"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for a simplified lifestyle so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.
Talk with Me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me.
A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me."
I was very relieved when I read that I could "relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world" and that I can spend time with God in the midst of my daily life! Sometimes I can fall into the trap of thinking, "if I just get through this busy time, or this illness, or if I just get this job done, I will be able to do my Bible readings, or spend more time praying, or give more of my time to others". This devotion challenged me to acknowledge that this way of thinking and being, is a fantasy!
I can't wait until I am through the next difficult thing or challenge in my life, I need to talk to God before it, throughout it and after it! I need to look to Him each day to help me through the difficult times so I can learn and grow from them, as well as sharing the joy of good times. This keeps me focused on God and not on the things of this world.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I encourage you to make time and spend time with God each day and He will transform your life. Don't wait for everything to be going well or for that perfect time, just do it today!
Beth Einthal
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bibles for Kool Zone
We would love to buy a set of Bibles for Kool Zone to use each week in their time together on Sundays! We would love a set of 10 Hardcover CEV Level 66 Illustrated Youth Bibles as this is what the school also uses; they are $29.99 each from Koorong. If your family would like to donate one of these Bibles, please buy it and we would love you to write a message in it from your family and leave it in the sign in desk draws. If you would like to donate money towards these Bibles, please put your offering in the box on the Kingdom Kids sign in desk.
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!
Playgroup Coordinator
We are still praying for someone who would love to coordinate Little Lambs Playgroup. Please consider if this might be you or if you can help in any way and get in touch with me for more info (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au).
School Holidays
Looking for something to do during the school holidays? Would you and your children like to be involved in volunteering your time for a morning or afternoon to help others? Family Zone Hub at Ingle Farm is an initiative of Lutheran Community Care and supports families in the Ingle Farm area. They are located within the grounds of Ingle Farm Primary School.
Kathlene Wilson is the Manager and she would love to hear from anyone who would be interested in coming along to help out with cooking, reading or participating in outdoor activities with children. Please contact Kathlene on 8349 6099 to discuss and organise a time to help out. She would love to hear from you!
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.
Scone Day
Sunday 29th June. Freshly baked scones will be available after both morning services. Only $1 each, including jam and cream. All proceeds go to Cebu Mission in the Philippines.
Great News fom Maranatha Health
Maranatha Health is ready to embark on Project #2 in Uganda, and we are incredibly excited to share a little of the details with you!
The plans for the new Maranatha Health project, although not fully developed, are coming along extremely well. In fact, we have just signed a lease on a 25-room building in Fort Portal, 70kms from Kamwenge, as our new project base.
You will be happy to know our commitment to improving health outcomes for communities, empowering the poor, and making positive long term change hasn’t waned! The essence of Maranatha Health remains, and our passion to do things effectively and in collaboration with communities has only grown.
This building will serve as a small paediatric clinic and a base from which to research, develop and implement an innovative capacity building project. This exciting new idea will focus primarily on addressing some of the challenges we have been identifying over the past 3 years in the health system in Uganda, both from a community and health service perspective.
Thanks again for your faithful support during this transitional time
The Maranatha Health Team
Para Vista Lutheran Women’s Fellowship
PVLWF executive thanks all members, husbands and friends who helped support our fundraising luncheon in the hall on Tuesday, June 3rd. We greatly appreciated your attendance and look forward to your company at our Advent/Christmas luncheon in December this year.
The next meeting of Para Vista Women's Fellowship will be held in the church. Our guest speaker is Coral Laube who will share her experiences, in January 2014, working at Home of Grace and Home of Praise in Bangkok. Thailand. The meeting commences at 1pm on Tuesday, July 1st. All Welcome
News from the June Board meeting
- Emma Kluge shared with the Board the “Engage Project” which will encourage members to get involved in the community – more news to come.
- Beth and Kathy shared the positives and challenges of the Children’s and Family Ministry.
- The Board agreed to conduct a NCLS (National Church Life Survey) in the congregation. This will help focus our direction in the coming years.
- It was decided not to fill the Pastoral Care and Fellowship position in the short term.
- The new sign and signage was progressed.
- Financial guidelines for Auxiliaries of the congregation were discussed.
From the Office
Trusty Chair movers
Assistance is required to move some of the chairs in the complex so the carpets can be cleaned. Half an hour of time is all that is required.Proposed times are 15th July at 1pm to move the chairs out and then 9.30am on the 17th July to move them back again.
Please mark your connect card with ‘chairs’ and date, send an email to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or call the office with your availability.
Noticeboard
Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots for sale
$10.50 a 500g bag. The apricots are grown without any sprays, but do have Sulphur preservatives. They come straight from the grower so have not been rehydrated. More apricots, less water for your money while supporting Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust Inc.
Royal Adelaide Show Outreach
The Bible League is looking for volunteers to help at the Royal Adelaide show. For more information, please contact Con Schlenk at conschlenk@adam.com.au
Grassroots Training Workshops – June & July 2014
Dates and course are available on the Church Noticeboard.
Connecting with Adults with Intellectual Disability
The workshop ‘Connecting with Adults with Intellectual Disability’ will address this issue, providing practical insights for any individual or organisation wanting to improve in this area - sporting club, workplace, church or community group. It will explore etiquette and language, effective communication, how best to meet access needs, and attitudes around inclusion and individual contribution.
Lutheran Disability Services is conducting this workshop on Tuesday, 1st July from 6.30-9.30pm at Barossa Enterprises, 27 Samuel Road, Nuriootpa. Cost is $15, which includes materials and refreshments.
Please direct all enquiries and enrolments to LDS on 8212 7766 or admin@ldssa.org.au
Burden God with what burdens you.
