Encounters with Jesus 1: Caiaphas – Threatened
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.
Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.
March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened
March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship
March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come
March 27: Peter – Tested
April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed
April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations
April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal
April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised
April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles. As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.
This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened
How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?
I often get stewed up inside. As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”
But then we need to ask: “Who is in control? Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”
Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.
After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.
Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story.
Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Bible Reading: John 11:45-57 (see also John 18:12-14, 19-24, 28)
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 Accepts Call
Last Sunday I announced my acceptance of the call to St John’s Tea Tree Gully. Here’s what I shared with the Good Shepherd family about reaching that decision:
In our Lutheran Church, there are always vacant congregations looking to call a new pastor. For my first 11 years at Good Shepherd, I had a variety of reasons for not being open to a call (e.g. children’s education, things on the go here at Good Shepherd).
During 2021 this changed. So when congregations asked if there was any reason why I would NOT consider a call, my response was that I’d be open to a call in late 2021 or early 2022.
After Pr Reid left in October 2021, I felt some responsibility for pastoring the congregation through the vacancy – and was no longer sure about being open to a call.
Then in late January 2022, I received the call from St John’s. A number of you expressed a desire for us to stay – yet with understanding and support if God wanted us to move on. We have indeed valued and appreciated your love and prayers over these weeks!
About a week or so into the call process, I realised that even if I accepted the call, Good Shepherd would still make its way through this season of transition. Here’s why. Jesus is the Lord of the Church and our Good Shepherd. The life, health and future of this congregation doesn’t depend on me, but on the Holy Spirit and every person who is part of the body of Christ here. From that point on, I felt a freedom to stay; and a freedom to leave.
After 12 years of feeling very much at home at Good Shepherd, with people who have loved and supported us, the possibility of moving from what’s familiar and comfortable to another congregation where we’d need to start from scratch has been challenging.
After praying and wrestling over this decision – with some heaviness of heart about leaving you – we have come to a settled sense of peace in accepting the call to St John’s.
We appreciate this may be difficult for some of you – just as it is for us.
At this stage, my last Sunday as your pastor will be May 1st. Before starting at St John’s, we must take all accumulated annual leave, followed by 2 weeks of relocation leave. Tentatively, this will mean moving across in mid-June, with an installation in early July.
I dearly want us to finish well. Yes, there will be sorrow, snot and tears! That is normal and healthy where there has been mutual love and respect between people. Yet let’s also enjoy and savour the next 2 months we have together. Knowing we are much loved children of Father God, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and encourage one another to keep cracking on!
Joy and Peace in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
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.
Having Your Child Baptised
Having Your Child Baptised is a short course to help parents and families prepare for their first baptism at Good Shepherd.
Our next course commences Wednesday March 9th at 7:30pm at Good Shepherd and continues for the next two Wednesday evenings (March 16, 23).
For more info and how to register: https://paravista.org.au/contact-us/baptism/
School Snippets
40th Anniversary Commemorative Wines and Video
Your last chance to secure a selection of Good Shepherd Lutheran School 40th Anniversary wines, is now!
Late last year we joined with Prospect Wines to offer a selection of six wines to help raise funds for our school community, and to help commemorate our school’s 40th anniversary.
Thank you for your support! A final opportunity exists to participate.
Order online for delivery direct to your door: https://bit.ly/3sHcJvW
The rich history and stories of the past 40 years also came together in a video documentary. Enjoy! https://bit.ly/34b1Bhy
Chapel
Have you joined us for Chapel this year? While we are still unable to gather in large groups, our weekly whole-of-school worship remains a priority and is being delivered digitally for classes and families to share in. We invite you to join us: https://bit.ly/3720JNq
This week Pastor Rolly talked about the adventures of David’s Mighty Men. You might like to read his reflection in this week’s devotion! https://bit.ly/35PiXkr
Family Support Coordinator News
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
We are now in the season of Lent, a time of reflection in the lead up to Easter. Along with our regular Growing Faith at Home resources, I will be sharing some Lenten ideas you might like to try. Today’s offering requires ‘time to grow’. I have also included some more Family Service ideas as a follow up to Pastor Rolly’s message last Sunday. They are both on the website at https://paravista.org.au/ministries/children-family-ministry/
God bless your week!
Georgie
Little Lambs Update
Dear Church Family,
Do you have a heart for little ones? Our community values opportunities to connect with families with little ones. Little Lambs Playgroup for 2022 is currently under construction. 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 at georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au or chat with me sometime about this valuable opportunity.
Will keep you posted on Little Lamb’s next chapter. Watch this space!
Blessings,
Georgie
Office News
COVID Update
Our hospitality restrictions have further eased, and we are now permitted to seat up to 118 people in the hall area for functions, and 55 people in the café. Eating or drinking indoors can now be done so whilst standing. Thanks to all who have respected these requirements and continued to make our place of worship a safe place. Remember to be vigilant in keep the ventilation open and cleaning the facility after each use/spraying with sanitiser (DO NOT wipe as this only spreads the bacteria.)
While we still have restrictions in place (including wearing of masks and distancing) we are still required to QR into the facility at all times.
Holy Communion – Serving
Holy Communion will be celebrated again from March 2022. Please respect the COVID requirements as directed by the worship leader.
Professional Standards/Safe Church Training
Good Shepherd will be conducting Safe Church refresher training on Saturday morning 19th March 2022. Registration can be completed here: https://bit.ly/355HK3k
Over the next few weeks, you will be contacted by Tina Pfeiffer if your qualifications are about to expire or require updating. If you haven’t completed Safe Church Training, please make use of the following opportunity to participate in keeping Good Shepherd a place of safety.
If you are a part of any ministry including a small group who engages with children or vulnerable persons, you are required to participate in level 1 training. Any person in a leadership or governance roll is required to complete level 2 training. Further information can be found at https://www.sant.lca.org.au/departments/psd/
Tea Tree Gully Orchestra
The Tea Tree Gully Orchestra are looking for a pianist to join them. They practise in the school music suite on Monday nights, from 7:30pm – 9:30pm. If interested, please contact Ruth Russell for more details, on 0404 629 764.
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
