Living questionable lives #4 – The answer is always Jesus
This week we continue our sermon series called Living questionable lives based on Michael Frost’s book, Surprise the world. By ‘questionable lives’ we mean living your life as a follower of Jesus in such a way that people become curious as to why your life is so positively different to theirs. In fact it’s so surprising that they start asking you questions about it.In Surprise the world Michael Frost outlines five habits that we can cultivate to help us live more questionable lives. So far we’ve looked at the first three habits. The first habit is to bless three people a week, one of whom is not a Christian. The second habit is to eat with three different people each week, one of whom is not a Christian. The third habit is to set aside at least one period of time each week to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Cultivating these three habits will help us live more ‘questionable lives.’ Yet this only works if we know how to answer the questions our lives raise. How do we answer questions about Jesus if we don’t know him?
This Sunday we will look at some things that are important to keep in mind as you begin to answer the questions people ask as a result of you questionable life.
Bible Readings: Romans 1:1-6, 16-17; 1 Peter 3:15-16
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids
After a great term, Kingdom Kids is on a school holiday break. There will be Activity Folders and Personal Journals available for the kids during worship.Next term we are making some changes to Kingdom Kids.
Following are the reasons behind these changes:-
God has provided us with just the right number of volunteers at this point in time. We need to obey Him and work with what He has given us.
We need to provide the following opportunities for our oldest zone:-
God wants children to grow in their worship and awe of Him.
We need to obey Him and begin to teach and encourage these children (alongside their parents and carers) to worship Him so they will continue this into their teenage years and beyond. And we need to provide more opportunities for them to worship with their families.
God wants to grow His church and He wants us to journey together. We need to obey Him and encourage the children to develop relationships with our youth for a smooth transition into youth.
God wants to be relevant in the lives of these children. We need to obey Him by providing a safe place for them to explore this with one another lead by Godly adults and junior assistants.
If you feel that now is the time to serve in Kingdom Kids, then please contact Kathy Liebig.
Kingdom Kids will be resuming in its new format on Sunday 31 July.
Enjoy your holidays!
Faith at Home
Pick up a copy of the July Faith at Home booklet from the Kingdom Kids Sign-in desk or the parenting room. Or use the booklet via the Good Shepherd phone app!• Pop into the church library and check out the new resources we have for kids and families to borrow! Watch this space for more info on what is now available…
Playgroup
Little Lambs Playgroup is now on holidays for two weeks. Resuming on Wednesday 27th July.Children and Family Ministry Team
Beth Einthal & Kathy Liebig
Youth Ministry
It has been very exciting and encouraging to see the amount of young people from Ignite Youth whom have attended and lead on Christian Life Week over both weeks of these school holidays. The years 7-9 campers are currently away and the year 10-12 campers head off next week. Camps are an amazing way of people building their relationships with God.Term 3 returns for youth on Friday 29th July. As this is an Olympic year we will be kicking the term off with our own “Ignite Olympics”, and it will held be at the usual time of 7-9.30pm. Stay tuned for the updated flyer for next term.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Combined North Eastern Lutheran Youth
Our next event is scheduled for Saturday 27th August. This event will be open for young people in school years 5 to 12. More details to follow shortly.Prayer Requests
Not included in this newsletter but if you would like to view the current requests refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this Newsletter. If you have a prayer request or wish to be covered by prayer please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.Weekly Monday Night Prayer Meetings
Following our 30 days of prayer, there will be an ongoing prayer meeting held at the church every Monday evening 7:30-8:30PM.Everyone is welcome and there will be at least one member of the prayer team on hand to lead.
Please come along to uphold our church and ministry in prayer.
We look forward to seeing you there.
From the Office
Staff changes at Good Shepherd
Beth Einthal has resigned as Children and Family Team Leader due ongoing health issues that are making it very difficult for her to fulfil her role. We are sorry to see Beth go and pray that God would fully restore her health soon.Until the end of this year Beth’s role will be covered by Kathy Liebig (Children and Family Support Worker) and Margot Mertin (Youth and Young Adult Team Leader).
Budget 2016
January – June 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $253,450 Actual $243,910 UNDER $9,540
Budget Summary
January – May 2016
Total Income – Budget $222,480 Actual $219,872 UNDER $2,608
Total Expenses – Budget $206,855 Actual $199,179 UNDER $7,678
PROJECTED SURPLUS OF $5,272 FOR 2016
Notes:
REG was in line with budget for June, however plate offerings were well below budget.
Expenses in June were nearly $3,000 under budget and accounted for by low offerings.
Improvements around the church
Manse fence - The northern fence between the manse and the neighbour collapsed due to age and rotted rails. It has been replaced with a good neighbour fence by a contractor.Air-condition units - Transportable office building. Three units replaced under the assets replacement program. One unit had ceased to operate and the other two were very noisy.
Under bench hot/cold filtered water - An under-bench instant hot water unit was installed in the staff kitchen. Staff and volunteers cleaning communion vessels have been very appreciative of the upgrade as there has previously been no hot water plumed into this area
The pigeon hole corridor door - Painting has been completed and draft stopper refitted.
Support in action
We managed to obtain a BBQ free of charge for LCC at Ingle Farm. This replaced an unsafe BBQ they were using. We used $125 from the last congregational BBQ to convert it so it could be used with bottled gas. It got well used on election day and raised urgently needed funds for their work.Providing sanctuary
After consultation with the congregation the Board passed the following motion regarding providing sanctuary for refugees under threat of being sent to an off shore Detention Centre or deported:That we offer sanctuary to refugees who call Good Shepherd their church home or refugees recommended by members.
After our first request for support from congregational members there was not enough support to offer sanctuary effectively. However after a recent second request we now have 12 families or individuals who are willing to assist so we can now provide sanctuary if required.
Noticeboard
You can still support families this winterThis winter we are asking you to help us build a brighter future for thousands. Through your gift together we can build an Australia where new arrivals are welcomed, the homeless are supported, and children are cared for.
Donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
Visit the LCC website at www.lccare.org.au or contact LCC at 08 8269 9333 to help someone going without this winter.
Lutheran Nurses
Monday 25th July at 7.30pmVenue is the District Office at 137 Archer St, North Adelaide with entry from the rear. Guest speaker is Julie Roberts, Social Worker on "Advance Health Care Directives and Discharge Planning". All are welcome not just nurses, CPD evidence is available for nurses.
