Life after Moses – God’s Call to be Strong and Courageous
Change is always hard, and times of transition can be quite challenging. At Para Vista we are beginning to come to terms with the fact that Pastor Rolly will no longer be with us. That’s a big change for us! How will we transition successfully through this?
In Joshua chapter 1, we encounter the people of Israel in transition. Moses was dead and Joshua was wondering whether he was up to the task of leading God’s people. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill! It seems to me that many of the things that God said to encourage Joshua, equally applies to us today.
In verse 3 God says to Joshua, “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land.” Here God is reassuring Joshua and the people that the promises spoken to Moses still hold good, even though Moses is no longer with them.
Note too how God refers to the people as “my” people, not Moses’ people. In the same way, God claims you as his own here at Para Vista. Jesus is your true Pastor, not Pastor Rolly or Pastor Reid. They may have left, but Jesus is still with us! And his promises to you still hold true! God is, and will continue to be, faithful during this time of vacancy and transition.
In verse 5 God says, “I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.” You can’t help but think of Jesus’ other name, “Immanuel” when you read this. Immanuel, of course, means, “God with us.”
Next God says to Joshua the same thing three times in a row. In verse 6 God says, “Be determined and confident.” He repeats the same encouragement in verse 7, “Just be determined, be confident.” And for a third time God says in verse 9, “Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!” God says it three times. Clearly God wants us to take this message to heart!
So, let’s be really determined to remember that and be super confident because of it, knowing that God loves each one of us and will be with us every step of the way!
Pr. Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
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.
Farewell Gift for the Stahl Family
Many of you will be aware of Rolly’s great gift of craftsmanship. Last year he made a beautiful Jarrah table. Last week Good Shepherd gifted the Stahls with 12 dining chairs to go with the table. The Good Shepherd family will be remembered every time they sit down and share a meal, a cuppa or a chat with others! Bless you Rolly and Leanne “when you sit and when you rise” in this new season!
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
School Snippets
We’re back! It is wonderful to be together once again, ready to explore the opportunities of Term Two with our Good Shepherd.
On Monday a number of our teachers participated in the international ‘Learning Impact Symposium’ here in Adelaide. It connected education thinkers both face to face and virtually around the world, providing the opportunity to celebrate and share research undertaken by Good Shepherd and other AISSA schools. Our staff, led by Karen Schoff have explored ways in which to originate, grow and embed transdisciplinary approaches to learning, and also developed tools to map and document learning impact. These measures will assist in equipping students with the skills they need for the future that awaits them.
We were also blessed by a group of volunteers who prepared and showcased a range of gifts for Mother’s Day. A lot of thought went into this. Students perused and purchased items that reflected their mother’s/ grandmother’s love language!
If you would like more details or to see more of what we’ve been up to, have a look at our newsletter ‘WINGS’: https://bit.ly/3vOjApd
This week for School Worship we began our new theme, ‘Fruit of the Spirit’, starting with ‘Love’. We would love for you to join us. Just click on the link: https://bit.ly/3scmZMc
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Families,
This week’s GFH is all about ‘The Good Shepherd’. That title should ring a bell… There are a number of devotional readings that talk about God’s care for us using the illustration of a loving shepherd and his sheep (I have other child-friendly resources that I would love to share with you as well. Just send me an email or pop in and see me some time!)
Here are some caring conversations to try out with others. Where do you feel safe? Why? Jesus calls us his sheep and says that no one can snatch us away from his hand. What do you think he means? In what ways do you experience Jesus as your Good Shepherd? On another note… Mums, Grandmas and ladies who invest in the lives of others… God refresh and bless you for all the different ways you show your love and care. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day this Sunday! Have a lovely week everyone!
Georgie
Little Lambs
Just an update. Unfortunately, I have not yet had any people commit to being part of a team to serve our community in this valuable way. While I hope that one day, we will be able to offer this wonderful program again, it appears that for now, Little Lambs will remain on a break. If you know of anyone who might be interested in serving in this way, please let me know. You can email at georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au
We have equipment and resources; we just need people with time and hearts to serve families with young ones. It is a wonderful area of connection and care.
Blessings,
Georgie
Grow Ministries Update
A topic that has been discussed at our workshops is “What is the church’s role in resourcing and equipping parents, grandparents and carers to pass on their face to their children?” As we rethink this role, here are some questions for us to dwell on:
How can we help our families feel like they belong to our community?
How could we help our families build connections within our community?
How could we provide for our families to share their faith experiences with our community?
What might it look like on a Sunday morning for families to serve and worship together?
Let’s continue to seek Holy Spirit’s leading and discuss how we can work together to support the parents, grandparents and carers who worship with us.
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
Office News
Notice of AGM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc. will be holding the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 22 May 2022 beginning at 12.00pm. Reports and agenda will be emailed out in the week leading up to 14 May along with hard copies available in the church office and foyer areas.
Marantha Health Fundraising Sausage Sizzle Lunch
Prior to the AGM on Sunday 22 May Maranatha Health will be providing a sausage sizzle lunch. Price will be $3.00 per sausage, or you can get a bargain and buy 2 for $5.00. See Maranatha Health for more information or to donate.
Serving Platters
Thank you to all who provided a plate for the shared lunch last Sunday. I am sure you will agree with me that the buffet spread left it hard to make a choice. A few serving plates were left behind on the day and have been left in the café. Please remove them as any items left after a month will be donated to Lutheran Care.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 arrangements as mandated by the State Government. From 15th April 2022 masks and check-ins are no longer required, however please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with continued physical distancing and by exiting the church through the café doors.
Please do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell. 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
