Coming up this weekend 1-2 June 2019

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This weekend we’re going to hear the story of Gideon, one of the most famous leaders in the Bible, and the man known for millions of Bibles in hospitals and motels throughout the world. We’re going to consider his dramatic rise to leadership, and then the events that saw his decline.

In all of this, we will have a fresh reminder of how much God loves us and forgives us, even when we fail to serve him as we should. That’s the theme over and over again in the Old Testament book of Judges, and we’ll see more of it this weekend.

As always, we’ve got a stack of questions that you asked last week, and I’m looking forward to answering. They are:

1. Why does God love us when we constantly sin against him?
2. Why did God make us when he knew we would reject him?
3. Why doesn’t God prevent people from making stupid mistakes?
4. Does God love everyone or only Christians?
5. What was the first Christian song?
6. What’s the difference between submitting and serving?
7. Can you be gay and still come to church?

We’d really love you to join us at 5pm Saturday for an all-age and stage church service, with kids programs for toddlers, infants and primary, followed by a hearty dinner for all, then youth group. Or come along on Sunday at 9am for our classic Anglican service, complete with espresso coffee and great morning tea.

If you’ve not come to church for a while, then this is the perfect weekend to join us. Or if you’re a regular, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to serve each other and enjoy the delights of our community.

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Hope Beyond Chaos 4: The Chorus of the Saved Judges 5:1-31 Jodie McNeill – 25 & 26 May 2019

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The joy of an __________  victory.

We sing when we are overcome with ___.

Singing expresses a deep _____.

It’s a joy when people gladly ______ their leaders.

Our praise is to be heard by ________.

The Lord ________ them victory.

We don’t believe in ______.

Drought reminds us of our __________ on God.

The Lord sent a ______ for Israel.

In their ________, the Lord was with them.

They took ________ by remembering the Lord’s victories.

Despite their military power, the enemy was ________.

The evil man is ____________ by God’s woman.

She _________ the horrors of rape in war.

The Lord ______ their battles and was victorious.

Get a copy of the PDF of this outline (with pictures to colour in) hereDownload

News 25-26 May 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This weekend we continue our series ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ as Jodie delivers the fourth talk ‘The Chorus of the Saved’, from Judges 5:1-31.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week we will continue our series on Judges as Jodie opens up Judges 6:1-8:28 with the title, ‘The Making and Breaking of a Leader’

MEN’S BREAKFAST

It’s not too late to join us at 8am this Saturday morning at James Rosten’s house, 1 Sproule Crescent. Just turn up with your $10 and get ready for an overload of cooked breakfast goodies!

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support at the ‘Mission Table’ by buying stuff or donating stuff.

SMS MESSAGES

Our ‘Elvanto’ system is now connected to SMS. If you don’t have email, we can connect with you through your mobile. If you don’t have an email, please advise your mobile number on a response slip. 

LADIES’ GUILD

Saturday 8th June 3pm at the church. Come along to help plan how you can serve our community with love and good deeds, to the glory of God.

GONG MEN’S DAY

Saturday 15th June 8.30am-2pm at Dapto Anglican Church. $40 ($30 concession) includes Lunch. Speaker: Sam Chan. Details www.gongmensday.org This is a not-to-be-missed event for the men of our church.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

There are no birthdays this coming week, but happy anniversary to Rayne and Tim Orange, and Trevor and Robyn Lucas, both celebrating on the 27th May.

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 $5616.00, leaving a gap of $684.00. Olimometer 2.52 Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $218,400. Compared to that total we received $195,239, leaving a gap of $23,161.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.

The Canadian Church Crisis

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There is hope for church in Canada (CREDIT: chrisinphilly5448 via Flickr)

It’s hard to believe that the Canadian church has wandered so far from its roots.

Back in 1603, a French man by the name of Samuel de Champlain crossed the Atlantic to try and colonise the ‘New World’ and preach Christianity throughout the land.

As a result, the church heavily influenced family, state and culture in Canada.

But only fifty years ago the ‘Quiet Revolution’ swept the country, leading to a widespread rejection of Christianity.

Today, Prime Minister Trudeau continues to push complete acceptance of non-Christian values such as homosexuality and abortion.

Now, less than one in ten Canadians call themselves Bible-believing Christians, and in places like Quebec, it’s as low as 2%.

Things are so bad that Canada is now considered a top priority for missionary organisations, such as the Southern Baptists in the USA.

The decline in the church has worsened as the reputation of the church is damaged through scandals, such as sexual abuse in the Catholic church and the appointment of United Church pastors who are atheists.

From this, countless churches have shut down, leaving many towns without a Christian presence.

Yet, there is a movement of church planting that has swept the country, giving new life to many cities and towns.

Student ministry in universities has had a tremendous impact on people in a stage of life where they often leave the church.

Many churches continue to faithfully serve God, even through trying times. 

Please pray for a new emergence of Christian leaders who will spread the gospel and lead the church with Christ at the centre.

Pray for colleges like Briercrest, which seek to faithfully teach the Bible to university students and train people for gospel work.

DEREK KLUMPENHOUWER

Coming up this weekend 25-26 May 2019

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We have three big events this weekend, and we’d love you to join us.

Firstly, on Friday night at 6.30pm our highschoolers are heading up the escarpment for a Youth Event in partnership with Robertson Anglican (64 Hoddle Street). If you need a lift, then be at our church at 5:45pm.

Secondly, on Saturday morning at 8am our guys are joining together for a Men’s Breakfast at James Rosten’s house, as we hear from our visiting Canadian men. For more details (and to tell us you’re coming) click this link.

Thirdly, at our 5pm Saturday service we’re having a special Canada Night, which will be followed by Canadian food and games as we hear from our Canadian visitors about what it’s like to be a Christian in the land of ice hockey, maple syrup and moose.

During our two church services, we’ll be hearing the next instalment from our ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ series in the book of Judges, as I look at chapter 5, where we read of the ‘Chorus of the Saved‘. We’ll also have a question and answer time as I share my thoughts on these beauties from last weekend:

1 How would an Israelite be protected in the Passover if they couldn’t afford to sacrifice a lamb?
2 What is “the unforgivable sin”?
3 Does God “give” or “allow” sickness to happen to people?
4 Why does God kill people in the Bible when he’s supposed to be full of forgiveness and grace?
5 What is a ‘latrine’?
6 Since Catholics believe different things and pray to Mary, will they go to Heaven?
7 Why do we have a question time?

So, we’d love you to come at 5pm on Saturday night for an all-age service (with creche, kids’ programs, dinner, and youth group), or 9am Sunday morning for a more classic Anglican service (with tasty espresso coffee at morning tea).

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Hope Beyond Chaos 3: Holy Laughter and Lightning Judges 3:12-4:24 Jodie McNeill – 18 & 19 May 2019

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The tall poppy________.

We love a good ________.

God didn’t _______ his people, despite their rejection.

God uses ____ to punish and purify his people.

Ehud is ___________ to be a warrior.

Eglon is the fat calf, ready for _________.

Ehud’s ________ gave him the strength.

The fat soldiers couldn’t ______ God’s army.

We are invited to join in the ________ of Heaven.

God’s people are again _________ by a powerful army.

The ‘superhero’ is a bit _____.

Less Captain Lightning, and more Captain ______.

Success, but without ______.

Captain Lightning was still a man of _____.

The Lord uses _________ to bring about salvation.

Download the full paper version (with pictures!) hereDownload

News 18-19 May 2019

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OUR BIBLE TALK

This weekend we continue our series ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ as Jodie delivers the third talk ‘Holy Laughter and Lightning’, from Judges 3:12-4:24.

NEXT WEEK’S TALK

Next week we will continue our series on Judges as Jodie opens up Judges 5:1-31 with the title, ‘The Chorus of the Saved’

GONG MEN’S DAY

Saturday 15th June 9am-2pm in Dapto. Speaker: Sam Chan. Don’t miss it! Details www.gongmensday.org

BRIERCREST YOUTH MISSION

We welcome Dan Dekoning, Derek Klumpenhouwer, and Parker Wall from Canadian seminary Briercrest College, who are joining us these four weeks to work with us in ministering to youth, children and people of all ages. Be sure to say hello… and pray for great opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.

COMBINED YOUTH EVENT

The youth of our church are combining with Robertson Anglican for a special event at 6.30pm this Friday 24th May at Robertson. Chat with Rayne for more details and transport arrangements. 

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Members and friends of Jamberoo and Roberson Anglican are invited for a tasty breakfast on this Saturday 25th May at 8am to hear from our Canadian guests, to be held at the home of James Rosten, 1 Sproule Crescent, Jamberoo.

CANADA NIGHT

On Saturday 25th May at 5pm we’re having a Canada night. Special food, trivia, fun… and a special prayer focus. 

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support at the ‘Mission Table’.

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 $5616.00, leaving a gap of $684.00. Olimometer 2.52 Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $218,400. Compared to that total we received $195,239, leaving a gap of $23,161.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.

How should we vote?

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Make your vote count!

Since I arrived here from Canada three weeks ago it has been interesting to experience a federal election in another country.

The premise of the election is the same, although there are some minor differences such as compulsory voting.

While some Canadians ask the question, “should I vote as a Christian?”, we all should ask the question, “how should I vote as a Christian?”

The first thing we must always remember is that God is in control (Romans 13:1).

God is the true leader and creator of this world and everything goes through Him.

As followers of God it is our duty to choose a leader who speaks and acts out Christian principles.

In order to do this we must be informed on what each party represents and use our judgment to make godly decisions.

Sounds easy enough right? Well, as we all know, parties can promise many different things, some of which follow earthly principles and not biblical principles.

So in order to receive the proper guidance, we must study God’s word, the Bible.

To know what principles God wants our leaders to possess, we need to be in constant study of Scripture. 

For we read, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16)

And we must pray, asking thatour decision will be according to God’s will, and that the leaders will make wise decisions. 

For we are reminded that, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5).

And we must never forget to “pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2-3)

DAN DEKONING

Coming up this weekend 18-19 May 2019

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This Saturday there’s something even more important than voting! Come along to hear God speak to you and us as we listen to his word, the Bible, and enjoy food, friendship, and the experience of coming together to enjoy a rich relationship with Jesus.

Our talk this week continues our ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ series as I teach us about the humorous story of Eglon, and the slightly-underwhelming (but enormously encouraging) story of Barak. The title is ‘Holy Laughter and Lightning’, from the Old Testament book in the Bible, Judges chapter 3:12-4:24.

We’ve also got a bunch of questions that you asked from church last week, which I will answer during our church services. They are:

1 Why did God pass over the houses of the Israelites at the Passover?
2 Why does God ‘give’ cancer to people who don’t deserve it?
3 How can someone ask for forgiveness after they’ve committed suicide?
4 Is it a sin to be angry at God?
5 Why does God make us wait for his answer to some prayers, and how do we gain patience?

So what are you waiting for? It’s a great week to come along for the first time, or bring someone for the first time. We meet at 5pm on Saturday, which is followed by a tasty meal then youth group (for high-schoolers), and 9am Sunday for a slightly-more ‘classic’ Anglican service, with awesome espresso.

See you this weekend, God willing!

Grace and peace, Jodie.

Judges: Hope Beyond Chaos 2: The Cycle of Salvation Judges 2:6-3:11 Jodie McNeill

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It’s hard to break the _____.

In Judges we see a cycle of _________.

The chronology is just ______ story telling.

When people turn from God it’s often a _____.

Parents are ___________ for telling their kids about the Lord.

God’s _________ are absolute and timeless.

We need to believe in a God who feels _____.

God has every reason to be _____ at his people.

The leadership of the judges is an act of God’s _____.

God’s ______ of us is heart-felt.

God wanted his people to show their _________.

They broke the rules, but especially broke God’s _____.

God wants his people to be _________ to others.

Choose a spouse who shares your ____ of the Lord.

One man brought _____ to God’s people.

In love, Jesus took God’s _____ upon himself for us.

Get a PDF of the outline hereDownload