The story of the coming of Christ, as we know well, is more than angels and shepherds, and a baby in a stable. This is the gospel – the good news of Christ, leaving his glory in heaven – coming from the highest place – to take upon himself the form of a human
being. He came from heaven – took a downward journey of love that brought him to earth, to be born of a virgin and humbly placed in a manger. Even though he was king, he did not require the status of a royal birth, but instead took on the form of a servant – humility and lowliness – modelling a different kind of Kingship. He sought no earthly glory, but only to do the will of the Father. Mankind has a love of power that makes him grasp for more – more wealth, more recognition, more esteem. But Jesus came with the power of love, and became divine expression of God in human form and dwelt among us.

Jesus came as a servant did the work that we could not do for ourselves. His death on the cross paid the price for our sin, and reconciled us to the Father, giving us peace with God, and life everlasting through his resurrection.

God had a covenant plan for mankind. That is to bring all things into new life and restoration through his own intervention as the servant king. Through forgiveness of sin,
Jesus restores us to right relationship with God.

He is now exalted, seated at the highest place. This is our King. His is the name above all names. This Christmas when we the join in the carols, let us remember that we are no longer worshipping the baby in the manger, but the King of kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus the Messiah, the living embodiment of Jehovah, the full expression of God. The divine splendour of heaven came to earth at Christmas.

As we wind up the year, let us have this same attitude that Jesus did – the mind and heart of a servant. Let us think like Jesus, being kingdom minded, living a radically different way of life, expressing God’s love and light to a dark world.

Have a very happy and holy Christmas season, and let us look forward with great joy and expectation to what 2020 will hold for us.

May God bless you always,

With love,

Glenda

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50th Anniversary Reflections

What an amazing weekend we have had celebrating this huge milestone together. It was so good to see so many guests – especially the Pastors of the past and their wives. What an impact they had on this church, this city and this region. It was like being surrounded by the “great cloud of witnesses” spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. I pray that as we looked back over the years, the example and testimonies of those who have gone before will spur us on to “run with endurance the race set out for us”. I am really excited to see what the future holds for us all.

I need to say a huge THANK YOU to all who worked so hard over the past months to bring the whole weekend together so beautifully. Those who gave time to prepare the building and the surrounding gardens and grounds, those who used their creativity to build the new stage and to prepare the different areas and settings for us to enjoy. Thank you to those who organised and prepared the incredible Sunday “grazing tables” with such a sumptuous spread. A huge thank you to Steve and Sandie who spent hours gathering stories and collating them into the wonderful document we now have of “That Settles It”, the first 50 years! (I hope you have your copy!) And also, thank you to Sandie for all the work done with sorting out the attendees to the dinner on Saturday night, and all the other “behind the scenes” things that you do that do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. What a great team we have!

But now, on to the next “era”. I received a word from Pastor Brian Heath from City Builders Church in Sale. He reminded me that “50” also represents Pentecost – and that “Gippsland will have a new move full of Apostolic power… it will resemble the past in some ways…but there will be many new dimensions. The old will be surpassed by the new. The New Wine has been saved until the last”.

He also referred again to the “trees that have been cut down”. There were at least 4 prophecies over the past month from different pastors referring to trees and the new growth coming forth. Let us take hold of these words of encouragement, and look with excitement, anticipation and great hope to the future, and with great faith in the God who calls, appoints, anoints and equips us for the task ahead.

Phil 3:13-14
…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Pastor Glenda

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