Church news for week beginning 31 August to 01 September 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 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 $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.

Too young to believe?

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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

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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

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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.

Download a PDF of this outline hereDownload

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