Life in the Valley of Vision

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CREDIT: Photo Brian Kelly, via Flickr.

One of the great treasures of the Christian faith is the collection of prayers found in ‘The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions’.

It contains two hundred or so prayers written nearly five hundred years ago, and their timeless words capture some deep reflections on the Bible’s teaching.

I first became aware of these prayers when an album was released by Sovereign Grace called ‘The Valley of Vision’, where several of these prayers were put to song, including ‘Let Your Kingdom Come’ and ‘O Great God’.

Yet it is the first song of the album, which is based on the first prayer of the book, that has been a great blessing to me in my Christian walk.

Here are the first two stanzas:

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Let us pray that we will find God’s glory in our valley.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 13th – 14th October 2018

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This weekend we welcome our own Mark Howard as he speaks on the topic ‘The difference the Trinity makes’ from Isaiah chapter 42 verses 1 to 9 and John chapter 1 verses 1 to 18.

We will share the Lord’s Supper at 5pm Saturday, so be sure to join us for this important reminder of the death of Jesus.

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Holy Communion First Order AAPB service.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ is taking a break for the holidays but returns next week. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

 

Church news for the week beginning 6th October 2018

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This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we welcome Simon Chaplin as he speaks on ‘The glory of God’ from Psalm 19.

Next week’s Bible talk

Next week, we welcome our own Mark Howard as he speaks on the topic ‘The difference the Trinity makes’ from Isaiah chapter 42 verses 1 to 9 and John chapter 1 verses 1 to 18.

Mission of the month

Anglicare is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Ladies’ Dinner

The next Ladies’ Dinner will be held on Tuesday 16th October with guest speaker Nicky Fortescue, who will speak on the topic of ‘Taking grace, giving grace’. 6.30pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

SWITCH Lite

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 27th October, 9am to 12.30pm at Bomaderry Anglican Church. The guest speaker is Claire Smith, who is speaking on the topic “God’s Good Design”. We will explore what the Bible really says about men & women. Cost is $20 or $15 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.org.au. Registrations close 21st October.

McNeill’s Commencement Service

On Tuesday 22nd January at 7pm we’ll be hosting a special service for our church and our community as we invite the Bishop to formally welcome Jodie as our full-time Rector for next year. Put the date in your diary, and pray that God will use it to help people know about the exciting new stage of our parish.

KBECET Annual Dinner is coming up

Saturday 20th October at Kiama Anglican Church Hall (Yes, you can make it after our service!) 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Come and enjoy a great meal and hear the latest of Nigel’s ministry at Kiama High. Cost – $25 per ticket. Contact Vic East on 4236 0525 or email vic.east37@gmail.com.

 

 

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 $6272.00, leaving a gap of $28.00.Olimometer 2.52Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $98,802. Compared to that total we received $109,200, leaving a gap of $-10,398.Olimometer 2.52Electronic 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 .

Are you resolute?

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Being away at the LiT (‘Leaders in Training’ camp) this week, we were talking about being resolute.

Resolute isn’t a word we often use these days and I wonder if it is because people in the world today are not resolute in much?

Though failings are not always due to a lack of resolve, passion, or commitment, it is still the case that when things don’t work out, we often do not like to recognise our part.

If you get a poor grade in school, it’s because the teacher didn’t instruct well enough.

If your marriage is failing, it’s your spouse’s fault, or their job, or the kids.

If you get knocked over really badly in the surf, many will hang up their wetsuits before having the resolve to get back on the board.

We are simply used to giving up at what we are not gifted at rather than being purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

Yet, as Christians Jesus calls us to be resolute in following him towards eternal life just as he “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” in Luke 9:51.

Jesus’ setting out for Jerusalem was not just him going on a trip, but it was him being purposeful, determined, and unwavering in going towards suffering, humiliation, and hardship for the sake of saving us.

Michael Raiter, one of the speakers this week, told us that we all need to go through Jerusalem on our journey following Jesus to heaven.

We are welcoming suffering, and hardship, but for the sake of the gospel.

Though the journey will not be easy, we must be RESOLUTE just as Jesus was.

And along the way, hopefully we will find the strength to do our best in education, our families, surfing, and in all things for the glory of the kingdom.

RAYNE ORANGE

Coming up this weekend 6th – 7th October 2018

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This weekend we take a break from our series on Romans, and Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic ‘The glory of God’ from Psalm 19.

It’s the right time for us to recognise many of the needs of our missionaries, so at both our services, we will have a special update about Anglicare which is our Mission of the Month.

At our Saturday 5pm service will also have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. How old was Moses when the Israelites entered the Promised Land?
  2. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the ‘four winds of Heaven’?
  3. What do you say to someone who thinks that Christianity is all too good to be true?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer AAPB service.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ is taking a break for the holidays. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

 

Church news for the week beginning 29th September 2018

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This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we take a break from our series on Romans, and welcome Simon Chaplin, who will be speaking on the topic “Secure in the Lord” from Psalm 48.

Next week’s Bible talk

Next week, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on “Psalm 19”.

Mission of the month

Church Missionary Society (CMS) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Monthly Midweek Service coming up

Our next service is this Wednesday 3rd October at 11am, followed by a light lunch in the hall.

Ladies’ Dinner

The next Ladies’ Dinner will be held on Tuesday 16th October with guest speaker Nicky Fortescue, who will speak on the topic of ‘Taking grace, giving grace’. 6.30pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

Children’s and youth programs in holidays

During school holidays our normal midweek children’s and youth programs take a break until 20th October. However we plan to continue a mini-program during the 5pm Saturday service as required.

New Rosters

New rosters are out now. If you need a paper version, grab one from the information table, or otherwise log onto www.jamberooanglican.net to see what dates and roles you are scheduled for.

 

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 $6272.00, leaving a gap of $28.00.Olimometer 2.52Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $98,802. Compared to that total we received $109,200, leaving a gap of $-10,398.Olimometer 2.52Electronic 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 .

Telling the next generation

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Walk about Zion, go around her,
 count her towers…
that you may tell of them
 to the next generation. Psalm 48:13,14

Psalm 48 is an invitation to behold with eyes of faith Zion, the city of God, and for us to not to rejoice in the number of towers, but to rejoice that this is where God dwells.

He is secure forever, and so therefore are his people.

But the purpose of this knowledge is not just for you; it’s so you will tell the next generation.

Christians are those who now see not the walls of an earthly city, but with eyes of faith see the heavenly Jerusalem, where we are gathered around Mt Zion.

And the same command comes to us to tell the next generation, and the generation after that.

Each generation must take the mantle of sharing the news of the gospel that we see by faith.

We live in a society that by and large have rejected this vision, and so have left their children adrift. We as the Church have the opportunity to fill that spiritual void and hold out the good news of salvation.

We are privileged to have a terrific relationship with Jamberoo Public School, and we enjoy the privilege of teaching the school students every week about the Christian faith through Special Religious Education (SRE).

Over the next few weeks our Jamba Kids team plan to get together to see how we can further strengthen the connections between our Saturday night ministry and the Scripture classes at the school, as we plan to re-launch our weekend kids’ ministry.

And, as I (Jodie) begin to teach and coordinate our Primary School SRE from next year, we’re praying that we’ll have even stronger ties between our church and the school.

SIMON CHAPLIN (with JODIE McNEILL)

Coming up this weekend 29th – 30th September 2018

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This weekend we take a break from our series on Romans, and we welcome Simon Chaplin, who will be speaking on the topic “Psalm 48”.

At our 5pm Saturday service we will have an opportunity to hear an update about our finance position.

We will also have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. Isn’t it incorrect and unhelpful to claim that the Jews killed Jesus?
  2. How does a person become a prophet?
  3. How many prophets are mentioned in the Bible?
  4. What will happen to Roman Catholics when Jesus returns to judge the world?

Our 8am Sunday service will be the Lord’s Supper Sunday Service.

If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to visit us on Saturday at 5pm for a contemporary service with kids’ program and dinner afterwards. Our youth group ‘Alive’ is taking a break for the holidays. Or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

If you can’t make it in person, you’re welcome to jump online to watch the service (with the same sermon and many other items) at www.oakflats.tv.

See you at 5pm this Saturday or 8am this Sunday, God willing!

Church news for the week beginning 22nd September 2018

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This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The future of Israel’ from Romans chapter 11 verses 11 to 36.

Next week’s Bible Talk

Next week we take a break from our series on Romans, and Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic “Psalm 48”.

Mission of the month

Church Missionary Society (CMS) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Parish Council

Our Parish Council meets at the special date and time of this Wednesday, 24th September at 6.30pm at the church. Please remember them in your prayers.

KBECET Fundraising

Thank you to all who contributed to the KBECET fundraising efforts. The following was raised: Pie Drive – $3,350 & The Police Band Concert – $3,300.

Ladies’ Dinner

The next Ladies’ Dinner will be held on Tuesday 16th October with guest speaker Nicky Fortescue, who will speak on the topic of ‘Taking grace, giving grace’. 7pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

Children’s and youth programs in holidays

During school holidays our normal midweek children’s and youth programs take a break until 20th October. However we plan to continue a mini-program during the 5pm Saturday service as required.

 

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 $6272.00, leaving a gap of $28.00.Olimometer 2.52Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $98,802. Compared to that total we received $109,200, leaving a gap of $-10,398.Olimometer 2.52Electronic 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 .

Pray for our police

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Each year, the 29th day of September holds special significance for police throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

It is a day for police to pause and honour those whose lives have been lost while performing their duty as police officers.

This important day is also a time to remember other police officers who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances.

And so, this week, let us pray this prayer, together:

Our heavenly Father, we thank you for your providential care of our world and the peace and security that we enjoy in our land. We especially thank you for the Police Force of New South Wales. Despite the corruption of the human heart and the prevalence of lawlessness and sin, we thank you for these guardians of justice in our society.

We pray for the members of our Police Force as they maintain law and order in our state. Give them the courage to expose unrighteousness, wherever it is found, to pursue justice for the common good, to deal with all without fear or favour, and to act with wisdom and compassion in all their work. Protect them from danger in their duties, shield them from temptation, and enable them to be role models for all whom they serve.

We also pray for police chaplains as they minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of our Police Force members. May they act with compassion, wisdom and love as they support police officers in their line of duty.

We offer our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who alone brings order to the human heart, peace to a troubled world and the hope of eternal life for all who put their trust in him. Amen.

ARCHBISHOP GLENN DAVIES