Family Acts of Service
What brings you greater satisfaction in life?
- Doing something great that people notice; or helping a person in need.
- Bossing someone around; or helping someone who’s struggling.
- Doing better than others in a task; or helping others do better in their task.
Consider Jesus. He did many mighty deeds – not to bolster his insecure ego, but to restore people and bring glory to his heavenly Father.
Jesus never became so ‘high-and-mighty’ that he refused to serve in menial ways. For example, washing the smelly feet of his disciples, cooking them breakfast on a beach, encouraging them, and praying for them.
Jesus modelled a life of service and invites us to follow him in this. How are we modelling a life of service to the next generations? Do we invite them to join in with us in serving others – and talk about it afterwards?
Serving is faith and love in action. If we are not serving, what does that suggest?
Now we do not serve others to earn God’s favour.
Rather, God’s favour produces a life of good works.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT).
Safe and secure in Jesus, we don’t have to keep grasping after greatness in the eyes of the world. Instead, we are free from self-promotion to get on with the good things God planned for us.
We don’t sit around just waiting for God to take us home to heaven; but actively participate in God’s restoration plans for his world. We are saved to serve.
This Sunday we’re looking at the fourth 4 key to doing life at home with Jesus: Family acts of service. If we want to build the faith and servant heart of Jesus in our children, it’s vital that we adults engage in concrete acts of service AND involve our young persons with us. It’s how Jesus grows in our hearts AND how Jesus makes himself known to others!
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly
Bible Readings:
Mark 9:30-37 Jesus predicts his death a second time and redefines greatness.
James 2:14-26 How faith is expressed in acts of loving kindness to others.
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.
Grow Team News – Faith Practices: Family Rituals and Traditions
Last Sunday we continued with our theme, “At Home with Jesus”. Pr. Rolly shared how rituals and traditions help us to pass on our faith to the next generation. Check out the message on paravista.podbean.com/ if you missed it. It was great to hear how some of our community have, and are continuing to, use rituals and traditions. We also shared with one another Christmas rituals or traditions we remember from the past. Another morning of connecting and encouraging one another as we grow in our faith in Jesus.
This Sunday Pr. Rolly will be focussing on our final faith practice: Family Acts of Service.
Our small group is thinking about attending the car drive on Sunday 6th March. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our church family and continue to connect with one another. Are you coming along?
“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
February Food Collection for Lutheran Care
Our first collection for Lutheran Care is this Sunday February 27th at both services. Goods can also be left in the church office (the office is not opened on Monday or Friday). Apologies for the late notice of the request for items for this month’s collection.
Items requested this month are:
Sugar
Coffee
Spaghetti
Baked Beans
Shampoo/Conditioner
Dishwashing Liquid
Due to late notice if you have purchased other items please bring them as I am sure Lutheran Care will be able to utilise them.
John Dolling
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
Welcome to 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/3Ilvafl
This week Pastor Stephen Abraham talked about what ‘Being a friend’ can look like, picking up the story of Jonathan and David. You might like to read his reflection in this week’s devotion! https://paravista.org.au/being-a-friend/
Did you know that Pastor Stephen has released a new album? He shares how to access his resources near the beginning of his Chapel video. Another way to experience ‘God Talk’ in all its forms!
Zebra Crossing
An opportunity presents for some intergenerational connection. We’re needing to ‘staff’ the zebra crossing in the car park daily at 8.10-8.30am and 3.00–3.20pm. If your gift is a smile and a greeting as families arrive and depart school, this could be the role for you. Contact the school office on 8264 7966 if you’d like to know more.
Family Support Coordinator News
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
This week’s GFH title is “Listen to Jesus”. This can be tricky in the busyness of life as we rush to accomplish things on our ‘to do’ list. But to listen to someone takes time… Have you shared time with someone and really listened to their story? What happened next? I wonder if your relationship became stronger. The Caring Conversations asks these questions: What is the difference between hearing and listening? Why is it important to listen to others? God the Father tells us to listen to his Son, Jesus (Luke 9:34,35) What does it mean to listen to Jesus? The resource also contains some ideas for Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Grow Ministries also shared this link for even more Shrove Tuesday details, recipes, international fillings, ideas for Lent, quizzes, prayer suggestions: https://bit.ly/3pdK8fY
Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless!
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
Finke River Mission
The Summer edition of Christ in the Centre is available from the brochure rack in the church café. The cover story tells of the Yirara College Baptism and Communion Day from November 7, and the important work of the Yirara Chaplin. The publication contains many interesting stories from the Finke River Mission and the great work the church is doing in the Centre.
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 needs to be seated (if you wish to stand, please use the courtyard.) 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.
Courtyard use – COVID Tea and Coffee
Please use the courtyard and enjoy the outdoor facilities while connecting with others and enjoying a hot beverage. 8:45am worshipers please note: to allow maximum numbers into the complex for the 10:30am service please move into the courtyard by 10am, thank you.
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/
Level 1 Face-to-Face Workshop
Blair Athol, St Paul Lutheran Church
44 Audrey Avenue, Blair Athol SA 5084
- 5 March 2022
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (sign-in from 8:45 am)
- $5 per person per session inclusive of non-refundable fee (invoiced to congregation)
- To register click on this link: https://bit.ly/3Jzn1nv
- Registrations close 28 February 2022
- BYO Morning Tea & Lunch
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
