Rev. 5:1-3
Even in an age of technological wizardry, most people have a fascination with scrolls. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, people flocked to wonder what the mysterious words could be on the fragments that had been buried for thousands of years. Would the mystery of faith be revealed? Would the scroll give directions to another buried treasure?
In Revelation 5, we are presented with the intrigue of ‘the one who sits on the throne’ holding a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. Many of us who might read this will move quickly past so that we can catch a glimpse of the mysterious words inside, but on this scroll, the viewer is intrigued that there is writing on both sides.
What is this about? The scriptures have been revealed, but perhaps the symbolism is that what is inside is the final word, the last ‘Big Reveal’ of God’s immense end to time and the beginning of eternity. It’s sealed with seven seals, and as we heard from Pastor Rolly last week, that means it is sealed perfectly.
So perfectly, in fact, that no one on earth, above or below it, can open it. Only the one with the power to do it.
Who is this? Who is it that will reveal God’s last and final word of judgement and promise? What are these words?
Journey with us this week for the second segment of the series, The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, to hear and see what is revealed.
Dr. Tania Nelson, CEO of the LCA’s Local Mission, will be our preacher this weekend. We are grateful to Dr. Nelson for her in depth look into the revelatory scroll.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Reading: Revelation 5:1-14
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Prayer Requests
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.
Volunteers Needed for Toolbox Parenting Creche
Can you assist with caring for a small number of pre school children in the parenting room on the mornings of either the 7th and/or 14th May? Please contact Chelsea 8263 5087 or the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au if you can help. Thank you.
Support for Family Hub
A plant stall will be operating after both services this Sunday.
Date for your diary - fundraising for the Family Hub - Saturday August 17th a fun filled Karaoke night. More details to come.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
7th May at 1pm. Bible study with Pastor Reid. Finalising program for convention. Trading table.
Monday Night Bread Roster
We are looking for volunteers to join the bread run on Monday evenings once every couple of months. The role involves collecting bread bags from the store room (this could be done on a Sunday), picking up bread from a bakery at Tea Tree Plaza at 5.50pm and bringing the bread back to the kitchen at Good Shep. If you are able to help please contact Anthea Courtney via the church office or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Congregation and School AGM’s
The AGM’s of the congregation and school will be held on Sunday May 19th at 12:30. The Maranatha Team will provide a soup lunch after the second service. Information re the congregational meeting will be available in hard copy on Sunday May 11th and emailed to members early in the following week.
Main items for the congregational meeting:
• Presentation of 2018 audited accounts
• Video report from Pastor Reid
• Election of SYNOD delegates
Good Shepherd Community Library up and running again!
The library contains over 2,000 items – books, devotional material, Bible study resources, DVDs, CDs, Christian fiction, biographies and a variety of resources for children.
To search for resources on the digital catalogue, follow the instructions attached to the screen of the computer in the library.
To borrow from the library, either follow the instructions on the borrowing slips provided, or use the computer and follow the instructions attached to the screen.
To return resources that have been borrowed, place them in the plastic RETURN ITEMS HERE crate in the library.
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
From the Office
Facilities Maintenance
After the success of the team at the working bee there are still a few maintenance items to be completed. If you have time and skills please let the Admin Manager or the office know if you are able to assist with any of the following:
• Gardening
o Bushes along eastern fence need trimming back to fence height
o Front garden needs some tending
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Repair some raised paving
o Under LED sign, along footpath outside main office and main walkway by bus shelter
• Install hand rails in the men’s toilets
• Repair Screen in Hall
• Install pinup board in library area
• Install pin boards in the toilet corridor
• Identify water leak above main front entry area
• Clean gutters
• External clean of windows
Notice Board
Are you looking for a way to help at Good Shepherd? Do you have a spare 30min a week to assist students with their reading? We are currently looking for volunteers to train to become MultiLit Reading Tutors. You can come at any time that suits you, once a week or more. Training for this program will take place on Monday 13th May from 9am until 10am in the Learning Support Room.
MultiLit is a reading intervention program that has been used at Good Shepherd for a number of years, it involves students working through two books at their own individual level. Volunteers (reading tutors) receive training and support in the program, these volunteers are made up of parents, our Lutheran School Officers (LSO’s) and both myself and our other Learning Support Coordinator (Trish Stewart). The program runs until the students complete both books. We currently have approximately 45 students from Years 2 to 6 on the MultiLit program. We have found the program to be greatly successful.
Please register your interest by emailing myself anne.carter@gspv.sa.edu.au for the training on Monday 13th May. I look forward to working with you all as we continue to support the students at Good Shepherd with their learning.
Anne Carter
Learning Support Coordinator
“In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”
Revelation 1:16
