Family Rituals and Traditions
When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?
As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed? (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)
I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?
Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.
When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)
These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).
Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars. Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works. It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.
What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.
Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly
Bible Readings:
Exodus 12:21-28 Hebrew families were told to celebrate Passover every year to remember how God freed them from slavery in Egypt.
Luke 2:41-42 Jesus attends Passover in Jerusalem with his parents.
Luke 22:14-20 Jesus celebrates Passover with his disciples – giving us a new tradition to remember how he freed us from slavery.
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 has Received a Call
I announced three weeks ago that I have received an invitation/call to be the pastor for the people of St John’s Lutheran Church Tea Tree Gully. For me, the process involves trying to get a clear picture of St John’s – and how I might fit into that picture; and then discerning whether or not it is God’s timing to move on.
We have about four weeks total to either accept or decline this call. Leanne and I are asking the Lord to lead and guide us through this process and response. With the connections we have forged with you over the last 12 years, this is not an easy decision. I would value your prayers and understanding. If you have any thoughts or feelings about this, please share them with me.
Peace in Jesus,
Pr. Rolly
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 on with our theme “At Home with Jesus”.
Pr Rolly shared some ideas on how we can include Jesus in our conversations with our family and friends. Check out the message on www.paravista.podbean.com/ if you missed it. It was great to hear how some of our community are using this faith practice in their lives. We also shared with one another how “God Talk” happened in our younger years and what it looks like now. Another morning of connecting and encouraging one another as we grow in our faith in Jesus.
This Sunday Pr Rolly will be focusing on Family Rituals and Traditions. If you would like to share a story on any future faith practices then please come and have a chat with me. We would love to hear from people of all ages!
“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
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
Blessed
It was wonderful to have our Stage 3 and 4 students return onsite this week. It is a joy to see children engaging with Staff and with each other, smiling, sharing stories, reaffirming established relationships as well as creating new ones. Under a raft of COVID restrictions, the fostering of caring and supportive relationships remains central to life in school during these early weeks. 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/3LKuEtt Week Three has been added. (Weeks One and Two are still available.)
You might like to read the devotion that goes with it. This week, ‘Life’s Rollercoaster’. (You may know Ruth, but today, let’s hear about Naomi!) We invite you to follow the link: https://paravista.org.au/lifes-rollercoaster/
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 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you”. Not always easy, especially when the other person is someone who is hard for you to like. There are some powerful Caring Conversations for you share with your family:
Talk about a time someone showed kindness and forgiveness toward you.
Tell about a time you showed kindness and forgiveness toward someone.
What makes it easy or difficult to show forgiveness to someone else?
These conversations can be eye opening, especially for younger people who are constantly learning from you! Some life situations can be hard, but forgiveness is powerful, even life changing! You might like to consider some practical Creative Response or Service ideas too.
God bless your week!
Georgie
God-Talk in all its Forms
What form of ‘God talk’ have you engaged in over the past week?
Pastor Rolly listed a host of suggestions last Sunday:
Prayer, Bible stories, devotion books, reflecting on God’s creation, sharing stories of what God’s been doing in your life, posters…to name but a few!
I love ‘The Chosen’ app (season one is available on DVD at Koorong now and season two will be out soon.)
Here are some other options:
As well as Weekly Devotions written by people in our Good Shepherd community (the link is shared with you in this edition of the Weekly News, as well as via email) you might like the LCA’s Daily Devotions, available on the LCA website : https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/daily-devotion-printables/
If you have a heart for overseas mission, you might like 40 Days: A Lenten Devotion & Prayer Guide. LCA International Mission has compiled devotions for the Lenten season written by those they’ve partnered with from all over the world. Through their reflections and prayer requests the writers invite you to journey with them through this Lenten season as they explore the psalms and share the comfort and hope they bring. An electronic copy of the booklet is available to download from the LCA International Mission website. If you would like hard copies of 40 Days a Lenten Devotion and Prayer guide to share with others, please contact Erin at the LCA International Mission office or phone (08) 8267 7317.
May the Holy Spirit illuminate your path, no matter what form of God-Talk you choose!
Blessings,
Georgie
Little Lambs Update
Dear families of Little Lambs,
I pray that you all enjoyed some precious family time over the Summer.
Little Lambs Playgroup for 2022 is currently under construction. Our community values this time of connection with families with little ones.
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
Lutherans at Uni: Monday 21 February, 1pm-3pm.
You are invited to come to a casual opportunity to meet up with new and old students at Adelaide University North Tec campus. Come along for a chance to connect and reconnect with other Lutheran students at Adelaide University. Free food and drinks will be provided. In the Cloisters in the Union Building down near the Torrens River end of the campus. Pastors Fraser Pearce and Mike Pietsch will be in the North-Eastern corner of the cloisters. If you cannot see them, just call Pastor Mike on 0416 738 631 and we will let you know how to find us.
Office News
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
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.
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.
“…do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart…teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
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
