I want you to know about the gift that keeps on giving. It’s grace, isn’t it? Certainly, when we think about gifts, we think about money, time, objects given to people we know and love, but true grace is an unmerited gift or sacrifice to people we may not know (or may not even like). The people in Asia Minor had experienced this unmerited favour of God and were brought to their knees begging to be part of the grace-ful opportunities that marked life in the body of Christ.
So was the church in Corinth.
If there was a congregation that may have grated on the Apostle Paul’s nerves, it may have been Corinth. Morally lax, combative congregants, divisions in the church about dogma and doctrine – these all seemed to be a thorn in the side of the church in Corinth understanding the gift that keeps on giving – God’s grace.
A miracle happened. Something changed in their hearts. Whether the prompting of the Holy Spirit or Paul’s first chastising letter to the Corinthians, the people came to their senses and recognised that there was something far bigger out there than just their corner of the globe. They wanted to be part of building God’s kingdom here on earth.
This week, as we begin a five part series on The Gift that Keeps on… read chapters 8 and 9 of Second Corinthians to get a sense of the joy that comes from knowing the community’s gifts are being used for God’s glory and to release the pent up gratitude of the Corinthians.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
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.
Food Collection for the Family Hub
Next Sunday September 29th is food collection for the Family Hub. This will be the second to last collection for 2019.
After auditing their supplies the Hub has indicated that their requirements to continue to support families in need are:
Tuna,
Pasta sauces
Muesli bars
Cheese – all forms i.e. grated, sliced, block
Dish detergent
Tea
Coffee
Thank you for your continued support of this project to support families in need in the district.
Ladies Fellowship
Next meeting Tuesday the 1st October at 1pm. No guest speaker this month, but fantastic bible study by one of our Pastors, followed by great fellowship with afternoon tea. Also bring your favourite gadget and tell us it’s use.
Step Up to Communion
Young people aged 10 and over, and their parents, are invited to take part in our Step Up program to prepare for Holy Communion. Taking the approach that parents are the primary faith developers in their children, Step Up is designed to support parents in preparing their child for Holy Communion.
Step 1 (Launch) Family Lunch – Sunday 20th October, 12:30-2:30pm in the church hall
To register please contact Georgie Schuster, Young Families Coordinator at georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au More information is available on the Church website http://paravista.org.au/baptism-setup/
Are you a Parent/Grandparent?
Are you someone who shares a passion for sharing faith with young children?
Would you be interested in helping out with the Kid’s Space on Sunday mornings?
If so, I would love to hear from you! I am interested in finding people who would like to share their passion and a little time to invest in our younger generation. Even a little goes a long way! Please let me know if this is something that interests you. I’m happy to chat with you about what this might look like.
Please talk with me in person, phone 08 82647966 or email me on georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
From the Office
Mission Vision Support
This month’s support will go towards the Meet N Eat team. The team have supplied over 2300 meals this year, on a very meagre budget, to the lonely and less fortunate. They have also listened to many stories and shared through a scrumptious hot meal the Love of Jesus to many who really need it. Their motto ‘Come as a stranger, leave as a friend’. Look for the Mission Vision Support envelopes at the entry doors and consider how you can assist, or donations can be made to:
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100713424
Reference: Meetneat
Facilities Safety
We have been blessed with a wonderful facility and opportunities to provide a safe space to a great number of groups in the community. This doesn’t just happen and time and effort are required to present it for use by all. To keep it this way, all groups and users are reminded to watch out for each other and supervise the activities of all in a way that would leave the facility in a pleasing and acceptable standard that you would wish to find it. This includes Sunday service. Please note the safety signs that have been placed in/around the facility to assist in caring for our community.
Facilities Maintenance
Our front garden is looking great, thanks to a diligent few, and Salisbury council have kindly donated a load of mulch to assist in keeping the moisture in. If you have half an hour to spare to assist in spreading the mulch at any time the garden will be appreciative. If you do not have a wheelbarrow or shovel to move the mulch there is one available in the church store. Please see the front office or be a great spirit and just turn up when you can and complete what you can.
Noticeboard
GLYNDE SPRING FAIR
In the New Community Centre at 22 Avenue Rd, Glynde
Saturday 12th October from 9.00am
Devonshire Morning Tea
Continuous Sausage Sizzle
Plenty of Stalls – cakes, biscuits, produce, plants, books, CDs, toys, craft etc
Money raised for Residential Care Home
This is a joint effort of LWSA/NT Glynde Auxiliary and ILU Residents Association.
For more information, please contact St Andrew’s Lutheran Church at Glynde on 08 8336 0130
“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say,
Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Luke 17:20b-21
