HI Church 

Thank you for being part of a marvellous weekend with our special guests Ps David and Ps Narelle Crabtree. They were with our Executive Leadership team and Staff on Friday, then the Men’s and Women’s Ministry on Saturday and then two services on Sunday. Their time with us was so enriching as they explained and worked their way through the necessity of a true New Testament understanding of God’s grace.

David and Narelle pointed out that grace is so much more than unmerited favour, that in fact it’s God’s empowering presence. This grace is received through faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross so we can enter into His rest, which is expressed through His love, forgiveness, acceptance, adoption, righteousness and more….  

David went on to share about the importance of Joy in our community together. This only happens as we take delight in each other as forgiven, members of His family, loved by God. This type of love is called Sticky Love. It’s the Hebrew definition of Love not the Greek version. Sticky love means that no matter what, we remain committed to each other. We need that type of love in these days of church consumerism. 

A particular highlight from Narelle’s preaching was the prophetic call she gave to the youth to be present with the presence of Jesus to their generation when they are hurting and alone. Narelle also called us to honour each other‘s generation by recognising the grace of God in each other and blessing each other. A prophetic word was given for the whole of Grace church, which was, that we were an island oasis in a sea of water, where people were coming for healing and hope. 

Thank you to Ps Debbie-Ann who prepared two great worship sets and introduced a new song that could not have been more on point, as it called us to live in the more of God as we lived from a fountain of God’s grace. 

This week will be our first Family service for 2024 and I’m looking forward to sharing a good word to encourage our families, with our generations all contributing to our time together. Don’t forget we will share a BBQ lunch straight after the service.  

For those looking to attend memorial services and support our Grace church family we note the following: - 

1. Graeme Stewart – Innes Garden Chapel- Monday 11th March 10:00 am

2.  Phil Baker – Grace Church - Sunday 17 Mar at 3pm

Thank you Church for continuing to be generous and caring. 

In His love

Greg and Amanda