Lifeless
Jesus’ words are confronting: “Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35).
Direct and to the point. These words were shared moments after he had shared the direction his own life was about to take. That of suffering.
His own life was about to be surrendered and it didn’t look pretty. But his actions had eternal consequences for us.
Our salvation.
Jesus had the bigger picture in mind when he shared these words.
What if we steadied ourselves for a moment and thought of what our surrendered life might look like?
Jesus spent three years investing in the lives of those around him, before his death and resurrection. Think of all the lives he touched and the impact that was made. He showed by his words and actions that people mattered to God.
What would it be like if we ‘surrendered our lives’ to God and allowed him to direct us to people who need to be shown that they matter to Him?
Georgie Schuster
Bible Reading: Mark 8:31-38
Grow Team Sessions
What is the priority for Good Shepherd for the next ten years? It’s a question we all need to be asking ourselves, but we must wrestle with our own mission statement:
Reaching into the community with the Gospel so that all may know Jesus and worship him.
The question ensues – how is this best accomplished? One of the best ways is to go ‘old school,’ if you will.
Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, Lord, while I proclaim your power to another generation and your strength to all who are to come (Psalm 71:19).
The mission is accomplished through creating and sustaining loving, Christ-like intergenerational relationships. One of the tools that the Lutheran Church of Australia has at its disposal to share with congregations and communities, is Grow Coaching. This program is led by the Grow Ministries team and it gathers together churches to learn and share together how Psalm 71 works in the 21st century. In understanding the research of the 21st century church, Grow will pass on some tools for Good Shepherd to use as we connect with The Ark Lutheran Church in Salisbury and Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide. As we begin in this ‘cluster,’ our first connection points are Saturday, March 13, at Good Shepherd, 9:00-3:00 and Saturday, March 27 at The Ark in Salisbury.
March 13th is an exploratory option for anyone interested in learning more and to find passionate and willing people to be part of the Grow Team. Kathy Liebig will use her experience in ministry to lead Good Shepherd’s Grow Team. These are exciting times for Good Shepherd!
There is no cost to attending these sessions, but we want to have as many people as possible, to hear and be excited about the future.
Faith and Film – with Pr Reid Matthias
Due to the pandemic and the subsequent shift to home entertainment, the appetite for movies has risen sharply. Streaming services such as Disney +, Stan, and Netflix have opened pathways for more home movie entertainment than ever before.
Have you ever stopped to wonder: When do movies move to manipulation? How do movies motivate us? How are we shaped by the stories that we watch on the silver screen? How do film makers shape our worldview?
You may never have noticed how movies use music, cinematography, script and characterisations to get you to believe something that previously you may have never thought about.
In Faith and Film, you may begin to see how subtly and wonderfully movies push us to understand human nature and the ever-present spiritual themes which are in every film – sin and redemption, love and hate, broken relationships, hope and blessing. When our eyes are opened to how movie makers do this, we can never go back to viewing movies just as ‘entertainment.’
Faith and Film is open for 15+. (The topics discussed may include those of sensitive nature, but we will not be viewing specific offensive scenes).
Engaging Bible Studies – Leaders Wanted – with Pr Rolly and Hope Stahl
Think of a time when you shared in a Bible study that was so interesting that you couldn’t wait till next time. What made it so engaging?
What makes a Bible study come to life? How can we help people understand – and get excited about – the relevance of the Bible for everyday faith, life, and relationships?
As followers of Jesus, how does the Word of God shape us? And can we help one another to live out the Scriptures?
If you are interested in leading Bible studies, or helping a friend to get more out of the Bible, then come along. We’ll explore God’s part and our part in preparing and leading a Bible study. We’ll look at some important relational skills to facilitate group discussion. And we’ll even try out a few short Bible studies.
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.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
We are now in the season of Lent, a time of reflection in the lead up to Easter. This week’s GFH resource offers some creative ideas for you to do as a family, as well as providing some interesting things to ponder and talk about.
Transform Youth (formerly known as Confirmation)
Here is an opportunity for young people aged 9 to 13 to meet together and learn about God and grow in their faith in community. Through games, activities and discussion, youth and leaders alike are encouraged and equipped to use their gifts and share their faith everywhere. We are having a Leaders and Parents meeting to dialogue about the purpose and function of Transform, and how we can partner together as a community to make this happen. We’ll connect in the school library on Sunday 28th February after the second service. All welcome!
Little Lambs Playgroup Has Returned!
Families with little ones 0-5 years of age are welcome to join us in the church hall Fridays from 9am, for activities, fun and friendships. We hope to see you there!
Worship Leading
Calling people who are interested in Worship Leading at church! If this is something you, or you and your family are interested in, I’d love to chat with you. Please let me know!
God bless your week!
Georgie
Library News
Books by the author Timothy Keller are on the spinner in the library. Feel free to borrow them following the instructions on the notice board.
The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
In The Prodigal God, Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation. He invites the reader to come to a new and totally life-changing understanding of the central message of the Christian faith.
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism
Timothy Keller uses reason, philosophy, and literature to make a compelling case for the rationality of belief in the Christian God. This book has been written for believers and non-believers, sceptics and churchgoers, and charts a brilliantly considered and impassioned path to Christianity.
King’s Cross: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God
Based on Mark’s Gospel, Timothy Keller takes a deep and thought-provoking look at the life of Christ. He describes Christ as ‘Unpredictable yet reliable, gentle yet powerful, authoritative yet humble, human yet divine.’
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
This is a book that will teach you to pray – and in doing so, will change your life.
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Timothy Keller
Craft Group
Did you know that there’s a craft group which meets on Thursday nights in the church complex?
This is not structured classes, but a ‘bring from home’ project. We work on different projects from knitting and sewing to mosaics and anything in between. Sometimes it’s more of a sit and chat time too.
We meet at 7.30 most weeks. Please feel free to come and check it out!
Ladies Fellowship
The March meeting for Ladies Fellowship will be talking about Mothers. Please bring a photo and/or favourite memory of your mother. There will be a prize for the member who can match the mothers and daughters.
Tuesday 2nd March at 1pm.
Please sign in using QR codes or at the designated sign in sheet. Please don’t come if unwell. Apologies can be sent to Di on 0409 820 448.
Hostesses : Beth Temme and Jean Hampel.
All ladies welcome.
New Units at FLH Good Shepherd Para Vista – Effie Court
Five new retirement living units are nearing completion at Effie Court, FLH Good Shepherd Para Vista! For expressions of interest or to find out more information, go to Vacancies | Fullarton Lutheran Homes (flh.asn.au), or you can call Shannon O’Malley on 8372 3495. There are also plans and expression of interest forms on the noticeboard in the café area.
Lutherans@Uni Welcome Event
Monday 22nd February, 3pm-4pm
We’ll meet in the ‘Hub’ at Adelaide Uni and then head to the room where our weekly Bible studies will be held for a chat, snacks and short study.
Contact Pastor Joshua Pfeiffer for more details: 0431 398 713.
GSPV Member Awarded with Doctoral Degree
This week the Richardson family, who are members here at Good Shepherd Para Vista, celebrated an achievement some eight years in the making: Amanda’s Covid-delayed PhD graduation. Dr Richardson’s PhD thesis was entitled “Socio-demographic and time-use predictors of first-year university student success: ATAR and beyond”. Amanda’s eight year PhD journey included having two children.
“Over these eight years we’ve had tremendous support from the community, particularly relating to the two boys. We are incredibly grateful for all of the kind support this community has blessed us with over the years. Thank you!” Amanda’s husband Luke stated.
Dr Amanda now works at UniSA’s Teaching Innovation Unit where she is an Academic Developer. She leads a team helping teaching staff develop courses and improve student learning experiences.
Good Shepherd Social Club
Our 2021 year has commenced, and we gather together each Thursday 1pm-3.30pm in the Church Hall.
We welcome anyone that would be interested in coming to a free one-off introduction on any Thursday afternoon.
Activities include meeting other members, playing different card games or carpet bowls and enjoying coffee and a chat.
If you wish to join after your free one-off visit then the weekly fee is $3.00 per person.
Please contact Tom Curnow, President on 72254593 or 0400 258 410; or Mike Hancock, Vice President on 0403 375 474 with any inquiries.
Office News
Connect Cards
Have a prayer request, information to share, or need the church to contact you? Connect Cards are available near the front entrance of the church. Please fill one out if needed and place it in the offering bowl during the service.
Lost Property
Missing something? Lost property is accumulating! Take a look and see if any of it is yours: it is located on the shelves near the Parenting Room and women’s toilets.
COVID-Safe Requirements
Anyone attending the premises (for whatever reason) is legally required to check-in using Covid-Safe QR Code or sign the visitor’s book with both name and contact number. Please remember to maintain 1.5m distance when entering the building, attending communion and getting served tea & coffee. White floor markings are placed at 1.5m to assist you.
Mission Support
Electronic Deposits can be made to the bank account details at the bottom of the Weekly News, or Click on the GIVE button on our website.
For LLL REG (regular electronic giving): Download the form here, use the same bank details and email/post back to the address shown on the form.
Does God still communicate with us today? If so, what are the different ways? How can we be sure it is Him communicating, and not just our own thoughts or imaginations? What is the difference between “wisdom” and “revelation” when it comes to knowing the will of God? In this practical one day workshop you will learn about and practise listening to the different ways that God communicates to His people, both individually and in a group setting.
Details & Bookings: www.trybooking.com/boctn or michael.dutschke@lca.org.au
Weekly News Submissions should be made by the Wednesday prior to Friday publication. 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.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
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
