It’s an amazing thing that God uses beautifully fallible people to make up the Church, which is Christ’s body here on earth. In his deepest wisdom, God does not disregard his children, but bestows on them gifts of grace, peace and mercy in the midst of turbulent times so that they might live full lives of joy as His Kingdom is revealed to the ‘rulers and authorities’ in the heavenly realms. In other words – ‘’This is how it’s going to be! These are my people whom I love, on whom I have poured my Holy Spirit. Listen to them as they speak the words of my one and only Son!”
Do you recognise those words?
Paul recognises in the midst of our scripture for this week (Ephesians 3:1-13) that he might have been the ‘least of all the Lord’s people’ (vs. 8) and yet he has been given the task of bringing grace, peace, mercy and unity to Jews and Gentiles alike. This grace is no longer a mystery (vs. 4,9) but a revealed truth ‘in God’s eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (vs. 11)
It is finished!
We no longer must do anything – no amount of striving, or spiritualising or reasoning anything - only a faith given as gift by God through the Holy Spirit in Jesus.
This was God’s game plan from the beginning of time.
Enter the world of Paul as he encourages the people of Ephesus and transposes a world of works righteousness, to a cosmos of peace in Christ Jesus.
Pr Reid Matthias
Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:1-13
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Prayer Request
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.
Mission Being Met
Good Shepherd recently hosted a funeral service and light luncheon for a member of the community not associated with the church. It was a real joy for me to walk into the facility and the new hall and be met with the cheerful noise and banter associated with people enjoying what they were doing and serving with no return means for themselves.
I heard a comment from an attendee at the funeral along the following lines “that for a group of persons to volunteer and give in such a cheerful manner for someone they didn’t even know and to serve from the heart was a joy to experience that will have a lasting impact”.
This for me was a real confirmation that all the teams involved were certainly living out the Good Shepherd mission statement of “Reaching into the community with the Gospel that all may know Jesus and worship him” and in doing so the teams and visitors experienced the love of Jesus himself.
To all those involved well done and thanks.
Stephen Zanker Administration Manager
Small Groups Dinner
For anyone currently in a small group and anyone interested in more effective small group ministries at Good Shepherd. Please inform your group, save the date, and come along! Bring a sweet or savoury to share. BYO Drinks and glasses.
RSVP by phoning the church on 08 8263 5087 or email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au
Youth
Friday Night Youth
Date: Friday 7th September
Time: 7:15 – 9:30pm
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Cost: $4/youth with supper supplied (cans of soft drink available for $1)
Activities: Group Games
Please note: any youth who haven’t attended a Youth night this year (with us or GGLY) will be required to complete a ChildSafe form at the beginning of the night. This can be completed by a parent or caregiver when signing in the youth.
Contact: All questions can be directed to Chelsea Schiller – 0447 225 517 or chelsea.schiller@paravista.org.au
Youth Retreat – SAVE THE DATE
Combined with Golden Grove Youth, join us for a weekend to relax, connect & worship. For youth in year 7-12.
Date: Friday 5th – Sunday 7th October
Location: Camp Kedron, Barmera
There will be a bus - details to be confirmed soon.
Cost: $50 per person
Register online at: https://goo.gl/forms/s0tfKj8Vtgjs2z4B3
Contact: Chelsea Schiller – 0447 225 517 or chelsea.schiller@paravista.org.au
Grow Ministries LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
2019 Grow Leadership Program
Are you aged between 18-25 years and interested in developing your leadership skills and have a heart for ministry? Please contact Chelsea if this is something you would like to explore. Applications close Sunday 30th September, 2018.
Little Lambs are collecting, are you able to help?
We’re looking for:
• Cardboard tubes from cling wrap/alfoil
• Plastic Nutella jars (empty, clean & dry)
• Band aids
• PVC piping
• Dot markers (ones used in bingo)
• Large plastic buttons
• Golf tees
• Dried natural items like seed pods, gum nuts etc
Feel free to drop them into the Church Office or leave them in the donation bin outside the Parents Room at church.
From the Office
General Convention of Synod 2018
The Office has a book of reports for the General Convention of Synod 2018. If you are interested in having a read please contact the office on 8263 5087.
We also ask that you continue to uphold our leaders and delegates, staff and volunteers in your prayers.
Rostered on for Morning Tea?
Have you been rostered on for morning tea in the new area and are not quite sure what to do? A set of procedures has been written and left in the Café area for your use. These are not an exhaustive set and can be changed or you may do things slightly different. They are a set of guidelines to assist and make the task smooth for you. Please notify the office at churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with any discrepancies that you notice or contact the office during work hours. Thank you to those who do serve in this area.
Family Hub Ingle Farm
Thanks for your generosity. Once again you have been very generous in donating items to support the work of the Family Hub at Ingle Farm. They were very grateful for all items donated. They will be put to great use supporting families in need. It was again a great team effort - items donated, Transform group sorting them, help with transport and storing away in their new store area arranged by members from Good Shepherd.
Help with Homework Club
Several members from Para Vista are involved in a Homework Club at the LCC Family Hub at Ingle Farm. This has become so successful that extra help is needed on Tuesdays 3-4:30pm to hear students read and assist with their homework. Helping out weekly would be ideal but occasional help would also be appreciated. More information contact Helen Hearne
0413 088 502 or 8263 7434.
Regular Electronic Giving (REG) www.lll.org.au/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 table 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
Notice Board
Friends of Lutheran Archives
Next meeting will be on Monday 17th September at Bethlehem House in the city. The guest speaker, Dr Clara Stockigt, has researched Lutheran missionaries’ descriptions of Aboriginal languages across SA missions from the coast to the Centre. How did they tackle the challenge of recording unwritten languages with unfamiliar structures? What knowledge did they bring with them, and how successful were their efforts? 7.30 pm, supper & gold coin donation. All welcome.
LNAA (Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia)
All healthcare workers, members and visitors are invited to attend our meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 24th September, with Forum: "A Good Life to the End" at 137 Archer Street, North Adelaide LCA/SA District Office. Entry through rear door and 2 hour CDP evidence provided.
Staff Update at Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Keep up to date with staff changes at the following link https://inewsletter.co/J1WDLx/latest/
Valley View Op Shop
Cnr Paul’s Drive and Vale Ave
Open Mon - Fri. 9am - 4pm
Super Saturday Sale 1st of every month
Trinity Place Care Services Coordinator
Trinity Place is a part of the Aged Care Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church at Pasadena.
Trinity Place provides Serviced Apartment accommodation as a part of its Retirement Village, and is seeking a Care Services Coordinator who is responsible for day-to-day Apartment operations.
A house is provided to be on-call overnight for up to five nights per week (neg).
We are also seeking a casual cook to prepare lunchtime meals.
To discuss these opportunities further, please contact Matt Johns on 8277 2446 or matt.johns@trinityplace.com.au.
Preparing for Marriage Seminar 2018
Saturday 27th October 9am – 5pm and continuing on Sunday 28th October 1.30pm to 5.30pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 388 Montague Road, Para Vista. An enjoyable, interactive, non-threatening way to share time with your partner and other couples, bringing benefits that can last a lifetime.
Topics include: resolving conflict, realistic expectations, communication, and the meaning of marriage. Presented in a relaxed adult educational style (it is not counselling). For couples planning to marry and for those recently married.
Cost $100 couple
For more information or to book, please contact Merv and Ros Thiele 0429009847 or email: mervrost@bigpond.net.au
Professional Standards Training
The following link will take you to the updated Professional Standards training schedule as well as the updated Professional Standards Webinar training schedule.
http://www.sant.lca.org.au/events/training-workshops/
Get the latest news from LCA www.lca.org.au
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“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
Titus 3:4-5a
