We celebrate it every year.
Pentecost – the birthday of the church. We light the candles, we talk about the Holy Spirit sounding like wind and looking like fire, then we extinguish the candles and go about our business, just as if it were own birthday. One year older, one year wiser.
Pentecost was not just the birth of the church, it was the birth of the church’s mission: to be (witnesses of Jesus) in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Every year we read this and I think, ‘Thank you God for the first witnesses for bringing the Gospel light into the world,’ and every year I have a twinge – a sharp little pain in my heart – wondering if I’m missing out on something.
What does the commission at the birth of the Church have to do with the birthday of the church two thousand years later? In these present times, what opportunities for witnessing can we not let slip through our fingers? How has the commission of God changed from the time of Moses, to the time of the Disciples, to the time of the 21st century Church?
Join Pastor Rolly and I in a discussion about Commission, Co-mission and Mission this Sunday.
Read Exodus 3:1-10, Acts 1:1-8 and Luke 24:30-35 and jot down some thoughts about commissions ahead of time.
Pr. Reid Matthias
[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, MacMillan 1966
Bible Readings: Exodus 3:1-10; Luke 24:30-35; Acts 2:1-4
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.
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. 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.
New CARE link Up and Running
On the opening page of our GSPV website, https://paravista.org.au/ we now have a button that people can click on to for care and assistance.
This page has 4 blue circles with white icons. The one on the right has a cube in the middle, with the word Care underneath it. Under that is a tag: Need assistance? You’ll find it here.
Clicking this icon opens a Care & Assistance page where people can leave contact details and a brief description of their need.
The Triage Officer will make initial contact to discover more about the person’s situation, work out an appropriate response, and refer the need for follow up to an appropriate person or team leader, e.g.
• Phone call or visit from one of the Pastoral Care Team
• Counselling referral
• Food/groceries/vouchers/household items
• Handyman help
• Backyard clean up team
• Prayer Ministry Team
• Pastors – spiritual/theological issues; pastoral acts
The vision is that more people from GSPV will be able to use their gifts to share the love of Jesus in the lives of others. It’s joining in his mission.
Please make use of this link and point it out to others.
Pr Rolly Stahl
New CARE link Up and Running
On the opening page of our GSPV website, https://paravista.org.au/ we now have a button that people can click on to for care and assistance.
This page has 4 blue circles with white icons. The one on the right has a cube in the middle, with the word Care underneath it. Under that is a tag: Need assistance? You’ll find it here.
Clicking this icon opens a Care & Assistance page where people can leave contact details and a brief description of their need.
The Triage Officer will make initial contact to discover more about the person’s situation, work out an appropriate response, and refer the need for follow up to an appropriate person or team leader, e.g.
• Phone call or visit from one of the Pastoral Care Team
• Counselling referral
• Food/groceries/vouchers/household items
• Handyman help
• Backyard clean up team
• Prayer Ministry Team
• Pastors – spiritual/theological issues; pastoral acts
The vision is that more people from GSPV will be able to use their gifts to share the love of Jesus in the lives of others. It’s joining in his mission.
Please make use of this link and point it out to others.
Pr Rolly Stahl
From the Office
Congregation and School AGMs
The AGMs of the congregation and school will be held Sunday May 31st at 11:30am. Both entities will be addressed in the same meeting to assist the meeting chair and video moderators in processing information. A zoom meeting was held on Thursday to discuss part of the school agenda involving a new constitution.The only question received in relation to the posted AGM material was addressed last Sunday in the announcements and via email on Tuesday 26th May.
Apologies can still be forwarded to the church office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au Please note any apologies received date-stamped after 11:45am Sunday 31 May will not be accepted into the minutes.
Personal Presence at the AGM.
Apologies can still be forwarded to the church office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au Please note any apologies received date-stamped after 11:45am Sunday 31 May will not be accepted into the minutes.
Personal Presence at the AGM.
There has been a change to the original AGM procedure sent with all the material. The church will not be open for members to physically attend. If you do not have the means to participate in the meeting via the electronic platform please let the office know ASAP. We will endeavour to link you with someone who has the technology to enable your participation.
Mission Vision Report
Offerings 2019
|
February
|
March
|
Apr
|
Year to Date Variance
| |||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
| ||
Sunday Offerings
|
13532
|
18300
|
16690
|
18300
|
15386
|
18300
|
-9292
|
REG Offerings
|
20767
|
23333
|
20767
|
23333
|
22470
|
23333
|
-5408
|
Offerings 2020
|
February
|
March
|
Apr
| ||||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
| ||
Sunday Offerings
|
14669
|
18300
|
10016
|
18300
|
0
|
18300
|
-30215
|
REG Offerings
|
25805
|
23333
|
23756
|
23333
|
34855
|
23333
|
14417
|
Notes:
Offerings are considerably down. It is encouraging to see how many have embraced electronic giving. Please consider making a permanent regular gift via EFT.
As soon as we update to the new the mission vision statement with the budget accounts we will be able to provide an expenditure brief.
All ministry areas have been impacted by recent events and staff are resourcing only what is necessary.
As soon as we update to the new the mission vision statement with the budget accounts we will be able to provide an expenditure brief.
All ministry areas have been impacted by recent events and staff are resourcing only what is necessary.
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
Electronic deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100354939
Account Name: GSPV REG
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.
Online News
Rachel is slowly bringing the website into the 2020s and is in the process of setting up a church Instagram account. We thank you for your patience while this is occurring; meanwhile please direct any questions or concerns to the church office.
Facilities Maintenance
Notice! The list is getting shorter and your assistance is still required. Thanks to all those who have volunteered time to make this happen. Individually and in twos or threes the following small maintenance tasks can still be completed:
• A hand ball court is required to be painted in the courtyard area so it is a bit more permanent than chalk. - 2 hours
• One way arrows on drive pavement require repainting - 2 persons x ½ day
• Ceiling in Ladies requires refixing to prevent ceiling from collapse - 2 persons x ½ day
• Cobwebbing inside and out - 1 to 2 hours
• Hall store room requires tidying and cleaning
• Window cleaning - 1 to 2 hours
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or the front office for further info and to book in your time to assist.
Lutheran Community Care Bin
The welfare bin at the church has been opened for donations again as the team at Blair Athol are clearing as they can. Please do not leave electrical items or items that are broken or unusable as we have to cover the removal cost for these items.
Office Distancing Update
Grocery Donations
Facilities Maintenance
Notice! The list is getting shorter and your assistance is still required. Thanks to all those who have volunteered time to make this happen. Individually and in twos or threes the following small maintenance tasks can still be completed:
• A hand ball court is required to be painted in the courtyard area so it is a bit more permanent than chalk. - 2 hours
• One way arrows on drive pavement require repainting - 2 persons x ½ day
• Ceiling in Ladies requires refixing to prevent ceiling from collapse - 2 persons x ½ day
• Cobwebbing inside and out - 1 to 2 hours
• Hall store room requires tidying and cleaning
• Window cleaning - 1 to 2 hours
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or the front office for further info and to book in your time to assist.
Lutheran Community Care Bin
The welfare bin at the church has been opened for donations again as the team at Blair Athol are clearing as they can. Please do not leave electrical items or items that are broken or unusable as we have to cover the removal cost for these items.
Office Distancing Update
To comply with social distancing the exterior door is being kept locked.
A door bell will be available to call office staff. Helen will attend the office on Tuesdays. Wednesday-Friday Rachel will be back in the office. Hooray!
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.
Free
Two free TVs in good working order have been donated for anyone in need. Please contact Stephen through the office for more details.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,Birthdays! Celebrating the anniversary of the birth of someone loved is a special occasion.
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. The time when the Holy Spirit came to be with us to help, comfort and guide us among other things. Pentecost is a bit like the birthday of the Church.
Please find some activities from Grow Ministries that you might like to try out with your families this weekend, attached to the email! Also, here are a couple of child friendly links that tells the story of how the Holy Spirit came all those years ago, and the miraculous impact that set the church in motion…
Cartoon Format:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQKy1Mx49M
Pentecost Explained in Lego:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvy-_Dayaoc
Happy Birthday Church (and Happy Birthday to anyone else who might be having a birthday too)!
God bless your week!
Georgie
LCC Winter Appeal Update
Winter has arrived in a world that none of us could have imagined. Lutheran Community Care has been there to support the vulnerable during these unprecedented times. Our essential services have adapted to assist families and individuals, many who have never had to ask for help before.
Due to church building closures, LCC has not sent our Winter Appeal letters to congregations this year. Instead we have created a short two-minute video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSnnHVjmwtI
For more information about LCC’s Winter Appeal or for a copy of our donor letter, visit www.lccare.org.au/how-you-can-help/donations/
We hope you are keeping well.
Kind regards,
Amelia Dawkins
Marketing and Communications
Lutheran Community Care
Grow Ministries Faith at HomeDear Church Family,Birthdays! Celebrating the anniversary of the birth of someone loved is a special occasion.
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. The time when the Holy Spirit came to be with us to help, comfort and guide us among other things. Pentecost is a bit like the birthday of the Church.
Please find some activities from Grow Ministries that you might like to try out with your families this weekend, attached to the email! Also, here are a couple of child friendly links that tells the story of how the Holy Spirit came all those years ago, and the miraculous impact that set the church in motion…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQKy1Mx49M
Pentecost Explained in Lego:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvy-_Dayaoc
Happy Birthday Church (and Happy Birthday to anyone else who might be having a birthday too)!
God bless your week!
Georgie
LCC Winter Appeal Update
Winter has arrived in a world that none of us could have imagined. Lutheran Community Care has been there to support the vulnerable during these unprecedented times. Our essential services have adapted to assist families and individuals, many who have never had to ask for help before.
Due to church building closures, LCC has not sent our Winter Appeal letters to congregations this year. Instead we have created a short two-minute video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSnnHVjmwtI
For more information about LCC’s Winter Appeal or for a copy of our donor letter, visit www.lccare.org.au/how-you-can-help/donations/
We hope you are keeping well.
Kind regards,
Amelia Dawkins
Marketing and Communications
Lutheran Community Care
News from Maranatha Health
What a strange and unprecedented time we are in. This is certainly not business-as-usual. Maranatha Health’s dream is that every child in our region of Uganda has access to high quality compassionate health care. Click on the link below to discover how you can ensure Ugandans get the life-saving care they need and read about how we are partnering with you to make that happen:
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. 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 pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Joel 2:28 (NIV)
Joel 2:28 (NIV)
