Love Comes to Life Where You Are
I was at a youth camp recently and the young people were talking about wanting to do something for God – to live out their faith in a truly meaningful way. They talked about various missions they would like to go on. They were inspiring in the vision they had for how they could serve God.
However, as the discussion continued, I began to feel a bit sad, because I realised they were undervaluing what they were already doing. As I looked around at these young people I knew, I had always really valued the way they witnessed to God in their everyday lives. Particularly that they lived out their faith in a way that was real and authentic. But they couldn’t see that. They were looking to serve God in meaningful ways but did not realise that in their day to day lives they were living out God’s love to people around them in marvellously meaningful ways. I wanted to shout out to them “YOU ALREADY ARE!” But I’m not they would have heard me.
What about you? If I said that to you, would you hear me?
You see God’s love comes to life as we simply live out our faith in, dare I say it, our ordinary lives.
Love comes to life in our relationships, in our vocation, in our family and social life.
Love comes to life where we are.
Love comes to life as we simply use the gifts that God has given us, for others.
Pr. Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: 1 Peter 2:4-10 (NLT)
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.
Connect Cards
Please fill in a connect card as you walk in the church as it is the only way we can connect with you!
Reminder! Two Services for February
A reminder that that we are going back to two services commencing on 5th Feb 2023. Service times will be 8.45am and 10.30am.
On 5th February, at the 10.30am service, there will be the Blessing of the Good Shepherd Lutheran School community and a general blessing for all education as we commence the start of term for 2023.
Easter Worship Planning Team
If you are interested in joining the Easter Worship planning team, please see Merv or Ros Thiele or contact the church office.
Fellowship and Fun
On Sunday 12th February, from 1pm in the church hall. Come along and enjoy sharing time over some friendly games. All welcome!
BYO drinks, nibbles, afternoon tea.
A gold coin donation on arrival would be appreciated, and tea/coffee is available.
Activities for the afternoon will include cards, board games and carpet bowls – if you can’t play, then come and learn!
Contact Peter Schlenk for more details on 0419 217 767.
We aim to provide a welcoming, enjoyable afternoon of conversation and fun and look forward to seeing you there.
Young Adults February Event
What better way to kick off the new year and cool off from the heat than with a pool party! Join us for our first event for 2023!
We’ll also have a barbecue with meat provided but please bring drinks, a salad and/or snacks to share. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, bathers, a towel, and goggles!
Christa Schwarz
Meet and Eat Fundraising
On Sunday, 19th March at 2.00pm at the Good Shepherd church, the Meet and Eat Ministry invites you all to a concert.
Entry for children will be free!!
Come and be entertained by the Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia and support us raise money for our Meet and Eat Ministry.
$20 a ticket includes afternoon tea. Tickets will be available from next week at the church office.
See Peter Weckert for more info!
Update on PNG Project From Ian Hutchinson
Thank you to all who have wonderfully given to support the building project of Wycliffe Bible Translators member, Hanna Schulz in PNG. Hanna is also an Australian Lutheran.
The construction of the village dormitory building has begun, so that the Kope people can travel to her village and be accommodated while they are trained to translate and share Bible stories with their own people.
The amount needed for this project is $183,000, of which 43% has so far been raised.
To give to the dorm building project, please visit this link: PNG DORMITORY PROJECT In this way, we can continue to be involved in building the church in PNG, as South Australian Lutherans have done for many years!
Family Support Coordinator News, From Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
One of my mentors was a lady I worked with many years ago. She not only ‘talked the talk’, but she ‘walked the walk’ as well. I watched as year after year she showed God’s love and kindness through her words and actions. She not only blessed me personally, but many others in our community. She had a profound and lasting influence on my life. Today’s GFH title is ‘Jesus teaches us the ways of God’. The action response proposes a ‘Micah challenge’, matching ideas and words with actions. How could you as an individual, a family, a friendship/ small group bless others through your words, ideas and actions within our community (or outside of it) in the next month? May the Holy Spirit show you the possibilities!
God bless you as you bless others!
Little Lambs
Dear Church Family,
Our Little Lambs Playgroup has been on hiatus throughout 2022. We have certainly been blessed in previous years with wonderful volunteers who have served in this area. Is it time to revisit this opportunity to share God’s love with little people and their families/ carers? Do you have a heart for little ones? Or do you know someone who does? Our community values opportunities to connect with others. Sharing time together, chatting over a coffee as little one’s play is its own reward. Creating an environment where relationships can be formed and nurtured is a wonderful area of ministry! If this is something you feel led to be a part of, I would love to hear from you. There are plenty of resources ready to go thanks to the creativity, generosity and love of previous Little Lambs team leaders. Please contact me via email here or chat with me sometime about this valuable opportunity.
Will keep you posted on Little Lamb’s next chapter. Watch this space!
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
Office News
Office Closure
The office will remain closed on 2nd February 2023 (Thursday) as it will be a staff training day.
Facility Bookings
To alleviate the potential of double booking and embarrassment for users of our facility the following has been implemented. If you wish to use any room within the church facility for any reason a booking request will need to made and confirmed with the church office. If you are planning to use the church facility for any reason a booking will be required prior to commencement of the use. Please include any rehearsal or practice times. Please do not just assume that because an area is vacant when you arrive it is not being used. All pre-booked users will have preference.
Part of History Available for Sale!
For a donation you can purchase surplus carpet tiles. Let the history life on by lining your garage floor, man cave or other area for a small cost to assist in funding the full replacement of carpeting our facility. Be quick as they won’t last long. Contact Stephen or the front office for further information.
Thank you!
A huge thank you to the team/s that attended the church this past week to assist in moving chairs and lifting carpet tiles in readiness for the new carpet.
All involved had a good workout, enjoyed the companionship and most importantly hoed into the fresh hot scones with brewed coffee.
Listen out for the announcement this Sunday on joining us again next week to help finish the upgrade.
Empty Space?
A reminder that unwanted items are not to be bought to the Good Shepherd facility and left in hope that we may be able to use them. Permission from the Congregational Administrator or church office is required before leaving items in any area. A reminder to please take all your belongings with you when you leave the facility. Surplus items will be removed from the area after 2 weeks and placed in the community care bin. Remember a lost property box is located on the cupboard in the corridor leading from the parenting room to the rest rooms.
Name Badge Request
The cost for a Name Badge is $12. If you would like to order one then, contact the church office on 0882635087 or send an email to: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Weekly News Items
Weekly news items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or krishna.vasani@paravista.org.au by Wednesday Evening. Out of hours please leave a message on the answering system 08 8263 5087 or email the office and staff will respond as soon as they are able.
“…May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:19
Safe Church
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell.
In observing Christ’s command to love one another, we are to treat each other with respect and dignity. In honoring people, we are also fulfilling our responsibility under the law of the land. The LCA and Good Shepherd Para Vista is committed to implementing processes to ensure the church is a safe place. If anyone feels they have been subjected to sexual abuse or harassment in any form by anyone who holds a position of trust in the church, please contact:
P: 1800 644 628 E: report.abuse@safeplace.lca.org.au
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 (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
