Jesus Doesn’t Play That Game!
We have the command from Jesus to treat our neighbours with love. But the Christian response never begins with a command.
Here’s something written by the German Theologian, Helmut Thielicke:
“Is it really true that everything begins with the command ‘You must’? Or does it not rather begin with our first being given something? The Gospel says to us: You cannot give anything whatsoever to your neighbour except that which you have already received.
No person can give more than they have. First something is given to you, and the real secret of our life is to remember this first thing which we have received and to learn the art of keeping in contact with our neighbour at the critical moments and passing on to them what we have received.”
And what is it that we have received? We have received God’s love shown in the suffering and death of his son, Jesus Christ. It is this love that Christ tells us to pass on to others.
And why do we pass this love onto everyone?
Because in God’s eyes everyone, no matter who they are or what they are, or what they do, everyone has the same value – the same value that you and I have.
And that value is the greatest. That is the value that was demonstrated in the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ for us, and for the whole world, on the cross.
Paul Fielke
Bible Reading for this Week: Luke 10:29-37
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.auor 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.
August Support for Lutheran Care
Thank you for your support of Lutheran Care as they continue to assist needy families in these difficult times.
Request for August:
2-minute noodles
Tinned spaghetti
Baked beans
Tinned fruit
Sweet biscuits
Dishwashing liquid
Collection will be on Sunday August 29th at both services. Donations can also be left at the church office during office hours.
Ladies’ Fellowship
Next Ladies’ Fellowship meeting is on 6th September at 1pm. The topic for the day is: Fathers – Bring a favorite photo or memory of your father. Hostesses: Beth Stringer, Janice Viant. Please bring something for the trading table. Seminary student Jacob will be leading a study. BYO Bible. Please do not come if unwell. Mask optional but preferable. Apologies to Di Schlenk 0409 820 448.
Grow Ministries News 
“The Grow Team’s Missional Faith Formation Mind Map is available for one more week in the café 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
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Being humble almost sounds counter-cultural in a world that likes to promote self. And yet we often warm to the quiet people who go about their day without drawing attention to themselves.
Jesus had something to say on this subject. Have a look at this week’s GFH resource for some ideas to try out with your family and friends.
KAPs Youth Event is just around the corner…this Sunday…2 more sleeps to go!
Parents, grandparents…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). Grandparents are welcome too! 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 flyer below (there are paper copies in the café area), contact Rachel on 0475 582 289 or see Georgie. If you don’t have a child or grandchild in this age range you are more than welcome to join us for worship and dinner from 5:30pm! The more the merrier!
School Snippets
It was another exciting week over at the ELC, the students dressing up creatively as part of their Book week celebrations. It was also lovely watching the interactions between Curiosity children and students from Year 5 and 6 on Thursday afternoon. You never tire of seeing the delight and joy in the faces of children from both age groups! It was also lovely to be able to chat over tea and coffee (before and after Chapel) on Wednesday. We were blessed to have a school volunteer serving behind the counter. Why not join us for Chapel and a coffee! 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 Five Newsletter by following this link: https://bit.ly/3AvjwMi 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 continued our theme of ‘God @ the movies’. A group of students shared a message of ‘Being Grateful’. Have a look at this week’s devotion in the Weekly News for a reflection of what was shared. 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!
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. A lock up roster is available to the end of the year in stewards’ information area for reference.
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.
“…the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,to blot out their name from the earth.”
Psalm 34:15-16
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
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
