Finding Hope in Hard Times
On Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham will share his personal journey through chronic pain and disability, and how he has found hope in hard times. Retired due to spinal injury, Stephen nonetheless has a vocation to convey the love of God through music and contemplative practices that bring hope and healing to others. You can find some of Pastor Stephen’s work, including music, devotions and Christian meditations, at https://www.youtube.com/stephenabrahammusic
His latest song may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3pb3GkH
Bible Reading for this Week: Psalm 40:1-5, 16-17
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 Ministry Update
The Grow Team’s Missional Faith Formation Mind Map is now accessible in the cafe area for our community to ponder and add to. How can we pass on our faith and help people encounter Jesus in our current culture and time? What might it look like for our congregation to expand and extend our presence beyond the church walls? And how could our congregation provide support and encourage people along the pathway of faith formation? We look forward to continuing to explore this with Holy Spirit’s leading.
“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
LCA International Mission News
In the delta area of Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea, Hanna Schulz and her colleagues are working to train local people to proclaim God’s word in their own languages and among their own communities. This training takes a few different shapes, including Oral Bible Storying (OBS), training in Scripture use, and training in literacy (so that people can access the Bible, along with education and other resources).
This training is happening at the Oroi’io Madei (Living Word) Training Centre in Ubuo Village, Gulf Province. While a classroom and meeting area has been built and is well used, what is needed now is a dormitory. How can we host workshops without somewhere for people to sleep? With much difficulty… which is why we are building a dorm, a task with which we need your help!
To donate to this cause, go to https://wycliffe.org.au/projects/ubuo-training-centre-png/ or talk to Ian Hutchinson to find out more.
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
This week’s GFH title is ‘Fixing your eyes on Jesus’. This is sound advice at any time, but especially when life gets turbulent. I am encouraged in my own faith when I hear stories of others who trusted Jesus, even when times get tough. Here are a couple of conversation starters to have with your family. Hebrew 11 lists people of faith who encourage us by the way they have trusted God. Who or what encourages you in your faith? Share how you can encourage other Christians. Check out some more ideas in this week’s resource. God bless your week!
School Snippets
We love opportunities to connect with each other. There is ‘Coffee and Connection’ Friday mornings in the church café. An opportunity for parents or caregivers from the ELC or School to catch up after they drop their children for their day of learning (toddlers make good use of the playground.) We are reintroducing coffee at Chapel on Wednesday mornings, beginning next week. Why not join us for Chapel and a coffee!
At this stage, we only have one coffee server. If this is an area you might like to help with, please see Georgie. She is keen to hear from people who like sharing coffees and conversations!
For more of what we have been up to, please check out our Week Three Newsletter by following this link: https://bit.ly/3PiylHg If you would like a paper copy of the school newsletter pick one up from the stand in the Café area. Alternatively, just ask Georgie and she is happy to organise one for you!
Chapel Invitation
What are you up to at 10 to 9 (8:50am) on a Wednesday morning? We would love for you to join us for Chapel. This week we concluded our theme of ‘Doors’, and the choices we get to make. Have a look at this week’s devotion in the Weekly News for a reflection on the choices that Jesus had to make in order to keep on track to save us from our sin. Next week we begin a new theme of ‘God @ the Movies’. You are most welcome to attend!
Face masks will be required for parents and visitors. To enter, please come in via the courtyard (not the Montague Road main entrance). Seating for non-school staff adults will be in the church hall (as the church auditorium will be full of children!)
KAPS Youth Event
Are you looking for an opportunity for young people to connect and get to know each other? One of the aims for this KAPS (Kids and Parents Socialising) event is to provide an opportunity for children and parents to connect with each other from our community (church and school). Join us for bingo and games to test your teamwork. Plus, we are having a live band for Worship.
While the first part of the afternoon is for students/ parents in Years 4-7, the Worship and dinner is open to all family members. When? August 28th, 4-6:30pm. Where? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (enter via the main door facing Montague Road.) For more details you can check out the flier below (there are paper copies in the café area), contact Rachel on 0475 582 289 or see Georgie.
Office News
Church Security
A small change has been made to the lock up procedure for all those rostered on to church lockup. Request the AV room doors are to be locked when securing the premises from now on.
If you have been issued with a church key and code, you will be rostered on at least once per year for Sunday lock up unless you have notified the office that you are unable to do lockup. Please check the hospitality roster when it is released and if not available, please swap with another key holder or notify staff.
Congregational Contacts
Due to the turnover of office staff and running from an older version of outlook in recent years we have discovered a few discrepancies in the email contact lists. We are working to resolve this and ask for patience as we do so. As a result, you may discover that you are not receiving the weekly news reminder or emails you require for your rostered positions. Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the office if you find you are not receiving information you require. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Morning Tea and Coffee
For health and welfare of our members and guests we have decided to revert to the COVID-safe serving of morning tea. If you are rostered for serving, please serve the milk and sugar to guests. This should assist in preventing the spread of COVID or influenza. We will monitor this and return to self-serve as soon as we believe it to be safe.
Car Parking and Attendants 18th August
The ladies fellowship will be holding the Northern Zone rally here on 18th August. If you are available to assist with traffic control on the day, please advise the church office of your availability. Time required will be from 8.45-9.45am & 3–4pm. Parking in the church car park may be at a premium on the day so please be prepared to park on the street and observe directional travel and your speed.
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell. We continue to practice good hygiene and respect the discretion of individuals to wear/not wear a mask. Thank you!
In observing Christ’s command to love one another, we are to treat each other with respect and dignity. In honouring 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
