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

During the Christmas school holiday period, my youngest daughter decided to tackle a 500 piece Disney themed jigsaw puzzle. As she eagerly assembled the pieces, her excitement grew, as each one found its place, and piece by piece it was coming together. Everything was going well - until she reached the end and discovered a piece was missing!

In a way, we are all like pieces of a puzzle. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body, emphasising that each part has a specific function essential to the whole. Our diversity serves a purpose, and it’s important that we work together for the good of the body.

This year already, I’ve seen the body of Christ work beautifully as we’ve stepped out in faith in the places God has positioned us. We’ve witnessed people step into leadership in various ministries and connect groups, we’ve seen many lovingly serve our local primary and high schools as well as our local aged care facility. Many young adults have stepped into leadership roles within our Youth and Kids Ministries, with five YA’s participating in Project 11 this year. And there are many who work together to support ministries and create spaces that are safe and inviting, both during the week and on Sundays. More recently, as we read over the page, we have seen how one person’s unique gift of design and carpentry was able to bless the body. All different areas, all different gifts, contributing to one body.

We are all vital pieces of the puzzle. Each person has been called by God for a reason. In verses 18-20, Paul states, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, everyone one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

Just this week, I witnessed this unity when a local school chaplain reached out, wanting to bless families in need with a hamper. A school chaplain reached out to the church, and because of the generosity of those who had already donated items, we were able to support these families in their immediate need. This wasn’t just one person blessing a family; it was a beautiful example of many working together to bless another. And what a blessing it is to be a piece of that puzzle!

Sometimes it’s easy to feel less important than those whose gifts are more visible. However, the Lord wants us to recognise our unique value; each of us is created with purpose and significance.

We are each a vital piece of a larger picture that isn’t complete without us. God has equipped every one of us to play an important role in the body of Christ, bringing

Him honour and glory. 

Our lives are a gift from God; let’s make it our gift back to Him!

God bless,

Mel

Navigating complex seasons of life can be confusing and draining. Yet we do not navigate these times alone when we follow Jesus. He is able to give us wisdom and strength to guide and sustain us along every section of life’s journey. I have been learning this in new ways over the last year, and I know I am not alone. 

God’s word is priceless as the highest source of wisdom to guide us in life and faith. As I prepare for our Saturday Summit, I feel so grateful for the many scriptures God has guided The Grove with. A few weeks ago, I shared about the woman at the well in John 4, which draws on a larger theme Jesus has been speaking so clearly to us about. We are called to share Jesus love and message with anyone, anywhere, anytime. The missional edge of the church is every person reaching others one at a time. 

This triple A vision unfolds in how we live our lives every day in the places we live, work and play. Of special significance, I will have shared on Saturday about how this impacts on our service in teams and as volunteers at The Grove. We are in a unique season of growth and opportunity as a church, and doing for the one, what we would do for the many, is the key to Jesus grace reaching more and more people of all ages. 

Jason Elsmore, the Director of our QB movement, will have shared at our Saturday Summit as well. In a conversation with Jason, I am super excited to hear his presentation. The Lord has given him 5 signs for the Australian church. I don’t want to steal Jason’s thunder, but I am so encouraged by how these signs dovetail with what the Holy Spirit is saying to The Grove. And for memorability, Jason will be bringing 5 massive props, so we don’t forget these signs!

God’s wisdom is priceless and his strength totally vital for Jesus’ mission to set many people free. With all the opportunities for the church in 2025, we need power beyond ourselves. We have an enemy who will attempt to spoil what Jesus is doing. To drain us of power, to attack our unity and attempt to discourage our efforts. But we will not be deceived or overcome, which is why we pray as a church. This week Mel has written some prayer notes on the Armour of God. Let’s stay alert, armour up and receive the powerful refilling of the Holy Spirit each day. Love is the greatest power in this world, and nothing can stop its flow from our Father through a people who are guided by God’s word, pray in the Spirit, and share Jesus life and love with 

anyone, anywhere, anytime. 

God bless, Marty