Everything beautiful

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

                   A time to be born and a time to die,

                   A time to plant and a time to uproot,

                   A time to kill and a time to heal,

                   A time to tear down and a time to build,

                   A time to weep and a time to laugh,

                   A time to mourn and a time to dance,

                   A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

                   A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

                   A time to search and a time to give up,

                   A time to keep and a time to throw away,

                   A time to tear and a time to mend,

                   A time to be silent and a time to speak,

                   A time to love and a time to hate,

                   A time for war and a time for peace…

 … He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 10-11)

 

It is hard to understand that God operates differently to us – time-bound creatures. It is also hard to see how everything can be beautiful in its time. It is sometimes hard to accept the season that we are in – especially if it is a season of mourning, of death, of uprooting or of throwing away. Yet God is in it all and above it all.

 

It is easy to live life always wanting to be in the next season. We think: when Christmas is over, I will have time to see my friends or spend quality time with my kids. When Uni is over, I will have money to be generous. When life isn’t as stressful, I will be able to be more encouraging and selfless. But if we are constantly thinking this way, we will miss what is happening to us now. We will miss what God has for us in this moment. We will miss the beauty.

 

My challenge for you this week is to stop thinking in the future and think in the now. What has God placed in your life right now? What do you have influence over? What season are you in? Through Jesus’ death and his resurrection every moment has been redeemed. How can you bring God into this season? What beauty is in this moment?

 

Emma Kluge

Inspired by Steven Furtick’s message Take Your Turn

 

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s promise of hope” as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in Jesus’

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

 

Bible Readings: Hebrews 6:17-20; John 14:1-6   

 

 

Baby Zone:

We’d like to invite children aged 0-3 and their families join us in our end of year Christmas Celebration this Sunday 15^th December. Our final session will be held on the school oval and playground as our current room is no longer available. We ask that parents and carers (who wish to have their children involved) stay so that everyone can be safe and accounted for in a more open space. We are looking forward to moving into our new room early next year. Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched at the Back to School Service on the 2^nd February 2014.

 

Playgroup:

Thank you to everyone who came to our end of year ‘Carols and Community’ party on Wednesday. We were blessed to have Mrs Kluge and her receptions from the school join us and were especially grateful to the year 6’s who came along to run some games and activities. I would personally like to express a huge thank you to Beth Einthal, Hannah Stewart, Keren Sutton and Tammy Messner who have faithfully run and served in this ministry over the past few years. We will be sad to see Beth step out of the coordinators role at the end of this year but wish her all the best as she starts in her new leadership role within the church. Our 2014 Playgroup program will start up again early February next year. More info to come.

 

Only $27 to go!

It has become a tradition at our church to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Eve and Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. Just over $200 has already been donated to cover this expense, which means we only have $27 to go!!! Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table in the narthex. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. We’d also like to thank the years 7’s at GSLS who helped us put the packs together on Monday. What would normally take Beth and I a day or two to complete was done in in less than 2 hours. They were amazing!  

 

Laura Carson – 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.

 

Christmas Service Times

Christmas Eve – 5.00, 6.30 and 8.30pm

Christmas Day – 9.30am

 

Christmas Cards

Sue Schenscher will be selling cards this coming Sunday after both services. There will also be some Christmas decorations for sale.

 

Cebu Mission Fundraising Team Report

Thank you so much to all Para Vista Church members for your wonderful support again in 2013. Please see the Church Notice Board for the full report.

 

From the office

 

Relocation of the library and Baby Zone

This week saw the relocation of the library to the new area at the rear of the education centre.  Thank you to the band of helpers who made this possible. Access to the library will now be via the education centre. The store has been shifted allowing work to commence on the new Baby Zone in the old library and store.  

 

2013 Budget

 

Notes

• Income was above budget in October with Offerings $1,008 over budget.
• Expenditure was $3,112 over budget. This was primarily caused by catch-up superannuation payment of $5,188.
• Other expense items were in line with budget except ministries and plant which were both below budget.
• Projected budget deficit is based on actual to end of October and budgeted amounts for October and November.

 

 

Notes

• Income and expenditure figures are currently not available for November.
• Offerings in November were $1,344 below our budget.
• Although REG was below plan it was the 2^nd highest monthly amount for the year.
• Sunday Offerings were above plan.
• We are currently $10,402 behind our budget to end of November.

NOTICE WANTED

To keep our light shining brightly, our large sign at the front of the church gets changed twice a week by two faithful servants. Unfortunately both would like to take a break over the Christmas New Year and January period. We would love this message to keep reaching into the community and are looking for volunteers to assist. The sign change takes approximately 20 minutes to change and all the equipment and quotes will be supplied.

 

If you are able to assist even for one day during this time, can you please mark your welcome card with “church sign” or let the office or Stephen know of your availability.

 

Notice Board

 

Influencers Conference 2014

January 24^th to 26^th at the Influencers Church, 57 Darley Rd, Paradise. Register online at

http://www.influencersconferenceaus.com or see the Church notice board for more details.

 

Lutheran Women of South Australia RETREAT 2014

Located at the Australian Lutheran College - Ward Street, North Adelaide

From 17^th to 19^th January 2014. RSVP required by 8^th January 2014.

For enrolment forms or more information, please contact Ruth Oster on 8265 0221 or email kroster@senet.com.au

 

SA Council of Churches: Office Administrator Vacancy

Applications are invited for the role of Office Administrator: General Administration, for 18 hours a week over 3 days. The role is responsible for the coordination, provision and development of a broad range of clerical and administration services for SA Council of Churches and Chaplaincy Services SA. Position Description available at www.sacc.asn.au

Email applications addressing the selection criteria to:

Geraldine Hawkes, Executive Officer 

Email: sacc1@picknowl.com.au.

Closing date: 3pm Wednesday 15 January 2014.

 

 

 

 

“With God, there is hope even in the most hopeless situation”

 

 

Claim the promise!

 

A few years ago my son spilt water over the keyboard of our laptop computer and it stopped working. Someone told me that their insurance company covered accidental damage to electrical goods so I rang my insurance company in the hope our laptop would be covered. I was told that they didn’t cover accidental damage to laptops and the lady politely directed me to read the policy booklet they sent out with my renewal each year.

 

After the call I looked through the policy booklet and sure enough it was clearly stated that damage to electrical goods such as laptops was not covered. This experience taught me the value of reading the fine print and knowing exactly what you get in your policy. It was good to know what they promised to do and what they didn’t promise to do.

 

Just the other day I needed to contact our insurance company again and in the course of our conversation I discovered that they now offered cover that included accidental damage for specified electrical goods such as phones, iPads and laptops. Needless to say I specified a couple of items so they would be covered and was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t increase my premium. I would have never thought to do this if I hadn’t found out that they now offer this kind of cover.

 

This got me thinking about God’s promises to us. How many times do we expect God to do something for us that he hasn’t actually promised to do? A common expectation I find is that people believe that if they live a good moral life then God will spare them from pain and suffering. Yet God does not actually promise this. If you read his handbook, the Bible, you won’t find it there.

 

At the same time I wonder how many of God promises go unclaimed because we have not taken the time to discover them? How often do we try to do things in our own strength and resources when God promises to be with us and provide us with what we need?

 

During this season of Advent at Good Shepherd we will continue to unpack God’s promises to us in Jesus. The Bible says, ‘For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”’ (2 Corinthians 1:20) God sent Jesus into this world to fulfil all his promises to us. God wants us to claim his promises and live by them. A promise is of no use if we do not claim it and live by it. My insurance company’s promise to insure my possessions is only useful to me if I subscribe to their insurance and claim against their promises when needed.

 

Do you know the promises of God to you in Jesus? Why not take the time to read God’s promise handbook, the Bible and grow in your understanding of what God promises you in Jesus? As you do this I suspect you will discover a fresh joy for your Christmas celebrations and a new perspective to live by in the coming year. 2014 can be a very promising year as you live in the promise of God.

 

Pastor Noel

 

 

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s Promise of Peace” as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in Jesus’

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

 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah 9:6-7

 

 

Celebration Service:

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Celebration Service last Sunday. It was a wonderful morning and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to worship with you. We’d like to extend a huge congratulation to all the kids and leaders involved. You are amazing and we hope you had just as much fun as we did. Kingdom Kids has now finished for the year but we’d like to invite you to continue worshipping with us during Advent. Kingdom Kids will be re launched at our Back to School service on the 2^nd February 2014.

 

 

 

Baby Zone:

Normal lessons will resume this Sunday 8^th December during the 10:30am service and will conclude on the 15^th December with our 2013 Christmas Party. Please note that our final session and party will be held on the school oval and playground as our current room is no longer available. We ask that parents and carers (who wish to have their children involved) stay so that everyone can be safe and accounted for in a more open space. We are looking forward to moving into our new room early next year.

 

Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!

Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme this week was The Nativity Story followed by Carols and Community on the 11^th December, a joint celebration with the receptions at GSLS from 9-10:30am on the school playground and oval. Please bring a plate of morning tea to share.  $2 per child or $3 per family. Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.

 

Only $50 to go!

It has become a tradition at our church to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Eve and Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. $180 has already been donated, which means we only have $50 to go. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table in the narthex. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. We’d also like to thank the years 7’s at GSLC who will help us put the packs together next Monday afternoon.  

 

Laura Carson – 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.

 

Lutheran Women of South Australia RETREAT 2014

Located at the Australian Lutheran College - Ward Street, North Adelaide

From 17^th to 19^th January 2014. RSVP required by 8^th January 2014.

For enrolment forms or more information, please contact Ruth Oster on 8265 0221 or email kroster@senet.com.au

 

From the office

 

Christmas Whirlwind

Last year a number of volunteers attended the church complex on Christmas Eve and did a general clean of the grounds and exterior surrounds of the building. I am again looking for a small team to assist in creating an inviting appearance to our church facility for Christmas. 

 

In order to do this I am planning to hold a whirlwind of the church grounds and facility exterior on Tuesday 24^th December starting at 9am. Now the more helpers we get the bigger the whirlwind and the greater the effect. If you have someone else in mind who you could bring along, do so and it will all be blown over in a jiffy.

 

If you have a petrol driven blow vac that needs a dust out bring it along with safety equip and we can have a dust off comp. Last year’s winner was a blow in who only led by a short puff.

 

Please mark your welcome card whirlwind, let the office or Stephen know your availability by 9am Wednesday 18^th December. Thanks.

 

Notice Board

 

Christmas Stalls

Available after both morning services on the following dates: 8^th and 15^th December.  All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.

 

Research on conversion to Christianity

Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor Mobile: 0488 497 881, Phone: 08 8358 2149 or Email: tayl0548@flinders.edu.au

 

 

“Past stories of grace inspire future stories of faith”

 

 

“Coming – ready or not!!!”

So shouts the seeker when kids play hide ‘n seek. Those not ready are caught out - sometimes in between hiding places. Children soon learn to hide quickly so they can be ready when the seeker finishes counting… and comes a-lookin’.

 

There’s another countdown happening: not just the number of shopping days to Christmas. It’s the countdown to Jesus’ return. Jesus is coming again - ready or not!  Jesus doesn’t want to “catch us out”.  He wants us to be ready!

 

In Advent, we not only look back to Jesus’ first coming as a baby, but we also look forward with anticipation to Jesus’ return as the end time judge and king over all.

 

Christians throughout history have expected Jesus to return “soon”. In St Paul’s earlier letters, he seems to be expecting Jesus’ return within his own lifetime.¹ But towards the end of his life, his letters express hopeful anticipation of meeting the Lord at his death.² To his friends at Philippi, Paul writes: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21). Paul was ready!

 

How is it with you? Does Jesus’ return bring a sense of joyful anticipation? Or something else?

 

Friends, one day each of us will come face to face with Jesus. That is our hope, our destiny, our future. And Jesus wants you and me to be sure of it, glad about, and absolutely confident in it. It happens in hearts where Jesus lives and rules. The joy of the Lord is their security and strength!

 

Come Lord Jesus! Come to us today as we live for you and look forward to your coming again!

 

Pr Rolly Stahl

¹   Romans 13:11, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. 

²   Philippians 1:23, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

This week’s message will be “God’s promise of a Saviour King” as we start a new series ‘God’s promises in Jesus’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au

 

Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 7:11b-13, 16; Isaiah 35:3-6; Luke 1:26-38

 

 

Celebration Service:

Dear members and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista,

Kingdom Kids Children’s Ministry would like to personally invite you to worship with us this Sunday 1^st December as we Launch Advent with our 2013 Celebration Service Jesus – The Promise of a Saviour King. Please join us for a creative retelling of the Christmas story at the 10:30am service, followed by a yummy morning tea in the Hall. Please feel free to invite your families and friends, everyone is welcome.

Baby Zone:

There will be NO Baby Zone this Sunday 1^st December. Instead we’d like to invite everyone to come along to our Celebration Service. Normal lessons will resume on Sunday 8^th December and will conclude on the 15^th December with our 2013 Christmas Party.

 

Playgroup: The things we love about Christmas!

Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme for next week is The Nativity Story followed by Carols and Community (a joint celebration with the receptions at GSLS from 9-10:30am on the school playground and oval. Please bring a plate of morning tea to share).  $2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of fruit to share. All welcome. Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233 671.

 

$100 to go!

It has become a tradition at our church to give the children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to include and bless them in the service. To help cover the cost of this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation. The total expense of making 150 of these packs is $230, so if you feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled. Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ money house located on the Kingdom Kids sign in table in the narthex. Thanks in advance for your support in this way. Just over $130 has been donated so far. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so generously.

 

Laura Carson – 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.

 

Lutheran Women of South Australia RETREAT 2014

Located at the Australian Lutheran College - Ward Street, North Adelaide

From 17^th to 19^th January 2014. RSVP required by 8^th January 2014.

For enrolment forms or more information, please contact Ruth Oster on 8265 0221 or email kroster@senet.com.au

 

From the Board

 

Half Yearly meeting

At the Half Yearly meeting on Sunday:

·       2014 budget was passed as presented with $25000 increase in offerings. This was based on pledges made in the Stewardship campaign in October.

·       It was agreed in 2014 to support Maranatha Health in prayer and when their present issues are resolved to also support them financially.

·       It was agreed to continue support for Cebu Missionary Foundation.

·       It was agreed to conduct a Stewardship campaign in 2014 to ascertain financial support available for the Connect Project. If the outcome is positive, construction should commence in 2015.

 

The following members were elected to the Board:

John Dolling (chair), Keren Sutton (vice chair), Simon Janetzki (Finance Team Leader), Keith Kemp, Helen Bridge and Erika Kaesler. There are still several vacancies on the Board. If you are interested, please contact John Dolling or Keren Sutton.

 

Relocation of Baby Zone

The first stage in the shift is nearing completion. The storeroom in the Education Centre will be completed early next week and materials in the current storeroom behind the library will be relocated next week. Next step is to relocate the library into the Education Centre before Christmas. If we have a dozen members who can volunteer just 1 hour we can get this done. If you can spare an hour, please contact John Dolling. The baby zone materials will then be relocated to their new home in the present library. The final step is to secure the new baby zone area with an entrance door.

 

From the office

 

Christmas Whirlwind

Last year a number of volunteers attended the church complex on Christmas Eve and did a general clean of the grounds and exterior surrounds of the building. I am again looking for a small team to assist in creating an inviting appearance to our church facility for Christmas. 

 

In order to do this I am planning to hold a whirlwind of the church grounds and facility exterior on Tuesday 24^th December starting at 9am. Now the more helpers we get the bigger the whirlwind and the greater the effect. If you have someone else in mind that you could bring along, do so and it will all be blown over in a jiffy.

 

If you have a petrol driven blow vac that needs a dust out bring it along with safety equip and we can have a dust off comp. Last year’s winner was a blow in who only led by a short puff.

 

Please mark your welcome card whirlwind, let the office or Stephen know your availability by 9am Wednesday 18^th December. Thanks.

 

Security of church

Request that members who lock our facility do a complete building check prior to setting the alarm. As you move through the building, please shut all the doors. Please take note of the keypad near the office entry and if there are staff names on the key pad, please do not set the alarm.

 

Notice Board

 

Christmas Stalls

Available after both morning services on the following dates: 8^th and 15^th December.  All proceeds to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.

 

Christmas Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood

We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14^th December.

 

Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the church office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4^th December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.

 

The Singing Christmas Tree

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loxton presents an outdoor evening of music, drama, lights and the power of the Christmas story. 8pm, December 6^th, 7^th, 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st.

 

Students commencing Tertiary Study in 2014

Please see Church notice board for further details

 

Notice to LLL Depositors

Our congregation has received a “Notice to LLL Depositors” advising that the interest rate on LLL interest bearing saving accounts will be 3.5% from 1 December 2013. This notice has been placed on the church notice board for your information.

 

Research on conversion to Christianity

Researchers from Flinders University (theology department) are seeking participants for research on why individuals convert to Christianity. If you are aged over 18 years, from an English speaking background, have begun considering yourself a Christian in the past two years and are willing to be interviewed about your experiences, they would love to hear from you. More information on the noticeboard or from Lynne Taylor

Mobile: 0488 497 881

Phone: 08 8358 2149 or

Email: tayl0548@flinders.edu.au

 

 “In all circumstances, we can give thanks that God has not left us on our own”