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 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
