Making the most of our milestones

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jemimah-first-and-last-day-of-school

Jemimah’s first and last day of school

Throughout life we experience a range of milestones.

These are events that show the significant progress we have made along the path of life, and they give us an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Milestones come in many shapes and forms, and sometimes they are the ‘firsts’.

So, there is the milestone of our first step, or our first tooth, or the first day of school, or the first day in the workforce, or the first day of marriage, or the first day of retirement.

Some milestones are the ‘lasts’.

It might be the last day in nappies, or the last day of an apprenticeship or degree, or the last day in the workforce.

This week my daughter Jemimah experienced her last day of school, and along with thousands of others, she has been able to stop and reflect on this milestone.

On Monday she was given the opportunity to address all of the students and teachers in her school at the final chapel service, and in this talk she made the most of this milestone.

She encouraged them all to make sure they were ready for the biggest thing that they should ever need to worry about: the return of Jesus.

After all, life is short, and nobody knows just how much longer they will be alive to make the choice to repent and rely on Jesus as our loving ruler.

You may be a long way away from your next milestone, but as you watch others experience their ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ it is a good opportunity for each of us to reflect about our life’s journey.

Are you ready for the return of Jesus? 

Coming up this weekend 24th – 25th September 2016

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This weekend Graham Errington will be speaking on the topic “Blessed are your eyes” from Luke chapter 10 verses 17 to 24.

During our services we will be hearing an update about MTS (Ministry Training Strategy).

Our 8am Sunday service will be a Holy Communion Second 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.

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

  1. Why does the Matthew genealogy mention Joseph’s name when you said it was referring to the family history of Mary?
  2. Why was Jesus conceived by God the Holy Spirit instead of God the Father?
  3. How did the Greek Orthodox church stray so far from Biblical Christianity?
  4. Could animals talk before The Fall?

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 17th September 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend we welcome our guest speaker George Statheos. At our 5pm Saturday service, George will be speaking on the topic “Gospel to the world” from Acts chapter 17 verses 16 to 34. At our 8am Sunday service, George will be speaking on the topic “Fishers of people” from Luke chapter 5 verses 1 to 11.

Next week’s Bible Talk

Next week, Graham Errington will be speaking on the topic “Blessed are your eyes” from Luke chapter 10 verses 17 to 24.

Greek Food!

In honour of George’s visit, we will be having a Greek dinner after our 5pm service. Please join us for a wonderful time of fellowship and great food.

Weekendaway speaker announced!

We’re delighted to announce that Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, will be our guest speaker at our 2017 Weekendaway. Keep 31st March – 2nd April free in your diary. An unmissable event in the life of our church.

Jamberoo Interchurch Service

Join with fellow churchgoers around our village and valley in our quarterly interchurch service. This Sunday 18th September at 7pm at Jamberoo Uniting Church.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and our region this Tuesday 20th September to hear Tara Stenhouse. Dinner is $7 payable on the night at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, and there is no need to RSVP.

Mission of the month: Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES)

AFES is our mission of the month. Support this ministry by purchasing gifts from the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

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 $5112.00, leaving a gap of $1188.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $163,800. Compared to that total we received $144,998, leaving a gap of $18,802.

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 death of death

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We know that Jesus has dealt with death, and yet we still have loved ones who grieve at the passing away of family and friends.

This is painful for us today, but for the first Christians, it was also confusing.

They had seen Jesus’ power over death when he raised Lazarus to life, and his empty tomb was evidence that he’d cured death by his own resurrection.

So what was happening to the believers in Jesus who were still experiencing death?

In 1 Thessalonians, we read words of wisdom and comfort for those who were confused and saddened by death.

The words were written so that they would not be “uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

And it turns out that whilst death is conquered, there is still a final chapter to be played out in the future:

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Death has been conquered by Jesus, but we still await the final day when the present age will come to a close and when eternity will begin and never end.

This is a great source of encouragement, and something we must continue to remind each other. Do not give up hope, but keep waiting!

Coming up this weekend 17th – 18th September 2016

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This weekend welcome our guest speaker George Statheos. At our 5pm Saturday service, George will be speaking on the topic “Gospel to the world” from Acts chapter 17 verses 16 to 34. At our 8am Sunday service, George will be speaking on the topic “Fishers of people” from Luke chapter 5 verses 1 to 11.

In honour of George’s visit, we will be having a Greek dinner after our 5pm Saturday service. Please join us for a wonderful time of fellowship and great food.

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

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

  1. Could it be possible that the guards at Jesus’ tomb were from the Temple, not from the Roman Guard, and if so, how might this change the outcome of their failure to secure the tomb?
  2. Wouldn’t the guards have deserved to die, since they lied about the resurrection?
  3. Why did Satan appear as a snake instead of another animal?
  4. Is the enmity between the snake and the woman in Genesis 3:14 symbolic of Satan’s demoted status?
  5. Why is the snake kingdom cursed when it was Satan who chose to appear as a snake?
  6. Should Nathan have prayed to God before answering David so that he was sure of what God wanted?
  7. Since Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father, how does that make Jesus a descendant of David?
  8. How could Jesus speak of all Scriptures concerning himself when he began his Emmaus sermon with Moses?
  9. Is ‘Ben Hur’ based on a true story?

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 10th September 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Jodie speaks on the topic “God keeps his promises”, from 2 Samuel chapter 7 verses 1 to 29.

Weekendaway speaker announced!

We’re delighted to announce that Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, will be our guest speaker at our 2017 Weekendaway. Keep 31st March – 2nd April free in your diary. An unmissable event in the life of our church.

Visit of George Statheos

George Statheos will be visiting our church for four days from this Thursday 15th September to Sunday 18th September for a mini-mission. Please let us know if you are able to provide or help with the Greek meal on the Saturday night.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and our region on Tuesday 20th September to hear Tara Stenhouse. Dinner is $7 payable on the night at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, and there is no need to RSVP.

Jamberoo Interchurch Service

Join with fellow churchgoers around our village and valley in our quarterly interchurch service. Sunday 18th September at 7pm at Jamberoo Uniting Church.

Mission of the month: Church Missionary Society (CMS)

CMS is our mission of the month. Support this ministry by purchasing gifts from the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Pie Fundraiser

A reminder for those who have ordered pies for KBECET fundraiser that money needs to be collected by Vic East by Sunday, 11th September. Pies will then be able to be collected from Kiama Anglican Hall on Monday, 12th September.

Time to take your photo!

Over the next coming weeks, we would like to take new photos of our church members to update our church database before Simon and Amy Chaplin join us. Please make sure you stick around after the service, so your photo can be taken.

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 $5112.00, leaving a gap of $1188.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $163,800. Compared to that total we received $144,998, leaving a gap of $18,802.

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 .

There’s a problem with ‘RUOK?’

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‘RUOK?’ is a brilliant idea to open up communication and give people permission to be honest with others about how they’re not coping at all with life.

It tries to get deep-down below the cool, calm exterior that many people can portray, even when they’re dying inside. It tries to throw a lifeline to a person who feels like they’re drowning, even though they look like they’re waving.

But the problem with ‘RUOK?’ is that it’s usually limited to how people are coping in this life, not in the next. 

It focuses on how people are surviving on Earth, and not whether they are prepared to meet Jesus, their maker and judge.

But if we don’t think about the life that is to come, then we’ll help people survive their days on Earth, but we won’t prepare them for the after-life of Heaven or Hell.

So, keep asking people ‘RUOK?’, but maybe you should also ask “RUOK with Jesus?”, as we should also ask ourselves.

For as Jesus said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew chapter 16 verse 26)

If you’re struggling with mental health issues then please tell others that you’re not OK, and let them help you to return to health.

But regardless of your mental health, take this moment to consider “RUOK with Jesus?” for he says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 to 30)

Coming up this weekend 10th – 11th September 2016

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This weekend Jodie speaks on the topic “God keeps his promises”, from 2 Samuel chapter 7 verses 1 to 29.

At our 5pm Saturday service we will be meeting one of our church members, and getting to know them a little better.

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.

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 3rd September 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Jodie concludes the series ‘Two Ways to Live’ with the sixth talk “The choice” from Matthew chapter 6 verse 24, chapter 7 verses 13 to 14 & verses 24 to 27, and John chapter 3 verses 16 to 18 & verse 36.

New Assistant Minister

We’re delighted to announce that Simon Chaplin has accepted our invitation to join us in January as the new Assistant Minister. See this week’s news story to find out about Simon, Amy and their family.

Two Ways to Live phone app

The Two Ways to Live gospel presentation is available as an iOS app for your iPhone or iPad, or if you have an Android phone, there is an app in the Google Play store.

Mission of the month: Church Missionary Society (CMS)

CMS is our mission of the month. Support this ministry by purchasing gifts from the ‘Mission Table’ in the Hall.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday night 6th September for the next Men’s Dinner. Our speaker is Peter Hayward, Bishop of Wollongong. 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Function Room. Bookings essential. Phone 0439 561 373 or email mensdinner@oakflatsanglican.com

Join a Small-group Bible Study!

Monday 7.30pm with Phil Pratt for young adults (at his house in Kiama Downs);
Wednesday 7.30pm with Trevor and Robyn Lucas (at their house in Jamberoo);
Friday 9.30am with Mandy McNeill for women (at her house in Jamberoo);
Sunday 9.45am with Graham Errington and Mark Howard (at the church);
Sunday 5pm with Mark Howard (at the church).

Visit of George Statheos

George Statheos will be visiting our church for four days from Thursday 15th September to Sunday 18th September for a mini-mission. Please let us know if you are able to provide or help with the Greek meal on the Saturday.

It’s great to wear your nametags

Thank you for taking the time to find and wear your nametags each week. It’s a great way to connect with newcomers, and to strengthen our community.

Safe Ministry Representative

We give thanks to Di Thompson for her many years of service as the Safe Ministry Representative. Annette Gibson has now accepted the role as the new Safe Ministry Representative.

Pie Fundraiser

A reminder for those who have ordered pies for KBECET fundraiser that money needs to be collected by Vic East by Sunday, 11th September. Pies will then be able to be collected from Kiama Anglican Hall on Monday, 12th September.

Time to take your photo!

Over the next coming weeks, we would like to take new photos of our church members to update our church database before Simon and Amy Chaplin join us. Please make sure you stick around after the service, so your photo can be taken.

 

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 $5112.00, leaving a gap of $1188.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $163,800. Compared to that total we received $144,998, leaving a gap of $18,802.

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 .

Introducing the Chaplins!

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Chaplins September 2016I am delighted to announce that Simon Chaplin has accepted my invitation to join our church as our new Assistant Minister at Oak Flats Anglican!

Simon is married to Amy, and they have three children: Liam (aged 8), Lily (aged 3), and Annabel (6 weeks). They will move into Oak Flats in the week before Christmas, and will begin with us two weeks after Christmas.

Simon has been serving at St Mark’s Malabar Anglican Church for nearly ten years, initially as a student minister, and then after that as the full-time assistant minister. During this time he’s done everything from youth and children’s ministry, occasional services, and ministry training, through to regular preaching.

After completing a science degree, Simon worked as an industrial chemist before doing a two-year MTS Ministry Training Apprenticeship at the University of New South Wales, prior to heading to Moore College for his four-year theology degree.

I first met Simon when he was a kid in the youth group I led in the 1990’s, and I hadn’t really caught up with him until the recent commissioning service of our CMS missionaries Adrian and Anita Lovell, who also happen to be their close friends.

Please pray for Simon, Amy, Liam, Lily and Annabel as they prepare for many farewells and changes in the coming months.

Particularly pray that as they move to our neighbourhood that they will have many opportunities to help us grow in our knowledge and love of God, and that Simon will help equip us for ministry with each other in our church and in our region.