Vengeance, Destruction or Something Far Worse
“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say…
Don’t get revenge, destroy them!
Okay, that’s not the direct translation of the Bible, and many of you will probably figure out where our Sermon on the Mount discussion is going, but we’ll set out on an adventure this week to answer at least two questions, beginning with these:
Who are my enemies?
What can I do about them?
Our scripture verses this week are from Matthew 5:38-48. Read ahead and formulate some of your responses to Jesus if you were actually present for the Sermon.
Pr. Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Matthew 5:38-48
From the Office
Mission Vision Report
Offerings 2019
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January
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February
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March
|
Year to Date Variance
| ||||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
| ||
Sunday Offerings
|
13532
|
18300
|
16690
|
18300
|
15386
|
18300
|
-9292
|
REG Offerings
|
21354
|
23333
|
20767
|
23333
|
22470
|
23333
|
-5408
|
Offerings 2020
| |||||||
January
|
February
|
March
| |||||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
| ||
Sunday Offerings
|
11900
|
18300
|
14669
|
18300
|
10016
|
18300
|
-18315
|
REG Offerings
|
25914
|
23333
|
25805
|
23333
|
23756
|
23333
|
5476
|
Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation's mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic deposits can be made to the following bank account details
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100354939
Account Name: GSPV REG
LLL REG: Download the form here and use the same bank details as above in the account to be credited. Then email back to the address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Congregation and School AGMs
The AGMs of the congregation and school will be held Sunday May 31st at 11:30am. Please note these meetings will be held consecutively on Zoom. Reports and agendas for the meetings will be provided in a separate email to all on our contacts list over the next week. Please read them and address any concerns to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au prior to the AGMs.
Facilities Maintenance
Thanks to all who have already responded and ticked items of the list. I am still looking for volunteer assistance with the following small maintenance tasks.
Please consider allocating some time to assist in the repairs/maintenance. I have placed an approximate time behind each task to give you some idea of time required:
• A permanent hand ball court to be painted in the courtyard area
• One-way arrows on drive pavement require repainting - 2 hours
• Refixing the ceiling in the Ladies’ toilet to prevent collapse - 2 persons x ½ day
• Affix down pipe and drain to the existing veranda at the manse – 2 hours
• Clear roadway drains – 1 hour
• Cobwebbing inside and out – 1 to 2 hours
• Tidy & clean hall store room - 2 persons x ½ day
• Window cleaning - 1 to 2 hours
• Hall floor sweep and mop - 2 hours
• Add flashing to columns on new manse pergola - 2 persons x ½ day
• Pressure cleaning of main entry paving bricks (pressure washer required to complete this) – 2 hours
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or the front office for further info.
Office Distancing Update
To comply with social distancing the following has been implemented during office hours.
The exterior door is being kept locked for security and social distancing. A door bell will be available to call office staff. Helen is not attending the office on Tuesdays and Stephen will be answering the phone and taking door calls. Wednesday-Friday Rachel will be back in the office; please use the doorbell.
Grocery Donations
Grocery items, including vouchers for supermarkets etc. 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.
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 that will include: a Sunday service order, message outline, and any other information relevant for the week.
Downloadable Sets of Daily Devotions
The LCA are now providing Daily Devotions in advance as a printable set. Some congregations have been asking for this, so they can print and deliver to their computer-less members: www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion-printables/ We will add this link to the resources section of our website as well.
Exercise Equipment Needed
A member of the congregation who has been in detention is looking for any old exercise equipment that people would like to give away during this time of isolation. It would need to be delivered to a Ridgehaven address. Please contact the office if you can help.
Free
A digital 50inch TV in good working order have been donated for anyone in need. Please contact Stephen through the office for more details.
Prayer Requests
As we adapt to our new way of living please forward all prayer requests to the church office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 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. Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests please refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news.
Board Update
The church board has been meeting weekly over the past two months to ensure the viability and the mission of the Good Shepherd Congregation can and is being met. The topics of discussion have revolved around the following subjects: Communication, Worship services and Church Finance. The board have also being actively pursuing the care of all members through the means available and have beefed up the Pastoral Care component of our ministry work. This should become evident in coming weeks. Please continue to pray for our pastors and the board that they make wise decisions as the culture changes and we seek to reach into the community with the Gospel that all may know Jesus and worship Him.
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. Zoom is enhancing the security of meetings. Please make sure you have upgraded to version 5 (or later) of the Zoom app any time before 30 May2020 so you can continue to connect to our live streamed services after this date.
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.
Dear Church Family,
You can find this week’s Growing Faith at Home resources in the weekly email or at http://paravista.org.au/ministries/children-family-ministry/
Different opportunities have arisen in these times. We often say that we are ‘time poor’ as we race from one commitment to the next, but the present circumstances have put many things on hold, for a time…
There has been time to think, reflect and be creative. To draw closer to family and to God.
Included this week is a Personal Serving Profile for you to consider… Think, reflect and be creative!
God bless your week!
Georgie
What unprecedented and challenging times we find ourselves in! Click on the link below to access the latest Maranatha Health newsletter, which includes much-needed GOOD news from MH, as well as details about how we are responding to the Ugandan communities that depends on us, at this challenging time:
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 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.
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
