If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (Hebrews 3:14)
When I was younger, I was able to eat anything in any amount and not put on weight. However, I recently accepted that those days are finally gone and so began walking and jogging to improve fitness and burn off the hot chocolates and meal deals. I’ve sought to be committed to the new regime because I want to be able to do more with my children in the future than just change the channel with the TV remote. So I have been out pounding the pavement in the heat, the cold, the dry, the humid and the wet. And it’s been paying off too. I have already increased the distance I cover whilst decreasing the time it takes to complete the journey. I also now view the “killer hill” that I go up as “just a little warm up”. The next big goal is to be able to jog the whole distance like the senior citizens that pass me and quickly disappear into the distance.
So it was on Sunday morning, as I walked through the rain, that I reflected on how that process is much the same for our spiritual fitness too. If we are to strengthen and remain strong in our faith then we need to work on it regularly. That means hearing about God’s Word, reading it, talking about it with others and applying it in our daily lives. Opportunities exist through chapels, Sunday worship, Bible studies, Christian Studies lessons, care groups, Christian camps and youth group activities, devotions, and chats with pastors and chaplains to continually work on building our knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour and how he wants us to live our lives. We shouldn’t waste those opportunities. At first it can seem hard or like it requires too much effort but, if we stick to it, the benefits of growing closer to God and understanding his purpose and plan for us will far outweigh the input that we need to apply.
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STRATEGIC PLANNING EVENING
I’d like to encourage parents to attend this evening being run by the School Council on 16 March. It will be an opportunity for you to provide input into what you’d seek to see Good News look like over the coming 3-5 years. Please see the information later in the newsletter for more details.
| Student Leadership
- 2010-02-17 15:10:08
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
(1 Peter 4:10)
Student leadership has been a big topic for our Year 7’s in the first weeks of this year. They have written applications and given speeches for School Captain positions, they have applied and been interviewed for Student Council Executive roles, and this week sought election as House Captains.
I’ve been very impressed by the reasons why our Year 7 students have desired to take on these positions. Overwhelmingly, it has been so that they can serve the community and give something back to the school. The children feel that they have been richly blessed through their time at Good News and wish to follow in the footsteps of past students that they looked up to and respected.
Using our individual gifts to serve others is what Peter is talking about in the Bible verse. And when we serve others, it’s not because of what we can get out of it, but rather in response to what God has already done for us through his loving grace and mercy. I’m pleased that so many of our student leaders understand this.
Prayers
Dear Father, Thank you for all that you have given to us. Please help us to live in service to others so that your grace will be seen through us. Please also be with our Year 7’s as they assume the student leadership roles within the school and work to contribute back to the community.
We also ask you to be with the St Patrick’s community at this tragic time.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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STUDENT COUNCIL EXECUTIVE
Congratulations to the following students who have been appointed to the Student Council Executive for 2010:
Ali Pereira (Chair), Kieran Gibson (Vice-Chair), Varanya Vasudevan (Secretary), Caitlin Stewart (Vice-Secretary), Sian Murray Boyle (Public Relations) and Aidan Tay (Public Relations).
| Thankfulness
Mr Adam Richardson - 2010-02-10 14:17:38
THANKFULNESS
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
With our values focus on Thankfulness at the moment, Mrs Ryan asked staff members at our chapels what it is that they are thankful for. Almost unanimously the answer was “family”. In the cases that weren’t, the response could be classified as our “Christian or School family” here at Good News.
It wasn’t the car, the house, the Wii Fit program or our unique body shapes. It wasn’t chocolate, bank accounts, holidays or giant shopping centres. Instead, it was the people that we connect with most; the ones that we love unconditionally and the ones that love us back despite our shortcomings and failures.
And it’s the same with God. He loves us, his family, more than anything else. There is so much for us all to be thankful about, but nothing so much as the love that our God has for each and every one of us everyday.
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2010 SCHOOL CAPTAINS
I would like to commend all of our Year 7’s that applied to be a School Captain this year. All wrote wonderful application letters and the nomination speeches were well thought out with clear indications of the type of leader each student desired to be.
Therefore, I’m pleased to announce that the School Captains for 2010 are:
Ben Swords
Connor Heilig
Koko Yanagisawa
Aarthi Sritharan
I look forward to working with each of these students in their new role throughout the year.
| Make A Difference
Mr Adam Richardson - 2010-02-3 15:09:01
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
(Philippians 2:3)
For those who were at our opening chapel or the staff installation service will have heard the staff song selected by Mr Simms. I’ve reproduced the words below, as they fit wonderfully with this year’s theme that I wrote about last week.
GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Go make a difference, we can make a difference
Go make a difference in the world
Go make a difference, we can make a difference
Go make a difference in the world
We are the salt of the earth called to let the people see
The love of God in you and me
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen
Go make a difference in the world
(Chorus)
We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need
The face of God for all to see
We are the spirit of hope, we are the voice of peace
Go make a difference in the world
(Chorus)
So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see
Go make a difference in the world
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go
Go make a difference in the world
(Chorus)
| Positive Ripples
Mr Adam Richardson - 2010-01-27 15:45:10
Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Positive Ripples is our focus theme for this year. It is based on the idea that each of us creates ripple effects through both the actions we take and the ones we don’t take. Positive actions create positive ripples and negative actions create negative ones.
The motivation for this theme comes from a book written by Tony Ryan who worked with our staff last year and provided some inspirational insights into how to make a positive difference in the world. The book, titled The Ripple Effect: How you can make a difference to the world every day, explores the notions that small actions can have big consequences, that all life on earth is connected through a spiritual web, and that what goes around comes around.
At Good News, we seek to have all of our actions result in positive ripples that benefit the students and ultimately our world. I encourage you to join with us in making 2010 a successful year full of encouragement with a collective will to make positive changes in our homes, our community and the wider world through the choices we make every day.
| MERRY CHRISTMAS
Adam Richardson - 2009-12-9 13:24:25
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
I love the way the school year in Australia finishes at Christmas time. It’s such a wonderfully exciting and uplifting message to complete the year’s work on. We talk about God’s gift to us - his one and only Son - we talk about the angels rejoicing at the birth of the Saviour, and we talk about the wise kings that travel from far away to see the child that will be above all others. Could there be a better way to finish the year in a Christian community?
Thank you to all of the staff, students and families for making me feel so welcomed in my first year at Good News. It has been a privilege working with you as we serve God together, and I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May you all remain safe, keep your focus on Christ this Christmas, have many special moments over the coming break, and return to school refreshed in 2010.
| Good News of Great Joy
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-12-2 15:42:08
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:10-12)
When the angels spoke these words to the shepherds, I’m sure they would have been most surprised. From a human perspective, they were the least worthy of this world-changing and life-changing information, as shepherds were not renowned for their honesty and good character. But there it was, in the fields outside Bethlehem, where the announcement of our Saviour’s birth took place. God first told those who perhaps needed to hear it most.
And what great news it was, indeed. Jesus was born so that all people could be saved through his later death and resurrection, not just the righteous, not just the people of Israel, and not just those who later would come to be known as Christians. He came to save everyone and it cost us nothing. May you give thought to that amazing gift from God as we approach the Christmas season.
| Treasure
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-11-25 14:28:53
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34)
The point of these words in Luke’s gospel is to make us reflect on what is most important in our lives. Is it our families, our possessions or our careers? Is it having fun, travelling the world or championing for a cause?
As Christians, Luke is giving us advice about what it should be that makes us feel most content. It is God that we should desire. It is God that should be the greatest treasure in our hearts and the one thing we desire most, for it is him who gives us life.
Jesus asks us to place himself first in our lives and, in return, he will reward us with everything we need and want. When we gain a reward or success, we need to acknowledge God for it and give him the glory. When we place God first in our lives, our lives are full of richness and blessings. What a great treasure to have.
| More than Enough
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-11-25 14:26:21
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the crowd; and the disciples did so. They also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for these and told the disciples to distribute them too. Everybody ate and had enough. (Mark 8:6-8a)
When Jesus feeds the hungry crowd, he uses quite simple and everyday types of food. Yet he still thanks the Father for them in recognition and acknowledgement, understanding that he is the provider of all things. In response, using this small amount of food, the Father not only feeds everyone until they are full but provides so much that there is ample left over.
And it’s no different for us today. Using only a little, God gives us an abundance of gifts and blesses us richly with all that we need. In the same way that Jesus did, we should remember to thank God at all times for everything he gives us.
| God Cares for Us
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-11-25 14:26:55
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (John 14:12-13)
Is your life busy at the moment? Almost everyone I speak to says that their lives are becoming increasingly overcrowded with work and personal responsibilities and activities. At times those pressures can become overwhelming as we try to meet the needs of competing interests, and it can be hard to know what the best thing to do is.
For me, the answer in these situations is to look to Jesus for help. He cares about each of us and about what is happening in our lives and about how we are coping. The verse above tells us of Jesus’ promise to take care of us when we speak to him in prayer about our needs. It is important, therefore, that we continue talking to God about our needs and drawing our strength from him.
| Hope and Comfort
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-11-25 14:27:45
You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are! (Psalm 16:5-6)
These two verses sum things up pretty clearly for us, don’t they? God has everything that we need and the rewards that he has waiting for us are all that we could want. There is comfort and hope in these words when things don’t seem to be going our way, and there is confirmation and recognition when life is feeling good.
When times are hard we need that reassurance that the future is in God’s hands. We are also reminded that that future is a wonderful one when we keep our hearts and minds in Jesus. Through faith in him as our Lord and Saviour, we gain eternal life with God. What better message of hope could there be? What better reward could we ask for?
| Reformation
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-28 13:17:50
Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, The Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6)
This Saturday is Reformation Day. The Lutheran Church is considered to have commenced on this date in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg.
Each of these theses challenged an aspect of the church’s teachings at that time. Perhaps the most significant point of difference for Luther centred on the understanding of God’s saving grace. It was common practice that people could purchase forgiveness of their sins from the church but Luther saw that this was in conflict with what was written in the Bible. Instead, Luther argued that we can only be saved through the grace of God. Jesus, God’s only son, died to pay for our sins. It was God’s gift to us because nothing we could do would ever be good enough.
Luther was banished from the church because of his beliefs and teachings. However, he continued to share his thoughts and to challenge people in their understandings of the scriptures. Whilst it was not his intention to form breakaway groups from the Catholic church, Luther’s theses have had a significant and lasting impact across the globe.
Prayers
Dear Lord, Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins so that we can be with you eternally. Thank you also for the recent rains to help replenish your creation.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| Meeting Together
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-28 13:00:49
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. (Hebrews 10:25)
On Monday our teachers spent the day engaging in professional dialogue and assessment moderation processes with staff from St Peters Indooroopilly and Springfield campuses. The day was well received and provided a great opportunity for teachers to network and share ideas and resources.
A special highlight was beginning our day in devotion together. Whilst we do that here at Good News, it was particularly nice to be able to join with the teachers from the other schools in this special time with God. It served as a reminder that Lutheran schools are not just about quality education, they are also about nurturing the faith of their communities and allowing the Christian witness to shine brightly.
Prayers
Dear Lord, We are truly blessed here at Good News to have a community of professionals that also seek to serve you through Christian commitment and witness. May we continue as a community to gather together in your name so that your love and grace will be shared and understood throughout our world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| First Move
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:37:31
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Leviticus 26:12)
There are several places throughout the Bible where this message is given to us. God says that he will remain committed to us and that we will always be the most precious thing to him.
What’s even more amazing is that it is always God that makes the first move to create the relationship. He promised Abraham he’d be our God, he reiterated the promise to Moses and then to Jeremiah, and Jesus chose who the disciples would be.
God chooses us not because we are better than others, but because he has an endless amount of grace. God wants to be in a special and close relationship with everyone and he will continue to make the first move to achieve that aim.
What we choose to do when he makes that move is up to us. May we see it for what it is - the ultimate opportunity for a life-changing and everlasting relationship with our creator and saviour.
Prayers
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have chosen us to be your special people, you have promised to always be with us, and you love us unconditionally because of your unending grace. You come to us first, so we ask that you please help us to know and understand just how big your promise of eternal love is. We ask you to watch over us this term and to help us live in service to you through service to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| Courage
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:36:28
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
During the school break our family went to Dreamworld. This was my son’s first time there and my daughter’s second. We had talked about being brave and giving certain rides a go, such as the log ride, which my daughter refused to go on when she was my son’s age. I explained to my children that once we are courageous and overcome our fears, we get to enjoy the rides that we thought would be scary. To demonstrate this practically, my first ride was “The Claw”, which I’d never been on. Well, long before this contraption even got close to being vertical, I realised that I really was getting old. Whereas in the past I would have just thought about how bad it would be if something broke on the ride (like the safety harness or the bolt at the top which appears to experience an excessive amount of force), now I was also thinking about all the things I’d miss in my life if I was flung out to the carpark. I definitely needed courage at that moment.
I know that many in our community are facing situations that require far more courage than going on a ride at Dreamworld, and in those times it is comforting to know that God is with us always. Call on his strength, especially when you feel that you have none of your own left.
Prayers
Dear Father, Please bless this final term for the year, and be with those recently affected by natural disasters. Amen.
| Love One Another
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:31:27
Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
Love one another. It’s a very simple concept but can be so hard sometimes. Intellectually we understand that if we are all kind and loving to one another then it would be a much happier world to live in, yet emotionally the whole idea can seem ridiculous at times.
But if God can love us with all of our faults then surely we can love others too. Yes, our humanness can push us to the limits but we can also draw on God’s strength to live in harmony with one another.
People talk to me about the specialness of Good News and it is through loving one another as community members, and by helping our children to understand respect, kindness and consideration for others, that we will ensure that that feeling continues and grows.
Prayers
Dear Father, As we focus on Love this week in our values program, may we as a community continue to reach out to each other in care and kindness so that your love will shine through us. Please keep all of our families and staff safe during the break, and give them a restful and enjoyable time with family and friends. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| Lost and Found
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:25:44
“My son,” the father answered, “you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.” (Luke: 15:32)
On Sunday our Year 1 students presented the story of the prodigal son at the family service. This is a wonderful parable in that it clearly shows us what God’s love is all about - unconditional commitment and forgiveness. When the younger son returns after spending all of his money (his inheritance that he received early) and asks his father for a job, the father instead throws a lavish party and forgets about the terrible actions of his son.
God does this for us too. If we tried to earn our way into heaven, we could never succeed. The only way we get there is by God forgiving us our wrongs and allowing us to stay close in his family. It is a gift from God.
Our children will sometimes move away from the church at some stage in their lives as they work out who they are in the world, test boundaries, enjoy new freedoms and determine what matters and what doesn’t. But if we keep the light burning for them and remind them that God is waiting with open arms, they very often return. When they do, let’s rejoice just like the father did in the parable.
Prayers
Dear Lord, Thank you for your never ending love. Please help our children to remain close to you and to rely on you as they grow and develop. Please also bless the concert practises. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| Father's Day
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:23:26
Your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day. (Luke 12:30-31)
This Sunday is Father’s Day. For most dads this is an enjoyable time when you are made to feel that extra bit special. For most children it’s a day when you know dad won’t get grumpy with you. And I certainly pray that this weekend provides all of our fathers with the opportunity to have some special moments with their children.
Not every day is like that though. Fathers are often removed from their children’s lives to varying degrees as they work long hours and have to travel away. When they are home, they are often tired or busy attending to the chores and tasks that have accumulated. All of this robs children and fathers of precious time together that both, I’m sure, would like more of.
Thankfully our heavenly Father is always with us, providing us with the strength we need to face life’s tasks. He gives us lots of patience but also encouragement when we are in need of that too. As his children, he has blessed us with our children. Let’s remember to lean on him each day so that our children also see the rewards that keeping our faith in God will bring.
Prayers
Dear Lord, We pray for the fathers in our community this week. Please help them to be available to their families and to have the energy they need for the many roles they play. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
| Lift Us Up
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-10-19 11:20:13
He will lift you up in honour (1 Peter 5:6b)
I love airports and flying. I particularly like large passenger jets and the whole experience of eating the food (yes, you read that correctly), enjoying the individual in-flight entertainment and watching the views from the window, especially at take off, landing and when you are just skimming above the clouds.
Last week I had three flights during my time away and, whilst I’ve understood the physics of it since I was a young boy, it still never ceases to amaze me that such a heavy object stays in the air. These giant aircraft lift us up and whisk us to where we want to go and need to be in an effortless manner, with our full trust that it is all quite normal and under control.
It is a similar experience with God. He gives us the opportunity for a full and enjoyable life, whilst lifting us up and taking us to where we need to go - where he is. God is huge and we are amazed by what he does and how he does it. But we keep our faith in him because we know he is in control.
Prayers
Dear God, Thank you for blessing us richly and carrying us throughout our lives. Please also be with the Beaverson family in extra measure at this time. Amen.
| Communion
Mr Adam Richardson - 2009-08-19 12:42:52
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. (John 6:53-56)
When Jesus first spoke these words, many of his followers turned away, unable to understand how such a thing could be possible. However, at the time of the Last Supper, the meaning of these words became clearer as Jesus gave his instructions to eat and drink of his flesh and blood.
As Lutherans, we believe that during Holy Communion the bread remains fully bread but also becomes fully Jesus’ flesh. Similarly, the wine remains fully wine but also becomes fully Jesus’ blood. We don’t necessarily understand from a human perspective how that is possible but, as we are shown many times over in the Bible, we don’t always understand everything about God
Communion is a very special part of worship. We are filled and refreshed with the body and blood of our Lord and Saviour. How loved we must be by God for him to give us that privilege.
Prayers
Dear God, You have the words of eternal life. In communion, may we focus on the monumental event that takes place so quietly. Please bless all in our community and refresh us for the final weeks of term. Amen.
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