Ready at all Times!

Like people throughout the world, Aussies love to party. Whether it’s a baptism, wedding, birthday, anniversary, grand final win, graduation or housewarming, we love to celebrate. We love getting together with family and friends, sharing food and drink, eating cake, singing and dancing, giving our best wishes, and saying, “God Bless You!”

People of Jesus’ day loved to party too! A wedding celebration in those days would leave ours for dead, often lasting a week. It fills me with wonder that the amount of water Jesus turned into wine at the wedding of Cana was between 450 and 600 litres! (John 2:6)

In the Bible, one of the most compelling images of heaven is a heavenly banquet. Isaiah writes, In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. (Isaiah 25:6 NLT) The reason for this feasting is that death has been swallowed up forever. God’s people will praise Him for saving them.

This Sunday, we will be exploring one of Jesus’ stories about a wedding – where there were 10 bridesmaids. Some made it into the wedding banquet, and some missed out. We will try to work out why that happened, and what we can learn from this story.

And we will be talking about Jesus’ return. How often do you think about that? And when you do, what questions arise? What feelings do you have about that? Is that something you are ready for? How about your family and friends?

In his love, God has invited and made provision for everyone on the planet to come into his heaven. God sent his Son to SAVE the world: you, me, every person you know and love, everyone. We get ready by receiving Jesus and following Him.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you have received an invitation to God’s end-time party, with an open ended ticket: “Please invite all your friends to come too!” While waiting for Jesus’ return there’s opportunity for you and me to share his invitation with others.

Shalom!

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:1-13 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 pastors.

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.

News & Announcements

Our Imagining the Future: Post-COVID Church discussions are going really well and will continue this week after services.

AGM Meeting, 22nd November

Our AGM is happening on Sunday 22nd November, after the service. There is an opening on the Board if you wish to nominate a suitable person, and we are seeking Synod delegates as well. Over the last year, God has been revealing new ways to be the church, not just be in church. As the congregation gathers on that Sunday, we hope that there will be opportunities to discuss three main areas of vision for the next years: worship, service and community equipping. A sausage sizzle for lunch will be provided – proceeds to Maranatha Health.

Christmas Play Postponed

The Christmas Play in four parts, slated to begin this year in the Advent season, has been postponed until 2021.

Live Christmas Trees Available

Birdwood congregation are again selling live Christmas trees this year. All money raised supports school chaplains in their local schools.
Cost of the trees is $45. Trees are either 6 or 7 foot. There may be some slightly taller if the rain continues to fall before harvest. They will be delivered to a central location in the local area on Saturday 12th of December. Orders need to placed by Sunday November the 29th.
For any queries or to place an order contact John Dolling on 83675296 / 0409819865 / jdolling@bigpond.net.au

Family Zone News

1. In November there will be a special collection and an opportunity to support the Family Zone’s Christmas programme. More details will be provided closer to the date. The food collection will be back on Sunday November 29th.
If you have already purchased items bring them to service this Sunday and they will be delivered to the Family Zone next week.

2. Plant Sale: On Saturday November 7th (10 thru 1) and Sunday November 8th (after both services) there will be a giant plant sale at the church. All monies raised will go to support the work of the Family Zone at Ingle Farm. As we didn’t have a sale earlier in the year we have plenty of plants for sale, so we do not require any additional plants.

3. Financial support
Despite Covid-19 limiting our fundraising for this year we have been able to raise $837 for the Family Zone. The two major sources of income have been through the Drakes Shopping Tags ($437) and donations ($400). If you shop at a Drakes supermarket and show a shopping tag a percentage of your purchase is donated to the identified charity. These tags are available through the church office or can be collected from the counter in the cafe area.

Grow Ministries Faith at Home

Dear Church Family,

Sometimes we get tired of waiting don’t we? Especially if it is taking a long time… so being and then staying prepared can be a bit challenging!

We don’t actually know when Jesus will return… How can we stay prepared for something when we don’t know when it’s going to happen? This week’s GFH resources shine light on the subject. Check out their ideas!
Blessings,
Georgie

Children/Family Christmas Service

And now for some good news:
You’re invited!
While we aren’t able to offer ‘Experience Christmas’ in our usual format this year, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is excited to hold a Children/ Family Christmas service!
When: 4pm Sunday November 29 (the start of Advent)
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Who: Families with children (and when we say families, we mean people of all ages!)
What: A service with lots of opportunities for everyone to be involved… singing, telling the story, bible readings, acting…
Perhaps as never before, we need some good news, and what better news than God meeting us in our need through Jesus’ birth!
*** If anyone is interested in serving/ helping out with the organisation of this wonderful opportunity, I would love to hear from you ASAP***
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
Georgie

Ladies Fellowship

$10 membership and $11 magazine subscriptions are due now & payable to Dawn Spencer.
Honey Biscuits should be dropped in to the church kitchen by Sunday 22nd November, or given to Ragna or Joy (with thanks.) We need a total of 12 lbs of biscuits to fill our required amount of bags, so get cooking, ladies! They can be iced with long sprinkles (no cachous, 100’s &1000’s, or nuts please.)
If you are not a member of the Ladies’ Fellowship but would like to cook and donate honey biscuits, they will be greatly appreciated and accepted.
Our Christmas Luncheon will be held on Tuesday 1st December at midday, at the Clovercrest Hotel. Please let Dorothy or Di know of your intention to attend ASAP. Husbands are most welcome.

Tangara is Back!

Tangara 2020 is the student-produced magazine of Australian Lutheran College (ALC). It includes profiles of students, photos and feature articles about ALC – and its connection with the Lutheran Church of Australia. $10 per copy. Please see Jacob Fabich to purchase. Cash payments are preferred, but card payments and electronic transfers are also possible.

Give a Gift of Life this Christmas

For Christmas in 2020, Maranatha Health is sharing Gifts of Life with our Ugandan community. We invite you to donate and receive Christmas Gift Cards to share with friends and family – and give a Gift of Life that lasts long into the future.
At this time more than ever, access to high quality compassionate health care and community health literacy is so important!
Your gift of a donation to Maranatha Health can provide life-saving medical care, increase community understanding to prevent ill-health, and help build a more accessible and just health care system that will bring lasting change to people’s lives.
To give a Gift of Life and order your cards, simply follow these simple steps:
1. Choose and order your cards via the simple online order form on the MH website at www.maranathahealth.org/christmas. Or have a look at the display in the hall to make your selection. Then fill out an order form, which is pinned to the display. Give the order form to Wendy Hampel or Julie Freund so that your order can be processed.
2. Make your donation to MH via Give Now: https://givenow.com.au/mhchristmas
3. Receive your cards within 2 weeks!

Maranatha Health is also doing a Sausage Sizzle on Sunday 22 November, with a market stall and opportunity to buy the cards then.

May your festive season be filled with delight as you share
Hope, Justice, Love and Light with those around you!

Open Door – Christian Books & Gifts

Calendars for 2021 are now available; price range $4 – $29.
Coming soon: The Australian Christian Diary 2021; and small Daily Planners.
Please pre-order (ASAP) the Devotion book for 2021, “Time Out for Travellers”: $25, due end November. Reminder to order Advent Candles by Friday 30 October, by email, phone or in-store.
We are at Gawler Arcade, Gawler
Ph. 85221677; E opendoorbook@gmail.com
Now open on Mondays! M-F 10-4, Sat 10-1.

News from LLL Australia

We thanks and praise God as he continues to bless the mission of the LLL in assisting the Lutheran Church of Australia in its mission. Our depositors and supporters have again enabled us to provide significant benefits to assist the mission and ministry of the Church.
Highlights of the last year include:
• Benefits and Services to the LCA estimated over $8.4m.
• Legacies and Donations of over $2.9m.
• Depositor balances exceeding $1.2b.
• Loans to church projects over $298m.
• Grants from LLL Permanent Funds totalled over $2.3m.
LLL Calendars are available from your church office.
The 2019/2020 LLL Annual Report will be available online later this year; no hard copies will be distributed. If you would like us to send you one or more copies, please contact LLL via email at: promotions@lll.org.au or phone 1800 556 457.
God has again richly blessed the mission of the LLL over the last year, thanks to our supporters.
Andrew Waldhutter
Promotions Manager, LLL Australia

Position Vacant

RENEW camp is a weekend camping ministry program for young adults across the LCA SA-NT District, held annually in February.
Applications for the role of camp director in 2021 are currently open. If you feel called to serve in this ministry, please contact one of our Blueprint Ministries team at admin@blueprintministries.org.au or for more information head to https://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/renew-2/ Applications close 8 November.

Office News

Visionaries Needed:
Those with the gift of hospitality to welcome; or serve coffee and tea.
Those with the gift of administration for tellering.
Those with the gift of serving to set up & pack up for Holy Communion.
No experience needed for these positions – training is provided!

Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation’s mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic Deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB 704942
Account No. 100354939
Account Name GSPV REG; or
Click on the GIVE button on our website.
LLL REG: Download the form here and use the same bank details as above in the “account to be credited” section, and email back to address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Offering Envelopes can still be dropped in at the church office during office hours.

Eggssssss
The folks with the yolks are back! Come and get your free range eggs – $4 per dozen. Please bring your spare cartons.

Furniture
Futon bed with 2 mattresses, lounge suite (2&3 seater), two single beds (no mattresses), all to give away. Please inquire at the church office if you are interested.

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/blxpr or michael.dutschke@lca.org.au

“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2

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

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388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092