Right now, I am overwhelmed. Writing this article is just another thing to add to my ever growing to-do list this week. The calm of the holiday period has well and truly vanished and the busy and mundane has definitely kicked back in. If I am honest, the last thing I feel like doing is trying to come up with something clever and inspirational to say.
The last week has felt like a never ending stream of stressful moments. I wonder if you ever feel the same way? Your stressors might be different to mine but I would wager that the resulting overwhelming feelings are probably pretty similar. I find when I am stressed that it is really easy to push God out and rely on my own ability to get tasks done. Yet I know there must be a better way, a way to engage with God even amidst this craziness.
Jesus said “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this.” (John 8:23 MSG)
In telling us that we are “missing God” because we are tied down to the mundane, Jesus is giving us the answer to engaging with God in the busy and mundane- choose to notice God in your life. Your situation may not change but your perspective on it sure can. Find space in your busy schedule to stop and actively choose to see God at work. If we don’t choose to look for him in the mundane we will miss him.
I have snapped a few times in the last week when I have been so overwhelmed, said things I shouldn’t have and reacted badly. It’s moments like that where I am thankful that God’s grace meets me where I’m at. I’m thankful God doesn’t expect me to pick myself back up and do better before he will love me. We don’t try and find God in the everyday for him to love us more, we seek him so we can love him more and accept his love and grace.
To close I would like to share the words of Matt Redman: “it’s there in the everyday and the mundane…. Your grace finds me.”
Sophie G.
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This week’s message is “Learning to listen” as we continue the series “Dare to care”
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au Coming soon to the new website
Bible Readings: Mark 5:24b-34
- Kool Zone in the Education Centre
- Kids Zone in Mrs Lunnay’s classroom
- Kindy Zone in Mrs Kluge’s classroom
Little Lambs Playgroup
Playgroup is also in full swing for 2015! The church hall is open from 9am so why not head straight over after seeing off your children at school. If the main door to the car park is not open, enter through the church office. (I think there might even be pancakes happening next week?!)
Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker
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.
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday 18th February 7.30 pm including imposition of ashes and Holy Communion
From the Office
Budget 2014
November 2014
Total Offering - Budget $46,150 Actual $44,875. DEFICIT $1,275
December 2014
Total Offering - Budget $48,750 Actual $42,683. DEFICIT $6,067
January thru December 2014
Total Offering - Budget $537,000 Actual $506,249. DEFICIT $30,751
January thru November 2014 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $510,413 Actual $488,410. SHORTFALL $22,003
Total Expenses - Budget $510,829 Actual $489,412. SHORTFALL $21,417
Notes to report
- Offerings in November were just under budget.
- December was significantly under budget. The last Sunday in Dec was $2,000 below a normal Sunday plate offering and REG was also $2,000 below budget, however the highest offering since August.
- Christmas Offerings was slightly down on previous years.
- Final offering for 2014 was $3,085 above 2013 figure and shows how the uplift in early 2014 was not maintained during the year.
- Expenses in October and November were generally in line with budget.
Gardening
The gardens at our facility are low maintenance and require very little to maintain. I am requesting assistance from a member/family who is willing to spend an hour a month at their leisure to maintain one small garden section to help keep our facility looking great. Please mark your connect card with garden help or contact Stephen on 8263 5087 or szanker@paravista.org.au
Parking Notice
The school are upgrading the library area. A transportable site office for the contractors working on this project over the next term will be placed over a number of carparks between The Hut and the welfare bin. Please also be aware of the council’s Sunday parking restrictions on Montague Road near the church entrance.
Surplus to requirement
Now that we have a new LED sign, all the lettering from the old sign is surplus to requirements. If anyone can make use of the lettering or know of someone who could, please contact Stephen, szanker@paravista.org.au the office on 8263 5087 or mark ‘lettering’ on your connect card.
Vacancies
Please see Noticeboard for more details
Employment opportunity - LLL
The Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL) is seeking a full-time Risk & Compliance Manager. Refer to the notice board for more information. Applications close 27th February 2015
Client Services Assistants – Lutheran Disability Services
Two positions are available within the Marion and Hillcrest communities. The role is a permanent position with hours being negotiable, but does require availability over a 7 day roster with occasional sleepovers involved.
If you are interested in working in a supportive Christian environment and contributing to a highly motivated team, for further details and a Position Description contact Lutheran Disability Services at 8212 7766 or email jobs@ldssa.org.au
Noticeboard
Free Bread and Goodies
Free bread, muffins and sweets are available in the church hall every Monday night at 6.30pm. Provided by the good people from Prices Bakery Hillcrest, Muffin Break and Ingle Bakehouse.
Beyond the Promise
Beyond the Promises is a teaching ministry that aims to bring Christians from a variety of communities and congregations together for a series of evening sessions. More information can be found in the Information rack and details will also be announced during Sunday service.
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe”
Proverbs 18:10
