Church news for the week beginning 3rd June 2017

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Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Simon Chaplin preaches from chapter 4 verses 8 to 31 with the title, “Freedom Enslaved”.

Mission of the month: CMS

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

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday 6th June to hear Moussa Ghazal at the Central Hotel, Shellharbour. RSVP via the comment card or 0439 561 373.

Year 13 Fiji Mission Trip

Jemimah McNeill, along with a team of 75 young people from the Year 13 program, head off to Fiji this Thursday, 8th June for a month-long mission trip. Please remember them in your prayers.

Gong Men’s Day

Join us on Saturday June 17th, 8.30am till 2pm or 5pm to 9.30pm at Dapto Anglican for a great day of teaching and encouragement for the men of our region. Price is $35 (or $25 concession). Register online at www.gongmensday.org

Jamberoo Interchurch Service

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

New roster coming soon

If you’re unavailable to serve on a roster from 26th June through 17th September please let us know via comment card, email office@jamberooanglican.com or even better go to www.jamberooanglican.net

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.

A message from the Lucases

Was it a downer to be rostered to prepare the after church meal on our Golden Wedding anniversary? Absolutely not! It was a real joy to share a celebration with our Christian brothers and sisters and thank you to all who were able to be with us and for all your good wishes and fellowship. And a special thanks to Lesley for organising a beautiful cake to top off the occasion. The cake reminded us (almost) of the verse given to us by Bishop Yohana Madinda, who preached at our wedding: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:5-6. We commend those words to you all. With our love in the Lord, Robyn and Trevor.

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 .

Mission to Fiji

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After months and weeks of planning, preparation and nervous anticipation, this is my last week at church before I leave for Fiji. Earlier this week I received my needles, and whilst I really do not enjoy strangers stabbing me with medicine, I am so excited as I know this is one of the final things I need to do before I go! I leave in just a few days for my month long mission to Fiji, and everything is finally falling into place!

I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your generosity, both in prayer and financial support. Your support has allowed me to successfully raise the money needed, and I am very excited for the mission to begin!

While I am overseas I will be travelling around the main Island of Fiji, serving the communities and preaching the gospel through word and song. In particular, we decided the focus of our mission will be on preaching from the gospel of Mark, chapters 4 to 6, and as we delved into these amazing passages, I was reminded again of the amazing power of God: that this is his mission, and that no obstacle is too great for the Lord of the Universe! I am so excited to see how I will grow whilst overseas, learning from the Fijian people and the Year 13 community.

If you wish to be updated about the mission whilst I am away, you are able to sign up for the Year 13 ‘Bula Blog’, where you can see the word being done, and the prayer points of our team whilst we are overseas. You can find this at: http://year13.net/bulablog.

So, thank you so so much for supporting me, and I ask that you would continue to pray for me in the next few days, and while I am away! Pray that the ministry would be fruitful, and that the children and adults would be able to grow in the knowledge and understanding of our great God.

Jemimah McNeill, Year 13 student

Coming up this weekend 3rd – 4th June 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Enslaved“, from Galatians chapter 4 verses 8 to 31.

We’re also looking forward to hearing from Jemimah McNeill at our 5pm service about the plans for the upcoming Fiji Mission with Year 13.

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.

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

  1. Could Paul be accused of changing history to suit his case since the law of Moses was given 430 years after Abraham, but circumcision was commanded to Abraham in his life twice?
  2. What about the people whose theologies differ, but still call Jesus Lord? Will they receive salvation?
  3. Does the grace of God have a limit?
  4. If there is only one God, why is there the trinity?
  5. Why does Jesus pray to God, when he himself is God?

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 27th May 2017

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Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Simon Chaplin preaches from chapter 3 verse 15 to chapter 4 verse 7 with the title, “Freedom Fulfilled”.

Mission of the month: CMS

CMS (Church Missionary Society) 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.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday 6th June to hear Moussa Ghazal at the Central Hotel, Shellharbour. RSVP via the comment card or 0439 561 373.

Gong Men’s Day

Join us on Saturday June 17th, 8.30am till 2pm or 5pm to 9.30pm at Dapto Anglican for a great day of teaching and encouragement for the men of our region. Price is $35 (or $25 concession). Register online at www.gongmensday.org

Congratulations Lucases

Congratulations to Trevor and Robyn Lucas who celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary today (Saturday).

 

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 .

What’s our greatest blessing as Christians?

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If I were asked that question my first answer would be this: justification by faith.

And in the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation my answer would come all the more readily. But I’d be wrong.

I can still remember first reading Knowing God by the famous theologian J.I Packer where I discovered my mistake.

There he explains the greatest blessing we have as Christians is this: adoption as sons.

“Adoption is the highest privilege that the gospel offers, even higher than justification. Justification is the primary blessing of the Gospel because it meets our primary spiritual need. We all stand condemned under God’s judgment. So we need forgiveness of sins and assurance of a restored relationship with God before we need anything else in the world.

But this is not to say that justification is the highest blessing of the Gospel. Adoption is higher, because of the closer relationship with God that it involves.

Justification is a forensic idea conceiving God as judge. Adoption is a family idea conceived in terms of love and viewing God as father. In adoption God takes us into his family and fellowship and establishes us as his children and heirs. 

To be right with God as judge is a great thing. But to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.” (p187)

Packer immediately goes on to cite Galatians where justification leads to the greater blessing of adoption:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Galatians 4:4-6.

And so next time you are thinking of what the greatest blessing we have as Christians is, remember that we are adopted as children of God and we are able to call him our Father.

Simon Chaplin

Coming up this weekend 27th – 28th May 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Fulfilled”, from Galatians chapter 3 verse 15 to chapter 4 verse 7.

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

  1. Were those who preached a different gospel not really Christians? Are they then condemned?
  2. Why do different versions of the Bible differ so greatly?
  3. If the case for Christ’s death and resurrection is so strong, how come there aren’t more people using these facts to convert people?

At our 5pm Saturday service we will have an opportunity to meet one of our church members, which is always a great encouragement to us all.

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

Church news for the week beginning 20th May 2017

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Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Simon Chaplin preaches from chapter 3 verses 1 to 14 with the title, “Freedom Distorted”.

Mission of the month: CMS

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

Jodie and Mandy away

Jodie and Mandy will be on leave from Thursday 18th May, and will return on 11th June. Graham will be leading our church during this time.

Parish Council

Our Parish Council meets this Monday, 22nd May at 7.00pm at the church. Please remember them in your prayers.

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 .

A budget response to disabilities

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Scott Morrison’s budget has been praised (mostly by the more right wing) and rubbished (ditto left wing). One of the issues Mr Morrison has tried to address is paying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Under this scheme Australians with a permanent and significant disability are to receive the financial support they need. The scheme was begun by the Gillard government in 2013, but we are now told it never had enough money set aside to fulfill its aims.

Should we all pay an increase in the Medicare levy so that the scheme can have sufficient money? Or should the higher income earners pay a higher percentage than others, or even contribute all of the funds needed?

Certainly I myself would be way out of my depth if I were to try to figure out a budget for all Australians. But Scripture teaches that the strong should take care of the weak.

In this debate it means that those who work for remuneration should see it as their responsibility to share with those who are limited in their income because of a disability.

In our sermon on Galatians 2:1-10 we saw that the Jerusalem apostles added nothing to Paul’s gospel, but they asked Paul to do one thing in addition to preaching this gospel …

“all they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” vs 10.

Graham 

Coming up this weekend 20th – 21st May 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Distorted”, from Galatians chapter 3 verses 1 to 14.

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer Sunday service and at both our services, we will have a special update about Church Missionary Society (CMS) which is our Mission of the Month.

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

  1. Are those who disagree with the concept of ‘faith alone’ going to hell since in Romans 10:9 it says that ‘All who proclaim with their mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their hearts that he was raised from the dead will be saved.’
  2. Can Christians be organ donors?
  3. If only the men were circumcised to signify that they are God’s people, what about the women?
  4. How can salvation not require good works when in James 2 it says faith without works is dead?
  5. Why was Peter called Cephas?
  6. What is ‘The Law’ that kept getting referred to in Galatians?

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 13th May 2017

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Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 2 verses 11 to 21 with the title, “Freedom Opposed”.

Mission of the month: KBECET

KBECET (Kiama Board for Employing Christian Education Teachers) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday 16th May to hear Alison Blake. Dinner is $7 payable at the door, and there is no need to RSVP.

Market Day

Join us on Saturday 20th May, 9am to 12pm as we host Market Day. Plants, cakes, antiques and old wares, household goods, tools, local produce, books, CDs, DVDs, children’s’ toys. And activities, craft, jewellery, coffee, tea & pikelets all on offer. A great day for the Jamberoo community.
What can you do to help on the day?  What do you have to contribute?  An opportunity to go through your surplus belongings and bring them along to sell. Contact Helen 4236 0158 or Graham 0430 043 765 for further information.
Contributions may be left on the stage or bring them along on setting up afternoon Friday 19th May at 2pm. 

Jodie and Mandy away

Jodie and Mandy will be on leave from Thursday 18th May, and will return on 11th June. Graham will be leading our church during this time.

New church carpet at Oak Flats

As part of their upcoming renovation, the church at Oak Flats has been donated some as-new, second-hand carpet tiles. However, they need to store three pallets of these tiles until they are ready to lay them after some renovations. Are you able to provide some garage space for a few months? Please let us know via the comment card.

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 .