This Sunday we finish off our sermon series based on our five branding words as we look at the theme ‘Celebrating God’s story of growing’.
With my farewell service next Sunday, 27th November, this will be my last message to the Good Shepherd community as the Senior Pastor. While I really wanted to come up with something new and interesting for my final message, my thoughts kept coming back to something I have repeatedly said over the years: God loves you just the way you are but he loves you too much to leave you that way.
We don’t seek to grow as followers of Jesus to earn God’s love. In Jesus, God already loves us. Does this mean we don’t have to worry about growing spiritually? The answer is an emphatic “No!” We cooperate with the Spirit’s work of growth in us because God has something better for us than a life led by our old sinful nature. God wants to transform us to be more and more like Jesus in character and message.
Spiritual growth is not something we can generate ourselves. Spiritual growth is the result of the Holy Spirit working in us. This doesn’t mean we are passive in the process. There are things we can do that will either work with what the Spirit is growing in us or work against it.
This Sunday we will look at how we can work with the Holy Spirit so that we can grow more and more like Jesus every day.
Bible Readings: John 15:1-8, 16; Ephesians 5:1
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids is on this Sunday at our 10.30am service. This Sunday we will be having our Kingdom Youth 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 will not be available this Sunday.
Activity folders will be available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.
WANTED! Children for Christmas Eve 5pm Service
This year our children will be participating in the 5pm Christmas Eve service. Speaking and non-speaking parts will be available. If your child would like to participate please contact Margot on 0401 850 814 or margot.mertin@paravista.org.au
Faith at Home
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of November that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.
Thank you
Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker
Youth Ministry
What a weekend we have planned for youth. In recognition of the year 12s and those in more senior schooling years being under so much pressure the last few months we are holding a “fun” event for the youth this Friday. We are having a “Locked and Loaded” Laser Skirmish night. The cost for this will be $20 to be paid on the night. Plenty of murmurings already as to who is going to be the best aim and the winner!!
Then on Saturday we are having our final NELY Event for the year. We have around 40 young people booked in for our “day of battle.” It looks like God is looking favourably upon us to according to the weather forecast too. There may be a few tired young people on Sunday!!
Remember this term, due to the nature of our events we have a new starting time of 6.30pm. We will still be going through until 9.30pm.
Youth is a great way of being fed both spiritually and physically, with like-minded teens learning to own their own faith. It’s never too late to start coming along and making some great friendships and connections with fellow young Christians. Check out our term planner for term 4.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin - Faith Formation 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.
Maranatha Health Fundraiser Lunch
Join us this Sunday to catch up, browse goods at the MH stall, and grab a bite of lunch before being part of the Good Shepherd AGM. Sausages and salad available after the second service in the hall, in addition to a pre-Christmas stall.
All proceeds will support the Maranatha Health Children's Clinic in Fort Portal, Uganda.
Any goods kindly donated to the stall will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much to the many of you who regularly support Maranatha Health in this way!
Placement and ordination of Dan Mueller
Dear Good Shepherd friends, we are excited to announce that the Lutheran Church of Australia has placed me as a graduate pastor at Walla Walla parish in southern NSW. The Wiradjuri Aboriginal word “Walla” fittingly means “place of strength” or “place of rocks” reminding me of Psalm 18:2 — “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.”
My ordination service is on Sunday 4th December at 2pm, St Paul Lutheran Church, 44 Audrey Ave Blair Athol SA 5084. A light afternoon tea will follow the service. All are welcome. I will be installed sometime around early February 2017. We are looking forward to this new adventure!
Peace in Christ,
Vicar Dan Mueller and family
From the office
Budget Summary
January – October 2016
Total Income – Budget $453,713 Actual $442,988 UNDER $10,722
Total Expenses – Budget $444,090 Actual $424,052 UNDER $20,068
PROJECTED SURPLUS OF $11,087 FOR 2016
Brief report on progress since last Board meeting:
• Offerings in October were $1,700 under budget due to plate being well below budget. REG continues a strong trend being nearly $2,000 over budget.
• Expenses were under budget in September and October mainly in staff costs and thanks to ministries keeping costs low.
• Projected surplus is maintaining level above $5,000 even though offerings are consistently under budget.
Igniting the future appeal
• Pledge forms for Igniting the future and cash received without Pledge Forms totals $115,000
• After Sunday 6th November approximately $35,560 has been received.
Pledge forms for IGNITING THE FUTURE appeal to raise $250 000 to upgrade our hall, kitchen and rear church entrance were due in Sunday 6th November. It is still not too late to donate to this appeal. Envelopes and response slips are available at the information area or contact the office if you wish to contribute to this mission.
Please remember your gift can be given in one payment or via instalments.
We look forward to celebrating God’s provision for this project through your generosity.
Offering Envelopes
Dated envelopes are available for 2017 underneath the pigeonholes. Please take a box if you require.
Notice Board
Christmas Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood
We have Christmas trees available for purchase again this year.
We are able to offer our high quality trees at $35 each. Please note that delivery can only be arranged for orders of 10 or more trees, however, we can notify you of the closest Church from where your order can be collected. Trees will be delivered to your nominated location on the morning of Saturday 10th December 2016.
Please place your order at the front office by Wednesday 23 November.
Lutheran Nurses
Next meeting is Monday the 28th November at 7.30pm at the District Office, 137 Archer St., North Adelaide with entry from the rear.
Guest speaker is Annemarie Klingenberg on “Self-harm and Suicide".
All are welcome not just nurses; CPD evidence is available if needed. We also ask for donations for a Christmas Hamper for Lutheran Community Care.
Honor all people,
love the brotherhood,
fear God,
honor the king.
love the brotherhood,
fear God,
honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17
