This was supposed to be a joyful celebration day for Jesus and the disciples – for the entire city of Jerusalem. Since the fall of the kingdom of Israel, they had expectantly been awaiting the Messiah, the newly anointed king, who would bless them with at least a millennium of peace. Jerusalem, literally ‘city of peace,’ but ironically so, is perched on the edge of rebellion. Tensions are high. The Romans have forced, enforced and reinforced their might and power and there hasn’t been peace for centuries. The crowd of disciples lines the road offering their cloaks and their voices to proclaim a beatitude on Jesus.
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Unfortunately, the crowd of disciples along with the entire city of Jerusalem (not to mention the world) missed that it wasn’t just a king that was riding into Jerusalem that day, but the Lord. When he arrived, they missed it. They missed him, because he was not what they expected.
“You should have known,” Jesus speaks through his tears. What should have been a celebration has turned to mourning. The people cried out ‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven.’ And it rides right past them on a donkey.
This Palm Sunday we won’t be using any palm branches. We won’t really be talking about donkeys or spreading cloaks on the road. We won’t be talking about the crowd of disciples or the Pharisees.
We’ll be talking about a crying Saviour that tells his people, ‘If only you had known this day what would bring peace…’
Pr. Reid
Bible Readings: Luke 19:37-42
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.
COVID-19 News and Weekly Messages
During this period of COVID-19 restrictions, our Sunday worship has moved online, starting at 10:30 am. If you would like to participate please contact the church office for information about how to access this.
Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our pastors.
From the Board: Prayer of unity for our community & Pondering Points
Introduction:
In times of physical isolation, it is our inner being that senses disconnection with the things we know, because we like to be in a place of comfort, change is uncomfortable, and we receive that thought and feeling as a negative emotion, which than in turn makes us feel sad, anxious, angry, even to the point that we start to look for someone, or something to blame. Because we do not deserve this “pain”
But what if something good can come out of this?
God the Father loves us so much, that He send His only Son, King Jesus, to save us, that is all of us.
I met this 82 year old lady today for the first time, she lives by herself, and has no family. She has been in self-isolation for 3 weeks already, no-one checked on her, no-one called her to say, would you like some help, you probably heard stories like this already. It saddens me to know that many people like that live just around the corner from us. She just wanted to hear a word of encouragement.
So I asked God the question what my responsibility as His servant is to these people in my community in this time of crisis?
He gave me 3 Pondering points. All 3 are connected.
• Ephesians 4:2 - Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
• Ephesians 4:23- Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
• Romans 12:5 - So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
My prayer and pondering points:
Ask God to reveal what he has for you today, be patient, be open minded, approach gently and always out of love. Ask for the opportunity to shine His light.
Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind to the things of God and put your neighbour first.
And finally, we are not islands, we are all connected, we belong to each other, this will bring a culture change that is meant for eternity.
May God the Father, who invites us to be His hands, His ears, and His eyes, give us opportunities to be just that.
May God bless you on your journey,
Cees
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Hope this finds you all safe and well!
Many resources are becoming available ‘for a time such as this’. Here are just a few for you to consider.
Grow Ministries are tailoring some of their resources to the situation we are facing at this time. In the “In a time of crisis” Growing Faith Moments (see email attachment) these questions (among others) are raised:
As activities are cancelled or postponed which ones are you missing the most?
Share a favourite memory from other of those activities.
Don’t forget their free resource that is still available.
See the link! https://www.growministries.org.au/product/church-at-home/
Here is a link that goes to the free downloadable resource they have prepared in time for Holy Week. https://www.growministries.org.au/product/holy-week-at-home/
Here is a link to a Child friendly clip about Palm Sunday: https://youtu.be/z-39h0xYqdE
Please find a colouring sheet in the email attachments.
Blueprint, (in conjunction with the Intergen Team -Uniting Church SA) have developed an Easter Resource for building faith at home in families. You might like to consider this resource in the next week, Holy Week. I will let them describe the resource:
Easter Faith Family Trail at Home
"Explore the events of the Easter story through a variety of activity stations. Each station has a theme, Bible passage, questions to chat about, and simple activity and prayer ideas. Using locations and items from around the home, we invite your household to choose at least one activity in the lead up to or during Easter. This is a great opportunity to grow faith at home for people of all ages, particularly families with children under 12. Most of the ideas use multiple senses to engage with the Easter story. We hope this resource equips your family to play, talk and pray together so that you may grow in faith, especially as you celebrate what Jesus has done for us this Easter."
To access the Easter Faith Family Trail at Home booklet, please click here:
https://lca.box.com/shared/static/zwj3gea7dr3g1kimjd65htkpejcxj5bh.pdf
Blessings and God’s Peace to each one of you,
Georgie
Food Collection for the Family Hub
What a fantastic response!
What a fantastic response last week to our food collection in support of the Family Hub. Even with the church closed many members went out of their way to drop their donations into the church. Being aware of our situation Kathlene was expecting minimum donations this month. She and the workers at the Hub were amazed at the amount of food that was delivered on Monday. They thank the members of the congregation for their generosity, and mentioned that - in light of the current situation - this food will be put to good use and will be a blessing to families in need in the local area.
Family Hub Support Team
From the Office
Prayer Requests
As we adapt to our new way of living please forward all prayer requests to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 08 8263 5087. If you know or have spoken to anyone who does not have access to a computer, please assist them to submit their request and offer to pray with them.
Mission Support
At times of uncertainty we as the Body of Christ are called to be a bright light of shining hope to our community. We can become like Joseph and share our barns of hope with those who are hurting. This can be done in a number of ways:
- Regular Electronic Giving (REG) - www.lll.org.au/REG REG is a way to regularly support the mission of our church. Details of transactions are kept confidential. Please visit http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg and use BSB 704942 and Account number 100354939. Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details: BSB 704942; Account number 100354939.
- Baskets of Hope -Grocery items can be dropped off at the church Tuesday through Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm. We have supported many families in need and we want this to continue. Any household consumables including cleaning items will be appreciated. Any items surplus will be passed on to LCC.
- Acts of Hope - Assist your neighbour who may be isolated by offering to do some shopping for them and drop it home when you do or be creative in finding a way to be supportive.
Postal Communication
If you become aware of anyone who does not have the means for receiving the weekly news via electronic media please get them to advise the office on 08 8263 5087 or assist them to contact the office with their postal details. We will post out a Weekly News pack on Friday that will include: a Sunday service order, message outline, and any other information relevant for the week.
Negative thought patterns and feelings of anxiety, fear, doubt and isolation are commonly experienced. We all are trying to navigate and adapt to a changing environment and therefore the need for support increases.
Hanelie is continuing to provide a professional counselling service to students, parents, staff and community. Hanelie is a member of PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) and completed a Dip. Counselling & Bachelor of Counselling through ACAP (Australian College of Applied Psychology). Hanelie is passionate about mental health and providing support to clients with qualities such as empathy, congruence and positive regard.
Counselling service delivery is changing from face-to-face in office sessions to electronic methods. Counselling sessions will be provided electronically or telephonically. These practices are successfully implemented worldwide. Skype or FaceTime will be used as electronic methods. Please note that FaceTime can only be used with Apple devices. Changes to service delivery will be revised in future as the pandemic passes.
The feedback regarding conducting of counselling session via electronic methods is that they have been well received.
Cost: A session will continue to be priced at $15.00 to assist with covering of professional expenses. This fee is well below market rates.
Please feel free to contact Hanelie at 0450 022 502 or email: hanelie.swart@gmail.com with questions or to book an appointment.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
