Weekly News: 17th June 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

17th June 2012

GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS CHURCH – HIS PEOPLE

We are currently in a sermon series, ‘What is the church?’ The simple answer is that we, as Christians, are the church. Called by Jesus to be His witnesses, His voice, His hands and His feet; we are one body in unity with Christ Jesus, but different with many parts, however one with the same Spirit of God active in the variety of gifts given to us for the common good of building His church.

In prayer, Jesus prayed, “May they all be one as You, Father, are in Me and I am in you. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent me….I made your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them^{^[1]}

God loves you so much; scripture is full of illustrations of God’s willingness, His enthusiasm to involve Himself in our day-to-day activities, relationships and concerns – every aspect of our life.

I heard this story a long time ago. It helped me grasp and understand God’s love for me.

“After church one Sunday a young man was helping his pastor clean the communion cups and vessels. When the pastor walked into the church kitchen he saw the young man apparently reading a plaque which was above the kitchen sink. The inscription on the plaque read, “Thou O Lord see all things”. When the young man saw the pastor come in, he again busied himself washing the cups. Then he stopped and looked at the plaque again, this time reading it aloud, “Thou O Lord see all things” He paused in a meditative uneasiness and turning to the pastor asked, “Pastor, does that mean that God sees everything?” The pastor understood what the young man was asking and in wisdom and understanding of God said, “Son, what that means is that God loves you so much that He cannot keep His eyes off of you!”

Psalm 139 is a chapter in scripture that rejoices in the fact that God knows everything about the Psalmist [and us] and that God’s thoughts are always toward him [and us]. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! When I awake, I am still with you” Psalm 139:17-18 (in part)

Selwyn Hughes^{^[2]} related a story said that he was having a lengthy conversation with a young woman. Every now and then during the conversation she would look at her wrist watch. Selwyn asked if anything was wrong. She replied, “Oh no! My boyfriend and I have a pact that on the hour and half hour we would stop what we are doing and think about each other”. Initially thinking this was odd he changed his thoughts thinking that it was indeed quite romantic. Utmost to us, is the knowledge that the Lord does not fleetingly or infrequently think about us – His thoughts are constantly toward us! Isn’t that great news? Amen!

Barry Klaer

Pastoral Care & Fellowship

Prayer Requests Not included in this newsletter, but if you would like to view the current requests, refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this Newsletter. If you have a prayer request or wish to be covered by prayer please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request

This week we continue the series, “What is the Church?” This week’s message is “The church - God’s growing family. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Bible Readings: John 1:10-14; Romans 8:14-17 and Ephesians 4:11-16

Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au

Kingdom Kids at the 10:30am service for ages 0-12. Come join us!

Play Group

When: Wednesdays from 9:30am -11:30am

Where: Church Hall

Who: anyone with children or grandchildren 5 years and under

What: Craft, shared morning tea, story and music time and free play. Everyone is welcome

Contact Beth for more info: 8258 4878

Grandparent’s Day is coming up on Wednesday 27^th June. Please join us for a fantastic morning of adventure, play, food and fun. Everyone is welcome. Please bring a plate of morning tea to share.

Could God be calling you to Baby Zone?

We are looking for a new Team Leader to help with the following tasks:

- Putting together term rosters, made up of 4 teams that rotate throughout the month

- Organizing and running team meetings once a term to discuss the program and future needs/directions

- Helps to unpack and implement the wonderful Gospel Lights program (that includes everything) ‘Baby Beginnings’.

Please contact Laura if you are interested in being our new Team Leader

Rise UP Dance Fundraiser for the CMF

Saturday Night 4th August at 7.30pm

Golden Grove Arts Centre

Incredible night of talent from the best in SA

Tickets are now on sale at the church office or directly through Laura Carson @ $20 each.

Contact Laura for more info.

Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader

lcarson@paravista.org.au

8263 5087

From the Pastoral Paddock

Continuing our acknowledgment for the work of many of the teams who contribute to the life and smooth running of our congregation:

Late last month Graham and Sue Renfrey retired from the position of Food For Families coordinators, a position both faithfully and cheerily served for about 4 years with the Shepherding and Care team. We thank them for their steadfast dedication to this integral ministry. While Sue coordinated and ensured meals went to those requiring them, Graham ensured the Freezer was kept tidy, organised and well stocked. He was up to date and meticulous regarding quality control and the F.F.F. register.

We are so grateful for their contribution and involvement in this ministry and sincerely thank them for their faithfulness and servant hearts.

(left) Graham & Sue slicing Sue’s customary and most delicious Lent ‘Fish’ cake to share. (The good news is that Graham and Sue will remain on the Sunday Hospitality Team and Sue with the quilting group)

This has now left a POSITION VACANT for a person or persons who would like to serve in this rewarding ministry as Food For Families coordinators. For further information please contact me.

Barry Klaer

Pastoral Care & Fellowship (Shepherding & Care)

WE’VE GOT A GREAT PROBLEM!

Those attending the 10:30am service and particularly those operating on Lutheran time - running a little late - will probably have noticed that getting a car park is a hassle.

IT CAN BE SOLVED!

Can I respectfully ask you as members to use Mattiskes car park to free up car parking for visitors and new attendees. Your action of grace will be a gift of self-sacrificing, gallant and one of unselfish service and a blessing to visitors and new attendees.

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Thank you all in anticipation,

Barry Klaer

Pastoral Care & Fellowship (Hospitality)

NAME BADGES

With the number of new attendees now coming to our church, it would be gracious, courteous and respectful to them [and each other] for everyone to wear name badges.

I’m over 60 so it would help me as well!

Haven’t got a name badge? Or the other is lost?

You can order or re-order your name badge by writing ‘name badge’

on your welcome card.

(Don’t forget to indicate if you want a pin, clip or magnet backing and your preferred first name – for example James likes to be known as Jim or Mary likes to be known as Molly)

Cost is $9:50 payable at front office

Barry Klaer

Pastoral Care & Fellowship (Integration)

Women's Fellowship

The next meeting of Women's Fellowship will be on Tuesday 3rd July at 1.00pm

at Lutheran Homes (LHI) Hope Valley Community Centre, Trinity Drive,

1215 Grand Junction Road, Hope Valley.

There will be a devotion/bible study by Helga Eckermann and afternoon tea hosted by the Hope Valley ladies. Please bring your baby photo for a 'Guess Who?' competition.

There will be no trading table but will be an offering

Men’s Breakfast

Please note the following change to our breakfast dates. The event originally planned for 21^st July has been changed to 14^th July. The speaker on that occasion will be Brenton Ragless

(channel 9 weatherman). Hope to see you there.

From the Board

Good Shepherd Foundation was formed in an effort to provide an additional, alternative means for members of our church community to support the funding of our mission, through donations which attract interest. The Board are seeking creative people to form a small, short term team to develop a marketing and awareness raising strategy for the Good Shepherd Foundation. If you have skills and interest in marketing and would like to find out how you can serve in this area please contact John Dolling 0409 819 864, 83675296 or jdolling@bigpond.net.au

At this week’s Board meeting some of the issues discussed were:

Updating the Board Strategic Plan.

The plan states that the purpose of the Board is to empower, resource and actively support the Pastoral Ministry Team to lead us in our mission to reach into the community with the Gospel so all may know Jesus and worship Him.

The 7 areas covered in the plan are Pastoral Care of the staff team, Communications, Facilities and equipment, Policies and procedures, Finances, Professional Standard and Organisational structuring.

Social Media

The Board discussed role Social Media (Facebook and twitter etc.) could play in the ministry at Para Vista.

The Board will develop guidelines for the use of social media.

Upcoming Events

Ordination of Women in Conference

St Stephen’s has organised a conference to discuss the Ordination Women. This is to be held on July 13-14^th.

Full details and registration forms are available in the pamphlet holder between the notice boards in the foyer

Meal and Movie Night

Men @ Para Vista invites fellow Men to a screening of Courageous with dinner here at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Wednesday 27^th June.

Meal @ 6.30 pm

Movie @ 7.30 pm

Contact: Jim 0438 899 629 or email men@paravista.org,au

On the Notice Board

CHRISTIAN LIFE WEEK - JULY 2-6 2012.

Theme: "Do you have what it takes?" Based on Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Huge week not to be missed! More information at www.blueprintministries.org.au/metroclw

Large discounts for first time campers on July CLW!
Registrations close 18th June. See Sophie Gerrie / Youth Team Leader for a brochure. Further inquiries contact Andrew Traeger on 0409671974 (Metro CLW Director).

Alpha Course at the Para Vista Lutheran Church

Is there more to life than this?

Introductory Evening: Wednesday 11 July @ 7.30pm.

Come and find out what’s it all about.

Course commences Wednesday 18 July @ 6.30 pm (including dinner)

And then Wednesday night from 25 July to 12 September @ 7.30 pm

Please contact the church office to enrol

CLEAR CONSCIENCE - courageous living retreat:

Dr Hal Senkbeil, an experienced, faithful and sensitive United States Lutheran Pastor, lecturer, author and popular presenter teams with Dr Bev Yahnke, a clinical psychologist, psychology lecturer, decorated church worker and vibrant presenter to give us insights from their complementary professions into cutting edge issues that surround us all in these early years of the twenty first century.

Engaging, easy to understand, informed, encouraging, spiritual and even life changing are all appropriate ways of describing the retreat scheduled for St Martins Lutheran Church, Mannum, South Australia on the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of August, 2012.

Treat your self to a recharging, uplifting weekend away by the Murray River and also enjoy the hospitality and celebration of fellow Lutheran Christians including a celebration banquet. Rediscover the rich heritage that we have in our faith and how it can and does make a difference. Costs have been kept to a minimum. For more information and enrolment forms visit the Mannum parish website at http://www.mannumlp.org.au/ or phone the parish office on (08) 8569 2863 (leave a message with your contact details if unattended).

Keep an eye out for a display stand highlighting the work of Blueprint Ministries in this District and remember us in your prayers.

June 24 is the Special Sunday for Child, Youth and Family Ministry in the LCA SA/NT District

Warm winter evenings at Australian Lutheran College.

Dean Zweck (the Gospel of Luke), Peter Lockwood (the OT book of Job), and Dan Sawade and Travis Doecke (exploring the Creed) will provide the opportunity to stretch your mind and extend your understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith at this year’s ALC evening classes, starting Tuesday, 31 July and running for six weeks. Information brochures and enrolment forms are available in the foyer (the narthex). Otherwise, download one from the ALC website www.alc.edu.au, send for one at deansoffice@alc.edu.au, or phone 8267 7400.

Where will you be this winter?

This winter we are asking you to again help us to help others keep warm. Your support is urgently needed to help us give out much needed warm clothes, blankets and food for the many people sleeping rough or doing it tough this winter. Your gift of $70 will provide a warm Baby Bundle to a struggling mother; your gift of $110 will help a homeless person receive Winter Warmers or your gift of $130 will supply a Kid’s Care Kit. See the insert in the June/July edition of Together, visit the LCC website at www.lccare.org.au or contact LCC at 08 8269 9333 to make a donation today. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.

(see notice board for more details)

Vacancies

Please check the church notice board for details of all job vacancies

Position vacant at Good Shepherd.

The following position is available at Good Shepherd:

Office Relief Staff Person (Casual)

To relieve the positions of ‘Office Administrator’ and ‘Office Support Staff’ when the current incumbents take scheduled leave

Maintain procedures complying to the position.

Reception duties and associated administration tasks

Preparing and publishing the Weekly News for distribution in written form and via the internet

Preparing multi media material for services.

Preparing written material for services.