A Surprising God-Loving Jesus More than Religion
Let me tell you the best news you’ll ever hear.
For, it’s not about following all the rules and regulations that religion demands and being burdened with guilt, shame and regrets.
Rather it’s all about Jesus. Allowing him to take control of our lives, to be in the driver’s seat as He invites us along for the ride.
Bible Readings: Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT),
Psalm 23 (TPT)
Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd.
I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss.
That’s where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.
Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
Your authority is my strength and my peace.
The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.
You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight.
You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit.
You give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows.
So why would I fear the future?
Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life.
Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc
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.
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.
Vacancy
An opportunity exists for willing persons local to the church to become respondents to any security alarm events needing investigation at the church. Work may be at random hours and in most cases have proven minor. However, these incidents do require a physical check of the facilities to ensure security is maintained. All expressions of interest please contact Stephen, Belinda or the office on 8263 5087 or mark security on your connect card.
Musicians Wanted
Seeking people interested in being involved in the church’s music ministry i.e., playing in the bands. We are particularly looking for drummers, guitarists, and keyboard players. Interested people can contact Merv Thiele, Michael Gower, or the church office on 82635087.
Lutheran Care
Thank you for the great start to our support for Lutheran Care through our first food collection for 2023. As usual your support was very generous. On Tuesday Lutheran Care collected 43 bags crammed full of groceries. This will be used to support struggling families in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.
Family Hub Support Team
Thank You from Family Hub
Over the last month we have requested a lounge on behalf of the Family Zone. This week a very good lounge was donated by a generous member.
We received the following thank you from Kerry MacGrath Manager at Family Zone.
Today we received a very pleasant surprise delivery – a great lounge. It has been set up in one of our rooms that is used for meetings and to provide a calm space for our participants who might be feeling overwhelmed.
Once again Family Zone asks for some help from Good Shepherd and look what you delivered. You are helping to create a welcoming space where dignity and inclusion are at the centre of what we do.
Please don’t underestimate how much you are valued at Family Zone.
A big thank you to Peter for arranging the transportation.
Connect Cards
Please fill in a connect card as you walk in the church as it is the only way we can connect with you!
Good Shepherd Country Drive
Come along for a family outing, drive along a beautiful green country road. Have lunch and join in and play some games, but most of all have some great fellowship. Also bring afternoon tea for mystery location.
Venue: Federation Park Gumeracha
Date: Sunday 12th March
Time: 12.15pm (at the park)
BYO Lunch, drinks & games + table and chairs if you have them.
Third time lucky!!!
Meet and Eat Fundraising
On Sunday, 19th March at 2.00pm at the Good Shepherd church, the Meet and Eat Ministry invites you all to a concert.
Entry for children will be free!!
Come and be entertained by the Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia and support us raise money for our Meet and Eat Ministry.
$20 a ticket includes afternoon tea. Tickets are now available. Contact Peter Weckert for more info on 0404313892
Family Support Coordinator News, From Georgie
School Snippets
Welcome Party reflection!
With approximately 1200 in attendance, our Welcome Party ‘Many Cultures – One Community’ proved a sensational success, providing a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in celebration! The relaxed fellowship shared on Friday evening was a very clear indicator of the incredible health of our community and an expression of our desire to be back together, post pandemic.
“To like many people spontaneously and without effort is perhaps the greatest of all sources of personal happiness.” – Bertrand Russell
Over my career in schools, there are only a few things that stand out as truly powerful catalysts for maximising student learning and success. One of those factors is ‘community and connectedness’. This is the reason why we invest so heavily at Good Shepherd in people and the development and growth of quality relationships.
My sincere thanks and congratulations to all of those who contributed to the success of the event. It is good to laugh together, to take time out to talk. Thank you to the church volunteers who not only kept us well supplied with ice-creams but helped keep our facility and environs clean and tidy!
This wouldn’t be possible without a wonderful organising team, their hard work, selfless commitment, attention to detail and smiling faces. They were tested and challenged, particularly with a constantly changing weather forecast.
Thank you, God, of course, for the beautiful balmy evening and the fun and fellowship we all enjoyed!
David
For more of what we’ve been up to have a look at this week’s GSPV School Newsletter via this link: https://bit.ly/3INuNM5
Chapel Invitation
On Wednesday, we enjoyed Pastor Joel Cramer’s message ‘Come as you are- doubting’. Please read this week’s devotion for his reflection. Next week our theme continues with ‘Come as you are: left out/ lonely’.
You are most welcome to join us! Chapel begins at 8:50am. Join us for a coffee afterwards! Look forward to seeing you soon!
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church family,
Sometimes we rattle off words in quick succession without thinking about them or absorbing the depth of their meaning. ‘Jesus loves me’ for example. This week’s GFH resource invites you to spend some time reflecting on and asking some questions about God’s love for us. What makes you feel loved? How do we show love? How is God’s love like human love? How is it different? God so loved the world he gave us Jesus…
As mentioned last week, throughout Lent I will be sharing activities and ideas to explore … Today’s resource involves sowing seeds, literally… Watch them grow and bring new life as Easter approaches!
Little Lambs Playgroup
Our Little Lambs Playgroup has been on hiatus throughout 2022. We have certainly been blessed in previous years with wonderful volunteers who have served in this area. We are currently exploring the possibility for this program to run again. We are looking for a team of people to serve families with little ones in this way. Sharing time together, chatting over a coffee as little one’s play is its own reward. Creating an environment where relationships can be formed and nurtured is a wonderful area of ministry! 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 here or chat with me sometime about this valuable opportunity.
Devotions
We give thanks for all those who have contributed to our online devotions this year. Now we are looking for more! If you have one or more of your own that you would like to share, please send them through to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Office News
Morning Tea and Coffee
Unfortunately, the coffee machine is unserviceable. You are most welcome to come and enjoy the free percolated and instant coffee along with tea.
Sale Again!!- A Chair That Can Do It All
Multi-purpose comfy red chairs available for sale that can perfectly fit into your indoors or outdoors and easily stackable too! For a donation come along and purchase them and the history stays on!
Name Badge Request
The cost for a Name Badge is $12. If you would like to order one then, contact the church office on 0882635087 or send an email to: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Weekly News Items
Weekly news items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or krishna.vasani@paravista.org.au by Wednesday Evening. Out of hours please leave a message on the answering system 08 8263 5087 or email the office and staff will respond as soon as they are able.
“…But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.”
Job 23:10-11
Safe Church
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell.
In observing Christ’s command to love one another, we are to treat each other with respect and dignity. In honoring people, we are also fulfilling our responsibility under the law of the land. The LCA and Good Shepherd Para Vista is committed to implementing processes to ensure the church is a safe place. If anyone feels they have been subjected to sexual abuse or harassment in any form by anyone who holds a position of trust in the church, please contact:
P: 1800 644 628 E: report.abuse@safeplace.lca.org.au
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-Friday 9am-3pm (closed 12:30pm-1:30pm for lunch)
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
