Jesus is God’s Favour to All
Talk about timing! Rolly’s email arrived, requesting me to write a blurb on “Jesus is God’s favour to all”. Just after I received this text message: “Hey there Peter and Julie. Just travelling with the family on a day trip from Horsham to the Melbourne Zoo! Listening to your Favoured series in the car! A true blessing. May you be blessed and favoured too this day in all you do!”
Favour is like that. You want to share it. You can’t keep it to yourself.
You could sum up the ministry and mission of Jesus in that one word: favour. He brings the presence, character, values, and inclusiveness of the Father to every person he comes across.
His favour embraces you. On your bad days and your good days.
His favour includes those we might presume to be outside of his reach. In fact, Jesus’ life of favour is not represented by whom he excludes, but rather by whom he includes.
There’s a beautiful invitation for us there: receive Father’s favour through Jesus, live in favour, give favour away.
It’s that simple; it’s that profound. For to be sure, favour is life-changing.
Peter Steicke
Bible Reading: Luke 4:20-30 Jesus is rejected at Nazareth.
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.
Congregational Meeting
The Board is calling a congregational meeting on Sunday 30th January 2022, after the 10:30am service, at approx. 11.30am.
Meeting topic: Elect members for (1) Call Committee and (2) Ministry Coordination Group.
This meeting will be held in the church and will also be available on Zoom. It is expected to run for approx. 5 minutes.
Details of how to join the Zoom Meeting have been sent out to congregants.
Grow Team News
Have you heard of the 4 faith practices? For a number of years now Grow Ministries have been providing resources that follow these practices. These practices help us to pass on our faith to future generations and grow our faith in Jesus. These resources are available on our website. And each week Georgie selects from the resource a suggested faith practice and places it in the Weekly News.
During the month of February we will be focussing on these 4 faith practices and finding out how we can practise them in our own homes. Now not all homes are made up of families and many people live on their own. So how does that work? We’re looking forward to exploring how this is happening or could happen to help us grow our faith in Jesus.
“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
Dear Church family,
Being on the ‘outer’ is never a fun position. Sadly, I’m sure that everyone has a story of a time they felt rejected. Jesus himself felt this sting, more than once! This week’s GFH title is ‘God has chosen you’. Words that bring comfort and healing. There are lots of great ideas to explore in the resource. Try out these Caring Conversations with your friends and family: Jesus was rejected by the people who were in his hometown. Share about a time that you felt rejected or left out. How do you react to the news that Jesus will never reject or turn his back on you? The Creative Response highlights some practical ways to unpack what love looks/sounds/feels like. Or how about the Service Key… inviting someone you haven’t invited before to your house for a meal/coffee. Perhaps in the circumstances we find ourselves in you could meet them in an open-air environment, like a park…
In spite of his rejection, Jesus continued to share God’s love with all manner of people he encountered as he walked towards the cross. The impact he had on those people’s lives was profound. He invites us to share God’s love with others today!
God bless you as you bless others!
Georgie
Mobile Food Hub Coming to Modbury & Surrounds
Foodbank SA’s Mobile Food Hub is now visiting Modbury and Paradise. The Mobile Food Hub is a store on wheels, where people on a low income can access low-cost food and groceries. It is not designed to cover the entire cost of food shopping, but to supplement regular shopping by providing some basics for a small fee.
The Mobile Food Hub can be found outside St Luke’s Anglican Church, 25 Smart Road Modbury, from 10am-11:30am, every second Wednesday, and in St Martins Anglican Church car park, 3 Gorge Road Paradise from 1pm-2pm, with the next visit occurring on Wednesday 9th February and fortnightly thereafter. It can also be found in the Uniting Communities car park, 243 The Parade, Beulah Park from 11am-1pm on the alternate Wednesday. For further enquiries please call Sereena on 8351 1136 during office hours.
Ladies’ Fellowship
LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP is set to resume on Tuesday 1st February.
SPECIAL TIME: 12 NOON
Please bring your lunch. No afternoon tea.
There will be a Bible Study by Pr. Rolly (presumably at 1pm).
On entry, please sanitise and QR or sign in sheet.
There will be a trading table.
Please do not come if unwell.
Any apologies to Di Schlenk 0409 820 448.
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.
Church Office
As staff work around the administration vacancy the church office may be temporarily closed at times. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you assist us by phoning in advance if you can. Staff will try to answer as available but please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Please note to assist staff the office will be closed Friday afternoons till a new staff member is appointed. Office hours will be:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Thursday: 9.00am to 3.00pm (closed for lunch from 12.30 to 1.30pm)
Friday: 9.00am to 12.30pm.
Courtyard Use – COVID-19
To enable the school and us as a community to practice social distancing three gazebos have been temporarily set up in the courtyard. This is going to be a makeshift staff room for teachers during the week and can also be utilised by different groups using our facilities to enable hospitality to occur while maintaining social distancing. While we are still not able to do tea and coffee on Sunday morning we encourage you to utilise this area to connect with others after services. For security purposes the double gates to this area will be locked after hours. Should you need access to this area please contact the church office or the Congregational Administrator.
Holy Communion – Serving
Under the current COVID restrictions Holy Communion will not be celebrated for the month of February. We will be waiting for further easing of restrictions, reviewed weekly.
Devotions
We give thanks for all those who have contributed to our online devotions this year. Now we are looking for more! If you have one or more of your own that you would like to share, please send them through to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Free Chrismons
A number of Chrismons are no longer required by the visual arts team for Christmas decorations. They have been placed at the rear of the hall and are available for you to take for your own purpose.
AED Device
A Defibrillator (AED) is located rear school alcove next to the Café playground. A key is on an orange tag next to security keypad in the café (small entry exit door). All members holding keys to the complex are to add to their security procedure the visibility of this key and if it not hanging on the hook to advise either the church or school office as soon as possible of its absence. First Aiders Please note where the unit and key are located, in case of emergency.
National Church Life Survey (NCLS)
Our church is participating in the 2021 National Church Life Survey, and you are invited to complete the Attender Survey.
The survey will ask you about your experiences of our church, your thoughts about our ministries and activities, as well as your personal spiritual beliefs or religious practices. The results of the survey will help our local church to assess our church health, understand our strengths and build directions for the future.
We invite you to take part in this survey. It will take around 15-20 minutes to complete. It is anonymous and confidential.
TO TAKE PART ONLINE:
For attenders over 15 years of age: https://attendersurvey.ncls.org.au/
For attenders aged 8 to 14 years: https://childsurvey.ncls.org.au/
Our Church Code: will have been supplied to you in the cover email alerting you to the news. We ask you to complete the Survey by 11 February 2022.
Paper surveys and assistance will be available after both services on 23rd and 30th January.
The Survey is designed by NCLS Research, as part of the 2021 National Church Life Survey and has ethics approval from Charles Sturt University. More information about the survey can be found at www.2021ncls.org.au/attender-survey
Sew So Good Masks
“Sew So 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. Children’s masks are also available.
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 30th January and Sunday 6th February.
CASH only please.
Di Ollino
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
Luke 2:14
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
