What is the
problem with church?
In recent times it has
not been uncommon to hear from people who believe in Jesus saying, “I love
Jesus but I hate the church!” This leads them to have a “Jesus and me” type
faith that is very individualistic with little regard for others who follower
Jesus. Those who have bought into the ‘Post Modern’ claim that all truth is
relative dismiss the church as an irrelevant institution that coerces and
controls people.
Now it is true that you
do not have to look hard to find fault with the church. Many of us have been
hurt by the church. It is easy to use this to opt out of church and to justify
our position by continually criticising and judging the church. Yet church is
God’s idea. Jesus said to Peter “I will build my church”. Church is not
something we humans have invented but rather something that God calls us into
when we receive Jesus as our Saviour and seek to follow him.
So if church is God’s
idea why does it seem to have so many problems? The answer is simple – People!
People are the problem with the church. The church is full of imperfect people
and that means the church is going to be imperfect from our worldly
perspective. Yet this should not cause us to give up on the church but rather
seek to look at from God’s perspective.
The Bible says in
Ephesians 5 that ‘Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,
cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to
himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy
and blameless.’ (Ephesians 5:25-27) When God looks at the church he
sees it through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. He doesn’t see
imperfect people but holy and blameless people washed clean by Jesus. He
doesn’t see problems but potential and purpose.
This is why God has big
plans for the church. The church is God’s hope for the world. The church is
God’s plan to share the good news with the nations and to be the good news as
they share the love of Jesus with all. As we capture God’s vision for the
church and play our part in God’s unfolding plan of salvation for the world
through the church, I am confident that many of the problems the church is
plagued with will fall away.
This week we start a
new sermon series called ‘What is the church?’ Come along and hear about God’s
vision for his church and for us.
Pastor Noel
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 start a new series, “What is the Church?” This week’s message is “The Church – God’s hope for the world” ‘With all wisdom and understanding, he (God) made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.’ (Ephesians 1:8b-10)
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:13-20 and Ephesians 3:1-11
Kingdom Kids at the 10:30am service for
ages 0-12.
Thanks Kindy Zone…
I would like to say a big thank you (on behalf
of everyone involved in Kingdom Kids) to Kindy Zone, in particular Rachel
Liebelt, who organized a fantastic Buddy session in Kingdom Kids last Sunday. We
do this once each term and were delighted to see so many kids and parents
joining in on the fun. Last Sunday was also Pentecost which provided a great
theme for a highly interactive story and activity with Rachel and her awesome
Team. We’d like to also thank Chris Jaensch for coming out to sing with
us. We had a fantastic time.
Deep in the word…
It has been inspiring and encouraging to see
so many kids bringing their bibles to church each week. Reading the bible
together is such a great way to learn from Gods word and each other, so keep it
up guys. Parents, thank you for the role you have played in helping your kids
to remember each week.
Getting your hands messy for God…
I would like to acknowledge and thank the
Junior Assistants and the Junior Helpers who have been so faithfully serving in
Kingdom Kids. Every week we arrive to
find young people waiting to serve, help set up, pray and teach. This is such
an incredible sight and we are blown away time and time again by the way these
kids are growing in their faith by serving others. Keep up the awesome work
guys and once again thank you to the parents of these keen young lovers of God
for allowing them to arrive early. We are so glad you trust us to be their
mentors and teachers!
Cheap and delicious pureed food for
sale…
We have loads and loads of pureed food to sell
with all profits going towards new resources for Playgroup and Baby Zone. The
food is located in the church hall and can be purchased at $5 a box or $20 for
5 boxes. Please feel free to take as much as you want (money can be given to
Laura Carson, Debbie Wesselingh or the church office). This SA made product
contains 100% natural ingredients and expires in less than 6 months SO GET IN
NOW!
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
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 coming up soon!
Saturday Night 4th August
Golden Grove Arts Centre
Incredible night of talent from the best in SA
Tickets will be on sale soon DON’T MISS OUT!
Contact Laura for more info
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
lcarson@paravista.org.au
8263 5087
Women's Fellowship
This year's annual
fundraising luncheon will be held on
Tuesday 5th June 2012 at 12noon in
the church hall.
Donation $10.00 on entry.
There will be door
prizes and a trading table.
Pastor Rolly Stahl will present a devotion.
Guest speaker will be Matthew
Huckel on his experiences as a Music Therapist.
Upcoming Events
Meal and Movie Night
Men @ Para
Vista invites fellow Men to a screening of Courageous with dinner here at the
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
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 your Pastor / Youth Leader for a brochure.
Registrations close 18th June. See your Pastor / Youth Leader for a brochure.
Further inquires
contact Andrew Traeger on 0409671974 (Metro CLW Director).
THE LUTHERAN—JUNE EDITION OUT NOW
YOU’RE WELCOME!
What happens when your congregation welcomes everyone—and
it shows?
AN UNHOLY TRINITY?
The ‘new
atheists’ have rallied unbelievers from complacency to action. Should we be
listening?
THE GOLF BALL
Is it
wrong to grieve over the death of elderly parents?
EXCLUSIVE LUTHERANS?
Why do
Lutherans exclude non-Lutherans from holy communion?
To subscribe, visit www.thelutheran.com.au
Subscriptions – 11 issues per year; $40 Australia, $42 New Zealand
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
Open Morning
Wednesday
6 June 2012, 9.30am - 12.00noon
A
co-educational secondary school where the learning experience develops
abilities for Life
Enrolling
now for 2013 & 2014
(see notice board for more details)
From the Office
Cebu Fundraising After Services
Sue Schenscher will be selling cards to raise money for Cebu on Sunday
the 3rd of June after both morning services in the hall. There are plenty of new cards in the range.
Missing Key
The key to the detergent cupboard in the kitchen has been
misplaced. Members using the kitchen
facility are requested to ensure the cupboard is locked after use and the key
replaced on the key holder above the sink.
This is done to comply with child safe regulations. Your assistance with this is appreciated.
Kitchen Storage
The kitchen facility has limited storage space and is used by many
groups. All users are asked to remove
personal items at the end of a function to allow the next user the space they
require. Please check and remove any
items belonging to you as the area will be cleared after 14 June and excess
items will be disposed of.
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.
Preparing other publications as
required.
Full
details are available on our web site under members
Volunteers Needed
We are in need of volunteers to assist
in a Computer Skills Group and a Scrapbooking Group at our Blair Athol office. Class curriculum is prepared by LCC
staff. Volunteers receive ongoing support and reimbursement of all
out-of-pocket expenses.
Spiritual Life
Coordinator
The St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Hahndorf it seeking a ‘Spiritual Life
Coordinator’.
The Spiritual Life Coordinator position will offer the following:
Salary & Conditions:
·
Hours of work: 0.3 (FTE)
·
Term of Appointment: 12months
·
The Spiritual Life Coordinator will be
employed under the Lutheran Church of Australia Lay Worker Salary and
Conditions guidelines
Interested members should contact Ian Scott, Business Manager, p: 8388
1225 or e: ian.scott@stmichaels.com.au to receive a Position Description for the role.
Closing date 18th June 2012
POSITIONS VACANT (2
FULL TIME ROLES)
REGIONAL MANAGER, CHRISTIAN PASTORAL SUPPORT
PROGRAM (SCHOOLS MINISTRY GROUP)
Option for positions in Metro Adelaide or a
Regional Centre i.e. Mt Gambier or Port Lincoln
(see notice board for more details)
Courage is fear that
has said its prayers.
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
