‘Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me… And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, they will never lose their reward.’
Matthew 10:40, 42
Matthew 10:40, 42
It seems insignificant, doesn’t it? If I welcome a disciple with a cup of cold water, I never have to lose my reward.
Fantastic! Turn on the welcoming taps, everyone!
It would seem the bare minimum to simply bring water to someone on the journey, a disciple of Christ, an ambassador of God himself, but Jesus is getting at something much deeper. What does it really mean to welcome? How is a church corporately involved in welcoming all people? What does it look like?
As we begin our series, ‘More than Welcome,’ I hope you can reflect on the ways that we have welcomed people in a different way during these trying times. I hope you can see the reward of opening our hearts, minds and ears to people when our churches had to be closed.
Pr. Reid Matthias
It would seem the bare minimum to simply bring water to someone on the journey, a disciple of Christ, an ambassador of God himself, but Jesus is getting at something much deeper. What does it really mean to welcome? How is a church corporately involved in welcoming all people? What does it look like?
As we begin our series, ‘More than Welcome,’ I hope you can reflect on the ways that we have welcomed people in a different way during these trying times. I hope you can see the reward of opening our hearts, minds and ears to people when our churches had to be closed.
Pr. Reid Matthias
Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our pastors.
COVID-19 News and Weekly Messages
During this period of COVID-19 restrictions, our Sunday worship has moved online, starting at 10:30 am. If you would like to participate please contact the church office for information about how to access this.
From the Office
Offerings 2019
|
||||||||
February
|
March
|
April
|
Year to Date
Variance
|
|||||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
|||
Sunday
Offerings
|
13532
|
18300
|
16690
|
18300
|
15386
|
18300
|
-9292
|
|
REG Offerings
|
20767
|
23333
|
20767
|
23333
|
22470
|
23333
|
-5995
|
|
Offerings 2020
|
||||||||
February
|
March
|
April
|
||||||
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
|||
Sunday
Offerings
|
14669
|
18300
|
10016
|
18300
|
0
|
18300
|
-30215
|
|
REG Offerings
|
25805
|
23333
|
23756
|
23333
|
34855
|
23333
|
14417
|
|
Notes:
Offerings are still down on budgeted amount for the year.
All ministry areas are resourcing only what is necessary.
Mission Support
Please continue supporting our congregation's mission and ministry through regular offerings as our facility and staff continues to operate in a different way.
Electronic deposits can be made to the following bank account details:
BSB 704942
Account number 100354939
Account Name GSPV REG
LLL REG: Download the form here, use the same bank details as above in the account to be credited and email back to address shown on the form. Alternatively contact the LLL on 83607200 or 1800 556457.
Offering Envelopes can still be dropped in at the church office during office hours.
Facilities Maintenance
Thank you, thank you to all who have contributed to the maintenance of the facility. There are a few outstanding tasks that some groups are working on. If you do have the urge to get out and get active by contributing to the remaining items please contact Stephen stephen.zanker@paravista.org.au or leave a message with the front office.
Para Vista Ladies Fellowship
Grace & Peace to all members. On your 2020 program, please delete the following:
August 20th, LWSA/NY North Zone Rally, North Adelaide Lutheran Church.
This function has been cancelled by the host fellowship, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Thanks,
Joy Wandel.
Prayer Requests
As we adapt to our new way of living please forward all prayer requests to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 08 8263 5087. If you know or have spoken to anyone who does not have access to a computer, please assist them to submit their request and offer to pray with them. Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests please refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news.
Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
It is a wonderful experience to be welcomed somewhere. The words ‘I feel comfortable/safe/at home’, come to mind. It opens the door to connection, honest conversations and relationship! But when you think of it, there is more involved than putting a welcome door mat out the front and hoping that it will do the job. It takes time, words and action. The blessings are definitely worth it, but a personal investment is involved.
Pastor Reid’s message on Sunday is called ‘A Drink of Water’. Hmmm, I wonder what opportunities might pop up for you this week?
God bless you all,
Georgie
Opportunity!
With Covid-19 restrictions easing in South Australia, we are keen to reconnect face to face. Little Lambs Playgroup has been on hold through this time and we are looking forward getting back together.
Over time we have been blessed to have amazing servant hearts in our community. We thank and bless Amy and Rochelle who ran things last year and Emma who took the reigns over this year before she had to go home to America. So we are looking for people who are interested in serving. We aren’t starting from scratch. We have some great ideas and a couple of helpers already. If you have some time on Friday mornings and would like to be part of this valuable time of connection and community, please let me know! Wonderful seed is being sown!
Please contact me on 08 8264 7966 or via the church office. Otherwise send me an email: georgie.schuster@paravista.org.au
I am happy to give you more details.
Many thanks,
Georgie
Maranatha Health News
https://mailchi.mp/f69858b04c39/celebrating-5-years-of-impact
New CARE Link up and Running
On the opening page of our GSPV website, https://paravista.org.au/ we now have a button that people can click onto for care and assistance.
This page has 4 blue circles with white icons. The one on the right has a cube in the middle, with the word Care underneath it. Under that is a tag: Need assistance? You’ll find it here.
Clicking this icon opens a Care & Assistance page where people can leave contact details and a brief description of their need.
The Triage Officer will make initial contact to discover more about the person’s situation, work out an appropriate response, and refer the need for follow up to an appropriate person or team leader, e.g.
• Phone call or visit from one of the Pastoral Care Team
• Counselling referral
• Food/groceries/vouchers/household items
• Handyman help
• Backyard clean up team
• Prayer Ministry Team
• Pastors – spiritual/theological issues; pastoral acts
The vision is that more people from GSPV will be able to use their gifts to share the love of Jesus in the lives of others. It’s joining in his mission.
Please make use of this link and point it out to others.
Pr. Rolly Stahl
Bread Collectors Needed
The Food Centre is in great need of help and support from new volunteers willing to be placed on a rota to collect bread from the local bakery at Tea Tree Plaza one Sunday evening per month. This task will require about one hour a month from you and will make a big difference in families in need - from small things big things grow. If you would like to know more about how you can make a difference, please contact Maurice Clark on 8269 3396 or just call into The Food Centre and ask for James or Tracy to show you around and familiarise yourself with all of the "wrap around" services provided there.
Further information can be found on our website at www.thefoodcentre.com.au and/or have a look at our community video using the following youtube link: https://youtu.be/RKZno5n9tMk
Best regards,
James Chapman
The Food Centre
Australian Lutheran College Annual Appeal
ALC has launched its annual appeal in a video message from Principal James Winderlich: https://alc.edu.au/connect/annual-appeal/ Your financial support during these especially troubling times is vital for preparing people to serve in and through the Church. All donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible; those received by 30 June may be claimed in this financial year. Thank you for your support.
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV)
