We are all One in Christ
Being a follower of Jesus is a package deal. If we have God as our heavenly Father, through Christ, then because of that, other Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ. As they say, you can choose your friends, but you’re stuck with your family!
St Paul tells us in Galatians 3:36-29 that, because of our shared union with Christ, the usual cultural distinctions and separations between people no longer apply – that Jew and Greek are united in Christ (that racial barriers no longer apply in the Church); that slave and free are united in Christ – today we might think of that in terms of rich and poor (that economic barriers similarly no longer apply in the Church); and that males and females are all united in Christ (note that this barrier based on gender also has no place in the Church – even if we have been slow on the uptake with this!) We are all one in Christ.
Our unity with each other is grounded in and flows out of our union with Christ. We don’t come together as a congregation simply as a human arrangement, but because God has drawn us to himself and made us part of his family. This is not our doing, but his. It is a gift of grace! That’s where any talk about unity in the Church needs to begin – in the promises of our baptism and the claim that God has made over our lives.
What this means is that our unity as Christians is a gift – and this precious gift, is what that determines our identity. Who am I? I am God’s beloved and forgiven child, through my union with Christ. And who are we? We are God’s beloved and forgiven family, though our union with Christ. That’s how we are to think of ourselves and of each other.
This then suggests that, as well as being a gift, our union together in Christ is also a task. Our choices and our behaviour – what we do – ought to promote and preserve that unity – in common love and purpose. The New Testament, especially the letters from Paul, are jam packed with encouragement to treat each other with the same love and acceptance that Jesus has shown to us.
We live in an increasingly fragmented world, and one of the best witnesses to Christ that we can give to the world that doesn’t yet know him, is to live out the Gospel together in community. The pagans of the ancient world commented about the early Christians, “See how they love one another.” The unbelieving world mightn’t get what we’re talking about or make sense of what we confess, but they will take notice of how we live!
We are one in Christ – praise God! Let’s live that way!
Pr. Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
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.
Grow Ministries Update
The Grow Ministries Workshop on Missional Faith Formation was well attended. We began by meditating upon 1 Peter 3:8-18. We looked at the mission of the LCA as well as the Biblical foundation of passing on faith and helping people encounter Jesus. We looked at the culture and challenges of our time and the spiritual and religious diversity among us. We were asked to identify the ways our congregation provides to serve these groups of people and encourage their engagement and spiritual growth. We were asked to dream about what our congregation could do to expand and extend our presence beyond the church walls. And what our congregation could provide to support and encourage people along the pathway of faith formation. We look forward to continuing to explore this with Holy Spirit’s leading.
“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
Growing Faith at Home
This week’s resource is entitled ‘The Authority of Jesus’. We can find peace, confidence and rest learning about what this means. Have a look at some of the activities and ideas shared in GFH this week. God bless your day!
KAPS Kids and Parents Youth Event
Are you looking for an opportunity for young people to connect and get to know each other? One of the aims for this KAPS (Kids and Parents) event is to provide an opportunity for children and parents to connect with each other from our community (both church and school). Join us for bingo and a scavenger hunt based on the Fruit of the Spirit. While the first part of the afternoon is for students/ parents/ grandparents in Years 4-7, the Worship and dinner is open to all family members. When? June 26th, 4-6:30pm. Where? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (enter via the main door facing Montague Road.) For more details you can check out the fliers in the church café area, contact Rachel on 0475 582 289, or see Georgie.
School Snippets
It was wonderful to come together again for worship in the church on Wednesday as a Good Shepherd community: students, staff, parents and church. The Stage Four Elective ‘Engaging with the Community’ group shared a message about ‘Faithfulness’, presenting an example of what it doesn’t look like, followed by what it does look like. You are most welcome to join us next week at 8:50am as we continue to explore the theme of ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. Face masks will be required for parents and visitors. To enter, please come in via the courtyard (not the Montague Rd main entrance). Seating for non-school staff adults will be in the church hall (as the church auditorium will be full of children!)
The regular Week 7 Newsletter is available for you to enjoy here: https://bit.ly/3y0fmvQ
If you would like a paper copy of the school newsletter, there are some available on the stand in the church café area. Alternatively just ask Georgie and she can organise one for you!
Junior Christian Life (JC Life) Camp
JC Life is a camp for young people in Years 4 -7. It is aimed at providing a fun, safe place for young people to meet others of their own age and grow in the relationship with God. This year the camp’s theme is “Unlikely Heroes”. A generous sponsorship is on offer for all first-time campers attending camp in 2022. The camp will be held in the school holidays 11th-14th at Camp Kedron, Barmera. For more information and to register head to blueprintministries.org.au and follow the links through to the JC Life camp section. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Georgie!
Metro CLW
Metro CLW is a camp for young people in Years 7-12. This year’s camp is held in the July school holidays, 11th-15th of July, at the Ankara Campsite at Walkers Flat. The theme for camp is GLOW, based on Matthew 5:14-16. Pastor Stephen Schultz will be talking about how we can GLOW in our schools, workplaces and at home. There will be fun, games, worship, small group time, amazing food and even a gnome hunt!! A generous sponsorship is on offer for all first-time campers attending camp in 2022. For more information and to register head to blueprintministries.org.au and follow the links through to the Metro CLW camp section. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Nicole Pfeiffer or Georgie!
Support for Lutheran Care
Thank you for your support of the food collection in May. Our next collection will be at both services on Sunday June 26th.
Requests for this month are:
- Weetbix
- Baked Beans
- Biscuits
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- 2 minute noodles
Young Adults 2022, Semester 2
The semester 2 events for Good Shepherd Young Adults have been decided!
Mark the dates and times in your calendar so that we can see you there.
Talk to Christa Schwarz if you have any questions.
Office News
Connect Cards
To enable us to keep in touch with you please collect a Connect Card on the way into church, fill it out and then place it in the offering bowl on the way out. As we still care for your health, please bring a pen to fill the card in. If you are seated with a visitor, please encourage them to fill in a card so we can get them a thank-you via the post.
Office Hours/Staffing
Update: Stephen will be out of the office from 10-15 June.
While we are seeking to fill the office position hours and staffing will be as follows:
Mon: Closed
Tues: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Helen on site.
Wed: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen on site.
Thurs: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Tina on site.
Fri: Office closed, Rachel working remotely.
Georgie is onsite at the school Tues-Fri.
Staff have a meeting Thurs, 9.30-10.30am.
Weekly News items are to be sent to churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or rachel.koopmans@paravista.org.au by Wednesday evening.
Out of hours, please leave a message on the answering system or email the office and staff will responded as soon as they are able.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
Please consider the health and safety of others and do not attend the church if you are feeling unwell. We continue to practice good hygiene and respect the discretion of individuals to wear/not wear a mask. 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-Thurs 9am-3pm (closed 12:30pm-1:30pm for lunch)
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
