Walking wet - living in Baptism
Some
Christians make the claim:
“It
doesn’t matter if I keep sinning. Because of Jesus, God will forgive me!”
In Romans
chapter 6, Paul hits this idea for a big six – right out of the park!
Well
then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his
wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died
to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
Or have
you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined
him in his death? For we died and were buried with
Christ by baptism.
And just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we
also may live new lives. (Romans 6:1-4 NLT)
In
baptism, our old sin-stained, fallen, earthly nature has died with Jesus.
In
baptism, we have been raised with Jesus to live a new life destined for heaven.
This new
life is not a return to the rubbish Jesus saved us from, but fidelity to Jesus.
This new
life is one of transformation by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us!
In his
Small Catechism, Martin Luther addresses the question:
What does baptism mean for
everyday living?
Because we have been
baptised, we should keep on drowning the old nature we were born with;
everything selfish and sinful in us has to die.
This happens when day after
day we are sorry for the wrong things we have done and ask God to forgive us.
And the new nature God has
given us in baptism should come to life day after day.
We should live as new
people, who do what is right and good and live with God forever.
Luther’s Small Catechism (Openbook Publishers,
1996), 27.
To keep
deliberately doing wrong is to mock Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, deny
our identity as children of God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and put our salvation
in jeopardy.
By living
in our baptism we remember Jesus’ love for us, recall our identity as children
of God, and by the power of the Holy Spirit seek to reflect the character of
Jesus in our everyday lives.
Pr Rolly
Stahl
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 “Making the
most of opportunities” ‘Be wise in the way you
act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.’ (Colossians 4:5)
Bible Reading: Colossians
4:2-6
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids is back and we are already looking forward to what God has
planned for term 2. This term we are continuing to work our way through the
bible and will be studying the following this Sunday:
Baby Zone: Our
theme for May is ‘People at Church help me’ (with some special Mother’s Day
activities this Sunday)
Kindy Zone: Adam and Eve (our theme for last week was ‘God cares for people’)
Kids Zone: God creates people (our theme for last week was ‘God creates
the world’)
Kool Zone: Saved from the flood (our theme for last week was ‘Sin spoils
creation)
Parents/carers,
reminder please to sign your child in and out of Kingdom Kids each week. This
way we can ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.
Kindy Zone helpers – We are in need of 2 or 3 more helpers in Kindy Zone (for
ages 3-5 + reception) urgently! No preparation is required and you would only
be rostered on once or twice a term. Please contact Laura ASAP if you are
interested.
Baby Zone we are pumped to announce that Matt Huckel
(who is currently studying at Sem to be a Pastor) will be running a 5 week
worship opportunity for Baby Zone kids and their families during the month of
June. This will be an incredible time of teaching, music, movement and worship
as Matt shows us ways we can worship together in our homes. If you have a
child(ren) in Baby Zone, please book aside this time to come along and worship
with us. We ask that at least one parent attends with their child so that the
whole family can benefit from the experience.
Playgroup is back and our theme this term is ‘people at work’. Last
week we had fun being ‘people needed in emergencies’. My favourite part of the
morning was putting out pretend fires with the kids using the hoses we had made
during craft time, and seeing the kids drive around in the ‘police cars’ and
‘ambulances’ (thanks to our creative team member Tammy, who put plastic
containers filled with red and blue cellophane and stickers on the bubble
cars). We finished the morning with the story of Jairus’ daughter and talked
about how God is always there to help us when we are sick, sad, lonely, in
trouble or afraid!!! Our theme for this week is ‘Mother’s Day’ and we will be
looking at what Mothers do in and around the home to help us. 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.
Step Up 2013
This year
has started with an explosion of people, energy and enthusiasm for what Mary Jo
will be teaching us about Communion during the month of May. Our opening
celebration lunch was jam packed with 40 people filling the library to
capacity. Mary Jo kick started the program with an interactive session that
introduced what we will cover over the next few weeks.
Friday night
sessions will be held in the Good Shepherd Primary School from 7:30pm-8:45pm
for the next four weeks. Please pray for the families involved
Laura Carson – Children and Family
Team Leader
Alpha
Please note that Alpha in not on this
Sunday (Mother’s Day) but will instead start at 5pm the following Sunday
(19th May) covering 2 DVDs with our dinner in between. It’s still not too late for anyone to come along. Please contact Debbie Wesselingh if interested.
(19th May) covering 2 DVDs with our dinner in between. It’s still not too late for anyone to come along. Please contact Debbie Wesselingh if interested.
Calling on groups or individuals to
help with meals for the Alpha course. Looking to cater for approx. 25 people on
Sunday nights around 5.30pm. Please contact Debbie Wesselingh if you are able
to help out.
Maranatha
Health Update from Kamwenge, Uganda
While the factory issue in Kamwenge is not yet
resolved, there has been ongoing progress with the relevant government
ministries, extensive coverage in the national media - TV, radio and print, and
some very well connected individuals coming out in staunch support of MH. The
legal team and MH Uganda Board are working tirelessly and are hopeful that
there may be a resolution in favour of MH in a matter of weeks.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing
support in these difficult times. We are eager to have the matter resolved so
that we can get on with what we are in Kamwenge to do: providing the poor with
excellent health care and empowering communities to find lasting solutions to
their wellbeing concerns.
Bake Stall
Sunday 19th May with all proceeds to
Maranatha Health.
If you like baking please think about donating
baked or homemade goodies (think biscuits, cakes, relish, jam, marmalade) for
the stall. Just label your ingredients on the packaging. Donations can be
brought to the Church clearly labelled.
If you like eating baked and homemade goods, please
support the Maranatha Health cause. Let us show everyone at MH Uganda our
support during this difficult time.
From the Board
Budget
summary
For the first time in many years our budget is
running as a deficit. As at the end of April offerings are $6454 under budget.
We ask that you pray that our budget can be met so we can continue our full
ministry at Para Vista.
AGM’s
The AGM’s of the church, school and village will be
held on Sunday May 26th @ 12:30. Reports from the congregation will be
available next Sunday. Due to circumstances beyond our control information will
not be on our web site but instead will be emailed to members.
Please note
office closed for staff meeting and lunch
On Thursday 16th May 2013 from
11.30am to 1.30pm
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 14th June
[9.30am-4pm]
Going Deeper Training, Friday 12th 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 15th
[9am-5pm] and Sunday 16th June
2013 [1pm-5pm]
Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran
School, 388 Montague Road, 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 12th – 19th 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:
v Give thanks for all
that the Churches do together
v 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
v Pray for God’s
grace to move from fractured witness to a deeper expression of unity in Christ
within this place in our church.
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
Apricots are now available from the church
office. Call in during office hours 9am – 3.45pm Monday to Friday. Orders:
phone 8263 5087 or email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Each 500gm bag is
sold for $10.50. The apricots are grown without any sprays, but do have Sulphur
preservative.
Lutheran Students and Friends Invites you to its Quiz Night!
Friday, 17th May
2013 - 6:30pm for 7:00pm start
Australian Lutheran
College refectory
104 Jeffcott Street,
North Adelaide
$10 entry. BYO nibbles
and drinks (inc. alcohol)
A cake stall will also
be operating on the night.
All proceeds to go
towards supporting LSF.
Recognition,
Reconciliation and Relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and the churches in South Australia
SA Council of
Churches made a statement of commitment on 20th April 2013. To
download, please go to www.sacc.asn.au
World Environment Day - Wednesday
5th June 2013
‘A Day of Listening’ – A Time of
Silence………
Walk
Together - a national event as part of Refugee Week, taking place
in 15 Australian Cities, in recognition of the equality and dignity of all
people. Join with people from other churches & communities alongside
the banner Churches Together for Justice and Peace on Saturday 22nd
June 2013,
1pm, at Parliament House, walking to Rundle Park. More information SACC sacc@picknowl.com.au | Ph: 8215 0300 Supported by SA Council of Churches Committees for Local Ecumenism & for Christian World Service
1pm, at Parliament House, walking to Rundle Park. More information SACC sacc@picknowl.com.au | Ph: 8215 0300 Supported by SA Council of Churches Committees for Local Ecumenism & for Christian World Service
Receptive
Ecumenism: Encounter with Beauty, Truth and Love - Annual
Lecture
Offered by Geraldine
Hawkes, Executive Officer, SA Council of Churches
Respondees: Rev'd Dr Vicky
Balabanski and Rev Dr Greg Elsdon
Thursday 20th June 2013, 7.30pm – 9pm
Room S1, Adelaide College of Divinity, 34
Lipsett Terrace, Brooklyn Park
Contribution of $15
per person or $10 concession is payable at the door.
The evening will
include time for conversation and questions.
An initiative of Committee for Ecumenical Learning
Journey
to Recognition - towards Constitutional Recognition
AFL legend Michael Long will take the
symbolic first steps of the Journey on 26th May 2013.
The first leg of the Journey will see supporters walk from Melbourne to
Adelaide, arriving around 30 June, in a relay, and then cycle, drive and paddle
their way to Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory. To make this historic journey
a success, church communities along the route are encouraged to join together to:
a success, church communities along the route are encouraged to join together to:
v
lend their support
by taking part in the Journey
v
attend or help out
with a local event
v
provide volunteers
v
promote the Journey
to Recognition and its importance.
An initiative of Recognise - more
information available at www.recognise.org.au/TheJourney or contact SA
Council of Churches sacc@picknowl.com.au - Supported by SA
Council of Churches Committees for Local Ecumenism & for Christian World
Service
BSF
(BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP) BSF is an interdenominational movement with
groups all over Australia and the rest of the world. In the past two years we
have studied the books of Acts and Isaiah. This year we’re focusing in on
Genesis and God’s continuing desire to be in relationship with us today.
Classes consist of small group time and a talk on the week’s passage. Notes are
then given out to review at home as well as questions on the following week’s
segment.
If you are interested in finding out more, why not
come along to church on Tuesday morning at 9:30 or contact Sonia on 7122 2903
with any questions.
Lost
and FOUND Handbag and mobile phone. Enquiries to church
office 8263 5087
A short prayer will always reach the throne no
matter where you are
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
