Our Divine Relationships
Here is a thought that comes from the book “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande, where he talks about an effect of using the Golden Rule to treat others as we would like to be treated. He calls this the Golden Result:
The Golden Result says that people will usually treat us as we treat them. If we blame others for a problem, they will usually blame us in return. But if we say, “I was wrong,” it is amazing how often the response will be, “It was my fault too.”
I have seen this result in hundreds of cases over the past twenty-one years. Whether the dispute involves a personal quarrel, divorce, lawsuit, or Church division, people generally treat one another as they are being treated. When one person attacks and accuses, so does the other. And when God moves one person to start getting the log out of his or her own eye, it is rare that the other side fails to do the same.
The Golden Result occurs more often with people who understand and cherish the gospel. When we admit our own sins are so serious that Jesus had to die for us, and remember that he has forgiven us for all our wrongs, we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness and freely admit our failures. When we do this, we experience the wonderful gift of God’s forgiveness.
In so many cases this results in a softening and a willingness to work things out rather than to continue the conflict.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: 1 John 4:11, 15-21
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.
Ladies’ Fellowship
The next meeting for Ladies’ Fellowship is on Tuesday 5th July at 1pm.
Masks preferable but optional.
Please bring your Bible.
We will be planning for the North Zone Rally.
It is vitally important that members attend so that we can have a smooth running event. Many hands make light work!
Afternoon tea hostesses: Jan Oldman and Milla Nitschke.
There will be a trading table.
Any apologies to Marg Dohnt: 0404 052 685.
Some Images from the QLD 2022 Convention of Synod
I (Rachel) recently attended the QLD Synod as the LCAQD Communications Advisor. It was my first Synod, and it was a blessing to witness the church in action as they sought God’s will for the coming year (and beyond.) The final day of Synod began with a beautiful time of worship as we gathered on Holy Trinity Sunday, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church Toowoomba. A divine operatic solo from Melinda Janetzki (accompanied by organist Andrew Doecke), the glorious sunshine streaming through St Paul’s symbolic windows, the wonder of many voices singing to God in one accord, and we soon felt as though we were in the presence of the angels!
Bishop Mark Vainikka preached from Matthew 13:1-13 (The Parable of the Sower) and reminded us that our hearts are made up of all those different types of soils. There are parts in our hearts that are hard and rocky, shallow, and thorny. But praise be to God there’s also that good soil that Christ has cleared, turned, and cultivated. God scatters His love, His grace, His mercy, extravagantly upon us all – so that we may come to the table in all our woundedness, gathering together to be fed and filled. Amen?
Here are some images from the Sunday worship:
Grow Ministries Update
The Grow Ministries Workshop on Missional Faith Formation was well attended. We began by meditating upon 1 Peter 3:8-18. We looked at the mission of the LCA as well as the Biblical foundation of passing on faith and helping people encounter Jesus. We looked at the culture and challenges of our time and the spiritual and religious diversity among us. We were asked to identify the ways our congregation provides to serve these groups of people and encourage their engagement and spiritual growth. We were asked to dream about what our congregation could do to expand and extend our presence beyond the church walls. And what our congregation could provide to support and encourage people along the pathway of faith formation.
We look forward to continuing to explore this with Holy Spirit’s leading and sharing our mind map of the above with the community in the coming weeks: “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
Support for Lutheran Care
Thank you for your support of the food collection in May. Our next collection will be at both services on Sunday June 26th.
Requests for this month are:
- Weetbix
- Baked Beans
- Biscuits
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- 2 minute noodles
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
KAPS Kids & Parents Youth Event
Only two more sleeps to go! Are you looking for an opportunity for young people to connect and get to know each other? One of the aims for this KAPS (Kids and Parents) event is to provide an opportunity for children and parents to connect with each other from our community (both church and school). Join us for bingo and a scavenger hunt based on the Fruit of the Spirit. While the first part of the afternoon is for students/parents/grandparents in Years 4-7, the worship and dinner are open to all family members.
When? June 26th, 4-6:30pm
Where? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (enter via the main door facing Montague Road.) For more details you can check out the fliers in the church café area or contact Rachel on 0475 582 289 or see Georgie.
Growing Faith at Home
Ever played ‘follow the leader’? You play this game by copying the actions of the person up the front as they often take you on a short walk/skip/hop somewhere. For a short while, you forego your own desire to do whatever you want, and you choose instead to ‘follow the leader’. This week’s GFH resource is entitled ‘Following Jesus’. The blessings of being part of God’s family are too numerous to mention here, but ‘following Jesus’ is not always easy… It means giving up our desires to have everything on our terms and in the way we prefer as we entrust ourselves into Jesus’ care. Have a look at this week’s resource for some ideas to try out with your family.
Junior Christian Life (JC Life) Camp
JC Life is a camp for young people in Years 4 -7. It is aimed at providing a fun, safe place for young people to meet others of their own age and grow in the relationship with God. This year the camp’s theme is “Unlikely Heroes”. A generous sponsorship is on offer for all first-time campers attending camp in 2022. The camp will be held in the school holidays 11th-14th at Camp Kedron, Barmera. For more information and to register head to blueprintministries.org.au and follow the links through to the JC Life camp section. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Georgie!
Metro CLW
Metro CLW is a camp for young people in Years 7-12. This year’s camp is held in the July school holidays, 11th-15th of July, at the Ankara Campsite at Walkers Flat. The theme for camp is GLOW, based on Matthew 5:14-16. Pastor Stephen Schultz will be talking about how we can GLOW in our schools, workplaces and at home. There will be fun, games, worship, small group time, amazing food and even a gnome hunt!! A generous sponsorship is on offer for all first-time campers attending camp in 2022. For more information and to register head to blueprintministries.org.au and follow the links through to the Metro CLW camp section. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Nicole Pfeiffer or Georgie!
School Snippets
SEED DAY
Today (Friday) is SEED Day at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. SEED stands for ‘Social Emotional Education and Development’. While we recognise and emphasise the importance of positive wellbeing, showing resilience, having a growth mindset, and actively demonstrating our values of LOVE, OPTIMISM and CREATIVITY every day at Good Shepherd, having a specific day dedicated to this, allows us to focus on these attributes and continue to build on them for the benefit of all. This year we are looking through the lens of gentleness and how we can put this into practice in our lives using a variety of senses. One of the ways that we can be gentle with ourselves is acknowledging that mistakes are part of learning. They are an opportunity to acknowledge that we are growing and changing, and we haven’t mastered a skill yet.
It was wonderful once again to come together for Worship in the church on Wednesday as a Good Shepherd community, students, staff, parents, and church. This week’s message was about the fruit of gentleness. You are most welcome to join us next week at 8:50am for our last Chapel for the term as we conclude our theme of ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. Face masks will be required for parents and visitors. To enter, please come in via the courtyard (not the Montague Road main entrance). Seating for non-school staff adults will be in the church hall (as the church auditorium will be full of children!)
The regular Week Eight Newsletter is available for you to enjoy on this link: https://bit.ly/3OA4Kcn If you would like a paper copy of the school newsletter, there are some available on the stand in the church café area. Alternatively, just ask Georgie and she is happy to organise one for you!
Young Adults 2022, Semester 2
The semester 2 events for Good Shepherd Young Adults have been decided!
Mark the dates and times in your calendar so that we can see you there.
Talk to Christa Schwarz if you have any questions.
Office News
Office Hours/Staffing
While we are seeking to fill the office position hours and staffing will be as follows:
Mon:
Closed
Tues:
Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Helen on site.
Wed:
Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen on site.
Thurs:
Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Tina on site.
Fri:
Office closed, Rachel working remotely.
Georgie is onsite at the school Tues-Fri.
Staff have a meeting Thurs, 9.30-10.30am.
Weekly News items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or rachel.koopmans@paravista.org.au by Wednesday evening.
Out of hours, please leave a message on the answering system or email the office and staff will responded as soon as they are able.
Financial Assistance – Arsha
Financial assistance for Arsha Noroozi in his quest for permanent residency in Australia has resulted in Arsha being granted a temporary visa. Lesley Walker gave a brief and comprehensive journey of the proceedings from the past few years to make this happen. Without the generous support of the congregation this would not have happened. As there were a few more legal hurdles that first anticipated an extra $1800.00 is required to cover the expenses to date. Donations to support Arsha can still be done in the following ways:
Electronic Funds Transfer:
BSB: 704 942
Acct: 100713424
Acct Name: Para Vista Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Operating
Reference: ARSHA
Cash Donation: Place in an envelope marked with ARSHA (We have Mission Vision Ministry Support envelopes available in the office or the ushers’ desks) either handed into the office or placed on a collection bowl after service.
Cafe Ceiling Repair
The Café area will be unavailable for use from the 4 to the 8th of July to repair the storm water damage to the ceiling. Access to the courtyard will be restricted.
‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell. We continue to practice good hygiene and respect the discretion of individuals to wear/not wear a mask. 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
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
