Take Offence. Make a Fence.

When Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, he buries within the heart of the Lord’s Prayer, the irritating grain of sand that produces a beautiful pearl of great price.

Forgiveness

In the twenty-first century, in all of its digital splendour, forgiveness seems as antiquated as rotary phones.  How do we dial in the correct number for forgiveness?  How do we differentiate between the sin that’s been done against us with the movable fences of offence that cause us to build walls between us and our family members.

Through Jesus’ words in the book of Matthew, we see the correct order given in which we can restore relationships, remove fences of offence and uncover grace. 

Discover again the winding path of relational restoration and find out what God has in store for those who follow in Christ’s footsteps.

Bible Readings:  Galatians 6:1-5, Matthew 18:15-20 NLT
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Congregational meeting
A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday 12th February at 10.00am.  The meeting is to ratify the borrowing from the LLL for the Ignite Building Project.  Further details will be provided closer to the date.

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is currently on holidays!  We will be returning Sunday 12th February.
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

Youth Ministry
I have “kidnapped” my leaders this weekend and we are heading up the river for a Leadership Retreat.  We will be training, planning and having time of fellowship and worship to ensure that we bring you a great year ahead in youth.  It will be a very exciting year with new leaders, old leaders, new kids and old kids.

We will re-commence with our first event on Friday 4th February starting at 7pm until 9.30pm.  Here are the dates for this term so you can jot them in your diary.   Please bring along your friends as we encourage all to grow in Jesus in an informal, enjoyable and non-threatening environment.  Cost is $2 to cover cost of supper.

Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin

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


Board chair 2017
We are still seeking a person to be Chair of the Board in 2017. Below are listed the tasks of the Chair:
From our By Laws - The Chairperson shall
a)    be elected annually by the Congregation and shall preside at meetings of the Board and the Congregation;
b)    encourage and cooperate with all office bearers;
c)    ensure that an agenda is prepared for the meetings of the Board and the Congregation.
d)    submit a report to the Annual General Meeting of the Congregation.
e)    the chair may become involved in other activities if he/she chooses to.

Igniting the Future upgrade notes
•    The Meet-n-Eat group have settled into a new routine holding their ministry each Monday night in the school gym.
•    Hall store has been cleared.
•    Thank you to the ladies who have worked hard in the kitchen to box up all the catering equipment ready for storage.
•    Thank you to the ministries who have cleared and sorted through their items ready for moving. 

Morning tea during the upgrade will be served in disposable cups due to no washing up facilities.  Please assist by placing your cup into provided bins when finished.

Notice Board

Craft Group
We are a group of ladies who meet together most weeks to craft and also support, encourage, affirm and celebrate one another. We each bring our own craft to do: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting/applique, just to name a few of the crafts that we do regularly.  Sometimes, not much craft gets done; we just sit and talk for 2 hours!

When: Thursday evenings
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Where: currently the cry room at church

Prayer Training and Workshop
25-26 February 2017
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista
Cost: $20 per person including lunch on Saturday.
Please let Sue Schenscher know if you wish to attend via 0422 799 668 or schenshes@hotmail.com

“But Jesus looked at them and said,

With men it is impossible, but not with God;

for with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27

Out of the Wilderness into Freedom

This coming Sunday is a special day in the life of our congregation, as we will be installing Pastor Reid Matthias as our new Lead Pastor, and welcoming his family into our Good Shepherd family.  Praise the Lord!

Please note that there is only one service at 9:30am, followed by morning tea. 

Since Bishop David Altus will be at another installation on Sunday, we welcome his representative, Pastor Paul Fielke - who will be sharing a message from God’s Word and conducting the rite of installation. 

The ministry God gives us is HIS ministry. God doesn’t just call us to carry out his mission, but promises to be with us; and to give us his power as we carry it out. We don’t need to rely on ourselves. We look to God, knowing that in all things he is the One behind it.

Bible Readings:  Isaiah 35:1-10, Ephesians 4:11-16
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 

Installation Day
This Sunday, be part of the next exciting chapter in the life of your church when Pastor Reid Matthias will be installed as our new Lead Pastor.  We will also have the opportunity to welcome his wife Christine and three daughters Elsa, Josephine and Greta. Remember there will be one service at 9:30am followed by morning tea in the hall. Please bring food to share on a disposable plate.

Car parking
We are expecting a large number of visitors for the installation service this Sunday and would appreciate members parking on the school oval to allow our guests to park in allocated parking spaces.  Please assist by parking to the eastern end of the oval.
Disabled Parking Only will be permitted between the village and the church.

Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is currently on holidays!  We will be returning Sunday 12th February.
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during this service.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

 

Youth Ministry
Happy New Year!!
Welcome to 2017 and another exciting year ahead in Youth.  We are still on a break at the moment, working behind the scenes to bring you a great year.

We will re-commence with our first event on Friday 4th February starting at 7pm until 9.30pm.  Here are the dates for this term so you can jot them in your diary.

Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin

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

Igniting the future upgrade notes
Reminder to all ministry groups to remove any items from the kitchen and the kitchen freezer by COB 25th January so it can be relocated.  The unit will not be used for the period of renovation.

All ministry groups are requested to remove or pack into boxes for storage items that will be used once renovation has been completed.  Boxes are available for use.  Please see the front office or discuss with Stephen on 8263 5087 or szanker@paravista.org.au any concerns.

Budget Summary
January – December 2016
Total Offerings – Budget $507,000        Actual $485,793     UNDER $21,207

Notes presented to last Board meeting:
•    Offerings in November and December were both under budget by about $3,000 each month.
•    REG was in line with budget and plate was below budget.
•    Significant trend during the year away from plate offering towards REG.
•    Total Offerings $23k below 2015 and the first year since 2010 below $500k.

Igniting the future appeal
•    Pledge forms for Igniting the future and cash received without Pledge Forms totals $120,000
•    Approximately $90,000 has been received. 
•    Loan application has been accepted and will require congregational approval.

To assist in making your donations, use 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

Phones
The church phones are being connected over to a NBN VoIP system.  During this time you may experience an engaged signal on the church office phone.  Please be patient and try again or email the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your enquiry and one of the office staff will get back to you.

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 actively improve the presentation of our facility.  All materials will be supplied.

Gardening
After the garden makeover for our 50th celebration the gardens at our facility are low maintenance and require very little to maintain.  Assistance is required from a member/family that may be able to spend an hour a month at their leisure to maintain one small garden section to help keep our facility looking great. Please mark your connect card with ‘Garden Help’ or contact Stephen on 82635087 or szanker@paravista.org.au

A view of Adelaide to be experienced could be gained while assisting in the cleaning of the gutters. The task involves an hour of time while being able to gain a view of the surrounding area not normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 or put on your Sunday Connect card your intention to be part of the “View Adelaide with a difference” team.

Equipment surplus to requirement.
The following equipment is no longer required and is available for a donation.
•    2 X portable stair gates
•    2 X baby bouncer rockers.
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
Items can be viewed via same contact.

Notice Board

Craft Group
We are a group of ladies who meet together most weeks to craft and also support, encourage, affirm and celebrate one another. We each bring our own craft to do: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting/applique, just to name a few of the crafts that we do regularly.  Sometimes, not much craft gets done; we just sit and talk for 2 hours!

When: Thursday evenings
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Where: currently the cry room at church

Prayer Training and Workshop
25-26 February 2017
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista
Cost: $20 per person including lunch on Saturday.
Please let Sue Schenscher know if you wish to attend via 0422 799 668 or schenshes@hotmail.com

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

Avoiding the snare of offence – Part 2

This Sunday we continue our worship series that began last Sunday: ‘Avoiding the snare of offence’. 

The Greek word for offence is skandalon - from which we get our English word "scandal".  It’s the wooden stick that holds a trap open.  It’s also the part of a mouse trap we put the bait on. 

When the mouse goes for the bait, it does not end well for the mouse!  Likewise, once we take the bait of offence, it does not go well for us!  If we remain offended with someone, the relationship falls apart.  

That can happen in our relationship with God!  If we stay offended with God, it can destroy our trust in God and derail our eternal destiny. That’s why Jesus warns us to avoid the snare of offence.

Last week we looked at 3 common causes of offence:
1. Offence at when God doesn’t meet our expectations 
2. The offence of familiarity
3. The offence of trouble 
If you missed this, please visit our web-site and listen to the podcast.

This Sunday we’ll look at two more common causes of offence.  Come along and find out what they are – and how to avoid them! 

Bible Readings:  Matthew 15:1-20 NLT, Matthew 16:21-28 NLT
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au 
 
Installation Day
On Sunday January 22nd you are encouraged to be part of the beginning of the next exciting chapter in the life of your church home when Pastor Reid Matthias will be installed as our new Lead Pastor.  We will also have the opportunity to welcome his wife Christine and three daughters Elsa, Josephine and Greta.

On the 22nd there will one service at 9:30am followed by morning tea in the hall.
You can assist in making this a memorable occasion by:
o    attending the service and joining in the fellowship afterwards
o    providing food for the morning tea (see note below)
o    assisting with setting food up after the service or cleaning up afterwards (see below)

Food
o    Please provide either savoury or sweet (please no food that needs to be heated)
o    To assist with cleaning up use a disposable plate
o    Bring food to kitchen before the service
o    If any food needs to be kept cool, please place into one of the fridges

Preparing and Cleaning up
o    Assistance is needed to put food on tables after the service
o    After the morning tea, tables need to be cleared and cleaned
o    Disposable cups will be used to keep cleaning to a minimum
If you can assist with the preparation or clean up please contact John Dolling - jdolling@bigpond.net.au or 83675296

Food hamper for Matthias family
Thank you to all who donated to the food hamper.  Your generosity filled the Matthias’s pantry and fridge and has been gratefully accepted.

Kingdom Kids
We are on holidays. 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 January that contains a month’s worth of daily bible readings.

Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker

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 Gala Dinner
Partnerships create possibilities
Come on a journey with us to discover the tastes, aromas, colours and sounds of Africa, and support Maranatha Health as we create bright new futures in Western Uganda. The evening will feature a delicious 3 course meal (including Ethiopian buffet), energetic African entertainment from Moore Black & the Organic Roots, a silent auction and fundraising fun, and all the latest updates from our in work Fort Portal, Uganda.

Special guests: Kimberley & Michael Findlay, MH Founders
MC: Kate Collins, from Channel Nine News
Guest speaker: Suren Krishnan, Associate Professor of Surgery at Adelaide University (who recently performed MH's first surgeries in Uganda)
  
Venue:
Furlan Centre - 69 Briar Road, Felixstow, SA 5070
Tickets: Tables of 10
1 ticket $100* pp
10 tickets $90* pp
Book tickets at www.trybooking.com/NDRM
Contact: RSVP 17 January, including dietary needs contact@maranathahealth.org

From the office

Igniting the future upgrade notes
•    Courtyard access
Due to removal of pavers from the courtyard rear entry to the complex is to be via the pigeon-hole corridor only. Rear double doors are for emergency exit only.

•    Kitchen freezer
All ministry groups are requested to remove any items from the freezer by COB 25th January so it can be relocated.  The unit will not be used for the period of renovation.

•    Kitchen / Store items
By COB 25th January, all ministry groups are requested to remove or pack into boxes for storage, items that will be used once renovation has been completed.

Any concerns with the above please discuss with Stephen on 8263 5087 or szanker@paravista.org.au

A view of Adelaide to be experienced could be gained while assisting in the cleaning of the gutters. The task involves an hour of time while being able to gain a view of the surrounding area not normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 or put on your Sunday Connect card your intention to be part of the “View Adelaide with a difference” team.

Equipment surplus to requirement.
The following equipment is no longer required and is available for a donation.
•    2 X portable stair gates
•    2 X baby bouncer rockers.
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
Items can be viewed via same contact.

Prayer Training and Workshop
25-26 February 2017
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista
Cost: $20 per person including lunch on Saturday.
Please let Sue Schenscher know if you wish to attend via 0422 799 668 or schenshes@hotmail.com  
Notice Board

Meet n Eat
Meet n Eat resumes on 16th January in the school gymnasium, Mengkiwodli room.  Bread distribution will also be from here.  Park by school oval and follow the signs to the gym. 6.30 to 7.45pm.

Craft Group
We are a group of ladies who meet together most weeks to craft and also support, encourage, affirm and celebrate one another. We each bring our own craft to do: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting/applique, just to name a few of the crafts that we do regularly.  Sometimes, not much craft gets done; we just sit and talk for 2 hours!

When: Thursday evenings
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Where: currently the cry room at church

“I will instruct you and teach you

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8