The LORD looks at the heart …
This Sunday at Good Shepherd is
being heralded as “Disability Awareness Sunday”. What I have learnt is
that most persons with a ‘dis’-ability have a ‘different’ ability which enables
them to achievements that so called able persons could not achieve. I think of Nick Vujicic, Kurt Fearnley and
even former Endeavour student Matt Cowdry who is the holder of a number of
world swimming titles.
What does the Word of God have to
say of those with disabilities?
There are endless scriptures in both
the Old and New Testament of those who had disabilities and were used of God
for His purpose. Moses had a speech impediment, (Exodus
4:10). After wrestling with an angel Jacob walked
with a limp (Genesis 32:31). King
Saul had depression. (1 Samuel). When choosing a
successor for Saul the LORD said to Samuel “Do not look at his appearance or at
his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as
man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the
heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)
The Lord gave these instructions
about the deaf and the blind. “You must not insult a deaf person or put some
obstacle in front of a blind person that would cause them to trip. Instead,
fear your God; I am the Lord”. (Leviticus 19:4)
Jesus walked the earth in human form teaching, feeding, touching, healing
all kinds of hungry, and hurting people. Jesus showed us that bodies matter.
There is nothing about us that is foreign to him. He invites us to join him in
this solidarity with all who are oppressed. He said that God’s reign is like a
banquet for all people that “the kingdom of God is among you”. He said, “But
when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and
you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the
resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:13-14)
“And great crowds came to him,
bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others,
and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the throng wondered,
when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the
blind seeing”, What was the result?
“and they glorified the God of Israel”. (Matthew 15:32-38)
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another”. (Zechariah 7:9)
“Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better
than you. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the
interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
We
are made in God’s image. We are one body. In Christ we are made whole.
Barry Klaer
Pastoral Care & Fellowship Team
leader
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message will be ‘Freedom from
bitterness’ as we start a new series ‘The Barriers to Spiritual Growth’. Podcasts
of the message are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bible Readings:
Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:25-27; 31-32
Kingdom Kids:
This Sunday in
Kingdom we will be looking at the following topics
·
Baby Zone: I see
God’s love at Church
·
Kindy Zone: ‘The
Lord, my shepherd’ Psalm 23; 95:7
·
Kids Zone: ‘God is
all–powerful’ Exodus 5-11
·
Kool Zone: ‘Girl
Boy Chats: Where do I go for answers?’
With members of our Ignite Youth Team and Young Adult community.
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2013 Father’s Day
Celebration: The Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep. Last Sunday close to 100
kids and their families met in the school for our annual Father’s Day
celebration. This year’s opening drama and stations were based around Psalm 23
and the story of the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep. It was a fantastic
morning! Thank you to everyone who helped to make the event the success that it
was. Praise be to God for the way He pulled it all together! Please check out
our display in the church foyer over the next few weeks.
Playgroup:
Our theme for
playgroup this term is “God makes growing things” and this week we learnt about
Mini Beasts. Next week our theme will be Growing Up Tall and we’d 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.
All welcome.
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.
International
Students Serve at the Monday Night Meet, Greet & Eat
The Monday Night Soup Kitchen has had a change of name! Now known as the
Monday Night Meet, Greet & Eat we have been blessed by new folk coming to
join in with the food, fun and fellowship. As well, I thank the Lord for those
from our church family who come to assist and also provide food.
Recently Coral Laube hosted Japanese student Saki Okuyama. Saki became a
very willing participant in serving at the Soup Nights. More recently Coral
hosted Doo-Yeong KIM who came from Doonkook University in South Korea. He too
assisted by serving in the kitchen and spending time with the regulars.
Currently Coral is hosting Akiko Maeno who comes from Okayama University in
Japan. Akiko too has been helping in the kitchen and serving the regulars.
Akiko has also been attending worship with Coral, her English is quite good so
say hello to her and make her welcome.
And from Germany, exchange student Paula Seyerlein is being hosted by
Steve, Di, Lucy and Oliver Paech. Paula (5th from the left below) has become a
familiar face at Sunday worship and is also a willing worker and tremendous
help at the Monday Night Meet, Greet & Eat.
Barry Klaer
Pastoral Care & Fellowship (Hospitality)
From the Office
Budget
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
The LLL Newsletter - September 2013
Please see the Church Notice Board for the latest edition.
“God gives us all we need so we can give to others
in their need”
