Freedom Forever

In our Lenten journey we’ve been following Jesus to the cross.  Along the way, some of the characters in Luke’s account have shared their encounters with Jesus – and their reflections on those events afterwards.

Along with those characters, we’ve looked at a bunch of things that rob us of the freedom and fullness of life God wants for us.  Things that can imprison us and make us miserable include: ego, duty, expectation, ignorance, control, mob mentality, circumstances, the past, hate and death.  Jesus came to free us from these!

Over this Easter weekend, we will listen to some more stories:
• Maundy Thursday, we’ll hear the tale of the two thieves crucified with Jesus.
• Good Friday, the one who was released, Barabbas, will tell his story.
• Resurrection Sunday, we will hear from Joseph of Arimathea and the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty.

While Jesus repeatedly told his followers that he’d be killed - and on the third day rise again - it seems that none of them expected it to happen!  It’s only when the women arrived at the tomb, and heard the angels’ announcement, that they remembered his words (Luke 24:8).

And over the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to individuals and groups in various places.  We have 10 separate appearances recorded in the NT; one of them included over 500 eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6).

Jesus has conquered death - once and for all.  No one needs to remain captive to the fear of death!  Jesus brings us into his life, giving us a hope and a future – freedom forever!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Readings:  Maundy Thursday:  Luke 23:32-43 (Freedom from the past)
Good Friday:  Luke 23:13-25 (Freedom from hate) 
Resurrection Sunday:  Luke 23:50-56, 24:1-11 (Freedom Forever!)

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.

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.

Support for Family Hub
Our next food collection for the Family Hub is on Sunday April 28th. Below is a list of food required by the Hub this month.  This allows them to support the many families who require assistance simply to put food on the table.

Pasta sauces
2 minute noodles
Cans of spaghetti, bake beans
Cans of vegetables – (not corn thanks)
Muesli bars
Dishwashing liquid

After Sunday one young person said to her mum please don't give me Easter eggs for Easter.  I would rather the money so I can buy some food items to support the Family Hub.

If you are available to help sort and transport goods to the Family Hub it would be greatly appreciated.  Meet at the church at 9:30am on Monday April 29th.

Two dates for your diary - fundraising for the Family Hub
• the ever popular Plant Stall after both services on Sunday May 5th
• Saturday August 17th a fun filled Karaoke night.  More details as we get closer to the date.

Woolies Earn and Learn Campaign

Good Shepherd Lutheran School is participating in the Woolies Earn and Learn program again this year.  Between 1st May and 25th June, shoppers at Woolworth’s supermarkets are given a sticker for each $10.00 spent in store, which in turn can be redeemed for classroom teaching aids such as maths and science equipment, sporting equipment or musical instruments.  Individual stickers or completed sticker sheets are being collect by the school via a box in the front office.  Any contributions to our sticker collection, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.

Entertainment Books

2019/2020 Entertainment Book fundraising is happening again this year.  Books are available from the Good Shepherd Lutheran School office.  The price is $70.00 for a book or digital membership, which will quickly be recovered by the thousands of discount vouchers available. 
Payment may be in cash or online via the link here.

To register for this course go to: https://forms.gle/TsXdcyNipiv1WmU8A
Payment assistance is available.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, April we are focusing on potential ministries for the café.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notices for Display
Please pass through the front office first any information you wish to leave the café or on the noticeboards.  Any notices that are not passed through the front office will be removed.  Thank you.

Finance Report 
Offerings
February –2019

Feb 2018 Feb 2019 Feb budget 2019 Total offering Budget for 2019
Offerings –$34,209 $37,457 $41,300 $499,999

Notes since last published report:
• Offerings for February were $3843 below budget
• Currently  $7,300 below this time last year (end of Feb)

Working Bee News
Thank you to all the volunteers who turned up on Saturday 13th to offer their skills and time and those who couldn’t be here who supplied morning tea.  The following tasks were completed:
• Gardening – trimming back the overgrowth from summer.  Two trailer loads removed.
• Changed some blown light globes
• Repaired a roller shutter to ensure office security
• Replaced a tap in the parenting room to save water wastage
• Replaced a drain cover to prevent serious injury
• Installed some new door closers
• Cleared water drains in driveway
• Cleaned aircon and fridge /freezer filters
• Installed hand rails in ladies toilets
• Cobweb exterior of building
• Adjusted light fittings in parenting room
• Secured loose benchtop

The following tasks are to be completed and if you have the time please let the Admin Manager or the office know:
• Gardening
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Repair some raised paving
• Install hand rails in gents toilets
• Repair Screen in Hall

Notice Board

Friends of Lutheran Archives
When Valerie Volk first heard the old family story of her great-grandmother’s journey alone, from Silesia in the 1880s to search for her missing son in the Australian colonies, she was fascinated.  ‘In Search of Anna’ covers 60 years of German and Australian history in a fiction novel that is a warm and compelling story of family relationships, ending in Jindera, New South Wales.  Friends of Lutheran Archives, Monday 29th April at 7.30 pm, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city.  All welcome - gold coin donation and supper.

Tour of SW USA
Dave Anderson has toured Australia several times with his wife Barb.  They performed concerts in many Lutheran churches throughout Australia.  Dave is hosting a tour of SW USA from 1-20 August, 2019.  Full details are available from Jenni Hoffmann 0418895318 or dhoffy@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry
The Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry has been running for over 40 years and is coordinated by people from a range of denominations across Adelaide. The ministry relies entirely on God’s grace through volunteer support from congregations and individuals to finance its work.  You are invited walk with them again this year in Spirit, prayer and financial as you are able to do so. With your support, you are helping to pass on your faith and reaching out to non-Christians.
Please contact Jeff Roberts on 0478 293 650, jmroberts@internode.on.net or Con Schlenk on 0408 811 370, conschlenk@adam.com.au

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..”

1 Peter 1:3

Freedom from Circumstances

When things actually go as planned, or turn out the way we’d hoped, we rarely wonder why.  We tend to take that for granted.  When things turn out better than we anticipated, we might give thanks to God for his providence.

But what about when things don’t turn out the way we expected?
• A person out on their morning walk is hit and killed on the footpath by an out of control vehicle.
• A couple on their honeymoon in the tropics are both injured by a devastating cyclone.
• A wonderful family holiday at the beach is marred by food poisoning from eating takeaway.
• A healthy and active child goes to school one morning, yet by nightfall is in ICU with meningococcal disease.
• A routine annual medical check-up reveals advanced cancer.

In our broken world, we sometimes find ourselves ambushed by events we were not expecting… by circumstances beyond our control.

It seems so random!  We wonder: ‘What on earth is God doing?  Why is this happening to me?  What have I done to deserve this?  How long will I have to put up with this?”  Many of the ancient people of God asked the same questions – as recorded in the Psalms and in Job.

The character we’ll meet this Sunday is Simon of Cyrene.  Cyrene was a capital city in present-day Libya, with a large Jewish population.  Simon would have grown up in the Jewish faith, observing the Law of Moses with his family and Jewish community.

It was the hope of every Jew who lived in nations beyond Israel to attend at least one Passover Festival in Jerusalem.  So for Simon, making his pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover was a dream come true.  But as he makes his way into the city, a Roman soldier orders him to carry Jesus’ cross beam to the place called The Skull.

The day did not turn out the way he expected.  I wonder what went through Simon’s mind as he “took up the cross” and followed Jesus.  Was this the unluckiest day of his life?  Or was it the most incredible turning point of his life?

None of us get through life in this broken world unscathed.  We all have “a cross to carry”… we don’t get to choose which one.  Yet in the midst of this, God is still carrying us – from here to eternity!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:26-31 
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.

Food Collection for the Family Hub
Early notice, due to Easter, for the next collection which will be on Sunday April 28th at both services.  Closer to the date we will publish a list of food required in the Weekly News and via email.  Thank you for your continuing support of the Family Hub.

Thank You from the Family Hub
What a lovely start to the week!  Sincere thanks to you and the helpers who bought gifts from the congregation – much appreciated.  Your beautiful gifts make the pantry look inviting at the moment – it is easy to make a food parcel and good to be able to offer some choice to some of the families.

Please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed towards this as well as those who visit and offer time too.

It makes our daily life so much easier to know that we are supported so beautifully.

Thank You for Suggestions
Thank you to everyone who submitted names for our café (28 names submitted), library (9 names) and the area previously known as Baby Zone (9 names).  The Cafe Team is working through the list and will inform the congregation when a decision has been made.

Working Bee
Learn some new skills or utilise some old ones.  Good Shepherd community will be holding a working bee on Saturday 13 April from 8.30am.  Let’s combine our resources to complete a few tasks before the Easter week to ensure our property is maintained.  Some of the tasks to be completed are:
• Gardening – trimming back the overgrowth from summer
• Change some blown light globes
• Repair a roller shutter to ensure office security
• Replace a tap in the parenting room to save water wastage
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Replace a drain cover to prevent serious injury
• Repair some raised paving
• Install some new door closers
Please notify the office (churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or 8263 5087) of your skills and involvement or indicate on the Sunday connect card your attendance so we can coordinate the activities.

Woolies Earn and Learn Campaign

Good Shepherd Lutheran School is participating in the Woolies Earn and Learn program again this year.  Between 1st May and 25th June, shoppers at Woolworths supermarkets are given a sticker for each $10.00 spent in store, which in turn can be redeemed for classroom teaching aids such as maths and science equipment, sporting equipment or musical instruments.  Individual stickers or completed sticker sheets are being collect by the school via a box in the front office.  Any contributions to our sticker collection, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.

Entertainment Books

2019/2020 Entertainment Book fundraising is happening again this year.  Books are available from the Good Shepherd Lutheran School office.  The price is $70.00 for a book or digital membership, which will quickly be recovered by the thousands of discount vouchers available. 

Payment may be in cash or online via the link here.

To register for this course go to: https://forms.gle/TsXdcyNipiv1WmU8A
Payment assistance is available.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, April we are focusing on potential ministries for the café.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Friends of Lutheran Archives
When Valerie Volk first heard the old family story of her great-grandmother’s journey alone, from Silesia in the 1880s to search for her missing son in the Australian colonies, she was fascinated.  ‘In Search of Anna’ covers 60 years of German and Australian history in a fiction novel that is a warm and compelling story of family relationships, ending in Jindera, New South Wales.  Friends of Lutheran Archives, Monday 29th April at 7.30 pm, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city.  All welcome - gold coin donation and supper.

Tour of SW USA
Dave Anderson has toured Australia several times with his wife Barb.  They performed concerts in many Lutheran churches throughout Australia.  Dave is hosting a tour of SW USA from 1-20 August, 2019.  Full details are available from Jenni Hoffmann 0418895318 or dhoffy@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry
The Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry has been running for over 40 years and is coordinated by people from a range of denominations across Adelaide. The ministry relies entirely on God’s grace through volunteer support from congregations and individuals to finance its work.  You are invited walk with them again this year in Spirit, prayer and financial as you are able to do so. With your support, you are helping to pass on your faith and reaching out to non-Christians.
Please contact Jeff Roberts on 0478 293 650, jmroberts@internode.on.net or Con Schlenk on 0408 811 370, conschlenk@adam.com.au

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 41:10

Freedom from Ignorance

“How can we know that God really exists?”  Such a question has been raised by people of every time and place: sceptics and searchers, philosophers and scientists, and many of secular cultures.

In our time, some who identify as “agnostic” claim there is no way of knowing for sure whether or not God exists.  Others who identify as “agnostic” are open to God’s existence, but remain ignorant of God’s self-disclosure: in creation, in history, and ultimately in his Son Jesus.  Paul describes this condition as “without hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:11-12)

Inevitably, we humans will give our allegiance to someone or something as “God”.  Our “God” is what we turn to for comfort in times of trouble; and to which we are devoted as the most important thing in our lives.  If this isn’t the living God, then it won’t bring us lasting satisfaction or peace… and it won’t bring us into eternal life.

This Sunday we share the story of the Roman Centurion who was in charge of Jesus’ execution.  Beside his duty to the Roman Emperor, he may have been devoted to any one of the Roman gods.  As far as we can tell, he was ignorant of the living God who created the world, who had a long history of making himself and his plans known to Israel, and who promised to restore this broken world through his chosen Messiah.

Yet when the Centurion watches how Jesus dies, he sees God up close and personal - in the midst of the worst suffering imaginable.  It moves him profoundly.  We will hear his story this Sunday.  Like the Centurion, when we understand the depth of God’s love and empathy for us in Christ crucified, we are set free from ignorance about God.

Paul says that in the past God overlooked our ignorance (Acts 17:30).  Now that he has made himself clearly known to humanity in Jesus, we are without excuse.  The God who created everything can be known personally, intimately, and eternally through Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3).

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:32-37, 44-49
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.

Great Effort Supporting Family Hub
Last Sunday we had the first food collection for 2019 in support of the Family Hub.  Again the response was exceptional.  Out of interest, as we sorted the donations, we counted the number of items donated.  The tally was an amazing 443.  Kathlene Wilson from the Hub was overwhelmed and amazed at the generosity of those who call Good Shepherd their church home.  She said recently their resources had been stretched due to an unprecedented demand for food support.  Thank you to Helen and Trevor Bridge who assisted with the sorting and transport of the food to the Hub.

Working Bee
Learn some new skills or utilise some old ones.  Good Shepherd community will be holding a working bee on Saturday 13 April from 8.30am.  Let’s combine our resources to complete a few tasks before the Easter week to ensure our property is maintained.  Some of the tasks to be completed are:
• Gardening – trimming back the overgrowth from summer
• Change some blown light globes
• Repair a roller shutter to ensure office security
• Replace a tap in the parenting room to save water wastage
• Run a new data cable from the church building to the LED sign
• Replace a drain cover to prevent serious injury
• Repair some raised paving
• Install some new door closers
Please notify the office (churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or 8263 5087) of your skills and involvement or indicate on the Sunday connect card your attendance so we can coordinate the activities.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, April we are focusing on potential ministries for the café.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Hymns We Love
Monday April 1st then Monday May 6th.  There will be a ‘winter break’ until we start again on first Mondays September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th  at Zion Glynde Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde.  Arrive at 10-30am for cuppa, biscuits and chat time.  Singing begins at 11am until 12 noon.  ”..you choose the hymns, I play the organ and we made a very ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’!  “  Enjoy airconditioned comfort.  No cost – just come!
Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/ 8367 9969 joymildren@hotmail.com

Tour of SW USA
Dave Anderson has toured Australia several times with his wife Barb.  They performed concerts in many Lutheran churches throughout Australia.  Dave is hosting a tour of SW USA from 1-20 August, 2019.  Full details are available from Jenni Hoffmann 0418895318 or dhoffy@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry
The Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry has been running for over 40 years and is coordinated by people from a range of denominations across Adelaide. The ministry relies entirely on God’s grace through volunteer support from congregations and individuals to finance its work.  You are invited walk with them again this year in Spirit, prayer and financial as you are able to do so. With your support, you are helping to pass on your faith and reaching out to non-Christians.
Please contact Jeff Roberts on 0478 293 650, jmroberts@internode.on.net or Con Schlenk on 0408 811 370, conschlenk@adam.com.au

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.  They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

Jeremiah 24:7

Freedom from Mob Mentality

One of the most overlooked figures, or characters, in the entire Passion narrative, has a huge role to play.  Often, we fixate on Pilate, Herod, or even the High Priest, but aside from Jesus, the character of the crowd, I think, plays the largest role.

The crowd, although made up of many people, is one in character.  As Pilate stands before them, Luke, the gospel writer, records that they shout in unison for Jesus’ death.  As one large and menacing body, their power is sensed even as it overwhelms the sensibilities of Pilate, the Roman Governor.

Crowds can do that.

They have a power that is all their own to either force their will on others, to swallow them up at a whim, or to decimate those who try to get in their way.

What we notice about the Passion Crowd is that it is made up of ‘the chief priests, the rulers and the people.’  (Luke 23:13)  They are passionate for something, of what that is, we aren’t really told, but what we can infer is that they want to see something – a spectacle.  Maybe some of them were hailing Jesus as king the week beforehand as he rode on the back of a donkey.  Maybe they wanted to see him overthrow the Roman occupation.  Maybe others were curious onlookers who like the excitement of the mob, and maybe they want to see the sight of blood being spilt.  Maybe some of them were trying desperately hard to hold onto their Law, their religion, that they wouldn’t stop at murder to make sure that they stayed in power.   They wanted to make a spectacle of Jesus, that no one should mess with the system.

Whatever the reason, they wanted a spectacle.

This week, we take on the role of the Passion Crowd.  Find yourself swept up in the fury and force of the mob that seeks a spectacle.

Maybe you can relate?

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:13-25
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
Several weeks ago there was a request for an area to store household equipment and assistance to sort and shift these items that belong to a member of our congregation who is in detention.  Thanks to the generosity of members we were able to sort, shift and store all his equipment.  Can you please pray that he may be freed from detention and continue his life in Australia free from danger and persecution.

Family Hub Food Support
We will again support the Family Hub by having monthly food collections on the last Sunday of each month.  This food is used to support families in need in the local area.  The first collection  will be on Sunday March 31st.

The Family Hub have identified the following requirements:
• pasta sauce
• tins of baked beans and spaghetti
• 2 minute noodles or similar product
• muesli bars or similar product
• cheese - creamed, sliced, small block grated
• large glad bags.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
2nd April at 1pm
Bible study lead by Pastor Rolly
Our guest speaker this month is Craig Felix, a firefighter from the MFS.  He will speak on fire safety in the home.  Come along to receive some helpful information.

I'm excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. A couple of weeks ago you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Finance Report 
Offerings
January –2019
Total Offerings – Budget $41,300 Actual $34,887 UNDER $6,413

Notes since last published report:
• Expenses for January were approximately $600 under budget.

Free To Take
A mobile trolley has been placed at the rear of the hall with a box of books and a chest of drawers.  If you have use for any of the items please feel free to remove them.  Please do not place the books into the library.

Notice Board

Hymns We Love
Monday April 1st then Monday May 6th.  There will be a ‘winter break’ until we start again on first Mondays September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th  at Zion Glynde Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde.  Arrive at 10-30am for cuppa, biscuits and chat time.  Singing begins at 11am until 12 noon.  ”..you choose the hymns, I play the organ and we made a very ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’!  “  Enjoy airconditioned comfort.  No cost – just come!
Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/ 8367 9969 joymildren@hotmail.com

Tour of SW USA
Dave Anderson has toured Australia several times with his wife Barb.  They performed concerts in many Lutheran churches throughout Australia.  Dave is hosting a tour of SW USA from 1-20 August, 2019.  Full details are available from Jenni Hoffmann 0418895318 or dhoffy@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry
The Adelaide Show Outreach Ministry has been running for over 40 years and is coordinated by people from a range of denominations across Adelaide. The ministry relies entirely on God’s grace through volunteer support from congregations and individuals to finance its work.  You are invited walk with them again this year in Spirit, prayer and financial as you are able to do so. With your support, you are helping to pass on your faith and reaching out to non-Christians.

Please contact Jeff Roberts on 0478 293 650, jmroberts@internode.on.net or Con Schlenk on 0408 811 370, conschlenk@adam.com.au

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Freedom from Control

One of the major skills of parenting is to keep our children safe, without trying to control every part of their existence.  Try treating a 20 year old like a 10 year old, and see how that goes!  We need to give them freedom so they can grow, even if they make mistakes. They learn responsibility by being entrusted with it.

The dilemma in our relationships and workplaces: When we are entrusted with responsibility, how can we avoid becoming control freaks?

As a person who takes responsibility seriously (perhaps it’s “the oldest child syndrome”), I do not pretend to have mastered this!  But I’ve learnt that every person is passionate or obsessive about some things – and not others.

Furthermore, we all have hopes and dreams of how that area of life works out for us.  We like to be in control of that.  In that arena, we seek to establish our significance and security.

What happens inside us when we sense that we are no longer in control?
Fear, anxiety, worry, confusion, anger, grief and conflict!

As the Roman Governor of Judea, Pilate was responsible for tax collection, construction, law and order, and whether or not to impose the death penalty.

On Good Friday, the Jewish leaders want to eliminate Jesus.  But Pilate wants to set him free.  As the conflict of outcomes unfolds, Pilate finds his bastion of control undermined by the angry crowd.  He keeps the peace, but is he in control?

Hopes and dreams, plans and aspirations – they are good things – as servants.
But they can bring us undone if they become our masters.  When the most important thing in life is working out my plans, then I have fallen to the idolatry of self; and my controlling behaviour will negatively impact others.

Scripture reminds us that our plans do not always come to pass, because God is working out his plans for us and his world:

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

You can make many plans,
but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

Paul reminds us that God is also working out his plans through us:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT, cf Proverbs 3:5-6 )

Freedom is having our identity, security and destiny in Christ… and joining God in his good plans!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading:  Luke 23:1-25
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.

Family Hub Food Support
We will again support the Family Hub by having monthly food collections on the last Sunday of each month.  This food is used to support families in need in the local area.  The first collection  will be on Sunday March 31st.

The Family Hub have identified the following requirements:
• pasta sauce
• tins of baked beans and spaghetti
• 2 minute noodles or similar product
• muesli bars or similar product
• cheese - creamed, sliced, small block grated
• large glad bags.

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
2nd April at 1pm
Bible study lead by Pastor Rolly
Our guest speaker this month is Craig Felix, a firefighter from the MFS.  He will speak on fire safety in the home.  Come along to receive some helpful information.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. Last week you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Hymns We Love
Monday April 1st then Monday May 6th.  There will be a ‘winter break’ until we start again on first Mondays September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th  at Zion Glynde Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde.  Arrive at 10-30am for cuppa, biscuits and chat time.  Singing begins at 11am until 12 noon.  ”..you choose the hymns, I play the organ and we made a very ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’!  “  Enjoy airconditioned comfort.  No cost – just come!
Joy Mildren, organist, 0458 650 135/ 8367 9969 joymildren@hotmail.com

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Freedom from Expectation

A servant girl saw Peter seated in the firelight.  She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’

Luke 22:56

Here is a snippet from the Passion narrative that is rarely mentioned.  Most of the attention goes to Peter’s response, his three separate and significant denials of Jesus.  Peter had hunkered down in front of the fire kindled in the High Priest’s courtyard.  He had followed the mob from the Mount of Olives where his spontaneous use of a sword had raised Jesus’ ire.

God only knows what Peter was thinking about as he hunched over and bowed his head hoping that the warmth of the fire could reheat the ice that was building in his veins.

It took courage to be there, for sure.  To be implicated with Jesus the ‘insurrectionist (or in modern parlance, terrorist), might direct him on his own pathway towards crucifixion.  But what are the limits of courage?  How far could he go to stand up for his faith in the Arrested One?

According to the Scriptures, at that point in his faith journey, not very far. 

All that it took was for a servant girl and some nameless figures to exclaim into the night with malevolent, public-shaming glee:  “This man!   This man was with HIM!”  We can almost imagine that she pointed at Peter with one finger and Jesus, who is with the High Priest, with another.  As she connected the dots, she brought about a desperate decision for Peter, one that we also face as Christians:

Do we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus?
 
Or do we save face and deny him so that we can live?

It’s a torturous choice, but it has ramifications for not just Peter and Jesus, but those who are watching.  If the followers of Jesus do not claim him, how and why would anyone else?
 
The question for us in the 21st century is this:  How far are we willing to go to associate with the crucified one?  What is the point of no return?  Is it a loss of position, respect, authority or even reputation?  Or is it much cheaper than that?  Is it loss of happiness?

Join with us as we investigate the servant girls’ accusation this Sunday.

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 22:54-62
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.

Praise Point
At this Sunday’s 10.30am service the following children will be welcomed into God’s family through holy baptism - Alexia Lily, daughter of Benjamin and Jacqueline Morton and Mia and Kane children of Len and Carol Baker.

I’m excited
Our Mission Vision Support Plan (MVSP) has been launched providing opportunities for you to invest directly into different ministries here at the Good Shepherd community.

I’m excited
That each month we get to spend the entire month focused on a ministry based here like Transform, Meet N Greet or Visual Arts. During the allocated month, the ministry team will have opportunities to share stories of how their ministry has impacted the community and individuals, share stories of celebration and to share their dreams for the ministry so that as a congregation we can understand more about what they do in our community.

I’m excited
As many of you are passionate about different areas of ministries here at Good Shepherd; Therefore this is an opportunity to invest directly into the areas of ministry you are passionate about.

I’m excited
This month, March we are focusing on ministries for children, families, youth, young adults, and intergenerational mission. Last week you heard Zac share his story and vision for Transform Youth, Listen out for more stories on Playgroup, Young Adults, Camping Ministry, Parents all focused on Intergenerational ministry.

Go and seek
A clearly marked envelope available from our Worship Hosts or the host desks for your gift. This will mean that your donation will go straight to the ministry intended. Your gift may include time you can allocate to this ministry.  Envelopes can be either placed on the collection plate, placed in the bowls on the way out of handed into the office during office hours.

Be a part of
Donating via direct debit using the following information:
BSB 704942
Acct# 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)
Acct Name Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating

Please ensure the reference includes the ministry area.   Donations without clear reference will be classed as general income.  Remember this is not intended to substitute from your normal offering but is allowing you to grow your ministry area of choice and not detract from the great things already happening within our community.

I’m excited, Look out for
The Posters that will indicate what Ministries need support and how you have helped.

From the Office

Notice Board

Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club
40th Anniversary
Reserve is next to Yatala Prison and behind the “Grand North” on Grand Junction Road.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’’

Proverbs 3:5-6

Freedom from Duty

Even though Luke, the Gospel writer, gives incredible attention to detail, it is never enough for we who live two thousand years later.  There are so many questions that I would like to ask him, so many thoughts, itches that my brain has about those last days before Jesus’ crucifixion. 

Very often, my inner monologue starts like this:

I wish that I could have seen…so that I could understand…

Throughout the Lenten season, we’re going to be rewinding the clock two thousand years to take an in depth look at some of the more minor characters in the Passion Narrative, to see (perhaps) from a different perspective.

Here are the characters:

March 10 – Temple Soldier
March 17 – Servant Girls
March 24 – Pontius Pilate
March 31 – The Crowd
April 7 – The Centurion
April 14 – Simon of Cyrene
April 18 (Maundy Thursday) Thieves
April 19 (Good Friday) Barabbas
April 21 (Easter Sunday) Joseph of Arimathea and women

This week the question we ponder is:  Which is harder: Choosing the right thing, or choosing the dutiful thing?

Not always are these things mutually exclusive, but what happens when duty demands that we act in the best interests of work, or self, rather than for community and for assisting those who are suffering?

Pr Reid Matthias

Bible Reading:  Luke 22:45-54, 63-65
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.

2019 Welcome Party
Nothing speaks louder about the culture of a school than the interactions that take place within it.  At the heart of our recent Welcome Party was respect for, and interest in others.  A really proud moment for us as a community!

With more than 900 in attendance, The Party provided a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in celebration and the fellowship shared on the night was a very clear indicator of the health of our community.

“To like many people spontaneously and without effort is perhaps the greatest of all sources of personal happiness.” Bertrand Russell

Over my career in schools there are only a few things that stand out as truly powerful catalysts for maximising student learning and success.  One of those factors is ‘Christ centred community’ and the powerful connections that result.   This is the reason why we invest so heavily at Good Shepherd in people and the development and growth of quality relationships. 

My sincere thanks to Reid, Rolly and members of the congregation who contributed to the success of the evening. 

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.  Philippians 4:8-9

https://vimeo.com/320856988

Mission Vision Support Plan – Opportunities to Invest
Last November the new Mission Visions Support Plan (MVSP) was launched at the AGM.  A key aspect of this plan is providing opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into different ministry areas at Good Shepherd.  From March, each month there will be a focus on a specific ministry.

During that month, ministry teams will share stories of impact, celebration and dreams with the community.  And provide opportunities for congregation members to invest directly into these ministries with gifts of money, resources or time.

March focus:  Children, Youth, Young Adults and Family Ministry.

Commencing from 10th March, clearly marked envelopes will be available from the Worship Hosts and the host desks each week for your gift of money or commitment of time or resources.

Alternatively, monetary gifts can be transferred to Good Shepherds account via the details below:

Acct Name: Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating
BSB: 704 942
Acct No: 129523 (add S1 for internal LLL transfers)

Please ensure the ministry area is included as the reference.  Donations without a clear reference will be classed as general income.

Many people are passionate about different areas of ministry.  This new initative will provide you with an opportunity to invest directly into the ministry areas you are passionate about, whilst not detracting from your weekly offering.

Please contact Stephen Zanker (Administration Manager) or Garry Schwarz (Treasurer) if you have any questions.

From the Office

Notice Board

Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club
40th Anniversary
Reserve is next to Yatala Prison and behind the “Grand North” on Grand Junction Road.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.’’

James 1:5