Waiting for the World to Change
Our suggested readings from the lectionary this week include a swath from Mark 13. Here are a few sound bites:
(Context – vs. 19,20) For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again. If the Lord had not cut those days short, no one would be saved…
(Vs. 24-26) But in those days, after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will be falling from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
I decided to think a little bit more about the preparatory time before the Tribulation than what seems a little too close to home in reality.
Thus, for the first week in Advent, we’ll dive into the life of two people who had been waiting a very long time for the promise of God to come about: Abram and Sarai.
Many know this story: Abram and Sarai are given a directive from God to pack up the tent and travel from Haran and move to Canaan, the Promised Land. Not only does God promise them a place, but he promises them a family and a legacy. Generations of descendants will be uncountable because of the couple’s faithfulness.
Moving by faith can be difficult. When they pack up, they have yet to realise the promise: no land and no children, and the prospects of both seem to dwindle by the year.
After twenty-five years of waiting, of watching, of wondering whether Abram misheard God, three visitors arrive in the desert. What happens next truly is a precursor to how we experience Advent and hearing God in the waiting.
Read Genesis 11:27-12:4, and Genesis 18:1-15. Just for the fun of it, place alongside the commentary from Hebrews 11:8-13.
Pr. Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Genesis 11:27-12:4; 18:1-15
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.
News & Announcements
GSPV Half Yearly General Meeting: going ahead via Zoom on Sunday, approximately 15-20 minutes after the service ends. If you are attending, please stay logged in to the Zoom session.
Listening & Responding to God’s Voice: this conference has been postponed, until February 2021.
Ingle Farm Family Zone: Please refer to article below.
Step Up to First Communion: planned for 29th November but POSTPONED
Children/Family Christmas Service planned for 29th November but POSTPONED.
Live Christmas Trees Available
Birdwood congregation are again selling live Christmas trees this year. All money raised supports school chaplains in their local schools.
Cost of the trees is $45. Trees are either 6 or 7 foot. There may be some slightly taller if the rain continues to fall before harvest. They will be delivered to a central location in the local area on Saturday 12th of December. Orders need to placed by Sunday November the 29th.
For any queries or to place an order contact John Dolling on 83675296 / 0409819865 / jdolling@bigpond.net.au
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Happy New Year! We are now in the new church season of Advent, a time for looking forward, of hope, of anticipation of something very good. Have a look at this week’s GFH resource for some ideas to use at home. I like the paper chain idea. Lots of activities to think about reflect on and enjoy as we wait for Christmas day!
SPIN Camp
Hmmm, upcoming summer holidays…what to do, what to do…
If you are in Years 4 to 7 you might like to consider spending time in Barmera with some other like-minded friends for a few days. Just a reminder that the SPIN camp early-bird registrations close this Sunday, 29th November. Please contact Georgie or the Church office for the sponsorship code for your discount.
Family Christmas Service/Advent Gift Bags
As mentioned last week, our Family Christmas Service planned for 4pm November 29th has been postponed. We had hoped to give out Advent/Christmas activity bags at that celebration. Now for some good news: we would still like to make these bags available next week!
Here are some options for you to collect them:
- Tuesday Dec 1st, 3:30pm to 4:00pm – drive through pick up at the entrance of the Church Office.
- Tuesday to Friday – pick up from the Church Office during regular hours (9am – 3pm).
- Sunday 6th December (if we are still doing a Zoom service on Dec 6th, a drive through pick up will be available from the front entrance of the church between 11:30am and 12 noon. If onsite services have resumed, they will be available at normal services.)
If you would like to contact me via email on Georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au we can organize for a pack to get to you.
As for the Family Christmas Service, we hope to announce the new details next week.
God’s peace be with you all,
Georgie
Support for Family Zone
Thank you for continued support of the Family Zone. They have completed their inventory and below is a list of items that they require. In addition you may wish to add something special to go into a Christmas hamper or make a cash donation to go towards a small present for the children they support. Donations can be placed in an envelope, marked Family Zone, and dropped into the church office. Due to the present situation donations may be given up to Sunday December 13th.
- Hair conditioner (we seem to have lots of shampoo)
- Glen 20
- Hand wash
- Noodles
- Muesli bars – nut free if possible
- Large cans tuna
- Long life milk
- Jam
- Tins spaghetti
- Jellies
- Biscuits – sweet and savoury
- Cheese
- Margarine
Sincere thanks for the on-going support,
Kathlene
Gardening Appliances Needed
Do you have any older or unneeded gardening gear that is not being used? Thinking of upgrading some of your outdoor appliances? Please don’t throw them out – our asylum seeker friend Arsha is looking to establish a gardening business and has a lawn mower, but needs some other gardening tools. He is excited about getting started and making a difference in the lives of others!
Please set aside anything you are willing to pass on (whipper snipper, blower vac, or any other appliances or tools) and call Aston on 0415655393, or contact the church office.
Social Club News
G’day Members,
Due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, our social club WILL NOT BE MEETING FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT TWO THURSDAYS. This means that our next possible meeting would be our Christmas lunch at The Clovercrest Hotel on Thursday 3rd December.
However, for a least the next two weeks, hotels are limited to a maximum of 10 persons per group booking. Therefore, unless this restriction is eased prior to 3rd December, our Christmas Lunch cannot happen either.
Your committee will closely monitor any changes to these restrictions and will advise you if our Christmas lunch can proceed and when our normal Thursday meetings can resume.
Meanwhile stay safe and well,
Good Shepherd Social Club Committee
Lutheran Nurses Association
From the Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia to all Healthcare workers, members and visitors, the meeting scheduled for Monday 30th November has been CANCELLED due to Covid-19.
With apologies,
Rose Howard
Secretary LNAA
Give a Gift of Life this Christmas
For Christmas in 2020, Maranatha Health is sharing Gifts of Life with our Ugandan community. We invite you to donate and receive Christmas Gift Cards to share with friends and family – and give a Gift of Life that lasts long into the future.
At this time more than ever, access to high quality compassionate health care and community health literacy is so important!
Your gift of a donation to Maranatha Health can provide life-saving medical care, increase community understanding to prevent ill-health, and help build a more accessible and just health care system that will bring lasting change to people’s lives.
To give a Gift of Life and order your cards, simply follow these simple steps:
- Choose and order your cards via the simple online order form on the MH website at maranathahealth.org/christmas. Or have a look at the display in the hall to make your selection. Then fill out an order form, which is pinned to the display. Give the order form to Wendy Hampel or Julie Freund so that your order can be processed.
- Make your donation to MH via Give Now: https://givenow.com.au/mhchristmas
- Receive your cards within 2 weeks!
News from Maranatha
The world is still dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic and Maranatha Health in Uganda has been impacted to. In fact, with lock down easing, the Clinic is quite busy again, seeing patients and their families who have been waiting for come to the Clinic. Programs like the nutrition classes and community health workers are gearing up again to inform local communities of ways to increase health in the local communities.
Since we can’t have a sausage sizzle this Sunday, I would like to invite you to consider other ways to support Maranatha Health instead. Go to the website for more information on giving, or purchasing Christmas Gift Cards of Life (per above): https://maranathahealth.org/give/
Thanks for your ongoing partnership with Maranatha Health!
Office News
Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation’s mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic Deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB 704942
Account No. 100354939
Account Name GSPV REG; or
Click on the GIVE button on our website.
LLL REG: Download the form here and use the same bank details as above in the “account to be credited” section, and email back to address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Furniture
Futon bed with 2 mattresses, lounge suite (2&3 seater), two single beds (no mattresses), all to give away. Please enquire at the church office if you are interested.
Now available:
Calendars 2021, The Australian Christian Diary 2021; small daily planners; Christmas stock including nativities, gifts, tree ornaments, music, DVDs, Bibles & covers; books for all ages.
Shop 5, Gawler Arcade, Gawler; ph. 85221677; E opendoorbook@gmail.com;
fb: opendoorcommunitybookshop
Trading: M-F 10-4, Sat 10-1. Late Night Shopping Special event: Thurs 17 Dec.
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6
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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
