Advent: The Repentance of God – From Law to Love

How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb?  Does this riddle apply to you?  So, here’s the Good News – it’s not about you.  It’s about God, and it’s about how change and transformation were part of his story long before it was part of ours.  From Guilt to Grace – From Law to Love – From Lost to Life – The Repentance of God.  See you there!

Pr. Albert Gast

Bible Reading for this Week: Mark 2:23-28 (NIV)

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.

Christmas Service Times at Good Shepherd 

Come along and celebrate the birth of baby Jesus with us!

GSPV Half Yearly Meeting Wrap Up

The half yearly AGM was held last Sunday the 21st of November, in conjunction with a call meeting. Thank you to all those that attended and participated in this year’s meeting.

Some notable outcomes from the meeting:

• A motion was passed unanimously that GSPV support Woman Ordination. This information will be considered by our delegate at the next Synod.
• The following Board Members were voted in: Lindsay Freund (Chair), Joel Schwarz (Vice Chair), Dean Bartley (Finance Team Leader), Belinda Konrad (Secretary) and Ben McAleer (Board Member).
• A Child safe presentation was put before the congregation and all members were asked to consider undertaking the training. Tina Pfeiffer has been appointed by the board to assist Stephen Zanker as an additional Child safe coordinator.
• The congregation then moved to call Pastor David Schmidt as their next Pastor. Usually, four weeks is allowed for the consideration of the call. Please keep Pastor David and his family in your prayers as he considers our call.

Gods Blessings,
GSPV Board

Grow Team

The Grow Team has completed its 2-year journey with Grow Ministries exploring why we need to change our church culture.  Each team member is now being released into the ministry area that they have felt led to serve by the Holy Spirit.  We will take with us that we have learnt over the last couple of years into these ministry areas. We will continue as a team, and we’ll meet three times a year to support and encourage one another in our roles and to continue fostering our vision of “A community which intentionally develops intergenerational relationships to grow our faith in Jesus so that he can continue to build his kingdom here now. “Thank you for your support of our team over the last couple of years as we have brought before you areas where we can improve how we connect and care for one another to be the church that Jesus wants us to be.

Kathy Liebig
Grow Team Leader

Calling For Pastoral Care Team Coordinators

Our church community is seeking for a person or persons to assist in coordinating the Pastoral care for our community.

If you are interested and believe you have gifts to serve our church family in this way, please come and speak to Cess Wesselingh after the service or write it on your connect card so he can get in touch with you and explain this further.

Calling For Church Volunteers

As from November we are hoping to offer Holy Communion twice a month for each service.  However, to be able to do this successfully we will need more volunteers.  The areas we need help include setting up, serving, and clearing up. None of these are big tasks and full training will be given.

We are also looking for volunteers at both services to serve as Worship Hosts and Welcomers, and to help serve morning tea.

Please prayerfully consider this request and notify the office if you feel called to serve.

Family Support Coordinator News, From Georgie

Christmas Eve Service

Christmas is coming!

If your young (or young at heart)  people would like to participate in our Good Shepherd Christmas Eve Family Service at 5:30pm please contact Georgie here. We are looking for people to help with some speaking parts as we tell the Christmas story ‘From Darkness to Light’. I’m also looking for a few helpers on the night to assist in different ways too! Even if you are just wanting to come along on the night, we would love to see you there as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! So… Bring your children or your grandchildren! While not compulsory, you might like to bring a LED light from home to add to the atmosphere…

Growing Faith at Home

Dear Church Family,

Advent is a time of preparing… There is quite a lot to do as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. But Advent is also a time to get ready for Jesus… not only for his birthday, but his return… Have a look at this week’s GFH for some ideas to think about and try out!

This week you will find copies of the last edition of the Grow Together magazine in the café area. Inside you will find some interesting research about the stages of faith development in young people. You will also find ways to create an inviting environment to nurture faith in your family…There is even an Advent activity for you to do as a family on the back. Pick one up!

SPIN Camp

Do you like camping and sharing time with other people who like to have fun? Here’s an idea!  SPIN is a four-day, three-night, state-wide camp in January for young people in years 4-6 (in 2022) to experience an inclusive and encouraging community and grow in relationship with Jesus and others. This year’s theme is ‘Who am I?’ Significant sponsorship is offered to first time campers by the LLL. (Only $20 admin fee.) Leaders who have already participated in SPIN camps before are eligible for a church discount. While the location is listed as Camp Kedron at Barmera, organisers are looking for another site to host the event due to recent flooding. Will keep you posted for updates! For more information contact Georgie here, then head to SPIN  to register.

School Snippets

One of the highlights for the week was our Blessing Chapel service for our ELC (Early Learning Centre) Curiosity four-year-old’s.  This week’s devotion gives you an idea of what was shared. Have a read! Another highlight was that one of the learning teams came over to visit the Social Club on Thursday afternoon, sharing a couple of songs and some Christmas cards. An experience enjoyed by everyone there! For more of what the school has been up to please check out our School Newsletter via this link: https://bit.ly/3OXzoxF If you would like to have a hard copy of the newsletter, Georgie is more than happy to organize one for you!

Chapel Invitation

Next week you are welcome to join us for School Worship as the Year 6 students present Chapel. This time of worship will also incorporate Awards Presentations for out graduating students. Come along for worship, coffee and a chat! (Face masks will be required for parents and visitors. To enter, please come in via the courtyard (not the Montague Road main entrance). Please note this service is scheduled to being at 8:45am.

KAPS summary- 27th November 2022

WOW what an afternoon! This last KAPS event certainly was an awesome way to finish of the year with Christmas in November theme. We had lots of Christmas activities for all ages to participate in including painting candles, decorating baubles, making paper chains and newspaper stars, and the most exciting one, decorating honey biscuits- YUM! With an extended event time, the kids, parents and helpers were able to pick and choose which activities to do, some even trying to do all of them. After completing the activities, we moved into the church, had worship with a live band and an awesome message from Georgie, reminding us of what the true meaning of Christmas is- instead of worrying about the cherries, presents etc. Dinner was served with some delicious food and great company.

KAPS this year has been a blessing for so many people with over 100 people coming through and being blessed by the activities, worship and fellowship. Creating new relationships was the focus for these events, and I think we definitely have achieved that goal. We are looking forward to what happens next year with these events and the friendships that follow. Rachel

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

“…He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Ruth 4:15

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