Church news for the weekend 24-25 August 2019

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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 $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.

Standing Firm

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From the moment my foot was run over, I was in a world of pain, both physically and mentally.

I was rushed to hospital and later I found out that I had crushed and fractured more than fifteen bones in my right foot.

As I awaited news about my injury I was sad because I realised that it would be some time before I could again walk, and that I would miss the mountain bike competition I was so looking forward to racing in.

I was also sad that I couldn’t go back to the church camp on which I had the injury, and I felt sorry for the driver who was at no fault.

But while I was on that hospital bed, I prayed that the sadness would go away and that everything would soon be sorted out.

The next morning I was taken to St George Hospital for more scans and to prepare to hear about the treatment they planned.

I stayed up there for a couple of days whilst living the dream with the free food and chocolate milks.

But soon I was told that after major foot surgery I’d be in a plaster cast for three months, and that it would be ages before I could run again.

I was pretty sad and I prayed in this time of struggle that God would give me strength to keep on going during the hard and intense times. 

During this time my faith has helped me to be more reliant on God in the rough times and in the easy times.

At this time I hold onto these words from God in the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

OSCAR McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 24-25 August 2019

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Humanly speaking, it’s baffling to try and work out just why the religious leaders were so threatened by the message of Jesus that they were comfortable to punish and even execute those who preached this ‘good news’.

And yet even through these tragic events, Jesus kept building his church, and this is exactly what we see as we look at the next instalment in our series from the New Testament book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’.

This Saturday and Sunday we’re looking at the remarkable message and courage of a man named Stephen, and we see how his word brought great jealousy and anger to the very people who should have welcomed him.

If you’re coming along with us this weekend, why not read Acts chapter 6 verse 38 to chapter 7 verse 60. The topic of the talk is ‘Stand up for Jesus’.

As well as the talk from the Bible, we’re going to hear answers to these questions that our people have asked via our response slips each week at church:

1 If we model our church on Acts 2:42 they why don’t we also share fully in our possessions?

2 Doesn’t Acts 4:32 suggest that the early Christians had no personal ownership of possessions?

3 Is Acts 5 the only place we learn that the Spirit is God, or does it reaffirm other teachings?

4 Would the flogging of the Apostles be the same as that which Jesus endured?

5 If we act independently due to our free will, then how can God have a plan for our lives?

6 How can we be more focussed on our relationship with Jesus?

7 What should we do if we become distracted from following Jesus?

So, what are you waiting for? Come and join us this weekend on Saturday night at 5pm (with kids’ program, hearty dinner, then youth group), or a more classic Anglican-style service at 9am on Sunday morning (serving delicious espresso coffee) .

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Acts: Launching the Church 4: The Attack of Satan Acts 4:32-6:7 Jodie McNeill – 17 & 18 August 2019

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An attack of Satan.

Satan wants to ____ our ministry.

There was a deep _____ in the church.

The resurrection of Jesus gave them _____.

Jesus’ resurrection motivated them to __________.

Barnabas provides a _____ of generosity.

Ananias and Sapphire _________ the church.

They lied to the Holy Spirit who is ___.

God’s anger today is less _______.

We need to make it ______ for Satan to attack us.

Greater ___________ brought newcomers to Christ.

______ could stop the apostles from preaching.

When authorities contradict, they _________ to God.

The apostles endured ______ flogging.

The Devil uses ___________ to try and silence us.

There was a cultural ______ within the church.

The apostles risked ___________ by administration.

They chose ____ Christians to serve in administration.

The Satanic attack brought an ________ in believers.

Stand against the Devil by using the Lord’s ______.

Download a PDF of this outline (with some drawings to colour in) hereDownload

Church news for the weekend 17-18 August 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This week Jodie continues our series on the book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’. Today’s talk is on Acts 4:32-6:7, called ‘The Attack of Satan’.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Jodie will continue our Acts series with the fifth talk on Acts 6:8-7:60 entitled ‘Stand up for Jesus’.

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 on 25th August 2-4pm in the hall. RSVP Mandy 0425 222 339. Grab some flyers and invite your friends!

PARISH COUNCIL

Deferred to this Tuesday night at 7pm.

LADIES GUILD MEETING

This Sunday 18th August 3-4pm. All women invited to join to plan the afternoon tea the following week.

DINNER DONATIONS

From now on we’re just asking for donations for dinner, with no fixed price.

NEW WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING

Join us each Saturday morning 7.30-8am in the hall. 30 minutes of prayer, plus a cuppa 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!

LANDSCAPING WORKS UNDERWAY

Praise God for the terrific new landscaping works. Please avoid the grass areas until the new lawn grows. 

SIGN THE ABORTION PETITION

Please take a moment to sign the Archbishop’s petition to NSW parliament about the proposed changes to abortion.

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.

Building the Church

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If you’ve seen our church this week then you’ll know that we’re under construction!

We’ve made the lawn at the front of our hall into a level area, and we’ve also built some built some new gardens and have improved the driveways and car parking.

We’re praying that the new lawn at the front of the hall will be even better for our weekly Saturday night dinners and Sunday morning teas, as well as our kids and youth programs and other events in the life of our church.

We’re also praying that the new trees, shrubs and flowers will help make our grounds look even nicer and inviting.

But the ultimate reason we’re doing this is because we want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable visiting our church.

Our church is a church for everyone in the village and valley of Jamberoo and beyond, and we want the whole community to feel at home with us.

We want this to be a place where everyone can gather with us to listen to God speak through the Bible, to speak to him in prayers, and to encourage each other as we sing, share and support each other in the loving community of Christ Jesus.

The building works around our church are very visible and exciting, but the greatest building works are happening as people hear the word of Jesus and accept his invitation to follow his loving leadership as their Lord.

That’s the kind of church building that matters the most, for the Bible tells us that God’s people “are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5).

So, when you see the awesome new landscaping around our church, remember that it’s a personal invitation for you to come along and be a part of the biggest building project in the universe!

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 17-18th August 2019

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If you’ve seen our church grounds this week then you’ll know that we’re under construction! We’ve been doing all sorts of earthworks as we’ve started to make the grounds around the church look nicer and become even better for all the things we love to do together. But, we’re still totally open for business!

This week we’re looking at a time just after the first Easter when the church was under attack from Satan. He tried to stop the growth of the church through persecution from religious leaders, and then from internal selfishness and corruption, and then finally from distraction from the main activity of speaking about Jesus. We’ll see all this as we look closely at Acts 4:32-6:7.

Plus, in our usual Question and Answer segment, I’ll be answering these questions that you’ve asked over the past few weeks:

1 How can we repent of all our sins if we can’t remember them all?

2 Is it bad for a Christian to want to date a non-Christian?

3 How can we love our neighbour if we don’t love ourself?

4 Can people predict the return of Jesus?

5 If someone believes in Christianity as well as another religion, will they go to heaven?

6 Did Jesus go to hell in the time between his death and resurrection?

7 Would the Bible writer have gone to hell if he made a mistake about Judas’ destiny?

8 Does Acts 4:19 show us how to respond to rulers who tell us to act contrary to God’s ways?

So, be sure to come and join us at 5pm Saturday, for an all-age service with kids’ program, hearty dinner, and youth group. Or come at 9am Sunday for a classic-style Anglican service with some great espresso afterwards.

Hope to see you this weekend!

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Acts: Launching the Church 3: The Launch of Persecution Acts 3:1-4:31 Jodie McNeill – 10 & 11 August 2019

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Riding the wave.

The church was _______ in every way.

We live in a world that is ______.

Peter and John meet a ________ man.

Peter brings _______ to the man with a word.

He went walking and leaping and ________ God!

Our supernatural God does ____________ things!

The creatures ______ their creator.

The name of Jesus is ________!

The death of Jesus was according to ____.

Their sins will be forgiven if they say _____.

Repentance brings ___________.

The Old Testament said this would ______.

The Jesus movement was _________!

The apostles faced the same _________ as Jesus.

Peter courageously points them to _____.

The Jews saw the _____ of Jesus’ name.

They prayed the ____ of God back to God.

They prayed for ________ not protection.

Opposition starts outside but heads ______.

Download a PDF copy of the outline (with fancy drawings) here Download

Church news 10-11 August 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This week Jodie continues our 18-week series on the book of Acts called ‘Launching the Church’. Today’s talk is on chapter 3 and 4, called ‘The Launch of Persecution.’.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week Jodie will continue our Acts series with the fourth talk on Acts 4:32-6:7 entitled ‘The Attack of Satan’.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

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

YOUTH CAMP

Our ‘Alive’ youth camp is on this weekend.

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 on 25th August 2-4pm in the hall. RSVP Mandy 0425 222 339. 

LADIES GUILD MEETING

Sunday 18th August 3-4pm. All women invited to join to plan the afternoon tea the following week.

DINNER DONATIONS

From now on we’re just asking for donations for dinner, with no fixed price.

PARISH COUNCIL

This Tuesday night at 7pm.

NEW WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING

Join us each Saturday morning 7.30-8am in the hall. 30 minutes of prayer, plus a cuppa 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!

LANDSCAPING WORKS COMMENCING

From Monday this week we’re embarking on the new landscaping project.

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.

None of our Business?

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Over the past week my Facebook feed has been filled with Christians stating that the abortion bill should be defeated so that all citizens in NSW should be subject to the ethics of the Bible.

But what right do Christians have to influence laws that affect people who don’t share our religious belief?

At one level it is simple: Christians are citizens like anyone else, and we have a right and responsibility to voice our opinions and influence the decisions of the politicians who represent us.

However, some argue that the Biblical worldview does not apply to those who are not followers of Jesus, and therefore Christians should focus on the behaviour of believers, not the wider population.

Yet, the reason we get involved in social ethics is ultimately out of love for others, and in particular, love for those who are unable to protect or defend themselves.

The Bible makes it clear that unborn children are as valued to God as those who have successfully made it out of the womb, and that this applies to all people, not just Christians.

And therefore if some people believe that it is acceptable to kill another person who is unable to defend him or herself, then the loving response of Christians is to try and stop that unloving and immoral behaviour.

This is why we are passionate in pursuing ways to try and protect unborn children from being killed by immoral decisions made by politicians.

What’s more, this is why Christians have been so vocal and active in trying to prevent any changes to law to make it easier to kill an unborn child… and why we weep at the decision this week that will make it easier than ever to abort healthy babies in the moments before they were due to be naturally born.

JODIE McNEILL