Recently we found a bunch of plants at our church entrance, and a note reading, "Happy Church warming Gift! Praying your Grand Opening is a blessing to you all as you honour God and bless your community!" Thankyou to whoever donated those plants, that are now freshening up more areas in the building. God keeps providing in so many creative and encouraging ways, that express his love for our community.   

Plants are a good image for The Grove, and for the new season we are entering. Last Sunday I preached on Psalm 1, and verse 3 tells of the reward of delighting in God's word, by meditating on it daily.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither –
    whatever they do prospers.

That is such an attractive picture of what we want to become. And it's exactly what God promises we will become, if we sink our roots deep into his word and presence. We are setting aside term three to listen to God speak, and lay spiritual foundations for our faith. Here are some ways to embrace this foundational season, and put your roots down in The Grove.

COMMIT TO LISTENING

I wrote another blog in the newsletter about hearing from God. I would love the church to read this also, and for each of us make personal commitments to seek God's direction in term three. To use the practices of journalling, discussion and prayer as methods of discernment. As the head of our church, Jesus has much to say to us about his plans for our future. 

COMMIT TO GROWING

I love the words belong, believe and become. Those words define what growing as a follower of Jesus looks like. We don't just attend church, we belong in the faith community, we help eachother grow in our faith, and as a result of belonging and believing we become more like Jesus and fulfill his mission for our lives. The Christian Foundations course in term three will help us sure up solid foundations in our faith, as we commit to growing in this new season. I pray many would sink their roots deep into this series. 

COMMIT TO INVESTING  

We recently released a new vision and finance booklet for the 21-22 financial year. Our new weekly budget of $11,000 is foundational for the ministry and mission of The Grove. It is also a big step that will require many playing a part. We asked everyone to pray about how God is leading them to invest tithes into the new budget, and for how people plan to contribute to the Rise UP Fit Out appeal. Then to fill out the commitment slip in the back of the booklet, and place it in the offering boxes on the 11th and 18th of July. Writing your name on the slip is completely optional, but the commitment slip itself provides the opportunity to express the commitment people make in their hearts. 

I pray that as we commit to listening, growing and investing in term three, that we will hear God speak, be transformed by his Holy Spirit, and be amazed at his abundant provision. 

God bless, Marty

I remember starting high school as one of the shortest kids in my grade, but finishing as one of the taller ones. It felt great finally looking my age, and a relief to not be mistaken for a child at 15! But sudden growth produces growing pains. My new lanky body was awkward at first, but more importantly to me, I needed a new wardrobe! Enter my parents. As one of five, I guess it was them who felt the growing pains the most. I think thats why mum learned to sew!  

It occurred to me recently, that we are experiencing  growing pains as a church. It feels great to finally have our new building officially open, and to welcome many new people into the body of Christ. There is a fresh wind of God's Spirit blowing, and we are joyful about our coming of age as a church. At the same time, we can feel awkward as we try to find our feet in this growing season. For those who are newer, it takes time to form deeper connections, tap into the heartbeat of the church and put your roots down. For others who are longer term, the church family feels different in a new place, with more people and changing structures.

Its this mix of freshness and awkwardness that is usually part of transitioning into new growth and greater opportunities. As a church we are getting used to ministry in a new building, while also waiting on God for his directions for the next stage of the journey. Growing pains can sometimes be confused as a negative experience because change makes us feel uncomfortable, less secure and sometimes even a little lost. However, growing pains are actually healthy and positive because it shows God is stretching us and enlarging our capacity for more blessing, increased wholeness and greater Kingdom influence.  

Jesus taught a parable about old and new wineskins (Luke 5:37-38). He said you can't put new wine into old wineskins, because the skins won't stretch as the wine matures and expands. The skins will burst and the wine will be wasted. You only pour new wine into new wineskins, because the skins stretch with the expanding wine. The point Jesus was making was that the old covenant based on the law, could not hold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that the new covenant opened up through Jesus death and resurrection. In application, we can only be filled with the Holy Spirit if we have a new heart, and we only recieve a new heart by dying to our old life, and recieving Jesus through trusting fully in him. 

We are praying for revival for 21 days, which is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit beyond anything we have seen before. Part of preparing for revival is to open up our hearts to God for him to change us. Some people aren't attracted to revival because of that word, change. Changing is uncomfortable, its painful, and for that reason they might avoid the season and potentially waste the new wine. Yet for others, they are too heartbroken by the damage of darkness, and the lostness of our nation to pass up this opportunity. They are aware of their own brokeness, and desperate and wide open to God stretching and expanding them for his new grace filled work. Growing pains are expected, yet not negative but nessesary when the Spirit of God moves in a person or a church. 

The Grove is experiencing growing pains because Jesus has us right where he wants us. He has given us a new physical structure to make room for a growing family as he saves, changes lives and brings them in. He is also wanting to create in us a new heart, one with plenty of room to be filled with his life and love that will totally transform our lives, our families, and our church, reflecting the brilliance of Jesus glory. 

This Sunday is the final week of our 21 days, focussing on the theme preparing for revival. Our Youth and Young Adults pastor, Henry, will kick it off preaching at our 9.30am and 5.30pm services. The final weeks devotional readings are excellent, and will lead us each personally. But on the 18th-20th of June is the final weekend where we are holding a prayer retreat, worship and prayer meeting and concluding with a statewide zoom meeting live from The Grove at 7pm. Whether you are new to The Grove or longer term, let's leave behind old wineskins and stretch out our hearts and gather in the building for new wine from heaven. Revive us Lord. Amen.

FROM THE PASTOR

As I prepare for the Grand Opening service, I couldn’t think of a more fitting day for it to fall on than Pentecost Sunday. The day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said in Acts 1:8,

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”    

In the 2000 years since Jesus spoke these words, tens of millions of churches have been planted across the earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit as witnesses to him – one of those is The Grove. Our local church was born in 2007 in two suburbs without any churches. Our fourteen-year pioneering call is completed this Sunday, as we officially declare our church home open for the glory of God. 

I am looking forward to sharing some of The Grove's story. Worshipping King Jesus in a full house. And it will be a joy to have the chair of the QB board and our sending pastor Peter Sweetman share an encouragement. Also, the QB Director of the Movement, Jason Elsmore, will pray the prayer of dedication. 

Our grand opening also marks the beginning of a new era, and the birth of new life that I believe God will pour out among us. At Alpha this week I was so encouraged as one person shared about how much Jesus is doing in their lives since coming to The Grove this year. At the end of the session which was on prayer, we all prayed together and the Holy Spirit led. People started praying for Jesus glory to be powerfully seen by all at the grand opening. One person prayed for a gushing of the Holy Spirit, like that of a champagne bottle that is shaken and shaken and then suddenly the cork pops! These examples are just some of many that reveal faith and expectation is building in our hearts. 

Following the grand opening is 21 days of prayer for revival. The timing of this can only be from the Holy Spirit. The first thing we do after the official opening is to fill God’s house with prayer. I encourage everyone to take part in the 21 days that I believe will be one of the most powerful seasons in the life of our church. There will be Sunday sermons, connect group studies, daily devotions, families, youth and kids resources and prayer meetings. May we be astonished as we see people and families changed, and revival come as we call on the name of Jesus.  

We all long for Jesus to breakthrough in our nation and in the lives of those we love. We see the darkness causing so much damage, and have arrived at a place of desperation for the glory, presence and power of God to turn things around. The Holy Spirit is moving, and he is calling us to play our part in prayer. I am totally convinced he wants to use The Grove as a church that offers recovery into whoelness, freedom from sin and captivity, and calling into purpose for all who come. These things are all found in Jesus for whose glory we exist, and in whose name we trust. We open and dedicate the building and the church on Sunday to be used for the coming revival we pray for. 

God bless,

Marty

Acts 1:3-8

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”

What a weekend to look forward to as we dedicate this building to God and thank Him for the incredible journey we have been on as a Church. I can think of no better weekend to celebrate the opening of the building than on Pentecost Sunday!

Be praying this week for God to move in the hearts of the people in this community as the Church opens its doors for all to come and hear the good news of Jesus! May His Holy Spirit come in and do a mighty work in our hearts.

Praise

• That God has been with us for 14 years, supporting and spurring us on as a Church.
• For the people that have come to know and love Jesus in this place.
• For the many lives changed and touched because of the community here at The Grove.
• For all the people that have made this building project possible.

Prayer

• That this Church would become a place where people can Belong, Believe and Become. Joining us in a community of believers that want the name of Jesus to be lifted high above all else. 
• For us as a church to be attuned to the Holy Spirit.
• That God would speak to us when we take intentional time to be still before Him.
• That this place becomes known in the community as a Church that loves people no matter their past or background.
• That The Grove is part of seeing a revival take place here on the northside of Brisbane in Ferny Grove, Ferny Hills, and Upper Kedron.
• That those driving by the Church on a Sunday would be led to come into this place.
• For God to move in our hearts and reveal His love afresh this weekend as we celebrate and enjoy what He has gifted us.
• That we would see friends, family members, and work colleagues come to know Jesus in the new building.

Youth/Kids

• For God’s Holy Spirit to come and fill this place and lead us in the direction He wants.
• That this building would be a safe place for youth and kids to come and feel accepted and loved no matter their background.
• For God to raise up the next generation of leaders, to equip them and give them wisdom in every situation they face.

 For the week leading into the Grand Opening, lets reflect on the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7. 

PART 1

The Dedication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 7:1-4, 10)

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,

“He is good; his love endures forever.”

4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 

10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the Lord had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel.

PART 1 PRAYER POINTS...

• Worship and give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his love endures forever.
• Give thanks for the worship centre built on the hill, and pray that God's glory would fill the sanctuary, especially as we meet for the grand opening.
• Its Pentecost Sunday on the 23rd of May, so pray that like on that first Pentecost, that the fire of the Holy Spirit would consume us and move powerfully to burn up sin and make people passionate for Jesus.
• Pray that many would bring thank offerings to the Lord to express our devotion to Jesus and heart the gospel. 
• Pray that everyone would go home joyful and glad in heart.

PART 2

The Lord Appears to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:11-16)

11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said:

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

PART 2 PRAYER POINTS

• Praise God for his promise to see and hear the prayers of his people in the place chosen for his name. May The Grove always be a house of prayer.
• Pray for the upcoming 21 days of revival prayer. May many humble themselves in prayer during this season. Ask for a new burden for prayer from a desperate desire to see our land healed and lives changed
• Pray that the prayers of dedication at our Grand Opening would be powerfully answered and for the new season of God's presence and power to transform us like never before.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to break us so that a deep repentance from sin and turning to God takes place. Bring freedom and life Lord!
• Pray for a new desire to live in obedience and bold faith in God. Pray for new people to step into service, giving and sharing their lives with others at The Grove.   
• Pray for Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron and Ferny Hills to see a revival.