As we gather for worship today let us commit to the following prayer:-

“Be with us O God, when we are challenged to account for the hope that your love has placed in our hearts.  Open us to the call of your gospel of peace, and make us bold and enduring witnesses to your saving love in Christ.  Amen.”

In these weeks following Easter we are hearing about the experiences of the beginnings of the Christian Church as the followers of Jesus struggle to understand what has taken place in their midst with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  There was a period of 40 days where Jesus continued to appear to many people “and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

Today we welcome Mike Clarke from our partner Church, Newlife Uniting Church.  He will bring the message to us today about the nature of being an Enduring Witness, both as individuals and as the Christian Church.  The reading from Acts 7:55-60 provides our focus as we hear about Stephen who was the first martyr for his faith in Jesus Christ.  We can find inspiration and hope in this message of faith and witness.  We can see in Stephen and the other early followers of Jesus that they moved forward in faith and trust, and their enduring witness inspires our own response to the call to share the good news of God’s saving love.  The hope in God’s steadfast love that was their refuge is ours as well.

What makes it possible for you as an individual and for us as a church, to endure in our witness to the good news of Christ?

Next Sunday we are going to answer that question throughout our worship service as we join in with the National Day of Thanksgiving theme by recognising all the different ministries and those who volunteer their time and effort in serving Christ in so many different ways.

I would like to extend an invitation to any person who makes a voluntary contribution to the life and witness of Jesus Christ through the activities of this Church.  Please come next Sunday for worship at 9am and stay for a special morning tea afterwards.  Our theme will be Witness of Love which seems to represent the focus of our Ashmore Uniting Church which is summed up in our slogan “reaching out, changing lives” and our vision statement::

Ashmore Uniting Church seeks to be

A loving church, focused on the Gospel of Christ:-

* Reaching out

* Meeting needs

* Equipping people for service

I will be in Toowoomba this week on the Annual Presbytery Retreat.  Our Retreat facilitator is the Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Rev. Bruce Johnson, whose messages are always on page 2 of our Journey Newspaper.  I’m looking forward to some time apart, to be refreshed and renewed.  Please pray for me during the week.

May God’s enduring witness increase in you….this week…..Rev. Brad Foote

Good Morning and welcome to worship. We had a wonderful “Family Service” last week on Mothers Day which was inclusive and very moving as we listened to the testimony of Donna Byham and her mother Sheryl.  Donna has been serving with Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor for the past decade after completing a nursing degree here in Australia.  It took quite an adjustment for Sheryl to accept that Donna was doing what she HAD to do and that Donna’s trust in God was her priority and serving God’s people in Cambodia  (for 8yrs) and now Myanmar (formerly Burma for 2 yrs) was where she needed to be.

Their story sets the tone for our theme today which is Powerful Witness.  In this Season after Easter leading up to Pentecost, we will be focussing on the Biblical stories in that time directly after the resurrection of Jesus, leading up to the Ascension of Jesus (to be celebrated on 2nd June)  and the coming of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost (12th June).  Our readings from Acts in this Season of Easter relate accounts of the earliest Christian community.  This body/community is formed by Christ and nourished by the Spirit through teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.  Such daily actions continue to bring the Body of Christ to life and shape its powerful witness to its neighbours.

We will be sharing this neighbourly witness this Tuesday as we invite friends from the local nursing homes and our own neighbours to the “Double The Fun, Musical Morning” at 9.30am here at The Church of The Good Shepherd.  I hope that this continues to develop friendship and love, happiness and cheer in the lives of the musicians and the audience and the volunteers who attend.

This week is the transition stage for the current Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School (DTS).  The students are finalising their studies and packing their bags to go on their Outreach Phase of the DTS.  For two and a half months the students will be divided into two teams and they will head off to do what God has been training them to do in outreach to the people in PNG and Cambodia.

It’s amazing to see the way that God takes these timid but willing individuals and shapes and forms them into a working and loving group of disciples in the three months of training here at their Base in our Church.  Through these young people we can see the Powerful Witness of God’s Holy Spirit at work today as it was in the days after the resurrection.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the community of disciples:  “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”   The ministry of this Church seeks to be “reaching out, changing lives”.  As we develop our relationship with the Resurrected Christ this Easter Season, may we be used by God to bring more hope, more light and more flavouring into the lives of all who come into contact with the Christian community which is called the Ashmore Uniting Church.

If you want to develop your listening skills and tune into God’s voice over the next few weeks, please consider coming to one of the Study groups doing the Bill Hybels series  “The Power of a Whisper—hearing God and having the guts to respond”.  A fortnightly group begins this afternoon at 2.30pm in the Church Hall.  Other weekly groups will commence shortly.  The Preaching series begins after Pentecost on 19th June.

In what ways can you be a Powerful Witness to God’s abundant love this week?   Rev Brad Foote.

We are on our Lenten Journey and I hope that you are able to engage with some aspect of this experience during this significant focal point in our Christian pilgrimage. Last week a young Mum declared to me at worship; “I love Lent, it’s my favourite time of the year”. Her comment and enthusiasm struck a chord for me as she described how she was teaching her young child what this season meant for her as a Christian. I could see the benefit of the practices, rituals and spiritual disciplines that we are trying to foster in the life of this congregation as we grow in our faith and love for God and the world in which we live. We need to let this journey mould and shape us into a community of people who are not self serving, but open to the transforming power of the Gospel that causes us to be “reaching out, changing lives”.

This week’s theme Blessed to Be a Blessing is one of my favourite Biblical Themes. I first learnt it when I did a Bethel Bible Course as a 19 year old, new Christian. It is a foundational principle of Biblical understanding. Abram was called by God to BE in a covenantal relationship that would be a ’blessing to others’ (Gen 12:1-4). Abram’s name was changed when this encounter became a relationship. That’s often the way isn’t it ? Change happens when an encounter becomes personal and real?

The picture/photo that you took home last week from the Church service is more than a “nameless person”. They are someone who you will be blessing as you make sacrifices during Lent Event. This journey with God through Lent will change you as you encounter God and grow in your relationship with Him. This week (in the Lent Event studies) I have encountered the overwhelming magnitude of extreme poverty in our world. 1.4 Billion people are estimated to be living in extreme poverty at this point in our world right now. That is a HUGE number of people. It’s actually 14,000 MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) Stadiums full of people. It would take 40 years of filling the MCG every day (365 days a year) before the 1.4 billionth person passed through the gate. WOW….get your head around that!!!!

Blessed to BE a Blessing….. What does that mean for us who live here in Australia, on the Gold Coast…..Paradise, I think it’s sometimes called. Please stop and think for a moment about the choices that we can make simply because of “where and when and into what circumstances we were born”. It should make a difference to how we live our lives.

May you be Blessed to Be a Blessing…….this week…….Rev Brad Foote

Brad Foote’s Notes                                                                 Lent 1                                                                              13th March 2011

Theme:  The Place of Trust

Good Morning.  Welcome to worship as we begin this journey through Lent for 2011.  You may be new to Lent Event so it may be helpful to give you an idea about this important opportunity of drawing closer to God as we journey towards the Cross this Easter.

“Established in 2005, Lent Event is a community movement committed to helping people in wealthier nations such as Australia to empower our overseas neighbours enduring extreme poverty.

Working in partnership with the Australian relief and development agency, UnitingWorld, Lent Event challenges communities and individuals to re-evaluate what they value in this world and to wisely use the resources entrusted to humankind for the benefit of all. Lent Event invites us to shape our lives more fully with God’s love and compassion for people who are very poor.

‘Lent Event’ in 2011 will run from 9 March-24 April.

The concept of the annual Lent Event is straightforward. For 40 days, reflect on people experiencing extreme poverty and on the way of Jesus who came to bring good news to the poor of the world. Act by giving up an item or two from our regular budgets and donate this money to vital relief and development projects connecting with partner communities who are very poor.  (Money boxes are available at the door).  We will ask people bring their money boxes and donations on Easter Sunday to dedicate them to the ministry of Lent Event.

Join the thousands of people and hundreds of communities in 2011 who are committing in a practical way to be agents of change by making small changes in their own lives” (quoted from the Lent Event Website “about” section.  Check out www.lentevent.com.au ).

The website has a resource called “Sacred Friendships” a Journey Guide and Prayer Book which has daily prayers for the days of Lent and the weekly study guide which can be done individually or in a group.  You can download it from the internet or you can purchase a book for $10 from Trish in the Church office.

To assist in the opportunities for contemplation and spiritual growth in a small group setting, we are hosting TWO WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES at the Church.

1. Sunday Afternoons 3 to 5pm starting today

2. Thursday Nights 7 to 9pm commencing this Thursday 17th March at the Church  Everyone is welcome to attend either session.  (Please ring me if you have any questions:- 0409 261 337)

If you look at the readings for today from Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11, you will find two temptation stories.  One is in a beautiful garden and Trust is broken and the other story is in a wilderness and Trust is strengthened.  As we begin our Lenten journey we pray that Jesus will walk with us so that at the end of the journey, when the cross looms before us, we will find a place of Trust where our faith is strengthened and our love for God and His world renewed.

Who will you serve this week?….God or self?….resist the temptation…Rev. Brad Foote.

Sunday 6th, February 2011

Welcome to God’s Table Today.  Your place is reserved at the Communion Table as you allow the work of Christ’s restorative beauty to be expressed in your very being throughout this worship service.

Today is the second week in our five week series on The Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7).  Last week we tried to touch on the “Vision Beautiful” that Jesus sets out in the “Beatitudes” (Matt5:2-12).  In this passage Jesus begins his teaching ministry on the way that God wants people to live out the values of  The Kingdom of Heaven whilst living here on earth.  God’s “Vision Beautiful” is not some future hope, but it should be grounded in the present reality of these challenging and counter cultural  sayings of Jesus.   Dave Andrews says that “To quote these Be-Attitudes is religious – but to act on them is revolutionary.” (Plan Be 2008.p.66).  We need to heed that challenge to be revolutionary by inviting God’s Spirit to go about Restoring Beauty in each of us as we seek to live as God’s people in the world.

Each week we are trying to immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God.  This week we do that through, Restoring Beauty.  In Isaiah 58:1-9a, the prophet reminds us that performing religious practices without changing our behaviour toward God is not enough.  Even fasting does us no good if it does not change people’s hearts.  True fasting is to free those who are oppressed, to care for those who are hungry and homeless, and to work to bring justice.  When that happens, God’s light shines in the world and those who are exiled will be Restored!

Matthew 5:13-20 is again seeking to show that Jesus has come not to abolish the law, but to fulfil it.  Jesus calls followers to live righteous lives, showing justice and mercy to all.  He affirms in these few sentences that his followers are “salt” and “light” for the world.  This is a timely reminder that such God given beauty and dignity already exits in the human heart.

The metaphors of salt and light are a call to contribute to the mission of God in the very ordinary places we live, work and play.

1. Where does the world need salt and light now?

2. How can you affirm the beauty of those gathered for worship and encourage them to shine forth and flavour their world with God’s love?

3. How might we be salt and light?  Individually, corporately etc.

Be the Salt and Light of Jesus, in every area of life…..  this week ….                  Rev Brad Foote

January 2011

To all Uniting Church Congregations, from the President of the Assembly

Dear friends,

In response to the devastation caused by the flooding in Queensland, a National Appeal has been launched by the Assembly in co-operation with the Queensland Synod and Lifeline Queensland to enable the UCA to play its part in the care and recovery of affected communities, families and individuals.

UCA members have always shown extraordinary generosity in supporting our fellow Australians. The amazing national UCA response to the bushfires in Victoria last summer remains fresh in my memory.

In order to afford all church members the opportunity to give in this time of significant need, I encourage congregations to support the Appeal by holding a retiring offering in the next few weeks.

The proceeds of all monies raised through the appeal will be used by the church to:

The Uniting Church has developed expertise over many years in responding to community needs in times of crisis in both the short and longer term. Sending in teams of trained ministers and counsellors into the traumatised communities at a time when other assistance is dropping off has been a very effective contribution. Following that up by providing longer-term support, sometimes by appointing a counsellor to be present in an affected community for months or even years later, has also proved to be of enormous help.

The Synod of Queensland is already working for the immediate assistance of victims and is planning for its long-term role.

If individuals wish to give tax-deductible donations then they can do so via the UC Flood Appeal website or over the telephone (07) 3250 1840. Cheques can be sent to

Uniting Church Flood Appeal
C/o- Lifeline Community Care Queensland
PO Box 491
Fortitude Valley
QLD 4006

I ask also that we join together to pray that further losses from these disastrous floods will be minimal; that those directly affected and those with families affected are able to quickly restore stability in their lives; for emergency services personnel and for those with other heavy tasks and responsibilities in the response effort; and for our church members to generously support the Appeal.

Yours sincerely in Christ’s name,

Rev Alistair Macrae
President

January 2011

From the QLD Moderator
The Christmas season has only just ended with the celebration of the baptism of Jesus last Sunday. During that season we joyfully celebrated the incarnation of Jesus Christ and were reminded that Emmanuel meant, “God with us”. Now the importance of holding onto this doctrine becomes significant.

About 70% of our state has been inundated; some have lost loved ones; some have lost crops and livestock; some have lost businesses and livelihoods; some have lost homes and precious possessions. None is immune from the pain and shock of what we have been through and must still go through. To remember that in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen one, we see the incarnate presence of God is vital for the well-being of our community. The Church, the body of Christ, is called to be a reminder of this reality in all that we do.

Already we are receiving reminders of this truth. We have received messages of love and support from many of our partner churches in Asia and the Pacific. We have received messages from the other Synods of The Uniting Church in Australia offering not only their prayers and love, but offers of practical support as we find the scope of our shared task. The Assembly have given the Synod a significant contribution from their Disaster Relief Fund and already the National Appeal has received $42,400 as well. This money will be used to provide ongoing pastoral support to seriously effected communities and help any who cannot access other assistance.

All of us, whether we have been directly effected or are safe from the devastation can work together to be the presence of Christ to those who have been most painfully involved in the widespread suffering. Look for those neighbours in your area who could use your helping hand. Listen to those who have suffered loss. Look for those for whom you can pray.

Congregations can take up a retiring offering to go to our Flood Appeal, or they might be able to band together to help neighbouring communities and towns.

With the massive flood and damage in the South East corner it is no longer feasible to centrally co-ordinate recovery teams as I had previously planned. If you are not able to work in your local area, then the best option is to register with Volunteers Queensland. Take notice of information that is being broadcast in your area and help where you can.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank and congratulate those individuals and congregations who have provided shelter; given financial and practical help; organised clean up teams and simply stood alongside those who are hurting. All of these acts of generous love become the embodiment of Christ and express the nature of the Church.

Please join me in praying regularly and faithfully and be assured that God is faithful and is with us all.

Grace and Peace

Bruce Johnson
Moderator
VOLUNTEERS
There are many people wanting to assist. If you have time available it is best to do this through the community channels that are already set up. Wherever you are lending a hand you are doing it as the hands of Christ.
1) In the Brisbane area, if you own a bobcat, front loader, heavy equipment etc and are willing to donate your time free of charge please email lordmayor@brisbane.qld.gov.au. We need you to help clean up mud and debris from suburban streets
2) Tradesmen and women – especially electricians, plumbers, carpenters – who are willing to volunteer please register through Volunteering Queensland so you can be sent to areas of need
NOTE: Volunteers will need to come appropriately dressed including closed in shoes, long pants, hats, gloves and with their own tools as possible.
NOTE: Remember receding floodwaters are dangerous. Take care remembering in some case floodwater contains debris and raw sewerage.
NOTE: Before entering private property to assist anyone, volunteers need to speak with the relevant property owner.

Prayers
A Lament coming from Central Queensland and a Prayer of intercession is available for use in worship. You can shortly access this on the journey website.

25th December 2010

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us: authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)

These are the words of the Prophet Isaiah, who lived 700 years before Jesus was born.  Isaiah is speaking of a future king who was to be descended from the line of David, who had been Israel’s greatest King, 300years earlier.  Isaiah is foretelling of the righteous reign of the coming King upon whom God’s Spirit would rest.  He is giving Hope to a group of people who had lost their hope as they had rebelled against God and the covenant that God had made with them.  Isaiah looked forward to the time when God’s servant, the Messiah would come.  It took another 700 years…but He did come and not only transformed the world into which he was born, but continues to transform the lives of those who respond to His call to , “follow me”..

The Messiah has come and we hear again the storey of His birth in Matthew 1:18-22 and Luke 1:26-38.  This journey of God, becoming flesh; taking on human form.  It’s quite incredible isn’t it?  The story of his birth goes against the way we would perceive God taking control of our lives and the world in which we live.

And yet, when you stop long enough to think through and reflect on the way that God chose to enter this world, in the person of Jesus, we can see how God’s wisdom and risk taking often defies our human logic, which makes the story even more amazing!!

Many times those of us in the church forget that Jesus was not born in a church or cathedral; he was born “off-site” in the dirt and dung of a stable for animals.   He was born in the midst of the reality of life, not as in some stained-glass portrayal of a royal birth.  This was a real God, for real people, in real life.  That’s what Emmanuel, “God with us”, means.

The true miracle of Christmas is not found in the pageantry of a great Christmas Eve service.  The true miracle of Christmas is the truth that God is with us in the dirt and dailyness and in the reality and imperfection of our lives.  (with thanks to “The Upper Room”  24th December 2010, p64).

God made the journey from Heaven to Earth, now we make our Journey again to the cradle and we bend the knee in homage to the Christ child lying in the manger.  However…the shadow of the cross…is creeping slowly towards the manger and the glory of the Lord will be found in death rather than birth, the glory of the Lord will be found in resurrection and in the power of God’s Spirit breathing life into those who are called to be the ‘body of Christ”.

…O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord…

Rev. Brad Foote.

Sunday 19th December 2010

Greetings in the name of Our Lord Jesus. Well it’s that very special time of the year where we focus specifically on the greatest story ever told and the greatest gift ever given. Jesus Christ. He is meant to be the focus and reason for this season . If you stop and contemplate the real meaning of Christmas and look around at the culture that has emerged…exploded.. over time, you could be forgiven for wondering what has happened to the original message of God that is the basis of our Christian belief.

But rather than lamenting the gloss and the loss. Rather than complaining about the hijacking of our celebration in its purest form, we need to be people of faith who make a difference in the midst of the cacophony of mixed messages. What a great opportunity we have in representing Christ incarnate in our community through our Op Shop ministry, through our playgroup ministry and the Children’s funday with over 100 kids and adults celebrating Christian love and witness this week. What a great opportunity we have in presenting Christ in the flesh as we share in Christmas services of worship and reflection (Blue Christmas) and Christmas lunches both with our families or here in our hall.

Christ has been present with us this year in many ways. I have seen Christ being born in the lives of people who’ve been mentors at Ashmore State School. I have seen Christ being born in the lives of the volunteers at playgroup and in the Op Shop. Christ has been present in the Alpha Course with the relationship between Alberto’s Spanish congregation and our own congregation. Christ has been born again in the lives of those who shared in confirmation and membership in the Church. Christ has grown in the hearts and lives of every person, adult and child who have opened themselves to the Spirit working in their lives this year.

Today as we share in this Christmas presentation, let’s look again into the eyes of the saviour who defied the logic of human imagination and was birthed in a cattle stall in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. Who would have thought that this insignificant baby could change the course of history by having the courage and audacity to challenge one of the world’s greatest super powers by daring to promote love, peace and forgiveness. Ultimately Jesus conquered the power of sin and death by giving his life as a ransom for our sin. (For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23)

God has an incredible imagination, and invites us to exercise our own. This Christmas dare to imagine a world without poverty, without fear, without war. This Christmas dare to imagine a world where forgiveness is our first thought, and sharing rather than selfishness is the norm. If God can imagine it – perhaps we can too….Grace filled Christmas this year…..Rev. Brad Foote

Sunday 12th December 2010

A BIG THANK YOU, to the 30 people, both adults and children, who were able to come on Tuesday to make the presentation of our Micah Challenge Banner to Steven Ciobe, MP. He was given the banner made on 10/10/10 and about 25 personal cards made by the children in our JAM Club. We wanted to remind Mr Ciobo of the Global Millennium Goals that his government agreed to champion in 2000 when John Howard was the then Prime Minister. The current government, along with other UN Countries has a responsibility to maintain the commitment to halving world poverty by 2015. Although Mr Ciobo is now in opposition, he is still our local elected member and has a responsibility to represent us as his electorate. He said that he was pleased to receive our message and will take it to Canberra and “fly the flag (banner) ” on our behalf.

I was encouraged to hear that Mr Ciobo has a sister who is a leader at the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Base in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and his father-in-law also assists in humanitarian support to areas in PNG.

This action by our Congregation fits very well in the midst of Advent. Last week Narelle reminded us of the importance of John the Baptist and his Advent Message. John’s message is quite simple really: “Get ready – God is here!!” Stop being selfish, stop being greedy, stop being unkind and unforgiving, stop the violence and the prejudice, stop making decisions based upon fear, despair and regret. Instead, open your eyes and recognise the miracle of God that is already upon us. Our Congregation wants that message to be heard, through our global and local actions.

You wont find these headlines on the front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin or Courier Mail, but, There is love in the world. There is mercy, there is forgiveness and generosity, there is healing and peace and joy, and there is also hope. We know these things, because a long time before Christmas was ever celebrated, John stood in the wilderness proclaiming God’s arrival. As we focus one last time on John the Baptist during this Advent season, we must not let this message of God’s presence in the world be swamped by the commercialism and consumerism of this age. We must not cheapen the profound intensity and clarity of John’s message by watering it down with ready made answers for every problem. Life is tough sometimes. And the Christmas season, with all its hidden expenses and high expectations, and often shallow rhetoric of ‘peace on earth’ , can promise so much and deliver so little. If we want to be fair-dinkum about ‘Christmas Spirit’ this year, it will take more than sending out cards and singing reindeer carols.

Remember John is pointing to Jesus. “Wake up! The time of God’s arrival is upon us. The world will never be the same.” Now that God has pitched his tent in our midst, how will that change your life? What will you do differently from now?
May Grace filled “ readiness” be your Advent…..this week…..Rev. Brad Foote