Once Was Blind
Dr Fred Hollows was a living legend who restored sight to thousands of blind people. His work continues through the Fred Hollows Foundation: “An international development organisation working towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving Indigenous Australian health.” https://www.hollows.org
If you’ve ever seen video footage of Fred Hollows taking the bandages off a person after eye surgery, the joy that erupts on that person’s face in being able to see again is priceless. It reminds me how much I take my sight for granted. And it moves me to think of how life for that person is changed for the better with restored vision.
According to the eyewitness accounts, Jesus restored sight to many people – even a man born blind (John 9). We meet another one in our Bible reading this Sunday: a roadside beggar by the name of Bartimaeus.
We don’t know how he came to be blind. But think of what his life would have been like sitting on the side of a dusty road begging for a living. With his disability, he would have been labelled as “unclean”. Some would have crossed the road to avoid him. Others tried to silence him when he cried out for mercy.
Typical of Mark’s use of irony, it seems that blind Bart “sees” Jesus more clearly than many others who have sight. Jesus hears and sees Bart – and grants his petition. Bart responds by following Jesus.
I wonder: How did you come to know Jesus? What events or people did the Holy Spirit use to open your eyes to “see” Jesus is the Son of God, and to surrender to him as your Messiah-King?
How has life been different since following him?
These stories are worth sharing. Because they echo the profound and positive difference that Jesus makes. No one is lost if they are following Jesus.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)
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
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 Team Update
On Sunday we viewed a Grow Ministries video which was shown at the last workshop. It focused on faith formative influencers and faith formation practices. Over the next few weeks and months ahead we will be digging into this area as a community.
The final Grow Workshop with Grow Ministries for this year is scheduled for Saturday 6th November at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 139 Archer Street North Adelaide, from 9am-12.30pm. Parking is available in the LLL car park at 175 Archer Street or behind the LCA Churchwide Office (access from Ward Court). Our topic will be Lifelong Faith Formation. All are welcome. Please register with the front office via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au if you would like to join us.
We want to continue to encourage our community to make new connections. For those of us who are in a small group, a simple way of doing this is to arrange to meet together with another small group. Our group met with the prayer group recently and we had a wonderful time of getting to know one another and then praying for each other and our community. You can always meet at church if your current place of meeting together isn’t large enough.
“A community which intentionally develops intergenerational relationships to grow faith in Jesus so that He can build His Kingdom here and now”.
God bless you as you continue to look out for others, make new connections and reconnect.
Kathy Liebig
Grow Team Leader
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
Family Zone October Food Collection
Thank you for your very generous support for the collection in September. This will enable Lutheran Care to continue to support families in need in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Our job has been made much simpler as Lutheran Care now collection our donations from the church on Tuesday.
Update: Due to to the school anniversary service on Sunday October 31st our next food collection will be on Sunday November 7th. Donations can be left in the church office before the 7th or brought to either service on that day.
Support required this month is
Pasta Sauce
Small packets of cereal
Tins spaghetti and baked beans
Tinned fruit
2-minute noodles.
With gratitude,
The Family Zone Team
Ladies Fellowship
Ladies Fellowship will hold its AGM on Tuesday 26th October at 1pm, following by the regular meeting. Please bring your diaries as we are planning for 2022
This will also be our chance to farewell Pastor Reid.
Hostesses: Sue Renfrey and Ruth Oster
There will be a trading table.
Please wear your mask and QR/sign in upon entry.
Please note that Christmas lunch money ($20) Subs ($10) and Lutheran Women’s Magazine Subs ($14) +$1 donation payable to Margaret at this meeting.
Apologies to Di Schlenk 0409 820 228
Lutheran Women’s Retreat Hosts Needed – January 2022
Lutheran Women SA-NT’s retreat will be Jan 14-15, here at Good Shepherd. Some retreaters will be coming from places too far away to return home at night, so they will need local hosts.
Hosts would need to provide bed ‘n’ breakfast for 2 nights: Fri Jan 14, and Sat Jan 15.
Could you host one or two women? Please express your willingness by Nov 1 to: Lois Kupke (0410 590 012 or email kupkell@yahoo.com )
At this stage all we need is an indication of willingness, as we don’t yet know how many retreaters require hosts.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home Resources
Dear Church Family,
The title of this week’s GFH resource is ‘Jesus helps and heal us.’ The devotional bible reading is about how Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus. Sunday’s message is based on this bible reading. Can you image Bartimaeus’ back story? I wonder how receiving his sight changed his life… I wonder what happened next! One of the Caring Conversations for this week is ‘Talk about a time that God opened your eyes to something important. Perhaps a time to take a risk or to see something new or different around you.’ This conversation works with people of any age. Why not try it out? Check out the resource for other ideas as well.
Last Sunday we shared a video that shares research on why we believe it is so important to promote and share resources that assist families to nurture faith at home. This video is available to watch on our church website.
Here’s the link: https://paravista.org.au/ministries/children-family-ministry/ Check it out!
Have a wonderful week.
God bless you!
Georgie
Little Lambs Playgroup
Hi there everyone,
We had a mountain of fun last week! Check out our Little Lambs Facebook page to see what we got up to! The team are offering a term of nature-based play. The Bible theme for the term is: ‘Encountering God in Creation’. Today we heard the story of ‘Jesus calms the storm’. We are meeting on the school oval over in the Nature Play area. Grandparents and parents, if you are free on a Friday morning, why not bring your little lamb and join us for some fellowship and fun! Fridays from 9am. Please bring your own rug, weather appropriate clothes, snacks and a warm cuppa. Access is through the oval entrance gates at the end of the car park. Please note, will won’t be meeting next week (October 29th) due to our school’s 40th Birthday Anniversary celebrations. We will be back again the week after! Look forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
The Little Lambs Team
From the LLL Blog
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, now, more than ever it is important to stay vigilant against online scammers to protect your identity and personal information. Scammers look to take advantage of people’s heightened levels of anxiety during these uncertain times.
Read more about ways to avoid being scammed at lll.org.au/blog
Office News
40th Anniversary Parking
Parking will be available in Good Shepherd Early Learning Centre car park (old Alliance church) and can be accessed via Hillary Cres without having to enter the church grounds. Please consider leaving the parks close to the entrance of the church as a blessing for our visitors. Parking signs will be in place and your assistance in following the direction of the car parking attendants is appreciated.
National Church Life Survey Delayed until November
The National Church Life Survey (NCLS) Initially planned for October will commence from November 2021 onward. This is due to the many challenges faced in the preparation phases including COVID-19 restrictions on churches, it has been decided that the start date will be delayed until November. All churches will be given access to both paper and online versions of the survey. We will keep you updated.
Found
A Christmas card with money in it has been found in the church. Please contact the office if it is yours.
Notice of Intent to Live-Stream Worship Service
Notice is given that the school may live stream the 40th anniversary celebration on the 31st of October 2021 (10:30am service.) If you have any concerns or wish to discuss further, please contact the church office or the Congregational Administrator.
Notice of Half Yearly AGM
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc. will be holding the Half Year AGM on Sunday 14 November 2021 beginning at 12.00pm. Reports and agenda will be available from November 7, 2021.
Call for Nominations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc.
The Board of GSPV are seeking members to submit nominations for the following positions as Office Holders on the Board:
Chairperson
Vice-Chairperson
Secretary
Finance Team Leader
Board Member
Office holders are elected for a term of one year and must be at least 18 years of age and a voting member of the congregation.
If nominating someone else, please ensure that the nominee is willing to stand.
Board member nominations will require some skills to fill portfolio positions and have some management acumen as required by the ACNC ‘Governance for Good’ guide. Skills required include finance, administration, planning, secretarial skills etc.
In the event of more than one nominee being nominated for a position an election will be held at the forthcoming half-yearly meeting.
All nominations to be forwarded to the Congregational Administrator via email stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or a written nomination can be provided to the front office marked for the Congregational Administrator. Nominations are required no later than Wednesday November 10, 2021.
Time Out Devotion Books.
If you require a daily devotional book for 2022 let the front office know via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or 08 8263 5087as soon as possible. Up-front payment of $25 should be made to the front office prior to January 2022.
Library News
Waiting on a library card? The front office has many here awaiting collection. Please come and grab yours.
Storage & Transport Needed
A former member at GSPV is looking for someone to transport and store some furniture items until they can be sold (she has moved interstate.) If you have 3m x 1.5m space in your garage for a few items, short term, please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 arrangements as mandated by the State Government. QR Code check-in is a legal requirement for all who enter the facility, as are masks except where exemptions apply. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code, please check in with a host or sign the records sheet with your name and telephone number. Physical distancing of 1.5 metres is required when not seated. This includes entering the building, attending Communion and while served tea & coffee. Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current distancing regulations. White floor markings are placed at 1.5m to assist you. 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-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
