Words that bless

Think about all the words you have spoken over the last week. You probably can’t remember most of them. However, there may be some that you do remember because of their impact.
It may have been words of love you shared with your partner or child. It may have been
some hurtful words you blurted out and now regret. It may have been the hard words to an employee who wasn’t performing well. It may have been sad words of tragic news.

While we forget most of the words we speak there are some that we do remember because
of the importance they carry. The book of Proverbs says, ‘The tongue can bring death or life.’ (Proverbs 18:26) We can probably all think of words spoken to us that have in effect killed something in us. It may have been a dream or a plan. We can also think of words that have encouraged us and spurred us on to become something more. These were words of life.

As God’s people we are encouraged to use our words to bring life and blessing to others. The Bible says, ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’ (Ephesians 4:29) Instead of using our words to put others down, we are to use them to build others up through encouragement and support.

This is not easy to do especially if the person we are speaking to has used their words to hurt us. Our natural response is to hurt back. How do we find the capacity to act in a way that doesn’t always come naturally to us?

The answer is found in hearing God’s words of blessing. As we listen to what God says to us about his incredible love and forgiveness through Jesus, we discover a transforming power that enables us to speak words of blessing to others.

There is a saying that goes, ‘Hurt people, hurt people!’ If we are hurting on the inside it will show in the way we speak and act towards others on the outside. God wants to speak his words of love and forgiveness into our hurts to bring healing and restoration. As this happens we will notice that the tone of our words will begin to change from hurtful to helpful. As the hurt on the inside heals the hurt coming out of us in our words will reduce and be replaced with words that bless others.

While it is always good to think before we speak, the best way to grow in speaking words that bless others is to hear God speaking them to us first. Are you taking the time to hear what God wants to say to you?

Pastor Noel

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “Why is work so hard?” as we continue the series “God in our work” Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Genesis 3:1-13; 16-19; Ecclesiastes 2:22-26a

Term 3 Diary Dates
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.

New Personal Journal Available in Worship
Each week we have Activity Folders available for kids who stay in the service. During the school holidays and going forward there will be a new Personal Journal handout available for older kids and youth to interact with and respond to the services. Please make sure you try these out!

Kingdom Kids will not be meeting this week as it is school holidays! We hope you enjoy worshipping our amazing God together in the services!

Kingdom Kids Celebration Service
Planning is well under way for our Kingdom Kids Celebration Service this year with a theme of ‘Make Room for the Saviour’. Make sure you book in the date of Sunday 30th of November (10:30am service) which is the first week of Advent and more info will be out soon about how you can get involved!! It’s going to be an amazing time to share as a family with lots of different ways to participate.

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.

70th Wedding Anniversary! 
God willing Pastor Bill and Melva Stolz will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this Sunday, September 28th. They were members for nearly 20 years at Para Vista, before transferring to Hope Valley. We extend congratulations and wish them God’s continued blessings for their life together. 

Spring Plant Stall
Our Spring Plant Stall will be held again this Sunday 28th September after both morning services.

PVLW Fellowship
Meet again on Tuesday, 7th October at 1:00 in the Para Vista church/hall. Our bible study and business meeting will be followed by a "FLORAL DAY". We are asking that you choose to wear or bring your favourite floral piece to share with us. We hope that you will explain why it is special. Do feel free to bring a friend, neighbour of family member along. We look forward to seeing you.

Board vacancies
The Good Shepherd Board has the responsibility to resource the  Ministry Team, so working in tandem with those who call Good Shepherd their church home, we can further our mission of Reaching into the community with the Gospel. In 2015 there will be several vacancies on the Board. If you are interested in finding out more about what is involved in being a Board member I encourage you to contact John Dolling 0409 819 864 / 8367 5296 / jdolling@bigpond.net.au.

Maranatha support
Last week’s retiring offering to support Maranatha Health as they recommence their work in Uganda totalled $920. We thank for your generous support.

Notes from September Board meeting

• The Board discussed the quote to upgrade the church sign. It was decided to get a further quote
• The Board decided to revisit the Board Strategic plan to see if it required updating
• Policy on Corporate Image and Branding was adopted
• Progress of 2014 budget was discussed. It was noted offerings in August were below budget but budget position for 2014 remained positive
• Pastor Noel shared the exciting news of people new to the faith were joining our community.

Interested in supporting our local Christian Pastoral Support Workers? 
Earlier this year, four CPSW workers shared at our Sunday morning service the difference they are making in their school communities.  Inspirational!

The local board that supports and helps resource our local CPSW’s is made up of representatives from local churches.  This board is called SHIN: Salisbury Hills Interchurch Network.  In recent years, Good Shepherd has been represented by Pr Noel, Dean Eaton, and for the last three years your truly.

Since I intend to finish up on SHIN at the end of 2014, I am keen to find another person from Good Shepherd to take my place. SHIN currently meets bi-monthly on a Thursday night at Ingle Farm Salvation Army centre (cnr of Bridge and Maxwell roads).  Normally 5-8 people attend, and meetings run for 1-2 hours, including visits and reports from our local CPSW’s. 

SHIN is also looking for a new treasurer for 2015. 

If you have served on a governance team in the past, or have gifts in admin, supervision, communication or finance –- and are even ‘just a little’ interested –- I would love to hear from you.   

Pr Rolly Stahl

Noticeboard

Position Vacant
A part time position (6 hours a week) is available at Para Vista Lutheran Homes Inc. for a Maintenance/Handy-person (non-trade). Full details are available from Bill Waring on 0405213460. Please note applications close on Monday, 6th October 2014.

Time-Out Devotion Book
Pre orders for the 2015 devotion book “Time Out. God calls” are now being taken. The books will be available early in December for $22 per copy

The book provides Christian devotions by Australian writers for each day of the calendar year. Each meditation, edited by Greg Lockwood, is a “time-out” of about 3 minutes. The devotion writers’ thoughts are life-related and cantered on the message of God’s love for people shown in Jesus Christ.

Please advise the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087 to order your copy, by October 20th.

Foster Care Information Session
Are you able to provide foster care to a child? Come along to a Foster Care Information Session on Wednesday 15th October 2014 from 6.30 – 8.30pm at Golden Grove Lutheran Fellowship (Admin building) Sunnybrook Drive, Wynn Vale. Meet a Carer and hear what it’s
like to open your home to a child or young person in need.
Light refreshments will be provided.

For further information and to RSVP call 8337 8787
Or visit the website: http://www.fostercare.lccare.org.au

Forgive them even if they are not sorry

Mark 11:25

Taking chances

We are currently in the middle of the series ‘God in our work’. Last week I had the privilege of getting to interview people about why they work and how they see their work as service to God and others. My favourite part about doing interviews of this nature is the conversations I get to have with people off-camera as well as on-camera. It was so encouraging to hear each person share about how they see God in their work. A common theme that came out in each of their stories was where there was contact with people there was an opportunity to be Jesus to people and share Jesus’ love.

I think we often limit how we can work for God or what God can work through but really wherever we have contact with people – whether it is at the coffee shop in a break or the petrol station on the way to work, at your workplace, during lunch, in your dealings with clients, at the supermarket or with your family at home – you have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus. God has given us each our own little mission field and he has equipped as with all that we need to be his ambassadors. You probably hear this all the time but Christianity is more about what happens Monday to Saturday than it is about what happens on Sunday.

I wonder what change we could be in our workplace and the lives of others if we came into them with the perspective of being missionaries. What if we tried to share the love and hope of Jesus in our attitudes and our words? What if we worked with excellence and encouraged those around us?

I think we could have a huge impact. I challenge you today to go out with this mindset. Share the awesome love and grace God has given you and remember Jesus promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20).

Emma K.

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “Choosing your work” as we continue the series “God in our work” Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Psalm 146, Ephesians 6:5-9

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).

Term 3 Diary Dates
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.

More Teachers and Helpers Needed
We URGENTLY need more teachers and helpers in Baby Zone and Kool Zone to make sure our programs are safe and can still run each week! Please pray for this ministry and consider if you can help out once or twice a term and spend some time with our amazing Godly kids!! Please contact 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.

Spring Plant Stall
Our Spring Plant Stall will be held on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th September, after both morning services. If you have potted up plants for sale, you can deliver them to the church on Saturday 20th between 10.30am and 12.30pm.  Otherwise bring them to the hall on the Sunday prior to the service you are attending.  Please label your plants with a name and if they flower, a colour of the flower. Thank you for your support.

Card Stall
Various cards will be on sale in the hall this Sunday after both services.

PVLW Fellowship
Meet again on Tuesday, October 7th at 1:00 in the Para Vista church/hall. Our bible study and business meeting will be followed by a "FLORAL DAY". We are asking that you choose to wear or bring your favourite floral piece to share with us. We hope that you will explain why it is special. Do feel free to bring a friend, neighbour of family member along. We look forward to seeing you.

Interested in supporting our local Christian Pastoral Support Workers? 
Earlier this year, four CPSW workers shared at our Sunday morning service the difference they are making in their school communities.  Inspirational!

The local board that supports and helps resource our local CPSW’s is made up of representative from local churches.  This board is called SHIN: Salisbury Hills Interchurch Network.  In recent years, Good Shepherd has been represented by Pr Noel, Dean Eaton, and for the last three years your truly.

Since I intend to finish up on SHIN at the end of 2014, I am keen to find another person from Good Shepherd to take my place. SHIN currently meets bi-monthly on a Thursday night at Ingle Farm Salvation Army centre (cnr of Bridge and Maxwell roads).  Normally 5-8 people attend, and meetings run for 1-2 hours, including visits and reports from our local CPSW’s. 

SHIN is also looking for a new treasurer for 2015. 

If you have served on a governance team in the past, or have gifts in admin, supervision, communication or finance –- and are even ‘just a little’ interested –- I would love to hear from you.   

Pr Rolly Stahl

Noticeboard

Foster Care Information Session
Are you able to provide foster care to a child? Come along to a Foster Care Information Session on Wednesday 15th October 2014 from 6.30 – 8.30pm at Golden Grove Lutheran Fellowship (Admin building) Sunnybrook Drive, Wynn Vale. Meet a Carer and hear what it’s like to open your home to a child or young person in need. Light refreshments will be provided.
For further information and to RSVP call 8337 8787
Or visit the website: http://www.fostercare.lccare.org.au

Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
Things happened differently in Queensland. 19th century German migration to Queensland
and the slow process of forming a Lutheran church there. You are all invited to come to the next FoLA gathering to hear Robin Kleinschmidt, a retired Lutheran educator from Queensland, enlighten us on the arrival in Queensland 150 years ago of the first German Lutheran settlers. Bethlehem House, City, 7.30pm, Monday 22nd September. 
Supper and gold coin donation.

For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Praying with your children

How often do you pray with your children?  When do you pray with them? What do you bring to God in prayer with them? These are questions I ponder, particularly as I raise my own children.

Did your parents pray with you when you were a child? When I was growing up, my parents rarely prayed with me except before mealtimes and at church on Sundays. One of the things that God placed on my heart when having children was to help them understand how relevant their faith is to their lives. We pray most nights before bedtime. And some nights we have time to read the Bible and answer a couple of questions with regard to the passage we've read and an application question. Occasionally these times also bring out of my children stuff that's happening in their lives which we can talk about in relation to what God is doing in their life and then pray about it. These are treasured times.

I've just finished reading a book (which you can borrow from our church library) called "Sticky Faith.” It is American but relevant for us as Aussies and current. I enjoyed reading it because it doesn't assume that everything suggested will work for your family. And no two families are the same! There are many suggestions with regard to how you can help your children own their faith.

Prayer plays a big part in this. Prayer is powerful.  Pray without doubting that God will answer your prayers. "Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’“Matthew 21:21-22 | NIV

So what do we pray about? I try to get my children to pray about things that are bothering them and also for things that they are thankful. We praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done for us through Jesus. We pray about what we're sorry for and then we name people that we want the Holy Spirit to be at work in, drawing them closer to Jesus. It can be all over in 5 minutes or it might take a bit longer.

Praying with my children shows them I care about them and what's going on in their lives.  And it reminds them how much God loves them and how much He wants them to grow in His plans and purposes for them. It also keeps me connected to them which is so important as they grow into scary teenagers!!

So how are you going with helping your children own their faith? What about your grandchildren? If you need help, ask God to teach you how and He will. "Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them." Matthew 19:13

Kathy L.

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “What are you working for?” as we start a new series “God in our work” Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Psalm 145:1-17; John 5:16-19

New Parents’ Corner
There is a new Parents’ Corner in the Parenting Room which showcases new resources we have in the children and family section of the library and resources to help you in your faith at home! Please have a look at these while you are in there with your kids. All of these resources are available for borrowing from our very own library up the stairs at the back of the hall!

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).

Term 3 Diary Dates
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.

This Sunday Kingdom Kids will be exploring the following topics:

• Baby Zone: I See God’s Love at Church
• Kindy Zone: An Egyptian Move (Genesis 46:1-47:12)
• Kids Zone: David lets Saul live (1 Samuel 24, Psalm 57)
• Kool Zone (Elisha: the widow’s oil, feeding 100 people (2 Kings 4:1-7, 42-44, Matthew 14:13-21)

More Teachers and Helpers Needed
We URGENTLY need more teachers and helpers in Baby Zone and Kool Zone to make sure our programs are safe and can still run each week! Please pray for this ministry and consider if you can help out once or twice a term and spend some time with our amazing Godly kids!! Please contact 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.

This Sunday After the 10:30 service
Meet Andrew Sajjabi from Maranatha Health Uganda. Andrew is a rare African man - he loves to cook! He is also an exceptional administrator and manager, and Marantha Health would not be about to launch its new project in Uganda if it weren't for his tireless work. Andrew will be visiting Para Vista with Kim and Michael Findlay this Sunday September 14. Join him for a cuppa and hear about his story and his passion for the people of Uganda. There will be a retiring offering after service to show our support

Spring Plant Stall
Our Spring Plant Stall will be held on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th September, after both morning services. If you have potted up plants for sale, you can deliver them to the church on Saturday 20th between 10.30am and 12.30pm.  Otherwise bring them to the hall on the Sunday prior to the service you are attending.  Please label your plants with a name and if they flower, a colour of the flower. Thank you for your support.

Noticeboard

Foster Care Information Session
Are you able to provide foster care to a child? Come along to a Foster Care Information Session on Wednesday 15th October 2014 from 6.30 – 8.30pm at Golden Grove Lutheran Fellowship (Admin building), Sunnybrook Drive, Wynn Vale. Meet a Carer and hear what it’s like to open your home to a child or young person in need. Light refreshments will be provided.
For further information and to RSVP call 8337 8787
Or visit our website: http://www.fostercare.lccare.org.au

Adelaide and Barossa: Sign up now to help with Christmas Hampers
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the packing and distribution of Christmas Hampers. Packing will take place at the end of November and the hampers will be distributed in December.

If you have time to spare and would like to help those in need this Christmas, please contact our Blair Athol office at 08 8269 9300 or the Barossa office at 08 8562 2688 for more information on how to get involved.

Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
Things happened differently in Queensland. 19th century German migration to Queensland
and the slow process of forming a Lutheran church there. You are all invited to come to the next FoLA gathering to hear Robin Kleinschmidt, a retired Lutheran educator from Queensland, enlighten us on the arrival in Queensland 150 years ago of the first German Lutheran settlers. Bethlehem House, City, 7.30pm, Monday 22nd September. 
Supper and gold coin donation.

I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

God in our work

This is the title of our new worship series starting this Sunday.  We want to explore how our everyday work connects with our everyday walk with God.  For the Christian, there is no division between the sacred and the secular.  We live in the grace and under the lordship of Jesus ALL the time – which includes how we go about our work.

Paul writes: Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)  Now Paul is not writing to professional church workers, but to a congregation of people with many different occupations – including  slaves.  

We honour the Lord by giving our best in our work; and by seeking to bless others through our work.  We work for God; and God works through us.  When our work is an expression of worship to the Lord, it is not in vain.  The love of Jesus transforms our work in a holy calling that blesses others … and sends ripples into eternity.

Pr Rolly Stahl

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “God’s plan for our work” as we start a new series “God in our work”
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Genesis 1:26-2:3, Genesis 2:15-20

New Parents’ Corner
There is a new Parents’ Corner in the Parenting Room which showcases new resources we have in the children and family section of the library and resources to help you in your faith at home! Please have a look at these while you are in there with your kids. All of these resources are available for borrowing from our very own library up the stairs at the back of the hall!

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).

Term 3 Diary Dates
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.

This Sunday is Father’s Day and we will be celebrating our Heavenly Father in worship together. Kingdom Kids will then all be meeting out in the hall during the 10:30am service to make a special gift for their earthly fathers or other special men in their lives, as well as praying for Father’s everywhere! All kids and their families are welcome to come and be part of the gift making and prayer!

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)

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.

Spring Plant Stall
Please note: the change of dates for our next Fundraiser, our Spring Plant Stall.
It will now be on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th Sept after both morning services.
If you have potted up plants for sale, you can deliver them to the church on Saturday 20th between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Otherwise bring them to the hall on the Sunday prior to the service you are attending. Please label your plants with a name, and if they flower the colour
of the flower.

Thankyou to all who supported our Major Fundraiser recently, it was a great night with the Borderers!  We raised just on $4000! Thank you to all who donated gifts and prizes for this event also, it was very much appreciated.

Blessings from the Team
Joan McCarthy
Team Leader

September 14 (After the 10:30 service)
Meet Andrew Sajjabi from Maranatha Health Uganda.
Andrew is a rare African man - he loves to cook! He is also an exceptional administrator and manager, and Marantha Health would not be about to launch its new project in Uganda if it weren't for his tireless work. Andrew will be visiting Para Vista with Kim and Michael Findlay on Sunday September 14. Join him for a cuppa and hear about his story and his passion for the people of Uganda.

Noticeboard

Adelaide and Barossa: Sign up now to help with Christmas Hampers
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the packing and distribution of Christmas Hampers. Packing will take place at the end of November and the hampers will be distributed in December.

If you have time to spare and would like to help those in need this Christmas, please contact our Blair Athol office at 08 8269 9300 or the Barossa office at 08 8562 2688 for more information on how to get involved.

Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
Things happened differently in Queensland. 19th century German migration to Queensland and the slow process of forming a Lutheran church there. You are all invited to come to the next FoLA gathering to hear Robin Kleinschmidt, a retired Lutheran educator from Queensland, enlighten us on the arrival in Queensland 150 years ago of the first German Lutheran settlers. Bethlehem House, City, 7.30 pm, Monday 22nd September.  Supper and gold coin donation.

Worry about tomorrow
steals the joy from today