Thank you Lord for Your gifts to us!
“Now
as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same
function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and
individually members of one another.
According to the grace [of God] given to us, we have different gifts.”
Romans 12 4-6 CSB
Again as a staff
team we thank God for all who served over the Christmas and new year services.
We appreciate that it is a particularly busy time for everyone and we praise
God for service for kingdom growth. Thank you! I guess I was a little bemused
by one man’s comment, as he was assisting to clean the courtyard and car
parking areas, that he was not aware of how much preparation went into
organizing and presenting these services. Yes as a staff and with blessed
assistance we are all flat out organising and doing many tasks to bring about
our mission plan “to reach into the
community with the gospel that all may know Jesus and worship Him!”
Notwithstanding
the gifts of service of those who served during Christmas, we continue to pray
for and praise God for all who serve in so many areas of ministry at Good
Shepherd. Without the body working together it would die.
If you
have been thinking that God has given you a prompting or desire to be involved
in ministry, (another word for service), in His church here at Good Shepherd,
please contact me or the church office. Maybe you feel that you do not have
anything significant to offer, if so read on, I love this sermon illustration
by Richard Love;
“Sir
Michael Costa, the celebrated conductor, was holding a rehearsal. As the mighty
chorus rang out, accompanied by scores of instruments, the musician playing the
piccolo (a little pint-sized flute) thinking perhaps that his contribution
would not be missed amid so much music, stopped playing. Suddenly, the great
leader stopped and cried out, "Where is the piccolo?"
The sound of that one small instrument was essential to the harmony, and the conductor missed it when it dropped out. The point? To the conductor there are no insignificant instruments in an orchestra. Sometimes the smallest and seemingly least important one can make the greatest contribution, and even if it doesn't seem to make that big a difference to the audience at large, the conductor knows it right away![1]
In God's kingdom there is a place for everyone. There are no exceptions to this rule. Therefore it is important that everyone is in his or her place if God's work on earth is going to be done harmoniously.
Edward Hales author, historian and clergyman said, "I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will."
The sound of that one small instrument was essential to the harmony, and the conductor missed it when it dropped out. The point? To the conductor there are no insignificant instruments in an orchestra. Sometimes the smallest and seemingly least important one can make the greatest contribution, and even if it doesn't seem to make that big a difference to the audience at large, the conductor knows it right away![1]
In God's kingdom there is a place for everyone. There are no exceptions to this rule. Therefore it is important that everyone is in his or her place if God's work on earth is going to be done harmoniously.
Edward Hales author, historian and clergyman said, "I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will."
How
has God uniquely gifted you?
May I propose this prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you have a place for me in your kingdom work on earth. Please help me to sharpen my gift and use it for your glory in the world in which I live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Thankfully, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
Barry
Klaer
This week we continue the series
“Conviction in the face of compromise”. This
week’s message “Standing tall under pressure”. ‘When you
hear the music, you must bow down and worship the statue that King
Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who
refuses will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace.’ (Daniel 3:5-6)
Bible Reading: Daniel 3
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids are on holidays and will restart when school returns in
2013.
Baby Zone
Please pray for this ministry and consider if you or anyone you know
could be involved in any way. We need more volunteers to keep this ministry
going. Please contact Beth if you would like to know more!
Playgroup
Playgroup will begin again when school starts back in February 2013. If
you are interested in helping out with this ministry, please have a chat to
Beth.
Beth Einthal
Relief Children and Family Team
Leader
Women's
Fellowship
The
next 'sit & stitch' afternoons, to finish patch work quilts for blessing at
the Lutheran Women of Australia Convention in April 2013 and then to be handed
on to Lutheran Community Care for distribution to those in need, will be on
29th January and 12th March 2013 from 1pm - 4pm in the church hall.
Craft for 2013
will commence on Thursday 17th January. We are meeting at the church
hall from 7:30-9:30pm. Bring along your craft project – we are a group of
ladies who stitch, quilt, knit or crochet or anything in between! There is no
cost involved. For any further details, please ring Anthea on 0417 868 066
Maranatha Health: Opportunities to hear
updates
Knightsbridge
Baptist Church, Sunday 13th January at 6:00 pm
The
Gala Dinner is on Friday 25th January at John DiFede Reception
Centre, 10 Freebairn Street, Windsor
Gardens from 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start. RSVP and payment of $110 per guest must
be made as soon as possible this week at contact@maranathahealth.org
The
event will of course also feature delicious food, unique entertainment and
silent and live auctions.
Happy New Year
From the Pastoral Paddock:
FAT
FEBRUARY
February
2013 is already chockers with a trilogy of events.
The first event:
Beginning
with the Back to School celebration
lunch after the 10:30am service on 3rd February, as a church
family we have the opportunity to show hospitality and the genuine love of
Jesus as we meet and greet new and longstanding school families not associated with
Good Shepherd.
The
second event:
"Disability 101 – Foundations for enabling the church".
Lutheran Disability
Services (formerly Amandus) invites you to this workshop
which gives practical information to assist your church to grow as a place
of acceptance for people with disabilities. This workshop has been
produced by CBM and is one of a range of materials available for that
purpose.
Date: Saturday, 9th February 2013
Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm (be ready for a 9.00am start)
Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 388 Montague Road, Para
Vista
Cost: $15, which includes materials and morning tea
To register
The
Third Event:
African Gathering:
Saturday 23rd February 2013
11:00am (Australian time) for worship and lunch
Concluding
at 4:00pm (Australian time)
This
gathering is open to all who wish to participate as well as for African people
who are part of the ministry and mission of the Lutheran Church and for others
who work with them or are interested in this ministry
This gathering
is open to all. As Pastoral Care and Fellowship Team leader I strongly
encourage you to attend and participate. We want to empower our African sisters
and brothers so for the rest of us the emphasis is on listening and learning
rather than telling. Our cultural diversity brings richness to the fabric of
our Church and is part of God’s blessing to us in the 21st Century.
We have much to learn from the faith in Jesus Christ many of our African
sisters and brothers live today. A faith that has often been tested by hardship
and tragedy that the rest of us may struggle to comprehend. A faith that is
naturally shared with others and celebrated with vigour and enthusiasm. Like
all relationships this is two-way. We all have much to contribute and much to
receive.
Barry Klaer
Pastoral Care
From the office
Staff Leave
Sophie 26th December 2012
– 15th January 2013
Rolly On leave till 28th
January 2013 inclusive
Notice Board
Please see Notice Board for more Information
Renew summer camp
For 18 years
and over. 15th – 18th February at Victor
Harbor. Regos are open http://renew2013.eventzilla.net
Vacancies
ALWS Cambodia, Sudan & Kenya Program Officer
Australian
Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the aid and development agency of the Lutheran
Church of Australia (LCA). It is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated person
to oversee the Cambodia, Sudan and Kenya programs. This is a unique, full-time
position which provides opportunities in both Asia and Africa, and across both
development and relief fields. Based in Albury, the position offers a balance
of living in regional Australia while still being connected to the
international community. ALWS invites qualified and experienced applicants who
are committed to serving the world’s poor and marginalised through a global
network of partners. Applications close 25th January 2013. For more
information, please contact ALWS at 1300 763 407, the Acting Executive
Secretary at cheym@alws.org.au, or
visit our website at www.alws.org.au.
Lay Worker/Ministry Worker Required 6 – 8 hours per Week Albert
Park, SA
We are
seeking a motivated Lay Worker to develop ministry with children and families
in our local community and reinvigorate our current Kids Club program. Experience working with migrant children and
families, especially African cultures, would be an advantage. The
position has an initial time frame of 3 years with flexible working hours of 6-8
hours per week.
For more information
and a position description, please contact Pastor Rodger Russ, Phone 8345 3780
or Email: woodpars@chariot.net.au
Postal
Address: 64 Botting Street,
ALBERT PARK SA 5014
Applications close 30th
January, 2013 to be forwarded to Pastor Rodger Russ.
Patience is trusting in God’s timing
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
