We're up to part 3 of Balancing Life’s Demands. We're using the image of a wheel to talk about balance. We need a right centre in life: Jesus. Then we fit the key areas of our life - the spokes - into the Centre. Last Sunday we looked at keeping our minds healthy and active.
This Sunday we pick up the physical dimension: Looking after our bodies.
God created us with a body. One of the ancients reflects:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:14-16 NIV)
Every Christmas, we recall that the Word became flesh. In Jesus, God got tangled up in our skin and lived with us.
Jesus lived, died, and rose again with a body, paying the price for us to become His: in body and mind, heart and soul. Since our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to honour God with our bodies.
Bible Readings: Exodus 20:8-11; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
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 churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids resumes for Term 2 this Sunday! This term our teaching will focus on the books of Matthew, Luke and Acts – Jesus’ teaching and the early church.
There will be no Kingdom Kids on Mothers’ Day so that the children can worship alongside their mums and play a small part in the worship service. Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.
Faith at Home
May booklet out now! Pick up a copy of the May booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk, parenting room and children’s activity folders.
Step Up
Our Step Up first communion course begins this Sunday with a lunch to be held in the Education Centre beginning at 12.15pm. We have a number of children registered and we are looking forward to journeying with these children and their families as they take their next step in faith. Over the following four Friday nights 8-29 May, our facilitator Mary Jo Zwar will lead the sessions.
Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker
Last Sunday at Good Shepherd
Our theme was: What’s on your mind? As God’s people, we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Like soldiers guarding an entrance, we take sentry duty over what comes into our minds.
We can fill our minds with poison, stuffing, brain food, or the Bible. One form of stuffing is TV. According to the ABS report in 2012, Australian adults spent an average of 13 hours a week watching TV. That’s 676 hours/year. The opportunity cost is well summed up in:
The Channel 23 Psalm
The TV is my shepherd
my spiritual growth shall want
It makes me sit down and do nothing for his name’s sake
because it presenteth so many good shows that I must see.
It restores my knowledge of the things of the world
and keeps me from studying God’s word.
It leads me in the path of failing to attend worship services
and doing nothing for the kingdom of God.
Yeah though I live to a hundred
I shall keep on viewing my TV as long as it will continue to work.
For it is my closest companion
- its sounds and its pictures they comfort me.
It presenteth entertainment before me
and keepeth me from doing important things with my family.
It fills my head with ideas that are contrary to God’s word.
Surely no good thing will come of my life
because my TV causes me to backslide
and I shall be ashamed before him at his coming.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Women’s Fellowship News
SA/NT Lutheran Women's Convention
This is an invitation to all women to attend at 9:30am on 16th May at St Paul Lutheran Church, Audrey Avenue, Enfield for our day long annual convention. We hope that many people will represent our fellowship and we welcome congregation members to also attend. The baby clothes that we are collecting should be brought or sent on that day so that they can be dedicated before distribution. Our thanks to all who are contributing.
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING LUNCH
You are invited to attend the Women’s Fellowship annual fundraising lunch in Good Shepherd Lutheran Hall, on 2nd June at 12noon. Guest speaker is Mal Thiel sharing his experiences with football and Sudanese Australians. Cost per person is $12 which includes two courses and table wine. To register for this lunch please ring Ruth Oster on 8265 0221 by the 26th May.
Noticeboard
Lutheran Community Care - Loaves & Fishes
This month we invite you to replenish our Emergency Relief shelves with Baked Beans, Tinned Meat Meals, Spreads eg. Vegemite, peanut butter and cheese spread.
Thank you for helping us help others.
Your LCC representative will ensure we receive your donation.
“I am with you always”
Matthew 28:20
