Church Joomla Template

From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (17Sep2023)

Good morning people who are so grateful that Jesus is gracious and compassionate.
What a better way to get to enjoy awesome conversations, welcome others into the family, grow in cultural awareness and build friendships than eat together and hang out. What a lovely time we had together this week!
Being sociable is not an optional extra for a Christian, it’s who we are as the body of Christ and His community on display to a watching world. Yes, the church is a light on the hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14).
Jesus sets a very high standard for living the Jesus life and we know we cannot instantly attain to it for sure. However, with the leading of His Spirit over a lifetime, being consistent in his Word, in prayer and walking the narrow road together (albeit it may be like a tortoise) we get there in the end as we step into eternity. Thank goodness God’s grace is always enough as we gently, meekly and with humbleness walk along the way together.
Bible study was particularly interesting this week. We covered the story of the woman who reached out to touch Jesus’ garment. The blessings that flowed were far bigger than we could ever have imagined. The Bible speaks God’s very words as we read it allowed something always happens. We prayed for each other and faith soars when we hear good news the next morning! It also says that we are not alone in our tough times but allows us to go through it with those walking the journey with us.
Pastor Jacqui


Church Joomla Template

From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (10Sep2023)

Good morning people who are so grateful that Jesus came while we were yet sinners. Malachi 3:1 has been our key verse for this season. He was pointing to John the Baptist preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. Well, that was the very next word from the Lord after 400 years of silence. John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Malachi was pointing to this very moment.
Jesus came to reconcile people to God, to take away what was hindering our relationship with him. He did not come to condemn, but to save the world (John 3:17). This is such good news we carry. Jesus did not come to cover over sin to have it remain and hidden. No, he came to expose it. I love the following scripture which is absolute truth for us today. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12
God is not keeping a tally of our faults! Honestly, He loves to forget our sins – this is His desire, but it happens through the doorway of repentance (teshuvah -listen out for this sobering yet indescribably grace-filled word today)
When Jesus interacted with people, he always said “your sins are forgiven” or “go and sin no more.” Once forgiven, that’s it, people started living differently. God does not keep a record of the past so that He can bring them up again and condemn us. No, God is not like this, – the devil is – but our Father is not. Forgiven sins are forgotten. They cease to exist in the mind of God, and it is His opinion that truly matters. May we all live free in the love of God that was expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus. May we all learn to be as kind to ourselves as the Lord is to us. He is perfect, and yet He accepts us fully in Christ. It’s time for us to do the same.
But today, I’m not speaking about repentance, but about a treasure trove so big, we aren’t able to contain it! Watch God as He opens the windows of Heaven and pours out blessing after blessing. Look up the biblical meaning of this word, it may surprise you.
Pastor Jacqui


Church Joomla Template

From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (03Sep2023)

Prayer walking for me is just so worth the effort to get up and get to Epsom early to walk, sometimes alone and Wednesdays with others. Meeting and greeting along the way, admiring a garden that starts a short conversation, stopping to smell the flowers and enjoying the company of a person doing the same, meeting a girl who works at City Mission, someone who ran out of petrol, a car that won’t start, a mum just trying to get a distressed child to school and just seeing the same person over again becomes heavenly connections. This week, it paid off. I led a funeral service for someone in the hood on Friday who spent decades serving at Dargaville Baptist Church but moved to Auckland to be near her daughters in the last season of her life. The 90 year old Baptist woman insisted that her funeral be led by a Baptist Pastor (I’m sure you guessed her motive) and I happen to be a connection a neighbour could refer. The funeral included a snippet of her faith life including a Bible reading, hymns and communion. Remembering that this is all before an unbelieving family who wanted to honour their mum and their Nana in the best way they could. Communion led into a moment of reflection to acknowledge those absent for various reasons. I’m sure the Holy Spirit opened wounds as we remembered his wounds for our transgressions.I believe the Holy Spiritis at work in the world and reveals himself to each one in His own special way to later show up in their lives when they encounter Him again. -That’s my prayer anyway. We know God speaks to every conscience individually.
Pastor Jacqui


More Articles ...