A Series of Encounters with Jesus
In our Lent-Easter series –Encounters with Jesus – we’ve heard stories from characters who knew or met Jesus: Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, Andrew, Peter, Pontius Pilate, and Joanna the wife of Chuza.
Over this coming long weekend, we will hear more stories from people who witnessed what happened to Jesus: from his betrayal to his resurrection.
April 14 – Maundy Thursday 7:30pm with Holy Communion
Judas Iscariot – Betrayal
We wonder, “What motivated Judas to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders?”
Was it just greed or something deeper?
It seems Judas failed to understand Jesus’ plan and purpose.
Perhaps Judas wanted to impose his own agenda on Jesus.
April 15 – Good Friday 8:45am and 10:30am
Mary the mother of Jesus – Traumatised
As Mary witnesses the trauma of her firstborn son’s execution,
she questions what the Father of Jesus is doing.
How can he allow this travesty of justice to happen?
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus the Pharisee – Emboldened
Both were members of Jewish Ruling Council: The Sanhedrin.
Since most of the Sanhedrin were hostile to Jesus,
Joe and Nic were discreet about their connections with him.
This changes after Jesus’ death.
What inspired their boldness to ask for Jesus’ body and carry out his burial?
April 17 – Resurrection Sunday 8:45am and 10:30am with Holy Communion
Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Mary Magdalene is arguably Jesus’ most devoted follower.
She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and supported his ministry. She is present at the cross and at his burial. So, surprise, as soon as Sabbath is over, she is back at the tomb – only to find that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open! Shock!
Who would do such a thing?
Not long afterwards her grief is turned to joy!
Praise the Lord, we’ve received lots of positive comments about this series. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus – so many will encounter him personally. Why not extend an invitation to family and friends to come along this weekend?
Peace and Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Bible Readings:
Maundy Thursday: John 13:1-5, 13:18-30, 18:1-3 NIV
Good Friday: John 19:16-30, John 19:31-42 NIV
Resurrection Sunday: Luke 8:1-3, John 20:1-18 NIV (see also Mt 27:55-56, 61, Lk 23:49,55-56)
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 ministry team.
One A Penny Two A Penny!
In keeping with tradition here at Good Shepherd, we would like to enjoy hot cross buns after the Good Friday service. Please bring some to share: buttered, unbuttered, fruitless or choc chip – any way you enjoy them!
Prayer Requests
Please forward all prayer requests to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 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 online. If you would like to view the current requests please refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news.
Covid-19 Update
The SA Government has announced new Covid-19 rulings which are effective from Good Friday 15th April 2022 (some are already in place):
- Masks do not need to be worn in churches
- Check-in via QR code or paper sign-in is no longer required
- Members should not attend church or other events/gatherings if they are not feeling well or think they have been exposed to COVID-19
- No density restrictions for all worship services
- No density restrictions if serving food or drink – standing whilst eating also permitted
- COVID Marshalls: to be advised.
- Holy Communion may be celebrated at the Communion rail. Individual cups are to be provided for all communicants but the Common Cup can be used by the pastor for consecration only
- Congregational singing and choirs are permitted
- Post-service fellowship: morning tea is able to be provided with people adding their own milk and sugar and helping themselves to any food
- Home gatherings are unrestricted
- Hand sanitiser will continue to be provided and good hygiene practise is encouraged
- People can continue to wear a mask if they choose to do so.
Please note: current regulations including check-in and wearing a mask will still apply to our Maundy Thursday service. Whilst density restrictions are being lifted in terms of capacity numbers, we encourage the continued practice of physical distancing where possible, thank you!
Next Grow Ministries Workshop
Our next workshop with Grow Ministries has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday 21st May. More details to come.
Faith Practice – Caring Conversations. Together, let’s look out for visitors this Easter weekend. Grab a friend and introduce yourself to them. Why not share together how you celebrate Easter. Other questions to ask are “What are some of your Easter rituals and traditions? What are some of the things you did as a child to remember Jesus dying on the cross for us?” Look out for and connect during our question/conversation time during worship. Continue to look out for others as Jesus would.
Faith Practice – Rituals and Traditions. Georgie has placed some great Grow Ministries’ activities at https://paravista.org.au/ministries/children-family-ministry/ under ‘Home Resources’ that you could make with your children or grandchildren at home over the Easter break.
Faith Practice – Acts of Service. As our community seeks Father’s leading, how can you serve our community with the gifts and abilities God has given you? And how could you encourage someone younger within our community to serve?
A community which intentionally develops intergenerational relationships to grow faith in Jesus so that He can build His Kingdom here and now.”
Kathy Liebig
Grow Team Leader
Church Library
Did you know that there is a treasure trove of resources just waiting to be discovered by you, in the church library next to the hall?
There are books, study guides, DVDs, music CDs, Bible activity kits, children’s stories and games. Make some time to browse in the library. If the room is dark, step inside and the lights will come on! Once you’ve found your treasure, borrowing is easy. Just fill in one of the borrowing slips next to the computer, remembering to include the barcode number from the front of the resource.
Immersing yourself in Christian literature is a fantastic way to learn more about our amazing God and His wonderful work in our world!
Carol Gallasch
Librarian
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
The message of Easter is one of great joy. Jesus is risen from the dead! He has beaten death and now we have new life through him! Check out the latest GFH resource for some questions to ask each other and some activities to explore. What would you have said or done if you had seen the empty tomb that first Easter morning? A number of GFH Lenten/ Easter activities have been posted on our website for you to enjoy. Why not have a look sometime?
Have a blessed Easter everyone!
Little Lambs Update
Dear Church Family,
Our community values opportunities to connect with families with little ones. Sharing time together, chatting over a coffee as little ones play is its own reward. Creating an environment where relationships can be formed and nurtured is a wonderful area of connection and care! This ministry is one way we can ‘Reach into the community with the gospel, that all may know Jesus and come to worship Him’. If this is something you feel led to be a part of, I would love to hear from you. There are plenty of resources ready to go thanks to the creativity, generosity and love of previous Little Lambs team leaders. Please contact me via email at georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au or chat with me sometime about this valuable opportunity. Hope to hear from you soon.
School Snippets
Chapel
This week we shared the message of Easter. You might recognise the setting as it was filmed in the church this time! We would love for you to ‘join us’ via this link: https://bit.ly/3O754jo
Newsletter
As we reach the conclusion of Term One, we recognize that our school has been blessed in so many ways. We invite you to have a look at our newsletter to see what we have been up to: https://bit.ly/36aS7Uu There are also hardcopies available in the café area or see Georgie and she can arrange for you to have your own. God bless you with His love, peace, hope and joy this Easter as we marvel at His love for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection!
Office News
Office Hours
Rachel is in Adelaide at the moment and will be around to help in the office for the next week, after which time she will head back to NSW and continue to work remotely. Please be patient as the office still may not be open at times. Call 8263 5087 to see if it is open, leave a message on the answering system or email the office and staff will get back to you as soon as they can.
Professional Standards/Safe Church Training – Save the Date!
Good Shepherd will be conducting Safe Church training (full day course) on Saturday 2nd July 2022 – more details to come.
If you haven’t completed Safe Church Training, please make use of this opportunity to participate in keeping Good Shepherd a place of safety.
If you are a part of any ministry including a small group who engages with children or vulnerable persons, you are required to participate in level 1 training. Any person in a leadership or governance roll is required to complete level 2 training. Further information can be found at https://www.sant.lca.org.au/departments/psd/
COVID Update
Please see the main article on page 2 for information about changing restrictions this Easter. As at time of printing masks and check-ins are still required. Density restrictions have been lifted and we are now back to full seating. Please remember to maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres where possible. I do request ventilation remains open as much as possible and the continued cleaning of the facility after each use by spraying with sanitiser (DO NOT wipe as this only spreads the bacteria.)
Hospitality
We will be serving tea & coffee along with hot cross buns on Good Friday. The courtyard will still be available to enjoy the outdoors while connecting with others and enjoying a hot beverage.
Courtyard Use
The canopies and associated furnishings are going to be removed after Easter. Thanks to all members who have respected the requests of our leaders and continued to make our place of worship a safe place.
Holy Communion – Serving
Holy Communion will be celebrated using the pre COVID directions for attending the table. Worship hosts will guide you to the centre aisle and you can return to your seats via the wings. Serving will remain the same.
Media and Administration Officer
(Part Time – 20 hours per week)
An exciting opportunity exists to join Good Shepherd’s staff team as a Media and Administration Officer. This role supports the mission of the congregation by maintaining Good Shepherd communications digital presence, and front office environment.
The successful applicant will be a committed and active Christian with excellent communication skills across various platforms, the ability to work in a team, and experience in a front office environment.
Remuneration and conditions for this position will be discussed with the successful applicant based on Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020. This will be a contracted position with the option of permanency after a three-month trial period.
A position description and further information is available on request from the Office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 08 8263 5087.
All applications are to be:
- written addressing the Position/Person Description and including the contact details of three referees (two professional and one pastoral),
- marked “confidential”,
- and sent to:
Congregational Manager, PO Box 306, Modbury North, SA 5092 or emailed to stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au
Applications close 3pm, Tuesday 19th April 2022.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ lay down his life for us…Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:16, 18
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 arrangements as mandated by the State Government. From 15th April 2022 masks and check-ins are no longer required, however please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with continued physical distancing. Please do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell. Thank you!
Weekly News Submissions should be made by the Wednesday prior to Friday publication.
Church Giving via Electronic Funds Transfer:
Regular Electronic Giving (REG): BSB 704 942; Acc 100 354 939
Church Office Hours: Tuesday-Thurs 9am-3pm (closed 12:30pm-1:30pm for lunch); Fri Closed.
Church Website: www.paravista.org.au Email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Look for us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
