I know God’s love for me in Jesus. I delight in knowing God adopted me as his child in baptism. The Holy Spirit keeps me trusting and following Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps me share the grace and truth of Jesus with others.
Yet after decades of doing life with Jesus, why am I still so self-centred?
Why do I keep struggling with my mean heart …and my hurtful words?
How come I still find myself getting cranky, short, and narky with others?
Am I two different people? Am I one of those hypocrites Jesus talks about?
The missionary Paul tells us about his struggle:
I decide to do good, but I don't really do it;
I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.
My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.
Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.
I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. (Romans 7:19-23 MSG)
Come along this Sunday as we explore the dynamics of this struggle. We’ll see how the Holy Spirit sets us free from slavery to self. Our theme: Winning the War Within.
Bible Readings: Ezekiel 36:24-27, Galatians 5:16-25, John 8:31-36 (All in NLT)
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
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.
July is Family Focus Month
During the month of July, Pastor Reid would like families and children to serve in the worship services. This could include prayers, readings or testimonials.
If you would like to be involved, please let Margot know how and which Sunday you would be available.
We would also like to have families serving together. This could include welcoming, hosting, taking up the offering or helping out with morning tea.
Please contact Margot on 0401 850 814 or margot.mertin@paravista.org.au
To God be the glory in July as his people serve Him in worship and each other!
Last Kingdom Kids session for Term 2! Kingdom Kids will be available this Sunday at our 10.30am service for kindy to Year 4 aged children. Our Kingdom Youth (Year 5-7s) will be worshipping with their families.
Toddler Zone will not be available this Sunday.
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during the services. Please help yourself to them in the narthex.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available only on our church App! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Last Playgroup for Term 2 will be held at 9.30am in the OSCH room over at the school. Please bring a plate of party food to share to celebrate end of term! Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.
Youth Ministry
SOUL Crew was held at Latitude last Friday night and we had a large turnout of people spending two fun-filled hours jumping, flying and climbing. A great night was had by all and I heard there were a few sore and stiff bodies the next day. SOUL Crew is on next Friday and we will be finishing the last in our series of “Jesus – Who is He?” Bring your bible and bring your friends as we learn about Jesus the Miracle Man in an interesting, fun way.
We are really excited to now be opening up SOUL Crew to those in school year 6. SOUL Crew is a great way for like-minded teens to come together and explore their faith in a safe non-judgemental environment, so feel free to invite all your friends.
Christian Life Week is coming up in the July school holidays and these are week long camps, spending time with other Christian teens hanging out, playing games, studying the bible and having small group discussions. This year the camp is held at Port Hughes and run over 2 weeks – split into school year levels - and the camps will be tailored to the specific age groups.
10th-14th July – Year 7-9
17th-21st July – Year 10-12 Cost $220-00
Para Vista has a number of campers already registered and also quite a few SOUL Crew leaders will be leading on camp. I urge you to go ahead and register and be set for an awesome time. If finances are the only reason stopping any young person attending camp, please contact me and we can come to some sort of arrangement.
WANTED - Off-Site Camp Prayer Warriors
"I used to think that prayer should have the first place and teaching the second. I now feel it would be truer to give prayer the first, second and third places and teaching the fourth."
- James O. Fraser (1886 – 1938; missionary to China)
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
– Ephesians 6:18
This year, we have an exciting opportunity again for parents, caregivers, friends and fellow believers to be involved in an off-site prayer team for camp. Working with the prayer support of leaders during camp, you are able to nominate this year to participate in receiving prayer requests throughout a week of camp (or both camps, if you like!) These requests will be distributed to you via text messages from a leader on camp; there are generally 3-4 updates each day.
We are excited at the idea of having so many parents, caregivers, and church members praying for our campers and leaders throughout the week. We have experienced the power of prayer in our lives, and we know how good it is when we are united in prayer. We hope you will be interested in supporting camp in this way.
Details needed from participants:
● During which camp they would like to receive prayer updates; from Sunday 9th - Saturday 15th July (Year 7-9), or from Sunday 16th - Saturday 22nd July (Years 10-12), or both
● Name (at least a first name)
● Mobile phone number
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
From the Office
Ignite the Future building update
Again this week we ask for your patience as there will be disruption as we prepare to gyprock and paint the rear wall of the Church Narthex. A huge thank you to the volunteers who have been assisting with moving items and generously giving of their time in the past two weeks. Those participating have been building friendships during the week.
Reminder the hall will still be unavailable for use this week. Please use the opportunity to invite someone to your home or to a local coffee shop for a chat and to share. Have a look through the viewing panels at the external frame starting to appear.
Social club
Due to the hall unavailability the Social Club will not be meeting until Thursday 13th July.
Notice Board
Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
Preparing For Marriage Course
4th, 11th & 18th July 2017 from 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 388 Montague Road, Para Vista
An enjoyable, interactive, non-threatening way to share time with your partner and other couples, bringing benefits that can last a lifetime.
Cost $100.00 couple
For more information please contact Merv & Ros Thiele 0429009847 or email: mervrost@bigpond.net.au
Professional Standards
The Professional Standards Department of the SA/NT District was established by the LCA to assist all those who engage with our church to care for one another.
There is now a Professional Standards Officer in every District of the LCA.
Caring for one another requires a little effort from us. It's something we need to choose to do. It's love in action.
It's what we are called to do as Christians.
The LCA and its districts have policies and procedures to help us know appropriate ways of behaving and responding to matters that life throws at us. We need to take special care of the vulnerable people, the frail, the sick, the sad and especially our children. In the past we may have tried to ‘fix things up’ after an incident occurred, but our new focus is on the prevention of harm.
The LCA offers a number of different types of training and workshops to help congregations meet their Health and Safety, and ChildSafe obligations.
As part of this Good Shepherd will host two opportunities to participate in the Professional Standards Workshop (PSW) on Sunday 6th August and again on Sunday 10th September commencing at 12.30pm and finishing at 6.30pm. You only need to attend one.
This workshop focuses on the prevention of harassment and abuse (including Safe Place) and ChildSafe team member combined into one workshop, removing the need for congregation members to complete two types of training.
This is the foundation training which must be completed before other levels of training offered by the LCA.
The workshop numbers are capped at 35 people. This is due to the interactive nature of the sessions so early registration is recommended. Registration is via online system and is accessible here: https://goo.gl/Zanktk and also via the SA/NT District website. If you do not have computer access please contact the church office and they will assist in registration.
Cost for each participant is $40.00. If this is prohibitive for you please contact the church office or Stephen on 8263 5087 and some concession can be arranged.
This workshop is required by all church leaders and recommended for all adult members. A luncheon will be provided for participants directly after service on Sunday to enable the workshop to commence and finish on time. Please see the notice board and slide adverts for further information.
“Truly, truly, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.”
John 6:47
