Friday, August 24, 2018

A Chosen Instrument

The word from God to Ananias: (Acts 9:15,16)

‘Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’

It would be a wonderful thing to know Ananias’ thoughts about this turn of events.  Saul, a constant persecutor of Christians, arriving in Damascus and he, Ananias, a faithful disciple of Jesus, must tell Saul that he was God’s chosen instrument.

Chosen instrument?  Really?  What kind of song was God going to play?

As we move throughout life, we hopefully encounter many people who have heard God’s song in their lives and have been called to sing out his change in them.  God, like a great orchestral conductor, knows the abilities and sounds of each one His instruments, and he knows which instruments should be making sound and which should be silent throughout at different times in the symphony.

This week, as we gather together, we’ll hear God’s song through Saul/Paul as he travels to the lands of Gentiles and Jews alike, journeys of joy and pain, suffering and surrender, and a realisation that to be used in God’s song is to be part of the great melody of life together.

Come and experience Part 2 of Saul’s transformative experience in the book of Acts and how it intersects with our own daily life in the 21st century.

Pr Reid Matthais

Bible Reading:  Acts 9:13-16; Acts 26;1-3, 12-28
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Prayer Request
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.

Small Groups Dinner


For anyone currently in a small group, and anyone interested in more effective small group ministries at Good Shepherd.  Please inform your group, save the date, and come along!  Bring a sweet or savoury to share.  BYO Drinks and glasses.

RSVP by phoning the church on 08 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au

Ladies Fellowship Meeting
A reminder of our West Lakes outing on 4th September.  For those travelling by bus please be at Hope Valley by 10.45am.  If leaving by car please be at Good Shepherd by 10.30am.

Youth

Youth Retreat – SAVE THE DATE
Combined with Golden Grove Youth, we are going on retreat!
Friday 5th – Sunday 7th October 2018
Camp Kedron, Barmera (there will be a bus)
For youth in year 7-12
More information coming soon!


Grow Ministries LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
2019 Grow Leadership Program
Are you aged between 18-25 years and interested in developing your leadership skills and have a heart for ministry?  Please contact Chelsea if this is something you would like to explore.  Applications close Sunday 30th September, 2018.

Little Lambs are collecting, are you able to help?
We’re looking for:
Cardboard tubes from cling wrap/alfoil
Plastic Nutella jars (empty, clean & dry)
Band aids
PVC piping
Dot markers (ones used in bingo)
Large plastic buttons
Golf tees
Dried natural items like seed pods, gum nuts etc

Feel free to drop them into the Church Office or leave them in the donation bin outside the Parents Room at church.

From the Office

Office Closure
The church office will be closed for a staff retreat from Monday 27th to Wednesday 29th August.

Rostered on for Morning Tea?
Have you been rostered on for morning tea in the new area and are not quite sure what to do?  A set of procedures has been written and left in the CafĂ© area for your use.  These are not an exhaustive set and can be changed or you may do things slightly different. They are a set of guidelines to assist and make the task smooth for you.  Please notify the office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with any discrepancies that you notice or contact the office during work hours.  Thank you to those who do serve in this area.

Painting Corridor
The toilet corridor is ready for painting.  This will be completed over the next 2 weeks.  It is a large task.  If you are handy with a paint brush or roller we would be excited to hear from you.  Painting can be on a week day or weekend.  If you able to assist even for an hour contact
John Dolling 8367 5296 or 0409 819 864.

LCC Food Collection
Being the last Sunday of the month it is collection Sunday for the Family Hub at Ingle Farm.

In discussion with Kathleen Wilson (Manager of the Hub) they are desperately in need of the following:
any requirements for babies and young children (except nappies for new born) eg nappies, wipes, baby food, snacks and bath gel.
Cleaning items.  This may sound like an unusual request but the vast majority of their clients live in rented accommodation.  Budgets are stretched and food, clothing and rent usually take all the income and items such as cleaning materials can't be afforded.  If houses are not maintained in a clean order they can be ejected and become homeless.  Most of these families involve children.
Under the direction of Eric Hofmanis members of the congregation have established an organised storeroom for the storage of food at the Hub.  This means all food is consolidated into one area. This has meant it is much easier to audit what they have in stock and what is urgently required.

Help with Homework Club
Several members from Para Vista are involved in a Homework Club at the LCC Family Hub at Ingle Farm.  This has become so successful that extra help is needed on Tuesdays 3-4:30pm to hear students read and assist with their homework.  Helping out weekly would be ideal but occasional help would also be appreciated.  More information contact Helen Hearne
0413 088 502 or 8263 7434.

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

Notice Board

Faith Gym
A reminder that our current faith gym courses - Network or Gossiping the Gospel – will be on again this Wednesday.

SALA Exhibition at Good Shepherd Para Vista

Valley View Op Shop
Cnr Paul’s Drive and Vale Ave
Open Mon - Fri. 9am - 4pm
Super Saturday Sale 1st of every month

Professional Standards Training
The following link will take you to the updated Professional Standards training schedule as well as the updated Professional Standards Webinar training schedule.
http://www.sant.lca.org.au/events/training-workshops/

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10