Friday, November 22, 2013

You have to share to be fair
 
We all seem to have an inbuilt sense for justice. From an early age we react when we feel unfairly treated. One of the biggest challenges of parenting is trying to keep things fair between our children. As soon as one feels that they have missed out or have been hard done by, you can bet there will be some complaining.
 
Our innate sense of justice flows from being created in the image of God. The Bible says, ‘The Lord loves righteousness and justice.’ (Psalm 33:5) In God’s eyes we are all equal. He has created us and he equally loves us. When we seek to treat each other as equals we reflect this part of God’s image in us.
 
Working for justice in the world is all about making things fair. When some have more than enough and others have none it is not fair. To make it fair those with plenty need to share with those who have nothing or very little. It sounds simple enough but the problem is those with plenty often do not recognise their abundance. Or, they have gotten so used to living with surplus they find it very hard to contemplate living with less. 
 
This is very true for us who live in Australia. When we see the needs of the poor and reflect on what we can do, we often conclude that we do not have anything to spare to help. Yet on a global scale we are all in the top 5% of the world’s wealthiest simply because we were born in Australia. Our privileged birth place provides us with the resources to share with others and play our part in making things fair for those who are poor simply because of where they were born.
 
We reflect God’s heart for justice when we who have lots go without a little so others who have nothing can have something. God doesn’t call most of us to poverty but neither does he call the poor to poverty. God has provided all the resources we need to ensure no one needs to live in poverty. The problem is one of distribution not provision.
 
Where could you cut back in your life so that you have something left to share with the poor? How can you pass this value of justice on to your children? How can you teach them about the importance of going without a little so they can give something to help those who have nothing? Not only will you be teaching them something very important but you will be helping them discover where real joy is found. The happiest people in the world are often the ones who give the most, not the ones who have the most.
 
Pastor Noel
 
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message will be “God’s promise of comfort” as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in tough times’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
 
Bible Readings: Matthew 5:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-11


 
Celebration Service Final Dress Rehearsal:
We have spent the entire term in Kingdom Kids preparing for our Celebration Service: The promise of a Saviour King. We will have a full dress rehearsal for all ages in the school gym this Sunday, the 24th November from 10:45am-12pm, followed by the Celebration Service at 10:30am on Sunday 1st December. All children involved need to be at this rehearsal. Please contact Laura ASAP if you are unable to attend. Thanks
 
BBQ Lunch cancelled:
Due to the massive amount of work already going into the celebration service, and to avoid over working our volunteers, we have decided to switch the BBQ lunch to a special and gourmet morning tea after the 10:30am service on the 1st Dec. Thank you to the few families that offered to bring a salad. If you would like to bring a plate of morning tea instead that would be wonderful. Thank you.
 
Baby Zone:
There will be no Baby Zone this Sunday, 24th November. Instead we’d like to invite the children and their families to come along to our celebrations service dress rehearsal. No supervision for this age will be provided so parents of children aged 3 and under will need to stay. Please feel free to make use of the parenting room during the service if you would prefer not to be involved in the rehearsal. Normal lessons will resume on Sunday 8th December.
 
Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!
Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme for next week is ‘Christmas tree decorating’ followed by The Nativity Story and finally Carols and Community (a joint celebration with Bethany Kluge’s classroom at GSLS).  $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.
 
$150 to go!
It has become a tradition at Good Shepherd Para Vista to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. This year we have started making up packs that include an activity booklet from the Lutheran Tract Mission, a set of coloured pencils, a bookmark and some Christian based Christmas stickers (all of which will be given in a small zip lock bag).
 
To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. The total expense of making 150 of these packs is just over $200, so if you feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table on Sundays, or in the main office during the week. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. Just over $60 has been donated so far.
 
Laura Carson – Children and Family Team Leader
 
New Staff for Children and Family Ministry in 2014
We are pleased to announce that Beth Einthal will be taking over from Laura Carson as the Children and Family Team Leader (12 hours per week) in 2014. Beth currently works in a support role to Laura and this has prepared her well to step up into the leadership of the Children and Family Ministry.
 
We are also pleased to announce that Kathy Liebig will be taking on Beth’s current role of Children and Family Support Worker (8 hours per week). Kathy currently serves as a volunteer in the Kingdom Kids Ministry as well as leading the children’s ministry for Bible Study Fellowship which meets in our church on Tuesday mornings. We thank God for providing Beth and Kathy to give leadership to this very important ministry area in our church.
 
We anticipate Beth and Kathy taking up their new roles sometime in mid-January 2014. We also plan to give Laura Carson a fitting farewell on Sunday 19th January.
 
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 – Honey Biscuits
We will be sending honey biscuits to Lutheran Community Care near the end of this month. The biscuits will then be distributed to people who need extra love and Christmas cheer. We welcome the baking efforts of any congregation members and ask that you bring your biscuits to the church kitchen by Sunday 24th November where they will be collected.
 
We are asked to comply with the following requests: No nuts or 100s and 1000s, some biscuits may be iced and long sprinkles are acceptable. We thank you for your help towards others through our congregation.
 
Para Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Christmas Break Up Luncheon  
Held on Tuesday 3 December at 12noon in the Para Vista Church Hall. Members of our Good Shepherd Community are invited to a delicious lunch. You will enjoy carol singing, Christmas readings, a Bible message and joyful fellowship.
 
RPVS to Ruth Oster on Ph. 8265 0221 or email: kroster@senet.com.au by Tuesday 26 November. Donation of $12 per person
 
Fundraising
Christmas Stalls
Available after both morning services on the following dates: 24th November, 8th and 15th December.  All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.
 
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
This Sunday 24th November. Sausages are available after 8.45amt service. Sausages and steak sandwiches are available after 10.30am service. Grab some food and then take part in the Half Yearly meeting at 12.30pm.
 
Retiring Offering for Typhoon Disaster
Last Sunday’s retiring offering for Cebu Missionary Foundation to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the typhoon disaster in the Philippines was $2365.65. This is a fantastic response. This money has been deposited into their Australian Office account and will be put to good use immediately.
 
If you missed this offering and would like to donate you can do so by direct credit to their bank account- International Gospel Centre, BSB 034-204 Account no. 125599. Please include ‘typhoon relief’ in the deposit reference. You can read updates and view photos on their website www.igcfoundation.org.
 
Alternatively you can make a tax deductible donation to Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) online at http://www.alws.org.au/urgent-action.html. ALWS is linking with churches around the world through ACT Alliance to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Please see Church noticeboard for more details.

 
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.
 
Research on conversion to Christianity
Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor
Mobile: 0488 497 881
Phone: 08 8358 2149 or
 
Lutheran Media
RADIO - Listen to FACE TO FACE Invite others to do the same. Download or listen online at www.facetoface.org.au Check out our inspiring mini movies! More details are on the noticeboard.
 
Information Evening
Tabor Ministry, Theology and Culture (MTC) Faculty are holding an information evening on Wednesday, 27th November at Tabor Adelaide from 7pm.
 
The Singing Christmas Tree
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loxton presents an outdoor evening of music, drama, lights and the power of the Christmas story. 8pm, December 6th and 7th, 13th and 14th, 20th and 21st.
 
Students commencing Tertiary Study in 2014
Please see Church notice board for further details
 
 
 
 If you’re happy, let your face know!