The Repentance of God – From Guilt to Grace
How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? Does this riddle apply to you? So, here’s the Good News – it’s not about you. It’s about God, and it’s about how change and transformation were part of his story long before it was part of ours. From Guilt to Grace – From Law to Love – From Lost to Life – The Repentance of God. See you there!
Pr. Albert Gast
Bible Reading for this Week: Mark 2:1-12 (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 ministry team.
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.
Notice of Half Yearly General Meeting
Please mark your dairies for the upcoming half- yearly GM to be held on 20th November 2022.
If you have not received your report, please contact the office.
Para Vista Call Meeting
A meeting to call a Pastor for our congregation will be held on 20th November 2022 along with the Half- Yearly GM after the 10.30am service.
If you have any questions, please either ask a call committee member or email the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
A Failure To Protect Children From Abuse
We are bringing to light and to your attention that multiple incidents of sexual abuse of children took place at Good Shepherd Para Vista in the 1990s. The abuse was the subject of a recent application to the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. A survivor has received redress through the National Redress Scheme and has also accepted our offer to publish a statement of our failure to protect.
The Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) and our congregation abhor all forms of sexual abuse, and we take allegations of abuse very seriously. We encourage survivors of sexual abuse, regardless of where or when it occurred, to access avenues of support and redress that are appropriate for their circumstances. These include:
The National Redress Scheme
1800737377
www.nationalredress.gov.au/support
The Lutheran Church of Australia
- Communications Dept 08 8267 7300 lca.comms@lca.org.au
- Lutheran Church of Aust SA/NT District Bishop 08 8267 521 david.altus@lca.org.au
- Professional Standards Department 1800 644 628 www.lca.org.au/psd (Pastoral care would be accessed if requested as part of assistance)
SA Police
13 14 44
Other avenues of support
- Bravehearts 1800 272 831 bravehearts.org.au
- Blue Knot Foundation 1300 657 380 www.blueknot.org.au
- In Good Faith Foundation 1300 124 433 igff.org.au
- Lifeline 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
- 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 1800respect.org.au
Good Shepherd Para Vista and the LCANZ is committed to being a safe place for all. If this notice has triggered strong emotions for you, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted person or contact any of the support services listed above.
Support For Lutheran Care
Our last collection for 2022 in support of Lutheran Care will be held on Sunday November 27th at both services.
Requests for November are
Tinned vegetables
Tinned soup
Breakfast cereals
Tinned tuna
Sugar
Shampoo
Conditioner
Items to bring joy for Christmas
You may want to include something special that will bring joy to all the family through hampers to be distributed e.g., Christmas pudding, chocolates, mince pies
Also, there will be small gifts distributed to needy families. Identifying gifts for small children is much easier than for teenagers. Any provision of such items as perfume, jewellery, toiletries, headphones, gift cards, board games would be greatly appreciated.
All these items can be included in our collection on the 27th.
Through our promotion of Drakes Supermarket shopping tags, the Family Hub has recently benefitted by $435. This makes a total of $1058 for 2022 donated to the Family Hub through the shopping tags promotion. Anyone shopping at a Drakes supermarket simply has to produce a tag and a percentage of the bill is donated to the Family Hub. If you want details or a tag, see Lorraine Johns.
Our last fundraiser for the Family Hub for 2022 is providing a BBQ meal before the Half Yearly meeting on Sunday November 20th. Cost -Sausages $2, Steak sandwich $5, maximum charge for a family will be $15.
With Gratitude,
Lutheran Care
Live Christmas Trees Available
Birdwood is again selling live Christmas trees. The proceeds go towards supporting the chaplaincy programmes in the schools in the Adelaide Hills.
Trees available are 6 or 7 feet
Cost is $50 per tree
Trees will be available on Saturday 10th of December @ 9am at a venue to be decided
Orders are to be placed no later than Sunday 4th of December. To order or for more information contact John Dolling – 0409819864 or via email – dollingjohn47@gmail.com
Supporting Refugees Through Teaching Conversational English
Para Vista Primary corner Montague Road and Nelson Road is seeking a person to work with refugees to teach them conversational English to assist with their integration into the community. This is a paid position of 2 hours a week plus 1 hour paid preparation time.
For details contact Janice at the school on 0459 391 396
Devotion Book
The Devotion Book “Time Out in Christ’s Hand” for 2023 is now available for ordering till 30th November. The cost will be $30 so if you would like to place an order, please could you let us know at the office 0882635087 or send an email to church enquiries. Invoices will be sent out, so the church has funds in advance.
Connect Cards
Please fill in a connect card as you walk in the church as it is the only way we can connect with you!
Fellowship And Fun
Are you looking for ways to connect with others from our community?
Beginning on Sunday 11th December, a family event will be held in the church hall on the second Sunday of each month, and everyone is invited.
BYO drinks, nibbles, afternoon tea and come and join us between 1.00pm and 5.00pm.
A gold coin donation on arrival would be appreciated, and tea/coffee is available.
Activities for the afternoon will include cards, board games and carpet bowls – if you can’t play, then come and learn!
If you need more information, contact Peter Schlenk on 0419 217 767.
We aim to provide a welcoming, enjoyable afternoon of conversation and fun and look forward to seeing you there.
Young Adults
The Good Shepherd Para Vista Young Adults are having their inaugural Christmas Feast on December 10th and would like to invite any and all young adults who have joined us for our various events during the year.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Calling For Pastoral Care Team Coordinators
Our church community is seeking for a person or persons to assist in coordinating the Pastoral care for our community.
If you are interested and believe you have gifts to serve our church family in this way, please come and speak to Cess Wesselingh after the service or write it on your connect card so he can get in touch with you and explain this further.
Calling For Church Volunteers
As from November we are hoping to offer Holy Communion twice a month for each service. However, to be able to do this successfully we will need more volunteers. The areas we need help include setting up, serving, and clearing up. None of these are big tasks and full training will be given.
We are also looking for volunteers at both services to serve as Worship Hosts and Welcomers, and to help serve morning tea.
Please prayerfully consider this request and notify the office if you feel called to serve.
Family Support Coordinator News, From Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
This coming week is the last week of the ‘church’ year. Advent is just around the corner. As such, this week’s GFH resource reflects on the year we have had (check out the Creative Response for some ideas) as well as looking forward to when Jesus will return! Enjoy. God bless your week!
School Snippets
Last Friday our school and ELC family came together for a service of Remembrance. We were privileged to have one of our school dads play the bugle for us. We were very fortunate to have an unplanned fly over from a RAAF plane shortly before the service. It was a special time of reflection and silence. For more of what we have been up to please check out our School Newsletter via this link: https://bit.ly/3Xc0PYp If you would like to have a hard copy of the newsletter, Georgie is more than happy to organize one for you!
Chapel Invitation
This week we continued our Christmas theme ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ in Chapel. Pastor Rolly came to visit and shared a message about the Wise Men. Have a look at this week’s devotion for a reflection of his message. Next week one of our Stage Four Elective Groups will be sharing a message about Jesus- the important one. We would love for you to join us! (Face masks will be required for parents and visitors. To enter, please come in via the courtyard (not the Montague Road main entrance). Seating for non-school staff adults will be in the church hall (as the church auditorium will be full of children!) Tea and coffee will be available before and after the service. See you next Wednesday at 8:50am for Worship, a coffee and a chat!
Children’s Folders
A very big thank you to the two ladies who have volunteered to keep an eye on the pencils in the children’s folders. I am so grateful for your willingness to help out in this area. God bless you both!
KAPS Youth Event- Save the date- November 27th
Christmas is coming in November, and we would like to invite you all (yes, this time it’s open to all members of your family!) for some Christmas activities, worship and a meal at the church. Bring your children and / or grandchildren!
Our last KAPS event for the year is coming up on Sunday 27th November from 4 to 7pm, so pop it in your diaries now. Just a $2 donation per child to cover costs for the activities. Look forward to seeing you then!
Rachel and Georgie
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
Office News
Name Badge Request
The cost for a Name Badge is $12. If you would like to order one then, contact the church office on 0882635087 or send an email to: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Weekly News Items
Weekly news items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or krishna.vasani@paravista.org.au by Wednesday Evening. Out of hours please leave a message on the answering system 08 8263 5087 or email the office and staff will respond as soon as they are able.
“…You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Exodus 20:7
Safe Church
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell.
In observing Christ’s command to love one another, we are to treat each other with respect and dignity. In honoring people, we are also fulfilling our responsibility under the law of the land. The LCA and Good Shepherd Para Vista is committed to implementing processes to ensure the church is a safe place. If anyone feels they have been subjected to sexual abuse or harassment in any form by anyone who holds a position of trust in the church, please contact:
P: 1800 644 628 E: report.abuse@safeplace.lca.org.au
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 (closed 12:30pm-1:30pm for lunch)
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
