Church news for the week beginning 10th November 2018

/in /by

This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The best motivation for love’ from Romans chapter 13 verses 8 to 14.

Mission of the month

Church Missionary Society (CMS) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Toys ‘n Tucker

Contribute to the Anglicare Toys ‘n Tucker appeal by putting toys or tucker in the box at the entrance to the church.

Ladies’ High Tea

Join us this Saturday 17th November, 2pm to 4pm at Oak Flats. With guest speaker, Christine Jensen. There is no cost to attend this event, but please register at www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner for catering purposes.

New time for our Sunday service

For your planning and prayer, we’ve decided to move our Sunday service an hour later to 9am from February next year. If you’d like to offer any feedback, please chat to Jodie or a member of Parish Council.

Christmas Decorating for SRE

Once again this year we are privileged to hold Jamberoo Public School’s Combined Christmas Scripture Assembly in our church on Thursday 29th November.  Can you help decorate our church for Christmas on Monday 26th November? See Lesley Errington or Lesley Calhau.

 

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 2.52Up 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 2.52Electronic 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 .

A great hope

/in /by

One friend in ministry commented to me the other day that this fourteen year old girl she is working with doesn’t think that Jesus is real because “so many bad things have happened in her life”.

Often this is a topic that pops up in conversations I too have with Christians and non-Christians alike. The problem of evil seems so hard, and so big, that it makes people ask why God would let such horrendous things happen.

We see this continuously in our news, in troubles within our own families, and even in the places we turn for leisure like Netflix’s documentary series Making a Murder. Everyone’s right, the world does suck!

In those conversations we tend to think about sin and explain why the world is this way. While it is important to do that, and explain that the fall brought sin, death, and suffering into the world (Gen 3); it is also incredibly profound that nearly everyone notices that this is not the way it is supposed to be.

God created a world that was perfect and good (Gen 1). Though humans stuffed it up, it is important to encourage believers and non-believers to think about God’s promise of restoration(1 Peter 5:10; Acts 3:19-21). As Christians, we already have a taste of this restoration as we truly are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). But a day will come where evil and suffering will pass, for God is just and he will put sin and Satan in their place for good and his people will dwell with him forever (Rev 21:1-5).

So take heart! Though some days the world is grim, there is great hope and comfort found in the person of Jesus who conquers all and promises to come again.

RAYNE ORANGE

Coming up this weekend 10th – 11th November 2018

/in /by

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The best motivation for love’ from Romans chapter 13 verses 8 to 14.

We will share the Lord’s Supper at 5pm Saturday, so be sure to join us for this important reminder of the death of Jesus. We will also have our popular weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. Do the things in Hebrews 13:15-16 cover all of the sacrifices that please the Lord?
  2. Why is the British Queen called the Head of the Church, when there is a separation of church & state?
  3. Is it OK to rebel against the government if they order you to sin against God?
  4. To what extent should Christians engage with the government?
  5. How strictly do we need to submit to the authorities?
  6. What are some present-day examples of godly disobedience?
  7. Should a Christian participate in a workplace strike?
  8. What does it look like to show genuine respect to authorities we don’t personally relate to?
  9. When 1 Peter 5 says “submit yourselves to your elders” then does this mean parishioners should obey the minister?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Holy Communion First Order AAPB service.

This Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, so we will have a special prayer for Remembrance Day during our services.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ is taking a break for the holidays but returns next week. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

 

Church news for the week beginning 3rd November 2018

/in /by

This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘How to be a good citizen’ from Romans chapter 13 verses 1 to 7.

Mission of the month

Church Missionary Society (CMS) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Toys ‘n Tucker

Contribute to the Anglicare Toys ‘n Tucker appeal by putting toys or tucker in the box at the entrance to the church.

Monthly Midweek Service

The next (and final) monthly midweek service (with a special Christmas theme) will be held on Wednesday 5th December at 11am, followed by a light lunch in the hall. We will not be having a midweek service in November.

Ladies’ High Tea

Join us on Saturday 17th November, 2pm to 4pm at Oak Flats. With guest speaker, Christine Jensen. There is no cost to attend this event, but please register at www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner for catering purposes.

New time for our Sunday service

For your planning and prayer, we’ve decided to move our Sunday service an hour later to 9am from February next year. If you’d like to offer any feedback, please chat to Jodie or a member of Parish Council.

Men’s Dinner

The next Men’s Dinner will be held this Tuesday 6th November at 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Shellharbour, with guest speaker, Mark Thompson. $31 per person (or $23 concession). Register online at www.oakflatsanglican.com/mensdinner.

Christmas Decorating for SRE

Once again this year we are privileged to hold Jamberoo Public School’s Combined Christmas Scripture Assembly in our church on Thursday 29th November.  Can you help decorate our church for Christmas on Monday 26th November? See Lesley Errington or Lesley Calhau.

CMS Summer School

CMS Summer Schools is running from Saturday 5th to Friday 11th January, 2019. Register now at nswsummerschool.org.au.

 

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 2.52Up 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 2.52Electronic 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 .

The only way to pray

/in /by

CREDIT: Ninac26, via Flickr.

I am reading a wonderful book at the moment called “Teaching the Psalms” by Christopher Ash. His main idea is that before we apply the Psalms to us, we must hear them as the prayers of Jesus.

But as he began to explain this I came across a statement that may take many people by surprise. Because our prayers arise out of sinful hearts, “God cannot and must not hear them”.

Most people believe that God will always hear them no matter what. But in our natural state God cannot hear our prayers.

James describes our prayers as spiritual adultery (James 4:3). Our natural prayers to God are something along the lines of this: “God, is it OK if I commit idolatry?”

That’s because our natural prayers do not arise out of single-hearted love and devotion to God. Even our best prayers will have a mixture of pure and impure motives.

Our hearts are filled with sin, and it is a presumption to think that God would hear our prayers.

However there is one that God will always listen to.

When Jesus heals a man born blind, some of the pharisees are outraged at Jesus. The man defends Jesus, saying “We know that God does not listen to sinners, he listen to the godly person who does his will” John 9:31.

When Jesus heals Lazarus, he does so by praying to the Father: “Thank you that you always hear me”(John 11:41). Lazarus comes back to life, because Jesus is godly person whom the Father always hears.

There is only one that this is true of. It is only through Christ that prayer becomes a possibility.

The Spirit brings Christ to dwell with us so that our prayers are united with his: “For through Jesus we have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Eph 2:18

It’s humbling to remember our natural state before God. But when we do, we can appreciate the gift of prayer in Jesus through the Spirit all the more!

SIMON CHAPLIN

Coming up this weekend 3rd – 4th November 2018

/in /by

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘How to be a good citizen’ from Romans chapter 13 verses 1 to 7.

It’s the right time for us to recognise many of the needs of our missionaries, so at both our services, we will have a special update about Church Missionary Society (CMS) which is our Mission of the Month.

At our 5pm Saturday service we will have our popular weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. What was the purpose of making burnt offerings to the Lord?
  2. Is it ever OK to lie, especially if it helps avoid conflict within the church?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer AAPB service.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ runs straight after dinner on Saturday night. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

See you at 5pm this Saturday or 8am this Sunday, God willing!

Church news for the week beginning 27th October 2018

/in /by

This weekend’s Bible talk

Our series titled, ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, continues this weekend with Simon Chaplin speaking on the topic  ‘What does love really look like?’ from Romans chapter 12 verses 9 to 21.

Mission of the month

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Parish Council

Our Parish Council meets this Monday, 29th October at 7.00pm at the church. Please remember them in your prayers.

Monthly Midweek Service

The next (and final) monthly midweek service (with a special Christmas theme) will be held on Wednesday 5th December at 11am, followed by a light lunch in the hall. We will not be having a midweek service in November.

Safe ministry training day

If you are or would like to be involved in leading or serving children and youth, then you need current training in safe ministry. Join us on Saturday morning 10th November for a regional training day run by the Diocese of Sydney at Oak Flats Anglican. Cost is $25 for Safe Ministry Refresher, or $50 for the full Safe Ministry Essentials course.  Sign in from 8:45am for Safe Ministry Essentials (9:00am-2:30pm) OR sign in from 11:45am for Safe Ministry Refresher (12:00pm-2:30pm). Registration must be made prior to the day. Please contact Val for more details or register online at https://safeministry.training.

McNeill’s Commencement Service

On Tuesday 22nd January at 7pm we’ll be hosting a special service for our church and our community as we invite the Bishop to formally welcome Jodie as our full-time Rector for next year. Put the date in your diary, and pray that God will use it to help people know about the exciting new stage of our parish.

Men’s Dinner

The next Men’s Dinner will be held on Tuesday 6th November at 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Shellharbour, with guest speaker, Mark Thompson. $31 per person (or $23 concession). Register online at www.oakflatsanglican.com/mensdinner.

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 2.52Up 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 2.52Electronic 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 .

Not all Christians are H-A-P-P-Y!

/in /by

CREDIT: Photo donnierayjones, via Flickr.

There’s a Christian song that we love to sing to kids which goes like this:

I’m H-A-P-P-Y, I’m H-A-P-P-Y, I know I am, I’m sure I am, I’m H-A-P-P-Y.

I’m H-A-P-P-Y, I’m H-A-P-P-Y, because I know God loves me so, I’m H-A-P-P-Y.

It’s a great little song, especially for young kids who really understand only two emotions: sad and happy.

And so with this simple message is a simple truth: joy, satisfaction, happiness is found in the love of God.

Yet, we get much older, we realise that even as people who know Jesus and are loved by him, there will be times when we will experience great sadness.

I was reminded of this as I recently read Psalm 6 as part of my daily Bible reading. It says:

I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies. (Psalm 6:6-7).

It’s a lot different to the “H-A-P-P-Y” experience of the kids’ song, but it shows that sorrow is an authentic experience of the Christian.

Yet, Christian sadness is not without hope. The Psalm continues in this way:

Go away, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer. (Psalm 6:8-9)

As we experience sadness, we can know that God hears us in our grief, and he answers our prayers.

And our hope is future-focused: we look forward to him answering our prayer for deliverance from our enemies and the rescue that we are promised because of Jesus.

Whether you’re H-A-P-P-Y or S-A-D, you can look forward to being restored and rescued by our saviour Jesus Christ, as we await his return or our going to be with him.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 27th – 28th October 2018

/in /by

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Simon Chaplin speaking on the topic ‘What does love really look like?’ from Romans chapter 12 verses 9 to 21.

At our 5pm Saturday service we will have an opportunity to hear a special report about the SWITCH Ladies conference, which is being held this Saturday morning.

Also at that service will have our popular weekly question and answer time, and Simon will be answering these questions:

  1. How much faith does God give us, and can it be measured?
  2. How did God communicate with the prophets?
  3. Have there been any more prophets since the Bible was written?
  4. Are we right to skip some verses in our Bible reading just because some names are difficult?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Holy Communion Second Order AAPB service.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ runs straight after dinner on Saturday night. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

See you at 5pm this Saturday or 8am this Sunday, God willing!

Church news for the week beginning 20th October 2018

/in /by

This weekend’s Bible talk

Our series titled, ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, returns this weekend with Simon Chaplin speaking on the topic ‘Truly transformed service’ from Romans chapter 12 verses 1 to 8.

Mission of the month

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

SWITCH Lite

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 27th October, 9am to 12.30pm at Bomaderry Anglican Church. The guest speaker is Claire Smith, who is speaking on the topic “God’s Good Design”. We will explore what the Bible really says about men & women. Cost is $20 or $15 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.org.au. Last chance to register!

Safe ministry training day

If you are or would like to be involved in leading or serving children and youth, then you need current training in safe ministry. Join us on Saturday morning 10th November for a regional training day run by the Diocese of Sydney at Oak Flats Anglican. Cost is $25 for Safe Ministry Refresher, or $50 for the full Safe Ministry Essentials course.  Sign in from 8:45am for Safe Ministry Essentials (9:00am-2:30pm) OR sign in from 11:45am for Safe Ministry Refresher (12:00pm-2:30pm). Registration must be made prior to the day. Please contact Val for more details or register online at https://safeministry.training.

McNeill’s Commencement Service

On Tuesday 22nd January at 7pm we’ll be hosting a special service for our church and our community as we invite the Bishop to formally welcome Jodie as our full-time Rector for next year. Put the date in your diary, and pray that God will use it to help people know about the exciting new stage of our parish.

Men’s Dinner

The next Men’s Dinner will be held on Tuesday 6th November at 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Shellharbour, with guest speaker, Mark Thompson. $31 per person (or $23 concession). Register online at www.oakflatsanglican.com/mensdinner.

Mental Health Seminar

Albion Park Anglican Church will be hosting Mental Health seminars, ‘Tackling Mental Health Together’, on Thursday 1st November,7.15-9.15pm or Saturday 10th November, 2pm to 4pm. RSVP: Julie McGilvray on 4256 2103.

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 2.52Up 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 2.52Electronic 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 .