Who is my Family?
All of us grew up in some sort of family – whether it was with biological parents, adopting parents, a single parent, grandparents, relatives, family friends, or others who raised us.
We have all been shaped by our families. Families have great potential for blessing… or messing. The legacy of our family influences us for the rest of our lives. If your family has been a place of acceptance, understanding, mutual support, and healthy boundaries, chances are you have a sense of self-worth and confidence. If your family of origin was dysfunctional, then the wounds can last a long time. This is also true of “church families”.
Jesus was not always understood by his immediate family. Like when at the age of 12 he had an extended stop-over at the Jerusalem temple (Lk 2). Or when his brothers bagged him out about getting to Jerusalem to bolster his public image (Jn 7:3-5). Or when his mother and brothers turned up in Capernaum because they thought he’d lost his mind!
The leaders of ‘God’s family’, the teachers of the law did not know what to make of Jesus. They treat him with suspicion and hostility. They constantly find fault with him and accuse him of breaking the law. They label him as a drunkard and a glutton, a friend of sinners, a blasphemer, and as being possessed by the devil!
This Sunday, we see how Mark weaves two stories together where Jesus experiences “family misunderstanding”. In effect, Jesus ends up asking the question: “Who is my family?”
Jesus’ answer is both simple and profound, revealing and challenging. Come along to the Good Shepherd family gathering this Sunday: where we come together in God’s name, celebrate what it means to belong to his family, listen to his word, share in the family meal (8:45am), and then live out the grace and truth of Jesus in our families and communities.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly Stahl
Bible Readings: Mark 3:20-35
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.
Worship Leading
Calling all people who are interested in Worship Leading at church! Singles, families, small groups, how about you and a friend? Happy to chat with you about this. Please let me know! Georgie
Shed Happens is meeting once again!
When: 8th June 2021
(Second Tuesday of the Month except January)
Where: 6 Von Braun Crescent, Modbury North
Time: 6.30 to 9.00 pm
Provided: A good meal and drinks (no alcohol please)
Cost: $10 donation to offset costs (under 16 $5)
Contact: Jim 0438 899 629
A place where men and boys can be supported in their journey by other men and boys.
A place where the total wellbeing of men and boys is of primary concern.
Jesus “Super Signs” in John – 7+1 Miracles
John records just seven of Jesus’ miracles – or “signs”. Over four weeks we’ll look at each of them. What do these signs tell us about Jesus?
How did they impact people who witnessed them? How did they fulfil the Old Testament Scriptures? And how do they point to Jesus’ resurrection…
and our life in Christ? Come and share in the joy of life in the Word.
Four Wednesday evening workshops with Pr Rolly, starting June 9th.
Please register via the Church Office: 8263 5087 Or: churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Family Zone News
Thank you to all who supported the BBQ before the AGM. $406 was raised. This will help support the work of the Family Zone as they assist needy families in the district.
Decade Dance
The Decade Dance will be held on the 19th of June from 7pm-midnight in the church hall.
Anyone is welcome. We teach easy dances on the night. We are inviting kids under 18 as well, so long as they have a parent or guardian with them.
There will be time for freestyle, as well as line dances like the Macarena, Nutbush and Cotton-Eye Joe.
BYO food and drinks. Admission is free.
The Theme is ‘Decades,’ so come dressed in clothes from your favourite decade (20s, 50s, 80s etc.)
There will be practices and ballroom dancing lessons for those who want to learn ahead of time. These will be held in the church hall from 7-8pm on Tuesday the 1st, 8th and 15th of June. You are welcome to come to all or one.
Greta Matthias
Grow Team
On Sunday the Grow Team were introduced to the congregation. This was recorded and is available for viewing on Good Shepherd’s podcast. Please come and chat to one of us about what we’ve been discussing at the Grow Ministries’ coaching sessions.
Our vision is “A community which intentionally develops intergenerational relationships to grow faith in Jesus and build His Kingdom here and now.”
We are excited about where God will lead us on this journey and beyond.
Kathy Liebig -Team Leader
Maranatha Health End of Financial Year Appeal
“I no longer spend money in hospital since no one gets sick in my household all the time!” Lauben, 68, father and grandfather
The above statement sums up our ultimate dream at Maranatha Health. We want to see communities healthy and thriving.
We do this partly by providing high quality health care, counselling, and health education that families can turn to when things are tough. Thousands of children come through the doors of our hospital each year.
Where we are seeing long-term, transformational, sustainable change however, is through our Village Health Leaders. We partner with a community to elect a team of locals. This team is equipped to identify barriers to well-being, shift household behaviour, advocate for better services, and assist their communities to become healthier.
Lauben’s local community is supported by Village Health Leader, Fiona.
“Previously, at least every month a member from my household would get sick, something that took a lot of money for treatment,’ says Lauben. “Practices in my family have changed with the help of Fiona – every month she comes to my home to advise us on different health issues and checks our home hygiene.”
This End of Financial Year, we are inviting you to invest in this transforming work led by Village Health Leaders like Fiona. Help us roll out this program in more communities:
$50 Provides a month of support for a Village Health Leader
$100 Provides start up capital to begin a Village Health Program in a new area
$500 Funds MH staff to travel to remote locations to equip Village Health Leaders
$3000 Covers the full 12-month costs of a community-wide Village Health Program
To give a tax-deductible donation, <click here > or head to https://maranathahealth.org/give/eofy-appeal and support Maranatha Health this End of Financial Year!
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Dear Church Family,
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘family’? Could it be the people who live with you? Or those who you hold dear in your heart? I remember family church friends from my childhood. Though not related, I considered my friend’s parents much more like aunts and uncles. They remain dear to me to this very day. I call you ‘Church Family’ as a way of describing our connection with Jesus here at Good Shepherd. But perhaps it goes even further. Jesus once referred to the people around him as his family. ‘Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother’ (Mark 3:35). This week’s GFH offers questions and ideas to explore with friends and family. Why not ask someone you love (including grandparents and grandchildren, remember phone calls are always an option) to share a story about themselves that you may not have heard before? You never know what connections are there just waiting to be strengthened or discovered!
Little Lambs
This morning we had fun learning about Samson’s looong hair and super strength… Hmmm, can you imagine what it would be like to see him compete in the Olympic games? Why not join us if you have a little time on Friday mornings, and a child or grandchild aged 0-5years of age. Or perhaps you might like to come along and serve a cuppa (to the grown-ups) and have a chat. Either way, we would love to see you!
Blessings,
The Little Lambs Team
CLW 2021
Are you in Years 7-12 and looking for something to do in the next school holidays? Metro CLW is an awesome time of fun, fellowship and amazing food and the team can’t wait to explore the theme of GLOW with you this year. If you would like to register, please head to this link: https://bit.ly/2SY50dv Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the LLL, Blueprint Ministries is offering all new CLW Life campers this year the opportunity to attend free of charge (apart from a $20 admin fee). For more information contact admin@blueprintministries.org.au or check out the Blueprint Ministries website www.blueprintministries.org.au
For return campers there is a discount code available for Good Shepherd Church Members… (This is available for camp leaders too!) Just ask at the church office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au , or ask Georgie georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au
The Village
Last Sunday Kathy Liebig and I shared information about renaming the “Kids’ Zone” to “The Village”. We focused on the ‘why’. We then shared stories and offered suggestions on how we can support families with children of all ages (whether they are up the front or in the seats right next to you). Why not try one (or more) of these on Sunday?
- Smile and interact with families before, during and after worship.
- Engage with children during worship and encourage them in their worship.
- Chat with families and their children after worship with the intention to repeat each Sunday.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Blessings,
Georgie
Office News
Bread Roster
We are looking for volunteers to collect bread products from the TTP Bakers Delight Bakery at 5.05 pm on a Monday night and deliver it to the church for Meet ‘n’ Eat distribution. This would be on a rostered basis so it would not be every week. The more people we get the less everyone needs to do! If this is something you could help with, please contact the office Ph 82635087 or email churchadmin@paravista.org.au
Meet ‘n’ Eat Needs your Containers
If anyone has empty ice cream, or screw top yoghurt containers that they aren’t using, please leave them in the kitchen for Meet ‘n’ Eat to use. They are sending more meals home with guests lately, and it saves them buying disposable containers.
Mission Vision Report
Need Help or Prayer? Head to CARE Link!
On the opening page of our GSPV website, https://paravista.org.au/ we have a button that people can click onto for care and assistance. This page has 4 blue circles with white icons. The one on the right has a cube in the middle, with the word Care underneath it. Under that is a tag: Need assistance? You’ll find it here.
Clicking this icon opens a Care & Assistance page where people can leave contact details and a brief description of their need.
The Triage Officer will make initial contact to discover more about the person’s situation, work out an appropriate response, and refer the need for follow up to an appropriate person or team leader, e.g.
- Phone call or visit from one of the Pastoral Care Team
- Counselling referral
- Food/groceries/vouchers/household items
- Handyman help
- Back yard clean up team
- Prayer Ministry Team
- Pastors – spiritual/theological issues; pastoral acts
The vision is that more people from GSPV will be able to use their gifts to share the love of Jesus in the lives of others. It’s joining in His mission.
Please make use of this link and point it out to others.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Empty Space?
A reminder to please take all your belongings with you when you leave the Good Shepherd facility. Surplus items will be collected after 2 weeks and placed in the community care bin. Remember, a lost property box is also located on the cupboard in the hall leading from the parenting room to the rest rooms.
Please note that unwanted items are not to be bought to the Good Shepherd facility and left in the hope that we may be able to use them. Permission from the Congregational Administrator or church office is required before leaving items in any area.
Adelaide Show Christian Outreach
The committee of the Adelaide Show Christian Outreach is pleased to announce they have accepted the invitation to exhibit at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show, due to be held from 4-12 September. The committee welcomes your financial and prayerful support as they reembark on this vital outreach ministry. Direct credits may be made to BSB 704 942; Account No. 1005 16513, or cheques made payable to Adelaide Show Christian Outreach and sent to Honorary Secretary & Treasurer Wyndham Dix, 1 Hollywood Way Glenalta 5052. For further enquiries please email wgdix2@internode.on.net or call 8278 6031.
“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Matthew 12:28
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
