At present, we do not live in a perfect world. Creation and humanity are damaged and broken. In Romans 8, Paul says that the creation groans and longs for its liberation from decay
(Rom 8:19-22). As our bodies get older and wear out, we join in the groaning, looking forward to when God will make all things new again – including us!
In our Sunday reading from Revelation 21, we discover this wonderful declaration from God about how things will be at the end for his people and his creation: “I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5 NIV)
A new thing always replaces an old thing. A new car replaces an old one. New clothes replace dirty rags. A new love makes all previous loves obsolete.
The same is true when God eliminates evil and suffering, and brings us into perfection. When God brings all things in heaven and on earth under Christ, everything will be brand new, wondrous, exciting – and fit for eternity.
As Paul writes: “… our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV)
Come along this Sunday to be refreshed with hope, and to realise our role in God’s restoration plan of making everything new.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-6
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.
Congregation and School AGM’s
The AGM’s of the congregation and school will be held this Sunday May 19th at 12:30pm. The Maranatha Team will provide a soup lunch for sale after the second service.
Main items for the congregational meeting:
• Presentation of 2018 audited accounts
• Report from Pastor Reid
• Election of SYNOD delegates
IN NEED OF WOOL
Do you have some spare wool which you no longer need? The school are looking for bright colourful wool to use for “Wednesday Woolies” activities. If you have some wool which you could spare, please drop it to the church or school office with a note saying “Wednesday Woolies”. Thank you
Support for Family Hub Sunday 26th May
The items listed below are required by the Family Hub to support families in need in the local area:
Pasta sauces
Bake beans
Spaghetti
Small tubs spreadable margarine
Cheese – slices, block, grated
SR flour – for cooking class
Tinned vegetables – not corn
Meals in a can
Large tins of tuna
Thanks from the Family Hub
Please pass on our continued thanks for the fantastic support.
We had a request from a migrant family with 6 children – they have been cuddling at night to keep warm. Although we had been on the lookout for blankets and bedding it hadn’t come through. One of the lovely volunteers from Para Vista bought me some blankets – thank you. We received the thanks and the hugs and wiped away the tears. The volunteer thought outside the box and helped!
Could you also thank the lady who bought in the box of nappies – she will be pleased to know they have supported a very fragile family.
If you have spare blankets that are no longer required the Family Hub could make good use of them. They can be added to the food collection on Sunday May 26th or left at church any Sunday or dropped into the church office.
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 register as a borrower, if you have not already done so, write your name and contact details on a borrowing slip and place it in the box provided. These details will then be entered into the library computer programme and you will be able to borrow.
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.
If you have any questions, write them on a piece of paper and place them in the borrowing slip box, or send an email to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au.
From the Office
Professional Standards Certificates
Thank you to the number of Good Shepherd community who completed professional standards training earlier this year. Your service and involvement in God’s work in our community ministries and your commitment to participating in the care and protection of all is particularly important and valued by us.
For those who completed the training, certificates are now available to collect from the church office.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) with a difference!
Sunday 26th May, 2.00 pm at Bethlehem House in the city. Please note change of day and time. German cabinetmakers and their Australian heritage . As a keen collector of Barossa and other colonial furniture, Dr Jim Bertouch tells the story of local furniture makers, illustrating the native timbers, style, construction methods and traditional finishes used by German craftsmen to make their work so distinctive. All welcome, gold coin donation, supper.
Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia
All Healthcare workers, members and visitors are invited to attend our meeting on Monday 27th May 2019, with Evie Proeve presenting 'Development Education'. 7.30pm at 137 Archer Street, North Adelaide, at LCA/SA District Office. Entry through rear door with 2 hour CDP evidence provided. Rose Howard,Secretary LNAA Mobile: 0410 463 649
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
