Fiction…, but factual!
‘For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:31)
Once
upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend, although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be alone?'
Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company? 'No way!’ replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.
The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!’ replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.
She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!’ replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.
Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'
The moral of that story is that we all have ‘four boyfriends’ in our lives:
Our fourth boyfriend is our body. No
matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave
you when you die. Our third boyfriend is our possessions, status and
wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. (Remember; there are no towbars
on hearses!) Our second boyfriend is our family and friends. No matter
how much they have been there for us, the furthermost they can stay by us is up
to the grave. And our first boyfriend is our spirit, often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, our spirit is the only thing that will follow wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now by reading the Word of God and through prayer, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God throughout Eternity.
However, our spirit is the only thing that will follow wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now by reading the Word of God and through prayer, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God throughout Eternity.
Jesus said, ‘So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters seek all these things, and your Heavenly father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34)
Barry Klaer
This week we continue in our series,
“More stories that stir”. This
week’s message is ‘The Good Samaritan’ "What do you
think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by
robbers?" "The one who treated
him kindly," the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, "Go and do
the same." (Luke 10:36-37)
Bible Readings: Luke 10:25-37
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids are now busy preparing for their celebration service on
Sunday December 2nd. Please mark this date in your diaries – I have
read the script and it will be a must see!!
We need a Shrek costume and a Winnie the Pooh costume for this service
so please let Beth know if you have something we could borrow!
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
|
M
|
Maker
|
Gifts
|
A
|
All
|
Praise
|
S
|
Shepherd
|
Little Lambs of God
|
There is a display
on the wall in the hall which will be added to each week, so please take a
look!
Playgroup is on
each Wednesday of the school term from 9:30-11:30am in the hall. Our Christmas
celebration will be 12th December at the Victory Church cafe so
please mark this date in your diaries. Please contact Beth Einthal (8258 4878 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for more info.
Baby Zone
Baby zone has been without a team leader for most of this year. We
urgently need someone with a passion about this ministry to inject some time
and energy. Baby zone 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.
Baby zone also needs more volunteers on its roster – please prayerfully
consider if this is something you can commit to, perhaps next year! Volunteers
are usually rostered on about once a month. Please contact Beth if you would
like to know more!
Beth Einthal
Relief Children and
Family Team Leader
+++ Card Stall +++
Sue Schenscher will be holding a card stall with a variety of designs
to accommodate all seasons and events. Don't miss out as this will be the last for the year!!
@ the Church Hall after the 8.45am and 10.30am Services
Christmas Gift Stall
Yes, it's that time of the year again when we are thinking of and making preparations for Christmas. So once again, we have our Christmas cards available, also Ringpull Bags, Jewellery and Bible Covers all handmade by the Filipinos and they would make great Christmas gifts. Our stall will be set up after both morning services on the following dates: 25th November, 9th and 16th December. All proceeds to CMF in the Philippines.
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
Sunday 25th November - Sausage Sizzle after 8.45am service at $2 for sausage, bread and sauce. After 10.30am service there will be Steak Sandwiches available at $4 each as well as sausages, for your lunch. The Church Half Yearly meeting then starts at 12.30pm.
Cebu Mission
- New Members
Our
Fundraising Team is losing 2 members at the end of this year, so we are
desperately seeking more members to come on board. If you are looking for
some way to be involved in a project at our church and you have a passion to
help the needy, then please prayerfully consider joining our team. We have
approximately 5 meetings per year. Please talk to me or a member of our
team for further information, or call me on numbers listed below.
Joan McCarthy
8262 7429 or 0402 469 433
Joan McCarthy
8262 7429 or 0402 469 433
Women's Fellowship
Honey biscuits required
for Christmas cheer to be left in church kitchen by Sunday 25th November
marked accordingly. Jan Oldman 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. A donation of $10 at the door would be appreciated. Please
RSVP by Friday 30th November to Jan 8264 8288. Limited seating of 100 people.
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.
Retiring
Offering this Sunday 25th November
This Sunday 25th November there will be a
retiring offering after both services to support the work of the Cebu
Missionary Foundation. There will also be a short presentation during services
about the work of Cebu Missionary Foundation. Please prayerfully consider what
you can give to support this great work.
A
gift that keeps giving
You can bless our ongoing mission by donating to our
congregation foundation. Donations can be made directly to-
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista Foundation
BSB 704 942
Account No 128 168
Board
vacancies in 2013
The Board
is seeking people with a passion for serving our congregation through
governance; to ensure that the congregation, led by the Ministry Team, is
resourced to carry out the mission of our congregation. Each member of the
Board is allocated a portfolio for which they are responsible. They keep in
touch with Teams working in their portfolio area and report to the Board at the
monthly meetings. Portfolios will be allocated at the first meeting of
2013.
After two
years of fantastic service Kylie Rathjen has indicated that she will not
continue as secretary of the Board. The Board is seeking expressions of
interest to fill this role. The role involves taking minutes at the monthly
Board meetings. Email access is important.
To register an interest or for more details on either role please contact Keren Sutton (Chair).
To register an interest or for more details on either role please contact Keren Sutton (Chair).
From the Office
Half Yearly Meetings of
Church, School and Village
Church, School and Village
The Half Yearly meetings of the church, school and village will be held
on Sunday 25th November at 12:30pm. There will be a lunch in the
hall prior to the meetings. Information re the church and school meetings is
available in the Members Information area in the foyer of the church and on our
Web site.
Main topics for the meeting:
- Reports from Pastor Noel and Chairperson
- Presentation of the 2013 budget
- Proposal to investigate converting part of the courtyard into an indoor area and upgrading the kitchen.
- Election of officers for 2013
Notice Board
Please see Notice Board for more Information
Toy and Food
Donations Needed for Christmas Hampers
As registrations begin to pour in, we are
still in need of donations, especially toys for children under 18 and food
items for our Christmas Hampers.
If you are able to help, it is preferable
that toys have some educational value (eg. Lego, ball, board game, or any other
sports toy you choose) as we currently have enough soft toys. We ask that
donations be delivered by 30th November to allow ample time for
packing and distribution.
Donations can be delivered to our Blair Athol office (309 Prospect Road,
Blair Athol) and Barossa office (16 Gawler Street, Nuriootpa). For a full list
of required items, visit www.lccare.org.au or call 08 8269 9333.
LCC Christmas Hamper List
|
||
Christmas Pudding/Cake
|
Breakfast Cereal
|
Long life milk
|
Canned Fruit
|
Soup
|
Biscuits and Crackers
|
Canned Vegetables
|
Milo/Tea/Coffee
|
Long life fruit juice
|
Canned Ham/Turkey
|
Pasta
|
Spreads
|
Canned Tuna
|
Pasta Sauce
|
Jelly
|
Chips and Lollies
|
Long life custard
|
Beetroot
|
Sugar
|
Toys (children under 18)
|
Books (children under 18)
|
Volunteering for
Christmas Hampers
We are also in need of Volunteers to help with the packing and
distribution of Christmas Hampers at Blair Athol and in the Barossa Valley. If
you are interested in volunteering at Blair Athol please call 08 8269 9300 and
ask to speak to Audene or Verity. If you are interested in volunteering in the
Barossa Valley, please call our Nuriootpa office at 08 8562 2688 for more
information or to apply.
Christmas Tree
Festival
COME & SEE decorated trees, Nativity scenes,
Wall hangings, Floral arrangements.
ENJOY Morning and Afternoon teas, Light Lunches.
BUY biscuits, cakes, homemade gifts, cards, plants and produce.
$2 donation for adults, children under 12 are free.
ENJOY Morning and Afternoon teas, Light Lunches.
BUY biscuits, cakes, homemade gifts, cards, plants and produce.
$2 donation for adults, children under 12 are free.
When
|
29th November – 2nd December
9:30am – 8pm Thursday – Saturday
11:30am – 3.30pm Sunday
|
Where
|
St John's Lutheran Church, 182 Hancock Road, Ridgehaven
|
High quality
Christmas trees
From Birdwood Lutheran Church will be
available at $30 each.
Delivery will be on Saturday 8th December
2012 to a church nearby
(yet to be determined – depending on the orders received)
Please place your order no later than 30th
November to the church office phone
8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au Proceeds will go towards supporting chaplains
in local schools.
Vacancies
ST STEPHEN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH,
ADELAIDE - PART TIME YOUTH WORKER (0.2 FTE)
At St Stephen’s we
value our young people. We want a person to work with us and share our
passion to support and care for young people. If you want to find out more
about this important ministry check our Website. www.ststephensadelaide.org.au or call or email James on 08 8223 5491 jameswin@tpg.com.au
Applications close on 7/12/2012.
A giant oak is a little acorn that held its
ground
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
