Who is the greatest?

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The Andromeda Galaxy. (CREDIT: Joel Tonyan, via Flickr)

We Aussies love our sport, and we love to see one person or team compete against another to try and work out who is the greatest.

And yet beyond any comparison, the Lord, our God, is truly the greatest of us all.

I was reminded this as I read Psalm 104 this week, and experienced a catalogue of God’s greatness.

He created the universe, and shows his beauty in the stars and all the objects that fill the sky.

He controls his creation, providing water and greenery for plants and animals.

He cares for his world, sustaining every part of this living planet.

It is beautifully summarised in these verses:

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. (Psalm 104:27-28)

And this is why the writer of this Psalm begins with these words:

Praise the LORD, my soul. LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. (Psalm 104:1)

God is, indeed, very great, and because of this, he is worthy of our praises to him:

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works— he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. (Psalm 104:31-34)

When we feel that our world is spinning out of control, it is important to stop and mediate on the greatness of God, and to rejoice in him for all he has done.

Praise the Lord… he is very great!

Jodie.

Coming up this weekend 19th – 21st August 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on 2 Samuel. In the next talk, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic, “Rejoice with trembling”, from 2 Samuel chapter 6 verses 1 to 23.

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

  1. If we should not judge, then whey were some of the books of the Bible ‘judged’ not to be needed? How do we know that God did not want these books in the Bible?
  2. Was David arrogant to call the city after himself?
  3. Is it pushing the link between the Old and New Testaments too far to say that the Israelites were the body of Christ?
  4. When we go through difficult times, how can we know if it’s the work of Satan leading us away from God, or whether it’s the work of God strengthening our faith in him?
  5. What happens to a person who dies without believing in God, even though they’ve lived a good life? Will praying for them help them get to Heaven?
  6. Is it hypocritical for Christians to vote in the same-sex marriage plebiscite, given that we will not want to accept an outcome that is against the Bible’s teaching?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer Sunday service and at both our services, we will have a special update about CMS (Church Missionary Society) which is our Mission of the Month.

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, or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

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

Church news for the week beginning 12th August 2017

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2 Samuel series continues

This weekend we continue our series looking at 2 Samuel called ‘Kingdom Coming’ as Jodie preaches from chapter 4 verse 1 to chapter 5 verse 25 with the title, “Dependence on God”.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

Ladies Guild Meeting

The Ladies Guild are meeting on Wednesday, 23rd August in the church hall at 2pm.

Supporting our Scripture Teacher, Nigel Dixon, at Kiama High School

The annual KBECET Pie Drive is on again. To support Nigel’s ministry, sign up to purchase some tasty pies by adding your name and choices to the form in the Hall before 27th August. Pies will be delivered in early September.

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 $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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 .

We need to talk about tough topics

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CREDIT: Ray Wewerka via Flickr

Let’s be honest: the debate about same-sex marriage is very personal.

This discussion directly impacts people in same-sex relationships, and it will ultimately determine whether their union should be recognised as a ‘marriage.’

That is why this debate feels personal, even when people try and only address the issues.

Every ethical discussion will directly affect some people, yet we must not walk away from these important conversations.

For example, a discussion about euthanasia or abortion may cause some people to be upset, especially if they are caring for someone who is terminally ill or carrying an unborn child with a serious illness.

Yet, for the sake of good order it is vital that we have a mature discussion about these issues that affect the very fabric of our society.

But remember that people will often pay more attention to how we’re speaking instead of what we’re saying.

That is why we need to do all we can to show love to those we disagree with, even when they might prefer we didn’t speak at all.

When Jesus encountered people with a different viewpoint, he spoke his mind, even though it caused some people to be upset with him.

And the Apostle Paul felt obliged to defend his viewpoint, even though he knew it would cause people to be unhappy.

As Paul says in Galatians:

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

This is the difficult challenge we face: speaking the truth in love.

And above all, we want to keep pointing people to Jesus, who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…” (Revelation 1:5)

Jodie McNeill

Coming up this weekend 12th – 13th August 2017

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This weekend, we continue our series on the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel with the series titled ‘Kingdom Coming’. In the next talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Dependence on God, from 2 Samuel chapter 4 verse 1 to chapter 5 verse 25.

At our 5pm Saturday service, we will be hearing a special update from Youthworks about SRE, Special Religious Education.

During our service, we’ll have our weekly question and answer time, and Jodie will be answering these questions:

  1. If the Bible came to us through an ongoing process in the church, then doesn’t this undermine ‘Sola Scriptura’?
  2. Why did the book ‘Q’ get omitted from the Bible, when other documents like genealogies and the Song of Songs were included?
  3. Doesn’t the official Anglican teaching of the 39 Articles, and general Christian thinking, say that there can be no more additions to the Bible at all?
  4. How would you answer someone who said that God spoke to them in a dream about a matter?
  5. Wouldn’t Abner’s reaction to the allegation that he slept with Saul’s concubine suggest he might have been innocent?
  6. Is Abner like Paul from the New Testament?
  7.  Why did people in the Old Testament tear their clothes when mourning?
  8. Is it possible to still curse people today?
  9. Why does it appear that we give more support to Scripture teaching in Kiama High than to the local Anglican College?

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, or come along on Sunday at 8am for a Prayer Book service.

Church news for the week beginning 5th August 2017

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New Bible talk series continues

This weekend we continue our new series looking at 2 Samuel called ‘Kingdom Coming’ as Jodie preaches from chapter 3 verses 1 to 39 with the title, “Payback time”.

Rayne is coming!

We are thrilled to announce that our Parish Council approved the appointment of Rayne Orange to join our ministry team as our Youth and Children’s Minister, from October this year. She will work two days’ per week as she continues her degree in theology. Pray for her and her new husband Tim as they get ready to return to Australia from Canada in mid-September. Pray that they find suitable accommodation, ideally in Jamberoo.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

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 $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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 .

No need to doubt about the future

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CREDIT: Maurits Verbiest via Flickr

What are the three most important characteristics of being a Christian?

There are three that are highlighted in the New Testament as they occur together time and time again. What would you put in your top three?

The Apostle Paul says, “and now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love“. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Faith looks back to the past looking to what Jesus has done; love has eyes on the present, our response everyday for what Jesus has done; hope looks forward.

While love may be the greatest, I wonder if it is hope that we are most in need of being reminded of?

Hope is often used today to mean something along the lines of wishful thinking, the kind of characteristic you would find among optimistic people.

But hope is a characteristic for all Christians. Our hope is not in some vague picture of the future, but in the solid truth of the resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection is the first fruit of that day when he will return and raise us up to the new creation, our glorious inheritance.

So Paul prays: “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance.”  (Ephesians 1:18.)

Why is it that our hope grows dim?

Perhaps our love for this world is too big? We don’t long for the new creation because we are so captivated by this one?

Perhaps our longing for justice is not big enough? We can become skeptical that nothing will ever change, forgetting that Jesus’ resurrection assures justice for all.

Perhaps our imaginations are too weak? We can’t imagine what it will be like because these promises are extraordinary and completely beyond our experience, and so doubt creeps in.

Our world wants us to doubt, but hope is the antidote.

Don’t let it grow dim, for in Jesus the resurrection has already begun, and so your hope is secure.

Simon Chaplin.

Coming up this weekend 5th – 6th August 2017

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This weekend we continue our brand-new series on the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel with the series titled ‘Kingdom Coming’. In the next talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Payback time”, from 2 Samuel chapter 3 verses 1 to verse 39.

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

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

  1. How did God talk to David?
  2. Why were the sons of Zeruiah referred to by their mother’s name, not their father’s?
  3. Why did Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, only remain as king for two years?
  4. Should Christians preach God’s word when a country says it is illegal to do so?
  5. How were the books of the Bible decided on and how would a new book be added?
  6. How do you respond when someone asks you a question about the Bible that you can’t answer?
  7. Are women allowed to lead church services?

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Morning Prayer AAPB service. We will also hear a special update on the ministry of Moore College and spend time on prayer for the College and its students at 8am Sunday.

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, 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 July 2017

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New Bible talk series continues

This weekend we continue our new series looking at 2 Samuel called ‘Kingdom Coming’ as Jodie is preaches from chapter 2 verses 1 to 32  with the title, “The failure of politics”.

Rayne is coming!

We are thrilled to announce that our Parish Council approved the appointment of Rayne Orange to join our ministry team as our Youth and Children’s Minister, from October this year. She will work two days’ per week as she continues her degree in theology. Pray for her and her new husband Tim as they get ready to return to Australia from Canada in mid-September. Pray that they find suitable accommodation, ideally in Jamberoo.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

Dinner at the Bowlo

Join us this Thursday at 6pm at the Jamberoo Bowling Club for a relaxed meal together at the ‘Wok and Grill’ restaurant, for great steaks, tasty Chinese, and lots of laughs.

SWITCH Lite

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is coming up soon. Join us on Saturday 5th August, 9am to 12.30pm at Nowra Baptist Church. The guest speaker is Lesley Ramsay, who is speaking on the theme “Hang in there”. Cost is $20 or $10 (student or concession). For more details and to book visit www.southernwomen.org.au. Please see Mandy McNeill  if you wish to go. Final chance to register!

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 $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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 .

We say ‘no’ to domestic violence

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CREDIT: x1klima via Flickr.com)

The Bible is very clear about domestic violence: it is completely wrong.

God’s advice to husbands is simple: “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19), which is written right after God’s advice to wives: “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18.)

Tragically, there are some men who believe that this word from God means that their wives must endure whatever treatment the husband might give, even though it is plainly clear that harshness in any form is prohibited.

In another part of the New Testament, God has given us a stunning picture of how a husband is supposed to lovingly treat his wife:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:25)

God’s word to husbands could not be clearer: any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse towards their wives is wrong and disobedient.

Sadly, some churchgoing men have disobeyed God by being violent towards their wives, perhaps even justifying their behaviour from a warped reading of the Bible.

In our church, we will do all we can to protect the vulnerable, and seek to bring justice to those who disobey God by mistreating members of their family.

If you would like to chat about your own situation, or the situation of someone you know and love, then please come and talk to me or a trusted Christian so that we can provide loving care and protection.

Jodie.