Faster, higher, stronger?

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7721180-3x2-700x467As we reach the midpoint of the 2016 Summer Olympics we’re reminded again of the wonder of the human body.

Each day we hear about the smashing of world records, as we witness men and women go faster, higher and stronger.

It is right to be amazed at the way that God has made us, but we must be careful not to worship creation rather than the creator.

For, we read in the Bible that this can become the end point in a downwards spiral away from true worship of God.

Even though God has made it very clear that he is worthy of all praise, people have chosen to neither glorify him nor to give him thanks. (Romans 1:21)

And this has naturally led to people to worship created objects, which ultimately means they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:25)

This sounds a little intense, but the temptation to worship created things rather than the creation is something that is part of human nature, and even the pleasure of the Olympics can result in idolatry if we are not careful and wise.

So, enjoy cheering on the green and gold… but as you see humans break through the limits of speed, height and strength, be sure to give God the glory!

Coming up this weekend 13th – 14th August 2016

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This weekend Jodie continues the series ‘Two Ways to Live’ with the third talk “God’s judgement” from Deuteronomy chapter 29 verses 16 to 20, and 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 6 to 10.

After our 5pm Saturday service, please join us for a bush dance starting at 7.30pm to farewell our youth intern, Rayne as she heads back to Canada.

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 6th August 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Jodie continues the series ‘Two Ways to Live’ with the second talk “Humanity Rebels” from Genesis chapter 3 verses 1 to 6, and Romans chapter 1 verses 18 to 25.

You, me and the Bible course

At the same time as our ‘Two Ways to Live’ talk series we’re going to be going together through the workbook ‘You, me and the Bible’. If your small group leader’s not doing it then you can grab a copy for just $5 and do it with a friend.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

150th Anniversary preparations

Our church building is turning 150 next year, and we’d love to have a celebration! If you are interested in helping organise this special event, please let us know so we can plan a time to meet up together for planning.

Rayne’s Farewell and Bush Dance

Join us on Saturday, 13th August to farewell Rayne as she heads back to Canada. Church service at 5pm followed by a sausage sizzle and lamingtons at 6.30pm. A bush dance will begin at 7.30pm. All are invited. Come to all or any part of the event. Please RSVP to lesleyaerrington@gmail.com for catering purposes.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and our region on Tuesday 16th August to hear Kara Hartley. Dinner is $7 payable on the night at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, and there is no need to RSVP.

Pie Drive Fundraiser

Please contact Vic East on 4236 0525 if you are interested in a Pie Drive Fundraiser for Scripture at Kiama High School.

Mike Baird at Shellharbour Prayer Breakfast

Premier Mike Baird is speaking at the Shellharbour Prayer Breakfast, Friday 28th October 7am at Ravensthorpe, Albion Park. Join the other churches of our region to hear Mike’s Christian testimony. Tickets $45 available online at  shellharbourprayerbreakfast.org

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).

 

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 $5882.00, leaving a gap of $418.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $245,700. Compared to that total we received $221,466, leaving a gap of $24,234.

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 you worried about your privacy?

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If you hadn’t already noticed, next week’s Census is causing quite a bit of a stir.

Most of the concerns are because the Australian Bureau of Statistics have determined that they will be keeping every name and address on file, without giving people a choice to ‘opt out.’

Censuses tend to be a magnet for controversy, usually because people like to keep their secrets to themselves.

There is a place for appropriate privacy, (especially when it comes to modesty), but it’s worth remembering that nobody can keep their secrets hidden from God.

For, we are reminded in the Bible that “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” and that “everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 13.)

God is fully trustworthy with what he knows about us, but as our creator he has a right to hold every human accountable for their lives.

And we know that his living and active word is “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12.)

Fortunately, God is merciful, and we know that he will forgive us when we seek reconciliation with him for when we’ve acted like he’s not our loving ruler.

So, knowing how much God knows about us, this Census Tuesday is a perfect opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness, through the death of his son, Jesus.

Coming up this weekend 5th – 6th August 2016

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This weekend Jodie continues the series ‘Two Ways to Live’ with the second talk “Humanity Rebels” from Genesis chapter 3 verses 1 to 6, and Romans chapter 1 verses 18 to 25.

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 30th July 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Jodie begins a six week series on “Two ways to Live”, with the first talk ‘God as loving ruler and creator’, from Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 to 31, and Revelation chapter 4 verses 6 to 11.

You, me and the Bible course

At the same time as our ‘Two Ways to Live’ talk series we’re going to be going together through the workbook ‘You, me and the Bible’. If your small group leader’s not doing it then you can grab a copy for just $5 and do it with a friend.

 Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

150th Anniversary preparations

Our church building is turning 150 next year, and we’d love to have a celebration! If you are interested in helping organise this special event, please let us know so we can plan a time to meet up together for planning.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond this Tuesday night 2nd August for the next Men’s Dinner. Our speaker is Dr Noel Weeks. 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Function Room. Bookings essential. Phone 0439 561 373 or email mensdinner@oakflatsanglican.com

Dinner at the Bowlo

Join us this Thursday at 6pm at the Jamberoo Bowling Club for a relaxed Chinese meal together.

Rayne’s Farewell and Bush Dance

Join us on Saturday, 13th August to farewell Rayne as she heads back to Canada. Church service at 5pm followed by a sausage sizzle and lamingtons at 6.30pm. A bush dance will begin at 7.30pm. All are invited. Come to all or any part of the event. Please RSVP to lesleyaerrington@gmail.com for catering purposes.

Pie Drive Fundraiser

Please contact Vic East on 4236 0525 if you are interested in a Pie Drive Fundraiser for Scripture at Kiama High School.

 

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 $5882.00, leaving a gap of $418.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $245,700. Compared to that total we received $221,466, leaving a gap of $24,234.

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 .

Seeking a new Assistant Minister

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Our partner church at Oak Flats Anglican is looking for a new Assistant Minister to join our churches to help equip us for ministry.

For as we see from Ephesians chapter 4, we know that Jesus has given speakers of God’s word to the church, so that every Christian will be equipped for ministry to everyone, so that the church will be built, and that we all reach true unity in our knowledge and life, in mutual maturity.

So, we’re looking for a man who is passionate about using God’s word to train everyday Christians to love, lead and learn together.

He’s going to be joining us at Jamberoo to preach occasionally, and he will also be helping the church at Oak Flats by providing a special focus on growing small groups, on helping newcomers feel at home, and on seeking to help reach the parents and carers who send their kids and youth to the midweek groups.

Plus, as he works with Jodie and Graham in the ministry he will generally assist our two churches in training and supporting us all as together we seek to grow.

Please pray that we get the best person possible, and that God continues to provide the necessary resources to support this ministry.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the ministry of our churches, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the years ahead of ministry, together.

Jodie.

Coming up this weekend 30th – 31st July 2016

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This weekend Jodie begins a new series ‘Two Ways to Live’ with the first talk “God as loving ruler and creator” from Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 to 28, and Revelation chapter 4 verses 6 to 11.

We will also hear from Liana McNeill, our Year 13 student who recently spent a month in Fiji on mission as part of her Year 13 course.

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 prayerbook 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 23rd July 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Mark Howard will be speaking to us on the topic, “Where is God’s justice?” from Habakkuk chapter 1 to 3.

New Bible Series

Next week Jodie begins a six week series on “Two ways to Live”, with the first talk ‘God as loving ruler and creator’, from Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 to 31, and Revelation chapter 4 verses 6 to 11.

Mission of the month: Anglicare

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

150th Anniversary preparations

Our church building is turning 150 next year, and we’d love to have a celebration! If you are interested in helping organise this special event, please let us know so we can plan a time to meet up together for planning.

Parish Council

Our Parish Council meets this Monday, 25th July at 2.30 pm at the church. Please remember them in your prayers.

Men’s Dinner

You’re invited to join the men of Oak Flats and beyond on Tuesday night 2nd August for the next Men’s Dinner. Our speaker is Dr Noel Weeks. 6.30pm at the Central Hotel Function Room. Bookings essential. Phone 0439 561 373 or email mensdinner@oakflatsanglican.com

 

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 $5882.00, leaving a gap of $418.00.

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $245,700. Compared to that total we received $221,466, leaving a gap of $24,234.

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 .

Reviewing ‘Failure’

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failure-success

It would be easy for many to view my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo Anglican Churches ultimately as a failure. As an energetic and enthusiastic College grad hopes were high that God would do great things. In less than two years those hopes came crashing down due to anxiety and depression that led to hospitalisation and 9 months of ‘stress leave’.

However in the midst of these incredibly hard 9 months, I can’t help but reflect on God’s goodness and my own ability to reassess ‘success’. In my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo I have seen the way in which God has worked, in spite of my weakness, to make himself known. There is a reason Paul says, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Cor 12:9) 

It has been exciting to see people grow in relationship with Jesus through the teaching I have been a part of. It has been particularly amazing to see people come to know and put their trust in Christ for the very first time! It has also been great to see the development of ministry to youth in our churches and I am really thankful for the role I have been able to have in that regard.

It is sad for us as we say goodbye. We will miss the fellowship we have had with you all. My hope and prayer is that you continue to fix your eyes upon Jesus, trusting in him, through your own ‘failures’.

Adam