Hearts Wide Open
Even though the government recognises de-facto relationships, it’s interesting that people are still getting married.
And even though some people have experienced a messy break-up and subsequent divorce, many of them go on to get married again – perhaps a few times.
There’s something about marriage that doesn’t go out of fashion. Many of us do not do life well alone. We like the companionship and comfort of doing life together with a husband or wife. Having been married for over 35 years, I reckon that marriage is one of the best ideas God ever came up with. (And yes, a lot of this is because I am married to a saint!)
But it ain’t always easy! Marriage is not self-maintaining. It requires lots of love and understanding, patience and perseverance – from both sides – in order to flourish.
We tend to be lazy: we want great relationships with minimal effort or sacrifice!
We expect the other person to make us happy, and then get upset when they don’t!
When the “me” replaces the “we”, selfishness and hardness of heart can creep in. Over time, hardness of heart can build up layers of apathy, fault finding, conflict, unresolved hurts, resentment, bitterness, and blame. If a couple keep digging their heels in, refusing to apologise and be reconciled, it can end up in divorce.
In this Sunday’s Bible reading, the Pharisees ask Jesus: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10:2 NIV)
Jesus concedes that divorce happens. Yet he also highlights the root cause of divorce. It because human hearts can harden – even to a person they once loved more than anyone else in the world! Once that happens, we can justify our unwillingness to apologise, to forgive, and to reconcile. Once our hearts are closed to the other person, a broken relationship or marriage is looming.
Jesus points us back to God’s intention for marriage:
“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:6-9 NIV)
How can God keep our hearts soft and wide open to one another? How can God help us foster healthy relationships, so we don’t ‘divorce’ ourselves from God and each other?
Come along this Sunday as we explore these issues, unpack the cultural background to the Pharisees’ question, and discover how God wants us to live.
Please Note: divorce is not the unforgiveable sin. When Jesus met the woman at the well, he offered her living water – that would well up into eternal life (John 4:13-18). Even though she’d had 5 husbands and was currently in another relationship, Jesus wanted her to have life forever with him. No matter how much we’ve messed up in relationships, Jesus wants to give us the same gift!
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Mark 10:1-16 (NIV)
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.
Daylight Savings
A reminder that we “spring forward in Spring”, one hour this weekend.
Farewelling Pastor Reid
On October 31st we will be saying goodbye to Pastor Reid and family, as they prepare to fulifl their call to Tallebudgera, QLD. Here are a few ways you can show your appreciation to the Matthias family:
Farewell Service
- 31st October at both services – primarily at the 8:45am service but Pastor Reid will be acknolwedged for his involvement in the Good Shepherd school at the 10:30am service as well – you are invited to be part of the thanks and farewell
- Please note that the 10:30 am service is also the GS School 40th celebration
- We anticipate a large event, so if you are attending the 10:30am service that includes the school celebrations we ask that people register at this link: https://bit.ly/2YOpgBk
- Church members who find it difficult to register, will still be welcome to attend!
Monetary Gift
- The Church is organising a monetary gift. If you would like to contribute to this fund please put cash in an envelope clearly marked “Pastor Reid Farewell” and put it in the offering bowl or deliver it to the church office; or
- Via direct deposit to the Church bank account: BSB 704-942 Account Number 100 713 424 clearly labelled “Pr Reid”.
Good Shepherd Scrapbook
- We are planning a “Memories from Good Shepherd” Scrapbook
- We invite you to think about a greeting/photos from individuals, small groups, ministry groups etc, so start being creative, with something to fit on an A5 sheet
- Pages can be delivered to the church office, or given to Julie Freund or Tina Pfeiffer on Sundays at worship.
Monetary gifts and tribute pages are to be finalised by Wednesday 20th October. For further information, please contact Julie Freund Julie.freund@ljf.com.au or 0429 696 424 or Tina Pfeiffer tpandtmp@bigpond.com or 0409 690 070.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s 40th Birthday Celebrations
You are invited – to Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s 40th Birthday Celebrations.*
Tickets are available by booking here: https://bit.ly/2YOpgBk
The Good Shepherd Lutheran School welcomes anyone who has been involved with our great School, and its amazing development over the past 40 years (former students, staff, Council/PFA members, parents, volunteers & friends). There is some exciting planning, and we welcome your involvement in the planned activities. We also welcome your assistance to promote, share any photos (with written permission) or memorabilia as we celebrate. Please click here: https://bit.ly/3sHfjAR for the Invitation. We are looking forward to a great celebration!
Matt Schmidt
Chair, Good Shepherd Lutheran School
*Notice of intent to stream worship service: Notice is given that the school wish to stream the 40th anniversary service on the 31st of October 2021. This will be done at the 10:30am service. If you have any concerns or wish to discuss, please contact the church office or the Congregational Administrator.*
A Welcoming and Connected Community
On Sunday we shared how we have been connecting with new people. It was wonderful to hear how this has been happening in our lives – not only on Sunday mornings. Let’s keep sharing our stories of connecting to encourage one another and keep connecting with new people.
The Grow Team will be meeting again shortly to tackle our next project. Please keep the team – Lindsay, Cees, Peter, Tina, Mardi and Rachel – in your prayers as we seek and wait on God’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
Ladies Fellowship
The Ladies’ Fellowship warmly invite all congregation members to their October 5 meeting.
We have special guest speaker Tamme Golding-Holbrook, Manager of the Eye Bank presenting.
Our regular fellowship meeting will commence at 1pm.
Tamme will commence her presentation at 2pm
Hostesses Janice Lane, Cynthia Ellison.
Please wear your mask and remember to QR or sign in upon arrival.
Apologies to Ragna Gaard please.
Any donations made to the Eye Bank on the day are tax deductible.
Sew Good Masks
“Sew Good” face masks help disadvantaged families in Cambodia survive the pandemic. Local Adelaide woman (Joy Marshall) has been selling face masks to raise funds for the past 18 months. The proceeds have funded many months of food relief, medicine and school uniforms for a vulnerable community of families in Phnom Penh. The pandemic has been extremely tough for them. Without welfare, the income from mask orders has thankfully helped families survive until better days return.
The face masks are $6 each and made to recommended specifications., The inside layer is a water-resistant fabric and the two outside layers cotton. They are expertly made by the women in the community and come in many stylish patterns plus black.
If you would like to support this cause , Di Ollino will be selling masks in the foyer next to the cafe after both services on Sunday 10th and 17th October.
CASH only please.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home Resources
Dear Church Family,
I love chatting with children as they play at recess or lunch or at Playgroup or in the Village area at church. The conversations vary. A muddy flower cake, cooked with love in the mud kitchen. A latest playground manoeuvre as they swing across the bars with gusto or a flip backwards on the grass. A proud smile revealing a gap and the accompanying story of how their tooth came out. Then there’s the comments about Chapel. ‘I went home and asked my sister that question!’ For a few minutes I am invited into their world, and I get to see things through their wonderful eyes. I love watching their eyes light up as they share their stories.
Pretty sure Jesus did too! This week’s GFH resource share the story of when Jesus spent time with the children. I’d love to have been there that day when he blessed them. The resource shares ideas about blessing others. Check out the Creative Response! Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Georgie
A South Australian Lutheran Bible translator (Anna) will be speaking on the night
ASK IAN HUTCHINSON FOR MORE INFORMATION
(0455 467 898/ saro@wycliffe.org.au)
Office News
Front Office Closure
To allow staff time to take annual leave the church office will be closed on Friday 8th October.
Please email churchenquires@paravista.org.au or leave a message on the answering service and staff will get back to you as soon as they can.
For the Beverage Lovers
Morning tea is back and will be served after both services. Beverages will be made and served by the dedicated teams who have been rostered on. Please maintain physical distancing while enjoying its consumption and sharing with others.
Found
A Christmas card with money in it has been found in the church. Please contact the office if it is yours.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26
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
