Church news for the week beginning 8th July 2017

This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend our speaker is Trevor Lucas, who will be talking on the topic ‘One in Christ Jesus?’ from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16.

Next week’s Bible Talk

Next week Simon Chaplin from Oak Flats Anglican will be talking on the topic ‘Looking for a leader – 1 Samuel – an Overview’ from 1 Samuel.

Mission of the month: BCA

BCA (Bush Church Aid) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

“You can’t trust what the Bible says—it’s been changed too much over the years!”

Do people ever ask you tough questions about your faith? Do you ever have questions of your own? How do you handle them? A new Bible study series, entitled “So Many Questions”, which looks at 13 common teasers and how to deal with them, will start at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 19th July at the Lucases’New faces are always welcome! If you’d like to join us for this series please let Trevor know soon as he needs to order study books. 

Ladies’ Soup and Sandwich lunch

Join the Ladies Guild of Jamberoo Anglican for a Soup and Sandwich lunch on Wednesday 19th July. Guest speaker is Mandy McNeill speaking on the topic “A Fortunate Mother” from Luke chapter 1 verses 46 to 56. Cost is $10 at Jamberoo Anglican church hall at 11.30am. Please RSVP to Helen on 4236 0158 for catering purposes.

A note from the Curnows

The Curnows give thanks to God that their son-in-law, Stephen has made a good recovery. Stephen would like to thank everyone for their prayer support during his illness, which has been greatly appreciated and a help towards his recovery.

SWITCH Lite

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 5th August, 9am to 12.30pm at Nowra Baptist Church. The guest speaker is Lesley Ramsay, who is speaking on the theme “Hang in there”. Cost is $20 or $10 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.org.au. Please see Mandy McNeil if you wish to go.

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 $5513.00, leaving a gap of $787.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $54,600. Compared to that total we received $48,216, leaving a gap of $6,384.

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 .

The biggest problem our children face

Whilst it is true and powerful that children are our future, the problem is that society doesn’t quite know what to do.

We look at the current problems of our world and then look to the next generation to solve them… problems like violence, alcohol, crime, poverty and the environment.

The cause of each of these problems, so the reasoning goes, is a lack of information about the impacts that each of these problems may result in.

So to help our children overcome the issues we introduce educational programs at the earliest appropriate age to arm the next generation with the knowledge and skills to overcome them.

Now all this is well intentioned and not without benefit, but this strategy has always and will aways ultimately fail.

This is obvious when you realise that some of these programs have been going on for generations.

Issues to do with alcohol are a tragic example: we are now trying to teach our kids the very same things that we were taught but have ignored.

And the reason why these educational reforms have failed is that the problem is misdiagnosed.

The problem is not lack of information: the problem is sin, and so our children carry within them the problem itself.

Our children need saving.

While this is profoundly politically incorrect to say unless we understand the problem we will never be able to offer children the answer.

Jesus said “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them,  or the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:14,16

Jesus is the answer because Jesus came to save us from our sins: he came to save children from their sins.

Simon Chaplin

Coming up this weekend 8th – 9th July 2017

This weekend we welcome our own Trevor Lucas, who will be talking on the topic ‘One in Christ Jesus?’ from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16.

This week we will also hear an update about MTS (Ministry Training Strategy).

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

During our service, we’ll have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. How can a person really forgive someone who has sexually abused a loved one?
  2. Do modern Jews still practice circumcision?
  3. Even though religious works don’t gain salvation, isn’t it still appropriate to call Christianity a ‘religion’ since James says that true religion is looking after the poor?
  4. Is the “new creation” in Galatians 6:15 the new life that Paul possesses, or the new creation of Isaiah 65:17?
  5. Is it appropriate for a Christian to have a ‘bucket list’?
  6. If only men should teach the whole church, then when is it appropriate for women to preach? What about women missionaries?

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, or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

Church news for the week beginning 1st July 2017

Galatians series concludes

This weekend we conclude our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 6 verses 11 to 18 with the title, “Freedom Boasted”.

Next week’s Bible Talk

Next week we welcome our own Trevor Lucas, who will be talking on the topic ‘One in Christ Jesus?’ from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16.

Mission of the month: BCA

BCA (Bush Church Aid) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Dinner at the Bowlo

Join us this Thursday at 6pm at the Jamberoo Bowling Club for a relaxed meal together at the ‘Wok and Grill’ restaurant, for great steaks, tasty Chinese, and lots of laughs.

“You can’t trust what the Bible says—it’s been changed too much over the years!”

Do people ever ask you tough questions about your faith? Do you ever have questions of your own? How do you handle them? A new Bible study series, entitled “So Many Questions”, which looks at 13 common teasers and how to deal with them, will start at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 19th July at the Lucases’New faces are always welcome! If you’d like to join us for this series please let Trevor know soon as he needs to order study books. 

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 $5513.00, leaving a gap of $787.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $54,600. Compared to that total we received $48,216, leaving a gap of $6,384.

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 .

A benefit of less reported religion

Australia Day Crowd

It was no surprise to read that this week’s Census 2016 results showed a drop in the number of people claiming to be religious in Australia.

Notably, we read that only half our population (52.1%) say they are Christian, which is a drop from 61% in 2011, and 88% in 1966 (read more about this in Eternity News).

Given the low attendance at churches on weekends, and even ‘holy’ days like Christmas and Easter, it seems there are many people who identify as a follower of Jesus, but don’t really act like they mean it.

So, we need to get people to own up to what they say they believe, and to help them know what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.

Maybe you might ask your friend, colleague or family member to share what they think about this drop in religious interest in Australia.

You could ask them whether it seems to match what they believe about religion.

And then, best of all, you might get them to tell you what they think about Jesus.

And if someone is a little vague about Jesus, then why don’t you ask them, “would you like to read the Bible with me?”

And if they say “yes” then just grab a Bible, open it to Mark’s gospel, and read a few verses. If you want to read online right now, then read the Bible right here right now.

Start chatting about who Jesus is, and best of all, don’t feel you have to be the ‘expert.’

And then, as you and your friend come face to face with the ‘real’ Jesus, then it just may be that the Holy Spirit might lead them to have a real hope in the real Jesus.

Jodie

Coming up this weekend 1st – 2nd July 2017

This weekend we conclude our series on Galatians. In the final talk Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Boasted” from Galatians chapter 6 verses 11 to 18.

During our service, we’ll have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. Did Jesus baptise anyone, given that John 4:1-2 says “it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples?”
  2. Why do people get baptised?
  3. Why do people lose faith?
  4. Why do men have higher levels of leading in church above women?
  5. How might our tendencies towards passive aggressive conflict hinder our ability to rebuke each other gently?
  6. Why has the church been so soft in dealing with sexual abuse in the church?
  7. How can the church maintain a moral high ground when such abuse has occurred?
  8. How can victims of sexual abuse form a relationship with God?
  9. How can ministers who have committed sexual abuse redeem themselves?

We will also share the Lord’s Supper at 5pm Saturday, so be sure to join us for this important reminder of the death of Jesus.

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, 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 24th June 2017

Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 6 verses 1 to 10 with the title, “Freedom Displayed”.

Mission of the month: BCA

BCA (Bush Church Aid) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Parish Council

Our Parish Council meets this Monday, 26th June at 7.00pm at the church. Please remember them in your prayers.

Ladies Guild Meeting

The Ladies Guild are meeting this Wednesday, 28th June in the church hall at 2pm.

New Bible study series on Wednesdays

You can’t trust what the Bible says—it’s been changed too much over the years! Do people ever ask you tough questions about your faith? Do you ever have questions of your own? How do you handle them? A new Bible study series, entitled “So Many Questions”, which looks at 13 common teasers and how to deal with them, will start at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 5th July at the Lucases’

New faces are always welcome! If you’d like to join us for this series please let Trevor know soon as he needs to order study books. 

SWITCH Lite – registrations now open

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 5th August, 9am to 12.30pm at Nowra Baptist Church. The guest speaker is Lesley Ramsay, who is speaking on the theme “Hang in there”. Cost is $20 or $10 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.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 $5513.00, leaving a gap of $787.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $54,600. Compared to that total we received $48,216, leaving a gap of $6,384.

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 .

Vital support for missionaries

When we think of support for missionaries, we most naturally think about finances.

After all, when we and our partner missionary organisation send someone to a distant location to preach Christ, we know that there are many costs that need to be met.

Our church loves to financially support missionaries, and we do so by allocating a proportion of your regular financial gifts. Yet, we must never forget that our support for missionaries extends also to our prayers.

When I sit down for my morning prayers, I use an app called ‘PrayerMate’, which helps me remember to pray for CMS, the Church Missionary Society. Alternatively, you might just like the paper version, which works just as well!

But the main point is that we need to keep remembering that God uses our prayers to do his will to share the saving message of Jesus to all the nations.

When we pray for our missionaries on our own each day, or together each weekend in church, we are providing critical support for those who work with us to share the great news of Jesus with the world.

This weekend, as we celebrate CMS Sunday, let’s make a commitment to personally pray for our mission partners, and for CMS as well, who encourage us to use these words:

God of love, whose will it is that everyone should be saved, bless the Church Missionary Society and all who have gone out in its fellowship to preach, to teach and to heal. Guard, guide and use them; raise up more people in your world wide church to pray and to work, to care and to understand, to give to you and to go for you, that your church may grow, you will be done, your kingdom come and your glory be revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jodie

Coming up this weekend 24th – 25th June 2017

This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Displayed” from Galatians chapter 6 verses 1 to 10.

This week we’re going to have a short video from CMS (The Church Missionary Society) about their ongoing activities in the world, and hear about the impact that Jesus is having amongst people in Latin America.

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

During our service, we’ll have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. Since we only need one baptism, should those who had already been baptised by John avoided baptism from Jesus?
  2. Since we should be content with what God has given us, how should we manage our insecurities as we are pressured to look attractive?
  3. When the Bible talks about being sober-minded, could this include other things that cause us to lose focus and control, such as medications or lack of sleep?
  4. Why does Galatians say that ‘Christ Jesus has crucified the flesh’, and yet in other parts of the Bible it says ‘the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit’?
  5. Why do we say that people ‘grow’ in their faith when faith is given to us by God?
  6. Is it possible to be same-sex attracted and a committed Christian?
  7. Can women be ministers?

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, or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

Church news for the week beginning 17th June 2017

Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 5 verses 16 to 26 with the title, “Freedom Defined”.

Mission of the month: BCA

BCA (Bush Church Aid) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Jamberoo Interchurch Service

Join with fellow church-goers around our village and valley in our quarterly inter-church service. This Sunday 18th June 7pm at Jamberoo Anglican Church, with supper to follow.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday 20th June to hear Jenny Shannon. Dinner is $7 payable at the door, and there is no need to RSVP.

SWITCH Lite – registrations now open

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 5th August, 9am to 12.30pm at Nowra Baptist Church. The guest speaker is Lesley Ramsay, who is speaking on the theme “Hang in there”. Cost is $20 or $10 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.org.au.

Japanese Students visiting Jamberoo

A small group of Japanese students (aged 11 and 12) will be visiting Jamberoo Public School from 29th July to 2nd August. If you are able to host a Japanese student for these four nights, please see Graham Errington for more information or email him on graham.errington@jamberooanglican.com.

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 $5513.00, leaving a gap of $787.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $54,600. Compared to that total we received $48,216, leaving a gap of $6,384.

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 .