Friday, September 23, 2016

God wants you to be happy

God never said that #1
This Sunday we start a new sermon series called ‘God never said that!’ We love offering little nuggets of advice, support, or sympathy. They come in handy when we want people to feel better. But what if the guidance you’re giving or receiving just isn’t true? What if God never said that?

In this four-week series we will tackle some common myths about God, like “God wants you happy” or “God never gives you more than you can handle,” and how those myths keep us from having a deeper relationship with Him.

This Sunday we begin with the myth that God wants you to be happy. While God has nothing against us being happy, his priority for our lives is not our happiness. God has something better for us. God wants you more than happy. God wants you blessed!

Come along this Sunday and hear how being blessed is better than being happy. 

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 5:1-12
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

New Lead pastor
Reid Matthias has accepted the call to be Lead Pastor at Para Vista. His commencement will be negotiated with Reid as he wants his daughters to complete their 2016 schooling in their present school. His ministry at PV would most likely commence mid-January.  We will keep the congregation informed.

We ask that you remember Reid, his wife Christine and daughters in your prayers as they commence the transition to ministry in Adelaide; we also ask that you pray for Noel and Bethany as Noel completes his ministry at PV.

Working Bee
The most unsightly garden area is our front garden on Montague Rd. This is public face to those passing or visiting. It is planned to upgrade this garden before our 50th celebrations. There is a Working Bee planned for Saturday 1st October commencing at 9:30am. This is a long weekend and Grand Final day but the plants we purchased can’t wait any longer to be planted.
Hopefully there will be enough members available on the 1st to enable the majority of plants to be planted.

Igniting the Future Appeal
Last Sunday we launched our IGNITING THE FUTURE appeal as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Appeal packs have been prepared for all our members and these can be collected from the hall this Sunday. All packs not collected this week will be posted out. If you do not receive a pack, please contact our office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087.

You can watch the clip used at the appeal launch at the following link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_Ik2lFu7M This clip provides a helpful overview of the project and how it will help both our church and school communities make the most of the opportunities before us to share the good news of Jesus.
 
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is on this Sunday at our 10.30am service.  This Sunday our Kingdom Youth Year 5-7s will be staying in the service to worship with their families and witness their peers first Step Up to Communion.

Toddler Zone will not be available this 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
On the Kingdom Kids Display Board you will find a Taking Faith Home resource for the month of October that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Little Lambs Playgroup

Playgroup has now finished for the term.  We will recommence week one next term.

Volunteer Recruitment Evening for the Children and Families Ministry
7 - 7.30pm Monday 10th October in the Education Centre/Library

Wine soft drinks and cheese will be available.
Come along to find out how you can be involved as a volunteer in the Children and Family Ministry.

RSVP Friday 7th October to kliebig@paravista.org.au

Youth Ministry
This coming Friday is our last event for the term.  There are some great discussions planned and we will be talking all about trust, obedience and service.  Looking forward to a great night of worship, fellowship and fun, and of course the much needed sustenance of supper!! Youth is a great way of being fed both spiritually and physically, with like-minded teens learning to own their own faith. We will then be having a break until Term 4, commencing on 21st October.

We have a new starting time of 6.30pm; just for next term, as we have some quite significant events planned so a bit of extra time is needed.  It’s never too late to start coming along and making some great friendships and connections with fellow young Christians.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au

Combined North Eastern Lutheran Youth
We have a date for the next event – 19th November – so mark it in your diaries.

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

Call for nominations to School Council
Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s Governing Council consists of up to 10 members.  All members are active Christians, sensitive and in-tune with our school values, and represent both Lutheran and other Christian denominations.  Councillors serve a three year term.  The Council collectively brings expertise and experience in governance, strategic planning, law, finance, spirituality, education and marketing to our decision making and policy direction.

Vacancies exist in 2017 for Good Shepherd congregation members and also other Christians.  Preferably, experience in law or finance would be beneficial, but not essential.  Nomination Forms for School Council are available from the school or church office.  Please contact Council Chair Matt Schmidt (0412 357 558) m.schmidt@achper.com.au  for any further information.

50th Anniversary
Reminder of dates:
Saturday Nov 5th social evening @ the church @7:30
Sunday Nov 6th celebratory church service at 10am followed by community lunch. Don’t forget to order you Anniversary wine. Keep an eye on the notice board in the hall for updated information

Budget 2016
January – August 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $337,750    Actual $326,806 UNDER $10,944
Budget Summary
January – July 2016
Total Income – Budget $316,612        Actual $311,740    UNDER $4,872
Total Expenses – Budget $309,089    Actual $300,432    UNDER $8,657
PROJECTED SURPLUS OF $4,685 FOR 2016

Notes
•    Offerings in August were $868 under budget with continued trend of REG above budget and Plate below budget.
•    The Sunday after the offerings email was sent to members, there was a small increase in plate offerings.
•    All Expense groups were in line with budget for July

Trusty Chair movers
Assistance is required to move chairs in the complex for carpet cleaning.  Half an hour of time is all that is required depending on volunteer numbers. Proposed times for requirement are Tuesday 4 October at 10.30am to move the chairs out and then Thursday 6 October 10.30am to move them back again. Use this as a chance to get to know someone else in the congregation and bring a friend to introduce them.

Please mark your connect card with ‘chairs’ and date, send an email to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or call the office 8263 5087 with your availability

Hall Floor
The hall floor will be getting resurfaced on Tuesday 11th October.  The area will be closed to all traffic for a 24hour period.

Maintenance Vacancy
Volunteers are required to assist in the following tasks:
•    Painting – Church and Manse.  Some spray painting involved.
•    Refixing eaves at the Manse
•    Refixing batons on the Church
•    Gutter maintenance – Church and Manse.
Please contact Stephen, the office on 8263 5087 or mark maintenance on your connect card to be able to actively improve the presentation of our facility.  All materials will be supplied.

Vacancy
An opportunity exists for respondents to any security alarm events needing attention at the church.  Alarm call outs are rare but when the need arises they need to be investigated to ensure a call out fee is not imposed. Please contact Stephen on szanker@paravista.org.au, the office on 8263 5087 or mark security on your connect card.

Furniture surplus to requirement
A small number of tables are no longer required for use by playgroup.  Tables can be viewed at the rear of the hall.  If anyone has requirement or knowledge of someone in need please contact the office or Stephen on 8250 1690 or via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au

Noticeboard

Professional Standards Workshop
Venue Salisbury Luth. Church 10 Waterloo Corner Road
Date 15th October 2016 Time 9am-4pm (sign-in from 8:45am) Cost: $35 per person
REGISTRATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL! Please register online at www.sa.lca.org.au

A new workshop providing a coordinated & comprehensive approach to:
•    Health & Safety for congregations
•    Prevention of harassment, bullying & abuse
•    Complaints handling
•    ChildSafe Team Member
This is more than a replacement for Safe Place and ChildSafe training

The Fossils are in concert again this year supporting Lutheran Community Care

When: Saturday, 29 October from 7.30pm
Where: Concordia College, Highgate
Tickets: $20 Adult, $15 Concession and Groups of 10+, $10 Children 4-14 years (under 4 free)
Visit trybooking.com/MIPU to book tickets. All proceeds will support families in SA and NT through emergency relief, homelessness support and foster care.

Hymnfest
Help us raise resounding voices in our festival of hymns, as we sing praise and enjoy fellowship - all for a great cause.
Sunday 25 September 2:00pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
Grand Junction Rd, Hope Valley
As always, admission is free. Besides the praise and worship, we’ll share about our work and take up a freewill offering for Get the Word Out to South Africa. Funds will go to Bible Society projects, including a discipleship course through the South African prison system and Bible-based literacy courses for disadvantaged children.

For details or enquiries please contact Steve Bengtsson at steve.bengtsson@biblesociety.org.au
or by calling 8292 4804 or 0400 220 416

My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119:50