It’s hard to remember enjoying rain as much as I did last Tuesday. Probably because it followed Monday’s stifling heat, and the longer dry season that concluded with a glowing red sunset through smoke filled air. Witnessing a downpour of rain on my crispy lawn and gardens felt like the refreshment God loves to bring, not only to the land, but to dry and thirsty souls. 

There are numerous ways God refreshes the hearts of people, which I have been reminded of in stories I have heard recently. One of those was last Sunday night when Charlee shared her baptism testimony. She shared that while she grew up going to church, she didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. She moved to London and worked as a nanny, and during this time stepped away from faith altogether. Yet God was at work to draw her back to himself. Here are some of her words…

When I moved back to Brisbane in March, I went to church one morning with my parents. During that service I realised how much I missed going to church and felt a conviction to come back. I added The Grove to the first on my list of many to try out so I came to an evening service in early April. I do not remember a single thing about that service. I could not tell you who spoke, who led the worship, what the message was on. Nothing. But I do remember an overwhelming feeling of welcomeness as a group of strangers invited me to go surfing with them the next morning. And while I didn’t go surfing it was that moment that led me to call The Grove my home. Since coming here my faith has absolutely flourished. I no longer have a superficial relationship with God but now know him personally. I have come back to the realisation that I am a daughter of God, that I am known, chosen and truly loved by him.

What I love about Charlee’s story is how powerful the welcome of a church is. When people welcome others with the love of Jesus, it’s like the first rain after a long season of feeling empty, dry, and even alone. What started with a welcome, was soon a testimony of flourishing faith in Charlee’s life. 

I am so thankful for our church family, because many seek to welcome and love others each week, morning and night. Jesus is drawing more and more people from dry and tough seasons, to come and try out church again. People like Charlee who are curious and looking to reconnect with faith. People who are weary from going it alone, and looking for what can fill a growing hunger in their hearts. People who have wounds, are battling some tough issues… people just like us. 

Let’s all play our part in expressing the love of Jesus with others, and reflect 

the one who invites those who are weary to come to him and find rest for their 

souls. Simply coming to church each week is an opportunity to be the people 

God uses to bring spiritual refreshment to dry and weary souls. 

         Marty

There are many things to be thankful for at the moment, and I truly believe we are witnessing something special unfold in the next generation across our church and surrounding suburbs. Recently, I was reflecting on the verse in Revelation 2:4-5 that calls us to “return to your first love”. It was a call to remember the initial, passionate love for Jesus that motivated the early Church in Ephesus. For me personally, it was a reminder to look back at all that God has done, but to remember why we first serve God and give our lives to Him. This is the zeal and fire that I am seeing in the young people of this church. I know we are not about numbers, but I do think it’s important for us to take stock and give thanks for all God has been doing. 

We recently sent 13 leaders (and 20 youth) to SMASH camp over the September holidays and saw God move in incredible ways. Heaps of youth encountered the Holy Spirit, and many walked through the front doors of a church for the first time. Our biggest ever PM service was a few weeks ago, the Sunday after camp, as we gathered with nearly 140 youth and young adults to worship and hear from God’s word. Among our Young Adults we have seen a real growth in numbers, but in particular, spiritual growth. A new hunger is being seen at our PM service with Young Adults coming open to hearing God’s word and hungry to experience the presence of Jesus (there are 10 currently going through Alpha on a Sunday afternoon). Worship has been a real highlight over the past few months, and in particular, our young people are again engaging with worship in a fresh and new way. Across our youth team, we have grown to nearly 20 leaders and over 60 youth on a Friday night. It is honestly such a privilege to serve God alongside a generation who are seeking after Him and placing their trust in God.

As you read this, I pray that you are encouraged but also challenged to return to your first love as well. To be reminded again of the beautiful gift we have been given in Jesus, but also to rekindle a fire and passion for following Jesus as we tell the next generation of the mighty things God has done.

Psalm 78:4

 We will not hide them from their descendants;

    we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

    his power, and the wonders he has done.

What a joy it was to pray and worship together on Wednesday night! Around 60 people came out, with about 40 of those youth and young adults, some joining for the very first time. It was something special to witness and so encouraging to see so many young hearts open and worshipping God wholeheartedly. This felt like a beautiful continuation of what we saw on Sunday at our PM service, with the auditorium full of young people lifting their voices and hearts in worship. With the extended worship after the service going well into the night, one could have asked the question… “Football… what football?” It was really beautiful to see a group of young people full of joy, with their eyes fixed on Jesus, and hearts open in worship.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 100:1-3, Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Worship is such a joyful way to respond to God’s love, and when our hearts are full of praise, that love naturally spills over into the lives of others. 

This Sunday we’ll be collecting our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. Every year, these shoeboxes travel to children across the world, carrying not just gifts, but the love and message of Jesus. It’s such a beautiful way to remind children that they are known, loved, and precious in God’s eyes. We’ll build a wall of shoeboxes and take moment to pause and pray over them, with each one representing a child’s story and showing how God’s hope can reach far beyond our own neighbourhood in a simple and tangible way. Through preparation, prayer, and sending these boxes, we join in the joyful celebration, declaring God’s goodness, worshipping him with gladness, and sharing his love and hope with the world.

Marty will also be kicking off our new series in Ephesians this week, exploring the abundance of blessings we have in Christ. Ephesians is such a rich, encouraging book, reminding us that in Jesus, we already have everything we need. We’re chosen, loved, redeemed, and invited to live in the fullness of his grace.

So, I encourage you to come expectant and open hearted this Sunday, ready to be encouraged and refreshed as we journey through this series together. I truly believe that God has something special for each of us, and that as we step into his story in 

both big and small ways, we can be part of sharing the good news

with a world that so desperately needs it. 

God bless,

Mel

This week the auditorium has been open as a prayer chapel, a quiet space where people have come to spend time with God. What a gift it is to be still and know that God is near.

A verse that has been close to my heart this week is Philippians 4:5 "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near". Paul’s words remind us that gentleness flows from knowing we are held securely by God. Because He is near, we can live with patience, kindness, and compassion, reflecting the love of Christ to those around us.

Prayer is central to this. It softens our hearts, opens our eyes, and reshapes how we see others. When we spend time in prayer, God not only hears us, He changes us. Our Prayer and Worship Night is coming up next week on Wednesday, 8 October. It’s a great opportunity to gather together in worship, reflect on God’s faithfulness and pray over Term 4. May our lives this week be markedby gentleness, words that bring peace, actions that show kindness, and hearts that point to the one who is always near.   

 God bless, Mel

This week has been such a beautiful reminder of the power and importance of prayer. Having the auditorium open as a space for prayer has been deeply encouraging. A quiet space where hearts can slow, minds can rest and we can meet with God in His presence. There is something truly sacred about a space set aside for connecting with our Creator, a gentle reminder that prayer is not just something we do, but an invitation into relationship.

Jesus taught us so much about prayer. He encouraged His followers to pray persistently, humbly, and with faith, as we read in Luke 11:9-10. “So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Prayer is not only about bringing requests before God, it’s the heart of our walk with Him, opening our hearts, sharing our joys and struggles, and allowing His Spirit to guide us each day. 

May we be encouraged this week, as we find time for quiet moments of prayer,

allowing God to guide, strengthen, and fill us with hope.

God bless, Mel