Church news for the week beginning 28th January 2017

This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Simon Chaplin continues our ‘Christ in the Psalms’ series, with the next talk titled ‘Life in between’ from Psalm 39.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

Anglicare 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 Chinese meal together.

150th Anniversary Celebrations

It’s only three weeks until we remember the 150th Anniversary of the opening of our church building at Jamberoo. To celebrate, we have two, big events.

On Saturday 18th February at 3pm we’re having a free Devonshire tea and history display, whilst the kids enjoy a jumping castle and ice creams. After church at 5pm we’ll have a free sausage sizzle and lamingtons, followed by a fun night of bush dancing in the hall.

On Sunday 19th February we’re joining together for church at the special time of 9.30am, which will be followed by a delicious morning tea and free lunch together, with historical displays.

At both services we welcome Bishop Peter Hayward to speak to us from God’s word, and we will have an opportunity to give thanks to God for his faithfulness.

If you haven’t already invited friends and neighbours, then this is the week to give them a call or drop them a note.

First Men’s Dinner for the year

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday 7th February for the first Men’s Dinner of the year. RSVP via the comment card, mensdinner@oakflatsanglican.com or 0439 561 373.

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 .

An important reminder as school returns

Back to school (CREDIT: Paradox 56 via flickr.com)

Whether it’s the school shoe sales or the return of 40kmh school zones, nearly all of us notice when it’s ‘back to school’ time.

And as schooling comes to our mind we should remember that education is a privilege we should never take for granted.

Many parents around the world would only dream of offering their kids the kind of education that is provided free to every child in Australia

Education empowers people to have a toolkit for life, whether it’s learning to read, write, add up or just relate to others .

The God who made all humans thinks that there is something that must be the foundation of all our knowledge and wisdom.

For, as we read in the Bible in the book of Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7), and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

So, a person can seem very knowledgeable and wise, yet if they don’t fear God, their very foundation of life is unstable.

This is why a comprehensive education will include the study of God as much as the study of all the other subjects.

For the children enrolled at Christian schools, the study of God is not only taught as a subject, but it should form the very heart of the syllabus.

Yet, due to the provision of Scripture (SRE) classes, children in our state schools can also be taught from the Bible about the God who made them and loves them and sent his son to die for them.

This means that even secular schools can offer parents and carers the choice to have their children taught the true foundation of education and life.

As we begin another year, pray that the Bible will be taught in a clear and compelling way to children in all kinds of schools, so that our kids will have a sure foundation for learning and for life.

Coming up this weekend 28th – 29th January 2017

This weekend Simon continues our ‘Christ in the Psalms’ series, with the next talk titled ‘Life in between’ from Psalm 39.

We’re also launching our ministries for the year ahead, from youth and kids through to adults and seniors. We’d love you to join us to hear about the plans and to pray for the future.

Our 8am Sunday service will be the Lord’s Supper Sunday Service.

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

  1. Is all ‘worldly’ wisdom wrong, and if so, how should we engage with it?
  2. If it’s wise to despise a vile person, then was Bonhoeffer right to want to kill Hitler?
  3. In what way can money ‘buy’ people?
  4. If gambling is bad, then why did God give the Urim and Thummim to help his people make decisions?

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 prayerbook 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 21st January 2017

This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Simon Chaplin continues our ‘Christ in the Psalms’ series, with the next talk titled ‘The wise one’ from Psalm 15.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

150th Anniversary Celebrations

It’s only four weeks until we remember the 150th Anniversary of the opening of our church building at Jamberoo. To celebrate, we have two, big events.

On Saturday 18th February at 3pm we’re having a free Devonshire tea and history display, whilst the kids enjoy a jumping castle and ice creams. After church at 5pm we’ll have a free sausage sizzle and lamingtons, followed by a fun night of bush dancing in the hall.

On Sunday 19th February we’re joining together for church at the special time of 9.30am, which will be followed by a delicious morning tea and free lunch together, with historical displays.

At both services we welcome Bishop Peter Hayward to speak to us from God’s word, and we will have an opportunity to give thanks to God for his faithfulness.

If you haven’t already invited friends and neighbours, then this is the week to give them a call or drop them a note.

Roster changes

If you make any swaps or changes to your rostered duty, please let Val know by contacting her or noting it in the comment card. This will ensure that all duties are covered.

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 lesson our leaders must learn

Mike Baird and Barack Obama (CREDITS: Kate Ausburn, Whitehouse via Flickr)

At this moment in time we are witnessing a change in the leadership of the Premier of NSW and the President of the USA.

Both offices are positions of power, and both roles provide a powerful influence.

This makes it a good time to reflect on what Jesus thinks about leaders and leadership.

When one of his disciples tried to climb up the leadership ladder to grasp authority, Jesus said:

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)

This ‘servant leadership’ runs against the grain of the world, which encourages people to climb the ladder of power, even if it means treading on other people’s fingers.

Yet, in his most famous sermon, Jesus made it clear that this is not the way things should be.

Instead, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

Those who will inherit God’s blessing will be the ones who recognise that Jesus is king, and who follow Jesus’ leadership in serving others, as meek people, not as arrogant.

This is a very difficult thing to do in public office, and this is even more reason why we should be active in praying that our leaders recognise that the ultimate leader showed meekness and majesty as he willingly died for those he came to save.

After all, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Coming up this weekend 21st – 22nd January 2017

This weekend, Simon Chaplin continues our ‘Christ in the Psalms’ series, with the next talk titled ‘The wise one’ from Psalm 15.

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

  1. Does the reference to the “imprisoned spirits” in 1 Peter 3:19 give us a clue as to where the demons go when they are exorcised?
  2. What are the ‘heavenly realms’, and where are they located?
  3. What or where is ‘Zion’?
  4. What is the difference between hope and faith?
  5. Does the Bible speak against bingo and raffles?

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.

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.

Jamberoo Anglican Church to celebrate 150th anniversary in February

Jamberoo Anglican Church will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the opening of the church building at two events over the weekend of 18th and 19th of February 2017.

The ‘Church of the Resurrection’ was officially opened on 2nd January 1867, and has been the meeting place for Anglican churchgoers in Jamberoo ever since.

On Saturday 18th February at 3pm they will welcome the public to enjoy a complimentary Devonshire tea and an historical display, whilst the kids will enjoy a jumping castle and free ice creams.

The festivities continue at 5pm with a contemporary, all-age church service to celebrate this milestone, and will be followed by a free sausage sizzle with lamingtons, and a fun-filled, bush dance in the church hall.

Senior Minister, Rev Jodie McNeill, is confident that the bush dance will be a hit: “There’s something about the great Aussie bush dance that brings together people of all ages.

“We’re looking forward to seeing people from the village and valley of Jamberoo and beyond to kick up their heels and enjoy this celebration.”

The next day on Sunday 19th February at 9.30am the church will host a traditional church service of praise and thanksgiving for the 150 years of ministry in the church building, with special guest preacher, Bishop of Wollongong, the Right Reverend Peter Hayward.

This will be followed by a morning tea and a free lunch for all those who attend.

Rev. Jodie McNeill, Senior Minister of Jamberoo Anglican, is exited about celebrating this milestone: “It is a great testimony to God’s loving rule that there have been people meeting in our building for one and a half centuries, and I’m thrilled to be joining in a party to celebrate!”

“Even more exciting is the fact that our church has recently doubled in size as many residents of our village and valley have embraced the new 5pm Saturday service, and it’s a delight to see children, youth, families, and seniors coming together to praise Jesus.”

 

For more information visit www.jamberooanglican.com or contact the Senior Minister of Jamberoo Anglican, Rev Jodie McNeill, 0425 222 338 or jodie.mcneill@jamberooanglican.com

Church news for the week beginning 14th January 2017

This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend we welcome Simon Chaplin, the new Assistant Minister at Oak Flats Anglican, who starts a four week series titled ‘Christ in the Psalms’, with the first talk titled ‘Sin and folly’ from Psalm 14.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

150th Anniversary Celebrations

It’s only five weeks until we remember the 150th Anniversary of the opening of our church building at Jamberoo. To celebrate, we have two, big events.

On Saturday 18th February at 3pm we’re having a devonshire tea and history display, whilst the kids enjoy a jumping castle and ice creams. After church at 5pm we’ll have a sausage sizzle and lamingtons, followed by a fun night of bush dancing in the hall.

On Sunday 19th February we’re joining together for church at the special time of 9.30am, which will be followed by a delicious morning tea and lunch together, with historical displays.

At both services we welcome Bishop Peter Hayward to speak to us from God’s word, and we will have an opportunity to give thanks to God for his faithfulness.

 

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 .

Is Jesus Un-Australian?

Australia Grunge Flag

One of the core values of Australia is the right to a ‘fair go.’ When someone doesn’t get what they deserve, it often causes our blood to boil.

When one kid gets more lollies than another, then we hear the cry, “it’s just not fair!” And when one employee gets paid more than another person who does exactly the same job.

But imagine if everybody got paid the same, whether or not they worked a one-hour day, or an eight-hour day. How could that be fair?

Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hired workers for his field, and agreed to give them a set fee.

Later in the day, he recruited some more workers, and at the end of the day, he paid them the same amount, even though they’d worked far less than the others.

The workers who started in the morning were angry because they felt it wasn’t fair. They grumbled against the landowner and said, ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ (Matthew 20:12)

But Jesus said ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’  “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:13-16)

Jesus has chosen to give the full gift of eternal life to all who trust in him, whether that person followed Jesus from childhood or came to trust in him on their deathbed.

And given that none of us deserve any mercy, we should all be eternally grateful for the forgiveness God gives us when we trust in Jesus as our loving ruler and saviour.

Coming up this weekend 14th – 15th January 2017

This weekend we welcome the new Assistant Minister from Oak Flats, Simon Chaplin, who begins his four week series ‘Christ in the Psalms’ with the first talk titled ‘Sin and folly’ from Psalm 14.

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

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

  1. Where did the demons go after Jesus drove them out?
  2. Does the modern Christian church still practice exorcism?
  3. What are ghosts, and could they be demons of trapped human souls?

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.