Choose Kindness

We live in an increasingly polarised and cynical society. There is deep division, mistrust and hurt. Sometimes we find ourselves caught up in this fragmentation and we find it seeping into our lives, our homes, our schools, and our churches.

When Saint Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he was writing to a church that was thriving in the midst of some big challenges and sorrows. Instead of fragmenting and falling apart – they were “falling together”. This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham unpacks 3 lessons from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church, titled “Choose Kindness”.

Pr. Stephen Abraham

Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-15 (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.

Easter Worship Planning Team

If you are interested in joining the Easter Worship planning team, please see Merv or Ros Thiele or contact the church office.

Food Collections for Lutheran Care

Our first food collection for 2023 will be on Sunday February 26th at both services. 

Requests from Lutheran Care for February:

Tea
Coffee
Sugar
Pasta Sauce
2-minute noodles
Soap

We thank you for your very generous support throughout 2022 and hopefully this will continue through 2023 so Lutheran Care can continue to support families in need in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

Family Hub Support Team

Request from Family Hub

The Family Hub need to replace some old lounges. which have worn out due to constant use. They are seeking lounges that can be easily wiped down and cleaned as they are used by young children. If you have a suitable lounge or want more details. Contact Peter Nitschke 0418868103

SYNOD News

Please pray for our church SYNOD and delegates as they make decisions that drive the future direction of the LCA.

Closing worship

The closing worship service commences at 9.30am (AEDT) on Sunday, 12 February 2023, will be livestreamed from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The link can be found on the General Synod website at Worship and Prayer.

Synod offering

The Synod offering will support the Finke River Mission songbook project (full details here). Members can donate to the Synod offering via the LLL (details below) or, a cheque (payable to: LCA Synod and passed to the church office.

LLL account details
Click here to do it directly to the LLL LCA Synod account or use the details below.
Name of account: LCA Synod
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100698743

District Synod – Call for Delegates

Good Shepherd is seeking delegates for the 50th LCA SA-NT District Convention of Synod to be held on Saturday 20th May and Sunday 21st May 2023 at Encounter Lutheran College, Victor Harbor. 

We are entitled to three delegates.  Delegates are elected for a two-year period, in this case 2023-2024, and assist with decision making for the District. 

Please contact the church office or Lindsay Freund if you would like to be involved, and for further information.

I ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity to represent in the life of Good Shepherd and the wider Church.

Update on PNG Project From Ian Hutchinson

Thank you to all who have wonderfully given to support the building project of Wycliffe Bible Translators member, Hanna Schulz in PNG.  Hanna is also an Australian Lutheran.

The construction of the village dormitory building has begun, so that the Kope people can travel to her village and be accommodated while they are trained to translate and share Bible stories with their own people.

The amount needed for this project is $183,000, of which 43% has so far been raised.

To give to the dorm building project, please visit this link: PNG DORMITORY PROJECT In this way, we can continue to be involved in building the church in PNG, as South Australian Lutherans have done for many years!

Pastoral Care Calls Before Christmas

Thank you for everyone’s participation and connecting with our community.

Can all those who made calls, give the call sheets back to Cees, or drop them into the office before 12th of February so, we can collate all the information and if required follow up enquiries.

I pray God blessed you as you blessed others with your call. Blessings 

Cees Wesselingh

Ladies Fellowship

The first meeting of Ladies Fellowship is on 7th February.
Time: 12 noon
BYO lunch, coffee and tea provided.
If you haven’t received a copy of the 2023 program, they will be available on the day. We have an exciting year planned.

Please ask members of your small group, social club, or friends to come and join us!
Opening devotion followed by sharing the highlights of 2022. yes, there were some!
Apologies and enquiries to Di Schlenk on 0409 820 448.

Fellowship and Fun

On Sunday 12th February, from 1pm in the church hall. Come along and enjoy sharing time over some friendly games. All welcome!

BYO drinks, nibbles, afternoon tea.

A gold coin donation on arrival would be appreciated, and tea/coffee is available.

Activities for the afternoon will include cards, board games and carpet bowls – if you can’t play, then come and learn!

Contact Peter Schlenk for more details on 0419 217 767.

We aim to provide a welcoming, enjoyable afternoon of conversation and fun and look forward to seeing you there.

Young Adults February Event

What better way to kick off the new year and cool off from the heat than with a pool party! Join us for our first event for 2023!

We’ll also have a barbecue with meat provided but please bring drinks, a salad and/or snacks to share. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, bathers, a towel, and goggles!

Christa Schwarz

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 will be available from next week at the church office. See Peter Weckert for more info!

Young Adults Welcome Event 2023 hosted by Blueprint Ministries

This a welcome event for Young Adults who have moved to the city for work or study or who are already working/studying in Adelaide. An opportunity to network with others and get to know other Christian young people.

Family Support Coordinator News, From Georgie

Growing Faith at Home

Dear Church Family,

The title for this week’s GFH is ‘Jesus calls us to be salt and light for him’. A little salt brings out the flavour in food, light illuminates the world around us. This week’s resource offers ideas of how you can encourage others around you. You might come up with some ideas of your own.

I would also like to flag a few other GFH resources. Using the 4 keys Pastor Rolly shared last year (Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service and Rituals/ Traditions) GFH offers ideas for you to use with your family (children or grandchildren) as they either begin school, return to school, begin secondary school, or begin year 12. These ideas help to nurture faith and strengthen your relationships within your family. Talking with children about their concerns and aspirations and blessing your children with prayer all play their part. Copies will be available on the pin up board and the stands in the café. Electronic copies are available with this newsletter and will be accessible on our website for a month. Why not have a look?

Little Lambs

Dear Church Family,

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.  Is it time to revisit this opportunity to share God’s love with little people and their families/ carers?  Do you have a heart for little ones? Or do you know someone who does?  Our community values opportunities to connect with others. 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.

Will keep you posted on Little Lamb’s next chapter. Watch this space!

School Snippets

Schools are always better full of children and families, and we were excited to open our doors and welcome everyone from Years 1 to 6 back on Wednesday morning. There were smiles galore, a few butterflies in tummies and plenty of chatter as we came together as a family once again. We began the day with Chapel, focusing on the firm foundation we have in God, his love, faithfulness and promises. Have a look at this week’s devotion for a reflection of what was shared. With our Good Shepherd as our guide, we can approach this year with optimism and confidence! As children followed their teachers into their classes, many families stayed back and enjoyed coffee (thank you to the school volunteers who served behind the counter). Warm conversation flowed. It is lovely to be together once again. For more of what we have been up to, pick up a copy of our school newsletter in the church café.

Chapel Invitation

What are you up to at 10 to 9 (8:50am) on a Wednesday morning? We would love for you to join us for Chapel.  Next week we begin a new theme of ‘Come as you are’. You are welcome to stay behind afterward for some coffee and conversation. Georgie is always looking for people to serve beverages from behind the counter and connect as a Good Shepherd Community. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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

“… But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Galatians 5:22-23

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