How God Changes Us
The older I get the more I’m noticing how hard it is to change. There are things I have been wrestling with for many, many years and yet I seem to have made little or no progress in changing them. It can be rather discouraging and disconcerting. I also find myself wondering what God must be thinking about my inability to change those things in my life that are not his best for me.
The good news for me and all of us is that God’s loves us as we are, and there is nothing we can do to make him love us more, or less. That’s important to remember so that we don’t slip into despair over our inability to change. While God loves us just the way we are, He loves us way too much to leave us as we are. God knows how much pain and struggle those things we need to change bring into our lives. God wants to work change so that we can live more fully in the blessings of the life he has made possible for us in Jesus.
This Sunday we are going to look at Jacob and how God worked change in his life after many years of living deceitfully and running away. As we observe what God used to change Jacob, we realise that God is still using this approach to transform us to be more and more like Jesus.
I look forward to sharing this message with you on Sunday.
Yours in Jesus
Noel Kluge
Bible Reading: Genesis 32:22-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-18, Matthew 16:13-20
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.
Notice of Call Meeting 24th July 12pm
A congregational call meeting will be held on 24th July 2022 at 12pm.
This meeting is to call our new Pastor and will be held with Bishop David Altus assisting. I encourage you to attend and be part of this very important decision. If you have not received a copy containing information about the three Pastors, the call committee have recommended or have any questions in relation to this meeting please contact the church office. If you wish to attend remotely, please contact the church office for zoom connection details.
Operation Christmas Child
Are you thinking about how you might be able to share God’s love with children beyond our borders? Here is an opportunity! Packing a shoebox with gifts and prayer is something you could do as an individual, a family, or a small group. There are brochures available with more information in the church office… just pop in to see Helen or Tina. Alternatively, you could contact Lynette Beck on 0407 354404 for more details.
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Save the Date! KAPS Kids and Parents Youth Event July 31st!
We had a great time as we gathered last month. The theme of the afternoon/ evening was ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. We had a game of ‘Get to know You Bingo’ and a Scavenger hunt. Along the way we decorated biscuits, wrote notes of encouragement, bounced table tennis balls ‘gently’ into cups and ‘faithfully’ guided friends through a task blind folded (amongst other things)! We spent some time in Worship and ended the evening chatting with others while we enjoyed a sausage sizzle. Our next gathering is July 31st from 4pm (first Sunday after Week One of Term Three.) So…save the date! Look forward to seeing you then!
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Love God, love others… is the title for this week’s GFH resource. It is a great mission statement isn’t it. It sums up what being in God’s family is all about! Over the course of the school term, we have talked a lot about the Fruit of the Spirit. (This was also the theme of our recent KAPS Youth Event.) We unpacked the way the fruit influences our relationships. Think about it… it helps to create, sustain, strengthen, and even heal them! The resource talks about the ‘Good Samaritan’. Think of the profound impact he had on the life of the one he helped… just by showing, love, gentleness, goodness, and kindness. Can you share a story with your friends, family, or small group of a time when someone showed kindness to you and the effect it had in your life? Why not consider some of the caring conversations or service ideas in your context (family/ friends/ small group) and ask the Holy Spirit who you might be able to help this week? I’d love to hear some stories!
God bless you as He shows you the opportunities He has in store for you!
Office News
Cafe Ceiling Repair
Repairs should have been completed to this area and be fully functional again. Should you see or experience any issues with the repair please contact Stephen or the church office with your concerns.
Financial Assistance – Arsha
A huge thank you to all who have donated to assist Arsha Noroozi in his quest for permanent residency in Australia. Your generous support over the past few weeks have resulted in another $1254.20 being raised to assist in covering the extra legal hurdles that were not anticipated. Only another $545.80 is required to meet the goal of $1800.00 that had been set to cover the extra. Donations to support Arsha can still be done in the following ways:
Electronic Funds Transfer
BSB: 704 942
Acct: 100713424
Acct Name: Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating
Reference: ARSHA
Cash donation: Place in an envelope marked with ARSHA (We have Mission Vision Ministry Support envelopes available in the office or the ushers’ desks) either handed into the office or placed on a collection bowl after service.
Caretaking Volunteers Required
Good Shepherd School has been chosen by SA Health to be a COVID-19 vaccination hub to help eligible people get vaccinated. The school has requested the use of the church cafe area to facilitate this. We have an opportunity to connect with our community by assisting in the form of hospitality and making connections. Caretaking (or security) volunteers are sought to be present and provide guidance on the following dates:
- Friday 29 July 12.00pm to 5.00pm & Saturday 30 July 10.00am to 4.00pm
An hour or two of time is all that is required to become a physical part of our mission of reaching into the community. Please contact the office or Stephen with your availability.
Office Hours/Staffing
Mon: Closed
Tues: Open 9.00am to 3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.30pm. Stephen and Helen on site.
Wed: Open 9.00am to 3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.30pm. Stephen on site.
Thurs: Open 9.00am to 3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.30pm. Stephen and Tina on site.
Fri: Office closed Rachel working remotely
Georgie is onsite at the school Tuesday to Friday
Staff have a meeting Thursday from 9.30 to 10.30am.
Weekly news items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or rachel.koopmans@paravista.org.au by Wednesday evening. Out of hours please leave a message on the answering system or email the office and staff will responded as soon as they are able.
Professional Standards Workshop
For those that missed Safe Church Training here at Good Shepherd Para Vista on Saturday 2nd July, another date is being offered by Holy Cross Lutheran Church Birdwood: Saturday 16th July, from 9am-4pm. There are three sessions on the day covering different topics, with a cost of $5 per session or $15 for the full day. Morning tea and lunch are provided. For more information check the flyer at the end of this bulletin. Register by 11th July at the following link: https://bit.ly/3a9IDeo.
God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.’
Psalm 53:2
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!
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-Thurs 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
