The state of Queensland, the Catholic Arch-diocese of Brisbane and the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane are all celebrating their sesquicentenary. St George’s is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary.

So we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come and join us for worship on the 15th of February. In some ways our worship on that day won’t be any different to any other day. Let me share with you a few reasons why it is great to connect to Church or for some of you to reconnect with Church.

We are blessed to have gracious welcoming people at all of our congregations. Let me share an email that someone sent after coming recently.

“I also wanted to tell you just how lovely it was to attend the service on Sunday & how cared for we felt. I know Grandma appreciated being able to take Communion in her seat which was such a nice & unexpected gesture. Several other people stopped to chat before we left the church building, making us feel very welcome.”

When the people are God are doing what they are called to do they are welcoming, gracious and caring, like a big happy family.

From time to time people have come to church and for a range of reasons have felt hurt or somebody has done something that has made them feel very uncomfortable. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for anything like that that may have happened in the past. Sometimes we fail to be the loving community we are called to be. I am sorry if this has been your experience. I would like to invite you to join us on the 15th of February. We would like the opportunity to bring healing to those old wounds.

The deeper reason for coming to join us is more than a warm welcome or healing. As you join with us you will have the opportunity to draw close to God. Sometimes that will be through singing hymns and songs, or listening to the Scriptures and sermon, or receiving Communion. We also draw closer to God by meeting others who have been on a journey of faith for decades. Many of us have rough edges to our spiritual lives but amongst us there are some with profound holiness. They know Jesus and love others to come to know him. As you get to know them you will be drawn into a knowledge and love of God that will cause you to become holy in time.

So don’t wait to be asked, come and join this family on the 15th of February. You are very welcome.