I once
heard a preacher say that if you follow the trail of where your time, your
money and your effort go then you will find what you put your heart into and
what you worship. It is a challenging thought. I know if
I looked at what I put most of my time, money and effort into – God would not
be at the top of the list.
Over the
last couple of weeks we have been talking about generosity – how we can be
generous but also how we can have a heart for others. The ability to be
generous comes from having God and others at the centre of our hearts. If we
start from a place of valuing others as much as we value ourselves, then
generosity flows out of that. Think about it, because we value our lives we
make sure that we are feeding ourselves, giving ourselves caffeine boosts or
giving ourselves down time and rewards when we need them. If we could turn that
heart to the needs of others, imagine the generosity that would flow out.
In Matthew
6:21 Jesus says ‘where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’. The
thing about generosity is that the more you invest in others, the more your
heart goes out to others. Just as our heart affects our actions, our actions
affect our heart.
If you
feel like you don’t have a heart for other people, why don’t you try doing
something for someone else this week?
And then do something again the week after, and the week after, and the
week after… and just continue that for the rest of your life. I think you would
be surprised at the shift that will occur in your heart as you continue to be
generous to others.
If you
need a little boost to get started, remember the love and the sacrifice that
Jesus poured out for us on the cross. I don’t know about you, but the power of
that hits me every time and I can’t help but want to pass on a bit of that
overwhelming love and generosity to others.
Emma Kluge
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 “Cultivating
generosity” The message
is “Growing through giving” ‘For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) ‘Each of you should
give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Bible Reading: Matthew
6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids: for
ages 0-12 on Sundays
This
Sunday in Kingdom we will be looking at the following topics
Baby Zone:
God gives me friends
Kindy Zone:
‘So Sorry’ Luke 18:9-14
Kids Zone:
‘God is all –powerful’ Exodus 5-11
Kool Zone:
‘Girl Boy Chats: What is most important to me?’
With members of our Ignite Youth Team and Young Adult community
We
have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the kids in our church
each Sunday through Kingdom Kids. They are incredible! Please continue to pray
for this future generation of our church. It is vital that we love and support
them in their walk with Jesus, giving those opportunities to lead, grow and try
new things in ministry. Never underestimate the importance of calling a child
by their name, including them in worship and simply sewing a seed that says
“you are highly valued in this place and we are here to walk along side you as
you grow to be more like Jesus’.
‘Girl Boy Chats’
This
Sunday will be our second ever ‘Girl Boy’ chat in Kool Zone (year levels 4+).
The girls will be meeting with Emma Kluge and Sophie Gerrie in the Hutt (the
portable building opposite the main school entrance) and the boys will be
meeting with Nathan Carson in their normal room in the school. We will not be
bringing the kids over for communion but are happy for you to come and collect
them during this time if you want to.
How could you sew a
seed in Children and Family Ministry?
We
may never know the impact we have on those around us, but that should NEVER
stop us from investing in people. Children desire to be loved and included, not
only at school and in their homes, but also in the church. In the words of Mark
Conner, Citylife Church Melbourne, “Christianity is always one generation from
extinction. That is why Children’s Ministry is so vital in the life of every
church”. Our prayer continues to be that we as a church will embrace and
believe in our kids! That we will take the time to teach and nurture them in
our homes and on Sundays. PLEASE don’t underestimate the importance of
supporting and getting involved in this ministry. Without leaders, helpers and
support we can’t meet the needs of our kids. They are too important to us and
to God to let this happen. We need many more members of our church, young and
old, to come on board our team – to partner with us as we embrace the future
generation of our church. We want to hear from you…..don’t hesitate!!! Call or email
today.
Please
contact Laura Carson for more information on how to get involved, or how to
complete the Child Safe screening process.
Playgroup:
Playgroup
provides a friendly and welcoming environment for families with young children
to play, build friendships and learn more about God’s love for His people. Our
theme for playgroup this term is “God makes growing things” and this week we
celebrated things in the garden. We’ve had great fun exploring God’s incredible
creation through craft activities, play, games, shared morning tea and group
time. Next week we will celebrate birds. Come along between 9:30am and 11:30am
in the Church Hall. All welcome. $2 per child or $3 for a family (please being
a piece of fruit to share). Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233
671
(Right) We made this at playgroup a few weeks ago
and are having fun watching them grow!
In
term 3 we are looking for the following support from our church:
1.
Help with set up and pack up
2. Story time
(telling stories and singing songs)
3.
Leadership: Playgroup needs a new coordinator.
Interested?
You
do not need to have any previous involvement in playgroup, or
children/grandchildren in playgroup to get involved.
Sewing a seed from
behind the scenes…Kid’s Activity Sheets
If you
are interested in supporting Children and Family Ministry but not on Sundays,
then this could be for you. We are looking for someone to assist in putting
together the kid’s activity folders which are used during services on Sundays.
This job takes roughly an hour each week. Please contact the office if you are
able to assist in this way.
Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
Help needed
We
are looking for someone to look after 2 small dogs between 24 August 2013 and
15 September 2013. While the dogs are used to spending the day outside and come
in at night to sleep and be fed, they are more than happy to spend the day
sleeping on your knee.
The
dogs are very friendly and pose no threat to any children or adults. All their
food and treats will be supplied and all they need is someone to care for them.
If you are able to assist with looking after one or both dogs please contact
Patricia or Stuart on 8396 3113.
Cebu Mission Fundraising
Scone Day - Sunday 18th August after both
morning services. Cost is $1/scone, freshly baked including jam and whipped
cream!
Plant Stall - will be held on
Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th October. If
you wish to pot up any plants, please do so now. Please name your plants and also if they
flower, put what colour it will be. More details will be available closer to
the date.
New Members - we have recently
lost a member from our team due to ill health. We are currently in need of 1 or
2 people to join our Team. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us,
especially if you have a passion for the poverty people. For more info, please
talk to me or one of our team members, or email me. My address is joanrmc@bigpond.com or ph. 8262 7429
From the Administration Manager
2013 Budget
Notes:
The board is encouraged and all thanks to
God for all who have responded to our chairperson’s request to prayerfully
consider supporting our mission at Good Shepherd and forgo that cup of coffee. Your
efforts are making a difference
·
Offerings in July
totalled $40,261 which was $1,061 above budget for the month. This is the first
month since January that offerings budget has been met. This was across both
plate and REG offerings.
Remember this is not just a short term
focus and the challenge will be to maintain giving at this level and keep
chipping away at the $9,694 behind budget so far this year.
For sale - Large wooden
trestle tables that are surplus to requirements. $50 ONO. Please contact
Stephen or the front office on 8263 5087or via email szanker@paravista.org.au for further information.
Food Safe - The church
maintains a small food bank of food for families in the large main freezer in
the kitchen. Other ministries have access to use this facility on a SHORT TERM
basis only. Any items stored in any of the fridges and freezers are to be
clearly marked with the ministry and date placed in storage. Any item not
stored in this way will be disposed of.
Please note office closed for staff meeting and lunch
On Thursday 15th
August 2013 from 11.30am to 1.30pm
The Bible's Big Story - Our Story
For many Christians, the Old
Testament (OT) remains a closed book. We
may know some stories: David and Goliath, Jonah and the whale, or Moses leading
the Israelites out of Egypt. But without
a framework to hang these stories on, we miss the unfolding drama of God's
action in history… as well as our place in God's story. The OT is the Scriptures that Jesus and his
apostles used. If we ignore the OT, we ignore the very source of the things
Jesus talks about. In this course, you'll get an overview that will help you
make sense of the OT - as well as Jesus.
Time: Six Wednesday evenings –14th August to 18th September,
7:30 – 9pm
Facilitator: Pr Rolly Stahl
Place: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 388 Montague
Rd, Para Vista 5093.
Format: Teaching with pictures. Readings from the Old Testament. Q&A
Cost: $20 for the course book and
timeline, $10 Concession To be paid on
the first night.
What to
bring? Enthusiasm, your Bible and a biro.
Installation of Dean Eaton, Sunday 11th August, 10.30am
This
Sunday at our 10.30am service, Dean Eaton, a former staff member and current
congregational member will be installed by our District Bishop David Altus into
his new position as LCA SA/NT Director for Chaplaincy Ministry. Come along and
celebrate this special occasion with Dean.
Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting. Topic: From feudal farmers to freeholders - Land reforms in 19th Century
Prussia. Speaker: Janette Lange. Janette tells of her discoveries in Polish and
German archives about her ancestors. At Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place,
Adelaide, on Monday 19th August at 7.30pm. Supper. Gold coin donation.
People are at the heart of God’s heart
