What are you hungering for?

Hunger is a universal feeling. God has designed us to feel hunger so that we eat and nourish our bodies. Without food we would all die. If you are anything like me you probably find it hard to imagine not feeling hunger. I often wished I felt less hunger as that would have some definite benefits for my waistline!

God has not only given us physical hunger but he has also given us a spiritual hunger. Spiritual hunger is not a physical craving but rather deeper yearnings we have such as a need to be loved; a need to feel valued; a desire to make a difference and to know the purpose we are here for. Just as God has given us physical hunger to draw us to food to nourish our bodies, he has also given us spiritual hunger to draw us to him to nourish our souls.

When we are not aware of God we will seek to satisfy this hunger apart from him. We will look to people, possessions, pleasures and other pursuits to satisfy this hunger within us. While it is true that these things can bring some temporary relief, they are more like eating a snack when we are starving hungry. We are left wanting for more.

Jesus made this promise to us. He said, “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” (Matthew 5:6 Message) When we realise these desires within us for love, self-worth and significance are from God and for God, he will satisfy us like the best meal we can ever imagine. The greater we realise our need for God the greater God will bless our desire for him.

Someone once said that there is a God shaped hole in each of us. We can try to stuff all sorts of things in there to fill the hole, but only God can fill it to the full and in a way that will satisfy and won’t leave us craving for more. Do you have a yearning for something more in your life? Do you have a nagging feeling that something is missing? Could that be a spiritual hunger? Could it be a hunger that can only be satisfied by God? Why not seek God out and discover the truth of Jesus’ words for yourself?

Pastor Noel

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message is “Love” as we start a new series ‘Our story in God’s story’ 

Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: 1 John 4:7-12, 19  

Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs began on Sunday with all zones meeting together in the library for some prayers, worship, faith talk and fun! Baby zone had their first week in their new room!

Kingdom Kids 

We really need at least 8 more people to help in Kingdom Kids and help grow our kids in their faith. You would be most welcome to serve in Baby Zone, Kindy Zone, Kids Zone or Kool Zone! We need at least two volunteers in each zone, but urgently need someone to help in Kids Zone!  If you are interested, please write it on your welcome card, email or call, or have a chat with me on Sunday! You are usually only rostered on 2 times a term or whatever you can commit to!

Kindy Zone Team Leader

A big thank you to Rachel Liebelt who has led Kindy Zone for a number of years and has decided to have a break from this role. We are praying for someone who would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of a passionate and fun team! Please consider if this might be you and get in touch with me (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for a chat! 

Playgroup

Playgroup started again on Wednesday 5th of February. I have finished up as coordinator as I take on the Team Leader role here at Good Shepherd.  Playgroup is now looking for a new coordinator to be part of a great team of people! Please prayerfully consider if this might be you and contact Beth Einthal for more info on 8263 5087 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au .

Baby Zone Room

The new Baby Zone room is taking shape and looks amazing! Looking forward to the next steps over this term to help paint, decorate and furnish this new space! It's going to be amazing!! Feel free to pop past and have a look! 

Beth Einthal

Children and Family Team Leader

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 churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

Position Vacant - Pastoral Care and Fellowship Team Leader - 20 hours per week

We are seeking someone with a passion to bring the love and acceptance of Jesus through our church to all people as they give leadership to the pastoral care and fellowship ministries of Good Shepherd. This position requires a leader who is comfortable to lead through empowerment and trust while accepting accountability for outcomes. The person we are seeking will invest a significant portion of their time in recruiting, equipping, and supporting leaders and teams who will carry out this ministry.

Skills and experience in pastoral care and leading teams are essential for this role. The successful applicant will be accountable to the Senior Pastor and supported by the entire staff team.

Remuneration will be according to the Lay Workers Salary Scale Level 2 for accredited Lay Workers or as negotiated in the interview for applicants without accreditation.

A Position Description is available on request from the church office- churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or by phoning 8263 5087.

Applications in writing, by 28^th February 2014, are to be submitted to the Chairman:

John Dolling

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista

PO Box 306

Modbury North SA 5092

GSPV Small Group Launch 2014 - Sunday 9^th February

Our theme: Our story in God’s story - Love.  God’s love is always other-centred.  Likewise, small groups provide opportunities to love one another. 

Flyers will be available for people to register interest in trying out a small group. There will be a prayer of blessing for small group leaders and co-leaders, as well as committing the small group ministries of our congregation to God’s grace and guidance. 

If you’re part of a small group and haven’t yet caught up this year, let me encourage you to set a date, time and place to come together soon!

Pr Rolly Stahl

From the Office

SA/NT District Convention

The SA/NT District Convention of Synod will be held at Endeavour College from Friday 2^nd May to Sunday 4^th May. We are entitled to 5 lay delegates. The congregation will meet all the costs of the delegates. Registrations are required by Monday 10th March to allow the office to process payment for delegates.

If you are interested in attending as a delegate and representing our congregation or would like more information please contact John Dolling.

New Baby zone

The Baby Zone is now situated where the library used to be. The library is now in the Education Centre in the hall. You can enter the library via the steps at the left hand side of the hall.

New signs were installed this week to clearly indicate where all the relocated areas are.

Noticeboard

Lutheran Community Care - Special Request for Greeting Cards

Alternative Care Services is in need of unused greeting cards with envelopes to acknowledge special moments for children and young adults in family-based foster care. Cards are also needed to acknowledge the foster carers and family members who provide support and care. We are collecting a wide range of unused cards that include generic and age specific birthday cards for girls, boys, teenagers, adult men and women; thank you cards; bereavement cards; thinking of you cards and much more. 

If you are able to make a donation, cards can be sent to:
Alternative Care Services
PO Box 2137
North Magill SA 5072

or contact Tina on 8337 8787 to arrange a drop off time to the office located at the Glynde Lutheran Church. Thank you for your continued support of Lutheran Community Care.

SENIOR HR ADVISOR
An opportunity exists to join a great team in this newly created role. We are looking for an experienced person to provide professional advice, support and guidance across a range of human resource functions.

For a Job Description and further details:

Visit: www.lccare.org.au

or contact Wendy Schultz

Email: wschultz@lccare.org.au

Tel: 08 8269 9333

Applications close Monday 24 February at 5.00pm  

  

 “God’s hand of discipline is a hand of love”

Our story in God’s story

This week we start a series called ‘Our story in God’s story’ and it is based on the five key words that emerged from a survey we conducted last year where we asked the congregation to choose words that best described our church. While these describe our story they also reflect God’s greater story. We begin by looking at Acceptance.

The human heart longs for acceptance. Although it has probably caused you some pain over the years, the desire to be accepted and to belong can actually be a good thing. It is God-given. The trouble comes when we look for acceptance in people or things rather than in God. The acceptance of people often falls short of fulfilling our needs and leaves us feeling rejected. We will only find true acceptance when we base who we are on the acceptance God has given us through Jesus.

The good news is God accepts us unconditionally. Romans 5 tells us that God didn’t wait until we were good enough or until we were acceptable to him, rather he sent Jesus while we were still sinners. Before we did anything to deserve acceptance God had already given it to us. This is a wonderful and freeing revelation. But the story doesn’t end there.

God doesn’t accept us simply for the sake of us feeling good or solely for our salvation. God accepts us to show us how we are to accept others. Romans 15:7 says “Accept one another then as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God”. Rather than placing conditions on our acceptance, like “I will accept you if….” We are called to accept and love others before they have done anything to deserve it. It can seem like a daunting task to accept others as Christ has accepted us­–unconditionally, especially when it involves extending acceptance to those people in our lives we find it difficult to get along with. Thankfully we don’t have to do it on our own. It is not by our strength or power that we achieve this, but by the Holy Spirit at work in us.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you this week as you endeavour to accept others as Jesus has first accepted you.

Blessings,

Sophie

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message is “Acceptance” as we start a new series ‘Our story in God’s story’ 

Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: Romans 3:21-28; Luke 7:28-35     

School Holidays

Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched at the Back to School Service this Sunday the 2nd February 2014. Please join us for a short celebration time with Kindy, Kids and Kool zones all together in the school library to start the year!

Kingdom Kids 

Are you keen to help our kids learn about Jesus and how to have a relationship with Him? We would love to have you work with us in Baby Zone, Kindy Zone, Kids Zone or Kool Zone! We really need at least one volunteer in each zone and know that God will provide. If you are interested, please have a chat with me or write it on your welcome card and we can go from there! You are only rostered on 2-3 times a term or whatever you can commit to! 

Kindy Zone Team Leader

A big thank you to Rachel Liebelt who has led Kindy Zone for a number of years and has decided to have a break from this role. We are praying for someone who would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of a passionate and fun team! Please consider if this might be you and get in touch with me (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for a chat! 

Playgroup

Playgroup will start up again next Wednesday 5th of February. I have finished up as coordinator as I take on the Team Leader role here at Good Shepherd so Playgroup is now looking for a new coordinator to be part of a great team of people! Please prayerfully consider if this might be you and contact Beth Einthal for more info on 8263 5087 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au .

Baby Zone Room

The new Baby Zone room is starting to take shape and looks amazing! Many thanks to John Dolling and Ian Pfeiffer for their hard work on this! Looking forward to the next steps over this term to help paint, decorate and furnish this new space! It's going to be amazing!! Feel free to pop past and have a look! 

Beth Einthal

Children and Family Team Leader

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 churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

Staffing Change

Barry Klaer has resigned from his role as Pastoral Care and Fellowship team leader with his last day being Thursday 20^th February. We will be farewelling Barry in the services on Sunday 16^th February. Please keep Barry in your prayers as he finishes his time with us after 9 years of faithful service.

The Board has approved the continuation of this role as part of our staffing plan and the position will be advertised in the next week. 

From the Office Manager

Kitchen Items

The Ladies Guild finished their time to clean and tidy the kitchen area and all of the clutter that has accumulated over the past year. A large number of items have been left in the kitchen and you will be able to view them on Sunday. If any of the items belong to you please remove them. Items left after February 2^nd will be disposed of accordingly.

Contractor Cleaning

The contractor commenced operation this week to clean most of the facilities of the church. The areas covered will be the main auditorium area, ablutions, narthex, parenting room, baby zone and the front entry. Users of the hall and kitchen area, hut and education/library area will still be responsible for returning these areas to a clean and tidy state ready for the next user. 

I would like to request that as a community, members would remove litter items from the auditorium when they leave and place them in the bins provided.

Regular Electronic Giving (REG)

Have you updated your REG? Over half our weekly offerings are made through REG. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from the information rack at the rear of the auditorium.

Alternatively deposits can be made via direct debit.

If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.

If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942.

Relocation of the library and Baby Zone

The relocation of our library and Baby Zone has been completed. This Sunday Baby Zone will be held in the new area and the library will be accessible via the stairs on the left hand side of the education centre. Signage to these areas will be completed by the end of next week.

For Sale

Roller Door. No longer required due to the library relocation. Will fit opening 1850mm wide. Any offer considered. Please contact Stephen on 8263 5087 for further information.

Noticeboard

RADIO

Listen to FACE TO FACE Invite others to do the same. Download or listen online at www.facetoface.org.au  Like us on Facebook  Check out our inspiring mini movies!

2nd Feb         Highway One Middle Lane            Trevor Keller

9th Feb          Great Expectations              Richard Fox

16th Feb        FOMO                                                Rob Schubert

23rd Feb        Like That You Don’t!                      Interview

Access the Face to Face mobile website through your mobile device.

Enter www.facetoface.org.au in your browser and follow the simple website.

  

“There is no fine print in God’s communication with us”

Making space for God to nourish our souls

Have you ever felt like the proverbial camel that’s close to breaking down? "If one more person asks one more thing from me ... I'm going to unravel." 

It's the sign of a neglected soul. Prolonged busyness and stress tends to reduce our perspective to the tasks we do. As a result the presence and peace of God evaporates from our lives. 

Sharing his experience of burn-out, Bill Hybels once asked a question that has stuck with me ever since: What’s the point of standing before God at the end of your life with a great big list of accomplishments – and a shrivelled up heart?

God invites us to spend time with him so he can nourish our souls. Look at the life of Jesus. There were times when he and his disciples were so busy they didn’t even have time to eat.  Yet Jesus regularly takes “time-out” with his Father (Luke 3:21, 4:16, 5:16, 6:12, 11:1-4).

Jesus never lost his passion for people because He took time to nourish his soul. 

Above a fireplace was a mantle with an inscription: If your heart is cold, my fire cannot warm you.  A two car garage will not warm the fire within; neither will a bigger house, a new car, a new dress, a night out on the town, or an overseas holiday. Only God can warm the fire within.

When's the last time you spent 15 minutes sharing your heart with your Father in heaven? 

When’s the last time the love of Jesus moved you to “mist up”?

When's the last time the Holy Spirit comforted or stirred you from a verse or story in Scripture?

When’s the last time you simply sat still for half an hour just being in the presence of God?

Those who regularly let God nourish their inner life will have soft compassionate hearts beating with the love of Jesus - and fruitful lives that keep pointing others to Him.

Rest and joy in Jesus! 

Rolly Stahl

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message is “We are citizens of Australia” as we continue the series ‘who on earth am I?’ 

Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

Bible Readings: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; John 19:4-12

School Holidays

Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched at the Back to School Service on the 2^nd February 2014.

Kingdom Kids 

Are you keen to help our kids learn about Jesus and how to have a relationship with Him? We would love to have you work with us in Baby Zone, Kindy Zone, Kids Zone or Kool Zone! We really need at least one volunteer in each zone and know that God will provide. If you are interested, please have a chat with me or write it on your welcome card and we can go from there! You are only rostered on 2-3 times a term or whatever you can commit to! 

Kindy Zone Team Leader

A big thank you to Rachel Leibelt who has led Kindy Zone for a number of years and has decided to have a break from this role. We are praying for someone who would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of a passionate and fun team! Please consider if this might be you and get in touch with me (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for a chat! 

Playgroup

Playgroup will start up again on Wednesday 5^th of February. I have finished up as coordinator as I take on the Team Leader role here at Good Shepherd so Playgroup is now looking for a new coordinator to be part of a great team of people! Please prayerfully consider if this might be you and contact Beth Einthal for more info on 8263 5087 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au .

Baby Zone Room

The new Baby Zone room is starting to take shape and looks amazing! Many thanks to John Dolling and Ian Pfeiffer for their hard work on this! Looking forward to the next steps over this term to help paint, decorate and furnish this new space! It's going to be amazing!! Feel free to pop past and have a look! 

Beth Einthal

Children and Family Team Leader

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 churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.

From the Office Manager

Kitchen Items

The Ladies Guild has kindly donated their time to clean and tidy the kitchen area and remove some of the clutter that has accumulated over the past year. A small number of items have been left in the kitchen and will be placed out on a table in the hall over the next two Sundays. If any of the items belong to you, please remove them. Items left after February 2^nd will be disposed of accordingly.

Contractor Cleaning

Due to the shortage of volunteers it was approved at the last half yearly meeting of the congregation to employ a contractor to clean most of the facilities of the church. The areas covered will be the main auditorium area, ablutions, narthex, parenting room, baby zone and the front entry. 

The hall, kitchen, hut and education/library area will still need to be cleaned and tidied after use. 

The staff and Board wishes to pass on their thanks to all those who have given freely of their time and committed to clean the facility over the past years. These people have shared the love of God in serving the whole community here.

The contractor will commence this duty from the 1^st February this year. I would like to request that all community members remove litter items from the auditorium when they leave and place them in the bins provided.

Noticeboard

“Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply”