John received visions from God for his people in distress, and was commanded to write them down. We find them in the last book of the Bible: Revelation. It contains pictures and visions difficult to fathom. Yet the most important things are still crystal clear!
This type of literature is called “apocalyptic” which means uncover/reveal. The aim of this pictorial and symbolic language is to reveal God’s perspective of reality – so we can find comfort knowing God is with us, and hope in God’s promises for our future.
Much of the imagery is from the Old Testament. According to Dr John Strelan: ‘…of the 404 verses in Revelation, 275 contain one or more allusions to the Old Testament.’1 For those seeking to destroy God’s people – unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures and code words like Babylon for Rome - the symbols and language would have seemed like nonsense.
The unfolding drama of the book describes the dilemma for Christians, God’s judgements on their persecutors, and clarity about the ultimate destiny for God’s faithful people.
This Sunday we ask the question: Who’s in Charge? as part one of our new worship series: The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. We want to get the attention off ourselves, and onto the living God. We want to remember who we are as God’s people, to do life more intentionally with God, and to live for God’s glory.
I invite you to read through Revelation, to discuss it, and to realise that in Christ you are caught up in God’s forever story for his world. No matter what tribulations we experience, Jesus has got us covered – from here to eternity.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Revelation 1:4-18 (Compare: Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 25:31-33, Mark 14:60-64)
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
1 John G Strelan, Where Heaven Meets Earth - A Commentary on Revelation, (Openbook, 1994), 30.
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 Thank You
Thank you to the attendees who parked on the school oval allowing our guests to park in allocated parking spaces for all services.
Opportunities to Share Gifts and Talents
Over the course of Lent and Easter we enjoyed considering perspectives of a range of people from the Bible, brought to life by a variety of people in our community who shared their gifts and talents with us in quite a dramatic way! Thank you to each and every one of you!
But it has got me thinking…
We would like to continue to offer opportunities for people to share their gifts and talents, through skits or dramas and other creative means. You might have been watching others, thinking to yourself, “I could do that!”
If you, or someone you know, are interested in participating in skits or similar, please let me know.
I would love to hear from you! Please come and have a chat or drop me a line sharing your interest. My email is georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au
I look forward to catching up! Blessings on your day Georgie
Support for Family Hub
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.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
7th May at 1pm. Bible study with Pastor Reid. Finalising program for convention. Trading table.
LWSA/NT Convention
18th May at 9am at Good Shepherd. All welcome
Theme: Radiant with Hope (Romans 15:13)
BYO lunch and cup
Woolies Earn and Learn Campaign
Good Shepherd Lutheran School is participating in the Woolies Earn and Learn program again this year. Between 1st May and 25th June, shoppers at Woolworth’s supermarkets are given a sticker for each $10.00 spent in store, which in turn can be redeemed for classroom teaching aids such as maths and science equipment, sporting equipment or musical instruments. Individual stickers or completed sticker sheets are being collect by the school via a box in the front office. Any contributions to our sticker collection, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.
Entertainment Books
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.
From the Office
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has kicked off to a great start. Thank you for your willingness to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.
I’m excited
About the graph below indicating the areas that require support and how you have supported them. This is a working graph and will be updated at the end of each month. We have received donations other than monetary as well.
This month, April, we are focusing on potential ministries for the café.
Clearly marked envelopes are available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gifts. Envelopes can be placed on the collection plate or handed into the office during office hours. Please remember to mark the envelope with your ministry of choice. 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 be a 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.
Have you seen
The Posters that indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.
Notices for Display BLU TAC
Please remember to pass through the front office first any information you wish to leave in the café or on the noticeboards. Any notices that are not passed through the front office will be removed. Good Shepherd has a policy to refrain from using Blu Tac or cello tape on any surface in the building other than glass. Your assistance in complying with this is appreciated. Thank you.
Notice Board
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8
