Set Apart for Wisdom
Pay careful attention, then, to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise…
The Apostle Paul – the letter to the Ephesians
Socrates, just before his death, was given two choices: leave Athens or stay and live the rest of his life in silence. Unwilling to live a life which didn’t reflect on the rules of the culture, the government, and other outside influences (think, lemmings), he uttered the statement, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
We live in a culture similar (in some ways) to both the time of Socrates and the time of Paul the Apostle when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. The culture emphasised individuality, idolatry and personal pleasure, drunkenness (or overindulgence in many things) over a life filled with the Spirit. Even contemporary Christians sometimes live in the same way (think, lemmings) – ‘I must live as the culture tells me is good and right.’
A wise life examines this. How do we live knowing that there is more to life than simple feedings of the stomach?
This week we’ll examine Paul’s encouragement to live as children of the light – ‘for the fruit of light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth’ (5:9).
Let’s look at the basic lies that the culture tells us about ‘religion,’ the antidotes for the lies and what it means for us to live as children of the Light.
Read Ephesians 5:6-21 in preparation.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Ephesians 5:15-20 (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.
A Welcoming and Connected Community
We hope you are finding the Grow Team resource helpful as you seek to speak with new people on Sundays: https://bit.ly/3AC6wTv
A couple of helps are:-
– Go two by two. Grab a friend and find someone new to chat with.
– Question to ask: “What do you like to do with your time during the week?”
Heidi is on the move! May she remind us all to connect with someone new each week we come to worship.
How have you been connecting or reconnecting with new people each week? Be ready to share one of your experiences.
Let’s continue to encourage one another to be a welcoming and connected community. “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
Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s 40th Birthday Celebrations
You are invited – to Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s 40th Birthday Celebrations.
Tickets are available by booking here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/good-shepherd-lutheran-primary-schools-40th-birthday-tickets-167012257157
The Good Shepherd Lutheran School welcomes anyone who has been involved with our great School, and its amazing development over the past 40 years (former students, staff, Council/PFA members, parents, volunteers & friends). There is some exciting planning, and we welcome your involvement in the planned activities. We also welcome your assistance to promote, share any photos (with written permission) or memorabilia as we celebrate. Please click here: https://bit.ly/3sHfjAR for the Invitation. We are looking forward to a great celebration!
Matt Schmidt
Chair, Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Tangara 2021 is Now Available
The 2021 edition of ALC’s annual student-produced magazine is now available for purchase. Our theme is 1 Peter 4:10b with a focus on serving God and one another with the unique gifts we each have. In this year’s Tangara you’ll find student profiles, staff and ordination photos, some other feature articles and even a couple of long-lost Refectory recipes!
Tangara 2021 costs $10.00 – to get your copy see Jacob Fabich. If you would like it posted, contact us via email tangara@alc.edu.au – postage doesn’t cost any extra. You can place bulk orders for your congregation, or simply order your own.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home Resources
Dear Church family,
How did you go with ‘The Kitchen Table Project’ resource that I shared last week? What kind of stories did you hear and what did you learn about each other?
I’d like to flag a different resource with you this week. This one is called ‘Questions to ask your kid to spark an interesting conversation…’ There are lots of things to ponder. Pick and choose from them. Things to share when you are going for a walk or driving somewhere. This resource comes from ‘Parenting for Faith’: https://parentingforfaith.org/post/101-questions *** While designed with children in mind, many are relevant for people or all ages. E.g. Why doesn’t God make all our decisions for us? Why would God create amazing things in nature that people may never see? Do you think the first churches did church services like us? Who in the Bible would you like to chat to? What would you ask? Who has made you think about God differently? There is a selection of these questions up in the Café area for you to ponder and ask each other through the week.
The Growing Faith at Home resource offers other ideas to talk about, as well as activities to do as a family. This week’s title is ‘Take up your cross and follow’. It isn’t always easy to follow Jesus. Why not use some of these ideas to dig into what this actually means?
God bless your discussions!
Little Lambs
Little Lambs Playgroup are on a break today due to the school’s Pupil free day. Please continue to pray for the team and the families of our Little Lambs.
The Little Lambs Team
Office News
Holy Communion
In consultation with the COVID hotline, we may serve Holy Communion once more as an “essential service”. As before, those who wish to receive communion may approach the two stations at the front, using the centre aisle and maintaining 1.5m distancing from each other. We normally celebrate the Lord’s Supper at the 8:45am service on the first Sunday of the month; and at the 10:30 am service on the second Sunday of the month.
Lost & Found
Found: A piece of jewellery has been found in the church. Please contact the church office if you think it is yours.
Covid-19 Update
At Good Shepherd we want to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome. The current Covid-19 guidelines require people to wear a mask while gathering for worship, unless they have a medical exemption or are less than 12 years of age.
Singing while wearing your mask is permitted, although you might need to bring a spare in case of dampness (please take your old mask with you when you leave).
Capacity is currently 75%, with 1.5m distancing, but the group you arrive with may be seated together. Please check in upon entry via the front door and exit via the rear door. We feel so blessed to be able to gather in this space, we thank you, and we look forward to the time when we can share Communion and a cuppa with you again!
“…for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.”
Proverbs 8:11
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions as mandated by the State Government. QR Code check-in is a legal requirement for all who enter the facility. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code you are required to check in with a host or sign the records sheet with your name and telephone number. A physical distance of 1.5 metres is still required when not seated. This includes entering the building, attending Communion and getting served tea & coffee. Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current social distancing regulations. White floor markings are placed at 1.5 to assist 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
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388 Montague Road Para Vista SA 5093 | Phone: 8263 5087 | PO Box 306 Modbury North SA 5092
