Friday, May 15, 2015

Fitness for the Soul

This Sunday at Good Shepherd
We're in part 5 of Balancing Life’s Demands.  We're using the image of a wagon wheel to talk about balance.  We need a right centre in life: Jesus.  Then we fit the key parts of our life - the spokes - into the Centre.  So far we've looked at the mental, physical and emotional dimensions.  This Sunday we look at the spiritual dimension: the soul. 

The Bible tends to use the word ‘heart’ and ‘soul’ interchangeably.  

Writer and presenter on Christian spirituality, Mindy Caliguire comments: “Our souls form the very foundation of who we are.”   “Everything about our lives, about our personhood, is in some way a function of the soul.  … Our soul, and thus our soul’s health, is the driving force behind everything that matters to us.”  Mindy Caliguire, Discovering Soul Care, (IVP: 2007), 15.

In his book, Renovation of the Heart,  Dallas Willard writes, “Fundamental aspects of life such as art, sleep, sex, ritual, family, parenting, community, health, and meaningful work are all in fact soul functions, and they fail and fall apart to the degree that soul diminishes.” (emphasis mine) 

As with our bodies, healthy souls require nourishment, training and exercise.  This Sunday’s theme: Fitness for the Soul.

Bible Readings: Joshua 1:1-9; 1 Timothy 4:7-8 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Please Note: Part 6 of Balancing Life’s Demands will be presented on May 31st - the week after Pentecost.

NEXT Sunday May 24th – Pentecost Sunday 
Feel free to wear red, orange or yellow - to reflect the Holy Spirit’s passion for us, presence with us, purifying work in us, and power to transform us.   

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
We hope you enjoyed worshipping together as a family on Mothers’ Day.
Kingdom Kids is on again this Sunday.  We’d love to see you there!

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
Please keep the children and their families in your prayers as they continue their Step Up to Holy Communion course this week.

Kathy L.
Children and Family Support Worker

New Care Co-ordinator at Good Shepherd
We are pleased to announce that Stephen (aka “Steve”) Paech has been appointed to the position of Pastoral and Community Care – Team Leader (8 hours/week). 

The primary role is to oversee and further develop the Pastoral Care Team, and coordinate pastoral care through this team for people of our Good Shepherd community.  The secondary role is to coordinate care for those in our community who require practical assistance through the Engage Team.

The focus will be on those who do not receive care through the congregation’s small group network, yet open to all who may need care.

While Steve has started, his formal installation is planned for both services on 7th June.  We are also planning the commissioning of the Pastoral Care Team on that day.   Please encourage and pray for Steve as he settles into the role.

Library Refurbishment
The Good Shepherd community is invited to join school students and staff for the Official Opening of the expanded and refurbished Library space. 
When: Tuesday the 19th May at 1.25pm
Where: In the Library

Special Guests include Senator Cory Bernardi, representatives from the Lutheran Schools Association, the Association of Independent Schools SA, Mossop Construction and Arkvale Architects, and also some personalities from days past.
The Opening will conclude with afternoon tea.

Women’s Fellowship News
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.

AGM
The AGM’s of the congregation, school and village will be held on Sunday 24th May commencing at 12:45pm. There will be lunch in the hall after the 10:30am service.
Written information for the congregational and school meetings is available in the Member’s Information section in the foyer.  This information will also be emailed to those on the congregational email list early in the week.

Topics on the agenda for the Congregational meeting include:
•    Presentation of Audited accounts for 2014
•    50TH Anniversary of the congregation
•    Facilities upgrade
•    Engage project
•    Developing policy on how congregation can get involved in assisting during natural disasters.

Cebu Mission Fundraising Events
On Sunday 24th May, the Team will be putting on a Sausage Sizzle after the first service and Sausages and Steak Sandwiches after the second service.
Sausages $2 and Steak Sandwiches $4.  Have some lunch then attend the AGM at 12.45pm.

Good Shepherd Church Maranatha Health update and market stall
Join us on Sunday 31st May at our worship services for an interactive presentation about the new Maranatha Health clinic, the broader community engagement work of Maranatha Health and stories of people whose lives have been impacted. Stay for a cuppa and a chat and purchase some delectable goodies or a cup of soup, with all proceeds to support Maranatha Health. If baking or creating is one of your strengths, please bring a plate of baked goods or craftwork to sell at the market stall following the services.
All donations of goods will be much appreciated!

For more information please speak to Bronwyn Holliday, Julie Freund, Wendy Hampel or Keren Sutton.

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 church office (8263 5087) churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
•    the website www.paravista.org.au under Employment
•    from the member’s information section in the church foyer

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

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea  Friday 29th May  in the school library.
At approx 9.15am after school chapel. Brenton Ragless from Channel Nine will also be joining us! Please join the church and school communities for a cuppa and cake and raise money for the Cancer Council. For any further information please contact the Church Office, Tina Pfeiffer or Lenna Uebergang

Budget 2015
January thru April 2015
Total Offering - Budget $172,200    Actual $162,825. DEFICIT $9,375
January thru March 2015 – Total Income & Expenses
Total Income - Budget $130,299        Actual $124,082. SHORTFALL $6,217
Total Expenses - Budget $124,099    Actual $120,503. SHORTFALL $3,596
Project deficit for 2015 $10,381 against Budget deficit of $4,175

Notes:
•    Offerings in April were under budget by $3,585. 
•    Plate offerings were just over $1,000 below budget.  Easter offerings this year were down by $600 compared to previous years.
•    REG appears to have stabilised at just under $21,000.
•    Wages are around $2,700 below budget due to two staff positions budgeted for but not filled. This is helping to keep the increased budget deficit lower than the offerings deficit.

Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
Thank you for returning your Impact 2014 slips.  This assisted the finance team and board to ably formulate the budget for 2015.   For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from the information rack at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg

Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942

Air conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been closed down for the winter months.  To prevent accidental usage the remote controls have been removed and will be returned when the units are opened for summer.

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.

Bible College SA
Open Night next Thursday 21st May, 6-7.30pm. 176 Wattle St, Malvern
Open Nights are great way for your congregation members to find out about study options at BCSA, Government funding that is available for all age groups, and chat with some of our staff and students. Food will be served from 6.00pm and a presentation and tour will commence at 6.30pm. Register via 8291 8188 or go to www.biblecollege.sa.edu.au/events


“Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God”
1 Corinthians 10:31