Think about some of the seemingly ‘insane’ things that Jesus mentions to different people:
It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
You must be born again.
And then our theme for this week:
Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
So, I guess I have to be both poor and infantile, is that right?
Matthew 18:1-10
What exactly is Jesus talking about when he confronts the disciples’ question about being the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For most of our developing years, there is an adult or two who uses the phrase, “Oh, just grow up,” but now Jesus smiles at the disciples (and us too!) and gives the opportunity to be child-like again and to experience exactly what it’s like to see with young eyes again faith and the wonderful world of child-like trust.
Included in this discussion is the question of stumbling blocks – things we keep tripping over and how we sometimes put the same stumbling blocks in front of our children.
As school kicks off for Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, come engage with scriptures and find new life in change.
Bible Readings: Matthew 17:24-27
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Congregational meeting
There will be special Congregational meeting next Sunday February 12th at 10am. This is for the congregation to accept the conditions for the loan from the LLL. Full information will be emailed early next week. There will be a progress report on the Facilities development.
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.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available only on our App! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Little Lambs Playgroup begins on Wednesday 8th Feb 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.
Kathy Liebig - Children and Family Support Worker
We had an absolutely fantastic time away in “The Pink Shack” planning, training and brainstorming on the weekend. Your leaders are all so focussed and excited about sharing their faith and encouraging all the youth on their faith journey. You will notice the logo is a little faded this week – that is because on Friday night we say farewell to “Ignite Youth” as we know it, as we kick off the year with new beginnings, equalling a new name. All will be revealed in time.
We start the year in youth this Friday at 7pm – “Come, Join Us”. It will be a fun night getting to know each other, whilst exploring the scriptures in a creative way! Don’t forget to invite along a few friends. Youth is a safe, non-confronting environment where like-minded teens get to share and grow their faith. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
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.
Para Vista Women’s Lutheran Fellowship - 2017
Welcome to a year of Bible study and coffee with friends. We invite you to meet at Good Shepherd Hall next week at 1pm on Tuesday, February 6th. Pastor Reid, our lead Pastor, will introduce himself to us, lead our Bible Study and move forward with us into 2017.
Unlike previous years and because of our church and school building program, the Women’s Fellowship program has been simplified, but we still plan to meet on the first Tuesday of each month, except November. Because of the Melbourne Cup we meet twice in October, on the first and fourth Tuesday of that month. The venue will be decided from month to month.
We invite all members to meet our new pastor as we greet and welcome him as our special guest.
Help urgently needed
At the November Half Yearly meeting the congregation voted to proceed with our facilities upgrade. The project will commence within the next 3 weeks. Much work has already been undertaken to ensure we are ready to proceed, but to ensure all is ready we need the assistance of lots of members. If we are not ready we will incur extra costs, which would mean we cannot keep within budget.
Help urgently needed to:
• relocate the library. Most of the library will be set up in the foyer. Before you say I can't carry books down the stairs, we also need people to stack books onto the relocated shelves. Skills required - enthusiasm to get the job done.
• relocate shelving from the storeroom to the hall to give us some much needed storage.
Skills required - ability to remove shelves from wall (bolted to wall), some carpentry skills to attach to hall wall, shifting gear from kitchen and storeroom to shelving.
• relocate items to storeroom area in shed at the end of the oval. Trailer needed.
• Remove remaining pavers from the courtyard and store ready to be reinstated at the completion of the redevelopment. This will be very expensive if completed by the contractor. This work can be completed whenever you have an hour to spare but there will be 2 working Bees on Saturday 11th and 18th starting at 9:30
We need to complete all the above within the next 3 weeks so we urgently need the assistance of many to ensure we meet the deadline. We are very flexible so you can assist at a time that is convenient to you. If you can assistance please contact JohnDolling 83675296 or jdolling@bigpond.net.au.
From the office
Back to school Sunday
This year due to the construction work happening around the complex a sausage sizzle will not be happening after the 10.30am service. The great snags and salad will return for the 2018 back to school Sunday in a newly completed area.
Misplaced Items
The Women@PV trolley was accidently left in the hall last weekend and items used for this ministry were removed from a box marked Women@PV.
Missing items are:
• 12 small red glass tea light holders, and
• 6 or 7 mosaic candle holders, green and red in colour
If any member knows of the whereabouts of the items it is requested they inform the office to arrange a return, or return the items to the church ASAP so they can be used for this ministry.
Igniting the Future upgrade notes
Remember: 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.
Shelving has been removed from the Hall store.
Archive items are being sorted.
Air conditioners in Parenting room and Baby Zone
The air cons in both these areas have failed in the last month and are being quoted on for repair.
Thank You
Thank you to Peter Kraft who became a member of the “View Adelaide with a difference” team by assisting in the cleaning of the gutters.
Notices Section
Will Hall a past Lay worker/employee, of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista, is being installed as Pastor on Sunday 5th February 1:30 pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church, 312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park SA 5032.
Notice Board
“So those who are last now will be first then,
and those who are first will be last.”
Matthew 20:16
