This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin

Protecting the Bad Guys

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I’ve started reading our book of the month, ‘Being the Bad Guys’ by Stephen McAlpine, and it’s reminded me of just how much our society has changed in its attitude to religious people.

There was a time when we were tolerated for being nice, and maybe useful, but then before too long, we started to be seen as restricting the freedoms of our society with our views.

The book reminds me of the strategy that we adopted, where we thought that we could now become one of many voices in the marketplace of ideas, finally having the chance for our views to rise like cream to the surface.

However, that’s not happened: we’ve become the ‘bad guys’, and far too often, we and others have become ‘cancelled’.

Whether or not people think that Christians are wise or dangerous, I believe that silencing the voices of opposing views is something that our society should resist at all costs.

We should be pleased to tolerate the views of people we disagree with, so that we can be humble enough to learn from others.

That is a healthy society, and this genuine tolerance needs to be encouraged at every level.

That’s why the Religious Discrimination Bill that was introduced this week in Federal Parliament is so important for atheists and believers, alike.

Our society needs to restrain its natural desire to ‘cancel’ opposing views at the drop of a hat, and to instead allow different voices to speak in a safe way.

Furthermore, it makes perfect sense to continue to legally protect the choice of religious schools to employ staff who share the beliefs and ethos of their faith.

This bill appears to be a sensible move forward for our nation, especially as we continue to become more and more multicultural and diverse in our land.

Let us pray that our nation would listen to each other, and ultimately, speak the truth in love.

JODIE McNEILL 

Life is Fragile

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On Wednesday I met ‘Marie’, a six-year old mannequin who had ‘jumped’ into the river near Jerrara Dam to escape a pretend bushfire.

It was part of an Illawarra Shoalhaven Health training exercise, which included NSW Ambulance staff as well as our local,

Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade, of which I was a part.

As part of the afternoon scenario, I was first on scene, providing first aid care for this hyper-real dummy, made more real by the paediatric specialist hiding in the bushes, ‘speaking’ on behalf of the little girl… “where’s my daddy? I’m cold! I’m scared!”

It was a great relief when the paramedics arrived on scene to take over from my feeble attempts to administer first aid to the nearly-drowned girl, and it showed me afresh the skill and care that our medical experts provide for our community every

day.
Again, it showed that life is unpredictable and fragile.

Any day at any time we may face death, and so we must all be prepared for the time when we will stand face-to-face before Jesus.

I take great comfort in knowing that I have certainty for eternity, because I have trusted in Jesus and have sure forgiveness from him because he died for me.

It’s something that is on offer to anyone who wants it.

This week I also met with the family of a man who passed away aged 91, as I helped comfort them and prepare a funeral service with them to honour him.
He was old and had plenty of time to plan and consider eternity.

The six-year-old girl who nearly drowned in the RFS scenario could have died much younger, and with fewer opportunities to stop and reflect on eternity.

My prayer is that everyone, young and old, would stop and reflect upon the fragility of life, and make sure that we’ve followed Jesus before it’s too late.

JODIE McNEILL

The Joy of Coming Home

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Returning to church after a long time away can be an emotional experience, as some of us felt at this week’s midweek service.

The concerns and restrictions from Covid-19 have meant that for many of us, the church experience has been on a screen… but now we can return, face-to-face!

At our service on Wednesday we reflected on the joy experienced by God’s people as they left their 70-year ‘lockdown’ in their forced exile in Babylon.

They ascended up the mountain to Jerusalem, and this was their experience:

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us What joy! (Psalm 126:1-3)

They were full of joy because they had been graciously saved by God.

Even the people of other nations recognised that the Lord was the one who saved them from the punishment they deserved.

It’s a fresh reminder that grace is all from God… and that grace brings God the glory, as it did back then, and continues to do to this day.

And the way we experienced that grace today is through the cross of Christ, as we read in Ephesians:

Eph. 2:4    But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

As we now come together, we praise God for the experience of joy, together, as we give him the glory for his rich mercy.

JODIE McNEILL

Introducing Sunday Brunch

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Meals have always had an important place in the ministry of our church, because food has featured strongly in the life of God’s people throughout the ages.

God’s people remembered the amazing Exodus from Egypt with a special meal, the Passover, and then Jesus fulfilled and transformed that meal into the Lord’s Supper.

In fact, the Bible often records Jesus’ meals with people, many of which led to his reputation as someone who, “eats with sinners”.

Food slows us down and brings us together, as we share in a moment of both sustenance and reflection for people of all ages.

Our Saturday night dinners have played an important part in the life and growth of our church, as they have been a powerful way to welcome newcomers and visitors into the life of our intergenerational church.

Indeed, our after-church meals are probably the most strategic and effective way of attracting, welcoming and integrating new people into the life of our church.

Whilst we’ve done something similar for morning tea, we’re ready to take our Sunday mornings to the next level by running a weekly, sit-down Sunday brunch.

So, for every Sunday morning we’re going to invite a household to purchase, prepare and share a meal for everyone present, just like we’ve been doing on Saturday nights.

If each household is happy to cater once or twice a quarter, then that should be enough for us to have a weekly brunch for all ages, every Sunday morning of the year!

We expect that it is likely to take a little while to get the systems in place, so please be patient and generous as we upgrade our hospitality each Sunday morning.

Our prayer is that every week we enjoy this opportunity to sit and enjoy a meal with others, especially when we ‘chew on’ the word of God that has dwelt richly among us during the church service we’ve just experienced, together.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: jeffreyw via Flickr.com)

His Mercy is More

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You can see why some churches hesitate to talk a lot about sin.

After all, sin seems negative, and when we focus upon it, we might end up looking at our faults and weaknesses, which could lead us to hopelessness.

Yet, the opposite is actually true.

When we take sin seriously, we actually make sense of our own lives and the world in which we live.

Every human knows, by nature, that there is a creator (Romans 1:18-20), and everyone knows that this means we must be reconciled with him.

Sadly, many people in the world never hear about Jesus, and so they miss out on hearing about the glorious grace that is provided in Christ alone.

But likewise, there are some people who hear about Jesus, but never actually hear anything about the wonderful forgiveness and reconciliation that comes from repenting and believing in him.

That’s why I love the song with the lyrics “our sins, they are many, his mercy is more,” which shows the great mercy of God to forgive the sins we all, deeply know about.

As we live this out, we need to keep dealing with sin in our own, church community.

In 1 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul speaks about a very, serious sin that is being accepted and tolerated amongst their church, and in response, he tells them to “throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.” (1 Corinthians 5:5)

It sounds really full-on, but the motivation is so that the person who is committing the big sin will see how serious it is, and then will confess it to Jesus and then know his forgiveness as he awaits Christ’s return.

Our sins are many, but God’s mercy is more!

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Bloody Marty via Flickr)

True Fellowship

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We often use the word ‘fellowship’ to describe the experience of being with other Christians.

So, we’ll talk about enjoying “a time of fellowship” after church, when we gather to have a meal or a cuppa together.

But did you know that the word in the original language is actually based on the idea of commonness?

So, you have ‘fellowship’ with a person when you are involved with others in a common interest or pursuit.

That’s why the ‘fellowship’ that the Apostle Paul refers to in Philippians 1:5 is often translated “partnership”, and it describes what is happening when one church works with another church in a common mission.

It’s also the word that is translated “contribution” or “offering”, as we read in Romans 15:25 and 2 Corinthians 9:13, where it refers to the financial gifts that people have made towards the common mission they share.

Over this week we’ve been blessed to hear reports of our ‘fellowship’ with our friend from overseas who has shared with us about her opportunities to bring the message of Jesus to people who don’t know him.

As she’s shared the highs and lows of this special ministry, it has given us inspiration to pray and give, as she’s helped us understand how we are working in common with her.

This is true fellowship: when we pray, give, and even go ourselves to places local and global with the gospel of Jesus.

Our church is passionate about being missional, and that’s why it’s so good to invest our time, money, prayers and passion to see others know the great salvation that comes in Jesus Christ alone.

As we partner with those in mission, we experience the richest friendship of all… as we are united with Christ!

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Keith Parker via Flickr.com)

Our Return Journey

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As we begin our return journey to face-to-face church, there will be many different thoughts and feelings amongst us.

Whilst we would love for every health restriction to be relaxed at once, we know there are many reasons why we cannot all come together in-person this weekend.

For some of us it will be because we’re initially hesitant to bring our family into a building with others for a length of time.

For some of us it will be because of our medical choices or where we live on the map.

For others of us it will be because we’ve developed flu-like symptoms, we’ve visited a venue of concern, or we’ve had close contact with someone who is infected.

That’s why this weekend is only the beginning of our return journey, together.

After all, it is unlikely that every one of us will be able to gather together for many months, due to the uncertain health situation ahead.

So, whilst we could have chosen to delay opening until everyone could be together, we instead decided to follow the latest health guidelines by safely opening our buildings when allowed.

After all, it is our natural preference to have our doors open to whoever is willing and able to attend, especially those for whom the online experience has been difficult.

Yet, this also means that our livestream will continue to be vitally important in the coming months ahead, as it enables us to keep gathering together around God’s word, whether we’re sitting in a pew or watching on a screen.

So, as we travel this journey together, let us continue to love one another, as we read in 1 Peter:  “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” (1 Peter 3:8)

JODIE McNEILL

Roadmap to Returning

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It is with great anticipation that we now begin to return to in-person church, knowing that as we’ve been physically apart, we’ve remained united by the Holy Spirit, as we’ve gathered online around the glorious word of God.

From next weekend, Saturday 16th October, we’ll be able to include some people face-to-face, whilst we continue to provide the best-possible livestream for everyone.

For the next two weeks the public health orders advise that we may only accommodate in-person participants who live in Regional NSW (which excludes Shellharbour and Greater Sydney), who are not required to ‘stay at home’ (due to contact with confirmed cases or venues), who are not showing any flu-like symptoms, and who are fully vaccinated (noting that unvaccinated children under 16 can attend if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult from their household.)

Everyone must wear a face mask (unless under 12 or exempted) and refrain from congregational singing, and we can seat 34 people (plus workers) in the church and 45 people in the hall to watch the livestream in-person.

Both services will offer a separate children’s program (with plenty of time outside) which will commence approximately half-an-hour into the service, but our youth Bible studies will remain online only until Friday 29th October.

We will be joining for dinner on Saturday and morning tea on Sunday, and will initially eat outdoors on our church lawn to increase ventilation.

Two weeks later, on Saturday 30th October, people can attend regardless of where they live or their vaccination status, unless they are unwell or required to stay at home.

Four weeks after that, on Saturday 4th December, we can double the number of people in our buildings, remove our masks (when you’re ready), and start to sing together.

So, whether you’re online or in-person, we are so thankful that we continue to be together as we travel the roadmap to returning to ‘normal’ church.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Simon Berger via Flickr)

Waiting for the day

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I vividly remember sitting my final HSC exam, knowing that in just two hours, my thirteen years of school would come to an end.

When the final “pens down” command was announced, one of my classmates, wearing a party hat he’d smuggled into the exam room, loudly let off a champagne popper to celebrate.

Right now, we’re also looking forward to a ‘hooray’ moment, when NSW will hit the vaccination targets and when the restrictions will be released.

Soon we’ll all be together, like we were before the pandemic, and it will be a moment to cherish.

Yet this event is nothing compared to the significance of the long-awaited arrival of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who came in the first century.

For hundreds of years, God’s people had waited patiently for the time when this man would arrive, and then, finally, the moment came!

John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, captured his joy in the words of this song:

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Saviour from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. (Luke 1:68-71)

They waited centuries for that moment, and the impact was unmatched by anything in history.

Now as we live as people of the risen Lord, we await the day when Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead and to bring about the new creation.

Yet, his patience means the salvation of those who still have not turned to Jesus to enjoy his forgiveness and friendship.

So, as we’re waiting for Jesus, let’s share the good news with all who will hear, and let us patiently wait for the greatest moment in the future of our world.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Sue Thompson via Flickr)

Soon And Very Soon

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When I was a youth at church I used to love singing this song, ‘Soon and Very Soon’:

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the king.
No more dying there, we are going to see the king.
No more crying there, we are going to see the king.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king.

It was such a simple, positive, uplifting ‘chorus’ that helped us set our focus on what mattered most in life, and what we all look forward to.

There’s a lot of talk right now about the difficulties our church and community faces in the coming weeks and months, especially in terms of what things will be like as doors start to open in different ways.

Yet, what must unite us above all is a focus on the return of the king, when Jesus comes to bring us safely home, where we will experience, together, the new creation.

And not only should we focus our own gaze on the return of Christ, we should keep this in mind as we continue to pray for and engage with the people in our society.

In these last days, we are closer and closer to the time when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead… and the groaning of creation reminds us that it’s soon and very soon.

There’s no better time to turn our conversation and prayers to proclaiming Christ faithfully to our village, valley and beyond.

We’re still locked into our homes for a bit longer, but since so many people can now use web browsers, it’s possible for our little church in Jamberoo to be broadcast into homes across our region and even our planet.

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king… so who are you going to ‘share’ our livestream with, so that they can become friends with Jesus before they meet him as their judge?

JODIE McNEILL 

(CREDIT: Dennis Yang via Flickr)