As human beings, we need interactions with other people to flourish. How would we get on if no one taught us to speak, dress ourselves, read, write, or develop skills? Just about everything we have learnt has come to us through connecting with others. While our personality is a given, our values and character are shaped by doing life together with others.
Having been made in the image of God, we are created for connection – with God and with other people. This Sunday, we will explore how these two connections come together for us as followers of Jesus. Come along and find out how connecting regularly with a few other Christians helps us to grow in the character of Jesus – and continue his work in our community.
Small groups are one way this can happen. This Sunday we will be launching our small group ministry for 2017, blessing our small group leaders, and praying for our small groups to flourish in the year ahead.
Bible Readings: Acts 2:42-47 (For preparation, you might also read Genesis 1-2)
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
This Sunday is our Kingdom Kids Kick Off for 2017 at the 10.30am service. We will be meeting in the school library for a combined zone event. We look forward to seeing you!
Activity folders are available for the younger children and Worship Journals available for the older children for use during the services.
Growing Faith at Home
Now available only on our App! To encourage families to keep growing in their faith at home each week.
Little Lambs Playgroup
Little Lambs Playgroup is held on Wednesdays at 9.15am in the church hall. Come on over straight after dropping off the kids at school. Join other Mums and Dads and Grandies for a coffee and chat with activities for the little ones.
Kathy Liebig
Children and Family Support Worker
Last Friday night we had our first event for the year. We had a great time getting to meet some new people, welcoming our new leaders, having fun, worshipping together, talking about “new beginnings” and then exploring new beginnings in the scriptures in a creative way – scripture sculptures.
The youth and leaders found very clever ways of forming themselves into items listed in bible verses talking about new beginnings. We had the three crosses for Christ’s crucifixion, the dove from Noah’s Ark, and the throne of honour all formed. We then farewelled “Ignite Youth” as we know it, acknowledged that it played a significant part in youth ministry here at Good Shepherd, but with new beginnings we have a new name and new look. We left the youth hanging and all will be revealed in church this Sunday morning at 10.30am service.
Next event is Friday 17th February. Don’t forget to invite along a few friends. Youth is a safe, non-confronting environment where like-minded teens get to share and grow their faith.
Further details regarding youth contact Margot Mertin 0401 850814 or mmertin@paravista.org.au
Margot Mertin
Faith Formation 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 churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Notice Board
Friends of Lutheran Archives
Those were the days . . . What memories those camps invoke in us! Did you meet your spouse at a Youth Camp? Pastor David Eckermann will be the guest speaker at the FOLA (Friends of Lutheran Archives) gathering on Monday 27th February, 7.30 pm at Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place in the city. David has been involved in Youth, singles and camp ministry for many years & has a wealth of knowledge about those camps. All welcome & gold coin donation.
Invitation to attend events at Australian Lutheran College (ALC)
ALC invites you to attend the following events being held on Monday 27 February 2017, which mark the beginning of a new academic year for the college. The day will begin with worship in the Chapel at 9.00am followed by the Opening Lecture at 9.30am in the Refectory.
This year’s lecture will be presented by Dr Wendy Mayer (ALC’s new Associate Dean of Research) and is entitled, ‘Preaching Schism: Why what good people say can have unintended consequences for the Church.’
If attending either the service or the lecture, please park off campus and enter via the entrance at 200 Ward Street, North Adelaide. For all enquiries or to notify of your attendance, please contact Alice Lamnek on (08) 7120 8200 or email: alice.lamnek@alc.edu.au. For those unable to physically attend proceedings, the lecture will be live-streamed via the ALC website – www.alc.edu.au.
Installation of new ALC staff
The installation of Dr Wendy Mayer (Associate Dean of Research), Dr Adam Hensley (Lecturer in Old Testament) and Rev Thomas Pietsch (Lecturer in Church History) will take place at the 9am service on Sunday 19 February 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, Glynde. All are welcome to attend.
“Therefore we do not lose heart.
Even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day”
2 Corinthians 4:16
