So what does grace mean for us? Timothy Keller wrote ‘Grace means it is okay that we are not okay.’ Grace enables a perfect God to accept imperfect people like you and me. God’s grace does not ignore our imperfections. Instead grace takes our imperfections and exchanges them for Jesus’ perfection. Grace means that God is always looking at you and mean through the lens of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
Just as glasses help us focus perfectly, God’s Jesus glasses help him see us perfectly. When God looks at us through the lenses of Jesus, by the time his eyes focus on us, grace has swapped our sin for Jesus sinlessness. God sees us as perfect.
As God’s people who daily receive this grace through Jesus we are called to look at each other through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus died for everyone and this means that you have never looked into the eyes of someone who Jesus didn’t die for. You have never looked at someone so messed up that grace cannot reach and redeem.
We reflect this grace to others when we accept each other while knowing that not everything about us is okay. Acceptance is one of the words we have chosen to describe who we are as God’s people at Good Shepherd. We powerfully tell this story of acceptance when we welcome people and accept them even when they are not okay. We live this story as we look at every person through the finished work of Jesus on the cross and accept them. Our acceptance points people to God’s acceptance of them in Jesus - and this is what changes people.
In the acceptance of grace we find transformative power to change those things about us that are not okay. We wrongly believe that we can change people by judging them and excluding them until they shape up. This never works. What works is gracious acceptance. This is how God transforms us. This is how God works through us to transform others.
May we all work together to show the world what grace really means. Grace means that is okay that we are not okay.
Pastor Noel
This week’s message is “Disappointment: when God doesn’t do what I want” as we continue the series “Is this all there is?”
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bible Readings: John 11:1-45
This week Kingdom Kids will be looking at and learning about these topics:
- Baby Zone: People at Church Help Me
- Kindy Zone – Power of the Spirit (Acts 3:1-16)
- Kids Zone – The Spirit comes (Acts 2:1-41)
- In the name of Jesus (Acts 3:1 - 4:22)
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.
Thank you
On behalf of the family and myself, we would like to express our thanks to the members of the Good Shepherd congregation for their expressions of sympathy, cards and phone calls on the occasion of my husband’s death.
Ruby Keller & family
Good Shepherd Lutheran Women’s Fellowship
45th Anniversary Luncheon on Tuesday 3rd June 2014 @12pm. GSPV Church Hall.
Donation $12 each, your spouse, partner, friend is also most welcome to attend. RSVP by 27th May to Ruth Oster Ph. 8265 0221
Cebu Fundraising Event
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day, Sun 25th May. There will be sausages available after the first service and sausages and Steak Sandwiches available after the second service. Come and enjoy some lunch and then attend the AGM for the School, The Village and the Church at 12.30pm. There will also be freshly baked Cupcakes for sale.
All monies raised will go to the 'Inayawan Project' in Cebu, Philippines.
Wishing Well
The fundraising team have available a Wishing Well for hire, which can be used for Weddings, Engagements, Christenings, 18th or 21st Birthday parties, etc. It is a secure locked box and the $50 hire fee goes to Cebu Mission. For more information or to make a booking, contact the Church office or Linda Dulay on 0423067398
Chocolate Sellers
We would like one more person to sell chocolates please. If you work in an office, kindy, etc and have a suitable area to display a box of chocolates, then please contact Joan McCarthy or other team member.
Church, School, Village AGM’S
The AGM’s of the church, school and village will be held on Sunday May 25th starting at 12:30 pm. There will be a lunch in the hall preceding the meetings. So enjoy fellowship and a meal then finish the day at the meetings. Look forward to seeing to there.
All the relevant information is available in hard copy in the Member’s Information section in the foyer. It will also be emailed out early next week.
News from May Board meeting
- We met with David Wilksch the principal of our school and discussed a range of topics which affect both the school and church. This will strengthen the already strong links between the congregation and school.
- Decisions were made regarding updating the sign at the front of the church. We are at the stage of getting quotes on the preferred design.
- The Connect project was discussed. The results of these deliberations will be discussed at the AGM.
- Concern was expressed that we have not been able to fill the Pastoral Care and Fellowship position and the extra workload this has created for other staff.
Noticeboard
New Lutheran Media Website
Check out the new www.lutheranmedia.org.au website. Easy access to resources and our outreach ministries, including a new blog called the “Hub”. You’ll also discover easy ways to support this vital outreach ministry.
Listen to FACE TO FACE Invite others to do the same. Download or listen online at www.facetoface.org.au, including on your mobile internet devices. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/facetofaceradio
The Australian Lutheran College is no longer taking any further bookings for Football Parking. They have been overwhelmed with requests and are fully booked most weeks. ALC would like to thank everyone for their support.
Administrative Assistant
The Christian Community Hub is seeking a dynamic team member who can help support the ministries of its supporting Lutheran congregations and community outreach. Initially the position will be 14hrs/fortnight along with some holiday and sick day relief work.
Written applications, including resume and three references must be received by 30th May, 2014.
Send to: Co-ordinator - Christian Community Hub, 83 Murray St, Tanunda SA 5352
Job & Person Specification available by contacting Sandy at The Hubon 8563 3748 or email cchubtan@gmail.com
“When you take a stand for Christ, He stands with you”
