Keep at it! Hebrews 10:19-39 Trevor Lucas 3-4th July 2021

Towards The Goal 

Are you running to win? 

Knock, Knock 

No further invitation needed!

Restricted area – Keep out!

We have freedom to enter the greatest palace in the universe! 

We are clean in God’s sight!

God’s promises never fail! 

Can I help you? 

Love, good works, fellowship, encouragement, expectation.

Christians should be recognised by their love 

What could go wrong? 

Sin rears its ugly head! 

The Lord will judge his people 

The evidence of love is Obedience. 

That’s not you! 

Don’t give up! 

Persevere! 

He is coming!

Are you one of the faithful ones? 

Church news for the week beginning 3rd July 2021


OUR SERMON

This weekend we will be learning from Hebrews 10:19-35 as Trevor Lucas teaches us to ‘Keep at it!‘.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Our mission of the month for June is Irish Church Missions, specifically the ‘Dublin Silicon Docks Church Project’. To find out more visit https://www.irishchurchmissions.ie

BASE CAMP

The KCC Base Camp mens convention is coming up on the 14th August. We are going to livestream it here at Jamberoo Anglican Church! The topic is, ‘Unbound: To love God and others’. We would love you to join us on the day! More details coming soon.

BAPTISM SERVICE

If you haven’t been baptised and would like to then please let us know. We are having a special baptism service on Saturday the 17th of July where you will have the chance to get baptised in front of our church family.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE

If you would like to be confirmed please let us know. We are having a confirmation service at 7 pm Wednesday on the 18th of August.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Please continue to take care with uneven surfaces. Also, please take care to avoid the building supplies around the church.

PRAY WITH PRAYERMATE

Our church is now on PrayerMate. Subscribe for daily prayer points on your device from us and our partners.

FAMILY NEWS

BIRTHDAYS
4 July – Anne Bedwell
5 July – Tabitha Morley
7 July – Toby Johnson

ANNIVERSARIES
5 July – Jacob & Jemimah Mierendorff

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 NEW details. Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

To give to our tax-deductible MTS Scholars Fund to support our apprentice youth minister, head to mts.com.au/give/jamberoo-anglican-church/


Church is in-person and online

If you’re able to attend church this weekend in person, then we’d love to welcome you face-to-face at 5pm Saturday or 9am Sunday.

Our philosophy since the start of the pandemic has been to be as normal and as open as possible, whilst obeying the rules and guidelines of our leaders and authorities.

So, we’re going to run normal church services this weekend, which will include dinner on Saturday night and morning tea on Sunday.

In line with the current restrictions, we’re able to welcome 34 people in our church building and 41 in the hall at any time, plus staff and volunteers.

However, at this time we’re not able to sing, and everyone must wear a mask indoors at all times (unless you’re speaking from the lectern or you’re a child under 12).

Plus, if you’re subject to stay-at-home orders, then attending church is not a reasonable excuse to leave home, so please join us only online at watch.jamberooanglican.com or head to our Facebook page.

If you’re rostered on as a volunteer for a church service, then you are considered to be a worker at a place of work, so you may attend to volunteer even if you are under stay-at-home orders, provided you are not in quarantine (due to being a close or casual contact) or in isolation (due to poor health or awaiting pathology results).

As always, please ensure you scan the QR code and check in and out from our venue with the Service NSW app.

In an email I received from the Archbishop this week, he signed off saying, “God is good – all the time. He will build his church. Nothing takes him by surprise!”

I reckon that’s a great encouragement to us all, especially as we live in these challenging times.

Grace and peace, Jodie.

(Re)considering Christianity

This week on holidays I read a short book called ‘Seven reasons to (re)consider Christianity’ by musician, minister and author, Ben Shaw.

As I read it, I was struck again by how much sense it makes to be a Christian and to follow Jesus.

For his seven chapter titles, he says that people should (re)consider Christianity because:

  • it’s worth thinking through what life is really all about;
  • Christianity is a lot more intellectually credible than you might have assumed;
  • Christianity is about life to the full;
  • Christianity gives a compelling answer to the question, “What’s wrong with the world?”;
  • Jesus is arguably the most influential person in history’;
  • the death of Jesus is surprisingly very good news for you, and;
  • if Jesus really did rise from the dead, then it would confirm everything.

Each of the chapters give a simple and powerful explanation of why those facts are true, and in particular, why the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for everything we believe.

Yet, whilst I think his arguments powerfully defend Christianity, the words of the epilogue bring a real, human dimension to his passioned plea to follow Jesus:

“Having death on my very own doorstep has forced me to do a serious reassessment of my faith, including everything I’ve said in this book. […] Yet in the end, far from having been shaken, I can honestly tell you that having this life-threatening illness has actually sharpened and increased my faith. As I stare at the possibility of an early death, I am, in fact, more confident than ever in these things.”

Last week Mandy and I watched the livestream of his funeral, as Ben passed away aged 52, having died from cancer of the jawbone.

Now he is with Christ, which is better by far, and his faith has now been turned to sight.

And the book he leaves us is a wonderful legacy that we pray will lead others to know the hope that has led him to paradise with his saviour, Jesus.

JODIE McNEILL

Saturday 4pm update about church this weekend

[UPDATED 4pm Saturday 26th June]

Well, we’ve all just heard that Greater Sydney has gone into lockdown. Our church is not in Greater Sydney, but we’re now affected in many ways, nonetheless.

Even though the new rules don’t start until 6pm, the Wardens and I have decided that we’ll run church tonight as though the new rules are in place, but we’ve cancelled dinner for tonight only (God willing).

So, for our services for this weekend, we will now have a cap of 34 people in the church building, not counting the people who are involved in the service (up front, tech, etc.). We can only have 41 people in the hall.

We are not allowed to sing, and all people must wear a mask unless they’re speaking from the microphone.

But, as we speak, Graham, Brad and a bunch of awesome volunteers are heading up to the church to do the livestream thing. So, head to Facebook Live to watch, or go to watch.jamberooanglican.com to plug into Vimeo.

Remember, that if you’ve been into Greater Sydney (i.e. north of Albion Park Rail or Windang) since Monday morning, then you may need to stay at home…  but you’ll still be able to join us, online, of course.

Let’s pray for our Premier and her team, who are working hard to protect us at these difficult times. We seek to obey our Lord as we willingly submit to the authorities he’s placed over us (Romans 13:1) who are “God’s servants, sent for our good” (vs4).

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Important update about church this weekend

This week has seen Greater Sydney respond to a serious outbreak of Covid-19, and we pray that it is contained quickly so we can resume normal life as soon as possible.

Due to the blessings of geography, our church is located outside of Greater Sydney plus Shellharbour, so most of the current restrictions do not specifically affect our church.

That means that the seating capacity remains the same, we’re allowed to still sing, and we can have meals together, like normal.

However, if in the past 14 days you’ve been in the Shellharbour LGA or further north, then the latest Public Health Order says that you’re required to wear a mask when you are inside our church buildings (including the hall).

So, it’s likely that most of us will be required to wear masks in church this weekend, so please bring along your own mask, or use one of ours if you need to.

At the same time, whilst we are less affected by the rules than other parts of Greater Sydney, we want to work extra hard at being Covid-safe, which means that we’re going to work harder at using hand sanitiser, avoiding handshakes, and trying not to mingle whilst standing up inside a building.

It’s also extra important to use the Service NSW QR Code to log in, just to make things easier in the event of any outbreaks down in Jamberoo… and of course, if you’re feeling even a little bit sick, please get tested and stay at home till the results arrive.

So, we’re still planning to do church as normally as possible, including Saturday dinner and Sunday morning tea… plus we’ll be broadcasting church via Vimeo and Facebook Live as always, which will help if you need or want to stay at home.

Graham Errington is our preacher, as he speaks on the wonderful topic of ‘Fellowship’ from Acts chapter 2 verses 37 to 47, which will be a real treat for us all.

Let’s keep praying that through this Covid crisis that people meet Christ.

What is Fellowship? Acts 2:37-47 Graham Errington – 26-27 June 2021

Acts 2:37-47       What is Fellowship?

Introduction – Tarzan and Robinson Crusoe 

Romans 14:7 – For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.

Acts 2:41 – Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.  42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 

43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.  45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. 

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved

1. The Apostolic teaching 

In his Pentecost day sermon, Peter said  This Jesus whom you ______________________ , God raised up

The apostles taught the Christians  that Jesus of Nazareth was both the _______________   and the __________________ 

The apostles taught that Jesus ____________________ the OT prophecies. 

2 Timothy ch 3 vs 16 –  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

Therefore, ‘What ____________________ says, God says’ 

2. ‘The’ Fellowship 

The Greek word Koinoniameans to share with someone in something.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship ….. verse 44  All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 4:32 – All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  

2 Cor 8:4 – they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints  

If people are contributing _______________ , time, and  ____________________ , then the fellowship is strong (if based on God’s Word).

Christians share together in Christ and in _________________________ that Christ gives.  

3.  The Breaking of Bread 

They devoted themselves to …. the breaking of bread

The preacher thinks the breaking of breadmeans regular sharing in Christian _______________________  around the meal table. 

vs 46-47  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people

Christians are _____________________  heirs of Christ and _______________ members of Christ’s body.

4.  ‘The’ Prayers

The prayers means something definite – it’s the set prayers in the _______________________ , at morning and evening sacrifice.

The first ever generation of Christians were devoted to  – 

the apostolic teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers . 

Growth Groups

Even though we are blessed at our church with great gatherings around God’s word each Saturday night and Sunday morning, there are still many excellent reasons to be a part of a small ‘growth’ group.

Most obviously, a weekly or fortnightly group offers the ability to sit down with a few other people to carefully examine God’s word, looking deeply into the scriptures and sitting under his loving leadership by his Spirit.

But another, important reason to join a small, midweek group is that as our church grows in size, it becomes harder to know everyone really well.

And so being a part of a growth group means that you can get to know a small number of people a lot better… and be known and loved by them, too.

It’s a hub in which you can listen to others and pray for them, as you also show genuine care and community, and a group you can be a part of, even at the other times of the week when it’s not actually meeting.

It’s also a terrific ‘front door’ for people who are interested in finding out more about Jesus but perhaps don’t feel ready to come to a main service on the weekend.

The groups are also places where we can all show practical, genuine care for each other’s needs, as we hear from each other as we gather in Christ’s name.

These groups are great for growing personally in our knowledge and love of God, and growing together as a community around his word… and all this happens as our church and our small groups grow bigger in number.

These ‘growth groups’ are great connections for both believers and unbelievers alike to grow in their understanding of God and to prayerfully encourage each other in glorifying God through our humble service of him.

And as our church grows, may our growth groups help us grow in many small communities, as our larger community keeps growing together.

JODIE McNEILL

1 Kings – Power and Hope 17: The Denial of Truth 1 Kings 22 – Jodie McNeill – 19-20 June 2021

Don’t ask a question…

Ignorance is no _______

People have holy hunches about God but do _______

Ahab won’t ask for _____ because he can’t handle it

Ben-hadad didn’t give back the _____ to Israel

If the Lord doesn’t want them to fight, then they will ____

Ahab asked the right question to the _____ people

Ahab doesn’t want the _____ so he doesn’t ask for it

Those who ignore God’s word will ______

Genuine prophets say only what the Lord ____ to say

God’s people need a ______ shepherd

They attack the messenger, but the problem is the _______

The Lord shows mercy by further _______ Ahab

Another prophet is ________ for telling the truth

Ahab’s sneaky plans ______ in the face of God’s word

The word of the Lord was ____, of course

King Jehoshaphat was ____

King Jehoram was really ___

Human kings fail to properly ____ God’s people

Jesus shepherded his people by ________ them