Yet getting on with family members is not always easy.
In families, we are not always caring – or care-full – with our attitudes, words or actions. We are rude, make demands, and take one another for granted. We tend to put mouth into gear before engaging the brain. We know how to push one another’s buttons. We vent the frustrations of our day onto family members.
Ironically, our worst behaviour comes out with those we claim to love the most.
How can God change this? It starts with acknowledging our selfishness and asking God to change us! God forgives us for Jesus’ sake. As Jesus lives in our hearts, the Holy Spirit changes us to more consistently bear the fruit of Jesus’ character in our family relationships.
So by the grace of God, we can become more generous with our time and attention, more encouraging and thankful, more willing to do those menial tasks around the home, more able to apologise, more ready to forgive, more disposed to random acts of kindness… more like Jesus.
Serving your family has three huge benefits. First, it’s showing the love of Jesus to others. Second, it helps us to be more giving – less selfish. And third, it helps you grow closer as friends. Twenty years from now, you may not have the same bunch of work or play friends – but by the grace of God you can still be friends with your family.
Pr Rolly Stahl
This week’s message is “Ground for growth” as we continue the series “Engage”
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 15:1-8
- Baby Zone: God Gives Me Friends
- Kindy Zone: Homecoming (Genesis 31:3, 32-33)
- Kids Zone: God Chooses David (1 Samuel 15:10-12, 22-26, 16:1-13)
- Kool Zone: God Answers Elijah (1 Kings 19:9-21)
More Teachers and Helpers Needed
We urgently need more teachers and helpers in ALL Kingdom Kids Zones, please consider if you can help out once or twice a term to help ease the load for everyone and spend some time with our amazing Godly kids!! Please contact me for more info (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au)
Term 3 Diary Dates
Saturday 30th of August
Sean W Smith – LIVE CONCERT TOUR 2014!! Featuring 60 minutes of High Energy Fun, Music and Hilarious Dancing Antics for the whole family! Sean W Smith will be live in Adelaide on the 30th of August and tickets can be purchased from Koorong for $7 each.
Wednesday 1st of October
Colin Buchanan is putting his whole self in to his 2014 national tour, celebrating the release of his new album, "The Jesus Hokey Pokey”. Colin will be in Adelaide on the 1st of October with his cheeky puppet chum, Nudge! Tickets are available from Koorong for $11.50 each.
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).
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.
From the Office
Budget 2014
July 2014
Total Offering - Budget $43,250 Actual $41,233.
January thru July 2014
Total Offering - Budget $309,100 Actual $298,480. DEFICIT $10,620
January thru June 2014 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $283,848 Actual $273,096. SHORTFALL $10,752
Total Expenses - Budget $278,294 Actual $265,298. SHORTFALL $12,996
Projected deficit $2,254 against a budgeted deficit of $2,480
- Offerings are starting to show signs of tapering off after the encouraging start to the year.
- Plate offerings have regularly kept pace with budget and are only $2,350 below budget.
- REG has been $2,000 below budget for the last 3 months.
- Overall income is below budget primarily due to Offerings.
- The good news is that expenses are under budget by greater amount than income being under budget.
- Staff expenses & Ministries are the 2 areas where this is most evident.
- Staff expenses are now $7,000 under budget and this amount is growing month on month, primarily due to vacancy in the Pastoral Care and Fellowship position not being filled.
- Ministries have shown restraint and are currently $3,500 under budget.
- Most other expense areas are running close to budget.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
Have you updated your REG? Over half our weekly offerings are made through REG. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from the information rack at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942
Radio Microphones
Policy changes by the government over the last few years has led to our radio microphone equipment becoming obsolete and non-compliant with regulations. The tech team have been proactive in investigating equipment over the past 12 months and have now purchased equipment that will see us well into the future. The new equipment was operational last week without any noticeable change thanks to the experience of the tech team. For any problem solving with the equipment please talk to the tech team or contact the front office during office hours.
First Aid
As part of providing child safe programs for our children we are required to have safety management systems in place. To assist our leaders and teams, anyone with a current first aid certificate is requested to provide a copy to the office for recording. Your services would only be required in the unlikely event that minor assistance is required.
Women's Fellowship, Para Vista
On Tuesday, September 2nd at 1pm in the church, our next meeting will be held featuring Bible study, a business meeting and guest speaker. Joy Wandel will share with us her impressions and experiences during a visit to the Amish community in America. A power point presentation will accompany her talk. We WELCOME anyone who wishes to join us for this presentation. Afternoon tea in the hall will follow Joy's illustrated talk. Hope to see you join us.
Pr Rolly recommends an inspiring book…
Last Sunday’s message was on Sharing the Good News. While not all of us are gifted evangelists, Peter urges: ‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…’ (1 Peter 3:15 NIV) The book pictured is full of stories and practical wisdom that has inspired and encouraged me in this. There are 42 short chapters which can be read daily over six weeks. Honestly, I couldn’t wait that long!
The promo blurb is spot on: ‘Bestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg use compelling and humorous stories from their own lives in a devotional-style book that paints an irresistible picture of what personal evangelism can be - the fulfilling adventure of a lifetime!’
Available through Koorong at this site:
http://www.koorong.com/search/product/unexpected-adventure-the-lee-strobel-mark-mittelberg/9780310283928.jhtml
Noticeboard
Adelaide: Free 'Building strong, caring communities' workshop
A workshop to help you better serve in your community followed by the launch of our 2014-2019 Strategic Plan. Join us at this exciting afternoon that will include a panel discussion with representatives who have spearheaded community projects within their congregations and a session to discuss how you can help build your community.
Join us for drinks and nibbles afterwards to help launch our Strategic Plan. If you can’t join us for the workshop you are still welcome to celebrate with us at the launch.
When: Thursday, 4 September
Time: Workshop 2.00pm-4.30pm; launch from 4.30pm-5.30pm
Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 15-17 Glynburn Rd, Glynde SA 5070
RSVP: 27 August to mcirocco@lccare.org.au
And now these three remain:
Faith, Hope and Love
But the greatest of these is Love
1 Corinthians 13:13
