Turning Sorrow into Joy
Bible Readings: Luke 1:5-25
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.
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
Community Carols, Saturday 11 December, 7:00pm
Can those assisting as ushers and carpark attendants please come at 6.15pm on Saturday 11th for a pre-Community Carols briefing. If you can’t make this please contact Merv Thiele 0429009847.
Christmas/New Year Services 2021
Christmas Eve: 5:00pm Children & Family Service; 6:30pm and 8pm Carols, Readings and Message.
Christmas Day: 10am ONLY – combined service with Holy Communion.
Boxing Day: 10am ONLY – combined service.
New Year’s Eve: 7:30pm intergenerational service “Songs of the Heart”, followed by a fun evening of games, carpet bowls, and connecting. BYO food & drinks.
Songs of the Heart – 7:30pm New Year’s Eve 2021
For our worship time on New Year’s Eve, we’re hoping to get people from various generations to talk about their favourite Christian song, hymn, or carol.
After sharing why this song is special and what it means to them, we will all join together in singing it!
Please note: for us to all sing with gusto, the song needs to be singable – and a bit familiar to our Good Shepherd community.
To make this intergenerational, the age brackets are: 0-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 75-90, 90- 105.
Please let me know if you’d like to share your favourite song of the heart.
Our praise and worship will be followed by a fun evening of games, carpet bowls, and connecting with one another. BYO food and drinks.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly
Bishop Urges Church to ‘Act for Good of All’
Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand Bishop John Henderson has urged church members to ‘act for the good of all’ as they respond to issues around COVID vaccines and ‘passports’.
‘It’s our individual choice to be in favour of vaccination or to oppose it, and to form our own views on any purported “passport” scheme. Whatever we think of such things, however…under God each of us has the right, privilege and duty to act for the good of all, restrain any sense of panic, and to maintain good order and a spirit of neighbourliness and compassion that goes beyond self-interest and seeks to serve others’ (The Lutheran, November 2021, p.17).
You can read the full article that Bishop Henderson posted in a “Heartland” eNews entitled: ‘A Pastoral Note to Members of the LCANZ: COVID Vaccines and Passports’, 21 September 2021
www.lca.org.au/a-pastoral-note-to-members-of-the-lcanz-covid-vaccines-and-passports/
Grow Team Update
The Grow Team met two weeks ago to discuss planning for the future. It is exciting to see where Holy Spirit is leading us. Thank you for your prayers. Please chat to one of us about what was discussed – Lindsay, Georgie, Mardi, Tina or Peter.
Recently we were blessed to hear of a connection that has blossomed into a beautiful relationship. You can view this video here https://paravista.podbean.com/e/growing-together-in-jesus/
Our small group has decided to begin visiting other small groups as a way of furthering our connections. We have joined the Monday night Prayer Team and the Meet n Eat small group to share together and find out what has been happening in our groups. This has been a blessing for both groups. Now we know more people to say hello to each week. What a blessing! We will continue to visit other small groups next year to continue connecting.
The Village area on Sunday mornings is a wonderful place where connections like these can continue to be made. Anyone is welcome to sit close to this area and assist the younger ones with the activity that Georgie has provided. After worship is a wonderful opportunity to then connect with children and their families.
Let’s continue to encourage one another to make new connections and share stories to grow our faith in Jesus.
“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
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Advent Resources
Dear Church Family,
Carols and Christmas Eve
If you would like to participate in our Christmas Eve Family Service, I would love to hear from you. Please let me know or send me an email: georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au
Even if you are just wanting to come along on the night, we would love to see you there as we celebrate the birth of a very special ‘baby boy’!
SPIN Camp
Miraculous things are coming to Camp Kedron in Barmera this January…
SPIN kids camp is an opportunity for children in Year 4-6 in 2021 to gather as God’s people and grow their relationship with God in Christian community. This year our theme for camp is “Miraculous.’ There is a discount code available for Good Shepherd members. Please see Georgie or contact the church office! For more information and to register head to: https://www.blueprintministries.org.au/camps/spin/
Office News
A Parking Blessing for Christmas
Parking for members will be in the Good Shepherd early learning centre car park (old Alliance church) and can be accessed via Hillary Cres without having to enter the church grounds. Please consider leaving the parks close to the entrance of the church as a blessing for our visitors. Overflow if required will be on the school oval. These arrangements will be in place for all Christmas services. Parking signs will be in place and your assistance in following directions of the car parking attendants is appreciated.
Car parking attendants are required to assist with traffic and parking on Christmas Eve from:
- 4.30pm till 6.45pm
Please, contact Stephen on 0403 180 814 or email churchenquires@paravista.org.au to assist.
Handy Man Maintenance – Help Wanted
Good Shepherd care team are looking to build a group of volunteers that can assist other members in small home tasks such as changing light bulbs, tap washers or other small jobs. If you are able to assist please let Stephen or the office know at stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087.
Open Door – Christian Books & Gifts
Now available – Calendars 2022, The Australian Christian Diary 2022 and other Daily planners.
Christmas stock including Advent candles for home or church, Advent calendars, nativities, gifts, Christmas cards, books, music, DVDs.
Shop 5, Gawler Arcade, Gawler. Ph 85221677; E opendoorbook@gmail.com
Fb: www.OpenDoorGawler.com.au
Trading: M-F 10-4, Sat 10-1
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 arrangements as mandated by the State Government. QR Code check-in is a legal requirement for all who enter the facility, as are masks except where exemptions apply. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code, please check in with a host or sign the records sheet with your name and telephone number. Physical distancing of 1.5 metres is required when not seated. This includes entering the building, attending Communion and while served tea & coffee. Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current distancing regulations. White floor markings are placed at 1.5m to assist you. Thank 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
