Life As Community

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.

Finance update

The following is an update on our finances for Good Shepherd Para Vista to 31^st August 2023.

In the budget approved at our Half Yearly meeting in November 2022, we provided for annual offerings and donations of $450,000. To 31^st August we planned to have received $262,885.

As of 31^st August 2023, our donations were $251,766, a shortfall of $42,234 against our planned budget of $296,000.

The good news is that our offerings have increased in June and July to help bring us back to a balanced budget for the year to date.  The not so good news is that our giving dropped off in August leading to our increased shortfall.  As we have not yet been able to secure a pastor nor employ a planned lay worker our year-to-date expenditure is down on the budget plan.

Thank you to all those who have prayerfully reviewed their giving and increased their commitment.

Dean Bartley (Treasurer)

Community Lunch

The Meet and Eat Team invites you to a lunch on Sunday 17^th September after the 10.30am service, in the church hall.

For over 7 years Pathway, our Baptist friend up the road, has been supplying tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of food so we can feed our guests on Monday nights.

We would like to raise some money and donate all of it to Pathway to help pay for its ever-present transport and electricity costs.

On the menu we have a number of soups, hot dogs and a list of fillings including sauerkraut, beetroot relish, mustard and on course tomato sauce. For a donation.

We’d love to see y’all there to have a good feed and to support our friends who do so much for us.

Peter Weckert (Meet & Eat Team)

Power and Authority: Weekend Focus

Led by Pastor Michael Dutschke, Adventurous Discipleship

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista

7-8^th October 2023

Saturday 7^th October Workshop: Discovering Spiritual Authority

• “Explore the biblical teaching of the spiritual power and authority that God has, and we have as followers of Jesus”.
• Through a series of sessions explore, observe, and practice using your spiritual authority.
• Prepares participants for Sunday afternoon Prayer Walk

Sunday8^th October: Worship and Prayer Walk

• Worship services at 8:45am and 10:30am with Pastor Michael Dutschke bringing us a message on Power and Authority
• A sausage sizzle will be provided after the 10:30am service.
• Sunday afternoon Prayer walk, 1pm (approx.) over Good Shepherd Church using guiding principles from Saturday’s sessions.

Further Details

• Saturday workshop is free for Good Shepherd Church community!
• We are inviting others outside of Good Shepherd, where a fee is being charged to attend ($40 pp)
• Registration for all participants on Saturday is required for catering purposes (morning tea and lunch, gluten, and dairy free options)
• More details to come about program times for Saturday.
• To register
• Contact the Church Office on 8263 5087
• Write in your Contact card.
• See Julie Freund on Sundays between the services in the café.

Community Family Support News

Growing Faith at Home

For the second week in a row, the title of this week’s GFH resource might be easier said than done. ‘God calls us to show mercy and not judge others.’ You’ve heard the expression: ‘Don’t be so quick to judge’.  We aren’t always in a position where we know someone’s back story that might contribute to them behaving in a certain way. Sometimes their actions impact others, they may impact us, and it can be hard not to judge or retaliate… God calls us to show mercy… That can be a big ask, but it has the power to change lives! Can you think of a time that, instead of judging you, someone showed you mercy?  Here are some conversation starters to try out in your family: Have you ever felt judged by somebody? How did you feel? Why should we be careful about judging others?  God bless your conversations and the week ahead!

KAPS – Save the date Sunday 24^th September!!

Our next KAPS event is coming soon… and we are going on a bear scavenger hunt! It’s going to be lots of fun and we would love for you to be a part of it. There is also something for older people too. Students from Years 7-12 are invited to join in with some Youth games. (So… if you know anyone in this age group, share the news!) Everyone is then invited to join in with worship and dinner. Hoping to see you soon!

Rachel and Georgie

 Do you like to cook?

From time to time, we have the opportunity to help out families in need of a meal or two. If one of your hobbies is cooking (or if it is something that you don’t mind doing) I would love to hear from you. Feel free to have a chat or you could contact me here and I can give you more information. God bless you! Georgie

School Snippets

Last Thursday afternoon/ evening the Foundation students came back to school for their ‘Tea and Teddy’ event. They enjoyed pizzas, stories, a ‘bear hunt’, singing and games. Have a look at the school’s Facebook page for some photos. As mentioned last week, our Good Shepherd staff (school, OSHC and church) attended the 1^st Aid training day. Have a look at our church Facebook page for a glimpse at the gathering. If you would like to find out more of what is happening at school, you are also welcome to click on the link to our newsletter: https://inewsletter.co/J1WDLx/latest A printed copy is available in the café area and I am happy to arrange your own copy if you would like!

Wednesday Worship

One of our teachers, Mrs. Hart, shared part of her faith story at Worship on Wednesday. You will be able to see the video recording by clicking on the link in this week’s devotion. Next week we hear from another staff member, (Mrs. Colalancia, who many of you might know) as she shares part of her faith walk with us.  We would love for you to join us for Wednesday Worship and coffee next week. Same time as usual… 8:50am!   Love to see you soon!

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