https://forms.gle/TsXdcyNipiv1WmU8A
Payment assistance is available.
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, April we are focusing on potential ministries for the café.
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
Notices for Display
Please pass through the front office first any information you wish to leave the café or on the noticeboards. Any notices that are not passed through the front office will be removed. Thank you.
Finance Report
Offerings
February –2019
Feb 2018 Feb 2019 Feb budget 2019 Total offering Budget for 2019
Offerings –$34,209 $37,457 $41,300 $499,999
Notes since last published report:
• Offerings for February were $3843 below budget
• Currently $7,300 below this time last year (end of Feb)
Working Bee News
Thank you to all the volunteers who turned up on Saturday 13th to offer their skills and time and those who couldn’t be here who supplied morning tea. The following tasks were completed:
• Gardening – trimming back the overgrowth from summer. Two trailer loads removed.
• Changed some blown light globes
• Repaired a roller shutter to ensure office security
• Replaced a tap in the parenting room to save water wastage
• Replaced a drain cover to prevent serious injury
• Installed some new door closers
• Cleared water drains in driveway
• Cleaned aircon and fridge /freezer filters
• Installed hand rails in ladies toilets
• Cobweb exterior of building
• Adjusted light fittings in parenting room
• Secured loose benchtop
The following tasks are to be completed and if you have the time please let the Admin Manager or the office know:
• Gardening
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Repair some raised paving
• Install hand rails in gents toilets
• Repair Screen in Hall
Notice Board
Friends of Lutheran Archives
When Valerie Volk first heard the old family story of her great-grandmother’s journey alone, from Silesia in the 1880s to search for her missing son in the Australian colonies, she was fascinated. ‘In Search of Anna’ covers 60 years of German and Australian history in a fiction novel that is a warm and compelling story of family relationships, ending in Jindera, New South Wales. Friends of Lutheran Archives, Monday 29th April at 7.30 pm, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city. All welcome - gold coin donation and supper.
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
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..”
1 Peter 1:3
