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 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
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 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
