Joining in Mary’s Song
Sometimes a tune, or a lyric, enters our minds and we can’t get rid of it. Germans aptly call this an ‘ear worm.’ For some, this is frustrating – to sing or hum the same tune all day long – but for others, it’s comforting.
In the book of Luke, Mary seems to have an ‘ear worm’ from a song sung in Israel’s past by another woman, Hannah, who desperately wanted a baby:
Here are Hannah’s lyrics: (CSB) 1 Samuel 2: 1,2,7,8
My heart rejoices in the LORD, my horn is lifted up by the LORD. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God…
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the rubbish heap. He seats them with nobles and gives them a throne of honour.
Now Mary’s:
My soul praises the greatness of the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, because he has looked with favour on the humble condition of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done great things for me…
He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
These songs are similar but sung by women in two totally different situations. Hannah desperately wants a child whereas Mary would have definitely preferred to have a child after she’d been married. In both circumstances, these women praised God for his power and his strength and what he would do for his good purpose.
This Sunday, as we delve into these two stories, I hope that you find yourself singing the same ‘ear worm.’
My heart rejoices in the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Pr. Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Luke 1:46-55
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
As we adapt to our new way of living 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.
From the Board
If you haven’t read the previous Weekly News, please do so; it contains important information from the Board.
Gardening Appliances Needed
Do you have any older or unneeded gardening gear that is not being used? Thinking of upgrading some of your outdoor appliances? Please don’t throw them out – our asylum seeker friend Arsha is looking to establish a gardening business and has a lawn mower, but needs some other gardening tools. He is excited about getting started and making a difference in the lives of others!
Please set aside anything you are willing to pass on (whipper snipper, blower vac, or any other appliances or tools) and call Aston on 0415655393, or contact the church office.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Joy to the world… we could use some right now, couldn’t we? God’s Christmas present of Joy came in an unexpected package all those years ago, in a confusing time, after a long wait. While the circumstances have changed, the good news of great joy is something that we look forward to unwrapping this Christmas, 2020. Have a look at this week’s GFH resource for some activities and conversation starters. May God’s joy be yours this Christmas!
A reminder that we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas at our Family Christmas Eve Service, at 5pm. We ask that you please keep an eye on the church website for updates. Love to see you there!
Blessings,
Georgie
SPIN Camp
Hmmm. Upcoming Summer holidays: What to do, what to do… If you are in Years 4 to 7 you might like to consider spending time in Barmera with some other like-minded friends for a few days. Please contact Georgie or the Church office for the sponsorship code for your discount.
Give a Gift of Life this Christmas
For Christmas in 2020, Maranatha Health is sharing Gifts of Life with our Ugandan community. We invite you to donate and receive Christmas Gift Cards to share with friends and family – and give a Gift of Life that lasts long into the future.
At this time more than ever, access to high quality compassionate health care and community health literacy is so important!
Your gift of a donation to Maranatha Health can provide life-saving medical care, increase community understanding to prevent ill-health, and help build a more accessible and just health care system that will bring lasting change to people’s lives.
To give a Gift of Life and order your cards, simply follow these simple steps:
- Choose and order your cards via the simple online order form on the MH website at maranathahealth.org/christmas. Or have a look at the display in the hall to make your selection. Then fill out an order form, which is pinned to the display. Give the order form to Wendy Hampel or Julie Freund so that your order can be processed.
- Make your donation to MH via Give Now: https://givenow.com.au/mhchristmas
- Receive your cards within 2 weeks!
News from Maranatha
The world is still dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic and Maranatha Health in Uganda has been impacted to. In fact, with lock down easing, the Clinic is quite busy again, seeing patients and their families who have been waiting for come to the Clinic. Programs like the nutrition classes and community health workers are gearing up again to inform local communities of ways to increase health in the local communities.
Go to the website for more information on giving, or purchasing Christmas Gift Cards of Life (per above): https://maranathahealth.org/give/
Thanks for your ongoing partnership with Maranatha Health!
Office News
Facilities Maintenance…the Critters are Increasing!
While we are in a state of flux there has been lots of movement within our building. This has been in the form of tiny critters that have decided to make homes in the corridors and other places. Servant hearts are required to assist these little critters in finding new homes as soon as possible.
Please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or turn up while the front office is open to help.
COVID-Safe Requirements.
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions as mandated by the State Government. From 1st December the updated plan requires us to display a location-unique QR Code. Anyone attending the premises (for whatever reason) is legally required to check-in using this QR Code. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code you are required to sign the visitors’ book with your name and telephone number. Please note the telephone number must be written on the sheet if you are registering your attendance in this manner.
Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current social distancing regulations.
Christmas Whirlwind Competition
The competition is open again this year on Thursday 24th December at 8.30am to find the best dust blowing machine on the block. The competition assists in giving the church grounds a bit of a dust off and the facility a bit of a spruce up!
For free entry, please bring along your best blow vac machine with safety equipment and join the group to create an inviting appearance to our church facility for Christmas. If you don’t have a blow vac and have the time, still come along as I have a few spare.
Cobwebbing will also be completed so if you don’t have a competitive machine maybe you can compete for the longest broom handle. The little critters will also require assistance to move home from the interior of the building via the sucking machine and hands will be indispensable in ensuring this happens.
Car parking attendants are required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve from 4:14pm-6:45pm, Please contact Stephen on 0403 180 814 or email churchenquires@paravista.org.au to assist.
A Parking Blessing for Christmas
Should numbers permit this year and we require extra parking the school oval will be available leaving the parks close to the entrance of the church as a blessing for our visitors. These arrangements will be in place for all Christmas services. Parking signs will be in place and your assistance in following directions is appreciated.
Office Closure over Christmas
The office will be closed for an extended period to allow staff to exhaust leave. Times will be
24 December 2020 9.00am to 2.00pm OPEN
25 December 2020 to 11 January 2021 CLOSED
Office Opening Times in 2021
Tuesday to Friday OPEN 9.00am to 3.00pm
Every Thursday, staff meets at 9.00am and the office will be closed till 10.30am
For urgent ministry contact during closing times please call 8263 5087 and leave a message. Messages will be retrieved as soon as practical.
Weekly News
The last Weekly News for 2020 will be published on Thursday 24 December and the first edition for 2021 will be published on 15 January.
Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation’s mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic Deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB 704942
Account No. 100354939
Account Name GSPV REG; or
Click on the GIVE button on our website.
LLL REG: Download the form here and use the same bank details as above in the “account to be credited” section, and email back to address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Online Training and Registrations – Christmas Closure
Please be advised that registration and all processing of online Safe Church Training will be closed from Sunday 20th December 2020 until Sunday 10th January 2021.
We understand that many members may take the opportunity to complete their training online over the Christmas break. All registrations will need to be completed prior to Sunday 20th December in order to receive the relevant enrollment codes and access to their training.
This includes for those who completed training in 2017 and are eligible to complete the refresher prior to 31st December 2020.
After 10th January 2021, processing will recommence and those who registered during the break will receive access to the training at this time.
Please follow this link for more information. https://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/professional-standards/training-prof-standards/
Please check your currency and take the opportunity to update it. If you have any questions, please contact Stephen.
Support for Family Zone
The amazing support continues for the Family Hub with the amount of donations given last week. Besides a mountain of food there were donations of quilts, a child’s car seat and $290 in cash. Some of the food donated has already been distributed. Due to Covid-19 the Hub’s planned Christmas celebration has been postponed and instead money donated will be used to celebrate the beginning of what hopefully will be a much more settled year in 2021.
If making a cash donation please place in an envelope marked Family Hub, and drop into the church office. Due to the present restrictions donations may be made up until Sunday 13th December.
Items required:
Hair conditioner (we seem to have lots of shampoo)
Glen 20
Hand wash
Noodles
Muesli bars – nut free if possible please
Large cans tuna
Long life milk
Jam
Tins spaghetti
Jellies
Biscuits – sweet and savoury
Cheese
Margarine
Sincere thanks for the on-going support
Kathlene
Open Door
We still have Christmas cards and Christmas stock available for you, or for gift-giving.
“Gift Vouchers” are also available, for any $ amount.
We have joined in with the Gawler Business Development Group to Shop Local and have entered in the “Best Christmas Display” Competition. Voting is via Facebook for your chance to win a $50 shopping voucher – see details on our fb page.
The other event is “Christmas on Murray Street”: Thursday 17 Dec: 4pm-9pm. We will be open. Our special for that event is “20% off full-priced stock in store”.
Please note holiday closure times below.
Shop 5, Gawler Arcade, Gawler; Ph. 85221677; E opendoorbook@gmail.com
fb: www.OpenDoorGawler.com.au
TRADING: M-F 10-4, Sat 10-1. Special event: Thurs 17 Dec – late night shopping.
Christmas – New Year: Closed 25 Dec – Open Monday 4 Jan 2021.
“Then Hannah prayed and said: My heart rejoices in the Lord…there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:1-2
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
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
