Coming up this weekend 20th – 21st May 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Simon Chaplin will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Distorted”, from Galatians chapter 3 verses 1 to 14.

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

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

  1. Are those who disagree with the concept of ‘faith alone’ going to hell since in Romans 10:9 it says that ‘All who proclaim with their mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their hearts that he was raised from the dead will be saved.’
  2. Can Christians be organ donors?
  3. If only the men were circumcised to signify that they are God’s people, what about the women?
  4. How can salvation not require good works when in James 2 it says faith without works is dead?
  5. Why was Peter called Cephas?
  6. What is ‘The Law’ that kept getting referred to in Galatians?

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 13th May 2017

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Galatians series continues

This weekend we continue our series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 2 verses 11 to 21 with the title, “Freedom Opposed”.

Mission of the month: KBECET

KBECET (Kiama Board for Employing Christian Education Teachers) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday 16th May to hear Alison Blake. Dinner is $7 payable at the door, and there is no need to RSVP.

Market Day

Join us on Saturday 20th May, 9am to 12pm as we host Market Day. Plants, cakes, antiques and old wares, household goods, tools, local produce, books, CDs, DVDs, children’s’ toys. And activities, craft, jewellery, coffee, tea & pikelets all on offer. A great day for the Jamberoo community.
What can you do to help on the day?  What do you have to contribute?  An opportunity to go through your surplus belongings and bring them along to sell. Contact Helen 4236 0158 or Graham 0430 043 765 for further information.
Contributions may be left on the stage or bring them along on setting up afternoon Friday 19th May at 2pm. 

Jodie and Mandy away

Jodie and Mandy will be on leave from Thursday 18th May, and will return on 11th June. Graham will be leading our church during this time.

New church carpet at Oak Flats

As part of their upcoming renovation, the church at Oak Flats has been donated some as-new, second-hand carpet tiles. However, they need to store three pallets of these tiles until they are ready to lay them after some renovations. Are you able to provide some garage space for a few months? Please let us know via the comment 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 $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 .

Are our generations too divided?

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It’s hard to imagine, but it’s only a relatively new concept to have a separate demographic called ‘youth.’

It started after the Industrial Revolution had driven young people from their rural villages to assemble in the urban factories.

No longer was the whole family living, working and worshipping together, as they had for thousands of years.

What’s more, the efficiency of the assembly line found its way into the church, with a series of different cradle-to-the-grave ministries that focus on age-specific groups.

This specialisation has many benefits, especially as a way of ensuring that children and youth are taught in a way that recognises that they learn and relate differently than adults do.

It has also been a good way to help reach people who are not yet part of the church, as our focused ministries to seniors, men, women, parents, singles, youth, and children, help ‘like attract like’ in our community.

Yet, maybe we will have a bigger impact on those inside and outside the church if we focus more on intergenerational ministry?

This is the message that Simon and I heard this week at Youthworks’ House Conference, where we heard visiting speaker Timothy Paul-Jones, Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In his conference talk, he challenged us to keep developing a church culture, “in which segmentation and specialisation become exceptional instead of assumed,” and where these ministries and activities, “occur on particular occasions for clearly-defined purposes, but the typical pattern of ministry is multi-generational.”

For, he is convinced that “a generationally, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse church will exemplify a more powerful witness, a more resilient faith, and a greater reliance on gifts that the Holy Spirit alone can give.”

Let’s keep working together to explore ways we can minister together across the ages, as we seek to build Christ’s church as we await his return.

Jodie

Coming up this weekend 13th – 14th May 2017

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This weekend we continue our series on Galatians. In the next talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Opposed”, from Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 to 21.

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

  1. Since Paul previously felt no need to consult with anyone about the gospel he received from Jesus, then why did he finally go to Jerusalem to check his message was legit?
  2. What is circumcision, and what does it mean?
  3. Are those who preach the need to strictly keep the Sabbath day like those who preached the need to be circumcised?
  4. Was Peter wrong because he taught that Jewish traditions were necessary, or because he withdrew from Gentile Christians when he was supposed to be including them?
  5. Which other countries did Paul spread God’s word to?
  6. Where are Cilicia, Galatia, and Antioch on a map?
  7. How did Paul die?

We will also be reviewing our Weekendaway from last month with a special presentation video.

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 6th May 2017

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New Bible talk series continues

This weekend we continue our new series on the New Testament book of Galatians as Jodie preaches from chapter 1 verse 11 to chapter 2 verse 10 with the title, “Freedom Revealed” .

Mission of the month: KBECET

KBECET (Kiama Board for Employing Christian Education Teachers) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday 16th May to hear Alison Blake. Dinner is $7 payable at the door, and there is no need to RSVP.

Market Day

Join us on Saturday 20th May, 9am to 12pm as we host Market Day. Plants, cakes, antiques and old wares, household goods, tools, local produce, books, CDs, DVDs, children’s’ toys. And activities, craft, jewellery, coffee, tea & pikelets all on offer. A great day for the Jamberoo community.
What can you do to help on the day?  What do you have to contribute?  An opportunity to go through your surplus belongings and bring them along to sell. Contact Helen 4236 0158 or Graham 0430 043 765 for further information.
Contributions may be left on the stage or bring them along on setting up afternoon Friday 19th May at 2pm. 

ChurchBot

We now have a new integration with Elvanto called ChurchBot. ChurchBot provides a way to find out about what’s happening in our church using Facebook Messenger. You will be able to “chat” to ChurchBot to access the Elvanto system, and you can RECEIVE reminders of volunteering, TAP to easily find out about your upcoming rosters, and ASK questions like “When am I on roster next month”. For more information see our Facebook group.

 

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 .

What’s better than winning?

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What happens when God is removed from the centre of your life and replaced with achievement?

The ABC’s Four Corners recently ran a report on elite athletes who outlined their struggles once their career was over.

They struggled with depression, unemployment and emptiness.

Lauren Jackson, Australia’s most successful female basketballer, spoke of the end of her career like a second death and with no one there.

She also experienced the effects of withdrawal, both from the adrenaline highs of performance, but also from the mix of prescriptions drugs she took to help her body survive the wear and tear she endured.

Nathan Bracken, Australian test cricketer spoke of suffering from severe depression when he retired.

But what difference would Christ make to these athletes?

Eternity magazine asked a number of AFL players this question, including Gary Ablett Jnr., one of the greatest players to have ever played.

He has won AFL’s top award twice, and has two premierships, but he placed little importance on these achievements: “In my journey those things don’t bring fulfillment, my faith is everything.”

And because faith is everything, “it’s not about premierships, its about sharing Jesus.”

He shared his faith with a teammate who faced severe depression, injury, and addiction.

But when he heard about Jesus, he realised that, “football doesn’t define who I am, I get my identity from Jesus Christ.”

So when fame and fortune come to an end, when achievements fail, when they lose their spot in the team, when they are left with nothing, they’ll still have the number one thing, faith in Christ, and nothing can take that away.

And so next time you’re dreaming of what it would be like to be an elite athlete, remember, they are dreaming of something you already have: a rock-solid identity in Christ.

Simon Chaplin

Coming up this weekend 6th – 7th May 2017

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This weekend we continue off our brand-new series in the New Testament book Galatians with the series titled ‘Free Indeed’. In the next talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Revealed”, from Galatians chapter 1 verse 11 to chapter 2 verse 10.

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

  1. In Matthew 7:22-23, why did Jesus turn people away who prophesied in his name and did miracles? If they were rejected, what chance do we have?
  2. Is there a link between Paul’s disagreement with Peter in Galatians 2, and the disagreement between the Medieval church and Luther?
  3. Since the word for Jesus in Hebrew is ‘Joshua’, then why don’t we refer to him as ‘Joshua,’ not ‘Jesus?’
  4. Will we still have scars on our resurrected bodies?

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.

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, 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 April 2017

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New Bible talk series begins this weekend

This weekend we begin our new series on the New Testament book of Galatians called ‘Free Indeed!’ as Jodie preaches from Chapter 1 verses 1 to 10 with the title, “Freedom Deserted” .

Mission of the month: KBECET

KBECET (Kiama Board for Employing Christian Education Teachers) is our mission of the month. Support this ministry through the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday 2nd May to hear Archie Poulos at the Central Hotel, Shellharbour. RSVP via the comment card or 0439 561 373.

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.

Mini Markets

Join us on Saturday 20th May, 9am to 12pm as the Ladies’ Guild host the mini-markets. Plants, cakes, bric-a-brac, local produce, books, craft, jewellery, coffee, tea & pikelets all on offer. A great day for the Jamberoo community. Contact 4236 0158 or 0430 043 765 for further information.

Petition against Abortion

There is an extreme abortion Bill currently before the NSW Parliament. If passed, this legislation would be one of the worst abortion laws in the world. You are encouraged to sign a petition at our Welcome Desk to request that the Legislative Council oppose this bill.

ChurchBot

We now have a new integration with Elvanto called ChurchBot. ChurchBot provides a way to find out about what’s happening in our church using Facebook Messenger. You will be able to “chat” to ChurchBot to access the Elvanto system, and you can RECEIVE reminders of volunteering, TAP to easily find out about your upcoming rosters, and ASK questions like “When am I on roster next month”. How great is that? For more information see the Facebook group or Valerie.

 

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 .

Abortion’s hidden injustice

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The greatest tragedy of the sexual revolution is the mass killing of unborn children through the decriminalisation and legalisation of abortion.

Whilst the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be a painful choice for the parents, the impact is undoubtedly greatest upon the human whose life comes to an end in order to benefit his or her mother and/or father.

The reason our society accepts the sacrifice of the life of an unborn child for the sake of his or her parents is because we have adopted an ethical framework that seeks the greatest pleasure or benefit for the individual.

But because the unborn child is not able to express feelings or claim rights, they are not able to defend themselves against their unwilling sacrifice for the sake of their parents.

Yet, those who advocate for abortion will often defend their practices by choosing not to define a foetus as human until the moment the child is born.

However, if we choose to listen to the word of God, then he makes it clear that embryos and foetuses are as human as a fully-grown adult.

There are many times when the Bible speaks of how God relates personally to unborn children.

Psalm 139 speaks of the personal relationship of God to the foetus, and in Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5, God says to Jeremiah that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

In God’s sight, the life of a foetus is equal to the life of a grownup, and this is why abortion must be seen as the killing of a human.

There are plans next week to introduce a bill before the NSW Parliament that will make abortion legal right up to the moment of birth.

Let us pray that our politicians do not vote to permit doctors to kill the very babies they should be caring for.

Please also consider signing the petition at our church in order to add your name to the voices seeking to oppose this legislation.

Jodie

Coming up this weekend 29th – 30th April 2017

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This weekend we kick off our brand-new series in the New Testament book Galatians with the series titled ‘Free Indeed’. In the first talk, Jodie will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom Deserted”, from Galatians chapter 1 verses 1 to 10.

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

  1. Why wasn’t John the Baptist protected by God instead of being beheaded?
  2. What did Jesus mean by “Today you will be with me in Paradise?”
  3. When are we raised into our new bodies?
  4. Should Christians be buried or cremated?
  5. How will we recognise family and friends in Heaven, since we will all have new bodies?
  6. What is the difference between our spiritual bodies and the spirits who possessed people on Earth?
  7. Is Jesus still in human form?
  8. Since in Heaven we are unable to sin, doesn’t that mean that we are like robots?
  9. Were there fish in the Garden of Eden, or were they outside the garden?
  10. Is it a sin when you steal hard-earned items in a video game?
  11. What does the Bible say about attending more than one church?

We’re also going to hear an update from Jemimah McNeill about the Year 13 program with Youthworks and the upcoming mission trip to Fiji.

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, 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.