Why are we so Afraid?
For the modern reader, this weekend’s biblical text should be frightening. Unfortunately, most of us are delighted that Jesus can speak to the wind and the sea and calm them, like a master telling his dog to ‘sit.’
In Mark’s description of what most commentators call ‘Jesus calms the storm,’ we miss out on the incredible details if we focus entirely on the miracle alone.
- Jesus is incredibly tired.
- Jesus is not content in staying with the crowd.
- Jesus takes the disciples into the chaos of the night-covered sea.
- Other people went on the journey into the unknown, following both Jesus and the disciples.
All of this background is substantially important as we approach this text because it gives us context to why Jesus is unconcerned about both chaos and storm, whereas the disciples’ faith is tested by the elements of their fear.
Thus, Jesus asks, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’
In our 21st century lives, we tend to think we’ve moved beyond the ‘fear of the storms,’ and yet as the world roils in the chaotic strangeness of pandemic, hatred and fear, most of the Christian (and sometimes secular) world asks Jesus, ‘Don’t you care that we’re going to die?’
What is your boat journey like right now? Do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the stern? What about your church? Where is Jesus taking us now?
Pr. Reid Matthias
Bible Readings: Mark 4:35-41
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.
Encouragement Note
On Sunday we provided an opportunity for our community to seek out someone new to speak with after both services. This week we will again be reminding our community to look out for others after worship. Thank you for your participation as we follow our vision of being “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
Good Shepherd Social Club News
Good Shepherd Social Club has been operating for many years out of the Good Shepherd facility, with carpet bowling one of the activities provided. Five years ago the club had just six bowlers. Active promotion of the club over the past few years has seen numbers increase significantly, with the club now hosting 30 active bowlers.
An increasing number of members were having difficulty distinguishing between the colours of their old, inherited set of black and dark brown (red) coloured bowls, due to vision impairment and colour blindness. The club applied to the City of Salisbury in its recent round of Community Grants and was delighted to have that grant funding of $1,360 approved last month. The additional bowls have now been purchased (photo attached) and were put into use for the first time last week.
Good Shepherd Social Club wishes to extend its appreciation and thanks to the City of Salisbury for its continuing support as the club continues to provide an avenue for healthy active participation and socialisation to the local community.
Feel free to attend Thursday afternoons at 1.00pm to try out the new bowls or participate in one of the other activities and perhaps make a new acquaintance.
Family Zone News
The Family Zone is undergoing a major organisation restructure. This includes:
- Kathlene Wilson retiring as manager
- The major focus of the limited staff at the Zone will be supporting needy families and individuals
- To give staff extra time all food will be handled from the Blair Athol office. The reasoning is that staff at the Zone do not have time to store donations/ check on due dates/ pack and distribute hampers etc. The Zone will order hampers as required and these will be delivered to the Zone for distribution. Therefore they will still greatly appreciate our monthly food collections which will support a wider group of needy families.
- Our monthly food collections will recommence in July.
Family Support Coordinator News from Georgie
Growing Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Storms can whip up quickly. The Bible text from this week’s GFH describes one such event. While the conditions must have been favourable when the group set off across the lake, things soon took a turn for the worse! The disciples, some of them seasoned fisherman, found themselves fighting for survival on a stormy sea. They felt helpless… their combined experience was no match for the situation they found themselves in. With fear in their voices they turned to Jesus who, remarkably, was asleep! He stopped the storm and they all went on their way… The disciples grappling with what they had just witnessed! Who do you turn to when the weather gets rough? Check out our resource for ideas to discuss and use with your family and friends. Here’s a question for starters… How do you reach out to Jesus when you experience storms in life? Now… share your story!
Little Lambs
This morning we enjoyed learning about brave Queen Esther. We hunted for treasure and designed spectacular crowns as we played and chatted together. Just letting you know that Little Lambs will be taking a break. We’ll be back in Week One of the School Term Three, Friday July 23rd. Parents and Grandparents we would love to see you and your little lambs. It’s a beautiful time to meet new people as your children play and have fun together.
Blessings,
The Little Lambs Team.
Froggy Days
Grandparents, are you looking for ways to spend time with your grandchildren in the school holidays? Here is an opportunity! The Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum is hosting a Froggy Days event from July 14 to 18. Check out the poster on the pin up board in Café area or see Mary-Jo Zwar for details!
CLW 2021
Time is ticking on… 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/3iM9dw1
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
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!
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
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.
“So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6
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
