Surrender
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about surrender and what it means to surrender everything we are and everything we have to God. There’s no doubt in my mind that God calls us to complete surrender, but what would it look like lived out in our everyday lives?
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely believe that we are saved by grace through faith, not by anything we have done or are yet to do (Eph 2:8-9), but I also believe that our thankful response to grace should be a willingness to surrender and follow Jesus.
Jesus says we are to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind (Luke 10:27) and to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Jesus even says in Luke 14: 25- 26 that if we come to Him and don’t hate our father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even their own life by comparison to how much we love Him, we cannot be His disciples. It’s crazy! And it definitely isn’t easy, yet it’s the life God is calling us to. I often feel that we give so little to the one who gave so much for us. I find myself asking ‘how much is too much for me to give, to the one who has given me everything?’
I’m still figuring it all out and maybe I never will. For me at the moment it is choosing to spend time with God, praying and in the Word, over things that I would sometimes rather be doing (denying self). Time is important to me, so it’s a struggle to surrender. What is it that you struggle to surrender to God? Could He be calling you to give it to Him?
I love how the Message puts it in Romans 12:1-2
“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Many blessings,
Sophie
Prayer Requests
For privacy the prayer list is not included in this Blog but if you would like to view the current requests refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this site. 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 theme, “Better Than Busy”, with “How to Simplify”. Simplifying things has gained quite a lot of support in recent years. There are also a number of books that have been written on the topic in the last few years. We have 52 Ways to Simplify Your Life, 90 Devotions to Simplify Your Life, Simplify your Life 101 Ways, 201 Great Questions to Simplify Your Life, 255 Ways to Simplify Your Life. There is one book on the simple life that is 872 pages long.
Does this sound simple?
Bible Readings: Luke 10:38-42: John 10:10
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Starting next week. YES!!!!…
Kingdom Kids gets back into full swing next week. Jump on board and come for the ride. Please remember to arrive a little early and sign your children in.
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
lcarson@paravista.org.au 8263 5087
Ignite Youth
Sophie Gerrie
Small Groups Launch – Sunday 19th February 2012
Our Sunday services on 19th February 2012 will be highlighting the purposes and blessings of small groups, and providing opportunities for people to try out a small group. I will be preaching on the importance of Growing in Jesus Together!
Please note we will NOT be holding a lunch or dinner at Good Shepherd. Rather, we are asking small groups to be open to the possibility of hosting some new people on Sunday 19 February – or a time slot during that following week.
Grab a flyer at worship and express your interest in trying out a small group or contact the office.
Joy in Jesus!
Rolly Stahl
Associate Pastor - Discipleship & Small Group Ministries
DISCOVERY IS MORE THAN MEMBERSHIP
Last chance to Register Now!
Discovery course starts on Tuesday evening 21st February at 6:30pm – 9:30pm beginning with a meal and an informal introduction to the staff; and continues on the 28th February 2012.
To Register write ‘Discovery’ on your welcome card or contact the office by telephone 8263 5087
or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
From the Administration Manager
Position Vacant
Administration Manager
(Part Time – 18 hours per week)
We are seeking an organised self-starter, passionate about our mission and vision at Good Shepherd, for the position of Administration Manager.
The Position Description for this position is available from our website www.paravista.org.au in the members section, from the church office (8263 5087) churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or from the member’s information section in the church foyer.
Direct any queries to John Dolling, Administration Manager 8263 5087 or jdolling@paravista.org.au
Applications, in writing only, by Friday 10th February 2012, should include current curriculum vitae together with referees and be sent (marked confidential) to:
The Administration Manager
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista
PO Box 306
Modbury North SA 5092
Facilities
160 sq. metres (14 tonne of asphalt) of the car park that had deteriorated has been replaced. The next step is to crack seal the car park to prevent water getting through the surface. This will prolong the life of the car park. The cost of this project will be shared between the church and school.
Thank you to Jeff Eckermann who coordinated the project and used the skills gained from working in the Department of Transport to ensure the work was of a high standard and at the lowest cost to the congregation.
OHS
When setting up for some activities cables are run across walkways. This can cause trip and fall injuries. A portable 3 meter cable cover (for use on hard floors) has been purchased. This is stored in the plant room which is situated in the foyer by the Members Information section. Please use this to cover cables run across hard surfaces and ensure it is returned for future use.
Mission news
Marantha Health, one of the overseas mission organizations we support are holding a stall selling baby and children' items after both morning services on Sunday 12th February. Money raised will go to Uganda to equip the Clinic and Community Centre that is changing lives in Kamwenge, Uganda.
From the Office
Staff on Leave
Noel: 6th February - 14th February 2012
LCA 2012 Yearbook
“Where love comes to life” Limited copies available during February ONLY from the church office for $20 each. Contact the church office 8263 5087 or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
notice board
Pre-Marriage Seminar 18th -19th February
Help build strength into your marriage and develop skills for dealing with difficult times. This course will be conducted at Para Vista Lutheran School. See the notice board or contact the office for further details.
Fuel Vouchers???
Help those less fortunate. Please pin your excess vouchers to the notice board. By assisting with this you can share with others a community spirit.
Thankyou
Daphne Hausler, Di and Tom Ollino and family wish to sincerely thank everyone for the cards, phone calls, personal expressions of sympathy and donations to Lutheran Community Care following the death of Lou. We rejoice that he is now at home with his Lord.
Bushed blokes
SHOW ME A SIGN!
Ever felt like this?
Not sure which sign post to follow…….
Well come to BuShed Blokes and get some direction.
Bring ya mates, ya camping gear and a heart to be encouraged by Peter ‘Sticks’ Steicke and Ian ‘Watto’ Watson. Connect with your identity as a Son of the King and come to know who you were created to be. All blokes welcome!
Location: South Kilkerran Picnic Grounds, MAITLAND SA
Cost: $50 per Bloke/ Under 15 free
For more info and registration forms contact: Luke Doecke Ph: 0403 801 990 Email: lukedoecke@bigpond.com
Bring a mate with you for Breakfast at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 388 Montague Road Para Vista
Saturday March 3rd Served at 0730
Are you a typical Bloke .. BBQ Chief,
Mr Citizen, Son, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Husband, Neighbour, Drive a car,
A Workmate or Student, Gardener, Like the outdoors, Spend hours in the shed on projects ?
Do you know the answers to…
What is a Burn? How do you treat a burn?..
Cold water or tried & true butter?
“So what it doesn’t hurt its OK “. Is this the right answer ? YES or No ??
What happens in the RAH Burns Unit ?
Donation of $5.00 for breakfast costs is appreciated. Any ????’s Contact Jim 0438 899 629
We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm
