Why God thinks cops are tops

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Police Remembrance

On this National Police Remembrance Day, it’s worth knowing that God thinks that cops are tops.

In the book of Romans, chapter 13 verse 1, we read that everyone should “be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” 

God has given authority to the New South Wales Police Force, which means that when they carry out their duties, they are doing his work in his world.

Whether it’s cancelling a drunk driver’s licence, or protecting a vulnerable person from abuse, our police force are doing God’s work in his world.

Indeed, the next verse in the Bible shows just how much authority they have from God in their job.

The Bible says, “Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

But as this verse reminds us, we live in a world that does not willingly accept authority, and so we should expect people to rebel against the authority that God has given the police.

And this comes from the fact that all humans are rebels against God, by nature.

But praise God that Jesus has sacrificed his life, taking the punishment we deserve, and giving us the forgiveness we don’t deserve.

And to take advantage of this, all a person needs to do is to say sorry for rebelling, and rely on God as loving ruler.

This is the greatest act of sacrifice, and also a great model for those who risk life and limb to protect and to serve.

And this day we honour the members of our police force, along with their family and friends, who together are involved in carrying out God’s authority in this world that he has created.

Coming up this weekend 1st – 2nd October 2016

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This weekend we welcome Matthew Meek, who will be speaking on the topic “Trusting God” from Genesis chapter 22 verses 1 to 19.

Matthew is the AFES FOCUS National Director and will be sharing an update about his ministry at the University of Wollongong.

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 24th September 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

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

Next week’s Bible Talk

Next week, Matthew Meek will be speaking on the topic “Trusting God” from Genesis chapter 22 verses 1 to 19.

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.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday night 4th October for the next Men’s Dinner. Our speaker is Lachlan Edwards. 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Function Room. Bookings essential. Phone 0439 561 373 or email mensdinner@oakflatsanglican.com

SWITCH Women’s Conference

The women’s conference for the Illawarra is on Saturday 15th October from 8:45am to 4:30pm at Waterslea Conference Centre (Nowra). Cost $60. Bookings and details www.southernwomen.org.au

Children’s and youth programs in holidays

During school holidays our normal midweek children’s and youth programs take a break until the week of 10th 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 $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 .

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 $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 .

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 $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 .

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)