I know that God is all powerful and almighty, and he has given us the earth and all that is in it to glorify his name, but the stuff that I have – I earned it. I worked hard for it. It’s mine, and as Tolkein’s Gollum says, “It’s precious to me.” God didn’t earn it. God didn’t work hard for it. I think it’s okay if I give my ten percent of my money, but NO MORE! This is my life.
Ironically, or maybe humanly, this is the exact thought process of the third servant in Jesus’ parable in the book of Matthew. His view of the father is skewed and his thought pattern smeared with a sinful understanding that misconstrues God’s generosity as selfishness. He speaks to the master, “I know that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”
Notice his description: you harvested where you did not sow. Even though the seed was the master’s, the servant was embittered towards the wealth of the master.
How do we understand the things that God has given to us? What is God’s design for evangelism?
Read with me the prayer from our traditional liturgy as the gifts of the congregation are brought forward:
We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
With the perspective of a gracious God who offered even his son for us, we recognise that there is nothing we have that is not from him. So, we sow the seed, we spend the time, we give of ourselves, we offer our money and our gifts to be used in the kingdom so that God’s name might be glorified and people come to know the generosity of God in Jesus Christ.
Come this week to hear the amazing message of a God who gives beyond all measure and rewards with some of the greatest words in the gospel.
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18, Matt 25:14-30
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.
Praise Point
This Sunday Jasper, son of Andrea and Tom Bowden will be welcomed into God’s family through holy baptism.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
Tuesday 2nd October 2018 @ 1pm
Come hear Belay Zelleke, from Ethiopia, tell us about himself and his studies at Tabor College.
There will be a trading table this day
From the Office
Food collection for Family Hub
Thank you for your very generous support of the food collection for the Family Hub at Ingle Farm. We had planned to have a collection on the last Sunday of each month. In consultation with Kathlene Wilson, Manager of the Family Hub it has been decided that as they are in the process of doing a stock take of their food stocks that it would be advisable not to have a collection in September. The stock take will ensure that when our collections recommence in October they will be able to inform us what food is required to help support families as Christmas approaches.
Improvement in Water Quality
It has been mentioned that the taste of the hot water in the self service area in the hall is not pleasant. In the redevelopment there was meant to be a filter attached to the hot water. This was not included in the original build but has since been installed. This will improve the quality of the water and therefore the taste of drinks served from this area.
Filtered water is now available through the following taps in our facility.
• Hall tea & coffee point through both cold and the zip boil unit
• Café sink cold water tap
Water will still be available from the water dispenser in the café.
Security of church – Urgent!
Urgent request for all members on leaving the building to ensure the security of our facility. All group leaders are to exit via the office entry and notify a staff member they are the last to leave. If you see something that does not look right please do not ignore it but bring it to staff attention or do something about it. If you have opened the building or any part of it, then it is your responsibility to ensure the security of the complex before you leave.
Check list for the use of areas
A check list of tasks on completion of use of all facility areas has been placed into the areas for reference. If you use one of the areas please check the area has been left appropriately. Remember you may be the next user of the facility.
Air conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been opened for the summer months. Overview instructions for use are situated on the wall next to the controllers. The units have been pre-set for the most economical use and effectiveness and adjusting the settings may render the unit ineffective. If you experience any problem using the units please inform the Administration Manager during office hours or leave a note in the communications book in the café.
Updating the Manse
Over the month of October the Manse will undergo a significant upgrade to the kitchen, dining and living area. The Lino floor to the passage and kitchen/living area will be replaced, and the cabinetry in the kitchen will also be replaced. A new oven and range will be installed with an upgrade to the lighting. If you have any time spare from the 15th to 26th October please let Stephen or the office know of your availability and the skill you may have to assist in keeping costs to a minimum.
Have you lost?
A number of platters and serving items have been left in the complex after the last few functions. Please check, and take your items home with you, as surplus items will be removed from the area after 4 weeks and placed in the community care bin. A lost property box is also located in the ushers cupboard at the rear of the auditorium.
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
Need your interest?
LLL account holders can provide additional support to a particular project or department of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) by nominating their account to be non interest-bearing. As a result, the LLL is able to provide an additional benefit to LCA projects based on 5% of total non interest-bearing deposits held for each project.
An LLL non interest-bearing account has the other usual features and access of an LLL Account.
Your non interest-bearing instructions can be changed at any time in writing to the LLL. Please include your account details and your signature in writing, and then post the instructions to our office in North Adelaide.
If you have an existing LLL Account and wish to provide this support to a particular project, fill in a new LLL Account Application form and complete the ‘non interest-bearing’ instructions. Then transfer the desired amount of money from your existing LLL Account into the new non interest-bearing account.
It is possible for an LLL non interest-bearing account to also be a Matching Deposit.
LLL non interest-bearing accounts are a great way to support the ministry and mission of the LCA.
Notice Board
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)
The final meeting for 2018 will be held on Monday 15th October at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, City. Rev. Ravinder Salooja, Director of Leipzig Mission, will tell the story of the founding in 1836 of the Dresden/Leipzig Mission as a confessional Lutheran mission society with close links to Lutherans in Prussia, and outline its role in forming the Lutheran World Convention, the forerunner of the LWF.
Please note: the AGM for FoLA will be at 6.45 pm, with the main meeting to start at 7.30 pm. All welcome, supper & gold coin donation. Note the earlier date & starting time.
Valley View Op Shop
Cnr Paul’s Drive and Vale Ave
Open Mon - Fri. 9:30am – 1pm
First Saturday 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/
Preparing for Marriage Seminar 2018
Saturday 27th October 9am – 5pm and continuing on Sunday 28th October 1.30pm to 5.30pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 388 Montague Road, Para Vista. An enjoyable, interactive, non-threatening way to share time with your partner and other couples, bringing benefits that can last a lifetime.
Topics include: resolving conflict, realistic expectations, communication, and the meaning of marriage. Presented in a relaxed adult educational style (it is not counselling). For couples planning to marry and for those recently married.
Cost $100 couple
For more information or to book, please contact Merv and Ros Thiele 0429009847 or email mervrost@bigpond.net.au
Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
Subscribe to the LCA Notice Board
http://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/lca-notice-board/
To receive Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Notice Board in your inbox on Wednesday every week, sign up to LCA Notice Board eNews. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit www.lca.org.au for more details.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:23
