Friday, October 11, 2013

Knock, knock….who’s there?
 
Jesus said, “Listen! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him and he with me”. (Rev 3:20 CSB)
 
A story is told of a nurse on the pediatric ward who, before listening to the little ones' chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own heart.  Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David’s comment. Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. 'Listen', she said...'What do you suppose that is?'
 
He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, ‘Is that Jesus knocking?'
 
After His resurrection two disciples had an encounter with Jesus as they were walking on the road to Emmaus. It was when Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to them and ate with them that they recognized Him. They said, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the scriptures to us?” Jesus was knocking on the doors of those disciples’ hearts and they responded. (Read Luke 24:13-53)
 
Paul wrote. “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1 NLT)
 
If you want to have deep, personal, satisfying peace of mind in heart and soul, you’ve got to surrender control of your life totally to God. Open every door to your life and let Jesus in!!
 
How do you know if you’ve done that? Evidence of a surrendered life is always obedience. When you listen to God’s Word and follow his direction, the result is always the same: peace.
 
Blessings
 
Barry Klaer
 
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message will be ‘The dead end of rebellion” as we finish our series ‘The Barriers to Spiritual Growth’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
 
Bible Readings: Romans 6:1-18 and John 8:31-36
 
 
Kingdom Kids:
Kingdom Kids is currently on school holidays until the 20th October. We would like to invite you to continue worshipping as a family during this time and look forward to an exciting and fun final term.
 
Playgroup:
Playgroup is currently on holidays until the start of term 4. Wednesday the 16th October will be our first week back and the launch of our Christmas program ‘The Things We Love About Christmas’. 9:30am-11:30am in the church hall. $2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of fruit to share. All welcome.
Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.
 
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
 
Change in staffing
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy we advise you that Laura Carson, our Children and Family Team leader will be leaving our staff team at the end of this year. Laura is now expecting her third child and wants to devote her time to caring for her three preschool aged children. Laura has very capably led and grown the Children and family ministry over the last seven years. While we rejoice with Laura and her family as they anticipate a third child, we will be sad to see her go.
 
With Laura leaving we are now looking for a new staff person to lead this vital and dynamic ministry of our congregation. Please continue to pray for the Children and Family ministry asking God to provide a new team leader for 2014 and beyond. If you feel a prompting to consider this position, please read the following advertisement and give it your prayerful consideration.
 
Position Vacant - Children and Family Team Leader (12 hours per week)
We are seeking someone with a love and passion for Children and Family ministry to join our pastoral ministry team in 2014. The purpose of this position is to lead and prepare teams focussed on children (0-12) and their families to:
·         Disciple children and their families in the Good Shepherd community
·         Help equip families to be the primary place of faith nurture and development
 
This position requires a leader who is comfortable to lead through empowerment and trust while accepting accountability for outcomes. The person we are seeking will invest the majority of their time in recruiting, equipping, and supporting leaders and teams who will carry out this ministry. The successful applicant will be directly assisted by the Children and Family Support Worker (8 hours) and supported by the entire staff team.
 
Remuneration will be according to the Lay Workers Salary Scale Level 2 for accredited Lay Workers or as negotiated in the interview for applicants without accreditation.
 
A Position Description is available on request from the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
or by phoning 8263 5087.
 
Applications in writing by 3rd November 2013 are to be submitted to:
John Dolling
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista
PO Box 306
Modbury North SA 5092
 

Prayer Request:
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.
 
Cebu Fundraising
 
Plant Stall
The Plant Stall will be held this Sunday 13th and on Sunday 20th October after both morning services. If you have potted up plants to sell, please name your plants and also if they flower, put what colour they will be. We will be setting up the Plant Stall in the Hall on Saturday 12th October from 10.30am - 12.30pm, so please bring your plants between those times or prior to the service that you will be attending.
 
Card Stall
Cards will also be on sale this Sunday 13th after both morning services.
 
From the Office
 
Vacancies on Good Shepherd Board in 2014
There could be up to 3 vacancies on the Board of Good Shepherd in 2014.
 
Purpose of the Board
The purpose of the Good Shepherd Board is to empower, resource and actively support the Pastoral Ministry Team to lead us in our mission to reach into the community with the Gospel that all may know Jesus and worship Him.
 
To achieve this purpose the Board has 6 key objectives:
·         To provide Pastoral Care of Pastoral Ministry Team.
·         To provide an empowering organisational environment for mission and ministry by ensuring staff are adequately trained, have clear position descriptions and ministry plans and are reviewed regularly.
·         To ensure we use up to date methods of communication and that this is effective in reaching targeted audiences.
·         To provide adequate, suitable and well maintained facilities and equipment and oversee planning, funding and implementation of capital development and expansion programs.
·         To maintain clear congregational policies and procedures.
·         To give attentive oversight to the relevance and effectiveness of policies and procedures governing professional and ethical standards of behaviour and expected responses.
·         To ensure adequate finances are available to fund our mission.
 
If you are interested in getting more information about the work of the Board or would be interested in serving on the Board contact either John Dolling or Keren Sutton.
 
Please note office closed for staff meeting and lunch
On Thursday 17th October from 11.30am to 1.30pm
 
Reformation Sunday Celebration Lunch
When? Sunday 27th October 2013 after 10:30am Service
Where? Church Hall
Why? Come and enjoy the celebrations as we have fun & fellowship together eating yummy German Fare - bratwurst, schnitzels, sauerkraut, metwurst, green salad and dilled cucumbers!
Dare I say it? Enough fun with yum to make Martin Luther smile!

 
LCC Preparing for Marriage Course
Located in Para Vista
Saturday 9th November: 9.00am-5.00pm
Sunday 10th November: 1.00-5.00pm
Cost: $160+GST (discounts apply for single or no income)
Enquiries: magill@lccare.org.au or Tel 8331 3111
 
 
LCC Foster Care information session
Wednesday 16 October 2013 from 6.30 - 8.30pm
St Peters Lutheran Church: 14 Frew Street, Fullarton
RSVP by calling our friendly staff at 08 8337 8787
 
 
Craft fair
Saturday 26th October from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Handmade Gifts, Plants, Devonshire Tea and
Sausage Sizzle
 
Tea Tree Gully Uniting
600 Milne Road, Banksia Park
 
 
Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting
Topic: 175 Years of Lutheran Theology in Australia. Speakers: Drs Dean Zweck, Erich Renner, Vic Pfitzner and Jeff Silcock. A discussion of significant theological issues in our 175 year history. At Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide. Monday 21st October at 7.30 pm
Gold coin donation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Of all that is precious, Jesus tops the list