Hi Church,

This week I attended the funeral of a dear friend of Grace Church the Rev David Curtis. David’s life was marked by passion for our Lord, great faithfulness to His wife and family, love for all people and a desire to see healing available to as many as possible in and outside the Church. Thus the healing rooms came to being in a regular shop front. He was also a champion for unity in the City. These are great characteristic to be admired and emulated by us all. It was testament that hundreds of people packed into St Thomas to pay their respects. Thank you to Rev Dan Berris for organising a day of thanksgiving and celebration for David. David’s funeral was a testament that simple things, done well, done consistently have an enduring affect across a lifetime. So ordinary people have extraordinary impact. David saw himself as ordinary but his influence was anything but.   

Last Sunday Ross Nancarrow challenged us with the question, “What are God’s desired results in my life?”. He said when he answered that question in the middle of His life it changed the trajectory for the remainder half of His life and He was able to formulate a statement of purpose, “as a recipient of the extravagant Grace of Jesus I exist to ……” . 

I wonder how you would answer that question. I have answered it so far by being deployed as a pastor in full time ministry. But I was even challenged again to not assume that I have reached the end goal of that but to ask again, God as a recipient of your Grace I exist to …. I’m still listening for that confirmation or re-allocation.  As we have seen with many whom we have loved in recent times our days are short we need to make them count.

These are sobering thoughts, but also exciting given the possibilities in God. So let us be confident of our times, let us not waist a day but press on to take hold of all that Jesus has for us. Phil 3:12.    

On another note. Thank you to all that have signed up to volunteer for Ironman. I’m sorry that the sign up process is a bit difficult and time consuming, it was a surprise to us. If you have trouble please go to the volunteer help tent at town green before Friday to make sure your logged in and allocated a volunteer spot. Please tell them you are with Grace Church so we get our charity payment. Thank you.   

And if you see Shirley Capon on the track on her bike remember to shout out Praise the Lord Shirley be strong! Who knows she just might set a new land speed record!

Ps Kerry will be ministering the word this Sunday at Grace and Ps Amanda will lead the service and Kingdom Kids will still be happening so the church will be gathered and serving for the day, so to God be the glory.  

God bless you Church.

Ps Greg

2nd May 2023