As my calendar ticks over from one year to the next, I realise that my desire to be in control even extends to controlling time. Perhaps this is why time travel has always been the subject of so much fascination in human thinking. Whether it be H.G. Wells’ classic “The Time Machine”, the adventures of Marty McFly in “Back to the Future”, or the escapades of Dr Who and the TARDIS, time travel has sparked the imagination of humanity for centuries.
Our desire to transcend time is a result of our brokenness. Like Adam and Eve bought into the lie that they could be like God, we think that by controlling and managing time we become a bit more God-like. We forget that only God holds all of time in his hands.
We fool ourselves into thinking that we can ‘make more time’ for things. This is often part of our new year’s resolutions, ‘This year I’ll make more time for my family’ or maybe, ‘I want to make more time to read my Bible.’ Whatever it is, we always seem to think we can or should fit more in, or do more stuff, or make more time. The reality is that the amount of time we have is limited to the amount of time that God gives us.
In Matthew 6:27 Jesus says, ‘can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?’
As the new year of 2018 gets underway I want to encourage you to stop worrying about making more time or fitting more in. Instead of thinking about how to ‘make’ time, think about how you are going to ‘spend’ it.
Time can be spent just like money. It can be wisely invested, or foolishly wasted.
As you consider your ‘time spending’ intentions for 2018, I would like to encourage you to spend some time asking God what he hopes you will achieve this year. Consider allowing him to guide your plans because in all the uncertainty of a new year, one thing is certain; God’s plan is to draw you closer to himself and that’s a great place to be.
Vicar Mat von Stanke
Bible Readings: Mark 1:14-15, Galatians 4:4-6
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.
Meet 'n' Eat Ministry
Blessings to all for a prosperous New Year filled with positive achievements for people in our community though our various church ministries.
2017 was a year in which the Meet 'n' Eat group moved to a temporary home in the school hall, while renovations were carried out on our building. Although this move was necessary for the short term, building issues meant that this turned into twelve months. Thanks to the experience of the team, issues faced were overcome quickly.
A big thank you to our school for allowing us to use their facilities for a year, and to Endeavour College for the loan of chairs.
This Monday 15th January, we will start the fresh year back in the hall, and along with our weekly guests, start to enjoy the new facilities which look terrific.
To volunteer your help to our Monday night group on either a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis please mark your connect card or contact the office.
Vacancy - Young Families Coordinator
The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista is seeking someone with a passion for seeing young people and their families progress their faith journeys, to join their ministry team in a new, exciting position – ‘Young Families Coordinator’ on either a 0.8 or 1.0 basis.
In conjunction with the congregational Lead Pastor, this position will be the primary connection between the congregation and the onsite Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School.
In addition, with the support of other teams, this role also includes the leadership and oversight for the care and spiritual development of people in 12 – 30 years age groups .
This is a leadership role that includes developing ministry vision, preparing, nurturing and equipping teams, and intentional ministry planning.
For more information please contact the office or via the net at http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/church-worker-support/calls-employment-volunteering/ under Young Families Coordinator.
From the Office
Thank you
Thank you to all the members who gave the gift of service to others over the Christmas break welcoming our visitors by:
• Parking in Mattiske’s car park or on the school oval
• Sitting in the middle of the isles for service
• Being involved in audio and visual presentation.
• Welcoming and providing steward service
• Directing traffic
• Cleaning and tidying after each service
• Welcoming visitors and sharing a cup of coffee with them
• Anyone else who assisted in any way shape or form to celebrate the “light” and passing on its radiance
Ignite the Future building update
We were fortunate enough to have access to the area by Christmas and have since been blessed with a group of volunteers who have already been busy washing all the equipment to go back into the new area.
This week we will have the pleasure of some china coffee cups to put our coffees into. Remember to return them to the counter so they can be washed.
Please do not use any of the equipment until you have been shown how to use it. A number of training sessions will be conducted in the next few weeks to allow all volunteers the opportunity to be able to use the equipment.
Communications book
The communications book has been temporarily placed back into the café area for members to communicate with staff. Please use the folder out of hours to communicate issues rather than disturb them from participating in service or other activities.
Parking lot safety – One Way Traffic
Remember traffic flow is one way entering from Montague road and exiting through the rear gate AT ALL TIMES. Please do not ‘sneak out’ onto Montague road after hours. As this is a shared area speed is restricted to 10KPH
Can you help?
Volunteers are required Tuesday morning (16th January) from 9:30am to help move Vicar Mat von Stanke into his new office. Please mark your welcome card if you can help.
Notice Board
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Dried apricots
For sale in the church office at $12 per 500gm pack which will help support ministries in Cambodia and Tonga.
“And he said to them,
Why are you so fearful?
How is it that you have no faith?”
Mark 4:40
