What things do you worry about most?
Some common triggers for worry:
• Struggling finances, paying bills or repaying the mortgage;
• Finishing complex tasks or assignments on time, or facing exams;
• Lack of security in your job, or a boss who keeps on your case;
• An unexpected accident, crisis or traumatic event;
• Loneliness or not having a sense of belonging;
• Problems in the lives of your children and/or grandchildren;
• Health or emotional problems in the lives of your parents;
• Hassles in a friendship, or a marriage that's drifting apart;
• The fear of driving in city traffic, and where to find a carpark;
• Not knowing what to wear to a function.
Worry is a negative form of meditation. It's going over and over an issue - anticipating bad outcomes. The series of “What if’s” can overwhelm us with anxiety and dread.
Maybe you are weighed down with anxiety at the moment? Or perhaps you’ve turned worry into a way of life?
In Sunday’s reading from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly tells us, "Don't worry." Jesus turns our eyes to our heavenly Father. Jesus urges us to trust our Father’s promises to look after us: from now to eternity. If God feeds the birds, and clothes the fields, how much more will he care for his dear children?
No matter what we’re facing, we can always turn to God for help. Letting go of control, and asking Father God for help is the path to peace. Releasing our pain and problems into God’s hands is better than struggling on our own without him.
In Psalms, I found this testimony from a person who found relief for his anxiety:
Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy (Psalm 94:17-19 NIV).
Your heavenly Father wants you to trust his unfailing love for you! He wants to help you in every part of your life. He may not pluck you from every difficulty; but he will give you wisdom, strength, and courage to get through it. As we put our burdens in our Father’s hands, and leave them for him to sort out, we will find rest for our souls.
Shalom!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our pastors.
COVID-19 News and Weekly Messages
During this period of COVID-19 restrictions, our Sunday worship has moved online, starting at 10:30 am. If you would like to participate please contact the church office for information about how to access this.
Prayer Requests
As we adapt to our new way of living please forward all prayer requests to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 08 8263 5087. If you know or have spoken to anyone who does not have access to a computer, please assist them to submit their request and offer to pray with them. Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests please refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news.
New CARE link Up and Running
On the opening page of our GSPV website, https://paravista.org.au/ we now have a button that people can click onto for care and assistance.
This page has 4 blue circles with white icons. The one on the right has a cube in the middle, with the word Care underneath it. Under that is a tag: Need assistance? You’ll find it here.
Clicking this icon opens a Care & Assistance page where people can leave contact details and a brief description of their need.
The Triage Officer will make initial contact to discover more about the person’s situation, work out an appropriate response, and refer the need for follow up to an appropriate person or team leader, e.g.
• Phone call or visit from one of the Pastoral Care Team
• Counselling referral
• Food/groceries/vouchers/household items
• Handyman help
• Backyard clean up team
• Prayer Ministry Team
• Pastors – spiritual/theological issues; pastoral acts
The vision is that more people from GSPV will be able to use their gifts to share the love of Jesus in the lives of others. It’s joining in his mission.
Please make use of this link and point it out to others.
Pr Rolly Stahl
From the Office
Office Distancing Update
Our office has reopened! Please respect physical distancing when dropping in. Helen will attend the office on Tuesdays. Wednesday-Friday Rachel will be back in the office. Hooray!
Online News
Rachel is slowly bringing the website into the 2020s and is in the process of setting up a church Instagram account. We thank you for your patience while this is occurring; meanwhile please direct any questions or concerns to the church office.
Lutheran Community Care Bin
The welfare bin at the church has been opened for donations again as the team at Blair Athol are clearing as they can. Please do not leave electrical items or items that are broken or unusable as we have to cover the removal cost for these items.
Facilities Maintenance
Notice! The list is getting shorter and your assistance is still required. Thanks to all those who have volunteered time to make this happen. Individually and in twos or threes the following small maintenance tasks can still be completed:
• A hand ball court is required to be painted in the courtyard area so it is a bit more permanent than chalk. - 2 hours
• One way arrows on drive pavement require repainting - 2 persons x ½ day
• Ceiling in Ladies requires refixing to prevent ceiling from collapse - 2 persons x ½ day
• Cobwebbing inside and out - 1 to 2 hours
• Hall store room requires tidying and cleaning
• Window cleaning - 1 to 2 hours
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or the front office for further info and to book in your time to assist.
Grocery Donations
A huge thank-you from the Meet ‘n Eat team for all the donated ice cream containers! Grocery items and vouchers can be dropped off at the church Tues-Fri 9am to 3pm. We have supported many families in need and we want this to continue. Any household consumables including cleaning items will be appreciated. Any items surplus will be passed on to LCC.
Shed Happens!
Where: 6 Von Braun Crescent, Modbury North
Time: 6:30pm - 9.00pm
Cost: $10 donation is appreciated to offset costs (under 16: $5)
Contact: Jim: 0438 899 629
Food Support for the Family Hub
What a fantastic response to the May food collection for the Family Hub. It took 3 cars to transport all the goods to the Family Hub. Thanks to all who donated and helped with the transport. Below is a note of thanks from Kathlene Wilson, Manager of the Family Hub:
We have spent MUCH time packing away the goodies that were delivered on Monday. Already some of the food has been packed into prepared food hampers – we are ready to roll!
This is all made possible by the fabulous support from the Para Vista Church – SINCERE THANK YOU TO ALL.
Work has been a bit of a challenge over the past few weeks – staying connected to people who are learning new ways to duck under the radar has proven difficult.
Persistent we are! We have provided over 290 craft packages to families, enabling us to connect to vulnerable children. We have also provided food to many of these families.
The work is complex and sometimes exhausting but made so much easier knowing the great team and support is behind us.
Extra thanks to the person who provided the hand knitted rugs – we were able to pass them on straight away to a new mum feeling the cold. She loved them and was so excited to have something new just for her.
Best wishes and thanks to everyone,
Kathlene
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
I believe…. (Finish the sentence).
These days we often talk about core values and things that really matter to us. What we believe (in) influences every level of our life - from our identity to the choices that we make.
This week Growing Faith at Home talks about the Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Check out some talking points, ideas and activities to try with your family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSPJmtgbpUo
God bless your week,
Georgie
Australian Lutheran College Annual Appeal
ALC has launched its annual appeal in a video message from Principal James Winderlich: https://alc.edu.au/connect/annual-appeal/
Your financial support during these especially troubling times is vital for preparing people to serve in and through the Church. Due to the pandemic’s impact, the 2020 Appeal material is included in ALC’s Saints Alive magazine (distributed with the June edition of The Lutheran) and available online: https://alc.edu.au/connect/publications/saints-alive/ (for hard copies email: principal@alc.edu.au or freecall: 1800 625 193). All donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible; those received by 30 June may be claimed in this financial year. Thank you for your support.
News from Maranatha Health
What a strange and unprecedented time we are in. This is certainly not business-as-usual. Maranatha Health’s dream is that every child in our region of Uganda has access to high quality compassionate health care. Click on the link below to discover how you can ensure Ugandans get the life-saving care they need and read about how we are partnering with you to make that happen:
https://mailchi.mp/29e57415e033/ensure-ugandans-get-the-care-they-need?e=6d462d0b89
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)
