Most people answer this question with answers like these:
- I want my children to live with financial security, free of war and poverty.
- I want my children to be able to determine their own path and live in freedom.
- I want my child to be successful in whatever they choose to do.
- I want my kids to feel safe and loved.
These are great goals, and as parents we often spend a lot of time, energy and resources creating an environment for our children that helps them to achieve these kinds of ideals.
But do we place the same value on helping our children encounter and have a living and loving relationship with Jesus?
Let’s take a minute to look at how helping our children encounter Jesus at home addresses our more human concerns for our kids.
Jesus says to us that we do not need to worry about food or clothes (Matt 6:31-33) because God knows that we need them and when we seek after him and his kingdom, he will provide what we need. A life with Jesus is a life which is provided for.
He also said that those who hold to his teachings will know the truth and the truth would set them free (John 8:31-32). A life with Jesus is a life of freedom.
In Philippians 4:12-13, we are reminded that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength. A life with Jesus is a life of confidence.
Jesus tells us again how he loves us in John 15:9-13. “As the father has loved me, so I have loved you…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete…greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” A life with Jesus is a life filled with joy, hope and love.
We work so hard to provide, money and shelter, experiences and opportunities for our children so they may have a ‘good’ life. But what kind of life do they have if we do not help them to encounter Jesus at home. Our time and effort should be spent primarily helping them encounter Jesus as the one who offers real and lasting hope, security, life, and love. If it is not, then maybe we need to check our priorities.
Join us this Sunday as we look at some mothers from the New Testament who did that, and learn from them how we can help each other, and our children, encounter Jesus in our homes today.
Blessings,
Vicar Mat von Stanke.
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-7
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.
Mothers’ Day Stall
Did you forget Mothers Day is this Sunday? Don’t stress! After BOTH services there will be an opportunity to purchase a last minute gift for Mum or Grandma. Proceeds go to the school and Maranatha Health.
Congregation and School AGM’s
The AGM’s of the congregation and school will be held on Sunday 27th May at 12:30pm. The Maranatha Team will provide a soup lunch after the second service. Information regarding the congregational meeting will be available in hard copy on Sunday May 20th and emailed to members early in the following week.
Main items for the congregational meeting:
• Presentation of 2017 audited accounts
• Report from Pastor Reid
• Report on Facilities Redevelopment
Good Shepherd Lutheran Women’s Fellowship
Our members look forward to your company at our annual fundraising luncheon on Tuesday 5th June, 2018 at 12 noon here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Your spouse/partner/friend is also welcome. Come along and hear Pastor Reid and his wife Christine entertain us. Reid is the writer of “The Little Church on the Prairie” in the Lutheran Magazine. There will be a trading table and door prizes. Lunch $15 RSVP Friday 18th May to Ragna Gaard 7325 8016 or Dorothy Buscomb 0403 967 943. Limited seats available.
From the Office
Office Closure
The church office will be closed on Wednesday 16th May as staff are attending a retreat.
Available facilities
The new play group facilitators have done a wonderful job of sorting and organising the Baby Zone room. This area and all its resources are available for all groups to use. All users are asked to return the room to the condition they have found it, and to return all the craft items back to the storage areas once finished. We request that children be supervised in this area at all times.
Assistance still required
Several weeks ago an email was sent requesting assistance to relay a small section of the parquetry flooring in the hall. This is required so we can get the hall floor treated. So far there have been no offers of assistance. Help could be as little as 1 hour. If you can assist please contact John Dolling 8367 5296.
Café/new area dedication
Let’s celebrate the gifts we have been given in this new area. We are looking for a team to lead and organise this event. Please consider if your care group could organise this or personally contributing to assistance by contacting the office with your ideas and skills.
LCA Standing Committee
The LCA’s Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting all eligible congregational members to consider serving on a LCA Board, Council, Commission or Committee in the next Synodical term. Please refer to the LCA nominations web-site: www.lca.org.au/nominations for information and to access the nominations form. Please note: Nominations must be submitted to the Standing Committee on Nominations by 15 May 2018.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG) www.lll.org.au/REG
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG, the appropriate forms are available from the table at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
Alternatively deposits can be made to 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.
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Friends of Lutheran Archives
Have you ever lived in or visited the Barossa? How much do you know about it?
Meet the authors of 'Barossa: Federation to the Fifties' Join local historians and authors Anne Hausler, Angela Heuzenroeder, Everard Leske, Donald Ross, and Geoff Saegenschnitter for a lively presentation of their comprehensive and authoritative account of early 20th century Barossa. Come along to the Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) meeting on Monday May 21st, Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the City, 7.30pm. The books will be available for sale at $35, but please pay with the exact cash. Gold coin donation & supper. All welcome.
Plant Stall
Our popular plant stall will be held on June 3rd after both services. This is an opportunity to support the valuable work of the Family Zone Hub at Ingle Farm. Lutheran Community Care have established this centre and it's right on our doorstep, so we are keen to encourage their work with families in need.
LCC Op Shop
Did you know Lutheran Community Care have opened a new Op Shop in our area? It's at the Pauls Drive shopping centre in Valley View and is worth a visit. You never know what bargains you might find!
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“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
