A call to
prayer
During October I presented the Impact
2014
sessions. Many of you appreciated the video clip where people new to Good
Shepherd shared how they have been impacted through their involvement with our
church. It was very reassuring and encouraging to hear firsthand how our
contributions to Good Shepherd of time, energy and money are making positive
spiritual differences in people’s lives. Your enthusiasm to further contribute
to making a difference was evident in the great response to our need to
increase our offerings in 2014 to meet rising costs. While it is too early to
give a final figure, it does appear we should be able to cover the increased
costs in 2014. I want to say big “thankyou” for your generous response.
While we have much to thank and praise God for, I
believe there is a renewed need to be vigilant in prayer for our church and the
people who are part of it. Over the last few months I have noticed a
significant increase in the pastoral issues that I have had to deal with. While
we have seen a lot of good things happen in people’s lives, we have also seen
an increase in serious problems in people’s lives.
As the church we operate like a body and when one
member is going well it lifts the whole body. Conversely when another member
struggles it also impacts the body and pulls it down a little. Now dealing with
struggle and problems are a part of life. Jesus said to his disciples, “Here
on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus is saying, “There is no
escaping problems but we do not need to lose heart because I have overcome the
source of these problems, sin and evil.”
The interesting thing is what Jesus does next.
We’re told, ‘After saying all these things Jesus looked up to heaven and said…’
(John 17:1) What is the outcome of taking heart? It is prayer. We
demonstrate our confidence that Jesus has overcome sin and evil in this world
by praying.
Now is the time for us at Good Shepherd not to lose
heart because of the problems that may have arisen, though we still have much
to give thanks for. Now is the time to pray. Pray for our church and pray for
the people in it. Continue to thank God for all the good things he is doing
among us. At the same time pray for our relationships with God and each other.
Pray for unity of Spirit and purpose. Pray for our spiritual and physical
health. Pray for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus. Pray for God’s
protection from the evil one and the ability to stand strong against his
schemes and temptations that pull us off track. Pray that God good can work his
good purposes out of whatever struggle we may be going through.
We are to be people who have not lost heart, but
rather confident people pressing forward through prayer trusting in the Jesus
who has overcome this world.
Pastor Noel
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message will be “God’s promise of
strength in temptation” as we continue the series ‘God’s promises in tough
times’ Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Bible Readings:
Luke 22:39-46 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Kingdom Kids: The
Promise of a Saviour King
We would like to invite all children aged 3-12 to join us in the school
for the next 2 Sundays (during the 10:30am service) as we prepare for our 2013
Celebration Service – The promise of a
Saviour King. Kindy Zone will meet in their usual classroom for a special
lesson titled ‘Prophecy Fulfilled’. We will have a full dress rehearsal for all
ages in the school gym on the 24th November from 10:45am-12pm,
followed by the Celebration Service at 10:30am on Sunday 1st
December.
Baby Zone:
Baby Zone ministry for ages 0-3 will continue to run during term 4 and
will conclude on Sunday 15th December. This term we will cover
topics such as Jesus loves children,
Jesus gives me food and Jesus was a
baby. There will be no Baby Zone on the 1st December as all ages
will be involved in our Celebration Service.
Please pray for God to bless our preparations and the event itself.
Playgroup: The things
we love about Christmas!
Come along to playgroup this term to help us celebrate “the things we
love about Christmas”. Each Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am the church hall is
transformed into an inviting play area with loads of fun and interesting
activities for everyone to take part in. Our theme for next week is ‘Let’s Celebrate’ which will be
followed by Giving Gifts, Christmas
Tree Decorating, The Nativity Story and finally Carols and Community (a joint celebration with Bethany Kluges
classroom at GSLS). $2 per child or $3 per family. Please bring a piece of
fruit to share. All welcome. Please contact Beth Einthal for more info 0438 233
671.
C & F Ministry
Volunteers Dinner:
Children and Family Ministry volunteers, you and your family are invited
to a celebration to thank YOU for your time and efforts volunteering in C &
F ministry this year. Please keep Saturday 16th November, 4pm-7:30pm
free. Please RSVP to Beth Einthal on 0438 233 671 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au by the 9th
November for catering purposes. Thanks
Giving gifts at
Christmas
It has become a tradition at Good Shepherd Para Vista to give the
children a Christmas pack as they enter church on Christmas Day, as a way to
include and bless them in the service. This year we have started making up
packs that include an activity booklet from the Lutheran Tract Mission, a set
of coloured pencils, a bookmark and some Christian based Christmas stickers
(all of which will be given in a small zip lock bag). To help cover the cost of
this expense, we would like to ask for small donations from the congregation.
The total expense of making 150 of these packs is just over $200, so if you
feel led to make a small donation towards this gift we would be thrilled.
Please place your donations in the ‘Kids Christmas Packs’ tin located on the
Kingdom Kids sign in table on Sundays, or in the main office during the week.
Thanks in advance for your support in this way.
Laura Carson - Children and Family Team Leader
Prayer
requests
Prayer
requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the
current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If
you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Para
Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship – Honey Biscuits
We will be sending honey biscuits to Lutheran
Community Care near the end of this month. The biscuits will then be
distributed to people who need extra love and Christmas cheer. We welcome the
baking efforts of any congregation members and ask that you bring your biscuits
to the church kitchen by Sunday 24 November where they will be collected.
We are asked to comply with the following requests:
No nuts or 100s and 1000s, some biscuits may be iced and long sprinkles are
acceptable. We thank you for your help towards others through our congregation.
Para
Vista Lutheran Women's Fellowship - Christmas Break Up Luncheon
Held on Tuesday 3 December at 12 noon in the Para
Vista Church Hall. Members of our Good Shepherd Community are invited to a
delicious lunch. You will enjoy carol singing, Christmas readings, a Bible
message and joyful fellowship.
RPVS to Ruth Oster on Ph. 82650221 or email: kroster@senet.com.au
by Tuesday 26 November. Donation of $12 pp
Half
Yearly Meetings
The half yearly meetings for the church, school and
village will be held on Sunday 24 November @ 12:30. Lunch is available after
the 10:30am service so enjoy a meal and then attend the meetings. Reports/2014
budget for the church will be available from next Sunday 17 November.
Fundraising
Christmas
Stalls
Available after both morning services on the
following dates: 10, 17 and 24 November, 1 and 15 December. All proceeds
to Cebu Mission. Thank you for your support.
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
Sausage Sizzle and Steak Sandwich Day
Sunday 24 November. Sausages are available
after 1st service. Sausages and steak sandwiches are available after
2nd service. Grab some food and then take part in the Half Yearly
meeting at 12.30pm.
Christmas Puddings for sale this Sunday 10 November
Christmas Puddings for sale this Sunday 10 November
Help support the Children, Youth and Family Ministry
of our local and wider church by purchasing a Christmas pudding! Blueprint
Ministries who oversee this ministry in our state are selling Christmas
Puddings from Pudding Lane. These all natural, all Australian puddings come in
a variety of flavours including Classic Christmas Chocolate, Macadamia and
Brandy and Gluten Free. Pudding Lane supply puddings to Jamie Oliver and Donna
Hay!
Please see Andrea Bowden in the hall following the
service to pre-order or purchase. Prices range from $27 - $45 depending on
flavour and size. Orders can also be placed by email to: tandabowden@gmail.com
From the Office
Appreciation
of items left for charity
If you don’t need it at home and wish to donate to a
charity then the church may not need items either. In past weeks a number of
electrical and household items have been left in the narthex area of the
church. Please leave all charity donated goods in the welfare bin located on
the northern end of the car park. Please note all electrical items, broken or
unserviceable household goods left in the bin or narthex have to be disposed of
at a cost to the church.
I am seeking the assistance of a couple of members to assist in the
cleaning of the gutters at Para Vista. The task would only involve an hour of
spare time whilst being able to gain a view of the surrounding area not
normally seen by others. Please contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087 or
put on your Sunday welcome card your intention to be part of the “View Adelaide
with a difference” team.
Staff on Leave
Lorraine Johns will be on leave until 18th November
Christmas
Trees from Holy Cross, Birdwood
We have high quality Christmas trees at $30 each available for purchase
again this year. Delivery to the church will be on Saturday 14th December.
Please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or contact the
church office 8263 5087 or write your order on your welcome card by Wednesday 4th
December. It will be helpful if you can state a preferred height of tree.
Vacancies
Cleaner
Australian Lutheran College - 20 hours per week (9.30am-2pm)
Cleaning experience an advantage but not essential. For further
information and details contact Kristine Leonard (Boarding Manager) on Ph: 8267
7361 or 0417 601 123 between 8.30am – 12.30pm Tuesday to Friday. Starting date:
Thursday 28th November.
Applications close Friday 15th November.
“A true friend is a gift from God
And one
who points us back to Him”
