At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation
Do you ever wonder about the legacy you are leaving behind?
What do you want to pass on to the next generations?
What important things do you want your loved ones to ‘get’ from your life? How are you modelling, encouraging, or helping that to happen?
Many of us lament over children, grandchildren, or ‘once close friends’ who are no longer walking with Jesus or connecting with his Church. We may have feelings of deep sorrow, personal failure about that. We may find ourselves worrying over how things are in their lives now, and anxious about their eternal destiny.
As Pr. Peter mentioned last Sunday, there’s no point reading them the riot act! If we want to influence them positively for Jesus, then they need to experience the kindness and favour of Jesus through us. And we need to keep praying for them!
In our households and networks of relationships, how can share the fullness of life in Jesus across the generations? How can the Holy Spirit help us to nurture our precious young persons in the faith, so they have a better chance of doing life with Jesus as adults?
Acknowledging that we ALL need God’s help to pass on the faith to the next generations, our February worship series at Good Shepherd will be:
At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation.
Each Sunday, we will explore one of four ‘faith practices’ for our households:
- Caring Conversations
- “God-talk” in All its Forms
- Family Rituals and Traditions
- Family Acts of Service
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships. This Sunday we will talk about ‘learning the language of faith, hope and love’ by regularly practicing it in our households. And we will look at the first key to building relationships: Caring Conversations.
In Jesus’ name, I ask our Heavenly Father to fill us with his Holy Spirit: that each of us will be so secure in the Father’s love that the next generations will experience Jesus through us – and do life with him forever! Please join me in praying this for all the families of our Good Shepherd community.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Bible Readings:
Matthew 18:1-6,10-14 Jesus highlights the importance of children.
Ephesians 4:29 Our words are to build up others.
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.
Pr. Rolly has Received a Call
I announced last Sunday that I have received an invitation/call to be the pastor for the people of St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully. For me, the process involves trying to get a clear picture of St John’s – and how I might fit into that picture; and then discerning whether or not it is God’s timing to move on.
We have about 4 weeks to either accept or decline this call. Leanne and I are asking the Lord to lead and guide us through this process and response. With the connections we have forged with you over the last 12 years, this is not an easy decision. I would value your prayers and understanding. If you have any thoughts or feelings about this, please share them with me.
Peace in Jesus,
Pr. Rolly
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.
Grow Team News
Have you heard of the 4 faith practices? For a number of years now Grow Ministries have been providing resources that follow these practices. These practices help us to pass on our faith to future generations and grow our faith in Jesus. These resources are available on our website. And each week Georgie selects from the resource a suggested faith practice and places it in the Weekly News.
This Sunday we begin our theme “At Home with Jesus”. Pastor Rolly will be focussing on “Caring Conversations”. Come prepared to share how this happens in your household or elsewhere. We would love to hear from people of all ages!
“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
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Dear Church family,
Each week I have the privilege to share a great resource called ‘Growing Faith at Home’. It offers 4 keys to assist you to nurture your faith at home. Great for families and friends. These include Caring Conversations, Devotions (or God Talk), Rituals and Traditions and Service (I also like the Creative Response suggestions!) Pastor Rolly will be unpacking these through the month of February. The title of this week’s resource is ‘Here I am, Send Me’. One of the Bible readings is about how Jesus called/gathered his disciples. Let’s focus on ‘Caring Conversations’ key. Along with your natural ‘How was your day?’, how about asking people you connect with what their highs and lows were? You could try out this one too… ‘Jesus calls his followers to be ‘fishers of people’? What does this mean? How does this make you feel? What does this look like in your life? There are also lots of other ideas to explore.
Have a wonderful week everyone, confident that Jesus is with us as we walk with him this year.
God’s Peace,
Georgie
Mobile Food Hub Coming to Modbury & Surrounds
Foodbank SA’s Mobile Food Hub is now visiting Modbury and Paradise. The Mobile Food Hub is a store on wheels, where people on a low income can access low-cost food and groceries. It is not designed to cover the entire cost of food shopping, but to supplement regular shopping by providing some basics for a small fee.
The Mobile Food Hub can be found outside St Luke’s Anglican Church, 25 Smart Road Modbury, from 10am-11:30am, every second Wednesday, and in St Martins Anglican Church car park, 3 Gorge Road Paradise from 1pm-2pm, with the next visit occurring on Wednesday 9th February and fortnightly thereafter. It can also be found in the Uniting Communities car park, 243 The Parade, Beulah Park from 11am-1pm on the alternate Wednesday. For further enquiries please call Sereena on 8351 1136 during office hours.
Office News
*Position Vacant*
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 and digital presence; and maintaining a front office environment. Further information is available on request from the Congregational Administrator stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au
If you know anyone who may be suitable for this position, please pass this information on to them.
Church Office
As staff work around the administration vacancy the church office may be temporarily closed at times. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you assist us by phoning in advance if you can. Staff will try to answer as available but please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Please note to assist staff the office will be closed Friday afternoons till a new staff member is appointed. Office hours will be:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Thursday: 9.00am to 3.00pm (closed for lunch from 12.30 to 1.30pm)
Friday: 9.00am to 12.30pm.
Tea and Coffee
We will endeavour to serve tea and coffee again this weekend, with room for 27 people to consume their beverages, seated, in the café area. Otherwise please collect your drink and utilise the outdoor courtyard space to connect with others, with thanks!
Safe Church Training
Full Face to Face training is available this Saturday 5th February at St Pauls Church Hall, 10 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf.
Session from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (sign-in from 8:45 am).
To register click on this link: https://bit.ly/3roEkBy
Registrations will still be accepted at the door. Morning Tea will be provided. You may have to provide your own lunch.
Holy Communion – Serving
Under the current COVID restrictions Holy Communion will not be celebrated for the month of February. We will be waiting for further easing of restrictions, reviewed weekly.
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
AED Device
A Defibrillator (AED) is located rear school alcove next to the Café playground. A key is on an orange tag next to security keypad in the café (small entry exit door). All members holding keys to the complex are to add to their security procedure the visibility of this key and if it not hanging on the hook to advise either the church or school office as soon as possible of its absence. First Aiders Please note where the unit and key are located, in case of emergency.
National Church Life Survey (NCLS)
Final Week!
Our church is participating in the 2021 National Church Life Survey, and you are invited to complete the Attender Survey.
The survey will ask you about your experiences of our church, your thoughts about our ministries and activities, as well as your personal spiritual beliefs or religious practices. The results of the survey will help our local church to assess our church health, understand our strengths and build directions for the future.
We invite you to take part in this survey. It will take around 15-20 minutes to complete. It is anonymous and confidential.
TO TAKE PART ONLINE:
For attenders over 15 years of age: https://attendersurvey.ncls.org.au/
For attenders aged 8 to 14 years: https://childsurvey.ncls.org.au/
Our Church Code: will have been supplied to you in the cover email alerting you to the news. We ask you to complete the Survey by 11 February 2022.
The Survey is designed by NCLS Research, as part of the 2021 National Church Life Survey and has ethics approval from Charles Sturt University. More information about the survey can be found at www.2021ncls.org.au/attender-survey
Sew So Good Masks
“Sew So Good” face masks help disadvantaged families in Cambodia survive the pandemic. Local Adelaide woman (Joy Marshall) has been selling face masks to raise funds for the past 18 months. The proceeds have funded many months of food relief, medicine and school uniforms for a vulnerable community of families in Phnom Penh. The pandemic has been extremely tough for them. Without welfare, the income from mask orders has thankfully helped families survive until better days return.
The face masks are $6 each and made to recommended specifications. The inside layer is a water-resistant fabric and the two outside layers cotton. They are expertly made by the women in the community and come in many stylish patterns plus black. Children’s masks are also available.
If you would like to support this cause , Di Ollino will be selling masks in the foyer next to the cafe after both services on Sunday 30th January and Sunday 6th February.
CASH only please.
Di Ollino
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 arrangements as mandated by the State Government. QR Code check-in is a legal requirement for all who enter the facility, as are masks except where exemptions apply. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code, please check in with a host or sign the records sheet with your name and telephone number. Physical distancing of 1.5 metres is required when not seated. This includes entering the building, attending Communion and while served tea & coffee. Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current distancing regulations. White floor markings are placed at 1.5m to assist you. 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-Friday 9am-3pm
Church Website: www.paravista.org.au Email: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
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388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
