Hi Church,

It was good to share with the Church again over the weekend more depth regarding our purpose and How we are going to achieve it. We do it through Presence, Discipleship and Community. So a bit of a recap was given from the previous week. I do this deliberately because I want the truth of God’s Word and His purpose for us to be like a seed that goes down deep into a good soil. If we can get that seed in deep and we water it, the promise will be a harvest that is 30, 60, 100 fold more than what was planted. The table of scriptures that I provided that are on our web page and on Grace Church connection are there to help you understand, How, we achieve “being a community of transforming grace that bears the image of Jesus”.

So the big emphasis this week was on Presence. The Presence of the Lord is so important for us. It speaks of His goodness and affection, His grace and power all working simultaneously with His Word to bring us to a place where the Trinity make their home in us. How awesome is that?!! Too marvellous, too wonderful for comprehension. Its this place of Home where Jesus manifests His Glory. Manifests means a shining revealing of who He is in us. It’s His light in what used to be a dark place. So when we are being changed by the Spirit it means His light is actually increasing in us. So we say “More Lord Jesus, let your manifest glory be revealed”. Let His light shine through you into this dark world. It needs you to shine for it needs to see Jesus.

Sunday night More was an awesome night of worship and good preaching from Paul Betenson. He spoke on laying down your life and surrendering to God’s plan for you. Many responded in the atmosphere of love and grace and some people experienced the powerful healing touch of Jesus. Paul’s message will be uploaded this week.

You know its exciting to see many new people come and find fellowship at Grace. But can I encourage us all, please have an open heart to receive the stranger. A stranger for the most part is just a friend you haven’t met yet. Try and remember the day you first came to Grace Church Port Macquarie, and you were a stranger. It’s not a great feeling. But it can be exciting if people intentionally connect and reach out authentically. Why not be that person?

Thank you Church for your prayers, love and worship in our gatherings together. We are enjoying beautiful days of Holy Spirit presence let’s not take them for granted.

God Bless

Ps Greg and Amanda