Dealing With Doubt

All Christians experience doubts at times. John the Baptist shows us what to do when the devil whispers such thoughts into our ears. He points us to Jesus.

Pr. Steen Olsen

Bible Reading for this Week: Matthew 11:2-11 (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!

Bringing Joy to Christmas

 Lutheran Care were very surprised at the quantity of food and gifts in our November collection and thank you for your generosity.

Although this was delivered to their Blair Athol site much will be returned to the Ingle Farm Family Hub in the form of Christmas food hampers and presents for children. The Hub will be distributing 21 Christmas food hampers. In these 21 families there are over 60 children who will each receive Christmas presents.

Thank you for your support and for the joy you will bring to these families.

100 Hearts Project

“A big Thankyou is sent from the students and staff at East Para Primary School to the lovely people at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.”

The hearts have been an incredibly blessing that has lifted the spirits of more than 100 students and staff.

I went into each of the three classes that had been relocated due to storm damage and shared a story about how my church friends wanted the children to know that they care about them.

I handed each student their own little soft heart and tag. The students all very excitedly hugged and treasured their hearts, feeling the joy and care.

The school principals were overjoyed to know others cared about our school. They really appreciated their hearts and the beautiful gesture of GSLC.

The front office staff were so thrilled that they put an article in the school newsletter.

The students’ comments and hugs blessed my heart and encouraged me as a Pastoral Care Worker at East Para Primary.

THANKYOU so much Mary Jo, Julie and Good Shepherd for the joy this has brought to our school community. God brings good out of everything even storm damage.

Blessings,
Cynthia

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

Growing Faith at Home

Dear Church Family,

Advent is a time of preparing… Long ago, Jesus’ cousin John encouraged all who would listen to prepare for Jesus’ arrival. We too look forward to the day Jesus returns.  Have a look at this week’s GFH for some ideas to think about and perhaps do as a family!

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…

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, statewide 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.) Due to flooding in the Riverland, SPIN camp will now be held at Glenhaven Park at Stockport (approx. 20 minutes from Gawler).

For more information contact Georgie here, then head to SPIN  to register.

School Snippets

In last week’s Weekly News, we mentioned that some of our 4-year-old ELC students visited the Social Club to share some Christmas cheer! Here is what some of the children thought of the experience… ‘I liked it ‘cos I like lots of old people… they clapped!’ ‘I liked it ‘cos they said Merry Christmas to me, and I didn’t even ask them to! I’d like to do it again ‘cos it was fun. They looked kind of like you… brown eyes and hair and stuff’.  ‘I liked singing and I like ‘This Little Light of Mine.’ It was fun doing the dance. They would have liked it because it was singing.’ The Year Six students presented a great Christmas message at Chapel.

Please check out this week’s Christmas devotion by one of our teachers, Claudia. there! For more of what the school has been up to please check out our School Newsletter via this link: https://bit.ly/3BnbZAi If you would like to have a hard copy of the newsletter, Georgie is more than happy to organize one for you!

Chapel Invitation

Our final Chapel for the year will be next Tuesday (the last day of school for the children). Please note the different day! It will begin at 9:00am. We will celebrate the year, worship together and acknowledge departing and long serving staff.  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).

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

“…Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!”

Job 12:2

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