Faith
brings joy
We can rejoice, too, when we run
into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And
endurance develops character, and character strengthens our confident hope of
salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how
dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love. (Romans
5:3-5)
I have
recently felt that everyone I know is facing some kind of trial or problem that
is significantly diminishing their ability to see light and joy in the midst of
their struggles. I lay awake many nights wondering how on earth to love and
support so many struggling people, when I myself have days of struggle.
In the
midst of these thoughts, I was reminded of a book given to me that I never sat
down to read. After a short search I found the book and began to read it. It
didn’t take long to note that the author, whose life story the book was based
on, had an incredibly strong relationship with God. His ability to see God in
all things and his willingness, even in his weakest moments, to seek God
inspired me to do the same. In one instance, this man’s severe temper almost
caused him to kill one of his best friends. It was in this moment that he
realised he needed help. The kind of help that can only come from God! After
hours of prayer and many tears he felt a sudden relief come over his mind and
body and it was in that moment that he knew God had heard him and saved him
from his troubles. To this day he has never again struggled with his temper and
gives glory every day to our almighty God for the miracle he performed in his
life. This miracle, amongst several others, enabled him to become one of the
greatest neurosurgeons in the world, who has performed many incredible life
changing surgeries, bringing hope and joy to so many people.
This
man’s testimony has re-inspired me to seek God in all that I do and to come
before him on my knees in those moments where I am struggling. God is always
listening and constantly reminds me that his will for each and every one of us
is perfect. We learn so much through our struggles and can often look back and
see God working through what seemed like an impossible situation. When we place
our hope in Christ we will never be disappointed.
Faith in
God is the one thing that will not let us down, for God loves us in a way we
will never understand, and his spirit fills us with such joy and hope for our
lives and the lives of those we love. In our times of weakness and struggle,
let’s not forget to faithfully pray, pray, PRAY for in God all things are
possible and we are never alone.
Laura
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message will be ‘God’s promise of
provision as we start a new series ‘God’s promises in tough times’
Bible Readings:
Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 145:13b-19
Kingdom Kids: The
Promise of a Saviour King
We would like to invite all children aged 3-12 to join us in the school
for the next 3 Sundays (during the 10:30am service) as we prepare for our 2013
Celebration Service – The promise of a
Saviour King. Kindy Zone will meet in their usual classroom for a special
lesson titled ‘Like little children’. We will have a full dress rehearsal for
all ages 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.
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.
2013 Celebration
Service 1st December - Things you can do to help:*
- PRAY: For God to bless our
preparations and the event itself
- SEW: Help make
costumes
- COOK: At
least 2-3 people to help cook the community BBQ lunch
- BRING: A salad for the community BBQ
lunch
KEEP THE DATE FREE AND COME ALONG!!!
*Please forward your expressions of interest via email or write your name
down on the sheet located at the Kingdom Kids sign in table.
Playgroup: The things
we love about Christmas!
Playgroup is back on for families with preschool 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. Please RSVP to Beth Einthal on 0438 233 671 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au by the 9th
November for catering purposes. Thanks
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.
Cebu Mission Fundraising
Plant
Stall
Many thanks to those who donated plants to the recent
stalls and thank you to all who bought plants. We raised $395.70 for Cebu
Mission.
Christmas Stalls
Christmas Stalls
Available after both morning services on the
following dates: 10th, 17th and 24th November,
1st and 15th December. We will be selling Christmas
cards, Filipino Jewellery, Coconut Shell Necklaces and Bracelets, Ringpull Bags
and Bible Covers; great pieces for Christmas gifts. All proceeds to
Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
Sunday 24th November. Sausages are
available after 1st service. Sausages and steak sandwiches are
available after 2nd service. Grab some food and then take part in
the Half Yearly meeting at 12.30pm.
New Team Member
New Team Member
We are still in need of a new member for our team,
please give this your prayerful consideration and give me a call to
discuss what is involved. We only have a few meetings per year.
Joan McCarthy 8262 7429
Joan McCarthy 8262 7429
From the Office
Volunteers
make it happen
Our community is desperately short of volunteers to
assist in two areas. One is vacuuming the church and the other is placing the
bins onto the kerb.
Vacuuming; all the carpeted areas of the complex
require cleaning weekly. Back pack vacuum cleaners are available at the church
or you can bring your own.
Bins; Bins are required to be placed onto the kerb
at the front of the church on a Sunday or early Monday morning. A green or
yellow pick up roster is attached to the bin enclosure for reference.
Volunteering can be a lot of fun when done in small
groups but becomes a huge chore when it has to be done on your own. The more
volunteers we have the greater the time between being rostered on. Can I
strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can contribute to
shining the light of the good news of Jesus into our community through your
service?
Please contact the front office or Stephen on 8263
5087 or mark your Sunday welcome card with volunteer vacuum/bin.
Staff
on Leave
Lorraine Johns will be on leave until 18th
November
Reformation
Sunday Celebration Lunch
When?
This 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 would be appreciated)
Para
Vista Lutheran Cricket Club advisory note:
Cricket game results are now being printed in the Monday edition of ‘The Advertiser’.
Results can also be accessed on Facebook. Apply to join Facebook group, view
Para Vista Lutheran Cricket Club.
Christmas
Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood
We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase
again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14th December.
Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the church
office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4th
December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.
Vacancies
Manager Blair Athol
Office LCC Level 6 (1.0 FTE negotiable)
For a Job
Description or further information for the above position:
Men’s Support Worker
LCC Level 4 (0.4 FTE) Position funded until 30 June 2014
For a Job
Description or further information for the above position:
Administrator LCC
Level 4 (0.6 FTE) Backfill parental leave position for 12 months
For a Job
Description or further information for the above position:
Applications close 5.00pm on Friday 8th November.
Cleaner
Australian Lutheran College - 20 hours per week (9.30am-2pm)
Cleaning experience an advantage but not essential. For further
information and details contact Kristine Leonard (Boarding Manager) on Ph: 8267
7361 or 0417 601 123 between 8.30am – 12.30pm Tuesday to Friday.
Starting date:
Thursday 28th November.
Applications close Friday 15th November.
“To show His love, Jesus died for us.
To show our love, we live for Him”
