Relentless
Relentless. There are a bunch of similar words or phrases that capture the idea, e.g. tenacious, obstinate, stubborn, determined, persistent, never giving up.
In 1 Cor. 13, Paul describes God’s love (agape) as relentless: ‘It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails’ (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a NIV).
In the Psalms, we often read of the Lord’s ‘unfailing love’.
When the Israelites are threatened: ‘May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you’ (Psalm 33:20-22 NIV).
When the people of Israel are beat up, they cry out: ‘Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation’ (Psalm 85:7 NIV).
After the LORD brings deliverance: ‘Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds…’ (Psalm 107:8 NIV).
God’s relentless love for humanity is the heart of the Bible. His love towards you is relentless. God loves every person on this planet – past, present and future. He wants every person to find refuge in his love, live in his love, and share his love with others.
The depth of the Father’s love for us is evident in what he gave to make us his forever. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16 NIV).
Jesus’ promise is for you, for every person you know, for the whole world.
When we believe and receive Jesus, his relentless love breaks out in our lives.
When we live in the relentless love of Jesus:
- He helps us to become better version of ourselves;
- He frees us from baggage of our past;
- He gives us hope for the future;
- He brings us into God’s story where we get to share his relentless love with others. I wonder what this might look like for you and me – and our Good Shepherd family…
Come along this Sunday to celebrate and share the Lord’s unfailing love!
Shalom!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: John 3:13-21
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 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.
Grow Team Sessions
March 13.
The day is almost here. Our gathering with The Ark – Salisbury, and Immanuel – North Adelaide, is imminent. Here is what the day is about and what the goals are:
- An understanding of the future of church and its importance on relationship building
- Partnering with nearby congregations in supporting each other on the journey
- Building a team to lead Good Shepherd in developing opportunities and strategies for intergenerational ministry that focuses on worship, service and learning
Based on over four decades of research and biblical perspective, coaching is an interactive process that helps individuals, ministry teams and congregations to practise vibrant faith in a changing world. Through Grow Coaching, Grow Ministries works intentionally with (Good Shepherd and other congregations) as we re-think child, youth and family ministry in the 21st century (taken from Grow Coaching handbook, page 2.)
Saturday, March 13, from 8:45-3:00 p.m: Grow Coaching Introduction Day.
Team and congregational assessments will be done reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of congregational contexts. The process ‘promotes a positive team environment for working together to bring about (cultural) change’ (pg. 5).
Workshop 2, The Ark, Salisbury, Saturday, March 27: Rethinking Faith Formation for the 21st Century.
We’ll be joining the other congregations in ‘re-thinking faith formation ministry for a new time and a new age.’ Discussing what it means to be a healthy community and create a culture that nurtures faith, will be a primary goal of this day. Secondly, home is church, too. The relationships between connecting faith at worship/congregational life with home life will be thoughtfully presented and discussed.
All are welcome!
Please register with us to experience a new way of ministry!
Intergenerational Gathering this Sunday!
We’re excited about our intergenerational gathering after church this Sunday, 14th March from 12-4pm! We’ll be gathering on the school oval so that families, young people, and older people can come together to share in some conversation and especially connection.
The goal of the day is to get to know one another and have some fun, but also to hear some stories from people we haven’t met before, and ask ourselves the question: “What does it mean to do and share faith intergenerationally?”
There will be rock painting, music, games and more…please bring your own lunch. We look forward to seeing you there!
Faith Gym
Faith Gym continues this Wednesday March 17th 7:30-9pm, here at Good Shepherd:
- Pr Reid Matthias: Faith and Film (for aged 15+). How do movies motivate us and shape our world view?
- Pr Rolly and Hope Stahl: Engaging Bibles Studies – Leaders Wanted. How do we help people engage with God’s Word so we are inspired to live it out?
Please come along!
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Lent is a time to reflect on God’s saving love. Here are some suggestions to talk over with your family. Share about a time when you felt really loved. What happened to make you feel that way? In what ways do you experience and express God’s love for you? Have a look at this week’s GFH for more ideas. There is a large printed copy of this resource in the Café area, featuring one of the creative responses. Have a look and try it out with your family!
God Bless your week,
Georgie
Little Lambs Playgroup
We have been discovering God’s amazing creation in Little Lambs Playgroup. Our theme continued today with creatures great and small, from the air, the sea and the land. And people of course! Come along next week and join in the fun. From 9am in the Church Hall.
See you there!
The Little Lambs Team
Worship Leading
Calling people who are interested in Worship Leading at church! If this is something you, or you and your family are interested in, I’d love to chat with you. Please let me know!
Blessings,
Georgie
Support for the Family Zone
We will continue our support for the Family Zone in 2021. The extent of our support will depend on the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.
We will continue our monthly food collections. These will be on the last Sunday of each month commencing on Sunday March 28th. In next week’s Weekly News there will be a list of items that the Family Zone requires to support families in need.
Thank you for your generous support in 2020.
If you are interested in finding out about the work of the Team or in being part of the Team, please contact John Dolling.
Family Zone Support Team
Library News – Small Group Study Resource for Lent
Have you seen Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ?
As part of its collection, the church library has a three-week video-based study – The Passion, the Purpose and Person of Jesus Christ Small Group Study that “allows everyone from seekers to mature believers, to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the film, and to find answers to their questions”.
Look on the spinner in the library for a DVD of the movie, the study DVD and multiple copies of the study guide.
Borrow the resources following the instructions on the noticeboard in the library.
Egg News
Over the last nine months, Good Shepherd has partnered with Peter and Carol Vogt, farmers near the Barossa, in purchasing their eggs. In a recent video with the Vogts, Pastor Reid heard the beautiful, faithful tale of how their interaction in camping ministry (SPIN camp and NOVO) helped them to understand the importance of intergenerational ministry and how relationships are the priority for the Church in the future.
During the interview, Peter and Carol expressed their immense gratitude to Good Shepherd for their generosity during COVID, the hundreds of dozens of eggs sold in essence kept them afloat financially. Now that COVID seems to be on the wane, they are able to sell eggs locally in the Barossa as well.
Unfortunately, though, Good Shepherd will no longer be able to receive eggs – not that the quality was bad or the need was absent, but the egg partnership has run at a loss of $600 for Good Shepherd. Eggs and money have gone missing.
It was hard to share with the Vogts that we wouldn’t be able to continue, but they understood. We’ll continue to pray for them and their ministry. Their interview will run next week on Facebook, the Good Shepherd website and snippets at other times.
Office News
Connect Cards
Have a prayer request, information to share, or need the church to contact you? Connect Cards are available near the front entrance of the church. Please fill one out if needed and place it in the offering bowl during the service.
Lost Property
Missing something? Lost property is accumulating! Take a look and see if any of it is yours: it is located on the shelves near the Parenting Room and women’s toilets.
FOUND
A key, found near the front foyer on Sunday 14th February, before the 8:45am service. Please contact the church office if it is yours.
COVID-Safe Requirements
Anyone attending the premises (for whatever reason) is legally required to check-in using Covid-Safe QR Code or sign the visitor’s book with both name and contact number. Please remember to maintain 1.5m distance when entering the building, attending communion and getting served tea & coffee. White floor markings are placed at 1.5m to assist you.
Mission Support
Electronic Deposits can be made to the bank account details at the bottom of the Weekly News, or Click on the GIVE button on our website.
For LLL REG (regular electronic giving): Download the form here, use the same bank details and email/post back to the address shown on the form.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15
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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
