Friday, July 29, 2016

When God seems unfair #1 – Where are you God?

This week we begin a new sermon series called ‘When God seems unfair’. We all have things happen to us that don’t seem fair. We live in a world where injustice is constantly happening and not only are bad people getting away with it, they are prospering while good people are suffering.

As Christians it’s natural to ask “God, why aren’t you doing something about it? Why are you allowing such unfair things to happen in my life and in the world around me?”

Questioning God’s fairness is nothing new. The Bible records many people doing this and in this series we will look at one of them, a man named Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet in the Old Testament and he lived at time when God’s people in Judah were becoming very corrupt. There was institutionalised corruption and the perverted court system meant nothing was being done to change it.

Habakkuk cries out to God to do something about the injustice that is all around him. While God eventually answers Habakkuk, his response creates even more questions for him.

As we follow Habakkuk’s conversation with God we are shown how we can both challenge God about life’s unfairness and the doubts this causes our faith and at the same time continue to trust God in spite of what is going on.

We begin this Sunday by looking at the question ‘Where are you God?” What do we do in those times where Gods unresponsiveness makes us feel like he doesn’t care?

Bible Readings: Habakkuk 1:1-13; Psalm 13:1-6
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids resumes this Sunday at our 10.30am service.

Kingdom Youth
This Sunday we will be having our first Kingdom Youth session for our Year 5-7s.  Lunch will be provided for these children after their session at 12pm 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 not 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.

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 will be sent to children in Year five. Please contact the church office if you and your child would like to participate.

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.

Children and Family Ministry Team
Kathy Liebig

Youth Ministry
I had the pleasure of “camping” with the year 10-12s on CLW at Port Hughes last week.  It was so amazing to see God at work in these young people and see how He touched each and every one of them, as well as all of those leading and helping on camp. There were many attendees from Ignite Youth on both camps as leaders and campers, it was so exciting.

Term 3 returns for youth this 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. 
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 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.

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.

Scrapbook Folders Reminder
We will start putting together the Scrapbooks about Alice on Thursday next week (4th August).  If you can contribute, please send your comments to the church office or put in Tanya Harrison's pigeon hole.  Thank you.

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.

Elaine’s 90th Birthday open invitation
September 3rd 2016, with afternoon tea at the Chapel. Fullarton Lutheran Homes, Frew St, Fullarton.
The Traeger family

Lutheran Nurses

Monday 25th July at 7.30pm
Venue 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.

Seniors Social Club
We are extremely happy to announce that our application for a grant of $585 from the City of Salisbury has been approved. This has allowed us to upgrade and replace items such as our dark brown indoor carpet bowls with a new set of yellow bowls. This has been a hit with our bowlers.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
(John 14:2-3)