Re-Forming Life
…and (Joshua) said to them, ‘Go across to the ark of the LORD your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the LORD’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites. ~Joshua 4:5-7
I suppose it goes without saying, but I will say it anyway:
Where God’s promises are, there are miracles.
As the Israelites were preparing to cross over to the new Promised Land, one last miracle had to occur. It was a bookending miracle if you will. They started the journey by walking through the Red Sea and they would finish the trek forty years later by walking across the Jordan River.
Whenever there seemed to have been obstacles in their path, God helped them by either removing them, or strengthening them to do the job themselves. This has always been his promise. This will always be his promise.
As the Church universal has changed throughout its life, whether in the persecution days of the first century to Constantine granted legal status to Christianity in 313 A.D., from the Dark Ages to the Reformation, God has always been bringing people into the new promise. It is a land that is sometimes filled with giants, but it is also filled with all the goodness that life brings.
Each time we, the Body of Christ, come to a crossroads (or an impassable river), Jesus makes a way for us. And when we are in the midst of this transformation (or Reformation), we can feel comfortable picking up a stone from the middle of the Wilderness experience and make an altar out of it.
Then, as the next generations come through, they point to the altar and ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’
And you can, with a large smile on your face, say:
“Let me tell you a story of God…”
This weekend, as we commemorate life in the community, we will celebrate our wonderful Good Shepherd Lutheran School and marvel at the way God continues to move in our Good Shepherd Community.
Come and remember.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Mark 12:28-34 (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.
Remembering Departed Loved Ones – 8:45am Service Nov 7th, 2021
Over recent years, we’ve tapped into the tradition of All Saints Day (Nov 1st) to remember loved ones who have “fallen asleep in the Lord” – and been promoted to glory. Many find it helpful in acknowledging their loss, sharing their grief with others on a similar journey, and recalling our hope and future with Jesus,
Sunday November 7th will be the final part of our series: How Then Shall We Live? In Mark 12:38-44, Jesus exposes the fake religious performance of the religious leaders. He then highlights the genuine worship of a poor widow.
Since it’s the first Sunday after All Saints’ Day, during the 8:45am service we will pause to remember loved ones who have finished their earthly journey and inherited eternal life.
After lighting the baptismal candle there will be an opportunity to share the names of friends and relatives whom our heavenly Father has called home.
We will give thanks for the blessings we have received through these saints in heaven; and pray God’s comfort for his saints still here on earth.
Mindful that we are already part of the communion of saints, we will then share in the Lord’s Supper. This meal points us back to Jesus’ sacrifice: his body broken for us, and his blood shed for our forgiveness. This meal also points forward to the heavenly banquet, the feast of victory, that we will one day share with all the communion of saints!
If you know of people who’ve lost loved ones in recent years, please feel free to invite them along and offer to sit with them, or maybe invite them over for lunch afterwards.
Peace and Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
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
What a wonderful opportunity we have this weekend to be on the lookout for new people visiting us for the school’s 40th birthday. Let’s continue to connect with someone new this week.
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.
Has your small group considered connecting with another small group? Another option, as a group, is visiting and serving alongside one of our mission programs such as Meet n Eat on a Monday evenings, school chapel on a Wednesday mornings or Playgroup on Friday mornings.
Let’s continue to encourage one another to make new connections and share stories to grow our faith in Jesus.
“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
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 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
100K in 100 Days for 100 Families
With families in need coming forward at an unprecedented rate, Lutheran Care has embarked on an ambitious new fund-raising campaign.
With your help, we aim to raise:
$100k in 100 days for 100 families
With this $100,000, we will fund programs and initiatives to support at least 100 families in need: providing immediate crisis support to improve wellbeing and preserve dignity, as well as empowering families with tools to give them hope and help them improve their outlook for the future. To make a donation or find out more, head to https://www.lccare.org.au/how-you-can-help/donations/
Honey Biscuits
For those women in the congregation who are baking honey biscuits for Lutheran Care, please give to Ragna Gaard by 21 November.
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
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,
I was talking with some friends the other day. We were pondering… ‘If Jesus had a favourite bible verse, what would it be?’ One friend thought it might be something like Mark 12:30, 31 “Love God and love others’ (paraphrased). It is interesting that this text comes up in this week’s GFH resource. There is a creative and thought-provoking idea to try out in the ‘Creative Response’ section and a, well, challenging idea to consider under the ‘Service’ key. Check them out!
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Blessings,
Georgie
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.
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.
Found
A Christmas card with money in it has been found in the church. Please contact the office if it is yours.
A single key with nail clippers attached was found outside the church door on Monday night. It is here in the front office if it is yours.
A silver piece of jewellery, also currently residing in the office!
Ice Cream Containers Needed
Meet ‘n’ Eat are looking for ice cream containers with lids. If you have some to spare, please bring them to the church during office hours.
Air Conditioners
The evaporative coolers in the church have been opened for the summer months. Overview instructions for use are situated on the wall next to the controllers. For units in the hall rear foyer and Cafe PLEASE turn the units on only and of only using the on/off button. 
The units have been pre-set for the most economical use and effectiveness and adjusting the settings may render the unit ineffective. If you experience any problem using the units please email the congregational manager, speak with office staff during office hours or leave a note in the communications book in the Cafe.
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
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.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
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
