Fake Performance or True Worship?
This Sunday is the final part of our series: How Then Shall We Live? We’ve been working through Mark’s account to see how Jesus responds to questions and issues of his day – and what this means for us. Our theme: Fake Performance or True Worship?
In our reading from Mark 12, Jesus exposes the teachers of the law as hypocrites. They give their religious performance to bring attention and honour to themselves – yet they exploit widows! In reality, they are fakes and fraudsters.
Then as Jesus sits and watches people contributing to the temple treasury, he points his disciples (including us) to a poor widow who gave her last two copper coins to God. I wonder: What does this tell us about her relationship with God? And: What might this mean for us?
Jesus came to bring us into a relationship with God, where we can freely come into his presence without fear, give him our praise and honour, share whatever is on our hearts with him, seek his guidance and help in all that we do, and join in his eternal plans by blessing others in Jesus’ name. Secure in his love for us in Jesus, we get to love God above all else; and love others as ourselves.
So why do we settle for religious performance, where we go through the motions to placate God or impress people? The problem with religion is the perpetual focus on self: seeking to impress God or others with my outward behaviour.
Jesus warns against religious performance or showing off to impress others. Our 24/7 life of worship is to be real, without pretence or pride, and focussed on bringing glory to God and his Son Jesus. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come…Your will be done… Yours is the kingdom the power and the glory. Amen?
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16, Mark 12:38-44
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 pastors.
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.
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
Remembering Departed Loved Ones – 8:45am Service Nov 7th, 2021
Over recent years, we’ve tapped into the tradition of All Saints Day (Nov 1st) to remember loved ones who have “fallen asleep in the Lord” – and been promoted to glory. Many find it helpful in acknowledging their loss, sharing their grief with others on a similar journey, and recalling our hope and future with Jesus,
Sunday November 7th will be the final part of our series: How Then Shall We Live? In Mark 12:38-44, Jesus exposes the fake religious performance of the religious leaders. He then highlights the genuine worship of a poor widow.
Since it’s the first Sunday after All Saints’ Day, during the 8:45am service we will pause to remember loved ones who have finished their earthly journey and inherited eternal life.
After lighting the baptismal candle there will be an opportunity to share the names of friends and relatives whom our heavenly Father has called home.
We will give thanks for the blessings we have received through these saints in heaven; and pray God’s comfort for his saints still here on earth.
Mindful that we are already part of the communion of saints, we will then share in the Lord’s Supper. This meal points us back to Jesus’ sacrifice: his body broken for us, and his blood shed for our forgiveness. This meal also points forward to the heavenly banquet, the feast of victory, that we will one day share with all the communion of saints!
If you know of people who’ve lost loved ones in recent years, please feel free to invite them along and offer to sit with them, or maybe invite them over for lunch afterwards.
Peace and Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Family Zone October Food Collection
This Sunday November 7th will be our next food collection for Lutheran Care. Donations can be brought to either service on that day.
Support required this month is:
Pasta Sauce
Small packets of cereal
Tins spaghetti and baked beans
Tinned fruit
2-minute noodles.
With gratitude,
The Family Zone Team
Honey Biscuits
For those women in the congregation who are baking honey biscuits for Lutheran Care, please give to Ragna Gaard by 21 November.
Grow Team Update
The team will be attending the final Grow Workshop with Grow Ministries for this year. Please pray for us as we plan for the future.
Has your small group considered connecting with another small group? Another option, as a group, is visiting and serving alongside one of our mission programs such as Meet n Eat on a Monday evening, school chapel on a Wednesday morning or Playgroup on Friday mornings.
Let’s continue to encourage one another to make new connections and share stories to grow our faith in Jesus. “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
100K in 100 Days for 100 Families
With families in need coming forward at an unprecedented rate, Lutheran Care has embarked on an ambitious new fund-raising campaign.
With your help, we aim to raise:
$100k in 100 days for 100 families
With this $100,000, we will fund programs and initiatives to support at least 100 families in need: providing immediate crisis support to improve wellbeing and preserve dignity, as well as empowering families with tools to give them hope and help them improve their outlook for the future. To make a donation or find out more, head to https://www.lccare.org.au/how-you-can-help/donations/
Lutheran Women’s Retreat Hosts Needed – January 2022
Lutheran Women SA-NT’s retreat will be Jan 14-15, here at Good Shepherd. Some retreaters will be coming from places too far away to return home at night, so they will need local hosts.
Hosts would need to provide bed ‘n’ breakfast for 2 nights: Fri Jan 14, and Sat Jan 15.
Could you host one or two women? Please express your willingness by Nov 1 to: Lois Kupke (0410 590 012 or email kupkell@yahoo.com )
At this stage all we need is an indication of willingness, as we don’t yet know how many retreaters require hosts.
Happy 40th birthday to our school, and farewell Reid & Family, with our gratitude and prayers!
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home Resources
Dear Church Family,
Today’s GFH title is ‘God cares for those who are in need.’ The Sunday devotion talks about the time when a widow was challenged to provide a meal to Elijah, even though she was down to her very last reserves… and how God blessed and miraculously provided for her. We have an amazing God who looks after us. God often works with people to provide help that is needed. This week’s Caring Conversations have this theme in mind. ‘Share about a time when you needed someone else to help you. What happened? How have you helped someone else who was in need?’ Share these conversations with your family and friends. It can be an eye opening and encouraging experience to hear these stories!
God bless your week!
Georgie
Little Lambs Playgroup
Little Lambs Playgroup returned today for another morning of nature-based play. Check out what we got up to on our Little Lambs Facebook page. Parents/Grandparents, bring your Little Lambs along for some fellowship and a frolic from 9am on the school oval. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Blessings,
The Little Lambs Team
General Synod News
The report of the 20th Convention of General Synod has been released and is available for viewing here: https://bit.ly/3bY5vLf
Office News
Notice of Half Yearly AGM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc. will be holding the Half Year AGM on Sunday 14 November 2021 beginning at 12.00pm. Reports and agenda will be available from November 7, 2021.
Call for Nominations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc.
The Board of GSPV are seeking members to submit nominations for the following positions as Office Holders on the Board:
Chairperson
Vice-Chairperson
Secretary
Finance Team Leader
Board Member
Office holders are elected for a term of one year and must be at least 18 years of age and a voting member of the congregation.
If nominating someone else, please ensure that the nominee is willing to stand.
Board member nominations will require some skills to fill portfolio positions and have some management acumen as required by the ACNC ‘Governance for Good’ guide. Skills required include finance, administration, planning, secretarial skills etc.
In the event of more than one nominee being nominated for a position an election will be held at the forthcoming half-yearly meeting.
All nominations to be forwarded to the Congregational Administrator via email stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or a written nomination can be provided to the front office marked for the Congregational Administrator. Nominations are required no later than Wednesday November 10, 2021.
Church Candles
Candles have been replaced with oil burning wicks. If you have the privilege to extinguish them, please use the candle snuffers located under the alter to do so.
Ice Cream Containers Needed
Meet ‘n’ Eat are looking for ice cream containers with lids. If you have some to spare, please bring them to the church during office hours.
Handy Man Maintenance – Help Wanted
Good Shepherd care team are looking to build a group of volunteers that can assist other members in small home tasks such as changing light bulbs, tap washers or other small jobs. If you are able to assist please let Stephen or the office know at stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087.
Church Facilities – Resources
A reminder to all members and users of the facility, that many members and the public use our facility daily. If you use an item or a room, please return it to the condition or storage space you found it. If you find something empty or not working, please attempt to replace, repair or refill and notify the office staff. Please do not put empty or unworking items back for next person to find.
Mission Vision Support
Electronic deposits can be made to the following bank account details; BSB 704942. Account number 10354939 Account Name GSPV REG
REG is a way to regularly support the mission of our church. Details of transactions are kept confidential. Please visit www.lll.org.au/REG and use BSB 704942 and Account number 100354939. Cash may be dropped off at the office during office hours. This will be treated in the same way as Sunday offerings.
Air Conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been opened for the summer months. Overview instructions for use are situated on the wall next to the controllers. For units in the hall rear foyer and Cafe PLEASE turn the units on only and of only using the on/off button. 
The units have been pre-set for the most economical use and effectiveness and adjusting the settings may render the unit ineffective. If you experience any problem using the units please email the congregational manager, speak with office staff during office hours or leave a note in the communications book in the Cafe.
Time Out Devotion Books.
If you require a daily devotional book for 2022 let the front office know via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or 08 8263 5087as soon as possible. Up-front payment of $25 should be made to the front office prior to January 2022.
Library News
Waiting on a library card? The front office has many here awaiting collection. Please come and grab yours.
Found
-A Christmas card with money in it has been found in the church. Please contact the office if it is yours.
-A single key with nail clippers attached was found outside the church door on Monday night. It is here in the front office if it is yours.
-A silver piece of jewellery, also currently residing in the office!
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10
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
Look for us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
