Acts: Launching the Church 7: From Murderer to Missionary Acts 9:1-31 Jodie McNeill – 7 and 8 September 2019

Changing your mind

It is often ______ to do a backflip.

Saul had a deep ____ for Christians.

Saul’s ideology was __________.

Saul was ______ by a light.

We have a remarkable __________ with Christ.

The hunter became the ______.

Saul was in emotional and physical _____.

Ananias must lay his _____ on Saul.

Ananias trusted Jesus by _______ his word.

Followers of Christ should expect ___________.

It was a powerful _________ to Jesus’ work.

The persecutor became a ________.

Saul was _____ from the Jews.

The enemy became ________.

Nobody is ______ saving.

Conversion to Christ is the ________ backflip.

Church news for the week beginning 7-8 September 2019

OUR BIBLE TALK

This week Jodie continues our series on the book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’. Today’s talk is on Acts 9:1-31, called ‘From Murderer to Missionary’.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Jodie will continue our Acts series with the seventh talk on Acts 9:32-11:18 entitled ‘A Clean Change for the Church.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Support Cameron and Alex Jones with Irish Church Missions through the ‘Mission Table’ by buying or donating fresh or prepared food items (not bric-a-brac).

HOLIDAY KIDS CLUB

We’re running a Holiday Kids Club from 8-12 October. If you’re available to help let us know. Register at www.jamberooanglican.com/HolidayKidsClub – $50 per child for the full week (family maximum $100).

SAFE MINISTRY COURSE

Face to face course at Oak Flats Saturday 14th September at 9am. Register online safeministry.training/face-to-face-training/ or you can do the course online.

INTERCHURCH GATHERING

Next Sunday 15th September at 3pm, hosted by Jamberoo Uniting Church.

SWITCH WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

Bomaderry Anglican, Saturday 19th October, from 9am to 12:30pm. Speaker: Annabel Nixey. A great local conference for women from our region. Save the date!

ABORTION RALLY

Next Sunday 15th September 2:30-5pm, Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park, Sydney. www.stand4.life

RFS ‘GET READY’ DAY

Sunday 22nd September from 9am to 2pm our church is serving the community by running the facepainting! Can you help? 

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.

Power and Compassion

As I prepared the lesson for my Scripture class this week, I realised that I had an extra degree of connection to the events in the Bible.

The story was about the government official in Capernaum whose son was very sick (John 4:46).

This man had great power and influence over others, and yet he was powerless to do anything to bring health to his gravely sick son.

In his desperation he submitted to a greater power, even though it showed his weakness.

So, when he went to Jesus, he begged him to come and heal his son.

This man knew he had no hope in his own strength and that all he could do was depend on Jesus to help him and his son in this time of trial.

In this moment of need, Jesus showed his power and his compassion.

With a simple word, Jesus immediately healed the boy, even though he was located a long distance away.

Jesus showed great power over sickness, which came from his great compassion over those who are helpless and sad.

I shared with my Scripture kids about how my own son had a serious injury, and I showed them the X-rays of the masterful work of the orthopaedic surgeon.

And I told them about how I, too, was powerless to heal my injured son.

Like the government official, all I could do was ask for assistance from the person who was able to help my sick child.

And like Jesus, the amazing medical staff showed great power and compassion over Oscar and his crushed foot.

It is such a great comfort to be able to come and seek comfort and mercy from someone who is both powerful and compassionate: Jesus Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 7-8 September 2019

Everyone loves a great before-and-after story, and this weekend’s bit from the Bible will certainly not disappoint! It’s the account of Paul’s conversion from murderer to missionary, as Jesus himself confronts him and blinds him by a light. These remarkable events are captured in the book of Acts chapter 9, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you this weekend.

Our Saturday all-age service is at 5pm, and includes a kids’ program, then dinner, then youth group. Or join us at 9am on Sunday morning for a more classic kind of Anglican service, followed by espresso over morning tea.

During our services we’ll have our weekly question time, and already I’m working hard to prepare some answers to these things that have been asked during church over the past few weeks:

1 Even though Jesus’ family was from Galilee, did they still identify with they tribe of Judah?
2 When Philip left suddenly, did he teleport?
3 Was Stephen sent as a son of God?
4 How did Satan turn from an angel to become the Devil?
5 How do we know that the serpent in Genesis is Satan?
6 Is it right to tell a friend to stop being rude to you?
7 If we don’t love ourselves then does it mean we don’t love God?

If you’ve never been before, then we’d love you to join us. We’ll make you feel really, really welcome! Don’t miss out on what God is doing in his world and how you can know him personally!

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Acts: Launching the Church 6: Evangelism Explosion Acts 8:1-40 Jodie McNeill – 31 August & 01 September 2019

Spreading like ________.

The message of Jesus started _____.

A wave of ___________ began.

The persecution _________ the church.

Philip left Jerusalem to go to _______.

Jews were _______ with Samaritans.

Samaritans received Jesus with great ___.

Simon was an impressive ________.

Many people responded with _______.

Samaritans now followed Jesus the ___.

The apostles gave the Holy Spirit to the _________.

This was a special, _______ event.

New believers ___________ receive the Holy Spirit.

Simon tried to buy _____ in the church.

Philip is sent _____ towards Egypt.

He meets an Ethiopian ___ returning from Jerusalem.

He needed help to _________ Jesus in Isaiah.

The Ethiopian is immediately ________ by Philip.

The man has a _____ start with God.

Dear Jesus,
Sorry for disobeying and ignoring you.
Thank you for dying in my place.
I follow you as my ruler and saviour.
Help me to trust in you all my life.
Amen.

This ______ brings a fresh start.

The Ethiopian was _________.

The fire of the gospel was _________ everywhere.

Church news for week beginning 31 August to 01 September 2019

OUR BIBLE TALK

This week Jodie continues our series on the book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’. Today’s talk is on Acts 8:1-40, called ‘Evangelism Explosion!’.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Jodie will continue our Acts series with the sixth talk on Acts 9:1-31 entitled ‘From Murderer to Missionary’.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Support Irish Church Missions – Silicon Docklands Church Plant through the ‘Mission Table’ by buying or donating stuff.

COUNTDOWN TO HOLIDAY KIDS CLUB

We’re running a four-day kids’ club during school hours on the second week of the school holidays (8-12 October). If you’re available to help let us know via response slip. And get the word out to everyone! Registrations are now open at www.jamberooanglican.com/HolidayKidsClub – only $50 per child for the full week (maximum $100 per family).

WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING

Join us every Saturday morning 7.30-8am in the hall. 30 minutes of prayer, plus a cuppa after if you’ve got time.

PARISH COUNCIL

This Tuesday night at 7pm.

VISION GATHERING NEXT SATURDAY

We’d love you to join us next weekend at the all-new time of 8-11am Saturday 7th September in the hall! Please RSVP if possible for catering purposes, as we’re planning to serve brunch. A great time of teaching, training, review, planning, prayer, and a general opportunity to get revved up for the next few months of ministry in our church. Especially for leaders and ministry coordinators, but really for everyone who’s is able to come along and contribute to the vision of our parish.

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.

Too young to believe?

The faith of a child (CREDIT: Eric Ward via Flickr)

It’s easy to look down on young people in our society, especially given that they don’t have the strength or skills to earn a living, nor the maturity to cope with independence.

Yet, when it comes to following Jesus, the model believers are children.

Jesus famously said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” (Luke 18:16)

Ironically, Jesus highly regards the simple and naive faith of a child, as they demonstrate a deep dependency on others, with little claim to their own ability.

They are too young to say “I did it my way”, and they are too new at life to point to their successes, abilities and strengths.

However, this is the very attitude that Jesus wants of adults and all people: the ability to discount personal achievements, and instead to humbly accept the grace of God without any personal merit.

That is why children provide the perfect model of a true believer: a humble dependence on God.

And this is why ministry to children can create true and genuine followers of Jesus.

Children are not the church of the future, but the believers of the present… and an inspiration to the grownups who easily let their achievements cloud their need for salvation from Jesus.

This is why our upcoming Holiday Kids Club is such an important ministry to the children of our village and valley.

We want our kids to meet Jesus, knowing that their simple faith is precisely the kind of attitude that is so highly regarded by God.

We want kids to follow Jesus so that they will meet him now, and follow him for life.

And our week-long Holiday Kids Club in October is the perfect way to help kids meet Jesus and experience the joy of knowing his love and forgiveness.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 31 Aug and 1 Sep 2019

This weekend we get to see a classic example of where a plan goes very wrong. The evil one worked through the religious leaders to try and shut down people who were sharing the news of Jesus. So, they killed Stephen, who was one of the main leaders, which resulted in the believers being scattered in every direction. But all it did was super-charge them for evangelism!

This is what the message is all about this weekend, as we look at the New Testament book of Acts, in chapter 8, as we consider the topic ‘Evangelism Explosion!’ If you’re a follower of Jesus then you’ll also be revved up as you hear about how the amazing message of Jesus spread so quickly to the most unlikely of hearers. And if you’re not yet friends with Jesus, you’ll get a great picture of just why this message is so important to believe… and how good it is to be friends with Jesus!

As well as the Bible talk we’re going to hear my answers to your questions from the last few weeks, which are:

1 How did Stephen remember all of the details in his speech?
2 How can Acts 7:22 say that Moses was powerful in speech, when Exodus 4:10 says he wasn’t?
3 Did any of the Jews who stoned Stephen eventually repent?
4 What was the significance of placing coats at Saul’s feet?
5 How long after Stephen’s stoning did Saul get saved?
6 Did Saul change his name to Paul, or keep both names?
7 Are Christians a type of Polish Jew?

So, don’t miss out on joining us this weekend, it’s really going to be quite inspiring! Join us at 5pm on Saturday for an all-age service with kids’ program, two-course dinner, then youth group. Or come at 9am Sunday for a more classic-style Anglican service followed by a latte from our Italian espresso machine.

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Acts: Launching the Church 5: Stand up for Jesus Acts 6:8-7:60 Jodie McNeill – 24 & 25 August 2019

The ___________ of Ben Kwashi.

The administrators were awesome _________.

The Jews used ____ to try and shut Stephen down.

They say Stephen is anti the ______ and anti the ___.

Stephen’s ____ lit up like Moses’.

Stephen starts with the promise to _______.

God was present with his people in a _______ land.

God’s people ________ the leader from God.

Miracles accompanied a _______ era of salvation.

God ________ his disobedient people.

God lives in ______, not a building.

Like their ancestors, they ______ God’s word.

They ________ the law so they murdered the Messiah.

They respond in ____.

They silence him by _______ him.

Stephen ______ for his persecutors.

The believers were _________ but empowered.

The ____________ of Ben Kwashi.

Church news for the weekend 24-25 August 2019

OUR BIBLE TALK

This week Jodie continues our series on the book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’. Today’s talk is on Acts 6:8-7:60, called ‘Stand up for Jesus’.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Jodie will continue our Acts series with the fifth talk on Acts 8:1-40 entitled ‘Evangelism Explosion!’.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Support CMS through the ‘Mission Table’ by buying or donating stuff.

COUNTDOWN TO HOLIDAY KIDS CLUB

We’re running a four-day kids’ club during school hours on the second week of the school holidays (8-12 October). If you’re available to help let us know via response slip. And get the word out to everyone!

REAL WOMEN, REAL STORIES

Come along to our first Ladies Guild afternoon tea this year this Sunday 25th August 2-4pm in the hall. RSVP Mandy 0425 222 339. Grab some flyers and invite your friends… it’s not too late to ask them!

NEW WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING

Join us every Saturday morning 7.30-8am in the hall. 30 minutes of prayer, plus a cuppa after if you’ve got time.

NEW VISION GATHERING

At the new time of 8-11am Saturday 7th September in the hall for prayer, planning, review, training, and brunch!

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.