Hi Church!
What a wonderful family service Sunday to be a part of. Being seated around the tables released something special not felt for a long time in Grace Church. The buzz of friendliness and connection was contagious and noisy! Just like any family dinner when all whom you love are gathered. Hospitality was our theme for the day and the multi-generations all contributed something that was special to the day. Of course, Carin and Kaidee did steal the day with their crazy cook off with different ingredients used by each. Cream and Butter verse sand/rocks/weeds not sure that’s a good alternative. Anyway it was a solid reminder for us to consider the ingredients that are going into our life and the likely outcome of good verses bad input.
Some other good input of our time around the table was Neve’s communion message and the short video compilation of World Changers Youth and all the fun they have on Friday nights. The young people are growing in numbers of gathering and depth of faith and it was exciting to see their energetic enthusiasm. More good news in the youth area is how Pastor Debbie is now mentoring a number of Youth in instruments and voice with the plan to assimilate them into our regular worship team for Sundays. Please pray that these brave young people will not be afraid or intimidated but make a bold new sound for their generation.
Being around a table on Sunday reminded us all how important hospitality is to the gospel and that it’s a cure for the loneliness epidemic which is in the church and in our society. Don’t be fooled that everyone is too busy for church, most people have said in surveys they would attend an event if personally invited. People are hungry to belong. Let’s make that our goal to help people belong in our church family through hospitality so that they can believe and then become all that God intends for them. True hospitality is inviting someone into your spaces so that you can be Jesus to them. The majority of Jesus ministry was done through the outworking of generous hospitality. Let’s follow his example. Remember for the most part a stranger is a friend you just haven’t met yet.
This week I will be away at Conference called IN Him at Glorious Gospel Church in Leichardt Sydney. It’s a conference based on the five-fold ministry gifts Eph 4:11-12. I love this type of conference because I come away feeling equipped and encouraged and inspired to minister for His Glory and discover new ways for own conference later in the year.
The Coming weekend will be encouraging at Grace with a wonderful minister of the Gospel, Martin Garcia. Martin is from Word of Life Youth Discipleship Ministry, based at Laurieton and his passion to reach the lost both here and globally is truly inspiring. Phil Baker’s celebration of life service will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm, please wear something blue for Phil. Please inform Gail ASAP if attending for catering purposes.
If you would like to be gathered around tables more often in the future then please inform me.
“God is in this House” we sang that song over the weekend, and it stays with me now as a declaration over Grace Church. Let’s continue to love Him passionately and Love each other deeply and we will grow for His glory.
Let there be More in 2024!! In Christ Together.
Ps Greg and Amanda