I pray you’ll be encouraged and uplifted by our special service this Sunday, as we honour mums and all women who have poured love, wisdom, and strength into our lives. After the service, we invite you to stay and enjoy some morning tea on our beautiful back deck. 

We’ve planned a special Mother’s Day segment this Sunday, where we’ll hear from women across all generations, from our littlest to our little older. It’s a lovely reminder that God is at work in every season of life and He loves to use ordinary women in extraordinary ways to show His love.

We are also continuing in our Fan the Flame series, reading from Acts 8:26–40. It’s the story of Philip, a man whose divine detour leads to a Spirit-led encounter and a life completely changed by the good news of Jesus. I love the moment where it says, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35). I’ll also be sharing a little about one of my own divine detours, and how God used an unexpected path to bring transformation in my life too.

Philip’s detour is a powerful reminder that the Christian life is meant to be Spirit-led. God is constantly working behind the scenes, and when we’re willing to say yes, even without a perfect plan, He can do amazing things through us, right in the middle of our everyday lives.

It’s such a beautiful picture of what we celebrate on Mother’s Day. So many women in their roles as mums, grandmas, daughters, sisters, friends and spiritual mothers live out their faith in quiet, steady ways. Offering kindness, sharing wisdom, and simply showing up when it matters most. These everyday moments might seem small, but in God’s hands, they can have a lasting impact.

Whichever season we’re in at the moment, it is wonderful to know that God sees us and meets us where we are. He loves to work through ordinary people in unexpected and extraordinary ways, right where we are,
as part of something bigger than we can imagine!

God bless,

Mel

Have you ever watched a fire begin to fade? Its flames flickering low, the warmth starting to wane, until someone stirs the coals and adds fresh fuel. In a moment, what looked like dying embers burst back into life.

When our children were younger, we used to love going camping in the School holidays. Some of our favourite memories were made sitting around the campfire at night, watching the flames flickering in the darkness. There was something mesmerising and comforting  about that glow, but if we didn’t tend to the fire, it would slowly fade. It needed attention. It needed fresh fuel. It needed stirring.

As I’ve been journeying through the Fan the Flame devotionals each day, I’ve been deeply reminded that God has entrusted something powerful to each of us. His Spirit, His gifts, and His unique calling. But just like a fire, it won’t burn brightly on its own. It needs attention. It needs to be stirred, fed, and fanned into flame so it can burn with purpose and passion.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

That same Spirit is alive and at work in us today. And He does not lead us into fear, apathy, or passivity, but into bold, Spirit-filled living. In Acts 4, we see the early church under pressure. The disciples had every reason to shrink back, but instead, they came together in prayer and asked God for boldness. They didn’t pray for an easier path, they prayed for courage to stay faithful on the one they were already walking. On Tuesday morning, Jade and I were reflecting on the day’s reading in Acts 4:29 “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants great boldness in preaching your word.” The disciples didn’t pray for protection, they prayed for boldness and God responded. They were filled afresh with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God boldly.

I love that story, not just because of what God did then, but because it reminds me of what He can do now. These were ordinary people. No special qualifications. No perfect track records. Just hearts surrendered to God, filled with His Spirit and willing to step out of their comfort zone.

That’s the encouragement for each of us. We don’t need to be extraordinary, we just need to be available. The Holy Spirit takes what we offer and makes it powerful. He fills us to serve, speak and love in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine on our own. My prayer as we continue in this series is that each of us would lean in with open hearts, seeking God with expectancy and asking Him to fill us with boldness to follow wherever He leads. May God fan the flame in each of us, and may that fire ignite a movement of His love and truth throughout our neighbourhood and beyond!

God bless, Mel

On Monday, Leanne and I farewell our daughter Gemma, her husband Matthew and our grandchildren Audrey, George and Wesley. They leave for a two-year call in Japan, where Matt will teach English in the Connect English School in Nagoya. The school was originally established by two missionaries from the UK, one of whom still runs it today. 

While we are so thankful to God that Matt and Gem are following Jesus call, we are going to really miss our children and grandkids. While we always tried to encourage our children to go where Jesus leads, we didn’t think it would include our grandchildren too! Yet I am thankful for the timing of God’s word today, which once again brings us courage. Providentially I am starting the Fan the Flame series by preaching on Acts 1:8.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The context of this verse couldn’t be more on point. Jesus was leaving to ascend into heaven, when he gave his final commission to go into all the world as his witnesses. We have received the power from the Holy Spirit to be bright witnesses to the hope of Christ in Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron, Queensland, Japan and wherever he leads. This deeply confirms in my heart that Jesus’ call, is backed by his power. Not only for my family, but for our family at The Grove. Thank You Lord for this guarantee today. 

I pray that as we journey through the book of Acts, and reflect on the birth and spread of Jesus church, we will hear his call and receive his power. Whether it’s to be a witness to our neighbours, in our workplace or to another culture, it for the same purpose. We are sent to share the love and life of Jesus with anyone, anywhere, anytime. We don’t want anyone to miss out on an everlasting relationship with our Father in Heaven. 

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the baptisms of two women, who talked about the witness of those who follow Jesus and their impact in their faith. Then on Easter Sunday night, Hazel O’Farrell was called home to be with Jesus. Hazel used to attend The Grove in person for many years, until her health prevented her. But Hazel would continue to watch online thanks to our live stream witness. I fondly remember Hazel’s unique witness to Jesus’ love through her strong hugs and sloppy kisses! Now she has been embraced and welcomed by the one who loves her the most. 

I believe God is confirming his promise to us with the timing of his word. That he will fan into flame our witness as his church at The Grove. That as each of us pray and point to Jesus, his power will make us more effective than we have ever been before. It’s a guarantee – you WILL receive power…and you WILL be my witnesses…to kids, teenagers, adults, families in Ferny Grove and to the ends of the earth. God bless, Marty

This week our church council chairman, Andrew McCafferty, messaged council members to see if everyone was free for our monthly meeting. The replies came in one after the other, I am free, I am free, I am free. I laughed because they sounded really excited about their freedom! Yet as I thought about Thea, Andrew, Dean, Bek, Peter and Geoff, their text messages were equally true for meeting availability, as for the joy they feel about their freedom in Christ. I have sat in many meetings with these leaders, and my faith has been inspired by their love for God and his church, and their faith that Jesus can and will do impossible things to provide freedom for many more people through his church at The Grove.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy week when the greatest of all leaders, King Jesus, arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowd turned out and waved palm branches, celebrating Jesus as the one they hoped was going to lead Israel into deliverance from their enemies. However, Jesus came to win a much greater victory for us all, a victory that would free us from sin and death. They wanted a military King, and they got a Saviour King who through humility, suffering and sacrifice would provide salvation to all who would put their faith in him. 

We don’t have to look far to see how important leadership in our world is right now. In a time of increasing global uncertainty, conflict, natural disasters and trade wars; many wonder what does good leadership look like? There is no better leader or example in history than Jesus; the one who came to this world to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus is the kind of leader who is completely motivated by love for all people. He is wise without limit and has the power and authority to accomplish everything he promises. Why wouldn’t anyone want a leader like that? Of course Jesus has the right to lead us, but in love gives us the choice to submit to his leadership as Lord and Saviour. 

Let’s pray that through our Easter services next weekend, that many would recognise the power of love expressed through Jesus death a resurrection. That many would hear and respond to the call of Jesus to save them from sin and death, and lead them into a new life following him. On Friday we will survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, and on Sunday celebrate the Risen King and the new life he brings with two baptisms of young adults. Come, let's worship our Saviour King together with our family, friends and neighbourhood this Easter. 

Happy Palm Sunday, 

Marty

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