Our
choice of how to interact or respond to life can often be condensed into three
options: consume, connect or contribute. Each of these things has their proper
place in both faith and life.
I think that in order for us to have a properly functioning faith we need to think about how we do each of these things and what part they play. Before we can consider how we balance these things it is useful to look at the part they play in our faith.
I think that in order for us to have a properly functioning faith we need to think about how we do each of these things and what part they play. Before we can consider how we balance these things it is useful to look at the part they play in our faith.
We need
to make sure we are feeding our faith through ‘consuming’ the Word and drawing
strength from God. Our faith needs to be fed, just like our bodies.
There are
other times where we will need to shift from passively consuming to connecting.
This can be through prayer or engaging with other people in small groups or at
church. It is through connecting that we participate in the church and are able
to share Jesus’ love.
Lastly,
there are times when we need to contribute. This part is often an extension of
connecting and it often involves stepping up and taking ownership and investing
more. In community this could involve making food to help support a family,
leading a small group, joining a volunteer team or organising an event to help
those on the fringe make new friends. Most of these examples involve you providing
a chance for other people to consume. If consuming in faith can be compared to
feeding our bodies then connecting and contributing can be compared to
exercising and using the energy we have stored up. This is where you put your
faith into action.
Considering
life through the scope of these three options can help us to evaluate our
faith. If we find that all we do is consume then it might be time to find a way
to connect or serve and live out our faith. James tells us ‘don’t simply listen
to the word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.’ (1:22). It can also
help us to understand why we may be feeling burnt out or tired in our faith. If
our days are taken up connecting or contributing then it may be time to feed
our faith so that we have ‘something in the tank’ and we don’t lose our central
relationship with God.
What does
the balance of your faith look like? How are you consuming, connecting and
contributing?
Emma
Kluge
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message is “Reject or receive?” as
we continue the series ‘Choices on the way’
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:13-28
This Sunday Kingdom Kids will be
looking at the following topics:
- Baby Zone: Jesus Loves Me
- Kindy Zone: Jesus is the vine, his people are the branches
- Kids Zone: Son of God: equal with God
- Kool Zone: Fresh Ministry Dance Team
We are having a sort and clean
out in the new library, there are a number of children and family videos
available in the library for you to take home if you would like! They will be
there for two weeks to help yourself so please take a look!
Baby Zone
We have shifted the date of painting Baby Zone to the school holidays. Date to be confirmed. Please let me know if you are interested in helping with the painting or if you have any painting equipment we can use!
We have shifted the date of painting Baby Zone to the school holidays. Date to be confirmed. Please let me know if you are interested in helping with the painting or if you have any painting equipment we can use!
As
you have probably seen, the babies and toddlers of our church have been
settling into our wonderful new Baby Zone room. The room will soon be
painted and decorated and it is great to be able to leave the room set up and
have plenty of storage space. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in
helping this happens. Now that we have the space to put it, there is a list of things
that we could use for our program for the whole of the year. If you have any of
these things and can spare them, our little ones will make good use of them!
- Packets of seeds of herbs or flowers and small pots - “God Makes Growing Things” is the theme for April.
- Kaleidoscopes
- Pieces of fabric in solid colours approximately 20cm square and/or 30cm square
- Dolls (babies only, i.e. not Barbies)
- Doll blankets and other baby doll accessories
- Toy people (too large to swallow, i.e. “Little People”)
- Scarves in a variety of colours (square silk type)
- Toy cash register
- Toy picnic basket and toy picnic set
- Food carrying tray
- 2 small torches
- Children’s stickers (i.e. people, animals, stars)
- Stuffed toy animal sheep, cow, donkey and camel
- Variety of plastic or washable play/dress up hats
- A small toy kitchen for our Pretend Play area (we often pretend to eat and make food).
If
you have any of these items that you would be happy to donate to the room,
please leave them in the Baby Zone room by the shelves or pass onto Beth or
Tanya.
Thanking
you in advance - Tanya Harrison, Baby Zone Team Leader
Kindy Zone Team Leader
We are praying for someone who
would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of a passionate and fun team! Please
consider if this might be you and get in touch with me (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for a chat!
Beth Einthal
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.
Pastoral Care and Fellowship
Team Leader - 20 hours per week
We are seeking someone with a passion to bring the love and acceptance of
Jesus through our church to all people as they give leadership to the pastoral
care and fellowship ministries of Good Shepherd. 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 a significant portion of their time
in recruiting, equipping, and supporting leaders and teams who will carry out
this ministry. Skills and experience in pastoral care and leading teams are
essential for this role. The successful applicant will be accountable to the
Senior Pastor 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 28th
March 2014, are to be submitted to the:
John Dolling
Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church Para Vista
PO Box 306
Modbury North, SA 5092
Equip March –
Saturday Only
22nd March 2014,
Concordia College Highgate, 9am - 5pm
If you are interested in growing in your faith, relationships, or
Christian impact in the world, then Equip could be for you.
The one day event is hosted by a number of Christian training agencies
and churches.
There is a broad range of subjects being offered: such as Bible Study
leading, Christian thinking, leadership, basic Christian understanding,
evangelism, apologetics, mission, parenting, children’s ministry, men’s and
women’s relationship issues,
a welcoming church, and preaching.
a welcoming church, and preaching.
It is a full day of training, but the participant can choose
their training ‘adventure’ – as there is a degree of flexibility.
For example, the participant can choose:
their training ‘adventure’ – as there is a degree of flexibility.
For example, the participant can choose:
A full day subject
2 half day subjects
1 half day subject + seminars
4 seminars
Information brochures available at the notice boards in the
foyer - or go on line. Registration is for a full day, and is done
on line http://www.equipefac.org/
foyer - or go on line. Registration is for a full day, and is done
on line http://www.equipefac.org/
I have registered and encourage you to at least have a look at what’s
being offered!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Christian Pastoral
Support Workers Celebration
Good Shepherd 10:30am
service, March 30th
A bunch of local churches - including Good Shepherd - support four people
doing chaplaincy work in local state schools.
At the 10.30am service on March 30th, we will have a brief presentation
by these Christian Pastoral Support Workers on the difference they are making
in their school communities. We will
pray for them and their ministries – and take up a retiring offering after the
service to support this ministry. We hope to ease a projected shortfall of
around $1300 for this year.
Noticeboard
Friends of Lutheran
Archives (FoLA)
For Australian Lutherans of German descent, what did/does it mean to 'be
German'? What did this ‘Germanness’ consist of (‘Deutschtum’)? What about in the church context? How did the
Lutheran Church in Australia come to terms with its German heritage? What
consequences did/does this have on the development of a ‘German’ church in the
Australian context? Come along to the
next FoLA meeting on Monday 24th March, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide,
and listen as Brian van Wageningen speaks on this fascinating topic. Supper.
Gold coin donation.
Courageous Men Mount
Gambier
April 25th – 27th 2014 @ Glenburnie Racecourse
Lonely no longer
A seminar for youth and family workers, lay assistants, elders,
congregational carers/visitors, and Parish/Pastoral Care Nurses.
When: 9.00am–4.30pm, 17 May 2014
Where: St John’s Lutheran Church, 15 Marlborough Street,
Malvern, SA.
Registration
brochures: available from your church, or from Lynette Wiebusch, LCA Parish Nursing
Coordinator: 08.8336.3936; lynette.wiebusch@lca.org.au
“The
thought of God staggers the mind,
but to
know Him satisfies the heart”
