Faithful People Serve Others - Pay attention God is talking to you!
Again I’m amazed at how God talks to me about
service and serving in the church. Another word for service is ministry. God
has given you and me a gift to use to minister or serve His church. We are all
called to be ministers; it’s not just a position for pastor or paid staff.
“God has given each of you a gift
from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another”
(1 Peter 4:10 NLT)
On service, Saddleback
senior pastor Rick Warren says, “God
uses my talents to test my unselfishness. You have to decide in life for whom
or what you’re going to live. You’re either going to live a self-centred,
miserly life or you’re going to live for something greater than yourself — the
kingdom of God. Faithful people don’t live for themselves. They realize that
the talents God gave them are not for their own benefit; they’re to make the
world a better place. God shaped you to serve him, and there’s only one way to
do that: by serving other people.”
Remember Ps. Rolly sermon[1]
introduction last week regarding radical relationships? Speaking generally about our Australian
culture it is suggested that (1) we look more into looking out for what we can
get, rather than what we can give; (2) we are more into making demands than making
commitments and (3) we are more into power and control than serving and caring
for others.
Rick Warren further stated that,
“Faithful people realize that their talents are not for their benefit. You may
have a talent for art and say that you do it “just because you love to do it.”
That’s nice, but that’s not a good enough motive. God didn’t give you artistic
ability just so you can love to do it. He gave it to you so you can use your
art in some way to help other people.
When God made you, he gave you all
kinds of gifts, talents, and abilities, your S.H.A.P.E; Spiritual gifts, Heart,
Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These five things
make you you. And God
made you you. There’s
nobody like you in the whole world, and he wants you to be you for his glory. God made us all different
so that everything in the world gets done. If we all liked to do the same
thing, there would be a whole lot left undone[2]”.
Through their own choice, many folk today are time
poor. I have been one of those. I, like others used recreation time to pursue
happiness. In his book, “The Happiness Trap – Stop Struggling, Start
Living” author Dr. Russ Harris poses the question, “What exactly is
happiness?” I’m sure we all agree with
Dr. Harris when he says that we all want it, we all crave it, [and] we all
strive for it[3]. He writes that happiness
has two meanings. “Usually it refers to a feeling; a sense of pleasure,
gladness or gratification. We all enjoy happy feelings, so it’s no surprise
when we chase them. However feelings of happiness do not last no matter how
hard we try to hold onto them they slip away every time”.
The other meaning of happiness is a rich, full and
meaningful life. When we take action on the things that truly matter deep in
our hearts, when we move in directions which we consider valuable and worthy,
when we clarify what we stand for in life and act accordingly, then our lives
become rich and full and meaningful and we experience a powerful sense of
vitality. This is not some fleeting feeling – it is a profound sense of a life
well lived. If we live a full life, we
will feel the full range of human emotions, pleasurable feelings, as well as
uncomfortable ones, such as sadness fear and anger. Life involves pain. However
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come
that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV) and
as victor over sin and death Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that
in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16.33 NIV) Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John
13.33-35).
For prayer and meditation: “Do I want to live a
full and complete life as God wants of me?” if so, “What gift has God given me
to serve his people and how can I use my gifts and talents to serve others?”
As God prompts you, come and speak with Pastors
Noel, Rolly or me, in fact any of the ministry team or admin staff about the
areas in which you would like to serve.
Barry Klaer
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 in the series
“You Got It! (Colossians)”. This
week’s message is “Get up and get
dressed” When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NIV)
Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-14
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids welcome back! This Sunday is our first week back for Term 2
and we can’t wait! We would like to invite all children between the ages of 3
and 12 to join us in the school for an interactive, bible based morning with
incredible teachers and a jam packed program. Get ready to be impacted by our
awesome God!
Baby Zone is
also starting again this term and would like to invite children between the
ages of 0 and 3 to join us up in the Education Centre during the 10:30am
service. Tanya Harrison and her team have been working hard to prepare for
another wonderful term learning about God and faith through play, music, craft,
prayer and so much more. Parents are more than welcome to stay and join in the fun.
We look forward to seeing you there.
DONATIONS
ARE STILL URGENTLY NEEDED. CAN YOU HELP? If you would prefer to make a small
money donation towards these items that would be great too. Please do so via
the front office.
- Small plastic watering can and toy gardening tools
- Colourful scarves for waving around (small ie. bandana size)
- A few animal and people puppets
- 1 set of plastic bowls (ie. Ikea ones), 1 set of plastic spoons, 1 set of plastic cups
- 1 set of large plastic toy food
- Several fake/plastic/silk flowers
- Several soft balls
- Unbreakable mirror
- 2 magnifying glasses
- 2 masking tape and 2 clear sticky tape (thin)
- 1 pkt Blu tac and 5 small glue sticks
- Blue and green crepe paper
- 1 pkt large paper plates
Playgroup started
up again last Wednesday 2nd May and would like to invite all
families with preschool aged children to join in. Our theme this term is
‘people at work’. We will be looking at a variety of work places and people
through creative play, music, storytelling, visits from special guests, shared
morning tea and plenty of tea and coffee for the big people!!! 9:30am -11:30am
in the Church Hall. $2 per child per each week or $3 for a family. We hope to
see you there.
Little
Lambs Playgroup is still looking for a new coordinator. There is an amazing
team of ladies who run the playgroup together; we are looking for someone to
oversee and coordinate this team! Please consider if this might be you? Minimal
work required.
Step Up 2013
Reminder: Step Up
starts this Sunday and will kick off with a shared family lunch in the School
Library after the 10:30am service. Please
bring a meal to share and get ready to embark on a journey that we pray will be
life changing. If you are interested but have not yet registered, please do so
today so that you don’t miss out (and so that we can cater for you and your
family).
All sessions
will be held in the Good Shepherd Primary School. Mary Jo Zwar is our Step Up
facilitator – and she is fabulous. We ask at least one parent to attend
each session with their child.
Possible
dates for Step Up to receive Holy Communion: Sunday 9 June or 23 June.
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
Women’s Fellowship
Next meeting: Tuesday 7th
May, 1.00pm @ Para Vista Church Hall.
The theme is “My Cup Runneth Over”. Bring your favourite cup/mug/glass and tell
us why it is special to you
Card Stall
A variety of cards will be on sale again this Sunday
after both morning services. Sue will also have a unique range of
Mother’s Day cards for sale as well. Treat mum to something special and support
the Cebu Missionary Foundation.
Maranatha
Health Breakfast at Bron's on 18th May
Hi everyone, come and join us 18th May for another
“Breakfast at Brons” to raise money for Maranatha Health. Get a group together
and enjoy a morning of fun and laughter… Come any time during the morning… Send
an email or text one of us to make a booking. Look forward to seeing many of
you there.
Bron and the team
From the Board
CONNECT
During May we urge you to take one of the
opportunities listed below to find out more about the exciting Connect project.
- Sunday May 5th there will be a short presentation during both services.
- After both services on Sunday May 5th and 12th the draft plans will be on display in the hall. There will be members of the Planning Team available to answer questions. There will also be a hand out available.
- On Tuesday May 21st there will be a meeting in the church at 7:30pm. This will be a good opportunity to fully discuss the plans, ask questions and hear the views of other members.
- At the AGM on Sunday May 26th the following motion will be tabled:
“This meeting authorises the Board to further investigate the cost of
the Connect project and report to the congregation no later than the Half
Yearly meeting in November.
Church
School and Village AGM’S
The
AGM’S of the church, school and village will be held on Sunday May 26th
at 12:30. Detailed information will be available on Sunday May 19th
and also on our Website from this date. There will be a luncheon after the
second service so you can be have lunch and then attend the meeting.
Maranatha
Health
The
first newsletter for 2013 from Maranatha Health is on our Web site Outreach/
Overseas Mission and Outreach
From the Office
A view of Adelaide to be experienced - I am seeking the assistance of a couple of
members to assist in cleaning the gutters here at Para Vista. The task would
only involve an hour of spare time whilst being able to gain a view of the
surrounding area not normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the
office on 8263 5087 or put on your Sunday welcome card your intention to be
part of the “View Adelaide with a
difference” team.
Soft
Dividers For Sale/Donation - The church has a number of soft room
divider surplus to requirement. The
dividers are self-standing in various colours and in good condition. Each divider is approximately 1200mm wide X
1800mm high. Please contact the church
office or Stephen on 8263 5087 churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Notice Board
'Prepare Training' for
Facilitators
Training
qualifies educators to deliver the Preparing for Marriage program for couples,
which assists in focussing on critical relationship issues, identifying areas
of strength and potential growth, and choosing a positive direction for the
future. Educators must have relevant training in teaching, social work, family
therapy or pastoral care.
Prepare Core Training, Friday 14 June
[9.30am-4pm]
Going Deeper Training, Friday 12 July
[9.30am-3pm]
Venue:
Magill, Cost: $250.00
[NB: Fee covers both training days, but you can attend the second
session later in the year if preferred]
'Preparing for Marriage'
Courses
Saturday 15 [9am-5pm] and Sunday 16 June 2013 [1pm-5pm]
Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran
School, 388 Montague Rd, Para Vista
Cost: $160/couple if both employed; $85 if one
employed; $65 if neither employed/students.
For registrations or more information: Tel:
8331 3111; Email: magill@lccare.org.au
Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity 12-19 May 2013
An outline of a
service that may be adapted for local use has been prepared by a small group
through SA Council of Churches. It is available at www.sacc.asn.au or phone 8215
0300.
The Service invites
us all to:
Give thanks for all
that the Churches do together
Consider any place within
our own denomination – eg synod, board, council, congregation, agency,
committee - in need of healing, especially as it pertains to the structures,
practices, systems or processes
Pray for God’s
grace to move from fractured witness to a deeper expression of unity in Christ
within this place in our church.
From Fractured Witness to
Healing, Wholeness and Unity in Christ: Ecumenical Prayer Service during Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity
“…that they may all
be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21) South Australian
Council of Churches invites
you to a service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Wednesday 15 May
2013, 8am - 9am
Parkside Baptist
Church, 100 Young Street, Parkside
RSVPs would be helpful, or for more
information, contact Geraldine Hawkes, South Australian Council of
Churches. E: sacc1@picknowl.com.au | Ph: 8215 0300 | www.sacc.asn.au
Receptive Ecumenism
Workshop
Wednesday 15 May
2013, 7.30pm for 7.45pm - concluding with supper at 9.15pm
Morialta Uniting
Church, 26 Chapel Street, Magill
The workshop, hosted
by Morialta UCA and Magill Interchurch Council, will explore key elements of
Receptive Ecumenism and what possibilities exist for action at the local
level. It will be facilitated by Marelle Harisun (Uniting Church),
Drew Thomas (Quaker) and Geraldine Hawkes (SA Council of Churches)
Ascension service
Bethlehem,
Flinders Street, Adelaide, is holding an Ascension service on Thursday 9th May at 7:30pm. Anyone wishing to celebrate the festival
with us is welcome to come along.
Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting. Topic: ‘Target practice
after church’ – Hahndorf Rifle Club’s story. Speaker: Brian Hennig. The Hahndorf Rifle Club, its Kingshoot
winners and their crafted medals. At Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide, on
Monday 20th May at 7.30 pm.
Supper. Gold coin donation.
Supper. Gold coin donation.
Making
Disciples of All
Faith
Connections for Adults with Intellectual Disability
Saturday, 18th May, 2013
9.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Golden
Grove Lutheran Fellowship
Address: Corner of Sunnybrook and Richardson Drive, Wynn Vale
Venue: To get
there: Bus Stop 57 on the M44 bus route
Cost:
$15, payable on the day, includes materials and morning tea
Barmera Parish
Dried Apricots Missions Fund Raising
Each 500gm bag is
sold for $10.50. The apricots are grown without any sprays, but do have Sulphur
preservative. They come straight from the grower so have not been
rehydrated as have those which are commercially available
in Supermarkets. Except for a quite small amount retained for maintenance,
the Funds raised this year will be forwarded through the Lutheran Board for
Missions to Projects we have already supported in Cambodia and to the Mango
Tree Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled in Tonga, via NazCare Australia
Inc.
Apricots are now available from the church
office. Call in during office hours 9am – 3.45pm Monday to Friday. Orders: ph
8263 5087 e: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
INVITATION TO THE OPENING AND DEDICATION of the
GRAMP DEVELOPMENT AND CHAPEL
TANUNDA LUTHERAN HOME, 17 BRIDGE ST, TANUNDA 1PM
SUNDAY 5TH MAY
All Pastors and Members
of the Lutheran Church and other interested people are specially invited to
attend this event. With many thanks for your support of this project. The
Development and Chapel will be dedicated by President David Altus (LCASANT) and
the sermon will be preached by President Mike Semmler (LCA). Afternoon tea and
tours will follow the service. It would be appreciated if people reply on 8563 7777
by Wednesday 1st May.
Life is too short to
waste time hating anyone
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
