Stay Put
After the resurrected Jesus appears to the disciples, they are filled with ‘amazement, disbelief and joy.’ (Luke 24:40) Jesus enters their midst and engages them in the newest reality that death has no power over the world. Returning to physical life will be a new change!
In their excitement, in their disbelief and joy, Jesus reveals the true meaning of the scriptures to them and opens their minds to understand. Eventually, repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations. The disciples would be witnesses.
I wonder what they were thinking as he took them to Bethany, blessed them and just before ascending, told them to stay put. ‘Don’t leave Jerusalem but wait for the Father’s promise.’
Stay put.
Don’t move.
Wait.
Do you know how easy it is to sit still? Especially when you’re excited about something? Or if you’re frightened? Maybe all the time?
Humankind is designed to move, yet over one hundred times in the Bible, we are reminded to quiet ourselves, sit still and wait for the Lord.
Why is this?
Why did the Spirit take a week to show up after the Ascension? Was it a test?
This week as we continue our theme on Stay, read through Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:4-8. Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple. Write down some thoughts about how you would have felt, what you would have thought and what you would have liked to do.
Then, on Sunday, let’s share some of those thoughts.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:4-8
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.
Global Worship 2021
I was a part of the planning committee for last year’s global worship which was fascinating to experience different cultures and discuss the topic of being ‘Gifted’ in this current day and age. This year, we have organised another worship service with the theme of ‘Compassion’.
Below is a link to the page where you can sign up, and share music if you would like. The service will be held from 9:30pm until approximately 11:30pm on the 22nd of May. It would be amazing to have some other people representing Australia for this service.
https://www.ejb.de/aktuelles/global-worship-compassion/
If you would like any more information, please contact Josephine through the church office.
Josephine Matthias
Decade Dance
The Decade Dance will be held on the 19th of June from 7pm-midnight in the church hall.
Anyone is welcome. We teach easy dances on the night.
There will be time for freestyle, as well as line dances like the Macarena, Nutbush and Cotton-Eye Joe.
BYO food and drinks.
Admission is free.
The Theme is ‘Decades,’ so come dressed in clothes from your favourite decade (20s, 50s, 80s etc.).
There will be practices and ballroom dancing lessons for those who want to learn ahead of time. These will be held in the church hall from 7-8pm on Tuesday the 1st, 8th and 15th of June. You are welcome to come to all or one.
Greta Matthias
Sustaining you through the AGM
Concerned about feeling hungry during the AGM? Worry no longer! The Family Zone Support Team will be cooking a delicious BBQ to keep you sustained! All proceeds will go to support the work of the Family Zone in the local district.
Cost: Sausages $2, steak sandwich $4 (maximum cost per family $15).
Extra support for the Zone:
Drakes Supermarkets have a scheme which donates a percentage of any purchase to nominated charities. One such charity is the Family Zone. To activate this scheme you need to produce a tag before paying for your groceries. These tags will be available at the BBQ on the 23rd May, in the cafe area or from the church office.
News from Maranatha Health
Maranatha Health’s newsletter is out and it’s a bumper edition, including their 2020 Year in Review, information about the upcoming Supporters’ Brunch (pssst: your “save the date” is 29th May!) and much more. To catch up on all the latest, head to https://bit.ly/3o8vG6Y
Request for Lift to 8:45am Services
Iris is a senior blind lady living independently at Gilles Plains. Over recent years she has been using a walker, and still uses it at home. She can use her walker getting to a car, and then would need some help getting in and out. On arriving at Good Shepherd, she would then use an on-site wheelchair. She is seeking a lift to our 8:45am services. It would not have to be every week, but it would be helpful if she could attend the first service of the month for Holy Communion. If you can help out, please contact the Church Office.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith Ministries at Home
Dear Church Family,
The title for this week’s GFH is ‘Jesus Prays for His Disciples’. In-fact if you extend the suggested Sunday Bible reading a little, Jesus goes on to pray for all believers. That includes you and me! How amazing is that! Here are some thought provoking questions to ponder with your friends and family. What helps people become close to each other? What pulls them apart? Why is it important to stay connected to other Christians?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this sometime!
Stay warm and God bless your week!
Worship Leading
Calling all people who are interested in Worship Leading at church! Singles, families, small groups, how about you and a friend? Happy to chat with you about this. Please let me know!
Little Lambs Playgroup
We are baack! Exploring, playing and generally having fun on a Friday morning. We would love to see you and your little one(s) from 9am in the Church Hall. Just $2!
The Little Lambs Team were also wondering whether you might have a little time to occasionally help set up for Playgroup after school on a Thursday afternoon, or perhaps assist with cleaning and pack up at 10:30am on a Friday morning? On occasion, some of our team have things that pop up meaning they can’t always make it themselves. It would be wonderful to have a few names we could call upon to help if the need arises. Please let me know if you might be able to help in this way! You can contact me via email Georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au or I’d love to have a chat with you sometime.
We are also on the lookout for large cardboard boxes! (We would like to make a ‘Wall of Jericho’ on May 28.) If you have some suitable large boxes at home, could you please bring them to church by Wednesday May 26?
Office News
Found
A ladies’ jacket, left behind at Ladies’ Fellowship. If it is yours you can collect it from the church office.
“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
1 Kings 19:11-12
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
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
