I am so looking forward to this weekend. Saturday is a Working Bee to plant and clean, and going by other working bees, I anticipate another day experiencing the joy of serving together on the property. Then on Sunday we celebrate our 14th birthday as a church with a special AM service and PM birthday parties. It's going to be a great day too! 

There is a difference between celebrating the birthday of a church and that of a person. An individual's birthday is about the sanctity and significance of one person's life. A church, however, is about the head who is Christ and giving him praise, and about the body which is a diversity of people brought together into God's family. So this Sunday we celebrate Jesus, and we celebrate everyone who calls The Grove home. Whether you joined us this year, a few years ago, or have been with us the whole time, you are a deeply valued part of Jesus' church. We have all been brought into God's story for The Grove in 2021, and that is one of many reasons to celebrate turning fourteen.    

Last Sunday afternoon was another wonderful expression of the body of Christ. So many people came out to pray and unwrap 420 chairs (as seen in the welcome home photo). Adults, teenagers and kids. I was privileged to pray with some of our teenagers, and one of them prayed for Leanne and I. It was so moving and powerful and I couldn't help thinking great things are coming for the next generation in 2021. Those chairs will be put out to restart our PM service this year!

I continue to believe that God has given us a new song to sing in 2021. A song of worship and praise to our great King who is worthy of it all. A song that comes from soft hearts available and expectant of all he will do among us and through us. The last two Sundays at our gathered service I was so encouraged by the expreince of God's presence among us, and how loud people are singing and entering into worship. May our new song continue all through this year, a year we pray would be an expression of Isaiah 61:1-4, the year of the Lord's favour. May these words fill our hearts with faith and expectation, as we celebrate 14 years and prepare to open the doors of the new building.

 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.

God bless,

Marty