Guiding Light

I was talking with one of my young people recently about the stresses of Year 10. She shared that at the beginning of the year the teachers sat them down and told them every piece of work- every test, assignment, essay and exam- that they would be doing over the course of the year. She said it was overwhelming and that it would have been nicer if the teachers told them about the work load step by step rather than all at once.

I started to think about all the times I have asked God to give me a detailed plan of my future.
I often find myself wondering where God wants me to be in 10 years and praying that He’ll tell me right now every step I need to take to get there. I’m guessing I’m not alone in my frustration when it doesn’t happen. But this conversation made me consider how overwhelmed I would be if God actually did what I asked Him to, if He told me everything that was going to happen in my life or even if He told me everything that was going to happen this year. I still wish God would give me a little more to work with.

Psalm 119:105 says that God’s word is a lamp unto our feet. Did you catch that? The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet. It doesn’t say it is a beacon into the future. It doesn’t even say it is a street lamp that will help you get to the next corner. It says a lamp unto our feet. This means that it will illuminate our next step or two but not much further. Following a light that only allows you to see the next step may not be the easiest way to get to your destination but it is possible to make the whole trip this way.

I was driving in the Adelaide Hills one night and it was unbelievably foggy. My headlights were barely lighting up more than a metre in front of my car. I hate this kind of driving, it scares me. I like to see further into the distance. I like to see any obstacles or bends in the road so that I can safely navigate them. But with teeth gritted and knuckles white on the steering wheel, I made it to my destination. I could only see a metre in front of me the entire time and, although I didn’t like it, I made the whole trip that way.

My journey with God is often like that. I find myself wishing I could see further into the future or see any obstacles that are coming my way. But I know that I can make the whole journey with only enough light to see the next step. This way I am depending on God for each step and not getting overwhelmed by the things that He has for me far in the distance. Let’s face it, if God gave me enough light to see even the next months’ worth of steps I would be very tempted to do it without Him or maybe to go a different way.

It can be pretty scary feeling like you are walking into the unknown. Thankfully we have a God who not only gives us a light unto our feet, but also offers to walk with us and guide us every step of the way.

For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14

Sophie Gerrie

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “Loneliness: When there’s no one to share with” as we continue the series “Is this all there is?” Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Luke 19:1-9

Kingdom Kids
This week Kingdom Kids will be looking at and learning about these topics:

• Baby Zone – God Cares for Me
• Kindy Zone – Chosen and changed (Acts 9:1-19)
• Kids Zone – All part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
• Kool Zone – Phillip tells about Jesus (Acts 8:26-40)

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. Let’s all join together to help our Kool Zone kids grow in The Word together!

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!

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.
 
Report on AGM

1. The audited Financial Statement for 2013 was presented and accepted by the meeting. There was a deficit of $961 for 2013. The members were thanked for their generous financial support of the mission of the congregation as was the Finance Team for all their work preparing and monitoring the budget.
2. Senior Pastor’s report was accepted as presented.
3. The meeting was informed that the Stewardship Campaign to ascertain financial support for the Connect project has been postponed to 2015.
4. Report was given on the progress to upgrade the Branding including work on street sign, website upgrade, publication and general signage. Quotes are being obtained for the new street sign.
5. Faye Godfrey Chair of the Village Board was thanked for all her work during 2014.
6. The issue of lack of parking was raised. This was being investigated.

Noticeboard

Lutheran Men of Australia SA Division
47th Annual Convention & AGM 28th June 2014
St John’s Lutheran Church Woodside
Theme – Communicating Christ
Study Leader – Rev Richard Fox, Director Lutheran Media Cost $20
9am registration, 9.30 Service with Holy Communion

Grassroots Training Workshops – June & July 2014
Dates and course are available on the Church Noticeboard.

“The Bible that is falling apart,
usually belongs to someone who is not”