Is God Enough?
This Sunday we will be looking at 1 Samuel 8 where the people of Israel through the prophet Samuel ask God for a king. Samuel their leader is aging and with the looming threat of war they’re desperately looking for a leader to guide them through.
As you read through the chapter it becomes clear that God is not pleased with their request. Why? God is not pleased because in asking for a king the Israelites are rejecting God as their king. They are doubting God’s capacity to safely lead them through the threat of war just as he had done in the past. Would God be enough for them this time? Their request for a king reveals their doubt.
Is God enough? We all face this question in our faith journey. Is God enough to get me through this or should I look for something more? As we look at 1 Samuel 8 this Sunday, we will explore what happens when we no longer believe that God is enough and how our choice to add something is a rejection of God. The reality is that whatever we hope to gain by adding to God we end up losing.
The good news is that God’s grace can reconfigure our bad choices and use them for his purposes. God’s grace is enough to take Israel’s sinful choice to have a king and reconfigure it into a Saviour. Whatever you are facing in life right now, even if it is of your own making, God is enough to get you through.
Noel Kluge
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 8:1-22 & Matthew 6:24
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.
Support for Lutheran Care
Last weekend the Lutheran Care Team conducted a plant sale. Thank you to all who assisted to make this a success – Joan McCarthy for organising, LC Team members and members who assisted setting up, and on the day/s, and members who supported by purchasing plants. We raised $692 which goes directly to Family Zone to support their ministries. As many people struggle at present these certainly help families and individuals survive in these difficult times.
Requests for support in May:
Tins of fruit, Tinned vegetables; Canned soup; Coffee; Washing powder.
Next collection will be on Sunday May the 29th at both services.
Ladies’ Fellowship
Remember tearing off all those stamps from envelopes, bringing them to church and placing them in a box called “Stamps for Missions”?
Good Shepherd Ladies’ Fellowship invite you to hear the story behind those stamps from Peter Nitschke, who has been involved with this ministry for almost 20 years.
Date: 7th June
Time: Regular meeting at 1pm, Peter to speak around 1:45pm
Place: Good Shepherd Lutheran 388 Montague Rd Para Vista Afternoon tea to follow.
Hostesses: Margaret Dohnt and Janice Lane
There will be an opportunity for a freewill offering.
Please bring your Lutheran Women’s magazine and Bible with you.
Please do not come if unwell; mask wearing optional but preferable.
Please RSVP to Di Schlenk via email pdschlenk@internode.on.net or phone 0409 820 448.
Grow Ministries Update
Our next workshop with Grow Ministries is on Saturday 4 June 8.45-1pm here at Para Vista. We will focus on “Missional Faith Formation”. Look beyond the walls of our church buildings and seek to understand the people in our local communities. Who are the spiritual but not religious in our area? What about church refugees? Why is it important to understand those we are trying to reach? We explore models and approaches for missional outreach and pathways for encountering Jesus.
Everyone is welcome! If you would like to come along, please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au to register. Tea and coffee will be provided but please BYO morning tea.
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
Young Adults: Let’s Go Bowling!
Join us for some arcade fun at Zone Bowling Woodville.
Meet at Zone Bowling Woodville at 5pm for the first bowling game to begin soon after.
Rides are available from the Church if needed. Arrive from 4pm for a 4:30pm departure.
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
The title of this week’s GFH resource is ‘May we be one’. The motto ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is an old one and has been used many times before. Many amazing things have been accomplished throughout history when people have stood together united in a cause… but things have also crumbled when disharmony and division set in. Jesus knew all about this (there are examples in the Bible) and before he left, he encouraged his disciples to remain united with him.
There is a great Service idea this week that you could try out with your family: Show unity in your household this week and decide on an activity to do all together…You might like to cook some meals together, or perhaps go for a walk…These activities also provide a lovely time to chat and nurture your relationships! Have fun!
Blessings,
Georgie
Upcoming Youth Event at Good Shepherd
Only two sleeps to go! Are you looking for an opportunity for young people to connect and get to know each other? We would love for you to join us! Come along to meet new people, play games with friends and parents, and enjoy worship…here at Good Shepherd church this Sunday 29th May from 4-6pm.
For more details you can check out the flyer (there are paper copies in the cafe), contact Rachel Pfeiffer on 0475 582 289 or see Georgie.
School Snippets
A major highlight for our school Staff this week was that, for the first time this year, we were able to meet face to face for our devotion and morning notices in the school library! We also look forward to next week when we will gather for Chapel in the church with students and staff! The following week (Wednesday June 8) we invite everyone along to Worship in the church: students, parents, and you, too! 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!)
The regular Week Four Newsletter is available for you to enjoy here: on this link: https://bit.ly/3GlYNwK
School Worship was back to video format this week. We continued our theme ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. Evie Stevens talked about ‘patience’. We would love for you to join us. Just click on the link: https://bit.ly/3NuLv3s
Junior Christian Life (JC Life) Camp
JC Life is a camp for young people in Years 4-7. It is aimed at providing a fun, safe place for young people to meet others of their own age and grow in the relationship with God.
This year the camp’s theme is “Unlikely Heroes”. A generous sponsorship is on offer for all first-time campers attending camp in 2022. The camp will be held in the school holidays 11th-14th at Camp Kedron, Barmera.
For more information and to register head to blueprintministries.org.au and follow the links through to the JC Life camp section. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Georgie!
Office News
Connect Cards
To enable us to keep in touch with you please collect a Connect Card on the way into church, fill it out and then place it in the offering bowl on the way out. As we still care for your health, please bring a pen to fill the card in. If you are seated with a visitor, please encourage them to fill in a card so we can get them a thank-you via the post.
Caretaking Volunteers Thank-You
A huge thank you to all those who volunteered their time in assisting us to support the Good Shepherd school with the SA Health pop up COVID-19 vaccination hub. It was an opportunity for school families and members of the community to have a local point for vaccination if they so chose.
Another opportunity to connect with our community by providing assistance in the form of hospitality and making connections will be available on the following date:
- Friday 29 June 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.
Café Heating
The Café area is now heated. To operate the system please follow the instructions placed alongside the controls. Remember to turn the unit off when you leave.
COVID Update
On May 24, 2022, the Emergency Management Declaration ceased in South Australia. COVID safe measures remain for some activities and places now defined by the Public Health Act.
We are no longer required to hold a COVID Safe Plan. Covid Marshalls are no longer required and will be removed from the Rosters. Hand sanitisers will be left in place and worship hosts are still encouraged to sanitise high touch points. Please consider the health and safety of others when attending and respect the discretion of individuals who choose to wear a mask.
Thanks to all members who have respected the requests of our leaders and continue to make our place of worship a safe place.
Stephen Zanker Congregational Administrator
Marantha Health Fundraising Sausage Sizzle Lunch
Thanks to all who purchased a sausage on Sunday 22 May. Maranatha health raised $399.15 to support their work. See Maranatha Health for more information or to donate.
District Convention of Synod 2022 Popular Reports
The Popular Report from the 49th LCA SA-NT District Convention of Synod has been released along with Bishop Paul’s report and the slides from Assistant Bishop for Mission, Stephen Schultz. You can access these via the links below. Should you require a printed copy please contact the church office.
2022 District Convention of Synod Popular Report: https://bit.ly/3wPenN7
SANT District Bishop Paul Smith LCANZ Report: https://bit.ly/3ak01wx
Assistant Bishop for Mission Report: https://bit.ly/3lOX9dv
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
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
Look for us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
