What are
you looking at?
I have
been thinking a lot lately about the difference between the world’s standards
and God’s standards. As I thought about this, a passage from 1 Samuel came to
mind.
God has
just rejected Saul as king and instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint another
king from the sons of Jesse. After some protest, Samuel agreed to go and to
visit Jesse and his sons. When Samuel first arrived he saw one of Jesse’s sons
Eliab. When he saw him Samuel thought: ‘surely this is the Lord’s anointed!’
But God said to Samuel: ‘don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have
rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People
judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ (1 Samuel
16:6-7, NLT). God had to remind Samuel that he is not judging the situation by
worldly standards and that his agenda is to find someone with a good heart not
good biceps or a handsome face.
How often
do we fall into the trap of judging people and ourselves by the external – by
wealth, looks and achievements? In this passage God tries to show Samuel that
he has a different measuring stick – he is looking at the heart. God is looking
for a good heart because he is looking for the next king of Israel. Saul has
already shown that he does not have what it takes to be king. The next king
needs to have a good heart in order to honour God and fulfil the plans that he
has. Often we fail to see the importance of having a heart that is right with
God. But Jesus told us that ‘the mouth speaks what the heart is full of’, that it is out of our heart that evil thoughts
come and he commands us to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart’ (Matt 12:33, 15:19, 22:37).
Jesus speaks about the heart so much because it is from there that our lives
are shaped. We may be able to fake good deeds or perfection but you can’t fake
a sincere heart.
How are
you judging your life right now: by your external actions or your internal
heart?
Do you
need to allow God to shape your heart?
Emma
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
Sunday Pastor Noel will be presenting Impact 2014. Impact 2014 is like a “state of the nation” event for our church
community where we celebrate how God has impacted people’s lives through our
church and look forward to where God is calling us in 2014. We would love you
to join us this Sunday for Impact 2014.
Bible Readings:
Psalm 96:1-13 (NLT) and Matthew 5:14-16
Kingdom Kids: Let the
preparations begin!
We would like to invite all children aged 3-12 to join us in the school
for the next 6 Sundays (during the 10:30am service) as we prepare for our 2013
Celebration Service – The promise of a
Saviour King. All ages will meet in the school library this Sunday for an
introduction to the term, some worship time and an introduction to the
workshops that will be on offer over the next few weeks. We will have a full
dress rehearsal in the school gym on the 24th November, followed by
the Celebration Service at 10:30am on Sunday 1st December. PLEASE
KEEP THESE DATES FREE. If your child is particularly interested in having a
more significant role, please contact me so I can include them in the best way
possible.
Baby Zone:
Baby Zone ministry for ages 0-3 will continue to run during term 4 and
will conclude on Sunday 15th December. This term we will cover
topics such as Jesus loves children,
Jesus gives me food and Jesus was a
baby. There will be no Baby Zone on the 1st December as all ages
will be involved in our Celebration Service.
Participation NOT
Performance: How can you get involved?
We want this
Celebration Service to provide the
opportunity for the WHOLE Good Shepherd community to get involved, not just the
kids! There are lots of ways that
you can help out with our Celebration Service. There will a large sheet titled
‘things you can do to help’ at the Kingdom Kids sign in table throughout the
term. Please take a few minutes to check it out. Thanks in advance for your
support and participation in this way.
Playgroup: The things
we love about Christmas!
Playgroup is back on for families with pre school children. This term we
will be celebrating the theme “the things we love about Christmas”. Each
Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the hall will be transformed into an inviting
play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take
part in. We will cover topics such as getting ready, creative cooking, holiday
adventures, helpful hands (serving others at Christmas), let’s celebrate,
giving gifts, Christmas tree decorating, the nativity story and finally carols
and community. $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.
C & F Ministry
Volunteers Dinner:
Children and Family Ministry volunteers, you and your family are invited
to a celebration to thank YOU for your time and efforts volunteering in C &
F ministry this year. Please keep Saturday 16th November, 4pm-7:30pm
free. Invites have been sent…we hope to see you all there!
Laura Carson
Children and Family Team Leader
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.
Para Vista Lutheran
Women's Fellowship
Next Meeting -
Tuesday, 29th October, 1pm in the church hall
AGM - Elections
All Welcome
Plant
Stall
The Plant Stall will be held this 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.
From the Office
2013
Budget
Notes
to end of August 2013:
- Income in July and
August combined was $2,600 over budget due to both Offerings and Ministry
income.
- Expenses in July and
August combined were $1,500 below.
- Staff expenses were
$2,000 over budget, however plant was $2,000 under budget. Both ministry
and administration expense were slightly under budget.
- A significant
deficit is currently projected for 2013 at the current trend.
Air
conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have now been
opened for the summer months. If you require assistance with the operation of
the units please contact the office staff.
2014
Daily Devotion Book “Time out with Jesus”
Orders are being taken now. Cost is $22. Please let
the office know by 28th October. Thanks.
For
Sale
There are still two professional table tennis tables
for sale.
Large wooden trestle tables. $50.00 ONO. Great
tables for that BBQ spread.
A number of soft dividers that could be used as room
partitions or large pinup board.
Please contact Stephen or the front office on 8263
5087or via email szanker@paravista.org.au for further information on for sale
items.
From the Board
We welcome to the Board Erika Kaesler who has agreed
to join the Board and will fill one of the 3 vacancies.
Changing
location of the library and Baby Zone
As part of the deliberations of the Connect project
it was suggested it was much more convenient and logical to have the Baby Zone
much closer to the Worship Centre, toilets and baby change facilities. To this
end the Board is investigating the cost of relocating the baby zone to the
present library area. This would include the present library and storeroom
behind the library. The library would be relocated to the Education Centre and
a new storeroom would be built at the courtyard end of the Education Centre.
Other
issues discussed at the October meeting of the Board:
· Our large street sign –
the Board has been investigating the cost of changing the sign to an electronic
sign. This would allow a much more flexible use of the sign. No decision has
been made.
· A procedure was accepted
on how the Board would respond to any request for information from the Child
Sexual Abuse Commission which is holding hearings across Australia
· The congregation’s support
for overseas mission in 2014 and the Connect Project – motions will be
presented to the congregational meeting in November.
· It was agreed that we
advertise the position of Children and Family Ministry Team Leader
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
Reformation Sunday Celebration Lunch
(NOTE
CHANGE OF DATE)
When? Sunday 3rd November 2013 after 10:30am Service
Where? Church Hall
Why? Come and enjoy the celebrations as we have fun and 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!
(Gold coin donation)
Notice Board
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
“God’s warnings are to protect us, not to punish us”
