Worry has always been a difficulty. No generation finds itself immune to it. It’s what humans do because they are constantly traveling to the great land of What If? For certain, all worry starts with these two words: What if we don’t have enough…?” What if my daughter…?” “What if my phone doesn’t work?”
Jesus crucifies the question by pointing to God’s caretaking of nature. The flowers don’t worry about their clothes, why do you? “So don’t worry because the pagans run after these things…” And then, without us even being prepared for it, Jesus nails our sin (and worry is sin because it does not trust God) by telling us “Firstly, seek the kingdom and his righteousness.” When we seek God’s innumerable blessings in the faithful life, what we find is that all the things that we worried about are gift wrapped along the way. They are given to us; it’s just a matter of picking them up and unwrapping them.
This week, we’ll be encountering the heavy burden of worry and how, with Christ’s help, we can offload those worries to find the Kingdom and God’s righteousness.
Bible Readings: Exodus 18:6-23, Matthew 6:19-34
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
We had a wonderful Kick Off to Kingdom Kids last Sunday in the school library. We had a visit from Pastor Reid who taught us a very funny song about needing God to help us! The children then spent some time asking him questions.
As it is a non-communion Sunday at 10.30am, Kingdom Youth begins this year for Year 5 – Year 7 students and will be held in the OSCH room over at the school. Just a reminder to parents and carers we will be finishing at 12 and then sharing lunch together in the OSCH kitchen. Come on over and join us!
We look forward to seeing you!
Toddler Zone will not be operating 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
Little Lambs Playgroup is held on Wednesdays 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
Youth Ministry
On Sunday we launched our new look and new name. The name was a topic of many a discussion over the course of the weekend leader’s retreat. Our final inspiration came when the vision of the young people’s ministry plan was shared, discussed and finalised. Our vision is: “We believe that through the power of the Holy Spirt, God is going to grow our young people so that they S hare their faith, O wn their faith, U nderstand their faith and L ive their faith.” Hence the name SOUL Crew was born.
SOUL Crew is happening this Friday night. Heaven was a topic that came up last year as a subject they would like to discuss so we are viewing the movie “Heaven Is For Real” and then we will be having group discussion time after the movie.
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.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin
Faith Formation 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.
From the office
Summary of February Board meeting
• After a lengthy debate the Board decided against applying for any government loan where the money source was from gambling.
• The Board agreed to support Stamps for Mission. There will be more information provided to congregation in the near future.
• The Board agreed to contract the Mossop Company for our facilities upgrade. The school will use the same company for their upgrade.
• The Finance Team have worked diligently to complete our 2016 finances and have arranged the audit for March.
• It was decided to appoint women to the Adjudication Team. This is now permissible after a change to our constitution at the half Yearly meeting in November.
Wine Clearance
We have 2 dozen red and 3 dozen white anniversary wine left. Selling at discount rates $100 a dozen or $50 for half a dozen. See John Dolling or Andrea Brooks for a bargain.
Notice Board
Friends of Lutheran Archives
Those were the days . . . What memories those camps invoke in us! Did you meet your spouse at a Youth Camp? Pastor David Eckermann will be the guest speaker at the FOLA (Friends of Lutheran Archives) gathering on Monday 27th February, 7.30pm at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city. David has been involved in Youth, singles and camp ministry for many years & has a wealth of knowledge about those camps. All welcome & gold coin donation.
Invitation to attend events at Australian Lutheran College (ALC)
ALC invites you to attend the following events being held on Monday 27 February 2017, which mark the beginning of a new academic year for the college. The day will begin with worship in the Chapel at 9.00am followed by the Opening Lecture at 9.30am in the Refectory.
This year’s lecture will be presented by Dr Wendy Mayer (ALC’s new Associate Dean of Research) and is entitled, ‘Preaching Schism: Why what good people say can have unintended consequences for the Church.’
If attending either the service or the lecture, please park off campus and enter via the entrance at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For all enquiries or to notify of your attendance, please contact Alice Lamnek on (08) 7120 8200 or email: alice.lamnek@alc.edu.au. For those unable to physically attend proceedings, the lecture will be live-streamed via the ALC website – www.alc.edu.au.
Installation of new ALC staff
The installation of Dr Wendy Mayer (Associate Dean of Research), Dr Adam Hensley (Lecturer in Old Testament) and Rev Thomas Pietsch (Lecturer in Church History) will take place at the 9am service on Sunday 19 February 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, Glynde. All are welcome to attend.
“Therefore,
since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Romans 5:1
