Most of us have hopes, dreams, and expectations of how life will work out for us. Sometimes we might expect God to meet those expectations - and make all our dreams come true. As if God is accountable to us! As if trusting and following Jesus means that all our problems are over!
Have you ever been hit like a freight-train with something you didn’t see coming? What do you do when God does NOT come through for you in the way you were expecting?
We wonder: “Why on earth is this happening to me?” “God, how come you allowed this to happen?” “God, why aren’t you fixing all the injustice and suffering in this world?”
Questioning God’s fairness is nothing new. We find it throughout the Bible, particularly in the books of Job and Jeremiah, as well as in the Psalms.
We also find it a prophet in the Old Testament named Habakkuk. When he looked at all the wickedness around him, it broke his heart.
He questions God. And God answers. Several times. And by the time we get to the end of Habakkuk, we find him at a different place with God.
The same thing can happen with us! We can wrestle with God over our questions, and at the same time trust God to work out the answers – which may have a different timetable than we expected. This Sunday’s theme: When God doesn’t make sense.
We will do better when the picture in our head is informed by the vision of what God promises at the conclusion of his unfolding story!
Bible Reading: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids resumes this Sunday at our 10.30am service.
Kingdom Youth
This Sunday we will be having our second Kingdom Youth session for our Year 5-7s. Lunch will be provided for these children after their session at 12 and we aim to finish up around 12.30pm. Parents and carers are welcome to stay for a cuppa in the hall during this time.
Toddler Zone
Toddler Zone for our 10 month – 3 year olds will be available this week. This term we will be operating every other week. Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.
Faith at Home
At the Kingdom Kids sign in desk and in the Parenting Room you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of August that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Come and join us for Playgroup on Wednesday mornings at 9.15am in the church hall. Come on over straight after dropping off the kids at school. Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.
Step Up
Our Step Up to Communion program will be commencing on Sunday 14th August with a shared lunch and four Friday evening sessions thereafter. Letters have been sent to children in Year 5. Please contact the church office if you and your child would like to participate.
Children and Family Ministry Team
Kathy Liebig
Combined North Eastern Lutheran Youth
Our next event is scheduled for Saturday 27th August. This event is open for young people in school years 5-12. We are excited to bring you “N.E.L.Y. Amazing Race”. Tickets are $15-00 and must be purchased prior to the event.
Margot Mertin
Youth and Young Adults Team Leader
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.
From the office
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.
CALL PROCESS
The Call Team has met and discussed all the names submitted by congregational members. We have developed a short list of pastors who are considered suited to be Lead Pastor at Good Shepherd.
Next week we will contact these pastors and have a discussion with them. From there we will make a decision on who will be recommended to the congregation. A call meeting is planned for Sunday August 28th at 12:15. You will receive notification of recommended pastors the week prior to the meeting.
Garden clean up ready for 50th Anniversary
Can you spare 1 hour to assist?
Our 50th Anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday Nov 5th and Sunday Nov 6th.
Part of the planning is to re-establish the garden along Montague Road. This area needs to be reinvigorated to improve the entrance to our complex. To achieve this there will be 2 working bees to remove many of the existing plants. These will be on:
• Saturday August 13th from 9-12
• Saturday August 20th from 9-12.
If you can spare an hour we would be grateful for your help.
If these times do not suit but you wish to help contact John Dolling (83675296) to make alternate arrangements
Noticeboard
You can still support families this winter
This 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.
LCA Vacancies
LCA Local Mission Administration Assistant 0.6 FTE
LCA National Office, North Adelaide, SA
For more information, and to send applications: LCA Business Manager Debbie Venz debbie.venz@lca.org.au; 08 8267 7300
Applications close 17 August 2016
Resourcing and Support Coordinator
SA-NT District Office, North Adelaide, SA Blueprint Ministries - 2 days per week
Department of Children & Families, Youth & Young Adult Ministry (CFYaYAM)
Applications close 22 August 2016
Family Ministry Worker
Faith Lutheran Church Warradale, SA - 16 hours per week
For more information contact Pastor Tim Klein 0427 821 853 or church office on 8377 1731.
Applications close 31 August 2016
International Position Full-time Five-year contract
Study Secretary for Lutheran Theology and Practice
The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland
Applications close 16 September 2016
Owe no one anything, except to love each other,
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8
