Ministers Desk 29 April

In our congregational meeting today we receive the annual reports for our church’s activities in 2011.  These reports highlight the activity that many people have been involved in, through Emmanuel Uniting Church in the past year.  But this has not just been the case of a lot of people doing a lot of things.  We have been participating in the work of God. 

Through our worship we have gathered together with all creation on heaven and earth, throughout time and space and have acknowledged the greatness and worth of our creator, redeemer God.  Those involved in worship leadership have involved us in the timeless response that all creation makes to God.

We have people who faithfully lead groups for children, youth and adults.  These groups provide friendship and build healthy relationships amongst the group members.  Our explore groups provide a perfect setting for spiritual growth to occur.  We can never underestimate the commitment that is required by the leaders of these groups.  Many require significant weekly preparation that involves much prayer, thought and attention to detail.  The leaders of these groups need to cultivate teams and take into account the needs of different members.   

Many of our groups are devoted to reaching out to people from our community who do not yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.  Through friendships and interesting activities these groups are living out the great commission of witnessing to the life of Jesus Christ through their own lives. 

Our annual reports give us the opportunity to reflect on these activities and recommit ourselves to the work of God into the coming year.  The church exists to be the ongoing presence of Jesus on earth.  It is the task of the church to make Christ known to all people, those who know him and don’t yet know him.  As you recommit to the work of God through our church, resolve to see Christ in all you do and grow in your relationship with him through your service.

Our annual reports also give us an opportunity to appreciate the people who serve diligently and faithfully in the church.  Sometimes these people are very high profile, many fulfil equally necessary task, but are not so prominent.  I want to express my thanks to each person in our congregation who serves where God has called them.  I appreciate and value the time you commit, the energy and prayer you devote and your availability to God.  You may want to express your thanks to someone in our congregation for the service they give in worship, in leadership of the congregation, in maintaining the building, in your group or in a group that your child participates in. 

In all of this though, remember that we are instruments of God.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” (Ps 127:1).