Weekly News

Friday, April 20, 2018

Stacks of Eyewitnesses

Lots of people encountered the risen Jesus. We’ve looked at a few of these over recent Sundays, and we’ll look at some more in the weeks ahead.

This Sunday we’ll look at 2 common objections to Jesus’ resurrection:
1. The followers of Jesus made it all up!
2. Perhaps all their encounters with Jesus were hallucinations?

And then we will drill down into the earliest Christian Creed – that was already established as a fixed oral tradition by the mid-30’s AD. Here it is:

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas,
and then to the Twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5 NIV)

We know from this that the death and resurrection of Jesus were NOT made up years after the events, but part of the Apostles’ witness and proclamation from the very beginning.

Paul then mentions a stack more eye-witnesses – including a crowd of 500 people; Jesus’ half-brother James who was not previously a disciple; and a former persecutor of Christians: Saul/Paul. They obviously experienced something life changing.

Jesus’ resurrection cannot be easily dismissed. Ancient historian, Dr John Dickson, writes that we ‘have just the sort of evidence a resurrection would leave behind: an empty tomb and numerous eyewitnesses, several of whom died for the claim. This is why historians take the resurrection story more seriously than many of us realise. They agree that something very strange happened – that there is a resurrection-shaped dent in the historical record.’
[John Dickson, Life of Jesus – Who He Is and Why He Matters, (Zondervan: 2010), 162.]

I am convinced Jesus has conquered death. His pledge to share eternal life with us matters more than anything else in this world – for it spells HOPE for humanity …and a future for you and me!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-14
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

We pray for God’s peace for Rochelle Denton and her family on the recent passing of her brother-in-law.

From the Office
We are looking for people who are willing to be trained to serve at Good Shepherd in a number of areas at both Sunday services.

Particularly we are looking for people to fill the roles of:

1. Serving Holy Communion
2. Preparation of Communion before the service begins
3. Cleaning & pack up of Communion when the service concludes
4. Worship Hosting
You can specify how frequently you'd like to be rostered.
People of all ages are welcome.
Full training will be provided for anyone interested.

Please contact Belinda Konrad on 8263 5087
belinda.konrad@paravista.org.au

Parenting room completed
Due to the Parenting Room being full during special services, the Board made the decision to expand it. The entire cost of this project was funded through a very generous donation. A special thank you to Ian Pfeiffer who coordinated the project, using his extensive building knowledge to complete the project successfully. He was ably assisted by a team of volunteers who put in many hours. Hopefully this expanded space will assist us in achieving our mission.

Coffee machine
The coffee machine is available to use at any time by any person or groups wishing to use it. Instructions for the machine are located along side. If you are experiencing any difficulties with the machine please contact the office.

Dishwasher instructions
Please be aware the instructions for the dishwasher have changed slightly. They are located on the wall behind you when looking at the machine. Please ensure the dishwasher is turned off after use via the yellow on/off button on the machine. The isolating switch is no longer required to be turned off.

Café/new area dedication
Let’s celebrate the gifts we have been given in this new area. We are looking for a team to lead and organise this event. Please consider if your care group could organise this or personally contributing to assisting by contacting the office with your ideas and skills.

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

Friends of Lutheran Archives
Alfred Traeger - Could we ever forget him and his marvellous inventions of the pedal radio and a morse typewriter keyboard? Dr Pauline Payne, historical consultant, will tell us more about this remarkable man at the next Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 23rd April, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City 7.30 pm. Supper and gold coin donation. All welcome.

Plant Stall
ADVANCE NOTICE!! We will be running our popular Plant Stall once again in early June to support the valuable work of Lutheran Community Care through their Family Zone Hub in Ingle Farm. If you are a gardener who has spare cuttings or plants, you could pot up now and then donate. We would love to hear from you! Please contact Sonia: bshulme@gmail.com

Maranatha Health News
Chocolatiers urgently needed for Maranatha Health
Do you have a flair for chocolate making, and a bit of time to support Maranatha Health? The Maranatha Health Gala Dinner is only a few weeks away. We have a wonderful volunteer who has begun making chocolates for all our guests. Unfortunately she has developed double pneumonia and is not able to complete them. The moulds and the chocolate are provided, but we don't have the skills! If you can help please contact Keren or Liesl at contact@maranathahealth.org or 0416 044 658, or at church.

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, and financial support. We’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10thAnniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner

Saturday 5th May 2018

6.45pm for a 7pm start

Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John 20:30-31

Friday, April 13, 2018

Undercover Jesus

Have you ever seen that TV show, “Undercover Boss”? The premise is pretty simple. CEO’s of large corporations or national retail and restaurant chains get a costume and make-up team to put them in disguise and they go to work at the coal face of their business, alongside the everyday workers that they employ.

Because people don’t expect to see the national head of their company working alongside them, getting their hands dirty, the often bizarre looking makeovers usually work. As a result, the workers often share details of their lives and unknowingly and openly discuss their grievances or frustrations with the company and its operating procedures. Things they would never dream of complaining about to their boss. Sometimes it causes conflict, but more often than not, the boss is touched by the personal stories of their employees and is impressed by their dedication and insights into the company. They also reward the workers for their efforts, bringing a renewed joy to those who in many cases have invested the majority of their working life in the company.

In Luke’s gospel, we hear the account of two of Jesus’ disciples walking to Emmaus when Jesus meets them on the road. The strange thing is they do not recognise him. This has some interesting side effects. They openly communicate to Jesus their confusion and frustration that their expectations of Jesus had not been met.

But Jesus comes right alongside them, joining them on their journey in their pain and confusion.

Jesus doesn’t get all indignant with the two disciples for their lack of understanding and faith. Instead he walks with them in their grief and piece by piece reveals to them the reality of the resurrection, rekindling in their hearts a fire of hope and joy.

Join us this Sunday to hear more of how these two disciples encountered an ‘undercover’ Jesus, and how we still encounter Jesus today.

Vicar Mat von Stanke

Bible Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

Praise Point
Jurgen and Marienne extend a warm welcome to all who wish to join with them to celebrate their wedding day at 3pm on Saturday 14th April at Influencers Church, 57 Darley Road, Paradise.

We praise God for Hannah Rose Bates daughter of Alisa and Daniel who will be baptised into God’s family this Sunday.

We thank and praise God for the wedding last weekend of Tayla and Tennyson Jaensch.

Wanted!
For Novo camp next week:-
-leftover wool from any projects - any ply, length or colour.
-anyone who would be willing to loan some knitting needles for the weekend - for beginners so preferably longer and thicker.
Please drop into the church office or pass on to Elsa Matthias.

From the Office

We are looking for people who are willing to be trained to serve at Good Shepherd in a number of areas at the 8.45am and/or the 10.30am services.

Particularly we are looking for people to fill the roles of:

1. Serving Holy Communion
2. Preparation of Communion before the service begins
3. Cleaning & pack up of Communion when the service concludes
4. Worship Hosting

You can specify how frequently you'd like to be rostered.
People of all ages are welcome.
Full training will be provided for anyone interested.

Please contact Belinda Konrad on 08 8263 5087
belinda.konrad@paravista.org.au

Coffee machine
The coffee machine is available to use at any time by any of the groups wishing to use it. Instructions for the machine are located along side. If you are experiencing any difficulties with the machine please contact the office.

Dishwasher instructions
Please be aware the instructions for the dishwasher have changed slightly. Please ensure the dishwasher is turned off after use via the yellow on/off button on the machine. The isolating switch is no longer required to be turned off due to the height restriction for some. Instructions for use of the machine are located on the wall behind you when looking at the machine.

Café/new area dedication
Let’s celebrate the gifts we have been given in this new area. We are looking for a team to lead and organise this event. Please consider if your care group could organise this or personally contributing to assisting by contacting the office with your ideas and skills.

Finance Report
Offerings
January – March 2018
Total Offerings – Budget $129,000 Actual $118,750 UNDER $10,250

Budget Summary
January – February 2018
Total Income – Budget $92,180 Actual $83,400 UNDER $8,780
Total Expenses – Budget $87,246 Actual $74,876 UNDER $12,370

Notes since last Board meeting:
• Offerings in March were around $3,500 below budget both in plate and REG.
• Income is below budget due to low Offerings since the beginning of the year.
• Plate offerings are down around $550 a Sunday (8.45 $175; 10.30 $375) compared to 2017 and down around $630 a Sunday compared to first 9 Sundays in 2017.
• Expenses are under budget primarily due to staff expenses as the new position has not yet commenced.

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

Friends of Lutheran Archives
Alfred Traeger - Could we ever forget him and his marvellous inventions of the pedal radio and a morse typewriter keyboard? Dr Pauline Payne, historical consultant, will tell us more about this remarkable man at the next Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday 23rd April, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City 7.30 pm. Supper and gold coin donation. All welcome.

Plant Stall
ADVANCE NOTICE!! We will be running our popular Plant Stall once again in early June to support the valuable work of Lutheran Community Care through their Family Zone Hub in Ingle Farm. If you are a gardener who has spare cuttings or plants you could pot up now and then donate, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Sonia bshulme@gmail.com

Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world. You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner

Saturday 5th May 2018

6.45pm for a 7pm start

Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

Romans 5:17

Friday, April 6, 2018

Close Encounters with Jesus

Suppose one day a friend says to you: “I know that Jesus lived a long time ago - and died on a cross. But I’ve always wondered about the claim that he rose again from the dead? What makes you so certain that it actually happened?”

How would you reply?

The death of Jesus was NOT the last word. For 40 days after his resurrection, the risen Jesus appeared to various people. There are at least 11 recorded incidents in our New Testament.

Lots of people encountered the risen Jesus. During our Easter worship series, we’ll be looking at some of these. This coming Sunday we’ll consider two of Jesus’ close encounters with his disciples - the second one included Thomas.

Thomas has been given a raw deal over the last 2000 years. Whenever a person has trouble believing something, they are labelled: “Doubting Thomas!”

Doubts are not necessarily bad. Like sex, money, or power, it depends on what we do with our doubts as to whether they end up being harmful or helpful. Doubt can be helpful when it pushes us to ask questions and go searching for answers.

Christian faith is NOT blind faith. Rather it is based on Jesus’ words and actions in history that were witnessed, shared with others, and later recorded in our NT documents.

This evidence doesn’t give mathematical proof, such as 1+1=2. Nor is it like a science experiment that we can repeat in a laboratory. Past events in history cannot be examined like this. Rather, as in a court of law, there’s sufficient evidence to bring conviction beyond reasonable shadow of a doubt.

What is your story of encountering Jesus?

Pastor Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: John 20:19-31
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

We pray God’s comfort for the family and friends of Johanna Lentsment who passed away on 27th March.

Praise Point
Jurgen and Marienne extend a warm welcome to all who wish to join with them to celebrate their wedding day at 3pm on Saturday 14th April at Influencers Church, 57 Darley Road, Paradise.

Pastoral Care
The congregation of Good Shepherd is blessed to have excellent staff members who dedicatedly use their time and talents to further the congregation’s ministry in the name of Christ. One of these staff members, Steve Paech, oversees pastoral care in the Good Shepherd community.

If you would like to contact Steve Paech for pastoral care, his contact details are steve.paech@paravista.org.au or mobile 0410 036 896.

Transform Service Project
As part of our Transform Confirmation program, we have an opportunity to put our faith into action on Sunday the 8th April. The transform session that Sunday will be at Lutheran Community Care, Ingle Farm, where we will be helping to spread a load of bark around their playground area. In order to get the job done, we are looking for a few people to help us out by loaning us some wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. It would also be helpful if you have a ute or trailer that you could help out with on the day to transport wheelbarrows and tools down there and back.

If you think you may be able to help out, please contact Vicar Mat von Stanke either through the church office or via email mathew.vonstanke@paravista.org.au

From the Office

Serving at Good Shepherd
We are looking for people who are willing to be trained to serve at Good Shepherd in a number of areas at the 8.45am and/or the 10.30am services.

Particularly we are looking for people to fill the roles of:

1. Serving Holy Communion
2. Preparation of Communion before the service begins
3. Cleaning & pack up of Communion when the service concludes
4. Worship Hosting

You can specify how frequently you'd like to be rostered.
People of all ages are welcome.
Full training will be provided for anyone interested.

Please contact Belinda Konrad on 8263 5087
belinda.konrad@paravista.org.au

Chairs needing upholstering
We have been very fortunate to have 21 chairs for the church donated (second hand). They are a very close match for the existing chairs and can be viewed in the hall. They need to be recovered. We are seeking recommendations of a good upholsterer with reasonable rates. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please contact John Dolling with details jdolling@bigpond.net.au or 8367 5296.

Parking lot safety – One Way traffic at all times
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague Road and exiting through the rear gate at all times. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague Road after hours. As this is a shared area, speed is restricted to 10KPH. Some users are not doing the right thing and are leaving themselves open to prosecution.

Notice Board

Op Shop Valley View Grand Opening
Monday 9th April Pauls Drive Shopping Centre, cnr Pauls Drive and Vale Avenue
50% off storewide
Free pancakes from 8am
Free sausage sizzle and face painting 11.30am-1.30pm

Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world. You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner
Saturday 5th May 2018
6.45pm for a 7pm start
Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

Enjoy a three course meal (including Ethiopian flavours), entertainment, silent auction, wine pull and all the latest updates and plans from our work in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $100 per guest, or individuals for $110 per guest. Please RSVP by 25th April 2018: www.trybooking.com/SUBZ.

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ ”

John 20:28-29

Thursday, March 29, 2018

I Witness

“When (the women) looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were overwhelmed.

“Don’t be overwhelmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here.”

Mark 16:5,6a

The traditional translation for the word ‘overwhelmed’ is the word ‘alarmed.’ “Don’t be alarmed,” the young man said. These words take us back to every other time that an angel appears to people and encourages them to have no fear. But ‘overwhelmed’, I think, is a better translation. This word is used only four times in the scriptures, all of them in the book of Mark, in these two verses and two others.

Mark 9:15 – Jesus has just been transfigured and he comes down the mountain with his inner circle of disciples. Maybe the last remnants of the glow are still clinging to him, or maybe it’s the situation occurring at the base of the mountain where the other nine disciples are unable to cast out a demon. The people saw Jesus; they were overwhelmed and ran to greet him.

Mark 14:33, 34a – And perhaps the most comforting ‘overwhelmed-ness’ was Jesus himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death…”

It’s easy to be overwhelmed in the face of the strangeness of our lives, and especially for these women who had come to mourn, to prepare Jesus’ body for a year of decomposition. To have his body stolen would logically be overwhelming, but there was no logic for the angel’s words. Resurrection, logically, doesn’t happen. When you are dead, you are dead and the thought of staying dead overwhelms all of us.

But what the angel says excavates the stone doors to the tomb of fear. Three words.

He is risen.

He is no longer in the tomb. As Peter describes at Pentecost, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!”

So death has no hold over us who have been crucified with him.

Come rejoice. Alleluia! He is risen indeed!

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-8
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

Pastoral Care
The congregation of Good Shepherd is blessed to have excellent staff members who dedicatedly use their time and talents to further the congregation’s ministry in the name of Christ. One of these staff members, Steve Paech, oversees pastoral care in the Good Shepherd community.

If you would like to contact Steve Paech for pastoral care, his contact details are steve.paech@paravista.org.au or mobile 0410 036 896.

Transform service project
As part of our Transform Confirmation program, we have an opportunity to put our faith into action on Sunday the 8th April. The transform session that Sunday will be at Lutheran Community Care, Ingle Farm, where we will be helping to spread a load of bark around their playground area. In order to get the job done, we are looking for a few people to help us out by loaning us some wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. It would also be helpful if you have a ute or trailer that you could help out with on the day to transport wheelbarrows and tools down there and back.

If you think you may be able to help out, please contact Vicar Mat von Stanke either through the church office or via email mathew.vonstanke@paravista.org.au

NOVO – 2018!
It’s that time of year again to gather together with other high school youth from across South Australia. NOVO is a four day camp designed to meet NEW people, learn NEW things, try NEW opportunities and enjoy worship and activities. The theme for this year is Stand which looks at Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Register here http://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/novo/
There is financial assistance available.
Let’s have a great experience together.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
3rd April @ 1pm
Bible Study – Pastor Rolly
Come hear Ruby Keller tell her story.

Hot cross buns needed for Good Friday
As part of our Easter celebrations we will be serving hot cross buns for morning tea on Good Friday. If you are able to bring a plate of hot cross buns, cut, buttered and ready to serve, that would be greatly appreciated. Please put the buns in the kitchen before service so those people rostered for morning tea can serve them.

From the Office

Assistance required
Please stay for a few minutes after Maundy Thursday and Good Friday 10.30am service to move chairs in preparation for the Sunday Easter Services.

Easter Car parking
The school oval is available for parking for the Easter services weather permitting. Members are encouraged to park on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval and keeping as close to the fence as possible.

Chairs needing upholstering
We have been very fortunate to have 21 chairs for the church donated (second hand). They are a very close match for the existing chairs and can be viewed in the hall. They need to be recovered. We are seeking recommendations of a good upholsterer with reasonable rates. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please contact John Dolling with details jdolling@bigpond.net.au or 83675296.

Parking lot safety – One Way traffic at all times
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague Road and exiting through the rear gate at all times. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague Road after hours. As this is a shared area, speed is restricted to 10KPH. Some users are not doing the right thing and are leaving themselves open to prosecution.

Notice Board

Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world. You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner

Saturday 5th May 2018

6.45pm for a 7pm start

Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

Enjoy a three course meal (including Ethiopian flavours), entertainment, silent auction, wine pull and all the latest updates and plans from our work in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $100 per guest, or individuals for $110 per guest. Please RSVP by 25th April 2018: www.trybooking.com/SUBZ.

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

Friday, March 23, 2018

Cross Beams

When is the last time that you yelled out the words, ‘Save me?’

For some, those words, whether audible, or the silent scream of the soul in the midst of the darkness of life, are a last lifeline. All people have moments like this, maybe even lifetimes like this.

All of us.

The people of Israel had been crying out for centuries, this word ‘Hosanna!’ – the Hebrew word for ‘Save us!’ In II Samuel, there is petition for the king from a ‘wise woman’ of Tekoa who seeks restoration and salvation with the word ‘Hosanna!’ Various Psalms speak of the petitioner crying out to God for salvation from oppression, enemies, hunger and thirst. So, we come to Palm Sunday where the entire assembly gathered in front of Jesus, who is riding a colt (not a warhorse), petitioning this Gentle Healer to save them from the ever present oppressive Roman enemy who robs them of every dignity they imagined they deserved.

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our Father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark 11:9b-10)

Every year we speak about palm branches and cloaks and donkeys and maybe we even quibble over what the word ‘hosanna’ means, but do we recognise the true salvation that comes from the one who rides the donkey? Are we just here for a show, or do we truly believe that this man can save us from our Great Oppressor – Satan and the sin that so easily entangles us?

Do you want a showman or a Saviour?

Jesus replies nothing to the crowd. His only message is non-verbal: simply the fact that he is riding a donkey which implies that this is not a general recruiting his army. He gives no pep talk or pre-battle speech. Jesus steadies himself on the back of the donkey slicing between a mob of people that seemingly have misunderstood the salvation that he was bringing.

Salvation from their sins so that they could be reconnected again with the Father in heaven.

Read the scriptures again this week and find the nuances of this ‘hosanna.’ Locate yourself in relation to God and how that word can erupt from your own mouth this week, and as we walk toward the cross on Good Friday, we encounter the hosanna in the shape of a cross and the emptiness of an open tomb three days later.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading: Mark 11:1-11
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Praise Point
We thank God for the safe arrival of Hannah Rose, daughter of Alisa and Daniel Bates.

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.

Spotlight
The congregation of Good Shepherd is blessed to have excellent staff members who dedicatedly use their time and talents to further the congregation’s ministry in the name of Christ. One of these staff members, Steve Paech, is currently looking at all the ways that the members of Good Shepherd use their own gifts and talents in the service of Pastoral Care.

Some of us recognise what is meant by the term ‘Pastoral Care,’ but this weekend for the Spotlight on Ministry, Steve will explain what the title means to him, and share with us some of the exciting things happening in this staff role.

These include working with teams for Pastoral Care, working with small groups in assisting in Pastoral Care, Prayer teams, Meet N Eat, volunteering and, in the broadest sense, welcoming the stranger.

We are looking forward to hearing Steve’s thoughts for the future.

Transform service project
As part of our Transform Confirmation program, we have an opportunity to put our faith into action on Sunday the 8th April. The transform session that Sunday will be at Lutheran Community Care, Ingle Farm, where we will be helping to spread a load of bark around their playground area. In order to get the job done, we are looking for a few people to help us out by loaning us some wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. It would also be helpful if you have a ute or trailer that you could help out with on the day to transport wheelbarrows and tools down there and back.

If you think you may be able to help out, please contact Vicar Mat von Stanke either through the church office or via email mathew.vonstanke@paravista.org.au

NOVO – 2018!
It’s that time of year again to gather together with other high school youth from across South Australia. NOVO is a four day camp designed to meet NEW people, learn NEW things, try NEW opportunities and enjoy worship and activities. The theme for this year is Stand which looks at Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Register here http://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/novo/
There is financial assistance available.
Let’s have a great experience together.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
3rd April @ 1pm
Bible Study – Pastor Rolly
Come hear Ruby Keller tell her story.

Hot cross buns needed for Good Friday
As part of our Easter celebrations we will be serving hot cross buns for morning tea on Good Friday. If you are able to bring a plate of hot cross buns, cut, buttered and ready to serve, that would be greatly appreciated. Please put the buns in the kitchen before service so those people rostered for morning tea can serve them.

30 Days of Prayer
Is underway… and is being held at church 7.30-8.30pm every day except Sundays during March. Everyone is encouraged to come along to at least one night to pray as a community.

From the Office

Assistance required
Please stay for a few minutes after Maundy Thursday service to move chairs in preparation for the Good Friday Service.

Assistance will again be required on Easter Saturday morning at 9am to replace the chairs. Please mark your connect card with your availability for either day - or advise Stephen.

Easter Car parking
The school oval will be available for parking for the Easter services weather permitting. Members are encouraged to park on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval and keeping as close to the fence as possible.

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 information rack 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

Parking lot safety – One Way traffic at all times
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague Road and exiting through the rear gate at all times. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague Road after hours. As this is a shared area, speed is restricted to 10KPH. Some users are not doing the right thing and are leaving themselves open to prosecution.

Help Wanted
For the next few months, an elderly lady living at Gilles Plains would like transport to the 8:45am service and then home again. Ideally it would be good if we could have offers of help to do this on a roster system, unless there is an individual who wishes to volunteer weekly. Contact Lyn Hancock on 0403 375 474 or the church office for more information.

Notice Board

Maranatha Health News
There's big news in the Maranatha Health world. You can read all about it in the latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dd2337d7f086/big-news-from-maranatha-health

Maranatha Health is turning 10!
From an aspiring and idealistic dream ten years ago, the life-bringing work of Maranatha Health has become a thriving, effective reality in West Uganda. You’ve shared in this journey though prayer, encouragement, financial support and we’d love you to join us to celebrate this achievement at the Maranatha Health 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Maranatha Health is thriving in its service of care to people in Fort Portal, Uganda. Our Children's Clinic is constantly at capacity, the SA designed shipping-container theatre in regular use, and our community health advisors building relationships, capacity and wellbeing in their villages.

Gala Dinner
Saturday 5th May 2018
6.45pm for a 7pm start
Festival Functions Centre, 292 Findon Rd, Findon

Enjoy a three course meal (including Ethiopian flavours), entertainment, silent auction, wine pull and all the latest updates and plans from our work in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $100 per guest, or individuals for $110 per guest. Please RSVP by 25th April 2018 www.trybooking.com/SUBZ.

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!"”

John 12:13

Friday, March 16, 2018

No fruit -> get the boot!

What is your favourite fruit? Why do you like it? Does it normally grow in our local state – or come from somewhere else?

Let’s say your favourite fruit is peaches (it is one of mine). You have a large yard with good soil, so you decide to plant a couple of peach trees. After buying two quality trees from a reputable nursery, you plant them with all the goodies to help them grow. You water them, fertilise them, prune them, lay mulch underneath, and deal with the bugs. Within a few years, what are you hoping for? Some plump, ripe, juicy, sweet and delicious peaches!

After a few years you have some very healthy looking trees. As summer approaches, you look forward to picking ripe peaches in the cool of the morning for breakfast. But alas, after 10 years there is still no fruit? What do you do?

Friends, God is constantly looking for fruit in the lives of his people. It’s a theme throughout the Bible, and in many of the stories that Jesus told. John the Baptist declared to the crowds that - if there was no fruit - God would put an axe to the roots (cf Luke 3:7-9). No fruit ultimately ends in disaster!

In our Bible reading this Sunday, we find Jesus dealing with the temple AND with a fig tree. The two things come together like a sandwich, implying that both are closely connected. The bottom line: No fruit -> get the boot!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: Mark 11:11-25
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

NOVO – 2018!
It’s that time of year again to gather together with other high school youth from across South Australia. NOVO is a four day camp designed to meet NEW people, learn NEW things, try NEW opportunities and enjoy worship and activities. The theme for this year is Stand which looks at Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Register here http://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/novo/
There is financial assistance available.
Let’s have a great experience together.

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.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Good Shepherd!
Miriam Smith, former Mayor of Tea Tree Gully and now a project officer for Baptist Care, SA, will be with us to share her passion for ministry to refugees in the metro area. Combining a wealth of experience with her distinctive love of Christ, Miriam will share with us during the Spotlight and Coffee and Theology, stories of struggle and faith, and ways that we can partner with refugees in bringing prosperity to those who have come to the ‘Lucky Country.’
Miriam will be with us on Sunday 18th March. Please attend the Coffee and Theology and ask many questions about the ministry.

Praise Point
We thank God for the safe arrival of Jasper James, son of Andrea and Tom Bowden, little brother to Piper and Poppy.
We also thank God for the safe arrival of Hendrix Gabe, son of Calli and Trent, little brother to Hailo and Zeppelin.

30 Days of Prayer
Is underway… and is being held at church 7.30-8.30pm every day except Sundays during March. Everyone is encouraged to come along to at least one night to pray as a community.

Hot cross buns needed for Good Friday
As part of our Easter celebrations we will be serving hot cross buns for morning tea on Good Friday. If you are able to bring a plate of hot cross buns, cut, buttered and ready to serve, that would be greatly appreciated. Please put the buns in the kitchen before service so those people rostered for morning tea can serve them.

From the Office

Assistance required
Please stay for a few minutes after Maundy Thursday service to move chairs in preparation for the Good Friday Service.
Assistance will again be required on Easter Saturday morning at 9am to replace the chairs. Please mark your connect card with your availability for either day - or advise Stephen.

Easter Car parking
The school oval will be available for parking for the Easter services weather permitting. Members are encouraged to park on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces. Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval and keeping as close to the fence as possible.

Finance Report
Offerings
January – February 2018
Total Offerings – Budget $87,500 Actual $80,116 UNDER $7,384

Budget Summary
January – December 2017
Total Income – Budget $568,000 Actual $540,832 UNDER $27,168
Total Expenses – Budget $568,560 Actual $546,923 UNDER $21,633
DEFICIT OF $6,090 FOR 2017

Notes since last Board meeting
• Offerings so far in 2018 are well below budget. This affects plate offering and REG.
• Plate offerings are down around $550 a Sunday (8.45 $175; 10.30 $375) compared to 2017 and down around $630 a Sunday compared to first 9 Sundays in 2017.
• REG is also down around $2,000 a month compared to 2017. February was the lowest REG month since 2007.
• On the positive side our wage expense is around $7k under budget to end of February 2018.
• Income was significantly below budget in 2017. This was due to School Hire payment ($10k) not received as project did not finish and because we only transferred $6k from the special purpose account ($26k was budgeted).
• Expenses were also significantly under budget. The major differences were Loan repayments ($10k under budget. Project not completed as expected) and Plant. (also $10k under Budget) Property maintenance budget not fully used due to building project.

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 information rack 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

Parking lot safety – One Way traffic at all times
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague Road and exiting through the rear gate at all times. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague Road after hours. As this is a shared area, speed is restricted to 10KPH. Some users are not doing the right thing and are leaving themselves open to prosecution.

Urgent Vacancies!
Vacancies are open to learn how to make the brewed coffee. Please mark your connect card or contact the church office to assist in this small but very important part of service. A team of volunteers will make a huge impact on our Sunday social activity after services.

Help Wanted
For the next few months, an elderly lady living at Gilles Plains would like transport to the 8:45am service and then home again. Ideally it would be good if we could have offers of help to do this on a roster system, unless there is an individual who wishes to volunteer weekly. Contact Lyn Hancock on 0403 375 474 or the church office for more information.

Notice Board

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

“For the Son of Man came

to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

Friday, March 9, 2018

In the Cross Hairs

I saw an interesting study this week which tried to argue that mobile phone distraction was not as large a contributor to road accidents as we may have been led to believe. While they suggest only 0.9% of serious car accidents were the result of mobile phones, a closer look at the statistics reveals that combined with other forms of driver distraction like, spiders or bugs in the vehicle, interacting with other passengers, changing a CD or the radio, adjusting the air-con or interacting with other systems in your car accounts for closer to 10% of serious crashes. This is getting close to the number of incidents caused by alcohol and driver fatigue.

Isn’t it crazy that even when our life depends on it, we can be so easily distracted!

We shouldn’t be surprised that our human tendency to be easily distracted is one of the key weaknesses that the devil likes to manipulate us with. We can get so busy that God gets pushed to the outer edge of our consciousness or he gets forgotten altogether.

We can recognise this in our scripture lesson this week: Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem has told his disciples three times that in Jerusalem he will be betrayed and arrested, mocked and ridiculed and eventually killed. Yet despite speaking plainly about this to those around him, they were not able to see past the things happening around Jesus.

They were distracted by and focussed on the miracles he had done, his conflicts with the Pharisees, the new political order they all expected him to establish as the descendant of king David and God’s chosen messiah. It took a blind man, Bartimaeus, to see what Jesus was really on about.

Aren’t we so lucky that we have as our saviour, Jesus the Good Shepherd. The one who lays down his life for us. The one whose focus and attention has always been on bringing us back to God the Father. Even in the face of betrayal, false accusations, violence and death, Jesus’ eyes remained firmly fixed on the cross, the thing that would ultimately bring us back into life with the Father.

So, what are your distractions? What is it that gets in the way of your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Join us this Sunday as we explore the implications of our own distractions and of Jesus’ determination and focus to restore us to himself.

Vicar Mathew von Stanke

Bible Reading: Mark 10:46-52
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

Notice of Special Congregational Meeting 11th March 2018
A special general meeting will be held directly after the 8.45am church service on Sunday 11th March 2018. The purpose of the meeting is to elect a congregational member to represent Good Shepherd at the 2018 General Synod. Robyn Oatey has been nominated as our representative and has accepted the nomination. This is the only agenda item. Apologies will be accepted by the church office by phone, email or in person. An attendance sheet will be available on the day to sign.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Good Shepherd!
Miriam Smith, former Mayor of Tea Tree Gully and now a project officer for Baptist Care, SA, will be with us to share her passion for ministry to refugees in the metro area. Combining a wealth of experience with her distinctive love of Christ, Miriam will share with us during the Spotlight and Coffee and Theology, stories of struggle and faith, and ways that we can partner with refugees in bringing prosperity to those who have come to the ‘Lucky Country.’
Miriam will be with us on Sunday 18th March. Please attend the Coffee and Theology and ask many questions about the ministry.

30 Days of Prayer
Is underway… and is being held at church 7.30-8.30pm every day except Sundays during March. Everyone is encouraged to come along to at least one night to pray as a community.

From the Office

Support for Lutheran Community Care Ingle Farm
The congregation agreed to support Lutheran Community Care at Ingle Farm in 2018. They have had their government funding cut once again which means that they need to raise extra funds just to maintain existing programmes. They are running a BBQ at Ingle Farm School (Montague Road adjacent to Kmart) on election day. To lessen the work load for existing staff they would like the help of Good Shepherd members to work on the BBQ for 1 hour on election day, Saturday 17th March. You could vote at the school and then assist for 1 hour. If you can help contact John Dolling 83675296 or 0409819864 with a preferred time slot.

Urgent Vacancies!
Vacancies are open to learn how to make the brewed coffee. Please mark your connect card or contact the church office to assist in this small but very important part of service. A team of volunteers will make a huge impact on our Sunday social activity after services.

Help Wanted
For the next few months, an elderly lady living at Gilles Plains would like transport to the 8:45am service and then home again. Ideally it would be good if we could have offers of help to do this on a roster system, unless there is an individual who wishes to volunteer weekly. Contact Lyn Hancock on 0403 375 474 or the church office for more information.

Stamps for Mission Update
Thank you to all who have contributed to Stamps for Missions during the past year. You will be pleased to know that your efforts have assisted in raising over $14,300 in 2017. The projects for 2018 include mission areas in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. This also includes scholarships for our international churches to send pastors and lay people to study at ALC or in seminaries overseas.

A Stamps for Missions collection box will be placed in the new entry foyer in the near future.

Thanks again for your efforts to assist in the LCA’s mission to people in overseas countries.
Please speak to Peter Nitschke for further information.

Notice Board

Imagine being jailed for no reason!
At the Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting on Monday 19th March, Lyall Kupke will tell us about four leading citizens (H Paech, E Heppner, E Wenke, J Wenke) of the predominantly Lutheran town of Walla Walla NSW who were arrested without charge and interned in March 1918. Although one was later released, the other three remained at Holdsworthy camp until the end of the war. Repeated efforts were made to seek justice for them. Upon their eventual release they faced problems in resuming their lives.
Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city, 7.30pm. Supper & gold coin donation.

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15th May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.

“Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Friday, March 2, 2018

Crucial Times

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to an amusement park.

I think the last one I went to was Movieworld on the Gold Coast. Every time we’d arrived there, it seemed like half the population of Brisbane had the same idea as we did, and we’d always end up parking a kilometre away. As we walked toward the entrance gazing upwards at the sky-scraping rides, the screams of delirious people ringing out over the carpark, we were enthralled by the thought of riding one ride in particular.

Superman

As you enter the car, the attendants pull down the bar over you tightening it (almost overtightening) and then, as the music screams in the background, the ride starts moving – stopping – screams – and then a blast off up and out of the building faster than a speeding bullet… You know what I mean.

The Superman ride was the whole reason I would go to Movieworld. So, as we saw the great crowds piling into the line, I knew that it would be a long wait. It was almost ninety minutes, but just as we were approaching the loading area, I heard a sound to the side. It was a group of young people who had purchased a special pass which allowed them to budge in front of everyone who was already waiting in line, and as the attendant pushed us backwards so that these ‘first class’ riders could get in front of us, I naturally felt one thing:

Rage

The unfairness of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. How could they do this to us? We’d put in our time, our money, and here were these egotists wanting to get in front of us.

So it is in our scripture lesson this week: Jesus is explaining the terror of the ride that’s going to happen. As they trudge up the road from Judea across the Jordan and up the hill that will be the place of Jesus’ death, the disciples have heard it all before and they are astonished that Jesus wants to lock himself into it.

But James and John have an interesting take. They are not interested in hearing about Jesus’ death and resurrection, only getting to the front of the line to have the glory for themselves.

These questions remain:
1. How does our addiction to be ‘first’ hold others back?
2. When Jesus asks the questions, ‘Can you drink the cup I drink?’ – the cup of
crucifixion – what does this really mean for 21st century disciples?
3. What does it mean to serve from the front of the line?

Come and hear Jesus amazing and terrifying call to all disciples across all time and what it means for us today.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading: Mark 10:32-45
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

Transform Confirmation
We had an excellent beginning for Transform last week. With parents in tow, twenty-three young people attended the beginning of the course in experiencing the Bible.

If you, or someone you know, wants to be part of Transform, who is turning 11 this year or older, come along and experience the faith transformation process.

This week we’ll be looking at the history of the Bible, from the Indiana Jones-like archaeology of the book to unearth a deeper understanding of why we hold this book so dear to us.
Bring your lunch and a Bible for the day. We meet from 12 noon -2pm Sundays after worship.

30 Days of Prayer
Is underway… and is being held at church 7.30-8.30pm every day except Sundays during March. Everyone is encouraged to come along to at least one night to pray as a community.

Ladies Fellowship
Meeting on Tuesday 6th March @ 1pm. Bible study: Vicar Mat

From the Office

Notice of Special Congregational Meeting 11th March 2018
A special general meeting will be held directly after the 8.45am church service on Sunday 11th March 2018. The purpose of the meeting is to elect a congregational member to represent Good Shepherd at the 2018 General Synod. Robyn Oatey has been nominated as our representative and has accepted the nomination. This is the only agenda item. Apologies will be accepted by the church office by phone, email or in person. An attendance sheet will be available on the day to sign.

Communications
After a lengthy and tedious time of trying to solve issues with our church smart phone app, it has been decided not to renew the subscription of this service. Information on the application was only being doubled from the information on our website. Members will be still able to access all information from our website www.paravista.org.au as the site is mobile device friendly. Current activities and programs will be advertised on the front screen. If members are having difficulty accessing information from the website or notice incorrect information please notify the front office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au

Ignite the Future Building Notice
The builder is currently going through all the defects and rectifying. One of the areas that require work is the kitchen washroom. From the 6th to 9th March the washroom will be inaccessible as the floor needs to be taken up to rectify drainage issues. Parts of the vinyl flooring in the café and foyer area will also be replaced. Please respect work signage while this is being completed.
Please contact the admin manager or the front office if issues arise.

Redevelopment news
Last week the Redevelopment Team met with the owner of the Mossop company. In a very amicable meeting an agreement was reached that we would not claim compensation for the over run on our project in return for all the identified defects being actioned quickly. A manager was appointed to coordinate all the work and the majority of the tasks have now been completed in a short space of time. This weekend the courtyard may not be available as an entrance as there are repairs to the paving such as replacing the damaged pavers and improving the flow of water into the sump in the middle of the courtyard. It is hoped all defects will be completed in the next fortnight.

Children's Play area
There have been concerns raised about the equipment (or lack of it) in the play area. This is a work in progress.
We put into this area equipment we already had. The reasons being:
• until the project is completed we are unsure of the amount that will be available to purchase equipment
• the Team was unsure of what to purchase. If you have ideas of great equipment or places we can inspect suitable sites please contact John Dolling. We need your ideas.
One thing to keep in mind is a playground cannot be all things to all people.

Urgent Vacancies!
Vacancies are open to learn how to make the brewed coffee. Please mark your connect card or contact the church office to assist in this small but very important part of service. A team of volunteers will make a huge impact on our Sunday social activity after services.

Help Wanted
For the next few months, an elderly lady living at Gilles Plains would like transport to the 8:45am service and then home again. Ideally it would be good if we could have offers of help to do this on a roster system, unless there is an individual who wishes to volunteer weekly. Contact Lyn Hancock on 0403 375 474 or the church office for more information.

Notice Board

Imagine being jailed for no reason!
At the Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting on Monday 19th March, Lyall Kupke will tell us about four leading citizens (H Paech, E Heppner, E Wenke, J Wenke) of the predominantly Lutheran town of Walla Walla NSW who were arrested without charge and interned in March 1918. Although one was later released, the other three remained at Holdsworthy camp until the end of the war. Repeated efforts were made to seek justice for them. Upon their eventual release they faced problems in resuming their lives.
Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city, 7.30pm. Supper & gold coin donation.

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15 May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday
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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

1 John 5:14

Friday, February 23, 2018

Not far is too far!

“Are we nearly there yet?” It’s a common refrain from children to parents on a long trip. When our girls were young, and we’d drive 13 hours from ACT to Qld, we told them not to ask that question.

It worked really well… until near the end of the day when one of them asked: “Is the car nearly there yet?” It made us laugh!

We replied: “It’s not far now.” But to a child who’d been couped up in the car all day, not far was too far!

Through our Lent journey, we are following Jesus to the cross. In Mark 11, we read of Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem. The next day, Jesus clears the merchants and money changers from the temple courts – and becomes a marked man. The chief priests and the teachers of the law … began looking for a way to kill him… (Mk 11:18)

Jesus then faces a series of tough questions aimed to get him into trouble, or make him look ridiculous. Yet Jesus handles each question brilliantly (cf Mk 11:27 – 12:27).

But then a more respectful teacher of law asks Jesus: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mk 12:28) How would you answer that?

Both Jesus and this teacher are in solid agreement that loving the LORD and loving people is most important.

Yet Jesus then tells the man: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mk 12:34)

What does it mean to be not far? The teacher of the law has his theology totally correct, so what is he still missing? Is it possible that you or I are missing the same thing?

Being not far from the kingdom of God is too far!

Come along this Sunday as we explore this further.

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: Mark 12:28-34
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

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.

Notice of Special General Meeting of the Congregation - 11 March 2018
A special general meeting will be held directly after the 8.45am church service on Sunday the 11th March 2018.
The purpose of the meeting is to elect a congregational member to represent Good Shepherd at the 2018 General Synod. Robyn Oatey has been nominated as our representative and has accepted the nomination. This is the only agenda item.
Apologies will be accepted by the church office by phone, email or in person. An attendance sheet will be available on the day to sign.

Men@Para Vista – 10th February Breakfast Report
72 men from GSPV and other worship communities enjoyed a cooked breakfast and fellowship.

Members from CMA SA came to share their stories of how a common life in faith and enjoyment of riding a motorbike led to the formation of the Christian Motorcyclists Association of SA Inc.
‘Riding with Purpose’. Stories of not only where their bike rides take them, but in the growth in their personal spiritual journey and how that has enabled them to share God’s love with others.

This was also a special day – the first time the new kitchen was used to cook the breakfast.
Stephen Zanker came to cook and teach the ‘Men’s Breakfast Cooks’ how to bulk cook in the kitchen and not outside on the BBQ.
A hearty meal was shared over chats, stories heard, a time of men connecting in faith & fellowship.

Next Men’s Breakfast is in History Month on May 5th @ 7.30am
Our Guest Speaker will tell the life story of a young lad Hubert, born in 1888 at Mt Bryan, mid north of SA. Hubert Wilkins lived a life of unrelenting adventures and high drama including polar explorations and became recognized as – ‘the truly last – and one of the greatest modern explorers’.

From the Office

Assistance
Can you assist with helping to improve our facilities?

Our new foyer and cafe look very clean and modern. This is offset by the tired appearance of the woodwork and walls in the toilet corridor which is visible from the new area. We are looking for volunteers to help freshen up this area.

Help is needed to:
• sand the woodwork ready for painting ( 1 door would be a great help)
• paint the wood work
• gyprock the walls
• paint the walls
If you can assist in any aspect of this project please contact John Dolling or Stephen Zanker.

Urgent Vacancies!
This is the last Sunday our Barista will be brewing the coffee. Vacancies are now open to learn how to make the brewed coffee. Please mark your connect card or contact the church office to assist in this small but very important part of service. A team of volunteers will make a huge impact on our Sunday social activity after services

Parking lot safety – One Way Traffic
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague road and exiting through the rear gate AT ALL TIMES. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague road after hours.
As this is a shared area speed is restricted to 10KPH.

Notice Board

Nominations for LCA Standing Committees open
The LCA's Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on an LCA board, council, commission or committee in the next synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the LCA Standing Committee on Nominations by 15 May 2018.

Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
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Craft Group
We are a group of ladies who meet together most weeks to craft and also support, encourage, affirm and celebrate one another. We each bring our own craft to do: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting/applique, just to name a few of the crafts that we do regularly. Sometimes, not much craft gets done; we just sit and talk for 2 hours!

When: Thursday evenings in the new café area
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm

Invitation to attend events at Australian Lutheran College (ALC)
ALC invites you to attend the following events being held on Monday, 26 February 2018, which mark the beginning of a new academic year for the College. The day will begin with worship in the College Chapel at 9am followed by the Opening Lecture at 9.30am in the Refectory. This year’s lecture will be presented by Rev James Winderlich (ALC Principal) and is entitled,

‘The shape of things to come for a church who learns: ALC’s renewing purpose to serve as an enquirer centred, transformational learning community.’

If attending either the service or the lecture, please park off campus and enter via the entrance at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For all enquiries or to notify of your attendance, please contact ALC reception on (08) 7120 8200 or email: alc@alc.edu.au. For those unable to physically attend proceedings, the lecture will be live-streamed via the ALC website – www.alc.edu.au

“Be completely humble and gentle;

Be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:2