“God-talk” in all its Forms
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships.
The aim of our February series, At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation, is to learn how to share the language of faith, hope and love in our households more naturally. Four key practices can help us to become more “fluent” in this.
Last Sunday was the first key: Caring Conversations. We did an exercise of sharing our highs and lows, then briefly prayed for each other. We labelled this activity as essential time – a priority for families. Why? Because caring conversations connect hearts, establishing “holy ground” – where opportunities may pop up to encourage, bless, share a truth or insight from God’s Word, or even suggest: “How about we pray about that?”
This Sunday we’re looking at the second of our 4 keys to doing life together with Jesus: “God-talk” in all its forms. Or in other words: “Devotional times without the yawn factor”!
What were your experiences growing up? Did your parents read Bible stories to you as a young child? Perhaps later from a devotion book? Did you ever see your parents reading the Bible or praying?
Did you ever pray together as a family? Were there times when your family discussed characters, or passages or stories from the Bible? Did “our Heavenly Father”, “Jesus”, or “the Holy Spirit” ever come up in everyday conversations?
In my family of origin, all this was pretty hit and miss – mostly miss! Today in my household, I reckon we do OK with Caring Conversations. While we all engage in reading and reflecting on God’s word individually, we don’t often talk about what God is showing us – or how we sense his hand at work in our lives. We still have a long way to go before it is natural for us to daily engage in “God-talk” in all its forms.
If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generations, then we need the Holy Spirit to help us. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will be creating a passion for us to get better at God-talk in all its forms – in all of life!
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly
Bible Readings:
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (MSG) Getting God’s words deep inside us and talking about them with our children.
Colossians 3:16-17 (MSG) Letting the Word of Christ have the run of the house.
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 two 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 4 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
Last Sunday we began our theme “At Home with Jesus”. Pr Rolly shared some tips on our first faith practice: “Caring Conversations”. We can take this with us into our households or wherever God places us during the week. Wasn’t it great to practise these conversations during the service and hear how this practice grows our faith in Jesus. A wonderful morning of connecting with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This Sunday Pr Rolly will be focussing on “God Talk” in all its forms.
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
School Snippets
Blessed
Our School came alive last week as children began their staggered return to the classroom. Under a raft of COVID restrictions, the fostering of caring and supportive relationships remains central to life in school during these early weeks. It’s a joy to watch staff, either face-to-face or remotely, establish connections and relationships that will promote safety and learning throughout the year. Unable to gather in large groups, our weekly whole-of-school worship is being delivered digitally for classes and families to share in. Maybe you’d like to join us in worship too: https://bit.ly/3gBfokf Weeks One and Two are available here.
We would also like to share some devotions with you. These reflect the message shared at worship during the week. We invite you to follow the link: https://paravista.org.au/heroes-and-sidekicks/
Zebra Crossing
An opportunity presents for some intergenerational connection. We’re needing to ‘staff’ the zebra crossing in the car park daily at 8:10am-8:30am and 3pm–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 from Georgie
Dear Church family,
Let’s keep the conversations flowing… who have you been sharing them with in the last week? Your friends? Your family? Your Small Group?
Trust can be a tricky thing, especially when you have been let down by someone before. It can be easy to let these experiences become a filter for how we view others and even God. The Caring Conversations in this week’s GFH resource provide an opportunity to chat about this challenging topic. Have you ever had someone let you down? Share your experience. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “blessed are those who trust in the Lord”. What does it mean to place our trust in God? Do you find it hard to “trust in the Lord”? Why? What helps you to do so? Share about how God helped you through a difficult time.
God bless you and your conversations!
Georgie
Office News
*Position Vacant*
An exciting opportunity exists to join Good Shepherd’s staff team as a Media and Administration Officer. This role supports the mission of the congregation by maintaining Good Shepherd communications and digital presence; and maintaining a front office environment. Further information is available on request from the Congregational Administrator stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au
If you know anyone who may be suitable for this position, please pass this information on to them.
While we are selecting a dedicated person to fulfill the office position, I am happy to share those two members of our community who have stepped up and taken on considerable volunteer roles. Thanks to Sharon Tarca, the projection scripts for Sunday services are being programmed into the system to allow the band to practice on Thursday evenings and the big screens to be operational on Sundays. Tina Pfeiffer has kindly volunteered her services to assist Helen with rosters and maintain a front office presence on Thursdays. You will be hearing from Tina over the coming weeks. Thank you both for sharing your gifts.
Holy Communion – Serving
Holy Communion will be celebrated again from March 2022. Please respect the COVID requirements as directed by the worship leader.
COVID Update
With the continuing ease of restrictions, I wish to personally thank all members who have respected the requests of our leaders and continued to make our place of worship a safe place. I also wish to thank the worship hosts for their vigilance in cleaning the facility after each service, keeping the ventilation open, and counting numbers into each service, and encourage you to continue doing so.
Whilst we still have restrictions in place (wearing of masks and distancing) we are still required to QR into the facility at all times. Thanks for your continued service, care and compassion for our community!
Courtyard Use – COVID Tea and Coffee
Please continue to make use of the courtyard while connecting with others and enjoying a hot beverage. 8:45am worshipers please note: to allow sufficient numbers into the complex for the 10:30am service please move into the courtyard by 10am.
Professional Standards/Safe Church Training
Good Shepherd will be conducting Safe Church refresher training on Saturday morning 19th March 2022. Over the next few weeks, you will be getting contact from Tina 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/3rI2Xtl
- Registrations close 28 February 2022
- BYO Morning Tea & Lunch
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
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!
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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
