Grace & Peace to all who read these Foote-Notes, whether at Church or at home. It is a privilege to share this Lenten journey with you this year. This week I attended the two day staff retreat with our partner church, Newlife Uniting Church – Robina. Taking a few days out of the ordinary routine at the beginning of Lent was very significant for me. There were 18 of us who gathered at a Christian retreat centre on Mt Alford just a few minutes out of Boonah. I have never seen the Fassifern area so beautiful and green. Every dam was full to the brim, the paddocks were being ploughed and planted, the grass was being slashed and bundled into bales, and the cattle were content and well fed. The view from Mt Alford across the valley and up to the heavens was spectacular. On Tuesday morning I rose early enough to see the beauty of the sunrise and the mist/cloud that had settled in the valley below. The clouds slowly slithered their way up the mountain ridges as the temperature rose and the mist dissipated into the sky above. I found myself breathing in God’s breath for the new day and breathing out my own “self” and “desires”. I did this action deliberately and audibly as I drank in this beautiful scene.

The image that I’ve painted for you came to a real point of spiritual connection for me when I read the Lent Event Prayer for Friday, February 26th, based on Romans 10:8b-13:- “You are here. In this moment. In this breath. As I confess – ’Jesus is Lord’ – on my lips and in my heart … you are raising me to new life in your resurrection power. For this is your way, generously reaching out to me, saving me from a life lived in darkness and fear. You are here. In this moment. In this breath. Amen.

What an opportunity we have during these 40 days to “live not on bread alone, but by the very Word of God” (Luke4:4) as Jesus challenged us last week in his time of temptations in the wilderness. I hope that you are making the opportunity to really Join God at the Edges during Lent. If you are able to attend the Lent Bible Study on Thursday at 9.30 in the Atrium, it’d be great to see you.

Part of this Lent Event experience is trying to get alongside of our Lent Event Partners and hear what their perspective is about the biblical passages that we are studying. Here is a response from our partners to this weeks passage from Luke 13:31-35 “Threats from Herod”:-

To our partners: ‘Who are the people like Herod in your community, the people with power who threaten you and your ability to follow Jesus?’

Our partners said that the Herod like people in their community are powerful political Islamic leaders with arms, false church leaders (with no call to serve God’s people), the witchdoctors, the community chiefs who impose themselves on their people, and leaders of non-believers and non-followers of Christ. There are those who seek to impose alcoholic bars and drugs on the communities where they are not wanted. They mentioned the police, chiefs, MPs, councillors, security operatives, politicians, religious fanatics, the dominant caste, and the bureaucrats. The tribe masters in Timor have a role as ‘Herod’ when they threaten and impede many people who follow Jesus. For example, many younger people from poor Christian families cannot meet their traditional pre-marriage obligations. Therefore, they cannot marry, their children cannot be baptised or have a birth certificate, and consequently they cannot go to school. Also, people may be elected to church leadership because they are powerful in the community rather than because they are people who can best lead the church, or they might be elected because they are supported by powerful people and must follow their advice.

These comments suggest that there are powerful forces that oppose those who follow Jesus. How might this be a helpful insight for you as you think about this passage?

Grace and Peace – Full following Jesus ….this week…..Rev. Brad Foote

Good morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you….I hear you say. We have begun our journey of Lent this week with Ash Wednesday just a few days ago. I was able to attend a local Catholic Church on Ash Wednesday with another member of this congregation to experience a decisive beginning in this Lenten journey for myself. It was very significant for me to put myself into an unfamiliar place where I was not on my own turf participating in practices that were not known and common to my experience. I want my faith and journey through Lent to mean something to me, I want to grow closer to God during this Easter period and making the effort to doing things a little differently will help me step out in faith and practise.

I hope that Lent Event will be for you an opportunity to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, and your faith and life with grow as a result. I would encourage you to purchase the Lent Event Study Book ($10 in the Atrium) and use it at home to develop your spiritual disciplines of prayer and study. I will be conducting a study group on Thursdays (9.30-11am) in the Atrium for the next six weeks. Please come and be part of that group if you can. Kent Crawford, the Lent Event Prayer Author said, “often our character resists the humbling of our will to the will of God.”(p.9– Lent Event) I find that extremely true and challenging. This will be my prayer over the next 40 days.

Part of this Lent Event experience is trying to get alongside of our Lent Event Partners and hear what their perspective is about the biblical passages that we are studying. Here is a response from our partners to this weeks Temptations passage:-

To our partners: Why do you think Jesus would actually have been tempted by these three temptations?
They responded that Jesus was a human being, with a human heart and desires, and was tempted by what is crucial to all of us – food, wealth, and power/control/pride.

In that wilderness place, the temptation for Jesus was to rely on his own desire, power, and ability to respond to the tests, and to forget the presence of God.

Part of the temptation was that Jesus knew these things could help his ministry, but at great cost. In one situation, the partner suggested that people look for power and authority through what is mystical (trying to build up connections with any ‘invisible power’). Jesus’ response reminds us that we should always have God in mind and in our prayers, so that the devil will have no space.

Jesus took the path of ‘salvation through struggle’ by rebuking the devil; the symbol of his complete obedience to God being the cross. If Jesus was able to win over these three temptations, then he is able to be obedient to what God requires, and is able to save people from these three temptations and bring them back to God.

In what way do the responses of the partners stimulate your thinking about this passage of scripture?

As is frequently the case with temptation, Jesus is tempted by what is good. This will also be our challenge during Lent. May you find that God’s Word is the measure and rule for your daily life.

Grace filled resisting temptation ….this week…..Rev. Brad Foote

It’s great to share with you in worship on this “Transfiguration Sunday” as we stand on the edge of the “Season of Lent”. The Lent Event theme this year is Joining God at the Edges. This theme fits perfectly with our Church slogan, reaching out, changing lives as well as incorporating the teaching that we’ve had over the first few weeks of this year. As your minister I have been challenged to re-prioritise some aspects of my life so that my leadership is more effective and in tune with my calling. Joining God at the Edges is certainly going to enhance my journey into this year, 2010.

Next week is the First Sunday in Lent . As a congregation we will be sharing in a six week journey together that will be a little different on a Sunday by Sunday basis. We will be incorporating the Lent Event bible studies into our weekly worship services. This will involve a time of praise and worship followed by a well planned small group study and discussion time. We will conclude with a rich time of fellowship over morning tea as a large family. We will need to be prompt and disciplined during this experience so that it can be rich, rewarding, challenging and fruitful. I am hoping that after this Lent Event experience we will have achieved a deeper relationship with God and with one another.

Some areas of responsibility that require leadership and volunteers is related to leading a small group, leading our worship and singing, using your gifts of hospitality for morning tea and offering to share leadership in a team setting with the children in JAM club (one week only). If you think God wants to use you in any of those areas please contact either Jim Barratt (55194528)or me (0409 261 337) as soon as possible.

Lent Event is a God inspired vision that invites Australians to re-evaluate their lifestyle while helping some of the world’s poorest people in the forty days leading up to Easter. Traditionally Lent is a time of profound spiritual significance for Christians. Lent begins this Wednesday 17th February (Ash Wednesday). Lent Event gives individuals and communities from all walks of life an opportunity to follow the example of Jesus by making a real difference in the lives of others. Lent Event simply involves giving up a luxury or two for the Lenten period and donating the money saved to support projects that offer a better future to our brothers and sisters in some of the most impoverished nations. Details about the projects will be provided each week.

We will also be producing daily prayers for you and a limited version of the bible studies will be covered in our worship services. The Lent Event Study book is an excellent resource for deeper reflection and is available for $10 in the atrium.

Could I challenge you to consider having Sunday Lunch with one or two people who you do not know very well, sometime over this next six weeks. It was in sharing meals with people that people got to know Jesus and it changed their lives forever. Let’s take hold of the opportunity of Joining God at the Edges this Easter.

Grace – full meeting with Jesus on the mountain ..this week …..Rev. Brad Foote

We come back into worship today, having been to “the edge” of our community in many ways throughout the week. I was hoping that as you found yourselves “on the edge” in certain situations, you would have experienced Jesus walking freely in your midst (Luke 4:30). Has that been something that you can reflect on today as we ask God to take us deeper in our spiritual journey of worship? It seems that it is time for our congregation to take a further step in faith in going deeper with God and each other, this year.

The idea of “going into the deep” can be somewhat daunting, can’t it? What are the risks? What if there’s something out there in the water? What if there’s a big wave? But I can’t swim very well. But I’ve been hurt before, I’m not doing that again. These are all legitimate apprehensions and concerns for anyone being asked to consider something like this.

But on the other hand, if we are willing to take God at his word and to step out in faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus, listening carefully to his voice we may be in for a wonderful adventure and possibly the ride of our lives. This week I’ve meditated on these words of Jesus:- “now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish”(Luke 5:4).

I wonder what that could mean for us here at Ashmore Uniting Church? In a few weeks time we will begin a six week journey towards Easter, called Lent. Our Church Council have encouraged us to participate in The Uniting Church’s Lent Event program as we’ve done over the past two years. We have benefited in many ways through this program and our Church has given many thousands of dollars to help partner churches supported by the Lent Event projects.

This year we want the congregation to “go deeper” in our Lent Event experience. Our six week journey will be a time of preparation, cleansing, renewal, confession, sacrifice, growth and inclusion. Our worship services will be a little different and everyone in the congregation will be given a number of opportunities to contribute their gifts and skills. If you have the gift of hospitality, maybe you could assist with morning teas on a few occasions, if your gift is in music, maybe you can assist in the worship leading a few times. We will need a number of small group leaders as well as children’s ministry supporters. We will give you further information next week. Duncan Macleod, Jim Barratt and I are working on the preparations and if you’d like to contribute, please let one of us know of your interest.

I like what Jesus said to Peter while he was doing his everyday job of fishing:- “now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish” (Luke 5:4). Peter obeyed, and the results were amazing. How about we respond to Jesus today and trust him with our daily business and experience the results of trust, faith, love and obedience.

Grace – full fishing…..(in the deep end) this week………..Rev. Brad Foote

P.S. Thank you to those who began the Friday Playgroup this week. Your support has been very encouraging.

Welcome to worship today. It is good to be back at home here at Ashmore Uniting Church after a few weeks away from our Church family. During my time away I had the opportunity to attend a few different Churches and experience worship from the “pew” rather than the “pulpit”. (even attending a Friday night service and sleeping in on the Sunday.) I have been to the cinema a few times and have also been reading several books to stimulate and challenge my perspective and understanding of life, faith and witness, as well as looking at the way the world sees and perceives the church in our current day and age.

As Christians we have a fabulous story to live and tell, a bit like “show and tell’ at school. This is where I’m starting to see again the challenges of ministry for us as a church in our community. At Ashmore Uniting Church we have adopted a slogan which says that we want to be “reaching out, changing lives”. I think that in the light of the Gospel reading today (Luke 4:21-30) we can reassess what that might mean for us in 2010. In today’s reading Jesus exercises his prophetic ministry by challenging his hometown crowd to get outside of their synagogue/church and onto “the edge” of their town/community. Now Jesus did that in a number of ways. They got really angry with him and threatened his life, but Jesus achieved something in the process. He got everyone out of their “safe” place in the pew and forced them into the street, actually on the edge of town. He made it clear that God’s way of inclusion was different from theirs.

Jesus pushed their buttons. As a prophet he moved them to the edge of their comfort zones. Prophetic voices call us to trust and practice God’s ways, even when those ways conflict with our own. Such voices may be difficult to hear when the setting is what and who we have known as “home”. How can we discern for ourselves these “hard” ways of God—and then practice them with love?

There are a number of opportunities for you to step out in faith this year and support some ministry areas in this Church. We need leadership and helpers in three specific (edgy) areas:- 1) JAM CLUB leaders and helpers 2) Friday Playgroup leaders and participants from our church 3) Kids Hope Aus Mentors and Prayer Supporters (and RE Teachers) at Ashmore State School. [Please contact me if any of these ministries take you to the edge]

The Op Shop is always needing new volunteers. It is a fantastic opportunity for our Church to be a witness in the local community. If the Op Shop is where you need to be please let Barbara Ferdinands or one of the other volunteer leaders know of your interest. Pastoral Care is another area of ministry. Linda Madigan and June Martin would love to hear from you.

I am looking forward to God’s great love, transforming lives and our faith community this year, the acceptable year of the Lord. Thanks to Duncan and Greg for their leadership in worship during my holiday. We are all workers together in God’s vineyard.

May you find yourself on the edge… with Jesus…. this week… Rev. Brad Foote

The Acceptable Year of the Lord

What is, “the acceptable year of the Lord?” This term, which Jesus quotes from Isaiah, is used no other place in the Bible. But the meaning is clear: It is the “year” in which the full plan and purpose of God is accomplished – this “year” being not a literal year, but the full cycle – the FINISHED cycle — of restoration in God’s redemptive plan. This “acceptable year of the Lord,” is what Jesus preached all through His ministry, and which He, Himself, came to accomplish.

The, “acceptable year of the Lord” which is being described by Jesus in Luke – was to be spiritually brought to pass through HIM.

Jesus that day in Nazareth quoting from Isaiah 61 said, “THIS DAY the scripture – is fulfilled.” This day? Can we possibly wrap our minds around the significance of that announcement? Forget about that time in history. Do we realize that TODAY – right now – is that “day” as well? Do we understand that ‘today’ we continue to live in, “the acceptable year of the Lord?”

The name, “Christ,” is the Greek equivalent for MESSIAH – ‘the anointed one’. The name, “Jesus,” means, “He who saves.” Thus, the name “Jesus Christ” means, “the anointed One, the one who saves.”

Right now, “the acceptable year of the Lord,” continues!  Today, as members of Christ’s body – let us continue to express his gospel and saving plan, guided by the Holy Spirit, to the poor; the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind and the bruised so that they too may be healed, delivered, restored and set free in 2010 – the “acceptable year of the Lord!”

Today’s the second Sunday in the Christian season of Epiphany. Epiphany, which comes from a Greek word meaning appearance, literally “shining on”, is often used to describe moments of realisation. People with an epiphany experience have a sense of the light suddenly going on and everything becoming clear. Christians through the centuries have used this time after Christmas to celebrate the arrival of the Magi (wise men from the East), the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus’ miracle at the wedding of Cana, as significant moments when the light went on for Jesus and those around him.

In Australia we have a tendency to downplay our capacities, our talents, our insights. People who shine are often regarded with suspicion. I wonder if Jesus had to deal with the same attitudes as he grew up. He did experience the “Who do you think you are?” question in his home town of Nazareth. Would he have had that same question with him as he sat in the wedding at Cana, knowing that he could provide a marvellous wedding gift for his friends, three days of wine?

Marianne Williamson, a popular writer, puts her finger on our fear of shining in her book, “A Return to Love”.

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

May the Spirit of God shine in and through our lives this week, dealing with our insecurity, uncertainty and fear and releasing us to really shine.

Welcome to worship today. What a wonderful time Christmas is and should be…. the reminder of Emmanuel, God with US. It’s a Season of preparation and experiencing God being “borne” among us. Christmas is not just a day…the 25th December. It is a Season, a period of time that flows from then to now….and it will continue to flow into the next season too. We will have 2 weeks of “Christmas” and then our next Season is “Epiphany” , a time of God being ’revealed’ to a range of diverse people. The day of Epiphany is usually the 6th January representing the manifestation of Christ to the Magi.

So over the period of a few months we have experienced Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, three seasons incorporating times of preparation, challenge, new life and direction. So….I’m reminding you that in the midst of life’s daily routines, struggles, joys and challenges, it’s great to know the consistent and ongoing presence of God throughout our lives. Our Blue Christmas Service was a deliberate attempt to acknowledge a wider breadth of life’s experience in the midst of some of the more superficial elements of our “western christmas pretence”.

So we come to worship today and find ourselves sharing in another service celebrating God’s gift of life. This time we are joining with the Forte Family (Dean and Natsuyo) as they bring their youngest child, Kai Anthony for Baptism. Eldest child, Mia Jane, was baptised by Bryan Gilmour 5 years ago in this Church.
Celebrating Life, Death and Resurrection….this is what Baptism is about. Re-establishing links with God and the community of faith. Living as God’s people, as disciples. Jesus’ last words to his disciples (Matthew 28:19,20 “therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age”).

These ‘last words’ of Jesus reminds us that WE are a community into which people are baptised. That community reaches right back to Jesus and includes all the followers of Jesus to the present. The verse also tells us our task…”go and make disciples”. “Disciples” are not meant to be ‘church members’, disciples are meant to be learners, people who will join a learning community and carry on learning – lifelong, to the end of the age.

Next Sunday, Pauline Cuthbert will be reaffirming her Baptism and giving us an opportunity to begin the new year and a NEW SEASON in our faith journey too. Come and Celebrate Life as God’s family again next week, ready to reaffirm your faith in God and His family of daily learners.

Grace filled preparations for New growth in life and love….this week, Rev Brad

What a wonderful time the Children had this week here at Ashmore Uniting Church enjoying the activities of our Advent Holiday program. You can see in the photo on the front what a great group of people where involved in the two day event. We had over 60 children, a dozen teenagers and a dozen adult helpers all mixing and sharing songs, craft, games and food together. Many children from the community came to this Church for the first time and some others who have been coming for a few years came again to enjoy the fellowship being offered.

I’d like to thank Alison White and her daughter, Megan who prepared the “funky angel” craft and communicated extremely well with the children. Tina Jensen again did a terrific job preparing and catering for all the hungry hoards. The band from Newlife Uniting Church enabled the music to be effective and funky too. Cheryl and Liz again led the workshop with grace and expertise. Thanks to all the committed helpers who worked one on one with the kids and others who kept everyone safe crossing the roads to and from the park. The Nativity play was a huge success and everyone wanted to dress up as you can see from the photo.

Today in worship we are supporting the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Team as they are preparing to send another 18 missionaries onto the “outreach” phase of their Discipleship Training School (DTS). We are privileged to be part of God’s Great Rescue Plan as we support these young people who have come from across the world to be trained to be agents of change in this era of history. Please pray for each of these young people as they allow God to change them from the inside out. It has been a joy to see the development of these eager students of the Gospel over the past 3 months as God has refined them week by week.

I have had a great response from people who are appreciating the opportunity to attend our Blue Christmas Service this Wednesday Evening at 7pm. Christmas seems to heighten our experiences of loss. Our congregation has had it’s share of pain this year where loved ones, jobs, health and relationships have been affected. A Blue Christmas Service can help people know that God is with you especially at this time of year. That’s what the Gospel is about. All are welcome to attend.

Cheryl and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Christ centred Christmas and a New Year that is full of possibilities and opportunities to experience the riches of God’s GRACE again and again and again.

May you have a Grace-FULL Christmas…. this week…… Rev. Brad Foote

What a wonderful opportunity we have today to celebrate the Christmas Story with the children in our Church. Children really are so important for our lives now and for the future of our world. How we treat the children in our world will affect so many areas of life in the future. As a Christian church we make promises at every baptism to “provide a place of nurture, worship and service so that all children can become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.” I hope you are able to join with me in this desire to be more effective and intentional in the Children’s ministry of this congregation.

There has been a good response to the Kids Hope Aus mentoring program at Ashmore school next year. I have a lovely group of mentors who now need to be trained over the holidays for their journey next year. Intentional Prayer partners for this program are required to maintain and sustain this program.

Our Playgroup on Friday’s is an area of need that you may be unaware of. After 4 years of steadfast and committed leadership, Faye has retired and several of our morning tea helpers are unable to assist next year. I strongly urge this congregation to prayerfully consider how we can connect with the children and families in our community in a Christ centred and loving way through the playgroup. Please let me know if God is placing this ministry before you.

Here is a quote that I read this week from Ruth Hassall from Encounter With God.
“The fish have moved . Western countries have a long history of children being brought or dropped off to Sunday School by parents. We moored our boat and the fish jumped in previously. 50% at least 1900, 15% by 1990, 5% by 2000, ?% in 2010. These are UK figures where children were linked with a Christian Church. Very similar figures would apply in Australia.”

We need fresh approaches and a willingness to enter the world of others. It has been said that costly relationships and service is needed if we are going to connect with children in the local communities. There are countless thousands of children on the doorstep of our Churches. But if they aren’t coming to church, we need to go to the school if we are ever going to meet them.

I am so grateful that World Vision have given us an opportunity to meet the children in our local school. I am so grateful that God led this congregation to start the playgroup 4 years ago. Let’s take up the challenge to get to know the children in our local community and allow God’s Word to live in us so that all may know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the season to remember Emmanuel, God with us. Let’s prayerfully consider how God can use us in ministry in the year ahead, in active and passive ways, each according to the gifts God has given us.

May God’s graceful love be your experience this Christmas….Rev. Brad Foote