Romans Eight Twenty-eight

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CREDIT: Photo Chad Burnett, via Flickr.

Once there was a man who went to prison, and as he lay in bed on his first night, he heard someone call out, “49”, which was then followed by laughter from all the other prisoners.

Then another prisoner called out, “26”, which was followed by even more laughs.

When the new prisoner asked what was happening, he was told that the inmates have heard every joke so many times that they’ve given each joke a number to make things simpler.

So, the new inmate called out, “23”, but nobody laughed.

When he asked why his joke didn’t get a laugh, they said, “it’s the way you told it.”

Some verses in the Bible are so well known that we just need to say the reference in order to bring to mind the word of comfort and assurance.

The reference “Romans 8:28” is one of them:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

When it feels like life is spinning out of control, we must remember, “Romans 8:28”.

When we are uncertain about the future, we can tell each other, “Romans 8:28”.

When things happen that are hard to accept, we can assure each other by saying, “Romans 8:28”.

We need to remember that God works in all things for the good of those who love him, and we are right to find great comfort in this assurance.

We never know what is in store for us, but we must always remember that nothing takes God by surprise.

And you can be sure that “Romans 8:28” will be a great source of comfort and assurance, no matter how you tell it.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming up this weekend 18th – 19th August 2018

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This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Simon Chaplin speaking on the topic ‘The spirit of glory’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 26 to 30.

During both our services this weekend, we will have a special book review from one of our church members from a book that they have recently read.

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

  1. How does the Bible describe the soul, which is the only thing that survives this life?
  2. Is everything we see with our eyes recorded in our memory?
  3. If you are not aware of a particular sin that you may be committing, are you still able to have a good relationship with God?
  4. Should Christians try to influence the ethical decisions made with artificial intelligence technology?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer 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’ runs straight after dinner on Saturday night. 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 11th August 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 spirit of hope’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 18 to 25.

Mission of the month

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

Ladies’ Dinner

Our next Ladies’ Dinners will be held on Tuesday 21st August with guest speaker Kara Hartley who will speak on the topic of ‘God Conflict – How to have a good fight!’. We will also now start at 6.30pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

MTS Information Night

Find out about MTS ministry apprenticeships at an information night this Wednesday 22nd August 7.30pm at the Shellharbour Civic Centre, with speaker Ben Pfahlert.

KBECET Fundraiser

NSW Police Band at Gerringong Town Hall, Thursday 23rd August, 10.30am to 12 noon. Tickets $20. Contact Vic East on 4236 0525

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 .

Blessings from hard things

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Throughout life I’ve realised that it’s often when I’m doing the hardest things that it’s the time that I’m growing the most.

It might be carrying a 23kg pack on a five-day, 50km walk around the exposed wilderness of Wilsons Promentory.

Or, it might be learning to stand up on my mid-life-crisis longboard, without causing further damage to my middle-aged joints and muscles.

But one time in my life that was very hard but very rewarding was my four-year stint at Moore Theological College.

This is the place I was pushed harder than I could imagine to know as much about God, his world, and myself through the studying of the Bible and the writings of the great ones who have so-helpfully grappled with the queen of the sciences.

Yet, it wasn’t just the study that was hard. The four years of learning and living in community forged friendships through the trials we faced, together.

I praise God that the time in College was one where we were all supported by godly and caring faculty and staff, who always sought to help us grow in every way, in preparation for our future opportunities in word ministry.

It was tough, but it was good tough.

Moore College is one of the finest places on the planet to study theology in a community that cherishes God’s word as his true and reliable revelation, and we need to keep praying and supporting this important ministry.

Our church benefits from this every day as our trained ministers stand on the foundations learnt from the study at Moore, and as we seek to then teach others what we, ourselves, have learnt.

As we celebrate Moore College Sunday, let’s keep praying that Moore College keeps equipping men and women for mission and ministry.

Jodie.

Coming up this weekend 11th – 12th August 2018

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This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The spirit of hope’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 18 to 25.

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.

Also during our 5pm Saturday service we will have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. Does Satan have power over animals?
  2. Do all humans have an instinctive faith in God?
  3. When a person attains sainthood, are they still sinners?
  4. Since we are co-heirs with Christ, does that mean we’re related to him?
  5. When we say ‘Jesus loves me, this I know’, does this include all unbelievers?

And we will hear a special update on the ministry of Moore College and spend time on prayer for the College and its students.

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’ runs straight after dinner on Saturday night. 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 4th August 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 spirit of adoption’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 14 to 17.

Mission of the month

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

Men’s Dinner

The next Men’s Dinner will be held this Tuesday 7th August at 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Shellharbour, with guest speaker, Richard Chin, speaking on the topic ‘Male Misunderstandings of Marriage: God’s word to husbands and would-be husbands’. $31 per person (or $23 concession). Register online at www.oakflatsanglican.com/mensdinner.

Alive Unite event

This Friday 10th August from 7-9pm our youth group, Alive, are hosting a combined youth event called ‘Unite’. For more information contact Rayne on rayne.orange@jamberooanglican.com.

Ladies’ Dinner

Our next Ladies’ Dinners will be held on Tuesday 21st August with guest speaker Kara Hartley who will speak on the topic of ‘God Conflict – How to have a good fight!’. We will also now start at 6.30pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

KBECET Fundraiser

NSW Police Band at Gerringong Town Hall, Thursday 23rd August, 10.30am to 12 noon. Tickets $20. Contact Vic East on 4236 0525

SWITCH Lite – Save the date!

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up in October. 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.

 

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 .

Anglicans Aid Drought Victims

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The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an appeal to help communities hit by the crippling drought in Western New South Wales.

The public appeal will raise funds to provide resources to churches in North and Western New South Wales, which are already dealing with requests for practical support for families impacted by what, in many places, is the worst drought since 1900.

99 percent of the state is now officially in drought and although the New South Wales government has launched an assistance package for farmers, the Vicar-General of the Armidale Diocese, the Rev Brian Kirk says “the suddenness of this drought has caught many by surprise.”

Mr Kirk says any help will be much appreciated by rural families.

He particularly has asked Christians to pray for rain, for farming families and businesses in rural communities, for farmers to make wise decisions and that Christians will not lose their faith in God.

Mr Kirk says clergy and church members are proactively offering assistance to farming families by providing food and clothing vouchers and visiting to provide practical and pastoral support.

Among the practical assistance is free labour to assist with the feeding of stock, maintenance and everyday chores as well as providing free drought dinners.

Funds donated through the Anglican Aid appeal will be disbursed through the Anglican Dioceses of Armidale and Bathurst which cover much of the most heavily drought-affected areas.

For more information about how to give to this appeal, visit www.anglicanaid.org.auor phone 9284 1406.

Coming up this weekend 4th – 5th August 2018

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This weekend we continue our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The spirit of adoption’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 14 to 17.

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.

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

  1. Knowing that there will not be marriage in the new heaven, will there be marriage in the new earth?
  2. If life is found on Mars, do you think it will impact the credibility of the Biblical teaching on creation?
  3. What happened to the other Homo sapiens who once lived on our planet, and did they have souls?
  4. Do people who die of natural causes know when they are about to die?
  5. How do we put to death the misdeeds of the body?
  6. Since our human bodies are subject to death because of sin, why don’t Christians become immortal once they have been forgiven for their sin?
  7. Was there a biological change in humanity after the fall?
  8. Given that by our sinful natures we cannot be sinless, at what point is sin counted as ‘living’ according to the flesh?
  9. Why is the sin of sex before marriage given so much emphasis in Christianity?
  10. Would it ever be appropriate to have a speaker of the Jewish faith at our Men’s and Ladies’ dinners?

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’ runs straight after dinner on Saturday night. 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 28th July 2018

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This weekend’s Bible talk

This weekend we begin the next part of our series on ‘Romans: The Heart of Truth’, with Jodie speaking on the topic ‘The Spirit of life’ from Romans chapter 8 verses 1 to 13.

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 1st August at 11am, followed by a light lunch in the hall.

Men’s Dinner

The next Men’s Dinner will be held on Tuesday 7th August at 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Shellharbour, with guest speaker, Richard Chin, speaking on the topic ‘Male Misunderstandings of Marriage: God’s word to husbands and would-be husbands’. $31 per person (or $23 concession). Register online at www.oakflatsanglican.com/mensdinner.

Ladies’ Dinner

Our next Ladies’ Dinners will be held on Tuesday 21st August with guest speaker Kara Hartley who will speak on the topic of ‘God Conflict – How to have a good fight!’. We will also now start at 6.30pm at Oak Flats Anglican, cost $15. Please visit www.oakflatsanglican.com/ladiesdinner to register.

SWITCH Lite – Save the date!

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up in October. 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.

Bookstall now available

Biblically faithful and challenging books are a great blessing from God and we now have a small selection of books available for sale. Make sure you check out what is in stock. You can pay by cash, cheque or credit card.

 

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 .

Who rules really?

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This weekend will see many Aussies head to the ballot box, with five by-elections to be held around Australia.

Depending on what happens, it will increase or decrease the stability of the federal government… and may influence the decision of when the next federal election is called by the Prime Minister.

Regardless, it is important to remember that God rules the world, and every political leader on the Earth would be well-advised to recognise this as they go about their acts of civic service.

For the Bible reminds us that “there is no authority except that which God has established”, and that “the authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

As a result, we should recognise the authority of our leaders and be subject to them, even if we don’t like them or their policies, remembering that “the one in authority is God’s servant for your good”, and that we should submit to them, “not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans 13:4, 5).

For this reason, our Anglican Prayer Book invites us to pray for all who hold office in our land:

“Grant that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours on the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, faithfulness and true religion, may be firmly established among us, and make us a blessing to other nations.” (AAPB, p.34)

As is our custom, we should continue to pray for our politicians and give thanks for the political stability of our land, as God rules through them for the good of our nation.

JODIE McNEILL