23rd June 2013

Building on a sure foundation

The first house we owned was built in the early 1930’s. It had strip foundations and was built on the clay soil of Adelaide which expands and contracts with the seasons. This meant the house would often move leaving unsightly cracking in our walls and cornices. The house we live in now is built on a slab and is far more stable on our clay soils. We have next to no cracking in our house. The reason for this is partly due to the foundation but also the soil is much more stable where we currently live. The more solid the soil we build on the better the house will stand.

Jesus uses this imagery of building on a solid foundation as a way of describing how we can build our lives on something solid or something shaky. He says, ‘anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on a rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and flood come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.’ (Matthew 7:24-27)

When we build our lives on the teaching of Jesus we are building on something very solid that will sustain us through even the most difficult times in our lives. When we build our lives on something else we are standing on something that will crumble when the storms of life come our way.

It sounds straight forward enough but it is much harder initially to build on rock than it is on sand. Sand is easy to dig and form whereas rock takes a lot more work, effort, and time. Yet in the long run it pays off. Following Jesus is not easy. It requires sacrifice and effort and these are not popular in a world that is seeking to make things easy and comfortable. Yet a life built on ease and comfort has no ability to keep standing when life gets tough and requires some sacrifice and effort from us. A life built on Jesus has a foundation that can hold us up in the toughest situations. What are you building your life on?

Pastor Noel

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 start a new series “Getting a grip on life” This week’s message is “Gaining a heart of wisdom” Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it.  Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor.  Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.  Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.  (Proverbs 3:15-18 GN)

Bible Reading: 1Kings 3:4-15 and Proverbs 1:1-7

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. 4 with Matt Huckel (tools & ideas for nurturing faith at home)

Kindy Zone - A baby boy, from Genesis 21:1-8

Kids Zone - Isaac and Rebekah, from Genesis 24; 25:19-26

Kool Zone - ‘Boy Girl’ chat with members of the Ignite Youth Team (girls) and Nathan Carson (boys).

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 this Sunday. Nathan Carson will lead the boys’ chat, while the girls enjoy good conversation and hot chocolate with Ignite Youth Leaders Sophie Gerrie and Emma Kluge. 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 School’. Our theme for next week will be ‘Cooking’. 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.

Child Safe Team Member Training

To help everyone meet their Child Safe requirements, we will be hosting a Child Safe Team Member training session here at Good Shepherd on the 10th August from 12-6pm. Tea, coffee and afternoon tea will be provided! It will be held in the Education Centre (up the stairs at the back of the church hall).  Child supervision will be provided for those who need to bring their children.

If you have completed Mandatory Notification Training in the last 3 years then you will only need to complete the first 3 hour session of the training (you will need to present your original certificate on the day).

We need ALL volunteers in Children, Family and Youth ministry to complete this training ASAP so that we can continue to run safe programs for our kids. Please contact the church office on 8263 5087 to register. Payment will be covered. Beth Einthal

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: 25^th June 2013   6:30pm – 9:00pm

Come and meet the staff over a complimentary dinner with tea, coffee and dessert

2^nd 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

Cebu Missionary Foundation Fundraising
Plant Stall this Sunday the 23rd and 30th June after both morning services.  If you have potted up some plants for the stall, please note that you can bring your plants to the Hall on Sat 22nd June from 10.30am til 12noon. Otherwise bring them on Sunday prior to the service that you are attending, so they can be priced. Please have them labelled with the name of the plant and the colour of the flower, if they are flowering plants.

Also, Kathy Zeppel will have a rack of her knitted scarves for sale this Sunday, with part proceeds for Cebu Mission.

From the Office

Budget 2013

• Income is close to $4,750 below budget, primarily due to Offerings being $3,180 below budget.
• Expenditure is $1,600 below budget.
• Overall we are $3,147 behind budget to end of April 2013.
• In comparison to same time last year – that is the end of April 2012, we were $5,000 above budget in income and $12,000 below budget in expenditure.

A point of concern for all members to consider is reflected by May offerings being recorded as $5,600 below budget for the month.

Office Fax Machine

As technology improves the fax machine in the church office is no longer utilised and therefore deemed excess to requirements.  After discussions with the staff the machine is to be decommissioned. Staff now use email and scan documents for transmission.   The removal of the machine will create cost efficiencies in the office.

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) Cultivating character

Notice Board

FAREWELL SERVICE for Dr Mike Semmler retiring as President of the Lutheran Church of Australia.

3.30pm Sunday 30 June 2013 at the Barossa Arts and Convention Centre, Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda.  Offering for post graduate studies for pastors to provide the Church with capable theologians. All Welcome. 

“The Lutheran” Magazine

Did you know you can now receive the Lutheran from the iTunes App Store?

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.

Nothing wastes more time than worry

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au Email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
388 Montague Road Para Vista SA  5093	Phone: 8263 5087	PO Box 306 Modbury North SA  5092