It is
so easy to get ahead of ourselves in life. We can be so focussed on what is
going to happen in a week or two, or even a year or two that we fail to fully
engage with what is before us today. This can cause us to miss out on enjoying
today; it can prevent us from being grateful for what we have today.
Many of
us suffer from what I call “When and then” thinking. When I am less busy then I
will be happy. When I go on holidays then I can relax. When I get a pay rise
then we will be able to worry less about money. When my kids stop acting out
then I will be able to enjoy them. There’s no denying that we all go through
tough times and when these pass life becomes easier. Yet “when and then”
thinking can become habitual robbing us of the ability to enjoy today and being
grateful for what it brings. It can also shift our dependence and trust away
from God and on to our circumstances.
In the
Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” Notice
the word ‘daily’. Jesus wants us to ask God for what we need today, not
tomorrow or next week? Why is that? By asking God each day for our daily bread
we firstly acknowledge God as our provider and secondly declare our dependence
on him for our daily needs. It also helps us to live each day as it comes
depending on God for what we need today and not getting ahead of ourselves by
worrying about tomorrow.
Many of
us have more than our daily food in our refrigerators, freezers and pantries.
We often have enough food for several days. This can cause us to not look to
God for our daily food. However, when we pray “Give us today our daily bread,”
it reminds us to be thankful to God for what we have today and enables us to
enjoy it. “When and then” thinking stops when we thank God for what we have
today.
Praying
the Lord’s Prayer helps us to live one day at time. It keeps our hearts
focussed on God our heavenly Father who gives us each day to live under his
care and provision.
Pastor
Noel
This Sunday at Good
Shepherd
This
week’s message will be ‘Succeeding at
Work’ as part of our previous series ‘Getting a Grip on Life’. Podcasts of
the message are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bible Readings:
Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Our theme for
playgroup this term is “God makes growing things” and this week we celebrated
‘Father’s Day’. Next week we will celebrate ‘mini beasts’ and would like to
invite you to join us. Come along between 9:30am and 11:30am in the Church
Hall. All welcome. $2 per child or $3 for a family (please being a piece of
fruit to share).
Please contact Beth
Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.
Playgroup twilight
event
Do you usually miss
out on coming to playgroup? Here’s your chance! Come along to our 2013 Twilight
event on Wednesday 18th September from 5pm-7pm in the Church Hall. Please bring
$5 to cover the cost of BBQ meat, bread, drinks and dessert for your family, as
well as a salad to share. We will have lots of fun activities as well as music
and movement with Chris Jaensch. All welcome.
Please don’t dump
unwanted items…
We have noticed
that lots of items have been left near the sign in table in the church narthex
over the past few months. Most of the items have been of no use to the church
or local communities and have been thrown away. To aid us in keeping this space
safe and tidy, please don’t leave your unwanted items in this location.
Food can be stored
in the boxes titled ‘LCC food only’. Larger items will need to be taken to Salvos,
LCC or other bin that is designed for this purpose. However, please do not dump
your unwanted, broken or unusable items in these bins. If it is of no use to
you because it is broken, old or worn out, then it will be of no use to the
church or wider community. Thank you for your cooperation in this way.
Laura Carson
Children and Family
Team Leader
Prayer requests
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Para Vista Lutheran
Women's Fellowship
Next Meeting -
Tuesday, 3rd September, 1pm in the church hall
Fashion Parade
featuring styles and clothing from LCC collection
All Welcome
Casserole Sunday
Cookery - Take the plunge!
In
celebration of (Dis) Different-ability Recognition Day
Sunday
8th September after 10:30am service
Can you
please assist the Sunday Hospitality Team by preparing & bringing a
casserole to share? If you have a ‘signature dish’ that you enjoy preparing and
sharing, your contribution would really be appreciated. If you can assist
please let me know by writing ‘assist with stew’ on your welcome card, via email
bklaer@paravista.org.au or by contacting the
church office before next Thursday 5th September. Your support will be significantly
appreciated.
Barry
Klaer and the Sunday Hospitality Team
From the Office
Staff on Leave
Stephen Zanker is
on leave and will return to the office on 24 September 2013.
Notice Board
Community Food SA
Needs Your Help!
Community Food SA
is a low income support food Centre @ Gepps Cross and is in urgent need of Check-out
operators. For further details, please contact Morris Clarke on: 8269 3396
An Afternoon of Music
and Entertainment
We are only four
weeks away from Lutheran Community Care’s concert benefiting the Peachey Place
Living Skills Centre. ‘An Afternoon of
Music and Entertainment’ concert is scheduled for Sunday 29 September at
Concordia College to celebrate Christian Community Care Sunday and to raise
funds for the Centre. Tickets are available now by calling 8269 9333 or online
at www.trybooking.com.au/DEVC.
SPIN
The new state-wide
camp for young people in years 4-7!
This camp will run
for the first time in January 2014, from Monday 6th until Thursday 9th at
Victor Harbor. The purpose of SPIN is to create an inclusive and encouraging
community for young people so that they grow in relationship with Christ and
others.
If you’d like to
know more – as a parent or as an interested helper – join us for an information
night on Thursday 19th September at 7pm in the SA/NT District Office Meeting Room
1, 137 Archer Street, North Adelaide. Includes supper.
