This week
we start a series called ‘Our story in God’s story’ and it is based on the five
key words that emerged from a survey we conducted last year where we asked the
congregation to choose words that best described our church. While these
describe our story they also reflect God’s greater story. We begin by looking
at Acceptance.
The human
heart longs for acceptance. Although it has probably caused you some pain over
the years, the desire to be accepted and to belong can actually be a good
thing. It is God-given. The trouble comes when we look for acceptance in people
or things rather than in God. The acceptance of people often falls short of
fulfilling our needs and leaves us feeling rejected. We will only find true
acceptance when we base who we are on the acceptance God has given us through
Jesus.
The good
news is God accepts us unconditionally. Romans 5 tells us that God didn’t wait
until we were good enough or until we were acceptable to him, rather he sent
Jesus while we were still sinners. Before we did anything to deserve acceptance
God had already given it to us. This is a wonderful and freeing revelation. But
the story doesn’t end there.
God
doesn’t accept us simply for the sake of us feeling good or solely for our
salvation. God accepts us to show us how we are to accept others. Romans 15:7
says “Accept one another then as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring
praise to God”. Rather than placing conditions on our acceptance, like “I will
accept you if….” We are called to accept and love others before they have done anything
to deserve it. It can seem like a daunting task to accept others as Christ has
accepted us–unconditionally, especially when it involves extending acceptance
to those people in our lives we find it difficult to get along with. Thankfully
we don’t have to do it on our own. It is not by our strength or power that we
achieve this, but by the Holy Spirit at work in us.
Ask the
Holy Spirit to help you this week as you endeavour to accept others as Jesus
has first accepted you.
Blessings,
Sophie
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message is “Acceptance” as we
start a new series ‘Our story in God’s story’
Bible Readings: Romans 3:21-28; Luke
7:28-35
School Holidays
Our 2014
Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched at the Back to School
Service this Sunday the 2nd February 2014. Please join us for a short
celebration time with Kindy, Kids and Kool zones all together in the school
library to start the year!
Kingdom Kids
Are you
keen to help our kids learn about Jesus and how to have a relationship with
Him? We would love to have you work with us in Baby Zone, Kindy Zone, Kids Zone
or Kool Zone! We really need at least one volunteer in each zone and know that
God will provide. If you are interested, please have a chat with me or write it
on your welcome card and we can go from there! You are only rostered on 2-3 times
a term or whatever you can commit to!
Kindy Zone Team Leader
A big
thank you to Rachel Liebelt who has led Kindy Zone for a number of years and
has decided to have a break from this role. 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!
Playgroup
Playgroup
will start up again next Wednesday 5th of February. I have finished up as
coordinator as I take on the Team Leader role here at Good Shepherd so
Playgroup is now looking for a new coordinator to be part of a great team of
people! Please prayerfully consider if this might be you and contact Beth
Einthal for more info on 8263 5087 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au .
Baby Zone Room
The new
Baby Zone room is starting to take shape and looks amazing! Many thanks to John
Dolling and Ian Pfeiffer for their hard work on this! Looking forward to the
next steps over this term to help paint, decorate and furnish this new space!
It's going to be amazing!! Feel free to pop past and have a look!
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.
Staffing Change
Barry Klaer has resigned from his role as Pastoral Care and Fellowship
team leader with his last day being Thursday 20th February. We will
be farewelling Barry in the services on Sunday 16th February. Please
keep Barry in your prayers as he finishes his time with us after 9 years of
faithful service.
The Board has approved the continuation of this role as part of our
staffing plan and the position will be advertised in the next week.
From the Office Manager
Kitchen Items
The Ladies Guild finished their time to clean and tidy the kitchen area and
all of the clutter that has accumulated over the past year. A large number of
items have been left in the kitchen and you will be able to view them on
Sunday. If any of the items belong to you please remove them. Items left after
February 2nd will be disposed of accordingly.
Contractor Cleaning
The contractor commenced operation this week to clean most of the
facilities of the church. The areas covered will be the main auditorium area,
ablutions, narthex, parenting room, baby zone and the front entry. Users of the
hall and kitchen area, hut and education/library area will still be responsible
for returning these areas to a clean and tidy state ready for the next
user.
I would like to request that as a community, members would remove litter items
from the auditorium when they leave and place them in the bins provided.
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.
Alternatively deposits can be made via direct debit.
If transferring from an LLL account, use account
number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution,
use account number 100354939, BSB 704942.
Relocation of the
library and Baby Zone
The relocation of our library and Baby Zone has been completed. This
Sunday Baby Zone will be held in the new area and the library will be
accessible via the stairs on the left hand side of the education centre.
Signage to these areas will be completed by the end of next week.
For Sale
Roller Door. No longer required due to the library relocation. Will fit
opening 1850mm wide. Any offer considered. Please contact Stephen on 8263 5087
for further information.
Noticeboard
RADIO
Listen to FACE TO FACE Invite others to do the same.
Download or listen online at www.facetoface.org.au Like us on Facebook Check out our inspiring
mini movies!
2nd Feb Highway
One Middle Lane Trevor Keller
9th Feb Great
Expectations Richard Fox
16th Feb FOMO
Rob
Schubert
23rd Feb Like
That You Don’t! Interview
Access the Face to Face mobile website through your
mobile device.
Enter www.facetoface.org.au in your browser and
follow the simple website.
“There is
no fine print in God’s communication with us”
