Talks

Helen spoke to us on Sunday about being planted for God’s purpose — not just drifting through life, but intentionally rooted where He has placed us.
She started with a big reminder (inspired by The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren): our lives aren’t random, and they’re not ultimately about our own plans. We were created by God and for God. Worship and bringing Him joy is our primary purpose — but He also has a specific, personal calling for each of us. And that purpose isn’t something we invent; it’s something we uncover by seeking Him.
Like a seed, growth often begins underground. Nothing seems to happen at first — but transformation starts with the cracking of our ego, pride, and personal agendas. As we stay rooted through prayer, obedience, and community, God gradually reveals what we’re here for.
Community plays a key role. Others stretch and sharpen us (sometimes uncomfortably!) so we don’t stay stuck in habits or comfort zones. Commitment matters too — purpose grows through perseverance, not convenience. Even painful or confusing seasons can prepare us for what’s ahead.
Finally, purpose is active. We’re designed to serve. Just like a tree doesn’t eat its own fruit, our gifts aren’t just for us — they’re meant to bless others. So the invitation is simple: stay planted, stay open, and trust that God will grow His purpose in you, in His timing.

Bec Goody explored in her talk in our series “Planted” what it means to be planted in God’s people, drawing from Psalm 92:12–14, which describes the righteous flourishing when planted in God’s house. Being planted in community is essential to Christian life.

1) The Christian life is not solo - we are designed for relationship. Jesus’ words in Gospel of John 13 call believers to love one another, showing that faith is lived out through deep, committed relationships.

2) Community is a blessing. Acts of the Apostles 2 and Epistle to the Ephesians 4 highlight how believers grow, mature, and are equipped together as one body. Unity does not mean uniformity, but shared purpose in Christ.

3) Growth happens in “circles, not rows” - real transformation comes through smaller, intentional relationships (Romans 12).

4) The unplanted believer misses out. True spiritual growth requires vulnerability and commitment, not consumer Christianity. We become fruitful when we intentionally build spiritual friendships and root ourselves in community.

The message, Planted in God’s Presence, built on Matt’s previous talk about being planted in God’s House and took us deeper into what it really means to root our lives in God Himself. Drawing from Psalm 84, Claire reminded us that God’s presence is where our souls truly come alive — the place we were made to dwell. Every life is planted somewhere. The question is: are we rooted in God’s presence, or drifting in distraction, stress, and self-reliance? To be “planted” is a deliberate positioning of our hearts — not dabbling, not visiting occasionally, but building a life centred on Him.

When we’re planted in His presence, three things happen: we flourish, we become resilient, and we bear fruit. Storms and heat will come — but rooted lives stand firm. Fruit isn’t forced; it’s the natural overflow of proximity to Jesus. The invitation was simple but powerful: prioritise His presence, embrace depth over surface faith, and surrender control in the hidden places. Take one intentional step this week to deepen your roots — and pray, “Lord, plant me more firmly in Your presence.”

Matt picked up after VISION Sunday with a new series called PLANTED.
He referred back to the three passages in the Bible that inform our vision for the year. Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 92:12-14 and Psalm 1:3. They each describe a healthy, flourishing tree. The tree is an analogy for people. People who are godly, prioritise God’s word, trust in God and put their hope and confidence in Him.
The outcome of living this way is that these people: (trees) Flourish, Grow strong, Withstand heat and drought, produce much fruit in every season and stay green and healthy.
But for this to happen, they need to be PLANTED!
God is the planter who plants people in church. (Matt talked more about this.)
Finally Matt gave us 10 reasons why Jesus Followers need to be planted in Church:
1. God designed growth to happen in community
2. Christians need spiritual covering and shepherding
3. The Church is Christ’s body - you can’t flourish detached
4. Discipleship requires rhythms of teaching and formation
5. Worship is a corporate calling, not only a personal one
6. We need accountability to stay spiritually healthy
7. God uses community to reveal and refine our character
8. Spiritual gifts are meant to operate in the body
9. Belonging to a Church community aligns us with God’s mission
10. God promises fruitfulness

After looking back on 2025 and praising God for all the good things we heard and experienced together in a year when “Simply Jesus” was our theme, Matt introduced us to our vision for 2026.
He explained that during November as the core team prayed together, they considered the health of our church. They came to the conclusion that Ashwood is a healthy church!  Praise God!  What could it look like to become even more healthy?  Matt shared 3 different passages from the bible – all of which described healthy trees! He asked us to close our eyes and imagine the scene….
“Like a tree that is planted near the riverbank that bears fruit all year long….” .What does it look like for us to be PLANTED in God’s house, ROOTED in Christ and FRUITFUL in every season?
Let’s come before God for ourselves and for our church and invite Jesus to come and help us become the Spiritually Healthy Growing Church for all ages that He wants us to be!

We love Baptism Sunday!
Bob spoke about how Jesus “cleans” us spiritually from our sin – the things that make us feel shame and unclean.
Through His death on the cross he made it possible for us to be transformed and made clean again.
Available to everyone. And Baptism points to this.
It was wonderful to hear the stories and testimonies of Melissa, Clare, Mark and Tanya as they explained why they had decided to be baptised.
All of them explained so honest and clear.

We were treated to a different format of service this Sunday: A Question and Answer panel with our Ashwood Church Core leaders. We learned how other people would describe their character, what they are passionate about, how they have seen God move lately, how they keep connected with God and many more things.

For our second Sunday of the year (and in the middle of our season of prayer) Claire’s message was titled: Entering the year Anchored in God!
Claire used the words from Psalm 118 - A song written on the other side of the struggle. The writer doesn’t pretend there was no pressure, no rejection, no fear — but still declared that through it all, God was still good and still faithful.

The psalm reminds us that when we are hard pressed, God makes space; when we are rejected, God is still building; and when we step into a new day, we can do so with thanksgiving, not fear.

As we enter this year, Psalm 118 calls us to anchor our lives not in what we can control, but in who God is — because His love still endures forever.

Here’s the prayer Claire invited us to pray at the end – why not pray again today:

God, as we begin this new year, we don’t pretend to have it all figured out.
We bring You our hopes, our questions, and the things that feel uncertain right now.
But today we choose trust.
We choose to believe that You are good — even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
We choose to believe that You are faithful — even when the pressure is real.
We place this year in Your hands.
Not asking for control, but for confidence in who You are.
Anchor our hearts in Your love.
Lead us day by day. And help us walk forward with gratitude and courage.
We trust You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

GOD DOES NOT CHANGE!
Matt started 2026 by looking at what changes and what doesn’t change! (He even sang a song from Frozen 2!) In a world that’s constantly changing it’s re-assuring to know that God does not change.  (“I am the Lord and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6)
As Anna says in Frozen: “That’s why I rely on certain certainties”.

Here’s 5 certainties we can rely on in 2026:
1) The World Changes - God does not!
“Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens (skies) with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Psalm 102:25-27.
2) God’s Love does not change
“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
3) God’s Promises do not change
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘YES’ in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
What are God’s promises for 2026?
- His Presence (Hebrews 13:5)
- His Peace (John 14:27)
- His Strength (Philippians 4:13)
- His Forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
- His Guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- His Faithful Work in Us (Philippians 1:6)
- Eternal Life (1 John 2:25)
4) God’s Purposes do not change
They are:
- To redeem
- To restore
- To heal
- To renew
5) Simply Jesus - He does not change
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8

What does this mean for a new year?
1. Rest in His Stability
2. Build your Identity in Jesus
3. Live with Courage and Hope

Matt ended the service with a blessing for 2026: receive this blessing today!
May the God who called you keep you.
May the oil on your life never run dry.
May your homes be places of rest and laughter.
May your hearts remain soft, even when the road is hard.
May wisdom guard you, joy strengthen you, and grace surround you.
May you start this year grateful and enter it with expectancy.
Amen

Christmas Day Service 2025