But what about when things don’t turn out the way we expected?
• A person out on their morning walk is hit and killed on the footpath by an out of control vehicle.
• A couple on their honeymoon in the tropics are both injured by a devastating cyclone.
• A wonderful family holiday at the beach is marred by food poisoning from eating takeaway.
• A healthy and active child goes to school one morning, yet by nightfall is in ICU with meningococcal disease.
• A routine annual medical check-up reveals advanced cancer.
In our broken world, we sometimes find ourselves ambushed by events we were not expecting… by circumstances beyond our control.
It seems so random! We wonder: ‘What on earth is God doing? Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this? How long will I have to put up with this?” Many of the ancient people of God asked the same questions – as recorded in the Psalms and in Job.
The character we’ll meet this Sunday is Simon of Cyrene. Cyrene was a capital city in present-day Libya, with a large Jewish population. Simon would have grown up in the Jewish faith, observing the Law of Moses with his family and Jewish community.
It was the hope of every Jew who lived in nations beyond Israel to attend at least one Passover Festival in Jerusalem. So for Simon, making his pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover was a dream come true. But as he makes his way into the city, a Roman soldier orders him to carry Jesus’ cross beam to the place called The Skull.
The day did not turn out the way he expected. I wonder what went through Simon’s mind as he “took up the cross” and followed Jesus. Was this the unluckiest day of his life? Or was it the most incredible turning point of his life?
None of us get through life in this broken world unscathed. We all have “a cross to carry”… we don’t get to choose which one. Yet in the midst of this, God is still carrying us – from here to eternity!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Luke 23:26-31
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.
Food Collection for the Family Hub
Early notice, due to Easter, for the next collection which will be on Sunday April 28th at both services. Closer to the date we will publish a list of food required in the Weekly News and via email. Thank you for your continuing support of the Family Hub.
Thank You from the Family Hub
What a lovely start to the week! Sincere thanks to you and the helpers who bought gifts from the congregation – much appreciated. Your beautiful gifts make the pantry look inviting at the moment – it is easy to make a food parcel and good to be able to offer some choice to some of the families.
Please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed towards this as well as those who visit and offer time too.
It makes our daily life so much easier to know that we are supported so beautifully.
Thank You for Suggestions
Thank you to everyone who submitted names for our café (28 names submitted), library (9 names) and the area previously known as Baby Zone (9 names). The Cafe Team is working through the list and will inform the congregation when a decision has been made.
Working Bee
Learn some new skills or utilise some old ones. Good Shepherd community will be holding a working bee on Saturday 13 April from 8.30am. Let’s combine our resources to complete a few tasks before the Easter week to ensure our property is maintained. Some of the tasks to be completed are:
• Gardening – trimming back the overgrowth from summer
• Change some blown light globes
• Repair a roller shutter to ensure office security
• Replace a tap in the parenting room to save water wastage
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Replace a drain cover to prevent serious injury
• Repair some raised paving
• Install some new door closers
Please notify the office (churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or 8263 5087) of your skills and involvement or indicate on the Sunday connect card your attendance so we can coordinate the activities.
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
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
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Jeremiah 41:10
