Blessing: What It Is, What It Isn’t, Why it’s Powerful?
How’s this…
God bless you! I give you, my blessing. In worship we hear this word bandied about. But what does it actually mean? This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham will explore what Scripture tell us about blessing; what it is, what it isn’t and how it is to be used.
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV) & Ephesians 1:1-3 (NCV)
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.
GSPV Finance Update
The following is an update on our finances for GSPV.
In the budget approved at our Half Yearly meeting in November 2022 we provided for annual offerings and donations of $450,000. By 30th April, we planned to have received $150,000.
As of 30th April 2023, our donations were $95,000, a shortfall of $55,000.
Our overspend to 30th April 2023 is $55,000.
Our expenditure to this date is as expected with the shortfall equal to our fall in income.
I ask congregational members to prayerfully review their giving and consider increasing their weekly commitment.
Dean Bartley (Treasurer)
Thank you for continued support!
Once again, your support for the food collection for Lutheran Care has been fantastic. Food donated in our May collection has already been distributed to families in need.
Request for this month is:
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Coffee
Cereal
Rice
Soap
Dishwashing liquid
Family Support Team
KAPS (Kids and Parents) Event- Just Around the Corner!
Only two sleeps to go before our next KAPS event. We are looking forward to hearing from guests representing ALWS, Maranatha Health and Stamps for Missions as part of our Service theme. An afternoon of interactive activities, worship, and dinner. Bring your children and your grandchildren! Get to know new friends. Love to see you on Sunday!
Rachel and Georgie
Young Adults
We look forward to seeing all of you in Two Wells for a warm (hopefully) night of staring into the flames. Looking forward to seeing you all then on 1st July. Please RSVP to Christa Schwarz on 0456 182 338
Good Shepherd Lutheran Ladies Fellowship Lunch
Ladies Fellowship invites you to mid-year Fundraising Lunch- A tasty two course meal including introductory mocktails. This year we are supporting Hope Stahl, daughter of Pastor Rolly and Mrs. Leanne Stahl. Hope is undertaking a two-year apprenticeship with Evangelical Students at the University of Adelaide and TAFE SA City campus.
Date: 4th July
Venue: 388 Montague Rd Para Vista
Time: 12 noon for 12:30pm
Cost: $30
As this is a catered event, payment will be required by RSVP.
Special Guest speaker: Alan Starks- “A Tasty History of Chocolate” Sampling included!
RSVP to Di Schlenk by 27th June Ph 0409 820448 or pdschlenk@internode.on.net
Retreat 2023
Captivating Women’s retreat 2023- There is still time to register for the women’s retreat being held at Yankalilla 3rd August – 6th August. The early bird registration closes 30th June. See the website for more info. https://www.thegoalislife.com/en/product/captivating/ or speak to Kylie Woithe, as you may be able to get it cheaper via her group booking.
The Men’s retreat- 24th -27th August. https://www.thegoalislife.com/en/product/made-for-more/
Community Family Support News
JC Life Kids Camp
Do you like camping and sharing time with other people who like to have fun? Here’s an idea for the school holidays! Junior Christian Life (JC Life) is a four-day, three-night, camp for young people in years 4-6 to meet others and grow in their relationship with God. Significant sponsorship is offered to first time campers by the LLL. Only $20 admin fee! (If this is not your first camp, talk to Georgie as there is a smaller sponsorship available.) The camp will be at Camp Kedron, Barmera. There will be a bus heading out from Adelaide. Pick up a postcard from the front office! For more information either chat with or contact Georgie here, or check out the camp section on the blueprint ministries website at: www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/jc-life
Alternately, you might like to head straight to JC Life for registration. Please note registrations close this coming Monday.
Growing Faith at Home
How have you been going with your family conversations this week? Just in case you missed it, I am re-sharing a Master Foods ad from a while ago called ‘Dinnertime Matters’. It offers some ‘food for thought’ as parents and then children offer perspectives on ‘who they would like to invite to dinner’. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHqfrpVcW4I
Growing Faith at Home resources encourage you to talk with family members or loved ones (whether they are at the table, that is up to you) at a time and place that suits your context. While they offer conversation starters that encourage faith, there is always the ‘share your highs and lows’ option.
This is a wonderful way to build your relationships and hear how others are going around you.
This week’s resource offers some conversation starters surrounding sharing the good news about Jesus. To get you started… ‘Is telling others about Jesus easy or hard for you? Why?’ This in-fact links with the Chapel message shared as we farewelled Mr Wilksch a few weeks ago.
School Snippets
Teachers have been busy over recent weeks preparing progressive reports for their students. These will be shared with families next week. On Wednesday, the Foundation students enjoyed their excursion to Gorge Wildlife Park. Highlights included watching the wonder in the children’s eyes, sharing in their excitement, answering curious questions, and observing the connections that they made. Of course, everyone was very grateful for the weather! For more information regarding what we’ve been up to, please click on this link: https://inewsletter.co/J1WDLx/latest Printed copies are available in the café area and Georgie is happy to arrange a copy for you if you would like.
Chapel Invitation
Pastor Stephen Abraham shared his story with us this week in Chapel and spoke about Job’s journey. Please look at this week’s devotion and click on the links that will take you to the ‘Messages of Hope’ documentaries. There is a playlist, and his story is called ‘Chronic’. His story gives viewers a glimpse into the impact his injury has had on him, his faith and his carers/family. I encourage you to have a look! Next week our theme of ‘Intriguing stories from the bible’ concludes with some students presenting a summary of our Chapel messages this term. You are most welcome to join us. Please note: Closing Chapel (for the term) will take place on Friday morning at 8:50am instead of our usual Wednesday. You, of course, are most welcome to join us! We would love to see you!
Step Up to Communion
Young people aged around 10 years, together with their parents/ caregivers, are invited to take part in our Step-Up program to prepare for Holy Communion. Taking the approach that parents/ carers are the primary faith developer in their children, Step Up is designed to support parents/carers in preparing their child for Holy Communion.
This course will be offered next term over 4 consecutive Friday nights (August 11th, 18th, 25th and September 1st) with a Sunday communion service to follow. If you are interested, please contact Georgie here by Friday 4th August. Look forward to hearing from you!
Georgie
Maranatha Health
It’s been another incredible year for Maranatha Health. Thanks to financial support from so many of you, there is positive, lasting change happening in Uganda. As we look ahead to a new financial year, we invite the Good Shepherd Church community to help us further the encouraging growth in outcomes we are seeing in Uganda.
Please visit www.maranathahealth.org/eofy to give today.
Maranatha Health is an organisation our church community supports, which brings sustainable development, community empowerment and healthcare to poor communities in Uganda. Over the past year they have seen some incredible growth in impact, such as an increase in patient numbers, and an absolute flourishing of a ‘Village Health Leader ‘program where locals educate their own communities on important messages around health issues like sanitation and food hygiene. They’re inviting us to support them through an end of financial year donation, so that they can continue this encouraging growth in outcomes. Donations are tax deductible and can be made either through the Maranatha Health website, or by bank transfer. Scan the QR code or visit the website on the screen to donate.
Leanne Stahl’s Solo Art Exhibition
From 10th- 25th June, I am having a solo art exhibition of around 20 paintings at a community gallery in Tranmere, (Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore Street, Tranmere) to which you are all welcome.
The gallery is open Thursday 10am – 3pm, and Weekends 12-4pm.
It is on the theme of ‘Flourishing’ in this season and in my art style.
I will also be there each Sat and Sun afternoon “sitting the exhibition” and happy to share about my artwork.
I would love to see you there.
Leanne Stahl
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
Tea and coffee are available after Sunday services, and you are most welcome to come and enjoy the free percolated and instant coffee and tea.
Connect Cards
Connect Cards are available as you enter worship. Please complete the card using pencils which are available from holders on the side of chairs in the worship centre. They may be placed in bowls provided at exits as you leave. Connect Cards may be used for comments, small group or prayer requests, or to communicate with office or Pastoral Care staff.
Weekly News Items
Weekly News items are to be sent churchenquiries@paravista.org.au / krishna.vasani@paravista.org.au by Wednesday Evening. Out of hours please leave a message on the answering system 8263 5087 or email the office and staff will respond as soon as they are able.
Name Badge Request
The cost for a replacement name badge is $12. If you would like to order one, contact the church office on 8263 5087 or send an email to: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Diary Dates 2023
June
10th-25th June Leanne Stahl’s Solo Art Exhibition
25th June 4-7pm KAPS
25th June Lutheran Care food collection
July
1st July 4pm Young Adults- Bonfire and BBQ
4th July 12pm Ladies Fellowship lunch
9th July 1-4pm Friendship and fun afternoon (in the church hall)
10th – 13th July JC Life camp at Barmera for Years 4-7
10th – 14th July Metro CLW Camp at Pt Hughes for years 7-12
29th July 6pm KAPS Movie Night and Sleepover
“…All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 16:17 (NLT)
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
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388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
