We Have Moved!

We have moved! Our blog can now be accessed directly from our website, here:

https://paravista.org.au/upcoming-events-and-news/

Our archive will remain here for you to read.

God bless,

The Team at Good Shepherd Para Vista

The Master's Key

 The disciple Peter might have wondered if he was going to get a gold star for his comments in ‘Discipleship Class’:

‘Lord, How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?’

Peter’s question was magnanimous from a forgiveness perspective. In Jewish custom, three times was the limit. Once you had been sinned against a fourth time, you don’t forgive. Thus, when Peter queried the Lord, he wanted to know if the limit was what he was striving for.

‘I tell you, not as many as seven,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven.’

It seems like Jesus pushes the envelope of what was realistic, to the impossible. Seven? That would be difficult, but not impossible. But seventy times seven? Even seven times seven would be impossibly hard. 

Jesus pushes Peter, and all those who are following him around, to recognise that unlimited forgiveness is the master key to all relationships. When we forgive, doors are opened. But how do we do this? Maybe if someone does something small, I can forgive, but what about repeated offenses? What about terribly traumatic offenses? How in the world can the master key of forgiveness unlock those bolted and double-locked doors with red light sensors and video cameras?

This weekend, following on from Jesus’ thoughts about restoration of relationships, we’ll discover how to find the master’s key and how to incorporate it into daily life.

Read Matthew 18:21-35 in preparation for our time together.

Imagining Theology
Over the last months, we’ve recognised a dramatic shift in culture. In some ways, we didn’t see it coming, but in others, we always knew that the world would shift. After decades of digital revolution, the contemporary church has encountered a divergence of mindsets on how pastoral care, evangelism, worship and ministry will look in the future.

Now, at the precipice of a new era of the Church, it is imperative that we imagine through the Spirit’s vision what change means for Good Shepherd Community.

Beginning Sunday, 20 September, after the 8:45 and 10:30 services, we’ll be gathering in the library to discuss the Marks of the Post-COVID Church: Imagining the Ancient Church of the Future. These forty-five minute discussions will be helpful as we look into the years ahead.

Across these discussions, we’ll dig into the scriptures that give us vision and hope for the future and how we can understand and see the importance of our changing church Culture. We’ll be meeting in the church library to start with, but if there is large interest, we’ll move over to the school.

Pr. Reid Matthias

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

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. 

Eggssssss
The folks with the yolks are back! Come and get your free range eggs - $4 per dozen.  Please bring your spare cartons.  Get ‘em while they’re (not) hot! Ed.

Grow Ministries Faith at Home

Dear Church Family,
Mercy: To let someone off the hook; to free someone from the cost of their offence (even when retribution is warranted).
How is this accomplished? Through forgiveness.
It is not always easy… I’m sure you would have a story or two about when you have either received or shown mercy towards someone. Love to hear it sometime!

This week’s GFH resource provides some thought provoking questions to ask those near and dear to you.
God bless you and your week,
Georgie

Prayer Requests

Connect cards will not be used during services so any requests can be forwarded to the church office via churchenquiries@paravista.org.au or phone 8263 5087. Alternatively the care link button on our website can be used.  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 or offer care. 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.

Office News
Help Wanted:
A volunteer to assist in replenishing all the Covid-19 cleaning supplies and ensure signage is still correctly positioned. Up to two hours per week is required.
A ‘chandler’, to service the candles in the church, on a weekly basis. This can be done at church or from home, to keep the candles trimmed and burning bright.
No experience needed for these positions – training is provided.

Together Magazine is Here!
The latest edition of Together Magazine is out - copies are available in the church and office.

COVID-Safe Requirements for Worship - please observe these guidelines:

• Entry through front foyer and exit via rear courtyard – exceptions for people with mobility issues. If you’re an able walker, consider parking away from front entrance.  
  
• Register names and contact details.
  
• Please maintain physical distance 1.5m.
  
• People from the same household can sit next to one another. Otherwise we need to keep 2 chair spaces between people
  
• Follow the directional arrows for entry, exit, and Holy Communion.
  
• Freewill offerings will be received via a retiring offering on the way out of the sanctuary.
  
• No tea and coffee afterwards at this stage. Social distancing still required while on site.   
  
• Please follow directions of worship hosts
  
• Early service attendees will need to vacate the building to allow a clean before second service attendees can enter the building.
  
• Worship hosts and welcomers are now nominated Covid Marshalls.
  

Regarding children:

• Children will sit with their families. Please feel free to bring activities.  
  

Due to cleaning requirements:

• Playground next to Revive Café is CLOSED.
  
• Parenting Change Room is OPEN again.

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.

News from the Lutheran Archives

Miners from the Harz Mountains in Germany to Australia – the 1st wave 1845 – 1847:Why did they come, how could they afford the journey & where did they mine?
Janette Lange, Archivist at Lutheran Archives will be the guest speaker at the first FoLA meeting since February.
Where: Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide
When:  Monday 21st September 2020
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: Gold coin donation.
All welcome!  Because of COVID-19 requirements, if you plan on attending, please register beforehand with Helen Schubert on 8364 4350; 0447 740 711, or email: hschubert@internode.on.net

Campfire Couches

Need something to lounge on in front of your chiminea? Nowhere to park yourself at the fishing shack? Toddlers who’d rather bounce than sit? Or maybe sluggish teens slacking over social media?  Well do we have a deal for you! Two sofas and a single seater can be yours for ZERO dollars! Take one, or take ‘em all! We’re looking to upgrade some of our furniture, so contact the office to see how you can start sprawling today! Ed.

 

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Ephesians 1:7

Keys to Restoring Relationships

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 NIV)

This was Cain’s response to the Lord’s question about his brother’s whereabouts. Cain was miffed and angry with his brother Abel.  Why? Because the Lord had accepted Abel’s offering but did not look with favour on his offering.  

Instead of controlling his anger and being reconciled with Abel, Cain murdered his brother in cold blood.  Afterwards he had no remorse whatsoever! It’s one of the saddest stories in Scripture.  

It’s also sad when we refuse to be reconciled to a brother of sister in God’s family. And it’s sad when we passively allow a brother or sister in the household of faith to keep hurting themselves or others through wrong attitudes, malicious words, or dysfunctional behaviour.  

Like Cain, we can try to rationalise our indifference: “Am I my brother’s keeper?  Am I my sister’s keeper?”

In our 21st Century culture of individualism, people claim freedom of choice to do whatever they wish. They hate being accountable to anyone.  If challenged, the war-cry of individualism protests: “Don’t judge me!  Who are you to judge me?!!”  

So even though there are serious consequences looming on the horizon for those who keep hurting themselves and/or others, we remain silent.  We put our heads in the sand and acquiesce to ‘the Bo-Peep’ option: “Leave them alone, and they’ll come home, dragging their tails behind them.”

To live and let live is to let people die! 

How on earth does that honour God?  How does that reflect the heart of Jesus for people?  How does that bring restoration of relationship with God – and with others? How does that help believers grow into the character of Christ?  

In the family of God, we need one another; and we need loving accountability. As Paul writes: “…speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)."

This Sunday we commence a new series: Counter Cultural Keys of God’s Kingdom.  Jesus gives us clear directions about restoring a brother or sister whose actions are at odds with what Jesus wants for us.  Come along this Sunday as we consider Keys for Restoring Relationships.  

Shalom! 

Pr Rolly Stahl

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-2

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. 

Faith Gym: Helping People Feel More than Welcome
Our fourth workshop is this Wednesday, 9th Sept at 7:30pm here at Good Shepherd. If you missed previous weeks, yet wish to attend, please register via the church office.  Details for the live Zoom option will be sent via email, and you can find resources for the study here: www.paravista.org.au/resources

Having Your Child Baptised

…is a short course to help parents and families prepare for their first baptism at Good Shepherd.
Our next course commences Tuesday Sept 1st at 7:30pm at Good Shepherd, continuing the next two Tuesday evenings (Sept 8, 15).  
For more info please see: https://paravista.org.au/contact-us/baptism/
Please register via the Church Office: 8263 5087; or churchenquiries@paravista.org.au

Grow Ministries Faith at Home
Dear Church Family,
Life presents many challenges (“Tell me something that I don’t know,” I hear you ask!) When someone does something that offends or hurts us, our relationship is damaged. It can be difficult to process. Forgiveness is powerful and healing, but can be difficult to give. This week’s GFH resources offer some thought provoking conversation starters and creative responses to try out with your family.

God bless you and your week!

Georgie

Eggssssss

The folks with the yolks are back! Come and get your free range eggs - $4 per dozen. Please bring your spare cartons. Get ‘em while they’re (not) hot! Ed.

Thanks from the Family Hub

From Kathlene, at the Family Hub:
“Working from the soon to be sparkling premises – could you please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone for their continued support? We are in the position to add cleaning products to food assistance and also to share some of these products when home visiting – this will better protect staff when out visiting too!
The continued support is magic.  As I mentioned yesterday whilst the products are fantastic for me, it is more about knowing that we have the support.
It appears the Church congregation have our back – MUCH appreciated.
Knowing this makes the day to day dramas easier – THANK YOU!
The Family Hub Support Team

Office News
Wanted: A volunteer to assist in replenishing all the Covid cleaning supplies and ensure signage is still correctly positioned. Up to two hours per week is required. Please contact the church office if you are able to assist.  No qualifications necessary; training provided!

COVID-Safe Requirements for Worship - please observe these guidelines:

• Entry through front foyer and exit via rear courtyard – exceptions for people with mobility issues. If you’re an able walker, consider parking away from front entrance.  
• Register names and contact details.
• Please maintain physical distance 1.5m.
• People from the same household can sit next to one another. Otherwise we need to keep 2 chair spaces between people
• Follow the directional arrows for entry, exit, and Holy Communion.
• Freewill offerings will be received via a retiring offering on the way out of the sanctuary.
• No tea and coffee afterwards at this stage. Social distancing still required while on site.   
• Please follow directions of worship hosts
• Early service attendees will need to vacate the building to allow a clean before second service attendees can enter the building.
• Worship hosts and welcomers are now nominated Covid Marshalls. 

Regarding children:
• Children will sit with their families. Please feel free to bring activities.  
• Due to cleaning requirements:
o Playground next to Revive Café is CLOSED.
o Parenting Change Room is OPEN again.

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.
  

Campfire Couches

Need something to lounge on in front of your chiminea? Nowhere to park yourself at the fishing shack? Toddlers who’d rather bounce than sit? Or maybe sluggish teens slacking over social media?  Well do we have a deal for you! Two sofas and a single seater can be yours for ZERO dollars! Take one, or take ‘em all! We’re looking to upgrade some of our furniture, so contact the office to see how you can start sprawling today! Ed.

News from the Lutheran Archives

Miners from the Harz Mountains in Germany to Australia – the 1st wave 1845 – 1847:
Why did they come, how could they afford the journey & where did they mine?
Janette Lange, Archivist at Lutheran Archives will be the guest speaker at the first FoLA meeting since February.
Where: Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide
When:  Monday 21st September 2020
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: Gold coin donation.
All welcome!  Because of COVID-19 requirements, if you plan on attending, please register beforehand with Helen Schubert on 8364 4350; 0447 740 711, or email: hschubert@internode.on.net

We are blessed and grateful to have our Little Lambs gather for activities, songs and dance once again, thanks to the efforts of some wonderful volunteers on the new Little Lambs Team. Remaining dates for this term are September 11, 18 and 25. 

Looking forward to even more ‘little lambs’ joining us on Fridays in the church hall from 9:30am to 10:30am.

We would love to see you there!

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2

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