Alive with Christ

This weekend we kick off our all-new, eighteen-week series on the book of Acts titled ‘Launching the Church’. It’s going to be a thrill to walk alongside the people who experienced the power of the Holy Spirit as the church experienced explosive growth in the weeks, months and years after Jesus’ death.

This is a perfect week to join us as we kick off this new series with Jesus’ words before he left the earth. That’s why this week’s talk is called ‘Prepare to Launch!’, as we look at Acts chapter one.

As we return to normal programming, we’re also going to have our popular question and answer segment, where I get the opportunity to answer your tough questions about what the Bible teaches about us and God.

These are the questions I’ll be tackling this weekend:

1. If God doesn’t forgive blasphemy then what hope do we have if we’ve ever committed this sin?
2. Why do we follow some Bible commands but not others? For example, why don’t our men pray with hands lifted up, and our women avoid wearing expensive jewellery?
3. Does a child still need to honour abusive parents?
4. Since wives have been abused by their husbands, shouldn’t we stop teaching submission?
5. Why didn’t Jesus write down his teachings and prayers rather than have it recorded by his apostles?

So, we’d really love you to join us at either 5pm Saturday for our all-age church (with creche, kids’ program, then dinner, then youth group), or 9am Sunday for our classic Anglican service (followed by tasty espresso and treats).

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Our world is a busy world. People are constantly speaking about the “life-work balance”, and desiring to find ways to rest efficiently and effectively amongst education, work, sport, hobbies, and time with family.

I know more than a few of us are thankful for a good ebb and flow to the year, which includes school holidays and summer.

Even in our churches, we take a bit of a break from programs and school Scripture.

Yet though life looks very different for the Godhead, and looked different here on earth for Jesus, we see examples from the Almighty of rest! 

God rested on the seventh day after he made the world we live in (Gen 2:2-3), though I am sure for him it was not tiresome work.

And Jesus we have seen sleeping in a boat (Matt 8:23, Mark 4:38), taking time to pray in solitude (Luke 5:16, 6:12-13, 22:39-4), and directing his disciples to take time away from crowds and busy days of ministry to rest (Mark 6:31-32).

Often we look at rest as time to watch TV as a family, to sleep in, get a cuppa, or maybe take a surf.

Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes reminds people in a world where all is vapour to eat, drink, and be merry (Ecc 8:15) so we can know that it is good and right to take time to do these things, for they are part of enjoying life, which God really wants us to do.

But we not must forget where ultimate rest is found: in Christ (Matt 11:28-30).

If we are turning to Christ for rest, we must also be sure that we are turning towards his word, for we know that Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1) and that he has gifted us with his scriptures to assist us in living holy lives.

And of course we can look forward to perfectly dwelling with Christ in eternity as we enter his final rest when he returns (Heb 4).

RAYNE ORANGE

OUR BIBLE TALK

This week we welcome Mark Howard as he speaks to us on ‘Consuming Passion of a Dying Man’, from 2 Timothy.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Trevor Lucas will be speaking from Hebrews chapters 3:1 to 4:13 on the topic, ‘Don’t Be Distracted!’.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support at the ‘Mission Table’ by buying or donating stuff. You can also bring along food items for us to donate to the Food and Financial Assistance appeal.

YOUTH CAMP

Our first-ever ‘Alive’ camp is coming up for our teenagers on 9-11 August at Burrill Pines on the South Coast. Keep the date free, invite your friends, and see Rayne for more details. Talks are on the topic “A Christ-centred Identity”. Cost is $150 (with subsidies available). Bring along your friends for what should be a great weekend of fun, fellowship, and Jesus!

McNEILLS AWAY

Jodie and Mandy are on annual leave for another week, with friends and family housesitting the Rectory until 21st July.

GIVING UPDATE

Each week we need to receive $2650.00 in order to meet our commitments. In the last calendar month, our average weekly giving was $2455.00, leaving a gap of $195.00. Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $68,900. Compared to that total we received $63,380, leaving a gap of $5,520.

Electronic giving is a great way to give! It helps us prayerfully plan our giving, and then the bank will help us keep that commitment, even when we may be unable to attend. To give by direct transfer then these are the details. Account name: Church of England Jamberoo. Account number: 10081274. BSB: 062562.