What do the letters WWW stand for? Most would say the world wide web, but may I suggest welcome worship word. Those three W’s is why we love coming together as a church. To welcome one another, worship God together and hear the Lord speak through his word. We can separate those W’s in life, but I love how they come together on Sundays.
Last Sunday we were thankful for the world wide web, because we were online for church due to Cyclone Alfred. But this Sunday we can’t wait to gather again as a church, and I want to encourage you to come with anticipation of encountering the powerful and loving presence of our great God.
WELCOME
It's so important to welcome people to church before, during and after services. Life gets hard, and people can come to church out of isolating and deflating circumstances. That’s why we want to make sure our welcome reflects the one whose arms are open wide for whoever will come home to the Father.
This Sunday we are launching our new welcome lounge, an inspiration that came out of our recent Saturday Summit. For those who are first timers to The Grove, head over to the lounge next to the reception in the foyer, where our welcome team will greet you and give you a free barista coffee or drink.
WORSHIP
We have a few opportunities for corporate worship this weekend, first at the Flourish worship night led by Sinead and a team of ladies. Then this same team will also lead us in worship Sunday morning, and our young adults will lead us Sunday night.
Worship is a bigger word than singing together, and refers to anything we do to bring God pleasure. Yet worshipping with music as a church is a wonderful gift from the Lord. The centre of the bible is full of songs and poems to give us language to connect with God through all seasons of life. Let’s not hold back in our worship this weekend.
WORD
I am looking forward to sharing the message as we continue our Make Way series through Luke 3-5. Jesus will teach us through his word the way to wholeness through the story of a leper. The man asked Jesus if he was willing to cleanse him. Jesus said “I am willing”, and restored his skin, soul and and reconnected him into community. May Jesus do the same in our lives this Sunday as we respond to his word. May our children also be blessed by God’s loving word at Grove Kids, Sprouts and Youth Connect.
Leanne and I look forward to welcoming, worshipping and meditating on
God’s word with you this weekend.
God bless, Marty