It’s Costly to Come Alive

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There’s a cost to following Jesus, but it’s truly worth it! (CREDIT: 20th Century Fox)

When we created t-shirts for our church four years ago, we printed the slogan ‘Come Alive!’ in recognition of our official title, ‘The Church of the Resurrection’.

Last year’s hit movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ featured a song with the same title, in which the singers celebrate their decision to leave their unhappy life to ‘come alive’ as members of the circus.

The song describes how each of them were once a “dead man walking” but that they have heard the call to “come alive, go and ride your light, let it burn so bright!”

They have experienced a transformation so they can be “dreaming with their eyes wide open.”

The movie is a delightful tale of how their life has gone from sadness to joy as they hear the call to leave the security of their past to experience a new life full of both excitement and uncertainty.

It struck me how the life of these circus performers is like the Christian life.

It is costly to follow Jesus, and we know it won’t always be easy.

That is why Jesus invited people to “take up their cross and follow me.”

Yet, even though the cross represented pain and death, Jesus showed that after his death, he came alive.

And because he came alive, it meant that he defeated sin and death, and brought a guarantee of eternal life to everyone who truly follows him.

And so as followers of Christ Jesus, we await his return or our going to be with him, and we look forward to when we will fully experience what it means to come alive in Christ.

For in Heaven we will be able to sing:

When the world becomes a fantasy

And you’re more than you could ever be

‘Cause you’re dreaming with your eyes wide open.

JODIE McNEILL

(The song ‘Come Alive’ was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul)

Coming up this weekend 30-31 March 2019

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It’s been quite an experience for us as we’ve spent the past three weekends looking at the topic ‘True Sex in the Song of Songs’… a study of a remarkable book of the Bible. Some people have thought that this book simply describes the love of Jesus for his church, but it doesn’t take much to realise that its really just about sex.

This week is the fourth week, and we’re looking at the topic ‘True Sex is Committed’, as we explore what the Bible says about commitment… which will lead us to cover marriage and singleness, and a whole lot more. Our Bible passage is chapters 7 and 8 from Song of Songs.

As part of our normal gatherings we spend a little time hearing some answers to questions from last week, and here are the questions you can look forward to hearing answers for:

1. Given that Baal is the moon god, does this mean that Allah is a reincarnation of Baal because Islam’s symbol is a crescent moon?
2. Since Jesus will reject some people who say “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7), then why will a person be saved simply by confessing Jesus is Lord (Romans 10)?
3. What does it mean in Song of Songs when it says, “the watchmen made their rounds”?
4. Is marriage a human ‘right’?
5. Does the Bible talk about whether it’s right to marry a non-Christian?
6. How do new-age feminists’ values line up with Christian values?
7. How should we discuss the topic of sex with non-Christian friends who are sexually-active and unmarried?
8. When you say that a “survivor should seek counselling”, who are you referring to?
9. How can I recover from the trauma of sexual abuse when I feel like I’m not good enough for God to heal me?
10. If someone likes tattoos but not hymns, doesn’t this disprove your theory about the modern attraction to ancient forms of worship?
11. Why don’t our services include a reading from the New Testament every week?

If you’ve never joined us before, then this is a perfect week to come along. Join us on Saturday at 5pm, for church with a kids’ and youth program, followed by a hearty dinner together. Or come on Sunday at 9am for church followed by a terrific espresso coffee.

I’m really hoping you’ll join us this weekend! It will be awesome to have you with us.

Grace and peace, Jodie.

News 23-24 March 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This weekend we continue our four-week series ‘True Sex in the Song of Songs’ with a talk by Jodie on chapters 3:1-5 and 5:2-8 called ‘True Sex is Secure’. 

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next weekend Jodie will be speaking on the final talk in our Song of Song Series titled ‘True Sex is Committed’ from Song of Songs chapter 8:1-14.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

CMS is our mission of the month. Support  through the ‘Mission Table’.

NEW OFFICEHOLDERS

We thank God for our Wardens and Parish Councillors for the next twelve months. Wardens: James Rosten (Rector’s), Robert Curll, Trevor Lucas. Parish Councillors: Peter Gibson, Paul Massey, Adam Rosten, with Rector’s appointment still pending.

NEW BOOKSTALL IS HERE!

Check out the all-new titles!

HOT CROSS KBECET BUNS

Eat Hot Cross Buns and support the Scripture Teaching at Kiama High.  Order on the sheet in the hall. $8 per tray.

NEW ROSTERS

Our roster runs out on this weekend, so let us know if you’re keen to serve. If you know you’re not available advise unavailabilities online or via Response Slip.

LADIES VISION AFTERNOON TEA

Meet to discuss the exciting future of our women’s ministry at 2pm Saturday 30th March at the Rectory (20 Tate Place).

COMBINED LEADERSHIP GROUP

We’d love you to join us for a night of planning, dreaming, and praying together for our church as we prayerfully plan for the next few months ahead. 7pm Tuesday 2nd April in the hall.Everyone is welcome to offer feedback, ideas, and to join us as we consider our future ministries.

GIVING UPDATE

Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. In the last calendar month, our average weekly giving was $5402.00, leaving a gap of $898.00. Olimometer 2.52 Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $81,900. Compared to that total we received $71,624, leaving a gap of $10,276.Olimometer 2.52

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.

True Sex in the Song of Songs 3: True Sex is Secure Song of Songs 3:1-5 and 5:2-8 Jodie McNeill – 23 & 24 March 2019

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“The course of true love never did run smooth”.

The Song of Songs has happiness and _______.

God knows what it is like to be _____.

The woman has a fear of __________.

Separation comes in many _____. 

Jesus knows what __________ feels like.

With vulnerability comes the need for ________.

Nothing can ________ us from God’s love.

The woman and the man experience _________.

Rejection can be a tool of ____________.

Rejection is the ____ of vulnerability. 

In her vulnerability she is sexually _________.

Rape ______ moral purity.

You can always _____ God, no matter what.

If you’re a survivor, you should seek ___________.

Find a ______ to be with you.

We need _____________ to experience true love.

Come Lord Jesus, come!

Download the PDF of this (with line drawings to fill in!) hereDownload

How to respond to Christchurch

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This is a time to show our love and support. (CREDIT: Farrukh via Flickr)

Last Friday afternoon, I came across the horrific news from Christchurch, where two shootings saw at least fifty people murdered… and all by the hands of an Aussie. 

I watched as thousands of Australians spoke up and responded to the tragedy, laying flowers in mosques and showing support for our neighbours in Christchurch.

However, I was left wondering about the best way to respond to this tragedy.

I read an article by Samuel Green and he had three helpful reflections.  

Firstly, it’s important to address the seriousness of the issue.

This was an act of pure evil and we cannot excuse or justify it in any way: this mass murder was driven by racism alone.

However, we know all people are created in the image of God, and that Jesus’ death was for all people who turn to him in repentance.

This leaves us with no excuse for any acts or thoughts driven by racism. 

Secondly, we want to reach out to the Muslim community and assure them of our love and support.

This is a great time to meet with our Muslim friends and listen to their concerns and worries.

We can attend community events standing against these acts of violence as people who promote peace, just like our Saviour Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 

Finally, we can be praying.

As the families of the victims mourn their losses and the family of the shooter grapples with this tragedy, we can pray that God would be glorified, and that through this horrific event, the good news of Jesus would be spread. 

Despite the sinfulness and cowardly acts of violence in our world, God still rules as king, and remains in control.

We have a God in whom we can bring all our worries to and trust in him alone.

JEMIMAH McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 23-24 March 2019

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Quite a few people have mentioned that they’ve been coming to church for decades and they’ve never before heard a talk series on sex and the Song of Songs. This has meant we’ve had lots to think about and talk about as we’ve met for dinner or coffee after church. We’d love you to come along and be a part of this challenging discussion by joining us for the talk ‘True Sex is Secure’.

In particular, we’re going to be addressing some of the things that happen when the secure bonds of sex are broken. We’ll be looking at issues of rejection and abuse in relationships, and this will lead us to explore just where God is in the midst of these kinds of horrible things in life.

As part of our regular church services, we also have a question and answer time, and these are the questions I’ll be answering that you asked last weekend:

  1. Is it wise and helpful for Christians to visit mosques to show support after the Christchurch massacre?
  2. In the Song of Songs, the woman’s virginity was attractive to the man, but what about the man’s virginity?
  3. What advice should we give to a Christian man whose wife withholds sex from him?
  4. What does ‘abundant’ praise mean in the context of Song of Songs?
  5. What was your most romantic gesture to Mandy?
  6. If we sing old words in church then won’t visitors think that God is out of date?
  7. Shouldn’t Christians avoid non-spiritual Yoga classes because its origin is in Hinduism?

So, come along and join us either at 5pm Saturday (with kids and youth programs, and dinner for all straight after church), or 9am Sunday (with espresso over morning tea). Nearly every week we welcome someone new to our church, so if you just want to pop in and check us out then you’ll be very welcome.

Grace and peace, Jodie.

News 16-17 March 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This weekend we continue our four-week series ‘True Sex in the Song of Songs’ with a talk by Jodie on chapters 3:6-5:1 called ‘True Sex is Honourable’ 

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next weekend Jodie will be speaking on topic is ‘True Sex is Secure’ from Song of Songs chapters 3:1-5 and 5:2-8.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

CMS is our mission of the month. Support  through the ‘Mission Table’.

LUNCH & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Join us this Sunday 17th March for a pot-luck lunch at midday, then a 1pm AGM. Please grab a nomination form and the various reports from the welcome table.

INTERCHURCH SERVICE

The next quarterly Interchurch service is this Sunday 17th March 7pm at St Matthew’s Church.

NEW BOOKSTALL IS HERE!

Check out the all-new titles!

HOT CROSS KBECET BUNS

Eat Hot Cross Buns and support the Scripture Teaching at Kiama High.  Order on the sheet in the hall. $8 per tray.

NEW ROSTERS

Our roster runs out on 24th March, so let us know if you’re keen to serve. If you know you’re not available advise unavailabilities online or via Response Slip.

REGIONAL YOUTH NIGHT

‘Christ for the Coast’ on this Friday 22nd March at Figtree. See Rayne for details.

LADIES VISION AFTERNOON TEA

Meet to discuss the exciting future of our women’s ministry at 2pm Saturday 30th March at the Rectory (20 Tate Place).

GIVING UPDATE

Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. In the last calendar month, our average weekly giving was $5402.00, leaving a gap of $898.00. Olimometer 2.52 Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $81,900. Compared to that total we received $71,624, leaving a gap of $10,276.Olimometer 2.52

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.

True Sex in the Song of Songs 2: True Sex is Honourable Song of Songs 3:6-5:1 Jodie McNeill – 16 & 17 March 2019

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The power of words.

The words are extravagant and ______.

The man puts his feelings into ___________ words.

The feeling of love is a gift from God to _____.

Pray, choose, and be ________ for the guidance.

The man finds her virginity __________.

Porn harms the ____.

Porn harms _____________.

Porn harms _______.

Porn harms us ___________.

Sex is a _________ thing.

‘How far should I go’ is the _____ question.

They show _____________.

They trust their spouse because of abundant ______.

Praise has formed her __________.

Words can powerfully _____ each other up.

It should be natural to abundantly ______ God.

To see the fully-formatted PDF of this outline (with fancy clipart for colouring in) download this fileDownload


Coming up this weekend 16-17 March 2019

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Well maybe it was because we were talking about sex, but last weekend was probably our biggest weekend in recent history, as we gathered in great number to hear God’s word, to pray to him, and to do it in a community of energetic, enthusiastic and loving disciples of Christ.

If you’re thinking of joining us this weekend, you’d be very, very welcome. We love it when new people come along, and we really do go out of our way to include visitors and newcomers. God is working among us to draw many people into our church, and maybe this is the weekend you’re going to experience that, first-hand?

Our topic this weekend is ‘True Sex is Honourable’, as we look at our second instalment in the four-week series on the Old Testament book, ‘The Song of Songs’. It’s going to be an important word from God about an issue that touches all of us in a real way. Don’t miss out!

Each week we have some questions from the week before that we answer. Here they are for this week:

  1. Where does the Bible say that slavery is wrong?
  2. Would you recommend Melinda Tankard Reist as a resource against child sexual trafficking?
  3. Is it OK for Christians to attend a yoga exercise class?

Our service times are 5pm Saturday, which caters really well for kids and youth, but still includes good numbers of people from all ages and stages. We have dinner afterwards, then they youth hang around for their group. Or, join us 9am Sunday for a classic Anglican service, which includes espresso coffee for morning tea.

Is ‘Sex’ a Good Excuse?

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Is ‘sex’ the reason some people choose not to follow Jesus? (CREDIT: freestocks.org via Flickr)

I’ve known Jesus for a long time, and to be honest, I find it hard to understand why someone wouldn’t want to accept his love and forgiveness?

But I wonder if sex is the excuse people give for why they don’t want to follow Jesus and enjoy a relationship with their loving creator?

Perhaps people don’t want to follow Jesus because they think that it will mean they have to give up their sexual freedoms in order to be constrained by the Bible’s rules?

They don’t want to give up having sex with their boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancee… or the person they’re having an affair with.

They don’t want to stop having homosexual sex or visiting prostitutes, or doing all the kinds of things that they know God forbids.

Or maybe people don’t want to follow Jesus because they feel that their sexual sins will somehow disqualify them from being a Christian.

After all, it would seem impossible that Jesus would accept someone who’s had the kind of sex that is prohibited in the Bible.

But both of those excuses don’t work.

When Jesus chatted to a woman who was drawing water from a well, he promised her spiritual water that would fulfil her forever.

And even though this woman had been in a series of sexual relationships, Jesus was willing to accept her and to give her the kind of satisfaction that sex couldn’t bring.

So, no matter what you’ve done, Jesus will forgive you if you seek him.

And even though your sexual practices will be restricted to the maker’s instructions, it will actually provide the true sex that was designed for the greatest enjoyment.

As Jesus promised the woman,

“…those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 14:4)

JODIE McNEILL