As Christmas approaches, maybe you are dreading the family get together because you’re at loggerheads with a family member – or with someone else who might be there!
As the anxiety of that stews over in your mind, how is that impacting your worship, your preparations for Christmas, your relationship with God?
Jesus says: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NRSV) Jesus is our Prince of Peace – the one who reconciles us to God…and to one another. Will we let him do that in and through us?
This Sunday we will look at conflict, and what Jesus says about being peacemakers. Our theme: Advent, a time to reconcile. Taking steps towards peace may result in one of the most significant gifts God gives you this Christmas.
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 6:12-15
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Kingdom Kids and Families Celebration Service
A big thank you and well done to our children and families, technical team, creative arts team, and musicians who prepared a creative feast for us at the 10.30am service last Sunday: Follow the Light. The service was engaging and prompted healthy participation.
Our recent half-yearly meeting - November 22nd 2015
Our half yearly meetings and AGM’s of our school, village, and congregation are important for our life together. We need to be aware of how things are going in our Good Shepherd community, as well as the state of our finances and resources. We need to be involved in major decisions about future events and developments. It’s like running a household on a larger scale.
Thank you for all who attended our recent half-yearly meeting. Yes, it was a much longer than usual. This was largely due to some legal procedures for the transfer of our Good Shepherd Retirement Village over to Fullarton Lutheran Homes. There were a bunch of ‘next steps’ that needed our approval so they could happen. And the Good News is that many of them have!
Thank you for your patience! I apologise to those of you who found it long-winded and frustrating. I also apologise for unnecessary delays. In future we will endeavour to keep things moving along. Your positive participation is always appreciated here at Good Shepherd!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Christmas @ Good Shepherd
Christmas Eve - A necessary MESS 5.00, 6.30 and 8.30pm
Christmas Day – Courageous or Crazy 9.30am
New Year’s Eve - 7.30pm
Employment Opportunities at Good Shepherd
Worship Support Team Leader (14 hours per week)
An exciting opportunity exists to join Good Shepherd’s Pastoral Ministry Team to lead and develop team leaders of our worship support teams (eg: music and vocals, technical support, dramatic arts, visual arts, ushering etc) to facilitate life-transforming experiences and spiritual growth in worship. The role includes preparing a monthly musician’s roster for weekly services.
This position requires a leader who is comfortable to lead by empowering others to carry out the ministry. With music ministry being a significant part of this role, musical ability and experience in music teams would be an advantage but not essential. Competent administration skills are also needed to ensure the smooth running of Sunday services. The successful applicant will be supported by the entire staff team, but specifically the Senior Pastor who has accountability for all worship ministries within the congregation.
The position is offered as initial one year contract with a three month probationary period. Remuneration will be according to the Lay Workers Salary Scale Level 2 for accredited Lay Workers or as negotiated in the interview for applicants without accreditation. Consideration would be given to combining this position with the Youth and Young Adults Team Leader role (20 hours per week) for suitably gifted applicants.
Youth and Young Adult Team Leader (20 hours per week)
An exciting opportunity exists to join Good Shepherd’s Pastoral Ministry Team to lead and develop the youth and young adult ministry of our congregation so they can own, live and share their faith. The position will be available from the beginning of 2016.
This position requires a leader who is comfortable to lead by empowering others to carry out the ministry. In addition to developing a plan for the Youth and Young Adult ministry of our congregation - the person we are seeking will invest significant time in recruiting, equipping, and supporting leaders who will in turn carry out and further this ministry. The successful applicant will be supported by the entire staff team which includes supervision and accountability to one of the pastors.
The position is offered as initial one year contract with a three month probationary period. Remuneration will be according to the Lay Workers Salary Scale Level 2 for accredited Lay Workers or as negotiated in the interview for applicants without accreditation. Consideration would be given to combining this position with the Worship Support Team Leader role (14 hours per week) for suitably gifted applicants. Position descriptions are available on request from office churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or by phoning 8263 5087.
Applications in writing, by 9th December 2015, are to be submitted
The Chairperson
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista
PO Box 306, Modbury North SA 5092
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.
What an amazing ‘Children and Families Christmas Celebration Service’ we had last Sunday! It was wonderful to have so many children and parents involved in worshipping our great and awesome God. Thank you to everyone who helped out in the preparations during the lead up and on the day. Kingdom Kids is now on holidays. We wish all families a blessed Christmas.
Baby Zone will be running for one more week!
Did you know that Baby Zone runs during the school term at our 10.30am services for 0-2 year olds? In Baby Zone we talk about the same simple topic for one month
Our topic for the rest of the year is:
“Jesus was a Baby”
“Jesus was Born” (See Luke 2:4-7)
“His name is Jesus” (See Luke 1:31)
This month your child will:
• hear words and songs about the birth of Jesus;
• feel glad that Jesus was born;
• play with toys and materials to learn about the birth of Jesus.
Christmas is such an exciting time for young children! We hope your family enjoys your Christmas traditions or possibly has fun creating new ones! If you haven't been to Baby Zone before we would like to encourage you and your toddler to come and find out about Jesus’ love! 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. - Children and Family Support Worker
Bushfire Relief
At our Luncheon this Tuesday, the Women's Fellowship decided to donate some money towards the victims of the recent crop fires in and around the Pinery area in the north of our state. The total gift amounted to $715. We thank you so much for your generosity.
Shine the light of hope this Christmas with Maranatha Health
Christmas is a time of peace, joy and hope.
This Christmas we invite you to help shine the light of hope for families living in poverty in Uganda. By making a donation to Maranatha Health, you can help provide life-saving medical care, increase community understanding about hygiene and health, and help build an effective, more accessible health care system that will bring lasting change to people’s lives.
Plus, when you donate to our Maranatha Health Christmas appeal we’ll send you a collection of Maranatha Health Christmas cards so you can share the message of hope with your family, friends and colleagues.
For giving options, please go to www.maranathahealth.org/christmas
May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy as you shine the light of hope and life to others!
The future is always full of possibilities and our new work is proving just how exciting these can be. Join us in celebrating and supporting Maranatha Health, as we look to a bright future in Uganda.
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
From the Office
Half Yearly meeting report.
75 members attended the half Yearly meetings of the congregation, village and school.
Highlights from congregational meeting:
• John thanked retiring Board members, Keren Sutton and Helen Bridge for their service -Keren 8 years mainly in leadership positions and Helen as Secretary.
• Noel highlighted some of the blessings and challenges of the year and then looked ahead to 2016. He introduced a resource from the Board for Local Mission called “Renew Mission Life”.
• Simon Janetzki presented the budget for 2016 which was adopted.
It was agreed that:
• The draft plans for the upgrade of our facilities redevelopment as circulated be costed and these be presented to the congregation for approval to proceed.
• The money received from FLH for the village be used to upgrade our facilities.
• We explore the upgrade of the altar furniture and present options to the congregation for feedback.
• That as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration there be a thanksgiving offering and the amount above our regular offering go towards supporting a local outreach project.
• In 2016 we support LCC at Ingle Farm and continue our support for Maranatha Health.
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The following were elected -
Chair person - John Dolling
Vice Chairperson - Vacant
Finance Team Leader - Simon Janetzki
Secretary - Vacant
Board Members
Yolande Elliott
Kirstyn Schmidt
Rae Hofmanis
Cees Wesselingh
Keith Kemp
Adjudication Team
Trevor Bridge
Ken Rodgers
Congregational Secretary - Helen Bridge
Public Officer - Stephen Zanker
Nomination for Seal Holders
Merv Thiele
Stephen Zanker
Endeavour Representative is Tim Pfeiffer
50th Anniversary
In November 2016 we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our congregation. As we celebrate the many blessings of the past 50 years, we also need to focus on our mission in the years to come. We are looking for a simple, short and catchy phrase that will help us focus our celebrations e.g. Look Both Ways
At the Half Yearly meeting and via email members were requested to submit their ideas for a short catchy phrase.
Thank you to all those who have submitted ideas. We have received 35 suggestions so far. If you have a suggestion they can be sent to jdolling@bigpond.net.au by Monday Dec 7th
LLL Information
Our Congregation has received an LLL Interest Rate change notice advertising that the interest rate on LLL interest bearing Savings Accounts will be 2.75% from 1 December 2015. This notice has been placed on the church notice board for your information.
Christmas whirlwind
Can you be available on Thursday 24th December at 9.30am to assist in giving the church grounds a bit of a dust off? Please mark your connect card ‘Parking,’ contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087or via email szanker@paravista.org.au of your availability.
Car parking attendants will be required to assist with safe traffic movement and parking on Christmas Eve for the 5pm and 6.30pm service. Please mark your connect card ‘Parking,’ contact Stephen or the office on 8263 5087.
Noticeboard
Lutheran Community Care
Loaves & Fishes - This month we invite you to replenish our Emergency Relief shelves with:
Breakfast Cereals, Pasta Sauce, Spreads, Toothpaste
Thank you for helping us help others.
Your LCC representative will ensure we receive your donation.
“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart;
consider what great things he has done for you”
1 Samuel 12:24
