10th June 2012

God Chose You!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

        (Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV)

While some parents talk about their children as "accidents", no one is an accident in God's plan.  On the contrary, you were on God's heart and mind even before you were a twinkle in your parent's eye.  God saw you, and loved you, and chose you - even before he started making the world.  You were included in his saving plan even before he kicked any of the wheels into motion!   Reflect on that for a moment.  

In some romantic movies, you hear the line:  "I have loved you all my life!"  How long has God known you and loved you?  In the light of Christ, we have to say: "From eternity... and into eternity."  God's choice was due to his own decision and love.  It had nothing to do with our circumstances or personal achievements. 

Rather, it’s being brought into what Jesus has done.  Paul uses the term: in Christ. 

What does it mean to be in Christ?  We are baptised into the death and resurrection of Jesus – and so we are given a share in his victory and destiny.  In the fellowship of His Church, we keep trusting in Jesus’ forgiveness and following Him as LORD over our lives.  Thus, we remain in Christ.

And what has God chosen us to be in Christ? Holy and blameless in his sight.

When you are in Christ, God no longer sees our past mistakes, our present weaknesses, or our future foibles.  Instead he puts on his "Jesus glasses".  So when God looks at you, he sees the goodness and rightness of his Son. 

In Christ, God has adopted you into his family (cf Jn 1:12-13, Rom 8:14-17).  So now you have the privilege of doing life in relationship with God, and the inheritance of eternal life.  

Aren’t you glad that God chose you?! 

Pr Rolly Stahl

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 chosen people” ‘In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.’ (Ephesians 1:5)

Bible Readings: 1 Peter 2:4-12 and Ephesians 1: 1-14

Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au

 

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

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.

Cheap and delicious pureed food for sale…LAST WEEK!

We STILL 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 will only be available for one more week.

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

Interested in Baptism?

Our next ‘Having Your Child Baptised’ course starts next week.

When: Wednesdays  13^th, 20^th and 27^th June

Where: Church Education Centre

Who: anyone interested in having their child baptised

Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm

Please contact the church office on 8263 5087 to register

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

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

Maranatha Health

Maranatha Health has published their April-June newsletter. This has been put onto our web site under members section. You can read about their exciting action packed last 3 months in Kamwenge with MH celebrating the birth of their first baby at the clinic. You can also enjoy reading of the celebrations as well as the challenges of life in Kamwenge.

Where you can be through Lutheran Community Care…

WITH MOTHERS AND BABIES • nappies • blankets • baby clothes • mittens and beanies Baby Bundle: $70	WITH THE HOMELESS • blankets • sheets • winter jackets • thick socks Winter Warmer: $110	WITH CHILDREN • school shoes • winter uniform • winter jackets • thick socks Kid’s Care Kit: $130	These examples show the kind of care you can give this winter through Lutheran Community Care. Your help will be directed where it is needed most urgently, and will also provide the care and support people need when struggling through winter.

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 on Wednesday 27th June.

Meal @ 6.30 pm

Movie @ 7.30 pm

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

BSF (BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP) is an interdenominational women’s bible study happening weekly at Good Shepherd.

Each Tuesday morning from 9:30-11:30 between 50-60 women of all ages are meeting to study God’s word. Babies and children up to school age are wonderfully cared for and taught in their own age-specific classes.

This year the focus is on the book of Acts. Would you like to join us? Turn up on any Tuesday morning to join an introductory class, or contact Sonia Hulme on 7122 2903 for more information.

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 inquires contact Andrew Traeger on 0409671974 (Metro CLW Director).

Coming Up:

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

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

Notice to LLL Depositors

We advise that the interest rate on savings accounts will be 4.25% per annum from 1 June 2012. This interest rate applies to all LLL interest bearing savings accounts regardless of the balance.

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).

Senior Christian ladies and grandmas needed to help with reading

Tracey Cooper is a Christian Pastoral Support Worker at East Para Primary School (12 Caroona Ave, Para Hills).  She was asked by one of the teachers whether some senior Christian ladies of this area could listen to junior primary school children read for half an hour on various weekday mornings.  If that is something you’d be interested in, please contact Tracey.  Ph: 8264 3944 or Email:  tracey.cooper@epps.sa.edu.au

(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.

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 18^th 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)

ANGELS EXIST but sometimes, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS

 

Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au

Email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au