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 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
who strengthens me
