Friday, June 26, 2015

Anger Management

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
We continue our worship series: Breaking Free from the Seven Deadly Sins.  Over the last two weeks we’ve looked at sloth and greed. This Sunday: Breaking Free from Anger - reaction or response? 

Anger is a strong feeling that gets churned up inside us for many reasons.  Sometimes when our anger is triggered, we react impulsively - and that usually hurts people!  Yet anger CAN be constructive.  Anger can be a right response to a situation that is very much wrong. It can motivate us to take action in protecting the weak; or to fix a wrong.  Paul says: "In your anger, do not sin."  We need God's wisdom and grace to handle our anger appropriately.

Heavenly Father,
By the power and presence of your Holy Spirit,
  help me to live out who I am as your child.
Help me to handle my anger in healthy ways.
And help me to bear the fruit of patience
  in my relationships with others. Amen. 

Sunday Readings:
John 2:13-22 Jesus clears the commerce out of the temple courts.
Ephesians 4:26-27 We are to be careful how we deal with anger.
James 1:19-21 Quick to listen, slow to speak – and slow to become angry.
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
Last Sunday all zones enjoyed a short exercise session with Shelby!  We learnt that even though we can’t see what’s happening inside our bodies, things are at work helping us to exercise. Just like the Holy Spirit is at work in each of us helping us to believe in Jesus.

Kingdom Kids is now on holidays!  We will resume Sunday 26 July. Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services in the holidays. 

Baby Zone
We would like to remind parents of babies and toddlers about our wonderful Baby Zone room!  In Baby Zone we talk about the same simple topic for one month. Our topic for June is:  “God Cares for Me” (See 1 Peter 5:7.)  This month the children will:-
  • hear words and songs about God’s care for them.
  • feel thankful for God’s care.
  • and participate in fun play activities to learn ways God cares for them.
  • If you haven't been to Baby Zone before we would like to encourage you and your toddler or baby to give it a try!

Faith at Home
July booklet out now!  Pick up a copy of the July booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk, parenting room and children’s activity folders.

Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker

Women's Fellowship
On Tuesday, 7th July at 1pm in Good Shepherd Hall, we plan to share wedding memorabilia. It may be clothing, a wedding dress, perhaps a veil, shoes, or any other items of interest pertaining to a marriage ceremony. Photos are also most welcome if you wish to share some of them. If any congregation members would like to join us at this time, bring your special wedding items and let us enjoy them with you. Our husbands are not items so maybe they won’t be present at this gathering. They are far more precious!!   Do join us.

Maranatha Health Quiz Night - Think Orange!
Warm up those little grey cells, brush up on your African knowledge, gather your friends and form a team for the Maranatha Health Quiz Night.
When: Saturday 25 July, 6.30pm
Where: Endeavour College, 85 Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes
Tickets: $15pp, tables of 8-10 available online at http://www.trybooking/HWXZ, or at the door.
Theme: Orange (dress up, face paint, food, drink, decorate) Prizes for the most original
Please BYO drinks and nibbles. Hot drinks available. Market stall on the night.
For more information email contact@maranathahealth.org or go to www.maranathahealth.org/act/events

Cebu Mission News
A huge thankyou to all who came last Saturday night to our Music Night fundraiser.  It was a great night with The Adelaide Olde Time String Band donating their time and talents, also Carolyn Burgess donating her time and talent on her beautiful Harp, Nathan and Rochelle and their musicians and their beautiful singing and last but not least, Maureen and her Dance group donating their time also.

Thanks also to Tom Ollino for being 'The Alternative Auctioneer' with Di being his 'Adorable Assistant'. You both looked great and did a good job of the Mystery Wine Auction! Thanks to Steve Buck, Chairman of IGC Board for his talk and information.

We raised the wonderful amount of $3450....thanks everyone!  Also, a BIG THANK YOU to my Team for all the help prior to the event, for setting up the hall and all their help on the night. 

This was our last major event, so thank you again for all your support over the last eight and a half years.  We still have our Scone Day coming up in August, our Plant Stall in October and Sausage sizzle in November.  Looking forward to your continued support.

From the Office

Farewell celebration
On Sunday 26th July we will be farewelling Lorraine Johns from our church office after nearly 31 years of service. To assist Lorraine with this significant occasion a celebration morning tea will follow each service.  All members are requested to bring a plate of finger food to share with Lorraine.

Engage
Good Shepherd School made the most of the sunny side of the court yard this week and some helpful elves weeded the garden bed.
Love our kids and their willingness to serve.

Farewell
Adam and Naomi Ridley were farewelled last week from our community with a BBQ organised by the worship team.  We wish them well as they move to the Barossa.

Noticeboard

Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $11 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.




“Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above”
James 1:17

Friday, June 19, 2015

Breaking Free from Greed

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
We continue our new worship series: Breaking Free from the Seven Deadly Sins.  Last week, we looked at Sloth – the tragedy of laziness. This coming Sunday we explore: Breaking Free from Greed.

Greed is certainly prevalent in our market driven economy and consumer culture. A few questions come to mind:
  • Why in our affluent Western culture do we compare ourselves with people much better off than we are - rather than most of the world’s population who have much less than we do?
  • How does advertising lure us into materialism – and enslave us to greed?
  • Have we lost the ability to distinguish between our needs and our wants?
  • At what point do we say to ourselves: “I have enough!”  
  • What are we doing with the resources God entrusts to us for his purposes in this world?
  • How interested are we in supporting people around the world who lack basic needs?  

The root of greed is covetous desire - that's never satisfied, but always wanting more!  How counter cultural is Paul's statement that ‘godliness with contentment is great gain’?

Sunday Readings: Ecclesiastes 5:10-15, Luke 12:13-21, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19.  
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
Our final Kingdom Kids for Term 2 will be held this week at the 10.30am service. 

Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.

Baby Zone
We would like to remind parents of babies and toddlers about our wonderful Baby Zone room!  In Baby Zone we talk about the same simple topic for one month. Our topic for June is:  “God Cares for Me” (See 1 Peter 5:7.) This month the children will:-
  • hear words and songs about God’s care for them.
  • feel thankful for God’s care.
  • and participate in fun play activities to learn ways God cares for them.
If you haven't been to Baby Zone before we would like to encourage you and your toddler or baby to give it a try!

Faith at Home
June booklet out now!  Pick up a copy of the June booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk, parenting room and children’s activity folders.

Step Up
It was wonderful to see the children participating in their first Holy Communion with their families and godparents on Sunday!  Our final group of children will participate in their Step Up to Holy Communion on Sunday 28th June.

Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker

Women's Fellowship
On Tuesday, 7th July at 1pm in Good Shepherd Hall, we plan to share wedding memorabilia. It may be clothing, a wedding dress, perhaps a veil, shoes, or any other items of interest pertaining to a marriage ceremony. Photos are also most welcome if you wish to share some of them. If any congregation members would like to join us at this time, bring your special wedding items and let us enjoy them with you. Our husbands are not items so maybe they won’t be present at this gathering. They are far more precious!!   Do join us.

Maranatha Health Quiz Night - Think Orange!
Warm up those little grey cells, brush up on your African knowledge, gather your friends and form a team for the Maranatha Health Quiz Night.
When: Saturday 25 July, 6.30pm
Where: Endeavour College, 85 Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes
Tickets: $15pp, tables of 8-10 available online at http://www.trybooking/HWXZ, or at the door.
Theme: Orange (dress up, face paint, food, drink, decorate) Prizes for the most original
Please BYO drinks and nibbles. Hot drinks available
For more information go to www.maranathahealth.org/act/events


From the Office

Gardening
The gardens at our facility are low maintenance and require very little to maintain.  Assistance is required from a member/family who may be able 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

Noticeboard

Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $11 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.

The Lutheran
….magazine is the national magazine of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
First published in 1967, it has undergone many changes as it helps us grow in faith and commitment to Jesus while informing us about the church’s life and people.

Yearly Subscriptions of 11 issues are now due for renewal.
For current subscribers, a reminder is in your pigeon hole. 
For new subscribers, if you would like to subscribe, please contact the church office.
Check out the website www.thelutheran.com.au for lots more information on this award winning publication

Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
You are warmly invited to attend the next FoLA meeting on Monday 22nd June, 7.30 pm at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City.  Dr Mike Hassold will speak about his grandfather, Rev Dr Frederick Hassold, who served as pastor and itinerant missionary in NZ, then as parish pastor at Eudunda SA, and during WW2 as president of the ELCA SA. District.
Bethlehem House is air-conditioned, so you won’t get cold.  Supper & gold coin donation.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever”
Psalm 136:1

Friday, June 12, 2015

Breaking free from sloth – the tragedy of laziness

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
How do we get rid of those habits that undermine our character and ruin relationships? How do we live well with others?  People have debated this for thousands of years.  In the Early Church, they came up with a list of fallen desires that end up in dysfunctional habits and lifestyles.  It's called "the seven deadly sins": sloth, greed, anger, pride, envy, gluttony, and lust. 

We're going to be looking at each of these over coming weeks in our new series: Breaking Free from the 7 Deadly Sins. I think you'll be amazed at how "modern" they are.  My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use these messages to bring you into greater freedom in Christ.

This Sunday: Breaking free from sloth – the tragedy of laziness.  Sloths are native to Central and South American rain forests. They use their long limbs and curved claws to hang and move along tree branches - slowly. In the human domain a "sloth" is a person who's apathetic and lazy by choice

A sloth is continually sponging off friends, family, and the community.  In our culture they earn other labels: "a bludger", "a lazy bum", "a slacker", "a slug" or "sluggard", "a parasite", "a squeezer". The sloth will make every excuse in the world to avoid exertion of any kind.

Instead of taking personal responsibility, the sloth keeps using others. 
Instead of building up the community, the sloth drains the community. 

To see how they addressed this in the ancient world, I invite you to read and reflect on the following Proverbs: 6:6-11, 10:4, 12:24, 13:4, 15:19, 18:9, 20:4, 21:25, 24:30-32, 26:13-16.

Sunday Readings:
John 6:24-29 Jesus is asked about what sort of work God requires.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Paul warns Christians against idleness.

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 will be running this week at the 10.30am service.  Kool Zone children will be having a short session and then moving into worship to witness the children who will be participating in their first Step Up to Communion.

Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.

Faith at Home
June booklet out now!  Pick up a copy of the June booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk, parenting room and children’s activity folders.

Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker

Women's Fellowship
On Tuesday, 7th July at 1pm in Good Shepherd Hall, we plan to share wedding memorabilia. It may be clothing, a wedding dress, perhaps a veil, shoes, or any other items of interest pertaining to a marriage ceremony. Photos are also most welcome if you wish to share some of them. If any congregation members would like to join us at this time, bring your special wedding items and let us enjoy them with you. Our husbands are not items so maybe they won’t be present at this gathering. They are far more precious!!   Do join us.

Maranatha Health Quiz Night - Think Orange!
Warm up those little grey cells, brush up on your African knowledge, gather your friends and form a team for the Maranatha Health Quiz Night.
When: Saturday 25 July, 6.30pm
Where: Endeavour College, 85 Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes
Tickets: $15pp, tables of 8-10 available online at http://www.trybooking/HWXZ, or at the door.
Theme: Orange (dress up, face paint, food, drink, decorate) Prizes for the most original
Please BYO drinks and nibbles. Hot drinks available
For more information go to www.maranathahealth.org/act/events

From the Office

Gardening
The gardens at our facility are low maintenance and require very little to maintain.  Assistance is required from a member/family who may be able 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

Budget 2015
January thru May 2015
Total Offering - Budget $217,000    Actual $205,628. DEFICIT $11,372

January thru April 2015 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $175,532        Actual $165,052. SHORTFALL $10,480
Total Expenses - Budget $166,992    Actual $161,281. SHORTFALL $5,711
Project deficit for 2015 $9,367 against Budget deficit of $4,175

Notes:
  • Offerings in May were under budget by $2,000. 
  • REG was the highest amount since January although was still $2,000 below budget.
  • Expenses were under budget in April mainly due to staffing positions not being filled.

Report on June Board meeting
  • Kathy Liebig reported on the Children and Family Ministry
  • A policy register has been developed to ensure all policies are current
  • The Board received reports from the Facilities Upgrade Team, 50th Anniversary Team and the Engage team
  • We have been informed that there is a 16mm film of the opening of the church across the road in 1966. The Board has agreed to fund the digitising of this film ($350) to enable it to be preserved
  • For safety reasons the Board is investigating making traffic flow through the car park one way – enter off Montague Road and exit via the back gate

Good Shepherd Survey Snippet
In March this year 265 people from our community completed out GSPV Congregation Survey. Thank you! You took the time and effort to have input into the way we work and grow together as a church family. Over the coming few weeks we'll be sharing some of the results and asking you to reflect on what our collective input means for how we live our mission.
We asked, 'Are you currently serving as a volunteer at Good Shepherd?'

Almost 70% of the 223 people who responded are volunteering. Those who said 'no' had a number of reasons, including lack of time, family and other commitments. A small number indicated that they don't know where or how to serve, or that they don't feel they have anything of value to offer.

How can we respond to those around us to ensure everyone recognises their unique gifts from God?

Noticeboard

Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $11 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.

The Lutheran
….magazine is the national magazine of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
First published in 1967, it has undergone many changes as it helps us grow in faith and commitment to Jesus while informing us about the church’s life and people.
In 2013 The Lutheran stepped into the digital world with the introduction of a fully interactive version for use on mobile digital devices.

Yearly Subscriptions of 11 issues, both paper and digital are now due for renewal.
For current subscribers, a reminder is in your pigeon hole. 
For new subscribers, if you would like to subscribe, please contact the church office.
Check out the website www.thelutheran.com.au for lots more information on this award winning publication

Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)

You are warmly invited to attend the next FoLA meeting on Monday 22nd June, 7.30 pm at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City.  Dr Mike Hassold will speak about his grandfather, Rev Dr Frederick Hassold, who served as pastor and itinerant missionary in NZ, then as parish pastor at Eudunda SA, and during WW2 as president of the ELCA SA. District.
Bethlehem House is air-conditioned, so you won’t get cold.  Supper & gold coin donation.


“You are the light of the world”
Matthew 5:14

Friday, June 5, 2015

Love Comes to Life in the Ordinary Things

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
We’ll be singing one of Bel Thomson’s songs she taught us on Pentecost Sunday: A New Creation.  If you missed it, you can watch it on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_9my24MTYU

Pastor Paul Fielke, chaplain at Immanuel Lutheran College, will be our guest preacher at both services.  His theme: Love Comes to Life in the Ordinary Things.  Paul provided this ‘appetiser’:

We often hear about Mission, Evangelism and Witnessing to our Faith.

So how can I do that? I don’t feel that effective, or gifted, in fact I’m just plain ordinary.
My faith is important to me, but I wish I could do a better job of showing that faith to other people. I wish I could make more of an impact for God.

Well ….. maybe you do.

At both services we will have the installation of Steve Paech as our Pastoral and Community Care – Team Leader, as well as the commissioning of our Good Shepherd Pastoral Care Team.  

Bible Readings: Romans 3:21-24, 1 Peter 2:9-10
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 will be taking a break this Sunday due to the long weekend.

Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.

Faith at Home
June booklet out now!  Pick up a copy of the June booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk, parenting room and children’s activity folders.

Step Up
12 children and their families completed their Step Up to Holy Communion course this week with Mary Jo Zwar.  We thank Mary Jo again for her willingness to serve our children and their families in this way.  We look forward to witnessing these children step up to their first Holy Communion soon.

Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker

Thank you from Marnatha Health!
A huge thank you to all those who baked, cooked, grew, created and donated to the Maranatha Market Stall last Sunday! The stall was buzzing and the community atmosphere was a joy to share. Through your generous giving we raised $1,300 to support the work of Maranatha Health. If you would like to have regular updates but are not on the Maranatha Health contact list please contact Keren at keren.sutton@maranathahealth.org.


Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Morning Tea on the 29th May.  It was an enjoyable morning mixing with our church and school communities and the channel 9 celebrities. A special thanks to all who helped with providing food, setting up and cleaning up.
Thanks for all the money that was donated - We raised a huge amount of $697 for Cancer Council.

Photos of the event can be found on:
The local Channel 9 : https://www.facebook.com/9Adelaide?fref=ts
 ..and The National 9 which has more photos:
It starts with another Biggest Morning Tea but scroll down and there are a number of great photos from our own: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153407142957608.1073741920.286174937607&type=1

Also positive twitter feeds:
https://twitter.com/brentonragless
https://twitter.com/VLangeberg9

Report from congregational AGM
The audited Financial Statements for 2014 were adopted.

Finance Team Leader Simon Janetzki summarized our giving for 2015. This will be outlined in an email to the congregation next week.

Cees and Deb Wesselingh are coordinating our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Cees reported on planning so far:
  • mostly likely will be held in August 2016 with a Celebration Worship service on the Sunday
  • compile a history presentation
  • a dinner on Friday night
  • a Community Service Project be incorporated with the event
  • possible refurbishment of altar furniture
  • we need a theme for the event.

With facilities upgrade four areas of priority were identified
  • Kitchen upgrade
  • Modernization of the operable wall
  • Upgrade of the hall
  • Air conditioning of the hall.

The following motions were passed:
  • The Facilities Review Team continues to review our facilities based on the report submitted to the AGM.
  • The FRT will report to the congregation no later than the Half Yearly meeting in November 2015
  • The Board is investigating the feasibility of the congregation having something in place should there be Natural Disaster (as was the case in the Sampson Flat Bushfires recently). We are now looking for a team of people to put these systems in place.
  • 2 vacancies still exist for the Vice Chair position and Congregational Secretary (minute secretary for congregational meetings only). If interested in being involved in any of the Teams mentioned above, please speak to any Board member.



Noticeboard

Winter Concert
Lobethal Christian Fellowship Choir, Orchestra, and Children’s Choir are presenting a Winter Concert at Glynde this Sunday at 2.30 pm. Admission is free with afternoon tea provided.  

Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $11 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.

LLL Interest Rate Change
Our congregation has received a notice advising that the interest rate on Savings Accounts will be 3.00% per annum from 1 June 2015. This notice has been placed on the church noticeboard for your information.

Vacancy - Reception Administration (Part Time – 16.5 hours per week)
The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista SA is seeking someone with a passion for the mission and ministry of the congregation to fill the role of Reception Administration on a 0.43 basis. A copy of the Position Description can be obtained from:

The successful applicant will have a heart for the mission and ministry of the congregation as well as a demonstrated successful track record in office reception administration, and as part of a team. Good communication skills are essential. Remuneration and conditions for this position will be discussed with the successful applicant. The position will commence on Wednesday 8th July 2015.

All applications are to be:
  • in writing only,
  • including current curriculum vitae together with a minimum of two referees
  • marked confidential and sent to:
  • Administration Manager, PO Box 306, Modbury North, SA  5092
  • or emailed to szanker@paravista.org.au
  • in by 3 pm on Thursday 11th June 2015

The Lutheran
….magazine is the national magazine of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
First published in 1967, it has undergone many changes as it helps us grow in faith and commitment to Jesus while informing us about the church’s life and people.
In 2013 The Lutheran stepped into the digital world with the introduction of a fully interactive version for use on mobile digital devices.

Yearly Subscriptions of 11 issues, both paper and digital are now due for renewal.
For current subscribers, a reminder is in your pigeon hole. 
For new subscribers, if you would like to subscribe, please contact the church office.
Check out the website www.thelutheran.com.au for lots more information on this awa
rd winning publication

“Be kind to one another”
Ephesians 4:32