What’s Your Story?
No matter where I go, when I meet people within the Lutheran Church, I’m forever being asked: “So, what’s your story?” Folks want to know all the details: where did I come from, where did I grow up, who am I related to? It seems everybody has a story, and we want to know it. We’re fascinated in knowing all the bits from other people’s lives.
This also applied to the apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul lets us in on some rather intimate details of his life and what we learn is that he was a lot like you and me. In fact, his story is also our story and it’s a story of God’s amazing grace and love, where like Paul, through God’s grace and love, we too are being continually transformed to be a Reliable Witness and have been given a Reliable Message to share with others.
Paul was a reliable, unyielding figure. He stood strong in the faith – in fact, he was imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith in Jesus – yet Paul also tells us a different story. He tells the story of himself in the following terms: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” Paul goes on say that “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”—that is an amazing testimony of God’s faithful love. And this same amazing grace that transformed Paul from an ignorant persecutor to a wise gospel messenger, is the same grace that changes us—it transforms us to also be reliable gospel witnesses like Paul was.
Like Paul, Jesus considers us worthy to be his witnesses. What a statement! In light of his grace, Jesus allows His love to be showcased in our lives, where we become His stained-glass windows of love and grace, shining out all that He has given and done for us.
What’s Paul’s story? It’s an example of how God turned what was “worst” into something reliable and wonderful—what happened to Paul, who was lost, like a lost sheep, the worst of sinners—is an example of what has happened to us…and so we too share this story of what God has done and continues to do for us and others.
The Bible says that we are always to give the reason for the hope we have—so when somebody asks, “And just what’s your story?” You can say with the apostle Paul, “I’m a forgiven and redeemed sinner in Jesus Christ. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Pr. Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading for this Week: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (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.auor 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.
Good Shepherd Call to Pastor Joel Cramer
Pastor Joel Cramer has informed us that: after prayerful consideration he has declined the call to Good Shepherd.
Joel was encouraging in that he said he can see the Spirit moving in people at Good Shepherd. He was able to sit down with the Ministry Coordination Group and he sensed our willingness to try different things and our care and support of the younger people in our midst. He could also sense that there is much hidden talent still to be tapped.
He also conveyed that the information we provided during the call process was excellent and well put together and appreciated his visit as this gives a lot of information not able to be communicated in writing.
If you would like to read a copy of Pastor Joel’s email is here: Pastor Joel Cramer – declined call
The Call Committee has met and are considering additional Pastors from an updated LCA District call list. In addition, further Pastor’s names can be submitted the call committee by Tuesday 20th September. This can either be in person or via the church office. The call committee has further work planned and will advise the congregation after this.
Please continue to always pray for our community and Call Committee and especially as we seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in this area.
Lindsay Freund (Chairperson)
Hi Good Shepherd!
I am excited to be appointed as your new Media and Administration Officer, in the role formerly held by Rachel Koopmans. Now I’m available Wednesday to Friday, 9am-3pm. A big thank you for the lovely warm welcome I have received so far… looking forward to working for you!
Blessings,
Krishna Vasani
Family Zone Update
Great support for Lutheran Care. Your generosity continued in the August collection. 33 bags fully filled were collected by Lutheran Care on Tuesday after our last collection. This will be used to support families in need in the Northern suburbs. Our next collection will be on Sunday September 25th. When we receive information for the requirements for September, we will notify you.
Family Zone Support Team
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
Grow Ministries Team 
The final Grow Workshop with Grow Ministries is scheduled for Saturday 10th September at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 139 Archer Street North Adelaide from 8.45-1pm. We will be focusing on Intergenerational Leadership and reflecting on our journey to date. Parking is available in the LLL car park at 175 Archer Street or behind the LCA Churchwide Office (access from Ward Court). All are welcome. Please register with the front office via email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au if you would like to join us.
“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
Lutheran Church Internal Mission
My sincere thanks to all at Good Shepherd who responded to my recent appeal for gifts to assist Hanna Schulz, a Lutheran from South Australia, who serves with Wycliffe Bible Translators/Lutheran International Mission in a remote part of Papua New Guinea. I’ve been delighted with the number who have said that they have responded with a gift for her Dormitory Project.
Beginning this week, she has a workshop in her small village until 21 September for 11 language groups, in which they will be doing Bible translation. For most of them, it will be the first Scriptures ever to be translated into their languages! She plans more workshops for next year but needs to build a dormitory to accommodate the participants because the village houses are too small and already overcrowded.
If you still want to contribute to taking the Gospel “to the ends of the earth”, please go to: https://wycliffe.org.au/projects/ubuo-training-centre-png/ or talk to Ian Hutchinson, SA Representative for Wycliffe Bible Translators, to find out more.
GSPV Young Adults
“Our Wine & Cheese night was a fantastic event, with more than 20 young adults congregating at Liz and Stephen’s home last Saturday, 3 September 2022. We look forward to seeing many more young adults at our next event – BBQ & Bonfire at the Schwarz Residence in Two Wells on the 1st of October. The word is spreading and young adults from other congregations are also joining us on these events. We are grateful for all the support that we have received and are receiving from the congregation. We ask that you continue your prayers for us.”
Christa Schwarz
Family Support Coordinator News, from Georgie
Save the Date! KAPS Youth Event- 25th September
Parent, grandparents, and children… Are you looking for an opportunity to connect with others either your age, younger or older? KAPS is an event aimed at years 4-7, providing an opportunity to connect with each other from the local community (school and church). Join us for bingo, a treasure hunt, worship, and dinner. While the first part of the evening is for students in years 4-7 and their parents, the worship from 5:30 is open to all family members and others who want to check it out.
When? Sunday 25th of September 4-6:30pm
Where? Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (enter via the main door facing Montague Road)
For more details you can check out the flyer below, contact Rachel on 0475582289 or see Georgie.
So, what are you waiting for, save the date and come along to join in with the fun.
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
I have had my flute for nearly 40 years. I love playing it and couldn’t even guess how many hours I have spent tooting my flute over the years! I love using it to worship God! It’s one of my treasures. But one day, I thought it had gone! After searching high and low (and fearing the worst) I went to a local Cash Converters to see if it had made its way there. Nothing. I went home feeling terrible, dejected. Yes, you guessed it… The next day it turned up! I had quickly placed it in an obscure spot the afternoon before and had totally forgotten about it! I felt immense relief, gratitude, delight, and joy that it was safely back in my hands again! I continue to enjoy playing it even to this day! But all this pales in comparison to the stories Jesus told about lost and found… Check out the stories of the lost sheep, coin, and son in Luke 15. They all point to the love of our Father God and the joy he experiences when he is reunited with his beloved children.
What are your lost and found stories? Share them with your family and friends today. Check out this week’s GFH resources for more ideas.
School Snippets
One of our highlights for this week was our Foundation Classes ‘Tea and Teddies’ on Thursday evening. Excited children made their way to school dressed in their pajamas, enjoyed pizzas for tea and then had fun making ties for their teddies, going on a bear hunt and playing with a parachute (indoors, out of the weather). The evening concluded with songs and a story. It was a lovely experience, enjoyed by all! It was also lovely to be able to chat over tea and coffee (before and after Chapel) on Wednesday. We are blessed to a wonderful school mum who is helping to make this happen. Many thanks to Peter and Di Schlenk who helped behind the counter this week. If this is an area you might like to help with, please see Georgie. She is keen to hear from people who like sharing coffees and conversations! (It is a wonderful way to build relationships between the church and the school!) For more of what we have been up to, please check out our Week Seven Newsletter by following this link: https://bit.ly/3KTz3u3 Alternatively, just ask Georgie and she is happy to organize one for you!
Chapel Invitation
What are you up to at 10 to 9 (8:50am) on a Wednesday morning? We would love for you to join us for Chapel… ELC children, school students and staff, parents and caregivers all coming together. We concluded our theme of ‘God @ the movies’. The movie ‘Wreck it Ralph’ was featured. We are blessed to have Pastor Joel Cramer share a message. Please have a look at this week’s devotion in the Weekly News for a reflection from Pastor Joel. Next week we begin a new theme where people are interviewed about their faith. Over the next weeks we will be hearing from one of our teachers, one of our support staff and a past student! You are most welcome to attend! (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!)
Office News
Manse Working Bee
A huge thank you to the group of men gave up their Saturday morning two weekends ago to do maintenance on the church manse. Among the task list were Downpipes replaced, garden weeded and mulched, fly screens replaced, and curtains replaced. A few minor tasks still need completion before a short-term tenant occupies the facility.
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
Office Hours/Staffing
Please accept my apology for not introducing our new office staff via the news a few weeks ago. I am pleased to welcome Krishna Vasani as our new Media and Administration Officer and Tina Pfeiffer as an Administration Assistant. Krishna comes from the school community and has worked a variety of positions with gifts she is willing to share with our community. Tina has been volunteering for some time.
Office opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Helen on site.
Wednesday: Open 9am to 3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen, Krishna & Tina on site.
Thursday: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Stephen & Krishna on site.
Friday: Open 9am-3pm. Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm. Krishna on site.
Georgie is onsite at the school Tuesday to Friday.
Staff have a meeting Thursday from 9.45 to 10.45am.
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.
Stephen Zanker, Congregational Administrator
Replacement of Carpet in Main Auditorium
Due to water ingression into the building earlier this year the carpet in the main auditorium needs to be replaced as water has affected the tiles causing them to lift. A carpet selections team was engaged to look at replacement and have selected three colours that are suitable for the current décor but also lend to future changes by not being tied to a dominant colour.
This week will be your last week to provide feedback on the selected colours and an opportunity to vote for a preference. Samples will be available after both services and one of the selections team will be available to answer questions. If you are unable to attend on Sunday, please see Stephen during the week (Tue to Thurs).
Congregational Contacts
Due to the turnover of office staff and running from an older version of outlook in recent years we have discovered a few discrepancies in the email contact lists. We are working to resolve this and ask for patience as we do so. As a result, you may discover that you are not receiving the weekly news reminder or emails you require for your rostered positions. Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the office if you find you are not receiving information you require. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Morning Tea and Coffee
For health and welfare of our members and guests we have decided to revert to the COVID-safe serving of morning tea. If you are rostered for serving, please serve the milk and sugar to guests. This should assist in preventing the spread of COVID or influenza. We will monitor this and return to self-serve as soon as we believe it to be safe.
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
John 14:23
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!
In observing Christ’s command to love one another, we are to treat each other with respect and dignity. In honouring 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
