What Jesus says about Showing Off
One thing about Aussies is that they know when people are being real or pretentious; whether they're fair dinkum or fake. We tend to loathe ostentatious displays people put on just to impress others.
People may comment: “He’s a bit full of himself!” Or: "He's a bit on himself." Or: She’s a bit high and mighty. Who does she thing she is, the Queen of England?!” And you may know many other colourful sayings.
Though most of us would admit that God knows us better than we know ourselves, there is a bit of "the great pretender" in each of us. We can easily slip into religious habits in order to earn God’s favour, or to impress other people.
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus talks about three common acts of piety that can devolve into just a "put on". First, giving to the poor. Second, prayer. And third, fasting. These were all common in Jewish spirituality at the time of Jesus. Jesus upholds the practice of these things, but condemns the pretentious and vain way that many of the religious leaders practiced them.
Jesus calls them “hypocrites”. The Greek word means “actor” – as in the stage plays of his time. If one is performing acts of piety just to be noticed and applauded, then it is an act of vanity. Why? Because it’s all about ME!
Years ago, you might remember a TV show called Comedy Company, with various short skits and interesting characters. One of them was Kylie Mole, a high school teenager who’d often say: “Look at me. Look at me. Look at me!”
Of course it was funny because teenagers are often trying to prove themselves, and to be taken seriously by adults. They want to be noticed, affirmed, and praised. And sometimes they will go to extraordinary lengths to get it.
This search for security is not confined to teenagers. Some people strive for it throughout their lives, performing in order to be noticed and praised.
The Good News is that we can find our security in Jesus’ unfailing love for us – a love that embraces us at our worst, cleanses us through his blood shed for us at the cross, and makes us children of God forever. In Christ, we are loved and accepted, we are significant and seated with him in the heavenly realms. And now we seek to bring glory – not to ourselves – but to our Father in heaven.
Pr. Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-18
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. Zoom is enhancing the security of meetings. Please make sure you have upgraded to version 5 (or later) of the Zoom app any time before 30 May2020 so you can continue to connect to our live streamed services after this date.
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.
From the Office
Congregation and School AGMs
The AGMs of the congregation and school will be held Sunday May 31st at 11:30am. Both entities will be addressed in the same meeting to assist the meeting chair and video moderators in processing information. If you have not received your reports and agendas for the meeting please contact the church office on email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 08 8263 5087, and they will be sent to you. We wish to limit printed/posted versions due to costs and speed of posting.
Part of the school agenda involves adopting a new constitution. To ensure the process is open and transparent, the School will host a 'Zoom meeting' at 7pm on May 28, to outline the background, the proposed changes and answer any questions. To register your attendance please email Council Chair- Matt Schmidt on m.schmidt@achpersa.com.au and a meeting link will be shared with you.
Help us to alleviate congestion at the meeting by directing questions concerning any of the reports to the office as soon as possible. This will allow questions to be answered and responses sent back out to all members in a timely manner. Please supply a contact phone number with your email so the relevant person can discuss concerns with you. Apologies may also be forwarded to the church office.
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 :)
Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation's mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic deposits can be made to the following bank account details
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100354939
Account Name: GSPV REG
LLL REG: Download the form here and use the same bank details as above in the account to be credited. Then email back to the address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Facilities Maintenance
Thanks to all who have already responded and ticked items of the list. I am still looking for volunteer assistance with the following small maintenance tasks.
Please consider allocating some time to assist in the repairs/maintenance. I have placed an approximate time behind each task to give you some idea of time required:
• A permanent hand ball court to be painted in the courtyard area
• One-way arrows on drive pavement require repainting - 2 hours
• Refixing the ceiling in the Ladies’ toilet to prevent collapse - 2 persons x ½ day
• Affix down pipe and drain to the existing veranda at the manse – 2 hours
• Clear roadway drains – 1 hour
• Cobwebbing inside and out – 1 to 2 hours
• Tidy & clean hall store room - 2 persons x ½ day
• Window cleaning - 1 to 2 hours
• Hall floor sweep and mop - 2 hours
• Add flashing to columns on new manse pergola - 2 persons x ½ day
• Pressure cleaning of main entry paving bricks (pressure washer required to complete this) – 2 hours
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or the front office for further info.
Office Distancing Update
To comply with social distancing the exterior door is being kept locked.
A door bell will be available to call office staff. Helen will attend the office on Tuesdays. Wednesday-Friday Rachel will be back in the office. Hooray!
Grocery Donations
Grocery items, including vouchers for supermarkets etc. can be dropped off at the church Tuesday through Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm. 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.
Free
Two free TVs in good working order have been donated for anyone in need. Please contact Stephen through the office for more details.
Exercise Equipment Needed
A member of the congregation who has been in detention is looking for any old exercise equipment that people would like to give away during this time of isolation. It would need to be delivered to a Ridgehaven address. Please contact the office if you can help.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Hi Church Family,
Help! Sometimes we are in need of it; sometimes we are in a position to help others.
This week Growing Faith at Home talks about our helper - the Holy Spirit.
Jesus called the Holy Spirit our helper or counsellor. What does the Holy Spirit help us to do?
Who has been helpful to you this past week? In what ways have you helped others?
You might consider talking about Spiritual Gifts and Character Strengths as a family, or just talk about what you notice about each other in these areas. This information can give you some direction in ways that you can use your uniqueness to help and serve others.
God bless your week!
Georgie
Thank you from the Family Hub
Please pass on our sincere thanks for the food collection in April. Food parcels have slowed a little with the introduction of stimulus bonuses but we envisage a deluge once they dry up.
We have offered support to some of the international students who have been supporting our homework club as they all lost work and are not funded by Centrelink. We have also been able to support families on bridging visas too.
We have put together books, puzzles, learning sheets, play dough and craft packs and have been delivering them to the front door of many of the families we are aware of that may be struggling.
This has provided a positive way of welfare checking on some of the children we are aware may be struggling.
Take care, and again – THANK YOU!
What unprecedented and challenging times we find ourselves in! Click on the link below to access the latest Maranatha Health newsletter, which includes much-needed GOOD news from MH, as well as details about how we are responding to the Ugandan communities that depends on us, at this challenging time:
Hanelie is continuing to provide a professional counselling service to students, parents, staff and community. Hanelie is a member of PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) and completed a Dip. Counselling & Bachelor of Counselling through ACAP (Australian College of Applied Psychology). Hanelie is passionate about mental health and providing support to clients with qualities such as empathy, congruence and positive regard.
Counselling sessions will be provided electronically or telephonically. These practices are successfully implemented worldwide. Skype or FaceTime will be used as electronic methods. Please note that FaceTime can only be used with Apple devices. Changes to service delivery will be revised in future as the pandemic passes.
The feedback regarding conducting of counselling session via electronic methods is that they have been well received.
Cost: A session will continue to be priced at $15.00 to assist with covering of professional expenses. This fee is well below market rates.
Please feel free to contact Hanelie at 0450 022 502 or email: hanelie.swart@gmail.com with questions or to book an appointment.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matt 6:19-21 (NIV)
Matt 6:19-21 (NIV)
