Friday, June 14, 2013

16th June 2013


Good, pleasing and desirable.
When God created Adam and Eve He gave them a clear instruction, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). This was God’s plan. For a while Adam and Eve allowed His voice to be their guide.

It wasn’t long before the voice of another came and began to speak contrary to what God had said. The serpent’s voice rang loud, “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3: 4) he said to Eve.

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took it and ate it” (Genesis 3:6).

We have a tendency in life to believe that if something is good, pleasing and desirable then it must be right for us. However, as Eve discovered, just because something is good, pleasing and desirable it does not mean it is God’s plan for our lives. Eve let the serpent’s words shape her decision. “The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate it’” (Genesis 3:13).

The chances are there will be at least one person, in any situation in life, encouraging you to go against God’s plan. This does not mean they are the devil, but he can and will use their words to get you off track. If something feels right and people are encouraging you to do it then it can be really hard to even stop and consider that maybe it is not God’s plan. But as followers of Jesus we need to be mindful that God’s voice speaks louder than any other.

By getting into the Word, talking and listening to God and seeking counsel from older and wiser Christians we can be confident we are making a way for God’s voice to come through. The next step, which is probably the hardest, is doing what God says.

We will never be able to do this perfectly and God’s grace is not dependent on our ability to. Allowing God’s voice to be the loudest may not always seem ‘good, pleasing and desirable’ but God is sovereign overall and if you put your trust in Him, He will not lead you astray.

Sophie



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 “Life in the Word” This week’s message is “Living in the Word” Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Bible Reading: Matthew 7:21-27; James 1:22-25
Podcasts available at www.paravista.org.au



Kingdom Kids:
This term we are continuing to work our way through the bible and will be studying the following this Sunday:
Baby Zone - Family Worship Workshop No. 3 with Matt Huckel (gaining tools and ideas for nurturing faith at home)
Kindy Zone - Stargazing, from Genesis 15:1-6  
Kids Zone - The birth of Isaac, from Genesis 18 and 21
Kool Zone - Lies and deception, from Genesis 25, 26, 27, 28

Please have a chat to your children, grandchildren, friends or those you see around the church to find out more about the awesome work God is doing in the lives of our Kingdom Kids.

Kindy Zone helpers:  We are still looking for 3 more helpers in Kindy Zone (ages 3-5 + reception).  Please consider getting involved as a helper (no preparation involved) so that we are able to continue this important ministry each week.

Boy Girl Chats: Kool Zone (for year levels 4+) will have their first ‘BOY GIRL’ session on Sunday 23rd June. Nathan Carson will lead the boys’ chat, while the girls enjoy good conversation and hot chocolate with some of the Ignite Youth Leaders. We will explore topics such as respecting the opposite gender, putting God before worldly desires, honouring God at home and school and any other ‘girl boy’ topics the kids wish to discuss. Please speak to Laura if you have questions or concerns or if you would like to access the new ‘parent aid’ resources in our church library.

Kids Film Series round 2
Most families would have received a mail out last week containing the next round of questions for our Kids Film series. Emma Kluge and her team will be filming the kids’ responses on Sunday 30th June. Please take the time to read through and discuss the questions at home. We look forward to sharing their responses in worship soon. Extra copies of the questions can be found at the sign in table at the back of the church. Please help yourself.
 
Playgroup:
We need the church’s support. Could you help with the following?
  1. Set up and pack up
  2. Story time
  3. Leadership: Playgroup needs a new coordinator.

You do not need to have any previous involvement in playgroup, or children/grandchildren in playgroup to get involved.

This term we are celebrating different places of work. Our theme on Wednesday was ‘at the Post Office’. Our theme for next week will be ‘at School’. 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.

Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
 



 
MEMBERSHIP AT GOOD SHEPHERD
Discovery is the vehicle by which membership is attained – it is the “Road to Relationship and Growth”.
If you have been attending Good Shepherd for some time and have not attended Discovery or are new,
Discovery is for you!
Discovery runs over two Tuesday evenings: 25th June 2013   6:30pm – 9:00pm
Come and meet the staff over a complimentary dinner with tea, coffee and dessert
2nd July 2013   6:50pm – 9:00pm Complimentary coffee & tea
Enrolment is simple: Ring the church office (8263 5087); Email, churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or
write ‘Discovery’ on your welcome card in a worship service



From the Board
Social Media
The Board continued discussion on the use of Social Media to help further our mission. There was also a wider discussion on how we can improve communication and our web site. The outcomes when implemented will be exciting.

Visit from Children and Family ministry staff team
Laura and Beth accepted an invitation from the Board to talk about Children and Family ministry. They discussed the ministry now, their plans for the future and informed the Board how we could assist this ministry area. The Board was very impressed with what is happening and their clarity for future directions.

2013 Budget
The Board spent considerable time discussing the 2013 financial position. Present indications are that there will be a deficit in 2013. This will be first deficit for many years.

LCA Questionnaire
Considerable time was spent completing a questionnaire from the SA District.



Upcoming worship series at Good Shepherd:
Getting a Grip on Life
(based on Proverbs)
Proverbs is intensely interested in the art of living well. 
One of the keys towards this goal is to pursue wisdom.
Trusting the Lord and doing life HIS way is the beginning of wisdom. 
Come and join in this series as we get wisdom from God on living well.

       June 23    1. Gaining a heart of wisdom
       June 30    2. Mastering my mouth!
       July 7       3. Taming my temper!
       July 14     4. Surviving my schedule
       July 21     5. The fine art of friendship
       July 28     6. Succeeding at work (8:45am service only)

Cultivating Generosity will be our 4-week August series
Sept 1 (Father’s Day) 7. Cultivating character



In your Good Shepherd Church Library
Tools to help us unpack God’s Word
(with edited descriptions from www.koorong.com)


Matthias Media, The Bible Overview. DVD rom and Participant’s workbook.
The Bible is God's word. If people are to know God truly, and understand their world and themselves, they must have an understanding of the message of the Bible. The Bible Overview was created because of a perception that many people, Christian and non-Christian, find the Bible daunting and hard to understand. The aim of TBO is to equip each other to better read, understand, and apply the Bible.

The Bible Overview consists of four parts:
1. An overview of the story of the whole Bible (known as the General Presentation). This includes 15 pictures with name cards, each representing a stage in the unfolding story of the Bible.
2. A way of summarizing the message of the Old Testament (the Old Testament Presentation).
3. A way of summarizing the message of the New Testament (the New Testament Presentation).
4. A straightforward process for understanding passages of the Bible. This process is called the COMA method (Context, Observation, Meaning, Application).            Church Library: 220/MAT




Have you ever heard people say that they think very highly of Jesus but don't agree with some of the teachings of the Bible?

John Chapman shows that if we are to trust in Jesus we must also trust in Jesus' own view of God's word. He also explains how to read and explore the Bible to get the most from it.

Rolly’s comment: This is a short book, with Chappo’s warmth oozing encouragement for us to get into the Bible.  Great for those starting off on the journey with Jesus - or for old Christians who rarely read the Bible.
Church Library: 220/CHA


Notice Board

“The Lutheran” Magazine
Did you know you can now receive the Lutheran from the iTunes App Stor.
Click on the App Store icon on your iPad and search for “The Lutheran” Brochures are available from the information rack in the foyer.
For those people who already subscribe to the Lutheran (magazine form) – your renewal is due this month. Please ensure you make your payment, either on-line, or to the church office.

 



Get outside every day.
Miracles are waiting everywhere.



Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au