Pray Without Seizing??!!
We
are currently in a sermon series, “God’s People at Prayer (Psalms)”. Not long
after committing my life to Christ 26 years ago I was reading 1 Thessalonians
(one of the shorter books in the New Testament). On reading chapter 5 verse 17,
“Pray without ceasing” I found myself spending considerable time meditating on
and contemplating the implication of that verse. I concluded that to pray
without ceasing had to be similar to praying without seizing; how could you
pray without ceasing and prevent seizure.
Prayer is simply talking to God – anywhere, anytime about anything, about everything… Praying without ceasing is being aware, attentive and mindful of God in all of our circumstances - meaning in the hard times as well as the great times. Is it really possible to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances? Most of us can probably think of situations in which it would be very difficult to praise God; but the Bible teaches us that through Christ, it is possible to maintain a spirit of praise and thankfulness in even the most trying circumstances.
Remember this; Prayers have an impact:
“Now this is the confidence we have before Him:
whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know
that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him
for.” (1 John 5:14-15) Christian Standard Bible.
Let me ask you this? Do you ever wonder if prayer
really works? You’re praying about something and Satan whispers to you, “This
is a waste of time, forget it! Who do you think you are? What do you think
you’re doing? God is not listening. Don’t waste your time.” If the Devil is
whispering that to you just quote 1 John 5:14-15.
Prayer works because God is in control. Jesus said,
“My
father is always at work…and I too am working….the Son can do nothing by
Himself, He can only do what He sees His father doing”. Jesus did not
get direction from what went on around Him but from what went on above Him –
through prayer! The basis of all miracles is God’s sovereignty. (See John
5:19-23) God is in control, we have to trust His wisdom and His goodness.
“God is able to do far more that we would ever dare
to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires,
thoughts or hopes”. (Ephesians
3:20)
Maybe start in Psalms as Ps. Rolly said in
highlighting Dietrich Bonheoffer’s comment, “The Psalms are unique: God’s Word
to us and our words back to God.”
And
the Lord’s Prayer - The Lord’s Prayer alone is a prayer to teach us to overcome
insecurity (our father), to honour God (hallowed be your name), creates
security (your kingdom come, your will be done), urges us not to worry (give us
today our daily bread), teaches forgiveness (forgive our sins as we
forgive), to do what’s right (and
lead us not into temptation) and is confirmation that God protects us (deliver
us from evil).
His resources are available to you. Prayer can do
whatever God can do.
Start
today. Pray without ceasing!
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 finish the Series,
“God’s People at Prayer (Psalms)”. This
week’s message is “God is our Refuge & Strength” Be still and know
that l am God. (cf Exodus 14:13-14)
Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 32:1-22, Psalm 46
Kingdom Kids
I have been inspired by the amazing faith of our Kingdom Kids! They have
a strong faith and it is so great to see that grown through the fantastic team who
run Kingdom Kids each week at the 10:30am service!
This term Kingdom Kids are on a ‘Journey to Jesus’ and will soon be busy
preparing for their celebration service on Sunday 2nd December. We
look forward to sharing more about this over the coming weeks but please mark
this date in your diaries – it will be a must see!!
If you have a lamb’s wool blanket or baby sheep skins that you are able
to lend to us for the celebration service, please contact the church office or
write ‘lamb’s wool’ on your welcome card. Thank you in advance!
Baby Zone
Baby zone has been without a team leader for over six months and
urgently needs someone with a passion about this ministry to inject some time
and energy. Baby zone is much more than a crèche and aims to encourage the
beautiful faith that young children already have as well as make faith fun!
Please pray for this ministry and consider if you or anyone you know could be
involved in any way.
Playgroup
This term Little Lambs Playgroup is enjoying the meaning of Christmas
through craft, stories, songs and play. Each week the children have a different
theme centred on a letter of the word Christmas:
|
|
Key theme
|
Craft Activity
|
|
C
|
Cares
|
Mary
|
|
H
|
Holy
|
Joseph
|
|
R
|
Rejoice
|
Angels
|
|
I
|
I AM
|
Light
|
|
S
|
Shines
|
Stars
|
|
T
|
Thanks
|
Wise Men
|
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M
|
Maker
|
Gifts
|
|
A
|
All
|
Praise
|
|
S
|
Shepherd
|
Little Lambs of God
|
Please feel free to
pop in and say hi as the kids always love new faces and visitors! Playgroup is
on each Wednesday of the school term from 9:30-11:30am in the hall. Our
Christmas celebration will be 12th December so please mark this date
in your diaries. Please contact Beth Einthal (8258 4878 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for more info.
Beth Einthal
Relief Children and Family Team Leader
From the Office
Please note office closed for staff meeting
On Thursday 1st November from 11.30am
to 1.30pm.
New 2013 LLL Calendars have arrived. Please help yourself to only one copy per family, plus
don’t forget to take a copy of the LLL report and stay up to date with the
mission.
Women's
Fellowship
The next meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 30th October (no meeting in
November).
Pastor will lead bible study, followed by the AGM, guest speaker, afternoon tea and trading table.
Pastor will lead bible study, followed by the AGM, guest speaker, afternoon tea and trading table.
Invitation to Birdwood Lutheran Ladies
Fellowship Garden Party at the Birdwood Lutheran Church, Lot 95 Church
Street, from 11am - 3.30pm Wednesday 21st November 2012
– Guest Speaker Alex Kowald, light lunch and stalls, gift baskets. RSVP 11th
November 2012 Phone 8389 3066.
Honey biscuits required
for Christmas cheer to be left in church kitchen by Sunday 25th November
marked accordingly. Joy Wandel will pick up for packaging and delivery to
Lutheran Community Care (LCC) by Friday 30th November. Can you
please help with supply? Many residents in many institutions benefit from
this small gift brightening up their day. A small Christmas tract of Good News
is attached.
The December meeting will be a Luncheon on Tuesday 4th December beginning at
12noon in the church hall.
Quilt Project for LCC - Stitch and chat afternoons to finish off quilts. Will be held in the
church hall from 1pm to 4pm 13th November 2012, 29th
January 2013 and 12th March 2013.
New resources in our
Good Shepherd library
DVD
Grace Card Movie
From Koorong promo: Witness the
transforming power of forgiveness! When Mac loses his son in an accident, his
grief sabotages his career on the police force and makes for a combustible
situation when he gets a new partner -
part-time pastor and "rising star" Sam. How can they work together in
life-threatening situations when they can't see eye-to-eye on anything else?
Rated M. Approx. 101 minutes. The film stars Louis Gossett, Jr. and Michael Joiner. To watch a trailer, go to: http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/
part-time pastor and "rising star" Sam. How can they work together in
life-threatening situations when they can't see eye-to-eye on anything else?
Rated M. Approx. 101 minutes. The film stars Louis Gossett, Jr. and Michael Joiner. To watch a trailer, go to: http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/
Rolly: If you enjoyed Courageous,
you will also enjoy this movie. Grace Card also explores prejudice and
reconciliation. And the ending will have
you reaching for the tissue box.
Wrestling with the Book of Revelation - with
Rev Dr Noel Due
Noel Due is an ordained
Lutheran pastor and biblical scholar. He
has worked both in Australia and Scotland.
His perspectives on the Book of Revelation are balanced and rich. These four sessions (c. 63-78 minutes) were
recorded at Glynde Lutheran Church in February 2012.
Dr Noel helps us
understand the “apocalyptic” form of literature – what is unique about this
form - as well as what it isn’t. With remarkable clarity and calm, he also
unpacks key themes from the Revelation of Saint John the Divine.
Dr Noel’s immense grasp
of Scripture and his applications into our current world are among the most
insightful I have ever encountered. I’ve
had many “Aha moments” while watching this series.
Each session has a break
in the middle. So a group would benefit
by just looking at one half and engaging in conversation – thus spreading the
material over 8 meetings. We have 2 sets
of the DVD’s.
Course notes are
available for photocopying with the DVD sets – which I would certainly
recommend. Or you can email the office
to print out copies for your group - just tell them where to find it:
I: \
Discipleship\ Wrestling with the Book of the Revelation Course Notes 1-4
Find this in the Church Library: 227/DUE. Shelf just right of the computer, 2nd
shelf from the bottom, in a coloured pouch on the left hand side.
Resources
Time Out – Five Minutes with God” Devotion Book for 2013
Written by
Australian writers, there is a Christian devotion for each day of the calendar
year
Each meditation is
a ‘time-out’ of about 3+ minutes and consists of a Bible reading, some thoughts
on that passage, and a short prayer. The devotion-writers’ thoughts are
life-related and centred on the message of God’s love for people shown in Jesus
Christ.
Take five minutes out – with a Word from God.
Special pre-order
purchase price of $22.00
Will be available
in December.
2013 Australian Christian Diary
Durable blue vinyl
cover
Bible reading
suggestions for each day
Three year
lectionary Bible readings and church festivals
Australian holidays
and school terms
Week to an opening
and 3 year calendar
Compact size for
pocket or purse (90mm x 165mm) $12.00 each
To order either of the above
Please
contact the church office 8263 5087 or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au by 30th October thanks.
Vacancies
CHRISTIAN PASTORAL SUPPORT WORKER (Previously known as “School Chaplain”)
PARA HILLS HIGH
SCHOOL
Schools
Ministry Group along with Salisbury Hills Inter Church Network are seeking
applications for this 18 to 19 hour per week position, commencing Term 1, 2013.
The position exists to offer support to students, staff and the school community.
The position exists to offer support to students, staff and the school community.
A Job and Person Specification, including details on “How to apply”,
is available from Schools Ministry Group on
8378 6800 or mail@smg.asn.au,
8378 6800 or mail@smg.asn.au,
Closing date: Monday 29th October,
2012 www.smg.asn.au
Employment
opportunities at Australian Lutheran College
ALC is advertising for two part-time (.8)
administrators to be based in North Adelaide, commencing December 2012.
Applicants must have high level expertise and experience in administrative
functions.
See www.alc.edu.au/community/employment-at-alc for further information. Applications close 7th November 2012.
See www.alc.edu.au/community/employment-at-alc for further information. Applications close 7th November 2012.
Notice Board
Please see Notice Board for more Information
Sharing the Journey
Time is almost up to register for our ‘Sharing the Journey’ Walk or Ride
scheduled for 11th November. The easiest way to register for this
event is online at www.lccare.org.au. We are also
accepting registrations over the phone and through the post.
The Bike Ride/Walk begins at 2.00pm but you can pick up your wristband
and sign your waiver from 12.00noon. A Sausage Sizzle cooked by the
Prospect/Blair Athol Lions Club, along with music and fun family activities
will follow the Walk/Ride. Your Walk/Ride will begin at Bonython Park (entrance
opposite Coca-Cola) and you can choose from 3km, 6km, 10km or the full 20km
return. Pick the distance you feel comfortable completing in the 2 hour
timeslot.
Note: You must pre-register for this event. Registrations close 2nd
November.
Please see notice board for more information.
At Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide, on Monday 29th October at 7.30pm. (***Note: AGM beforehand at 7pm) Supper. Gold coin donation.
NAME BADGES
With the number of new attendees now
coming to our church, it would be gracious, courteous and respectful to them
for each of us to wear our name badges.
Haven’t got a name badge? Or the other is lost?
You can 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 Elizabeth likes to be known as Beth)
Cost is $9:50 payable at front office.
A giant oak is a little acorn that held its
ground
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
