“Coming – ready or not!!!”

So shouts the seeker when kids play hide ‘n seek. Those not ready are caught out - sometimes in between hiding places. Children soon learn to hide quickly so they can be ready when the seeker finishes counting… and comes a-lookin’.

 

There’s another countdown happening: not just the number of shopping days to Christmas. It’s the countdown to Jesus’ return. Jesus is coming again - ready or not!  Jesus doesn’t want to “catch us out”.  He wants us to be ready!

 

In Advent, we not only look back to Jesus’ first coming as a baby, but we also look forward with anticipation to Jesus’ return as the end time judge and king over all.

 

Christians throughout history have expected Jesus to return “soon”. In St Paul’s earlier letters, he seems to be expecting Jesus’ return within his own lifetime.¹ But towards the end of his life, his letters express hopeful anticipation of meeting the Lord at his death.² To his friends at Philippi, Paul writes: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21). Paul was ready!

 

How is it with you? Does Jesus’ return bring a sense of joyful anticipation? Or something else?

 

Friends, one day each of us will come face to face with Jesus. That is our hope, our destiny, our future. And Jesus wants you and me to be sure of it, glad about, and absolutely confident in it. It happens in hearts where Jesus lives and rules. The joy of the Lord is their security and strength!

 

Come Lord Jesus! Come to us today as we live for you and look forward to your coming again!

 

Pr Rolly Stahl

¹   Romans 13:11, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. 

²   Philippians 1:23, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s promise of a Saviour King” as we start a new series ‘God’s promises in Jesus’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

 

Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 7:11b-13, 16; Isaiah 35:3-6; Luke 1:26-38

 

 

Celebration Service:

Dear members and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista,

Kingdom Kids Children’s Ministry would like to personally invite you to worship with us this Sunday 1^st December as we Launch Advent with our 2013 Celebration Service Jesus – The Promise of a Saviour King. Please join us for a creative retelling of the Christmas story at the 10:30am service, followed by a yummy morning tea in the Hall. Please feel free to invite your families and friends, everyone is welcome.

Baby Zone:

There will be NO Baby Zone this Sunday 1^st December. Instead we’d like to invite everyone to come along to our Celebration Service. Normal lessons will resume on Sunday 8^th December and will conclude on the 15^th December with our 2013 Christmas Party.

 

Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!

Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme for next week is The Nativity Story followed by Carols and Community (a joint celebration with the receptions at GSLS from 9-10:30am on the school playground and oval. Please bring a plate of morning tea to share).  $2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of fruit to share. All welcome. Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.

 

$100 to go!

It has become a tradition at our church to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. The total expense of making 150 of these packs is $230, so if you feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table in the narthex. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. Just over $130 has been donated so far. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so generously.

 

Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader

 

Prayer requests

Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

 

Lutheran Women of South Australia RETREAT 2014

Located at the Australian Lutheran College - Ward Street, North Adelaide

From 17^th to 19^th January 2014. RSVP required by 8^th January 2014.

For enrolment forms or more information, please contact Ruth Oster on 8265 0221 or email kroster@senet.com.au

 

From the Board

 

Half Yearly meeting

At the Half Yearly meeting on Sunday:

·       2014 budget was passed as presented with $25000 increase in offerings. This was based on pledges made in the Stewardship campaign in October.

·       It was agreed in 2014 to support Maranatha Health in prayer and when their present issues are resolved to also support them financially.

·       It was agreed to continue support for Cebu Missionary Foundation.

·       It was agreed to conduct a Stewardship campaign in 2014 to ascertain financial support available for the Connect Project. If the outcome is positive, construction should commence in 2015.

 

The following members were elected to the Board:

John Dolling (chair), Keren Sutton (vice chair), Simon Janetzki (Finance Team Leader), Keith Kemp, Helen Bridge and Erika Kaesler. There are still several vacancies on the Board. If you are interested, please contact John Dolling or Keren Sutton.

 

Relocation of Baby Zone

The first stage in the shift is nearing completion. The storeroom in the Education Centre will be completed early next week and materials in the current storeroom behind the library will be relocated next week. Next step is to relocate the library into the Education Centre before Christmas. If we have a dozen members who can volunteer just 1 hour we can get this done. If you can spare an hour, please contact John Dolling. The baby zone materials will then be relocated to their new home in the present library. The final step is to secure the new baby zone area with an entrance door.

 

From the office

 

Christmas Whirlwind

Last year a number of volunteers attended the church complex on Christmas Eve and did a general clean of the grounds and exterior surrounds of the building. I am again looking for a small team to assist in creating an inviting appearance to our church facility for Christmas. 

 

In order to do this I am planning to hold a whirlwind of the church grounds and facility exterior on Tuesday 24^th December starting at 9am. Now the more helpers we get the bigger the whirlwind and the greater the effect. If you have someone else in mind that you could bring along, do so and it will all be blown over in a jiffy.

 

If you have a petrol driven blow vac that needs a dust out bring it along with safety equip and we can have a dust off comp. Last year’s winner was a blow in who only led by a short puff.

 

Please mark your welcome card whirlwind, let the office or Stephen know your availability by 9am Wednesday 18^th December. Thanks.

 

Security of church

Request that members who lock our facility do a complete building check prior to setting the alarm. As you move through the building, please shut all the doors. Please take note of the keypad near the office entry and if there are staff names on the key pad, please do not set the alarm.

 

Notice Board

 

Christmas Stalls

Available after both morning services on the following dates: 8^th and 15^th December.  All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.

 

Christmas Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood

We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14^th December.

 

Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the church office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4^th December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.

 

The Singing Christmas Tree

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loxton presents an outdoor evening of music, drama, lights and the power of the Christmas story. 8pm, December 6^th, 7^th, 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st.

 

Students commencing Tertiary Study in 2014

Please see Church notice board for further details

 

Notice to LLL Depositors

Our congregation has received a “Notice to LLL Depositors” advising that the interest rate on LLL interest bearing saving accounts will be 3.5% from 1 December 2013. This notice has been placed on the church notice board for your information.

 

Research on conversion to Christianity

Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor

Mobile: 0488 497 881

Phone: 08 8358 2149 or

Email: tayl0548@flinders.edu.au

 

 “In all circumstances, we can give thanks that God has not left us on our own”

 

 

You have to share to be fair

 

We all seem to have an inbuilt sense for justice. From an early age we react when we feel unfairly treated. One of the biggest challenges of parenting is trying to keep things fair between our children. As soon as one feels that they have missed out or have been hard done by, you can bet there will be some complaining.

 

Our innate sense of justice flows from being created in the image of God. The Bible says, ‘The Lord loves righteousness and justice.’ (Psalm 33:5) In God’s eyes we are all equal. He has created us and he equally loves us. When we seek to treat each other as equals we reflect this part of God’s image in us.

 

Working for justice in the world is all about making things fair. When some have more than enough and others have none it is not fair. To make it fair those with plenty need to share with those who have nothing or very little. It sounds simple enough but the problem is those with plenty often do not recognise their abundance. Or, they have gotten so used to living with surplus they find it very hard to contemplate living with less. 

 

This is very true for us who live in Australia. When we see the needs of the poor and reflect on what we can do, we often conclude that we do not have anything to spare to help. Yet on a global scale we are all in the top 5% of the world’s wealthiest simply because we were born in Australia. Our privileged birth place provides us with the resources to share with others and play our part in making things fair for those who are poor simply because of where they were born.

 

We reflect God’s heart for justice when we who have lots go without a little so others who have nothing can have something. God doesn’t call most of us to poverty but neither does he call the poor to poverty. God has provided all the resources we need to ensure no one needs to live in poverty. The problem is one of distribution not provision.

 

Where could you cut back in your life so that you have something left to share with the poor? How can you pass this value of justice on to your children? How can you teach them about the importance of going without a little so they can give something to help those who have nothing? Not only will you be teaching them something very important but you will be helping them discover where real joy is found. The happiest people in the world are often the ones who give the most, not the ones who have the most.

 

Pastor Noel

 

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s promise of comfort” as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in tough times’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

 

Bible Readings: Matthew 5:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

 

Celebration Service Final Dress Rehearsal:

We have spent the entire term in Kingdom Kids preparing for our Celebration Service: The promise of a Saviour King. We will have a full dress rehearsal for all ages in the school gym this Sunday, the 24^th November from 10:45am-12pm, followed by the Celebration Service at 10:30am on Sunday 1^st December. All children involved need to be at this rehearsal. Please contact Laura ASAP if you are unable to attend. Thanks

 

BBQ Lunch cancelled:

Due to the massive amount of work already going into the celebration service, and to avoid over working our volunteers, we have decided to switch the BBQ lunch to a special and gourmet morning tea after the 10:30am service on the 1^st Dec. Thank you to the few families that offered to bring a salad. If you would like to bring a plate of morning tea instead that would be wonderful. Thank you.

 

Baby Zone:

There will be no Baby Zone this Sunday, 24^th November. Instead we’d like to invite the children and their families to come along to our celebrations service dress rehearsal. No supervision for this age will be provided so parents of children aged 3 and under will need to stay. Please feel free to make use of the parenting room during the service if you would prefer not to be involved in the rehearsal. Normal lessons will resume on Sunday 8^th December.

 

Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!

Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme for next week is ‘Christmas tree decorating’ followed by The Nativity Story and finally Carols and Community (a joint celebration with Bethany Kluge’s classroom at GSLS).  $2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of fruit to share. All welcome.

Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.

 

$150 to go!

It has become a tradition at Good Shepherd Para Vista to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. This year we have started making up packs that include an activity booklet from the Lutheran Tract Mission, a set of coloured pencils, a bookmark and some Christian based Christmas stickers (all of which will be given in a small zip lock bag).

 

To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. The total expense of making 150 of these packs is just over $200, so if you feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table on Sundays, or in the main office during the week. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. Just over $60 has been donated so far.

 

Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader

 

New Staff for Children and Family Ministry in 2014

We are pleased to announce that Beth Einthal will be taking over from Laura Carson as the Children and Family Team Leader (12 hours per week) in 2014. Beth currently works in a support role to Laura and this has prepared her well to step up into the leadership of the Children and Family Ministry.

 

We are also pleased to announce that Kathy Liebig will be taking on Beth’s current role of Children and Family Support Worker (8 hours per week). Kathy currently serves as a volunteer in the Kingdom Kids Ministry as well as leading the children’s ministry for Bible Study Fellowship which meets in our church on Tuesday mornings. We thank God for providing Beth and Kathy to give leadership to this very important ministry area in our church.

 

We anticipate Beth and Kathy taking up their new roles sometime in mid-January 2014. We also plan to give Laura Carson a fitting farewell on Sunday 19^th January.

 

Prayer requests

Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

 

Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship – Honey Biscuits

We will be sending honey biscuits to Lutheran Community Care near the end of this month. The biscuits will then be distributed to people who need extra love and Christmas cheer. We welcome the baking efforts of any congregation members and ask that you bring your biscuits to the church kitchen by Sunday 24^th November where they will be collected.

 

We are asked to comply with the following requests: No nuts or 100s and 1000s, some biscuits may be iced and long sprinkles are acceptable. We thank you for your help towards others through our congregation.

 

Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Christmas Break Up Luncheon  

Held on Tuesday 3 December at 12noon in the Para Vista Church Hall. Members of our Good Shepherd Community are invited to a delicious lunch. You will enjoy carol singing, Christmas readings, a Bible message and joyful fellowship.

 

RPVS to Ruth Oster on Ph. 8265 0221 or email: kroster@senet.com.au by Tuesday 26 November. Donation of $12 per person

 

Fundraising

Christmas Stalls

Available after both morning services on the following dates: 24^th November, 8^th and 15^th December.  All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.

 

Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day

This Sunday 24^th November. Sausages are available after 8.45am^t service. Sausages and steak sandwiches are available after 10.30am service. Grab some food and then take part in the Half Yearly meeting at 12.30pm.

 

Retiring Offering for Typhoon Disaster

Last Sunday’s retiring offering for Cebu Missionary Foundation to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the typhoon disaster in the Philippines was $2365.65. This is a fantastic response. This money has been deposited into their Australian Office account and will be put to good use immediately.

 

If you missed this offering and would like to donate you can do so by direct credit to their bank account- International Gospel Centre, BSB 034-204 Account no. 125599. Please include ‘typhoon relief’ in the deposit reference. You can read updates and view photos on their website www.igcfoundation.org.

 

Alternatively you can make a tax deductible donation to Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) online at http://www.alws.org.au/urgent-action.html. ALWS is linking with churches around the world through ACT Alliance to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Please see Church noticeboard for more details.

Notice Board

 

Christmas Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood

We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14^th December.

 

Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the church office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4^th December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.

 

Research on conversion to Christianity

Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor

Mobile: 0488 497 881

Phone: 08 8358 2149 or

Email: tayl0548@flinders.edu.au

 

Lutheran Media

RADIO - Listen to FACE TO FACE Invite others to do the same. Download or listen online at www.facetoface.org.au Check out our inspiring mini movies! More details are on the noticeboard.

 

Information Evening

Tabor Ministry, Theology and Culture (MTC) Faculty are holding an information evening on Wednesday, 27^th November at Tabor Adelaide from 7pm.

 

The Singing Christmas Tree

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loxton presents an outdoor evening of music, drama, lights and the power of the Christmas story. 8pm, December 6^th and 7^th, 13^th and 14^th, 20^th and 21^st.

 

Students commencing Tertiary Study in 2014

Please see Church notice board for further details

 

 

 

 “If you’re happy, let your face know!”

 

 

“…Life is not measured by how much one owns." (Luke 12:15 NCV)

 

During my working life, I have been made redundant 7 times due to businesses going broke, staff downsizing and seasonal work ‘drying up’. I thank the Lord that I was able to quickly ‘secure’ other employment. Losses and other tragedies have a way of putting everything into perspective. They illuminate our values and help us figure out our priorities. We realise what matters most. People matter, not things.

 

I believe when Jesus said, "Life is not measured by how much one owns” is for us to realise and not confuse our net worth with our self-worth.  We are not to confuse our possessions with our position in Christ and our purpose. We should not confuse what we're living on with what we're living for.

 

In the season of loss, we need to clarify our values and really remember what’s important and that is relationships and people. We should not lose our joy over things that are unimportant. One of my favourite sayings is “Have you ever seen a tow-bar on a hearse?” The Bible says, "We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)

 

A job can be taken; there is no such thing as job security. Our health can decline; we can lose the person we're married to! We can lose our youthful attractiveness! I understand these things as I have (except for the latter) experienced them all! Real security comes when we have to build your life on something that can't be taken from us.

 

When we're going through a season of loss, we need not only the support of other people; we also need the perspective of other people. When we're in a season of loss, we don't see the whole picture, our pain constricts our focus, and we need other people who can help you see the big picture. Scripture says, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God.” (Hebrews 12:15 NLT) We need each other to a great extent at this time. And I praise God for those in our church family who are there in an instant to sit and be with those who are and have been in a season of loss to give you comfort, pray with, encourage, and provide meals — whatever was needed.

 

For reflection:

·         What does your life reveal are the most important things to you?

·         What do you think is the best way to approach someone who has experienced a loss so that you can offer help?

 

Barry Klaer

 

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s promise of purpose in the suffering”

as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in tough times’

Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

 

Bible Readings: 1 Peter 4:12-19 and Romans 5:1-5

 

 

Kingdom Kids: The Promise of a Saviour King

We would like to invite all children aged 3-12 to join us in the school this Sunday (during the 10:30am service) as we do final preparations for our 2013 Celebration Service – The promise of a Saviour King. Kindy Zone will meet in their usual classroom for a special lesson titled ‘Worship the King’. We will have a full dress rehearsal for all ages in the school gym on the 24^th November from 10:45am-12pm, followed by the Celebration Service at 10:30am on Sunday 1^st December. PLEASE KEEP THESE DATES FREE.

 

Baby Zone:

Baby Zone ministry for ages 0-3 will continue to run during term 4 and will conclude on Sunday 15^th December. This term we will cover topics such as Jesus loves children, Jesus give s me food and Jesus was a baby. There will be no Baby Zone on the 1^st December as all ages will be involved in our Celebration Service.

 

Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!

Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. This term we have covered topics such as getting ready, Creative Cooking, Holiday Adventures, Helpful Hands (serving others at Christmas) and let’s celebrate. Our theme for next week is ‘giving gifts’ which will be followed by Christmas Tree Decorating, The Nativity Story and finally Carols and Community (a joint celebration with Bethany Kluges classroom at GSLS). 

$2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of fruit to share. All welcome.

Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.

 

Giving gifts at Christmas

It has become a tradition at Good Shepherd Para Vista to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. This year we have started making up packs that include an activity booklet from the Lutheran Tract Mission, a set of coloured pencils, a bookmark and some Christian based Christmas stickers (all of which will be given in a small zip lock bag). To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. The total expense of making 150 of these packs is just over $200, so if you feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ tin located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table on Sundays, or in the main office during the week. $56 has been raised so far to go towards our 2013 Christmas Day packs. Thanks in advance for your support in this way.

 

Laura Carson

Children and Family Team Leader

 

Prayer requests

Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

 

Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship – Honey Biscuits

We will be sending honey biscuits to Lutheran Community Care near the end of this month. The biscuits will then be distributed to people who need extra love and Christmas cheer. We welcome the baking efforts of any congregation members and ask that you bring your biscuits to the church kitchen by Sunday 24 November where they will be collected.

 

We are asked to comply with the following requests: No nuts or 100s and 1000s, some biscuits may be iced and long sprinkles are acceptable. We thank you for your help towards others through our congregation.

 

Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Christmas Break Up Luncheon  

Held on Tuesday 3 December at 12 noon in the Para Vista Church Hall. Members of our Good Shepherd Community are invited to a delicious lunch. You will enjoy carol singing, Christmas readings, a Bible message and joyful fellowship.

 

RPVS to Ruth Oster on Ph. 82650221 or email: kroster@senet.com.au by Tuesday 26 November. Donation of $12 pp

 

Half Yearly Meetings

The half yearly meetings of the church, school and village will be held next Sunday November 24th @ 12:30pm. Lunch will be available after the second service so enjoy lunch, socialise and then attend the meetings. Copies of the church and school agendas and associated materials will be available this Sunday in the member’s information section. The church material will also be emailed to those on our email list.

 

Main agenda items are:

• 2014 budget
• The connect Project
• Overseas Mission Support for 2014

 

Fundraising

 

 

Christmas Stalls

Available after both morning services on the following dates: 17 and 24 November, 1 and 15 December. All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.

 

Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day

Sunday 24 November. Sausages are available after 1^st service. Sausages and steak sandwiches are available after 2^nd service. Grab some food and then take part in the Half Yearly meeting at 12.30pm.

 

Urgent Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Assistance

Typhoon Haiyan caused enormous destruction with winds of up to 380kmh destroying the majority of structures in its path. It is estimated 10,000 people were killed, 480,000 people displaced and up to 12.9 million people affected.

 

We want to encourage everyone at Good Shepherd to show the love and compassion of Jesus by making a donation to help provide immediate assistance to those affected by the Typhoon.

 

This Sunday, 17th November, we will have a retiring offering after both services to support the work of Cebu Missionary Foundation in the Philippines. They will be sending a team to Leyte Island which encountered the full force of the Typhoon to provide food, water and medication to those affected in Samar region. Donations can be deposited directly into their Australian bank account- International Gospel Centre, BSB 034-204 Account no. 125599. Please include ‘typhoon relief’ in the deposit reference.

 

Alternatively you can make a tax deductible donation to Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) online at http://www.alws.org.au/urgent-action.html. ALWS is linking with churches around the world through ACT Alliance to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

 

 

From the Office

 

2013 Budget

   

·         Income in September below budget as offerings slightly below budget.

·         Expenditure $3,073 under budget – ministries $1,000  and plant $3,000 under budget and staff about $1,000 over budget.

·         Although total income some $12,866 under budget, expenditure is $5,401 under budget which counteracts this to some degree.

  

·         Offerings in October were $1,018 over budget.

·         REG was slightly under and Plate offering was $1,214 over budget.

·         Since our Marathon began we have reduced the offering deficit from the peak of $10,755 at end of June to currently $9,058 behind budget.

 

A reminder to all users of the hall and kitchen facilities at Good Shepherd

All users are reminded to ensure the kitchen floor is swept and moped after use. Sweepings are to be picked up and placed in the bin and the bins in the kitchen emptied into the large kerbside bins in the chair store area. If the stoves are used for cooking then they will need to be cleaned and any spills removed prior to lockup. Any equipment is to be returned to its storage place.

 

The hall floor is to be swept as a minimum and any spills are to be moped up with a damp mop.  Please do not leave any water on the floor as this damage the surface.

 

If you do find the facilities in an unacceptable condition when you come to use them please let Stephen or the office staff know at first available opportunity.

 

Please note office closed for staff meeting and lunch

On Thursday 21 November from 11.30am to 1.30pm

Notice Board

 

Christmas Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood

We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14^th December.

 

Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the church office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4^th December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.

 

Sharing the Journey Walk/Ride cancelled

Unfortunately Lutheran Community Care has had to cancel our Sharing the Journey Walk/Ride that was scheduled for this coming Sunday, 17 November at Bonython Park. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to your congregation and families. Anyone who purchased tickets to take part in the ride will be refunded. Please contact us at 08 8269 9333 if you have any questions.

 

Research on conversion to Christianity

Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor

Mobile: 0488 497 881,

Phone: 08 8358 2149 or

Email: tayl0548@flinders.edu.au

 

 

 

 

 

 “The best preparation for tomorrow

is the right use of today”