We continue our worship series: Breaking Free from the Seven Deadly Sins. So far we’ve looked at sloth, greed, anger and pride. This Sunday: Breaking Free from Envy.
Whereas jealousy wants what someone else has, envy is a festering bitterness at another's success… to the point that it seeks to destroy the other person. In the Bible, we have numerous stories of envy: Cain and Abel, Joseph’s brothers, King Saul and David, the religious heavies and Jesus. Friends, how well do you handle the success of others?
Proverbs tells us: ‘A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.’ (Prov 14:30 NIV) Lord, set us free from envy!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You rejoice in one another
without rivalry, competition, or self-seeking.
In a nation where many tear down tall poppies,
give us grace to rejoice in the success of others;
even when their success is greater than ours!
Amen.
Sunday Readings:
Genesis 4:1-15 Out of envy, Cain murders his brother Abel in cold blood.
Mark 15:1-15 Out of envy, the chief priests hand Jesus over to Pilate.
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids is on holidays! We will resume on Sunday 26 July. Next term we will be looking at how we can serve in our church here at Good Shepherd. Activity folders for use during services in the holidays will be available for the children. Personal Journals are available for the older children.
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
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.
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
From the Office
Report on July Board meeting
- The upcoming meeting re the future of the village was discussed. The Board was supportive of the proposals that will be discussed at the meeting on the 19thof July.
- A report from the Facilities Review Team was discussed. This review is a work in progress.
- The possibility of making traffic flow through the complex one way 24/7 was discussed but not adopted.
- The Board agreed to pay $350 to have a 16mm film of the dedication of the original church across Montague Road digitised – July 1966. The film was deteriorating very quickly and would have been lost forever without swift action. This will fit in well with our 50th anniversary celebrations next year.
Extraordinary meeting of the members of the congregation
Next Sunday 19thJuly there will be an extraordinary meeting of the members of the congregation at 12:15pm to make very important decisions about the future direction of the Good Shepherd Village.
All members are encouraged to attend. Agendas are attached to this newsletter and available from the information area in the foyer. The agenda gives a detailed explanation the reason for this meeting.
We asked that you prayerfully consider this matter.
Farewell celebration
On Sunday 26th July we will be farewelling Lorraine Johns after nearly 31 years of service in our church office. A celebration morning tea will follow each service.
Please bring a plate of finger food to share and mark this significant occasion.
Budget 2015
January thru June 2015
Total Offering - Budget $258,500 Actual $254,214. DEFICIT $4,300
January thru April 2015 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $226,165 Actual $215,207. SHORTFALL $10,958
Total Expenses - Budget $210,985 Actual $195,400. SHORTFALL $15,585
Project SURPLUS for 2015 $12,518 against Budget deficit of $4,175
Notes:
- Offerings in June were over budget by $7,000.
- REG was the highest for nearly 7 years with plate well over budget.
- One Sunday’s offerings totalling $9,500.
- Other great news was interest received in May and June being $6,500 over budget.
- Expenses were nearly $10,000 under budget, mainly due to staff ($4,000) and plant ($5,000).
- With great offerings, unexpected interest income and expenses under budget; this has gone from a projected deficit in line with the budget at end of April to a project surplus of $12,500 at end of May.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
At the next gathering on Monday 20th July, Bethlehem House in the city, 7.30 pm,
Don Ross will tell us about Pioneering Farming and Viticulture in the Barossa.
He’ll include many historical images of horse teams tilling, harvesting and carting grain and hay crops,
several pioneers of the wine industry in the Barossa, as well as horses being used to cultivate vineyards, carting grapes and hand picking of grapes etc.
Supper, gold coin donation.
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.
LCC Winter Appeal: Bring warmth to those facing their coldest moment
We need your help to bring warmth to families facing their coldest moment this winter.
Your gift of $70 can provide a warm Baby Bundle to struggling parents or a gift of $110 can supply winter clothes and blankets for the homeless.
Through your gift we can show God's love to new parents trying to cope, to children in need of winter uniforms and to people at risk of becoming homeless.
Visit the LCC website at www.lccare.org.au
or contact LCC at 08 8269 9333 to help someone going without this winter.
All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
Expressions of Interest: Micro-volunteering Project Officer
0.2FTE, based at Sefton Park
Are you interested in assisting people to support the work of LCC through one-off, no commitment actions? We are seeking a part-time Project Officer to join us in an exciting new project on Micro-volunteering at LCC.
For a Job Description and instructions on how to apply, please visit our website at www.lccare.org.au Expressions of interest close 9.00am on Friday, 24 July.
“This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Psalm 118:24
