The ‘why’ behind the birth of Jesus can be summed in one word, love! The well-known Bible verse says, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) God did all of this because of his unwavering love for us. It is this message of God’s love to us in Jesus that we will be sharing this Christmas.
Our Christmas Eve services provide a great opportunity to invite family and friends to church as we share the message that God loves and accepts us no matter how big a mess we have made of things. In Jesus, God enters our messy world and enters our mess to free us from it.
On Christmas day we explore the question ‘Courageous or crazy?’ Was God courageous or crazy to enter our world as baby? Are we courageous or crazy to trust that our life together with God is inseparably connected to a tiny baby lying in a manger?
Our prayer is that as you journey with us through the Christmas services God will fill you with wonder and joy as you experience afresh all he gives us in Jesus.
Christmas Service Times
Christmas Eve - 5.00pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm – ‘A necessary mess’
Christmas Day - 9.30am with Holy Communion – ‘Courageous or crazy?’
New Year’s Eve - 7.30pm
Blessing our visitors this Christmas
Our Christmas services attract many visitors and this gives us a great opportunity to reflect Jesus’ love in the following ways:
1. Leaving car parking spaces free for visitors by parking on the school oval, or in Mattiske Funerals carpark.
2. Making it easy for visitors to find a seat by filling the church from the front and the middle of the row.
3. Wearing your name tag and greeting people around you as they take their seats.
4. If you see someone by themselves who looks a little lost, introduce yourself and ask if you can help them.
These are all easy things to do and you never know how God might use our simple acts of service to draw these people closer to his Son Jesus this Christmas?
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Upcoming worship services...
Sunday Dec 27th 2015
One whom Jesus loves!
Jesus called a bunch of disciples to follow and learn from him; and to be witnesses of his life, death and resurrection. One of them was John – the younger brother of James. While James was later executed by one of the Herods, John lived to a ripe old age. John also endured hardships. Yet for the rest of his life he kept telling people about Jesus. One thing John knew of Jesus - and wants each of us to know for ourselves: “I am one whom Jesus loves!”
Bible Readings: John 21:20-25, 1 John 1:1-4
New Year’s Eve, Thursday Dec 31st 2015 – 7:30pm
Ready for Action
This year is rapidly drawing to a close, and a new year is nearly upon us! But if you knew this year would be your last, would it change how you live each day?
Jesus says: “Be dressed ready for action, and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast” (Lk 12:35–36). During this special New Year’s Eve service, we’ll explore how Christ’s very own servant nature encourages us to be both ready for action, and patiently anticipating our Lord, in the year ahead.
Bible Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Sunday Jan 3rd, 2015
Small Things, Big Difference – Part 1. Centre
At New Year, we often make resolutions to change things in our lives and do them differently. Yet many of our New Year’s resolutions fail - not because something big happened that prevented us - but rather because we didn’t pay attention to the small things. In this 4 part series, we’re going to look at how God can help us to make small and incremental changes that will make a big difference in our life, in our relationships, and in our walk with God! Starting off, the Magi show us what it means to have a right Centre.
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
New Pastoral Ministry Staff in 2016
Youth and Young Adults Team Leader
We are pleased to announce that Margot Mertin will be joining our staff team as the Youth and Young Adults Team Leader in 2016. Margot has years of experience working with youth in churches and schools. Margot has three children and is currently a member at St John’s TTG where she serves in their youth ministry team. Margot will be installed into her new role on Sunday 17th January 2016 and begin her work the following week.
Worship Ministry Team Leader
Rochelle Denton will be taking up the role of Worship Ministry Team Leader in 2016. Rochelle is already part of our staff team working in the role of Reception Administration. Rochelle will vacate this role once a suitable replacement is found and trained. While Rochelle has enjoyed her current role in Reception Administration, she feels the Worship Ministry Team Leader role is a better fit for her skills and gifts.
We want to acknowledge the great job Merv Thiele has done as a volunteer covering all essential tasks of this role. Merv will continue as a key volunteer leader in the worship ministry in 2016. In addition to the Worship Ministry role, Rochelle will be looking after our digital media and communication. Rochelle’s experience of working in radio advertising will be put to good use in this role.
The Reception Administration position will be advertised early in the new-year. Details of this position will be included in the Weekly News.
Kingdom Kids is now on holidays. We wish all families a blessed Christmas.
Activity folders will be available for the children and Personal Journals available for the older children for use during services.
Faith at Home
December booklet out now! Pick up a copy of the December booklet at the Kingdom Kids Sign In desk and the parenting room.
Kathy L.
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 churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Thank you
The Board would like to thank all those who have contributed to life at Good Shepherd in 2015. Pastors Noel and Rolly, our dedicated taff, the many volunteers who served in many capacities and all members who contributed financially to enable us to have a surplus for 2015.
The Board wishes all who Good Shepherd their church home a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year
Transfer of village to Fullarton Lutheran Homes
The Boards of Good Shepherd and Fullarton have finalised the amount to be received by our congregation for the transfer of the village. We will receive a quarter of a million dollars. As decided at the Half Yearly meeting this money will go towards facilities development at Para Vista
Maranatha Health Gala Dinner - 29 January 2016
6:45pm for a 7pm start. Fogolar Furlan Centre, 69 Briar Road, Felixstow
A delicious three course meal, entertainment, and auctions will feature on the night.
Reservations can be made for tables of 10 for $90 per guest, or individuals for $100 per guest.
Please rsvp and inform us of dietary needs by Friday 8 January 2016: www.trybooking.com/161959
Further information: contact@maranathahealth.org
Lutheran Women SA/NT 2016 Retreat
Date: 15-17th January 2016
Where: Australian Lutheran College, North Adelaide SA
Theme: ‘Women of Faith’
Pr Dale Gosden will be chaplain and Bible Study leader.
Guest Speakers:
Sarah Möller — Visual Artist sharing her art
Andrea Ogia — Journey with a hidden disability
Anne Pietsch — Dementia - My Story
Plus: Entertainment Saturday evening, singing, closing worship service on Sunday afternoon, excellent food, fun and fellowship.
Cost: Full Time: $145.00. Part timers are more than welcome.
Payments can be made through the LLL electronic funds transfer facility.
See the enrolment form for details: http://www.sa.lca.org.au/?q=mission/women
Enrolments and full payment must be received by 6th January for catering purposes.
From the Office
A gift for Christmas
One of the simplest free gifts you could give this Christmas is to park in the Mattiske carpark or on the school oval for the Christmas Eve services and allow our visitors to park close to the entrance of the church. Car parking attendants and signs will be directing traffic for the 5.00 and 6.30pm services and your assistance in following directions will be appreciated. Please Note: Traffic flow will be ONE WAY entering from Montague road and exiting through the rear gate.
Office closure over Christmas
Office will be closed from 3.00pm 24th December 2015 to 9.00am on Tuesday 5th Jan 2016.
Staff Leave
Stephen Paech 15 December 2015 to 13 January 2016
Kathy Liebig 28 December 2015 to 10 January 2016
Stephen Zanker 4 January 2016 to 15 January 2016
Rolly Stahl 19 January 2016 to 25 January 2016
Regular Electronic Giving (REG)
REG is a way for our members to regularly support the work of our church. Details of transactions are kept totally confidential. None of your personal details are given to the congregation or treasurer. The treasurer is only advised of the total amount credited to the account for the month. For those who are altering their giving through REG or wish to start giving via REG the appropriate forms are available from the information rack at the rear of the auditorium or via this link http://www.lll.org.au/giving_through_the_lll/regular_electronic_giving_reg use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942
Alternatively deposits can be made to the following bank account details
If transferring from an LLL account, use account number 52752S1, BSB 704942.
If transferring from another banking institution, use account number 100354939, BSB 704942
Noticeboard
Youth from this church will be involved in a service event Big Week Out (BWO) from the 18th-22nd of January which is exciting initiative of local churches where young people from partnering churches all over Adelaide come together to make God's love known through service.
We would love your help by donating a meal to ensure the cost of participant registration remains low. Please consider donating baked goods for morning/afternoon teas or contributing to one of the dinners so that the participants and leaders are being nourished!
Please contact Zoe Thiel on 0422938623 or visit the BWO website http://www.bigweekout.org.au/#bio for more information.
Lutheran Community Care
Loaves & Fishes – in January, we invite you to replenish our Emergency Relief shelves with:
Coffee, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Toothbrushes
Thank you for helping us help others.
Your LCC representative will ensure we receive your donation.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
