This Sunday we finish off our series called ‘Prayer: Growing deeper with God’ and we will be looking at how we can best pray for people who don’t know Jesus. Are there specific things we can pray for them? Can our prayers for these people be used to accomplish something spiritually strategic in their lives?
The answer is an emphatic “Yes!” As part of the amazing relationship we have with God, “Our Father in heaven”; we have access to Jesus’ spiritual authority to use for God’s purposes in this world.
Ephesians 1 says, ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.’ (Ephesian 1:3) In Christ we have every spiritual blessing Jesus has which includes his authority over the forces of evil in this world who are working against the plans and purposes of God in this world.
This Sunday we will look at how this authority works and how we can use it to strategically pray for others to come to faith in Jesus.
Bible Readings: Ephesians 1:3-6, 18-23; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids is on this Sunday. Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during this service.
Faith at Home
June Faith at Home booklet out now! Grab your copy from the Kingdom Kids sign-in desk or the parenting room, OR you can access it via the Good Shepherd phone app.
Playgroup
Please join us for Little Lambs Playgroup next Wednesday 9:15am in the church hall. Anyone is welcome and we would love to see you!
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.
Youth is on this Friday night and we will be continuing with part 3 of our “God’s Not Dead” study – sharing similar faith with friends. We are going to have the pleasure of our youth leaders playing with our theme song for the term– “God’s Not Dead”, plus a couple of other worship songs too. Naturally we will have a game or two and of course there will be yummy food! Come along and bring a friend or two.Cost is $2 to help cover the cost of supper.
Further details contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814
Joint North Eastern Lutheran Youth Event
This joint event includes years 5 and 6 as well as the year 7-12s. This promises to be a fun-filled event mixing with other young people in the area. Tickets on sale now via www.gspv250616.eventbrite.com.au Ticket sales close next Tuesday 21/6/16 @ 11pm so get in quick!! Feel free to bring a friend or two.
Further details contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814.
Fund Raising Luncheon
To all congregation members, PLEASE, support our Fundraising Luncheon in July. Men are most welcome to join this day. We plan to provide a delicious casserole luncheon with sweets to follow. There will be wine served and our entertainment will be from a guest speaker, an ambassador of the Cranio Facial Foundation of South Australia, Andrea Ogier. Husband, Norm, will operate the accompanying power point system to support her story and experiences. Price is $15.00 pp. Door prizes, too. Support our trading table.
WHERE: Good Shepherd Hall
WHEN: Tuesday, July 5th,12 noon
WHERE: Good Shepherd Church Hall, Montague Rd., Para Vista
WHY: Funds for our Christ Centred projects in Asia and locally.
WHO: Please book by contacting Ruth Oster at 8265 0221 or 0401 365 339.
Thank you from LCC @Ingle Farm
Thanks again John – and please continue to thank all concerned for their generosity.
The money donated previously and this money will be put towards playgroup. As I have reported before gov. cut funding to playgroup at the end of the last financial year.
We have been facilitating it for one year with no funding and by staff either stretching their capacity or donating their time. Because of the vulnerability of many of the clients attending the group we decided it would be more responsible to look for consistency in leadership for the group. With this in mind we plan to employ a playgroup leader. We plan to have a sausage sizzle on voting day to add to the coffers for this project.
Altar survey outcome
The results of the survey conducted in May are now on display in the hall.
The 50th Anniversary Team proposed the following motion for consideration by the Board:
“Based on the written survey and feedback the 50th Anniversary Team recommends that we proceed to obtain the cost of a blended version of options 3&5”
30 Days of Prayer in June
Our 30 Days of Prayer at Good Shepherd is well underway. During the week different people have been gathering each evening at 7:30 -8:30pm (except Sundays) for a time of prayer. Already many of you have come and it has been lovely spending time together talking to God and seeking His guidance for our church and community. If you have not yet attended please be encouraged to join in. You do not have to stay for the full hour, and can listen rather than pray aloud if you want.
The story is of a church-attending family that’s falling apart. An older woman, Miss Clara, mentors the wife and mum, encouraging her to read the Bible and pointing her to the power of Father God available through prayer in the name of Jesus.
It is an inspirational story - one that will encourage many hearts to keep trusting and turning to God in prayer.
Since the movie is rated PG, supervised children’s activities will be offered during the movie. While the decision rests with parents, we suggest this would be appropriate for children up to the age of 12. If you’d like to make use of this, please register the names and ages of your children via our Sunday Connect Cards - or email beth.einthal@paravista.org.au by Sunday June 26th. This will help us enlist sufficient carers.
Around 6pm, hot dogs will be served in the hall (gold coin donation).
We highly recommend War Room to you, your friends and families. It would also be an excellent activity for small groups.
Budget 2016
January – May 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $212,650 Actual $207,187 DEFICIT $5,464
Budget Summary
January – April 2016
Total Income – Budget $171,914 Actual $168,503 UNDER $3,411
Total Expenses – Budget $161,758 Actual $157,065 UNDER $4,693
SURPLUS OVER BUDGET OF $4,484 FOR 2016
Notes:
• REG was again over budget in April.
• Plate offerings were well below budget, with 5th Sunday being lowest total on any Sunday for plate offerings for over 4 years.
• Offerings are still above that for the same period to end of May 2015.
• Expenses were in line with budget during April and continue to be under budget primarily due to staffing expenses.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
www.lll.org.au/REG
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. 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 use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942
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
Vacancy
An opportunity exists for respondents to any security alarm events needing investigation at the church. All expressions of interest please contact Stephen on szanker@paravista.org.au, the office on 8263 5087 or mark security on your connect card.
Noticeboard
Sweet Aussie Grown Dried Apricots
Packs of 500g dried apricots at $12 each are available from the church office. Harvested and packed by Riverland Community Volunteers. Proceeds support Compassionate Ministries in Tonga through Nazcare Aust inc.
“But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children”
Psalm 103:17
