Where are you placing your joy?

I have recently gone through a bit of a life change. I have finished my degree and am not studying this year. In the absence of my university study, I have had time to study myself and learn more about how I process things and where I place my worth. One thing that I have realised is that I place a lot of my identity in, and gain a lot of my joy from, my work and activity rather than from God.

I was reading C. S. Lewis’s novel The Great Divorce and I was challenged by a particular passage describing a man who chose to abandon the joy of heaven because he could not be useful there and instead wanted to continue his work.

“There was nothing to prove. His occupation was clean gone. Of course if he would only admit that he’d mistaken the means for the end and have a good laugh at himself he could have begun all over again like a little child and entered into joy. But he would not do that. He cared nothing for joy. In the end he went away.”(Lewis 73).

This passage disturbed me because I realised that I had begun to walk along this path. In the pursuit of learning and gaining a profession and ‘doing ministry’ I had lost the joy of knowing God. I had forgotten that the centre of my existence and identity is God and a relationship with Him and that everything else is secondary. There is nothing wrong with work or activity but it must not become our god.

The reality is at the end of time this is what will happen to us all. The old order of things will pass away and we will be in heaven for eternity. So we need think about whether we are binding ourselves to the temporary or living with the eternal in mind.

I want to challenge you to think about whether you do this. Have you mistaken your work as the end rather than the means? What would happen if your work, your activity or your position was taken away? Could you still find joy in God? Are you placing your treasures in heaven or on earth?

Emma Kluge

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message is “Fatigue: What to do when you’re sick and tired of being tired?” as we continue the series “Is this all there is?”

Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Matthew 11:28-30

Kingdom Kids

This week Kingdom Kids will be celebrating Mother's Day in each zone! 

Baby Zone

Thank you so much to everyone who donated items, toys and money to the new Baby Zone room. Praise God! There are just a few items left that we need for the whole year's program which is fantastic!  If you have these items or can donate them, please leave them in the Baby Zone room:

• Doll blankets
• Stuffed toy animal sheep, cow, donkey and camel
• Variety of plastic or washable play/dress up hats

Calling All Creative People

Are you interested in sharing ideas, vision and creativity, or would you like to help with planning and pulling together events for the Children and Family Ministry? We would love to get together a team of people who can help provide this support for the ministry. If God has gifted you with creativity, drama, ideas and vision, or you have a passion for the ministry and enjoy working with kids then we need and want you! Please have a chat with me, or just contact me with your interest via email, phone or in person! 

Kindy Zone Team Leader

We are still praying for someone who would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of the 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.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Women’s Fellowship

45^th Anniversary Luncheon on Tuesday 3^rd June 2014 @12pm. GSPV Church Hall.

Donation $12 each, your spouse, partner, friend is also most welcome to attend. 
RSVP by 27^th May to Ruth Oster Ph. 8265 0221

From the Office

A view of Adelaide to be experienced could be gained while assisting in the cleaning of the gutters. The task only involves an hour of time while being able to gain a view of the surrounding area not normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 or put on your Sunday Connect card your intention to be part of the “View Adelaide with a difference” team.

Noticeboard

Emerge Leadership Conference – only a week to go!

• Saturday 17^th May
• Emerge is a one day leadership conference for youth, young adult & camping leaders – of any age! (starting from 16 years)
• ONLY $10 registration plus $8 for lunch (or BYO)
• Keynote Speaker Chris Mann and excellent workshops to choose from!
• For catering purposes, please register at https://events.blueprintministries.org.au/

SPIN Leadership Development Day

Have you heard of Spin? The new state-wide camp for kids currently in years 4-7.

Would you be interested in leading on Spin in January 2015? (Leaders from year 10 through adults – no age limit) Then come along to our FREE Leadership Development Day!

Sunday 18^th May 2014

12noon-5pm (BYO lunch, arvo tea provided)

District Office, North Adelaide – Meeting Room 1

For more information email spin@blueprintministries.org.au

Toolbox Parenting Courses

Two Toolbox Parenting Courses - one for Middle Years (children aged 6-12) and one for Tweens and Teens (childrn aged 12+) will be available during term two. These are led by trained facilitators from Salisbury Lutheran Church. Parents are invited to participate in these valuable programs that are held weekly for six sessions.
Related information is available online at: https://www.theparentingplace.com/

FRIENDS OF LUTHERAN ARCHIVES (FoLA) - Love & Intrigue In Klemzig: Tales from Clamor Schurmann’s Diary (the one he DIDN’T send back to Germany)!! Come along to Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place City, Monday 26^th May, 7.30 pm to hear Helen Schubert reveal some interesting secrets!  Supper, gold coin donation. All welcome.

Casual Support Workers Required

Do you have a passion for supporting adults with a disability and assisting them in living independent and fulfilled lives in a supportive Christian environment?

Further information or a copy of the Position Description; please phone on 8212 7766 or email: admin@ldssa.org.au

2014/2015 Adelaide Entertainment™ Books or Digital Membership are available for sale from the Good Shepherd Lutheran School for $65.00. $13.00 from the sale of each book benefits the school’s fundraising projects. The discount vouchers range from restaurants, takeaway and café dining, movies, theatres and sporting events, to the zoo, florists and retail shops. Further information, or to view a book before purchase, visit or contact the school on 8264 7966, or email admin@gspv.sa.edu.au

“People all over the world smile in the same language”