Over 400 people attended our three Easter services last weekend, and many more watched the live streams. We give thanks to God for the opportunity we had to share about our wonderful Saviour Jesus, God's love expressed through the cross, and the everlasting hope of the empty tomb. Thankyou also to our worship and tech teams, and to all who served to welcome and serve people. God’s presence was so evident as many gathered and responded to all that was said and done. Praise God for $2,150 given to Ferny Grove High chaplaincy at our Good Friday offering. May these funds sown into the next generation bear fruit as young hearts are offered love and hope.  

It was a massive joy and highlight to baptize Chris and Mel Goopy at the 8am Easter Sunday service. Our first baptisms in the new baptistry! They shared stories of God’s amazing work and grace in their lives, and how he opened their hearts to the reality of Jesus and the cross, which resulted in their salvations. Chris and Mel both spoke about how significant Alpha was in their spiritual searching. Chris said, 

Mel and I were introduced to the Alpha course in 2018 where we were able to ask many questions and have explained the difference between Christianity and religion and it all started to make sense - you don’t have to be an expert on the Bible, it’s simple, for John 3:16  states ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’

It was at the end of the 8-week Alpha course I said a prayer…on Pentecost Sunday and I made a personal commitment to following God. 

Today I make that commitment public by being baptised. Both Mel and I are extremely blessed to be able to make this commitment together on this very special day. 

In early term 2 we are holding an Alpha course and a baptism class. In the newsletter you can register for the Alpha dessert night on the 21st of April for yourself, or to bring a friend with you. Also, you are welcome to RSVP for the baptism class on the 25th of April. There is nothing better than following Jesus, who makes such an incredible difference in our lives. May God lead more and more to respond to his call this year.

As God grows our church, and more individuals and families make The Grove their spiritual home, term 2 is an opportune moment to rise up and invest our lives and resources in the Kingdom here. There are so many new opportunities to make a difference. 

This term Henry, our Youth and Young Adults Pastor, is launching a PM service led by young adults. We are so faith filled and expectant about all God is planning to do in the next generation. The night service will create a hub for them to come together to worship, hear God speak, and form a new congregation and community. May we see many young lives transformed by the Holy Spirit, baptized and commissioned to reach their generation. 

Along with Pastor Leigh, we are also praying God would raise up more to lead our children. We have such amazing spaces now. The new Sprouts room for little ones in their early years. And the Grove Kids rooms, where kids will learn about how awesome Jesus is and his great love for them. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belong to such as these (Luke 18:16). Kids are at the very heart of the Kingdom, may we remove every barrier for them to come to Jesus.  

There are many other ways for people to mesh their lives with others for the sake of the gospel. Check out the ministry list in our newsletter, and pray asking Jesus to guide you. If you are new to The Grove, some things everyone can do straight away:

• Come regularly to church to worship, and stay after to get to know others.
• Remain open to God for him to work in your heart in a new way.
• Volunteer for a servant task to help maintain our church building and grounds.
• Join a connect group, or attend a prayer meeting.
• Contribute financially.
• Come to our next newcomers' lunch (date out soon).

Things are shifting as God is moving in many hearts and lives. May we embrace the opportune moment to be different as he Jesus works in us, and to make a difference as we respond to his call.  

God bless,

Marty

Prayer Notes - Giving thanks to our Saviour

1 Peter 1:3

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Praise and Thanks...

• That God sees each and every one of us on earth as His children. We give thanks for His love for everyone. No matter their background, past or present.
• Praise for the gift of His Helper, the Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding and leading us even when we don’t see it.

Praying for our Easter responses...

• That people would accept the gift of love they have been given by our Heavenly Father.
• That people from the community, greater Brisbane and our nation would know what it means to experience a relationship with Jesus.
• For the Holy Spirit to continue to guide us and lead us as we engage in intentional discipleship with those that make a decision to follow Christ.

Praying for Term 2...

• Kids' ministry
  • For many kids to learn about the love that Jesus has for them.
  • For them to know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus.
• Youth 
  • For the youth to gain wisdom and understanding of what walking with Jesus looks like.
  • That they can actually be a light to those in their family sharing the good news with them.
  • For God to show us what intentional discipleship looks like for a youth group.
• Youth / Young adults Night service
  • For God to go before us and lead us in preparation for launching a night service.
  • That the church would be used as one body with many gifts and talents to give glory to our Heavenly Father.
• For our community, that God would reach them wherever they are
• For our nation, that revival will take place in people's hearts and we will see people rise up to share the love of Jesus to others.

A huge thankyou to God and all those involved serving in practical ways to develop the building.

Prayer Notes – Preparing for Easter 2021

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Praise and Thanks...

• Give thanks that love inspired God to create the world and save the world. Praise him for a love that held nothing back in his pursuit of us, even his only son. 
• Praise God for your salvation and worship the lamb who was slain so that we were not condemned but forgiven.

Praying again for people to accept the invitation to our Easter Services...

• That many would sense the invitation from God to come to church at Easter, and that every attempt of the enemy to block the way to be overcome.
• For those in our families and among our friends to join us at an Easter service. Pray for the right time to ask, and that God would open their hearts.
• For many to tune into our live stream and for distractions to be limited so they can listen and respond. 

Praying for Easter Services... 

• That God would bring a beautiful unity in the worship team and help them as they prepare, practise and minister in the services.
• For those bringing testimonies - that God would reveal his love and life through them.
• For Pastor Marty as he preaches on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, that the gospel would powerfully make its way into minds and hearts. 
• For all those taking part in the creative and tech ministries to know God’s joy, anointing and protection on their lives.
• For the love, peace and hope of God to be felt among us on Friday and Sunday, and that we would welcome all who come.
• That God would protect us from the evil one and bring victory and life.
• That some would cross over from death to life this Easter.
• For people to sign up for the Alpha course in term 2.
• For Jesus to be lifted high in our city and state through all churches. For the power of God to transform many lives.
• For TV and media programs that share the message to impact many lives in our city and world. 

It’s encouraging to see so many new people coming home to The Grove. Last Sunday 160 people attended our 9.30am service. With current COVID restrictions, the auditorium can only seat 184 with the 2m2 rule, before using the foyer for overflow seating. We are so full of thanks to God for the way he is drawing people, working in their lives, and for the opportunities we have to make room for more to come. 

As we prepare for Easter services, we made the decision to hold two Easter Sunday services at 8am and 10am, as historically this is a well-attended service. We don’t want anyone to miss out on hearing about the hope and life found in Jesus. Our Good Friday service is planned for 8am, however, if it fills up we can add an extra service as needed. 

Over 5000 Invitations to Easter will be bundled and ready for our letterbox drop from this Sunday. Please join us in getting the invitations out in Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron and Ferny Hills. 

Last Sunday John Sweetman preached about revival and shared the metaphor of a tidal wave. Before the wave comes, the tide recedes a long way. As we look around at our society, we are deeply concerned at how far the tide has gone out in contrast to the Kingdom values of Jesus. But maybe it’s a sign that a tidal wave of revival is building up. If that's the case, then what should our response be? 

John also quoted G. Campbell Morgan. 

"Revival cannot be organized, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again."

In numerous conversations after the service, and through this week, people have quoted Morgan’s words to me. “Let’s set our sails”. It really is a confirmation of our call to rise up in Isaiah 60. Our vision for 2021 is focussed on many people of all ages coming home to God, so our calling is to rise up and be ready for them. That’s our faith response – to set our sails.

This calling will require all of us to play our part in serving and giving our lives away for the greatest cause on earth, the gospel of Jesus.  As the body of Christ rise up, then we are able to welcome people of all ages, and help them belong and become all Jesus intends for them to be. 

Rising up can be expressed in many different ways, but all for the same purpose. 

• It’s as we serve in the church through welcoming people, teaching kids, leading youth, joining a ministry team. 

• It’s through cleaning the church, caring for the grounds and helping as a volunteer. 
• It’s through coming to pray with others, joining a connect group and spending personal time with Jesus. 
• It’s through coming regularly to worship God, promoting unity, and seeking to encourage those around you in Christ. 
• It’s through using the diverse gifts and the abilities God has placed in our lives to build up the church and faith in others. 
• It’s through investing our finances to join with others in meeting our budget, so our loan can be repaid while ministry and mission is supported to move forward.
• It’s through going out as a witness to Jesus through the week in the places we work, live and play. 

Growth in the church is an exciting time and produces a certain momentum. However, to catch the life changing momentum the Holy Spirit brings, so that it continues and increases in our lives and church, means rising up our sails and setting them to where he is moving everyday. 

God is on the move in this place church, so let’s rise up!

God bless,

Marty