Is old
news still good news?
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you
share some good news you’ve heard about a mutual acquaintance and they respond
by saying, “Oh that’s old news now”? Their response suggests that because they
have already heard the news it is not such good news anymore.
It is true that the more we hear about something, the
more familiar we are with details of the events of that news, the less it is
able to stir feelings of joy and excitement in us. While the impact of the good
news may decrease over time the events reported in the news are still real and
still have the same significance. Just because the news that friends are
engaged to be married is now several months old it doesn’t change the reality
that they are engaged and will marry. Just because the news that a friend who
has been out of work has now found a job is several weeks old it does not
change the reality that they now have a job which is good news to them.
The good news of the Christmas story is also like this.
If anything was ever ‘old news’ it would have to be the birth of Jesus. It is
now at least two thousand years old, so it is pretty ‘old hat’. While it may be
old news the significance of the birth of Jesus still lives on as powerfully
today as it did when the angels first announced the good news of his birth to
the shepherds.
The good news of Christmas is that a Saviour has been
born. Is our world today still in need of a Saviour? Absolutely! The shootings
of twenty children and eight adults in Newton USA, has reminded us again that
this world is still in desperate need of help. The depths of human depravity in
events like this show us that without the saving work of God we are in a real
mess. While the vast majority of us would never contemplate such an act, the
brokenness and even hatred we feel and experience in our own relationships also
show that we too are in need of help.
Jesus came into this world to help all of us. He came to
save us from the depravity we all struggle with and give us a new life and a
new capacity to love each other and live together in peace. While this news is
old, it is still very much needed in our world today and it is still as good
today as it was back when it was first announced, “I bring you good news that will
bring great joy to all people. The Saviour- yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has
been born today in Bethlehem.” (Luke 2:10, 11)
Pastor Noel
This week we continue the series
“Get ready for Jesus”. This week’s
message “When normal
is no longer normal” ‘The angel answered, “For I know
the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)
Bible Readings: Matthew
1:18-25
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids are on holidays and will restart when school returns in
2013.
Baby Zone
Please pray for this ministry and consider if you or anyone you know
could be involved in any way. We need more volunteers to keep this ministry
going. Please contact Beth if you would like to know more!
Playgroup
Playgroup will begin again when school starts back in February 2013. If
you are interested in helping out with this ministry next year, please have a
chat to Beth.
Beth Einthal
Relief Children and Family Team
Leader
YOU ARE GOD’S
REPRESENTATIVE – PLEASE!
We have
been said to be a welcoming church. That’s true to some extent. However we can
vastly improve. I know that the Lord would have us be a welcoming church in
every aspect of church life.
You do not
have to be on the Welcoming Team to be a welcoming hospitable person. If you
believe that you should be, I as Pastoral Care and Fellowship Team Leader,
hereby AUTHORISE AND AFFIRM YOU as a God’s Representative as a Welcomer.
Preparation
will begin at this Sunday’s services.
Your
obligations or calling from God are simple.
1.
Introduce
yourself to each person in the row of seats in which you sit.
2.
At greeting time,
be a pro-active listener to those you greet. If you do not know the person you
greet, make contact with them after the service and get to know them over a cup
of coffee or tea.
Matthew 25:35. Jesus said, “I was a
stranger and you took me in”
Romans 12:13. Paul instructs to “Share
with saints and their need” (Note, it does not say the saints you already
know!)
Hebrews 13:5. “Don’t neglect to show
hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without
knowing it”.
1 Peter 4:9.Peter declares, “Be
hospitable to one another without complaining”.
So if the above directives were from me
I’d not be surprised if you said, “no, you do it, that’s what you get paid for”
I’d naturally be very disappointed! But these directives are from God from His
Word and so let me encourage you to be bold and obedient and welcome a visitor
or get to know members or someone you do not know in our church family.
Dear family, to refresh your memory,
please park at Mattiskes or on the school oval on Christmas Eve leaving parking
spaces for guests and visitors and particularly for the greater number of those
with physical difficulties and in particular disabled.
Barry Klaer
Pastoral Care & Fellowship
IMPORTANT
NOTICE
Due to unforeseen circumstances the resurfacing
of the school oval will now take place in January 2013.
I
am therefore very pleased to inform you that
the school oval is now available for
parking
on
Christmas Eve!!
Please be guided by and follow the
parking attendant’s directions.
“Just park the camel on the oval Claude”
The Alliance car park will now only be utilized as an overflow should
the oval parking spaces fill. As members of Good Shepherd please remember that
by you parking on the oval or over the road in Mattiskes you are giving a gift
of convenience to a visitor.
Blessings to all, stay cool…physically and emotionally!!
Barry Klaer
Pastoral Care & Fellowship
" To help further our mission we empower the Board to
continue and further investigate the conversion of the courtyard into a
hospitality and relationship building area with the understanding that the
congregation approval will be needed before proceeding with final plans and
costings.”
The logo above has been developed and encapsulates the
logic for the redevelopment. It is to assist in connecting all the
existing communities/groups that already exist at Good Shepherd, and just as
importantly assist in developing links into the wider community.
There will be regular bulletins to keep you informed of
progress.
John Dolling
Project Co-ordinator
From the office
Office closure
The
Church office will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve 24th December and
reopen on Friday 4th January at 9am.
(Open
from 9am to 12noon on 4th January 2013).
Normal
office hours (9am – 3.45pm) will resume on Monday 7th January 2013.
Staff Leave
Sophie 26th December 2012
– 15th January 2013
Rolly On leave till 28th
January 2013 inclusive
Emma
27th December
2012 – 2nd January 2013
Church
improvements
Members and guests
will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new air conditioner at the eastern
end of the church over the coming years.
This replaces the old one as it became unserviceable. It has been replaced using funds from the
asset replacement fund. Both systems are
now alike and are operated by remote control.
The new system will need the remote to be taken to the sound desk area
and pointed at the unit to operate effectively, due to the design of the
building.
Main office computer
has been upgraded as part of the asset replacement program. This brings the main office system to a
reliable standard suitable to effectively carry out the day to day office
administration and data base recording.
Maranatha
Newsletter
The October – December newsletter from Maranatha Health is available on
our web site.
Pathway: Outreach / Overseas Mission & Service Teams / Maranatha
Health newsletter Oct -Dec
Financial
information
Notes:
1. Offerings are slightly under budget as at end November.
REG has improved slightly from the
previous 2 low months, however plate offerings were the lowest for some time.
2. Income in Oct above budget due to offerings, with
expenses under budget – staff $1,000 and plant $1,000.
Notice Board
Please see Notice Board for more Information
*Christmas Gift
Ideas*
What a superb gift idea for Christmas for a loved one, family or
friends!
2 Wonderful
Musical Events at St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Hahndorf
Featuring...
Chamber Philharmonia Cologne— Offering familiar greats
like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi in dialogue with works from
people such as Sergei Prokofieff through to the “King of Tango” Astor
Piazzolla. Wednesday 16th January 2013, 8pm. Tickets are $30 -
Adults, $25 - Seniors/Pensioners, and $20 - Students/Children.
Tickets from St Michael’s
Lutheran Church. Contact Sharon ph: 8388 1225 in the office for further
information.
The Idea of North— a quartet of
musicians, serious about their music without taking themselves too seriously.
Their instrumentation: voice (soprano), voice (alto), voice (tenor) and voice
(bass), with a little bit of vocal percussion thrown in. They have a
beautifully distinct sound and style, but they cross many musical genres: jazz,
folk, gospel, pop, classical, comedy. Friday 22nd February 2013, 8.00
– 10.00pm (Champagne available on the night).
Tickets available from 7th December’ - Adult: $38.00, Concession: $31.00, Child: $18.00, Group: $33.00,
Booking information—FringeTIX www.adelaidefringe.com.au Phone: 1300 621 255.
Tickets available from 7th December’ - Adult: $38.00, Concession: $31.00, Child: $18.00, Group: $33.00,
Booking information—FringeTIX www.adelaidefringe.com.au Phone: 1300 621 255.
Don't forget your
copy of the Lutheran Community Care Christmas CD featuring Lutheran School
choirs!
The Lutheran Community Care 2012 Christmas CD
is still available. Featuring nearly
500 students from 19 Lutheran Schools, 'A Christmas Note 2012' mixes choirs, bands and bells performing classic Christmas carols all on one disc.
500 students from 19 Lutheran Schools, 'A Christmas Note 2012' mixes choirs, bands and bells performing classic Christmas carols all on one disc.
The perfect gift for family and friends or the
ideal Christmas dinner background music, the CD is available for $25 +postage.
Contact Lutheran Community Care's State Office at 08 8269 9333 for more
information or to purchase a CD. Cheques can be posted to Lutheran Community
Care, PO Box 1020, Prospect East SA 5082.
For a complete list of schools and songs, visit
www.lccare.org.au. The CD will still be available for purchase after Christmas.
Renew summer camp
For 18 years
and over. 15 - 18 February at Victor Harbor. Regos are open http://renew2013.eventzilla.net
There is still
time to experience the Joy of Sharing this Christmas...
Lutheran
Community Care still requires help to assist the 100's who will access our
services in the coming months.
If
you have not already done so, could you help by making a donation to support
the increase in demand for our services at Christmas and in the New Year?
A
donation of $50 can supply a hamper to an individual or small family while $100
can supply a hamper to a larger family. Experience the joy of sharing this
Christmas by donating to our 2012 Christmas Appeal. You can visit our website
www.lccare.org.au or call our office at 08 8269 9333 to help families in need
this Christmas. All donations
$2 and over are tax deductible.
$2 and over are tax deductible.
Vacancies
LCA SA/NT District District Office Job Opportunity
DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATOR
37.5 hours per week (negotiable)
Contact Judy Gilbertson on 8267 5211 or 0400208184
Applications close Friday 11th
of January 2013
(Office closed 21st December
– 7th January 2013)
Outer Southern Generic
Homelessness Service
CASE MANAGER (1.0 FTE negotiable) OSGHS
provides support to families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness. We are currently seeking an experienced Case Manager to join
our team in supporting disadvantaged families and individuals in the Outer Southern area of Adelaide.
our team in supporting disadvantaged families and individuals in the Outer Southern area of Adelaide.
Job
Description and enquiries for this position
Tel:
08 8326 4688
Applications
to: The Manager, 5/19 Elsie Street, Morphett Vale SA 5162 or via the above
email address.
Applications close Monday 7th
January 2013 at 5.00pm
(Indigenous
and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply)
ALWS Cambodia, Sudan & Kenya Program Officer
Australian
Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the aid and development agency of the Lutheran
Church of Australia (LCA). It is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated person
to oversee the Cambodia, Sudan and Kenya programs. This is a unique, full-time
position which provides opportunities in both Asia and Africa, and across both
development and relief fields. Based in Albury, the position offers a balance
of living in regional Australia while still being connected to the
international community. ALWS invites qualified and experienced applicants who
are committed to serving the world’s poor and marginalised through a global
network of partners. Applications close 25th January 2013. For more
information, please contact ALWS at 1300 763 407, the Acting Executive
Secretary at cheym@alws.org.au, or
visit our website at www.alws.org.au.
Lay Worker/Ministry Worker Required 6 – 8 hours per Week Albert
Park, SA
We are
seeking a motivated Lay Worker to develop ministry with children and families
in our local community and reinvigorate our current Kids Club program. Experience working with migrant children and
families especially African cultures would be an advantage. The position
has an initial time frame of 3 years with flexible working hours of 6-8 hours
per week.
For more
information and a position description, please contact Pastor Rodger Russ, Ph
8345 3780 or Email: woodpars@chariot.net.au
Postal
Address: 64 Botting Street,
ALBERT PARK SA 5014
Applications close 30th
January, 2013 to be forwarded to Pastor Rodger Russ.
Christmas is the season for kindling the
fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
