Likewise, if we are to connect meaningfully with people who don’t yet know Jesus, it’s essential that we understand their world view, beliefs and cultural values. It’s helpful to find out what questions or wonderings they might have. Otherwise, we might be speaking God’s truth, but it may get “lost in translation”.
While Paul was waiting for his friends in Athens, he reasoned with philosophers in the market place. They labelled him a “babbler”, accusing him of introducing foreign gods to the city of Athens – which is why the famous philosopher Socrates was condemned to death in 399 BC.
Then they took Paul ‘to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears and we would like to know what they mean.’” (Acts 17:19-20)
This Sunday we’ll unpack Paul’s speech – noting how he makes connections with the culture of his listeners, and uses their own poets to point to the Creator who gives life to all people and is “not far from each one of us”.
Since this same Creator God has made himself known in the person of Jesus, there is no longer any excuse for not knowing God - or refusing to be in relationship with him! God commands all people everywhere to turn away from worshipping idols, and put their trust and hope in the man (Jesus) whom God raised from the dead and appointed end time judge of the world.
How do we bring this same Jesus into our “marketplace”, our post-Christian Western culture? How do we use the symbols, aspirations or brokenness of our culture to talk about Jesus? And how does God call us to swim against our culture? Come and explore with us this Sunday!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Acts 17:16-34
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.
Thank you
I would like to thank everyone from Good Shepherd who supported us through Graham's illness, particularly the last few months. For all the visits, phone calls, messages and finally, all the condolence cards I received, makes me truly value this Church community. A huge thank you to Rolly, the Band and the Ladies Fellowship for making the funeral a day to remember and celebrate Graham's life. He is finally at peace and resting in the arms of his Heavenly Father.
Thank you all so much - Marilyn (Muff) Wegener.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
A reminder to please bring toys and children’s underwear for Lutheran Community Care for Christmas distribution. Items can be left at church or given to Ragna Gaard or Dorothy Buscumb by 12th August. Reminder to pay Dawn Spencer for September trip. Husbands welcome.
Youth
Youth Retreat – SAVE THE DATE
Combined with Golden Grove Youth, we are going on retreat!
Friday 5th – Sunday 7th October 2018
Camp Kedron, Barmera (there will be a bus)
For youth in year 7-12
More information coming soon!
Grow Ministries LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
2019 Grow Leadership Program
Are you aged between 18-25 years and interested in developing your leadership skills and have a heart for ministry? Please contact Chelsea if this is something you would like to explore. Applications close Sunday 30 September, 2018.
Little Lambs are collecting, are you able to help?
We’re looking for:
• Cardboard tubes from cling wrap/alfoil
• Plastic Nutella jars (empty, clean & dry)
• Band aids
• PVC piping
• Dot markers (ones used in bingo)
• Large plastic buttons
• Golf tees
• Dried natural items like seed pods, gum nuts etc
Feel free to drop them into the Church Office or leave them in the donation bin outside the Parents Room at church.
Supporting School Families with English as their Second Language
Do you have a heart to support families with English as their Second Language?
At Good Shepherd Lutheran School, we continue to support families from non-English speaking backgrounds and welcome them as valued members of our community.
We have recently invited families to have school communication and notes clarified and hope to start a conversational English group within the school community for those interested so they might develop mastery of the English language and build stronger relationships. We anticipate a gradual take up of these opportunities over time.
If so, contact Tim Oestmann during the school week on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (Morning) Ph: 82647966 or email Tim (Pastoral Care Coordinator): pcc@gspv.sa.edu.au for more details.
From the Office
Rostered on for Morning Tea?
Have you been rostered on for morning tea in the new area and are not quite sure what to do? A set of procedures has been written and left in the Café area for your use. These are not an exhaustive set and can be changed or you may do things slightly different. They are a set of guidelines to assist and make the task smooth for you. Please notify the office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with any discrepancies that you notice or contact the office during work hours. Thank you to those who do serve in this area.
Sanding and Cleaning this Saturday August 11th
Sunday September 16th will be the dedication of our new facilities. We would like to get several tasks completed before this service. These are:
• painting the toilet corridor
• cleaning the windows in the cafe and new foyer.
We are planning a sanding/cleaning Saturday this Saturday August 11th from 8:30-10:30am. We need to sand the woodwork and doors in the corridor in readiness for painting. Sanding will need to be by hand as we don't want to create too much dust which will cause issues for the SALA display. There will be some sanding and cleaning equipment provided but it would be very helpful if you could bring your own.
You could start the morning with a free egg and bacon sandwich. It would assist with catering if you would place your order by replying to jdolling@bigpond.net.au
A Big Thank You from Kathlene at LCC
Please pass our sincere thanks to the congregation for the groceries delivered this week.
I attended the Meet and Eat meal on Monday evening – it was fantastic to see the connection made with the community and to see your lovely new kitchen in use. We now have some flyers to promote the Monday meal and will include them in ER parcels when we give them out.
Homelessness seems to be prominent this week – we have had several incidents of women/families being homeless.
We have been persistent and at least been able to find accommodation for 24 hours blocks and have been able to connect the people to service to promote long term accommodation.
With your help we have been able to provide food to these women living in emergency accommodation. Although they might get a bed for the night they don’t get food – we have been able to support these families with the food provided by the church – THANK YOU!
Help with Homework Club
Several members from Para Vista are involved in a Homework Club at the LCC Family Hub at Ingle Farm. This has become so successful that extra help is needed on Tuesdays 3-4:30pm to hear students read and assist with their homework. Helping out weekly would be ideal but occasional help would also be appreciated. More information contact Helen Hearne 0413 088 502/82637434.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG) www.lll.org.au/REG
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG, or wish to start giving via REG, the appropriate forms are available from the table at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942
Notice Board
SALA Exhibition at Good Shepherd Para Vista
The Hits of Stage and Screen
Presented by Neighbourhood Watch SA and the Band of the South Australia Police
Wednesday 22nd August at 7.30pm Adelaide Town Hall $25 per ticket available through Bass outlets or online at www.bass.net.au
All proceeds go to Encounter Youth.
Faith Gym
A reminder that our current faith gym courses - Network or Gossiping the Gospel – will be on again this Wednesday.
Upcoming Events at Australian Lutheran College
All are welcome to attend the following events which will be held at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) in August. Entry to the campus is via the driveway at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For catering purposes, please advise ALC of your planned attendance – either email alc@alc.edu.au or phone 08 7120 8200.
Public Lecture: The place of the epistle reading in the Divine Service
Rev Dr Thomas Winger, Principal, Concordia Seminary, St Catherines, Canada and author of the recent Concordia Biblical Commentary on Ephesians, will present this lecture on 16 August from 2-3pm.
Fritzsche Oration
This annual event, organised in partnership with the LCA’s Committee for Lutheran Archives, will be held on Friday, 17 August at 7.30pm.
ALC emeritus lecturer, Rev Dr Peter Lockwood, will give this year’s oration entitled: A small cog in a large wheel: the FRM’s bush courses in Central Australia in the context of the preparation and support of Indigenous church workers.
The presentation will take you inside the bush courses for Indigenous pastors and evangelists that are held three times a year in the remote communities of the Finke River Mission field of Central Australia. These bush courses are a small, but vital cog in the far larger wheel of training and supporting the LCA’s Indigenous church leaders. Starting with a brief history of the courses and a description of the typical bush course, this year’s oration will give you an insight into some of the perennial issues that vex the minds of the FRM support staff, the Indigenous church workers, and the FRM board. The issues inevitably morph into questions for the whole LCA to address, as it continues to grapple with the vital task of preparing Indigenous church leaders for their calling and supporting them in it.
German-Australian History and Heritage Conference 18-19 August 2018
Fascinating talks by local, interstate and international speakers on a range of topics about Germans and Lutherans in Australia, and German family history research. Why were Queensland Aboriginal Lutherans considered a security risk in World War 2? How German was the city of Adelaide? Other highlights include: Germans in Tasmania, the life of pastor’s wife Vida Liebelt, Post-World War Two migrants and the Lutheran church, using DNA for family history research, how to research overseas, and much more. One day $130, both days $225. Live-streaming option also available. See http://conference2018.germanheritage.org.au for details and booking.
Professional Standards Training
The following link will take you to the updated Professional Standards training schedule as well as the updated Professional Standards Webinar training schedule.
http://www.sant.lca.org.au/events/training-workshops/
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“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20
