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

Coming up this weekend 23rd – 24th July 2016

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This weekend we welcome Mark Howard, who is speaking on the topic “Where is God’s justice?” from Habakkuk chapter 1 to 3

Our 8am Sunday service will be Holy Communion Second Order AAPB.

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 16th July 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend Graham Errington will be speaking to us on the topic, “The Real Christian” from Luke chapter 9 verses 18 to 27.

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.

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and our region this Tuesday 19th July to hear Bronwyn Kyngdon. Dinner is $7 payable on the night at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, and there is no need to RSVP.

Combined Leadership Meeting

Saturday, 23rd July is our next Combined Leadership meeting at Jamberoo Anglican Church, starting at 8.30am.

 

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 .

Living with Gratitude

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Gratitude

Do you ever notice how much negativity is in the world today? These attitudes can seem warranted as looking on the bright side is difficult when we live in a world full of war, racism, persecution, and godlessness of all kinds.

Looking around it is clear that the world is unhappy and dissatisfied.  People are searching for happiness and satisfaction and so many are looking in the wrong places. This will always happen as unspiritual people cannot understand the spiritual (1 Cor 2:12-16) and much of our world does not understand the offer of salvation through Christ.

As Christians, living a life of gratitude and satisfaction in Jesus Christ will make us different. Scripture tells us that God is in control and we, as his people, need to be content in all situations as we rest in his strength and sovereignty (Phil 4:10-13). This means that as a body we have to “let the peace of Christ rule in [our] hearts…and be thankful” (Col 3:15).

Are you living with gratitude? 

It is easy to be tempted to live with negativity and dissatisfaction but Christians are called to be different from the world and be grateful. So practice gratitude. Thank God for the abundant blessings he gives to you and the church. Be grateful when the world is in chaos. Be grateful for the things in life that challenge you.

And most of all, be grateful that God is in control. 

Rayne Loehndorf – Youth Intern

Coming up this weekend 16th – 17th July 2016

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This weekend we welcome Graham Errington, who is speaking on the topic “The Real Christian” from Luke chapter 9 verses 18 to 27.

At both our Saturday 5pm service, and Sunday 8am service we will have a special time of farewell and prayer for Adam Hotson, our Assistant Minister as he departs from our Parish.

Our 8am Sunday service will be 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 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.

Promises and Lies

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Promise

As of this day of writing, the undetermined/undecided election took many by surprise. It is now clear that very many Australians do not trust their political leaders. Many suspect hidden agendas. We don’t appear believe in either the promises or the denials.

How much different is Christian Faith! God is the God who never lies. Titus 1:2 makes the point that God promised eternal life before the beginning of time, and has brought the promise to reality through the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection. God never lies.

None of God’s promises fail. In the Old Testament, Joshua reminded Israel that as they now stood within the promised land, that not one of God’s promises (which must have seemed outlandish at first sight) had failed, all had in fact been accomplished

In Christ we have the fulfilment of the ages. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul contrasts the poor examples of many Old Testament believers with the privileged position of New Testament believers.

We live in the “culmination of the ages” (1 Corinthians 10:11), because Jesus has lived, died, risen and ascended. And he has promised to return.

Do you live the promises of God?

Graham Errington

Church news for the week beginning 9th July 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend we welcome Trevor Lucas, who is speaking on the topic “Prayer for Spiritual Growth – Power and Love” from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 20.

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.

Soup and Sandwich lunch

Join our Ladies’ Guild ofor a Soup and Sandwich lunch on Wednesday 13th July. Guest speaker is Alison Blake speaking on the topic “Who do you think you are?” from Matthew chapter 1. Cost is $10 at Jamberoo Anglican church hall at 11.30am. Please RSVP to Helen on 4236 0158 for catering purposes.

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 18th July.

McNeills away

Jodie and his family are on leave from the 4th to the 17th July. Graham Errington will be leading our parish during this time. You can contact him on 0430 043 765 or 4232 4914 or graham.errington@jamberooanglican.com

Ladies Dinner

You’re invited to join the ladies of Oak Flats and our region on Tuesday 19th July to hear Bronwyn Kyngdon. Dinner is $7 payable on the night at 35 Fisher Street Oak Flats, and there is no need to RSVP.

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 together for planning.

 

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 .

Coming up this weekend 9th – 10th July 2016

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This weekend we welcome our very own Trevor Lucas, who is speaking on the topic “Prayer for Spiritual Growth – Power and Love” from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 20.

Our 8am Sunday service will be Holy Communion First Order AAPB.

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 2nd July 2016

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This weekend’s Bible Talk

This weekend concludes a three-week Bible talk series called ‘Leviticus: Life in God’s presence’, with Jodie speaking on the topic, ‘Atonement: drawing near to God’, from Leviticus chapter 16.

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 5th July for the next Men’s Dinner. Our speaker is Ben Pakula. 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.

Soup and Sandwich lunch

Join our Ladies’ Guild ofor a Soup and Sandwich lunch on Wednesday 13th July. Guest speaker is Alison Blake speaking on the topic “Who do you think you are?” from Matthew chapter 1. Cost is $10 at Jamberoo Anglican church hall at 11.30am. Please RSVP to Helen on 4236 0158 for catering purposes.

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 18th July.

McNeills away

Jodie and his family are on leave from the 4th to the 17th July. Graham Errington will be leading our parish during this time. You can contact him on 0430 043 765 or 4232 4914 or graham.errington@jamberooanglican.com

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 together for planning.

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 .

Welcome to the new-look Anglicare!

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new-anglicarelogoTwo months ago it was announced that Anglicare Sydney and Anglican Retirement Villages would become one, new, combined organisation.

This officially began this week, and the new organisation has decided to use the name ‘Anglicare’.

After lots of research, the organisation realised that the name ‘Anglicare’ has such widespread and positive recognition that this new name would be the best vehicle for promoting the ministry of the new, merged organisation.

The new logo was also unveiled this week, and it shows heritage, stability and growth as it combines the three aspects of Anglicare’s ministry: Retirement Living and Residential Aged Care; Home Care; and Community Services.

The new organisation will continue to provide for all of the current clients and residents, and the combined resources of the two, merged ministries will help grow its scale and capacity so that more, great ministry can roll out to the people in the Diocese of Sydney and beyond.

Let’s keep praying for Anglicare, especially for the 3,800 full and part-time staff as well as 2,900 volunteers who serve regularly.

Keep praying also for the 2,500 people in Anglicare Retirement Living Villages, the 2,180 people in Residential Aged Care Facilities, the 1,500 people who receive Home Care services, the 6,000 people who benefit from Commonwealth Home Support Programs, as well as the 20 day and respite centres.

Let’s pray also for this time of significant change as the two organisations combine, especially as this will inevitably affect many of the staff within the organisation.

Pray that Anglicare grows in its impact so that the gospel message of ‘Jesus is Lord’ will spread widely to all who receive the care from this organisation.