Clueless
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!”
These words from Psalm 118 are what the crowd shouted with joy as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem on a donkey. After the miracles Jesus had done in Galilee and Jerusalem, and more recently the raising of Lazarus to life after four days in the tomb, Jesus’ reputation is soaring.
Jesus is hailed by the crowd as their long expected Messiah – and given a king’s welcome. Their shout: “Blessed is the king of Israel!” expresses their hopes and dreams that Jesus would bring freedom from Roman occupation, Roman taxes, and Roman brutality. Many assume: “If he can raise the dead to life again, then nothing can stand in his way. A person with Jesus’ power is exactly the Messiah-King we need!”
Sadly, they are clueless to the sort of Messiah he is – and the path to freedom Jesus will forge for all people through his sacrificial death and resurrection victory.
While Judas Iscariot may have tried to tip Jesus’ hand through his act of betrayal, the rest of the disciples are also clueless as to nature of Jesus’ kingship. They don’t understand the significance of Jesus riding into town on a donkey. In spite of Jesus’ repeated passion predictions, they couldn’t make sense of what unfolded – until afterwards.
As the crowd greets Jesus with a rock star welcome, the religious leaders are scratching their heads over how to eliminate him when he has such a large fan base. ‘Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”’ (John 12:19 NLT)
Yet within a few days the crowd were shouting: “Crucify him!”
The passion of crowd hysteria is powerful. And fickle!
Jesus knew this would happen. Yet he does not turn away from his destiny – and our destiny. For the joy of seeing you and me in eternity with him, Jesus willingly endured the cross scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). His passionate love for the world moves him to make the ultimate sacrifice for us!
May Jesus’ passion for each of us fuel our passion to serve, encourage and bless others in his name!
Shalom!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: John 12:12-19
Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our pastors.
Prayer Requests
As we adapt to our new way of living please forward all prayer requests to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087. If you know or have spoken to anyone who does not have access to a computer, please assist them to submit their request and offer to pray with them. Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news online. If you would like to view the current requests please refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news.
Cleaning Day 13th April
How about a great opportunity for community bonding during the school holidays?!
If you have some time to share on Tuesday, 13th April, Good Shepherd would love some good old-fashioned community togetherness as we’re going to do an autumn clean of the Good Shepherd facilities.
Beginning at 8:00 am, the sanctuary chairs need to be shifted so that the carpet cleaners can do their thing. Then, throughout the day, you and the family could have a great time cleaning chairs, dusting, cleaning the walls, boxing up some items in the ‘Hut’ for transport to the church, and many, many more!
Come and go as you’d like, but we should be done by 4pm. We’ll grab some pizza for those who are able to stay for a good chunk of the day. Have some café coffee, too!
Thanks in advance and we look forward to some time together.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. People cheered and waved palm branches as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Later that same week, the crowd’s voices were heard again, this time calling for his death…
Have a look at this week’s GFH resource for some Easter ideas to try. You might consider creating a Holy Week display. I also have copies of another resource from Focus on the Family called ‘Walking through Holy Week’. It’s chock-full of Easter activities including bible readings, a scavenger hunt, puzzles, even instructions for a traditional Passover meal! There are all sorts of things to unpack as a family. I have a printed copy on display in the Café area. The file size is a bit big to send as an attachment, so just ask me for a copy on Sunday!
Easter reminds us just how much God loves us. Hold onto this truth this week, and always.
God bless you with His love, peace and hope.
Georgie
Worship Leading
Calling people who are interested in Worship Leading at church! If this is something you, or you and your family are interested in, I’d love to chat with you. Please let me know!
Blessings,
Georgie
Support for the Family Zone
Food collection for the Family Hub starts again!
Last year our congregation was extremely generous in its support of the Family Zone, both provisionally and financially. This month on Sunday 29th March we recommence our monthly food collection.
The Family Zone has requested the following:
Tuna
Noodles
Cheese
Tubs of margarine
Jam
Pancake mix
Biscuits – sweet and savoury
Muesli bars
Donations may be left in the church office or brought to either service on Sunday 29th March.
With sincere thanks
Kathlene
Ladies Fellowship
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 6th April, at 1pm. We will be having our annual Easter Quiz, with a prize for the winner.
Hostesses: Dorothy Buscumb and Marg Dohnt – please bring your Bible and a pen. There will be a trading table. Please bring something along to support.
Covid sign-in is required; please don’t attend if you are feeling unwell. Apologies to Di Schlenk: 0409 820 448.
Ruby Keller Turns 99
Some 40 people attended a joyous celebration lunch this week at the Settlers Hotel, to mark Ruby’s 99th birthday. Ruby turned 99 years young on the 24th March. Ruby gave a lovely speech of acknowledgement and thanks, and a marvellous time was had by all. From all of us here at Good Shepherd, happy happy birthday Ruby!
Office News
Daylight Savings
A reminder that our clocks go back on Easter Weekend, the 3rd/4th April. See you one hour “earlier” on Easter Sunday!
Good Shepherd Representative
The next Convention of General Synod for the Lutheran Church of Australia will be held at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Vic from 28 September – 3 October 2021. The theme is Come. Listen. Live: Isaiah 55:3. Please consider representing our congregation at this convention by contacting either Stephen via the church office on 8263 5087, or any one of the board. Alternatively email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au for further information.
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9:9
Weekly News Submissions should be made by the Wednesday prior to Friday publication.
Church Giving via Electronic Funds Transfer:
Regular Electronic Giving (REG): BSB 704 942; Acc 100 354 939
Church Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm
Church Website: www.paravista.org.au Email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Look for us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!
388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
