Where Can We Find Rest?
How busy is your life at the moment? So many people complain about how busy life is. Even people who retire tell me they can’t keep up with their new lifestyle!!
Why are we so busy? Is there anything we can do about it or do we just get dragged along by life and we are unable to escape it.
When we look at the life of Jesus one of the things that strikes and amazes me is how often he goes off to be by himself to rest. But he not only takes time to rest his body, he especially takes time to rest in God. Time with God praying and being refreshed spiritually as well. Spending time with his Father, God.
Martin Luther once said that the busier his work schedule was, then the more he needed to spend time with God so he could deal with all he had to do effectively.
Are you feeling that life is too busy? Maybe you actually need to slow down, take some time to rest, take some time to rest in God and see what effect that has on how you cope with all you do. My guess is that you might very well be amazed at what a difference it makes!!
Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
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.
A Welcoming Community
For those of you who have been coming along on Sunday, did you see the new person as you entered the building? We would like to give her a name – a name that reminds us to look out for someone new to speak with each Sunday. If you would like to nominate a name, email the church office on churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Thank you to those who have already made a suggestion.
For those attending the second service, why not come along a little earlier to catch up with our first service worshippers. Encouragement notes will be available again this Sunday for your use. Let’s all look out for others and welcome them as we strive to be “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
Grow Team Sessions
Our next Grow Coaching workshop with Grow Ministries will be on Saturday 7th August at Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide. We will be joining with other churches to discuss Family (or Household) Faith Formation. We will look at the changing nature of families, parenting and the role of grandparenting and key faith practices to help shepherd faith in families, households and small groups. We will begin at 8.45am for tea/coffee with the first session starting at 9am. We plan to be finished by 1pm. Please bring your own morning tea – no lunch required.
All are welcome! Please let the church office know if you will be attending. We would love to see you there.
Kathy Liebig
Grow Team Leader
Support for the Family Zone
As notified earlier the Family Zone is operating differently this year. Donations go to the centre at Blair Athol and the Zone then can access goods required through the central storage area. Our donations still support the Zone as well as the wider community in need.
Under this system the requests are more specific. This month they require:
Pasta sauce
Tinned soup
Cereal
Pillows
Our collections will recommence on Sunday July 25th at both services.
Storeroom sorted – an enthusiastic team of seven spent a morning at the Hub cleaning out a storeroom and sorting the contents in boxes. This area will now be able to be used for meetings and counselling.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Do you ever get to the end of the day and feel exhausted and really hungry? Then, in reflection, you realise you skipped lunch as you tried to keep up with all your commitments. Emails, meetings, jobs, children’s needs and those unexpected happenings can fill your day to overflowing!
I sometimes wonder how Jesus kept up with everything. He was always on the go having, at times, multitudes of people seeking him out for his healing, teaching, his love and compassion. No wonder he fell asleep on the boat that time!
Sunday’s Bible reading sheds some light on how Jesus looked after his disciples: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31b.) A little later in Mark 6 (after the feeding of the five thousand) Jesus withdrew himself: “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” (v. 46).
Perhaps in the week ahead, we can take some time out with Jesus to commune, rest, refresh, and recharge so we can meet what comes our way. Have a look at this week’s GFH resource for some ideas to use with your friends and family.
God’s Peace and Love to you all
Georgie
Job Notice
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide, is seeking expressions of interest in a .2 Youth & Young Adults Worker role. Please contact the Bethlehem office 9:15am – 4:00pm Mon to Fri on 8223 6662, or anytime by email: bethlca@adam.com.au A position description is available from the office.
Decade Dance
With the last Decade Dance being such a hit, we are planning another dance for Friday the 20th of August!
The theme of this one is Movie Magic, so everyone should come dressed up as a movie character!
Like the last dance, this one is on from 7pm to 11:30pm. BYO food and drinks, and admission is free. Children are welcome under parental supervision. There will be a few easy ballroom dances which we will teach on the night, then line dances and freestyle of all types (for those who want to do harder dances! 😁)
We hope to see you there,
Greta Matthias
Office News
Rumble Strip
A new rumble strip has been installed just in front of the pedestrian crossing along the Montague Rd car park (it can’t be driven around.) Please take care driving over this strip or walking around it, as it is quite a lot harsher than the original strip. The old rumble strip will remain in place.
Please remember that pedestrians have right of way throughout the carpark and the speed limit is 10KPH.
Thanks to the team of hardworking boys who played in the dirt/mud/rain to install and get it finished within a week.
Covid-19 Update
COVID regulations for our worship services this Sunday.
Celebration service will still be provided on Sunday with the following implemented:
- Capacity has been reduced to 50% with seating available for 300. This includes children of all ages.
- Reminder that 1.5m distancing is to be adhered to. Seating has been set to accommodate this. Families may be seated together.
- The band will still be leading us in worship however the congregation are requested to remain mute for songs (perhaps consider just humming.)
- Tea and coffee can be served but please maintain 1.5m distancing.
- Please enter via the front doors and exit via the rear courtyard.
- QR check in is mandatory. Hosts will take contact details for those who do not have smart devices.
- Masks are a personal choice that you may consider.
Please remember to respect the freedom we do have and follow the guidelines and any directions given in relation to these regulations.
SALA Exhibition at Good Shepherd Para Vista, 1st Aug – 29th Aug 2021
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is the venue for another SALA (South Australian Living Artists Festival) exhibition in the hall and café area. Celebrating the creativity of 15 artists from our Good Shepherd community, the exhibition features a variety of mediums. Styles include traditional, contemporary and indigenous. Our artists’ ages span the decades from teens to 80’s. Additionally there are artworks featuring the ‘Living Water’ theme as part of the Australia/NZ wide exhibition promoted by the Visual Arts Group of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
You are invited to come with family and friends and enjoy!
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”
Psalm 62:1 (NIV)
We are a Covid-Safe Church 
The church is required to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions as mandated by the State Government. QR Code check-in is a legal requirement for all who enter the facility. If you do not have the ability to check in using this code you are required to check in with a host or sign the records sheet with your name and telephone number. A physical distance of 1.5 metres is still required when not seated. This includes entering the building, attending Communion and getting served tea & coffee. Please respect the safety of staff and others by complying with current social distancing regulations. White floor markings are placed at 1.5 to assist 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
