A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving

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This week, the people of the United States of America celebrated their annual Thanksgiving Day holiday.

In November 1621, following their first successful corn harvest, the Plymouth colonists from England invited the Native American Wampanoag people to share a celebratory feast which is acknowledged as the first Thanksgiving celebration in the colonies.

For Christians, Thanksgiving should be more than an end-of-November feast – it should be a lifestyle. Thanksgiving for Christians should mean that we maintain an attitude of gratitude towards God every day.

It is more than just saying “thank you.”

Acknowledging God and His blessings, and giving thanks is deeply rooted in the Christian faith.
Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. (1 Thess 5:18)

The first thanksgiving feast we see in the Bible is mentioned in Deuteronomy, called The Feast of Weeks where God instructed the Israelites to establish a thanksgiving festival to honour the Lord.

More applicable to us today is The Lord’s Supper – a Christian custom that commemorates Jesus’ final meal with his disciples and is a central act of Christian worship.
It is a ‘meal’ of remembrance and hope with an underlying expression of thankfulness for the saving death and resurrection of Christ.

By remembering what Jesus did for us, our lives are grounded in his finished work for us.
It isn’t a way you can earn your salvation; it is a thanksgiving meal for those who are saved. It doesn’t add anything to the finished work of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice but confirms it and strengthens us in him.

Because of all that it is, we come to the Lord’s Supper with both humility and joy as God’s dearly loved children to be reminded of who we are in Christ.
To be strengthened by him as we meet with him by faith, and to whet our appetite for that day when we will enjoy with our Saviour the ultimate Thanksgiving Day feast.

Sandee Batelic

Coming Up This Weekend 1st December 2024

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This weekend Jodie McNeill will continue preaching our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’, titled ‘The Abundance of Comfort’ from Isaiah 55:1-13.

This weekend we have the following questions for our Question Time:

1 How old is the church building?

Time is running out if you would like to ask Jodie a question!
Question time with Jodie will finish on the 8th of December 2024. To get your question in please email the office office@jamberooanglican.com.


Every day (except Sundays) we meet at 7am online for an online half-hour morning prayer time at zoom.jamberooanglican.com and you’re very welcome to join us!

After church we’ll have brunch in the morning and dinner in the evening, so there’s plenty of time to chat and chew, together!

See you on Sunday, God willing!

Church News for Sunday 24th November 2024

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Sunday’s Sermon

This Sunday, Jodie McNeill continues our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’ from Isaiah 52:13-53:12 called, ‘The Suffering Servant of Comfort’.

McNeill Farewell – SAVE THE DATE

We will be holding a special, combined church service on Sunday 15th December at 4pm (which means we won’t meet on that day at 9am). Save the date and plan to attend this significant event in the life of our church.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for November is ‘Water for my Camels’ by Paul Grimmond. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

Each Friday we meet for our kids and youth groups of SPARK (Years 3 to 6) at 4:30-6pm, and Youth Group (Years 7 to 12) from 7-9pm at the church hall.

Churchill Carols 

Churchill Carols is on the 24th December at 5pm for a free sausage sizzle, 6pm for a one-hour, open air event on our grass, followed at 7pm by supper and more games. A special moment for our church family as we come together and invite others to celebrate the good news of Christmas.

Jamberoo Community Carols

Join with Jamberoo for community carols at Reid Park on 10th December at 6:30pm, with sausage sizzle for sale beforehand.

Midweek Small Groups 

By being a member of a Small Group, you are helping us all to care for each other as we grow in our knowledge and love of God. Join a group by filling in the Connect Card or contacting a staff member.

Safe Ministry Matters  

For anyone who needs to update their training and prefers face to face, the Refresher course is being run at Shellharbour City Anglican Church on the 16th November 2024.
Speak to our Safe Ministry Representative Gemma Bartlett on 0414 425 639 or email gemma.bartlett@jamberooanglican.com

Catch up on Sermons and Questions

Listen to sermons and our Question Time on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by searching ‘Jamberoo Anglican’. You can also watch previous services at watch.jamberooanglican.com

Church Giving

Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. For last month, our average weekly giving was $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00. 

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of last month, we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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.

Olimometer 2.52

To give by direct transfer then these are the details: Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

In the Beginning

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Genesis 1-3 contains some of the most powerful and amazing stories of the Old Testament, and possibly even the whole Bible as we see the power of God as he creates the universe!

Right from the very beginning, we see the mind-blowing character of God.

The Genesis creation story is a story that is so familiar to us. We hear over and over again “And God said’ ‘And God said’ ‘And God said’.

However, how often do we stop to reflect on this? To consider the magnitude and awesomeness of God.

God is so powerful that when he spoke, creation happened! When he speaks, light comes where there was only darkness before. When he speaks, creatures start crawling.
This is the power of God’s word.

How amazing to think that God spoke everything into existence out of nothing.

Everything except for humanity.

When God made man there was something very personal and intimate that took place.

From the earth, God created man with His own hands, in His own image.

Nothing else in all of creation carries the privilege of being created in the image of the Creator God.
Creation is a clear and compelling depiction of the undeniable and unconditional love of God. We were intimately made to be the image-bearers of the One True God.

In these first few chapters of the Bible we learn that God is good.
He is thoughtful and caring and kind and generous. He loves his creation – He gives us good gifts. He gives us community. He provides for our needs. He gives us life and blessings. He delights in us. He shows amazing grace and mercy to us.
He has a plan and provides a Saviour in Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, the only one who perfectly reflects all of God’s attributes and fulfills His will.

As we enter the busy Christmas season let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith.

Sandee Batelic

Coming Up This Weekend 24th November 2024

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This weekend Jodie McNeill will continue preaching our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’, titled ‘The Suffering Servant of Comfort’ from Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

This weekend we have the following questions for our Question Time:

1 If prayer is a private thing as Jesus says in Matthew 6:6, why do we pray collectively in church?

2. Why do we not include the books from the Bible Apocrypha in standard Anglican bibles? What about the non-canonical books referenced in the bible?

If you would like to ask Jodie a question please email the office.

Every day (except Sundays) we meet at 7am online for an online half-hour morning prayer time at zoom.jamberooanglican.com and you’re very welcome to join us!

After church we’ll have brunch in the morning and dinner in the evening, so there’s plenty of time to chat and chew, together!

See you on Sunday, God willing!

Church News for the Weekend of 17th November 2024

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Sunday’s Sermon

This Sunday, Jodie McNeill continues our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’ from Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9 called, ‘The Coming Servant of Comfort’.

McNeill Farewell – SAVE THE DATE

We will be holding a special, combined church service on Sunday 15th December at 4pm (which means we won’t meet on that day at 9am). Save the date and plan to attend this significant event in the life of our church.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for November is ‘Water for my Camels’ by Paul Grimmond. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

Each Friday we meet for our kids and youth groups of SPARK (Years 3 to 6) at 4:30-6pm, and Youth Group (Years 7 to 12) from 7-9pm at the church hall.

Churchill Carols 

Churchill Carols are about 6 weeks away!
This event is a special moment for our church family as we come together and invite others to celebrate the good news of Jesus this Christmas.
And we need your help to make Churchill Carols happen. Hopefully you will have received an email last week about how you can help. It would be great if you could take a moment to fill it in.
If you didn’t receive this email and would like to, please ask a staff member and we will make sure you get the relevant information.

ONE Music Festival

ONE Music Festival is a wholistic family event aiming to bring different generations and denominations together to celebrate and experience Jesus in community. Children, youth groups and adults are all welcome. It will be running on the 16th of November at the Kiama Pavilion and showgrounds from 2pm – 9pm. Expect to see different bands, food trucks among other fun surprises. You can come for the whole event or part of it, your choice. Tickets are available now at onemusicfestival.com.

Anglicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker

This Christmas, we’re collecting food and gifts for those who are doing it tough. Our partnership with Anglicare’s “Toys ‘n’ Tucker” aims to share the joy of Christmas with families who would otherwise go without. 
Even the smallest donation can make the biggest impact!
Please consider what you can donate for this great ministry. We currently have very few donations and time is running out! Anglicare will be coming to collect our donations soon!
All donations can be dropped off in the church hall ready for boxing up and collecting.

Midweek Small Groups 

By being a member of a Small Group, you are helping us all to care for each other as we grow in our knowledge and love of God. Join a group by filling in the Connect Card or contacting a staff member.

Safe Ministry Matters  

For anyone who needs to update their training and prefers face to face, the Refresher course is being run at Shellharbour City Anglican Church on the 16th November 2024.
Speak to our Safe Ministry Representative Gemma Bartlett on 0414 425 639 or email gemma.bartlett@jamberooanglican.com

Catch up on Sermons and Questions

Listen to sermons and our Question Time on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by searching ‘Jamberoo Anglican’. You can also watch previous services at watch.jamberooanglican.com

Church Giving

Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. For last month, our average weekly giving was $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00. 

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of last month, we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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.

Olimometer 2.52

To give by direct transfer then these are the details: Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

Square One Camp

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Last weekend we attended the Youthworks Square One camp at Port Hacking.

There were over 300 kids from 19 churches from grades 3-6 from all over NSW coming together to and sit under God’s awesome and true word!

We had 5 boys from Jamberoo who were a part of the weekend where we looked at ‘the second-best rescue’.

In the second-best rescue, God rescued his people from Pharaoh as slaves, and we recreated the first Passover to help us to understand and feel what it might have been like for God’s people.

We first ate some lamb (beef jerky) representing the lamb that died instead of the firstborn son. Then we ate the bitter herbs (ginger) to help remember the bitterness and harshness of slavery in Egypt.
I must say when we tried the ginger it was so bitter that we had to have a lolly afterwards to get the taste out!

Then we ate bread without yeast (rice crackers) remembering how the Israelites ate in a rush, ready to escape Egypt.

There were some great questions from the boys, thinking deeply about this symbolism and why it matters for us as forever friends of Jesus today.
We were able to understand that Jesus is our Passover lamb who died in our place and be thankful.

There was also time to have tons of fun joining other church groups in activities such as going down the waterslide, playing water base baseball, going on a mini bush walk, and doing an Egyptian hieroglyphics scavenger hunt!
The weekend was filled with joy, laughter and a deeper growth in knowing one another and Jesus bigger and better than before.

Rach Bemmer

Coming Up This Weekend 17th November 2024

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This weekend Jodie McNeill will continue preaching our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’, titled ‘The Coming Servant of Comfort’ from Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9.

This weekend we have the following questions for our Question Time:

1 Can anyone baptise or does it have to be a minister?

If you would like to ask Jodie a question please email the office.

Every day (except Sundays) we meet at 7am online for an online half-hour morning prayer time at zoom.jamberooanglican.com and you’re very welcome to join us!

After church we’ll have brunch in the morning and dinner in the evening, so there’s plenty of time to chat and chew, together!

See you on Sunday, God willing!

Church News for the Weekend of 10th November 2024

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Sunday’s Sermon

This Sunday, Jodie McNeill continues our sermon series ‘Isaiah: Complete Comfort’ from Isaiah 40:1-31 called, ‘The Call of Comfort’.

McNeill Farewell – SAVE THE DATE

We will be holding a special, combined church service on Sunday 15th December at 4pm (which means we won’t meet on that day at 9am). Save the date and plan to attend this significant event in the life of our church.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for November is ‘Water for my Camels’ by Paul Grimmond. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

Each Friday we meet for our kids and youth groups of SPARK (Years 3 to 6) at 4:30-6pm, and Youth Group (Years 7 to 12) from 7-9pm at the church hall.

Churchill Carols 

Churchill Carols are about 7 weeks away!
This event is a special moment for our church family as we come together and invite others to celebrate the good news of Jesus this Christmas.
And we need your help to make Churchill Carols happen. Hopefully you will have received an email during the week about how you can help. It would be great if you could take a moment to fill it in.
If you didn’t receive this email and would like to, please ask a staff member and we will make sure you get the relevant information.

ONE Music Festival

ONE Music Festival is a wholistic family event aiming to bring different generations and denominations together to celebrate and experience Jesus in community. Children, youth groups and adults are all welcome. It will be running on the 16th of November at the Kiama Pavilion and showgrounds from 2pm – 9pm. Expect to see different bands, food trucks among other fun surprises. You can come for the whole event or part of it, your choice. Tickets are available now at onemusicfestival.com.

Anglicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker

This Christmas, we’re collecting food and gifts for those who are doing it tough. Our partnership with Anglicare’s “Toys ‘n’ Tucker” aims to share the joy of Christmas with families who would otherwise go without. 
Even the smallest donation can make the biggest impact!
Please consider what you can donate for this great ministry. We currently have very few donations and time is running out! Anglicare will be coming to collect our donations soon!
All donations can be dropped off in the church hall ready for boxing up and collecting.

Midweek Small Groups 

By being a member of a Small Group, you are helping us all to care for each other as we grow in our knowledge and love of God. Join a group by filling in the Connect Card or contacting a staff member.

Safe Ministry Matters  

For anyone who needs to update their training and prefers face to face, the Refresher course is being run at Shellharbour City Anglican Church on the 16th November 2024.
Speak to our Safe Ministry Representative Gemma Bartlett on 0414 425 639 or email gemma.bartlett@jamberooanglican.com

Catch up on Sermons and Questions

Listen to sermons and our Question Time on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by searching ‘Jamberoo Anglican’. You can also watch previous services at watch.jamberooanglican.com

Church Giving

Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. For last month, our average weekly giving was $5509.00, leaving a gap of $791.00. 

Olimometer 2.52

Up to the end of last month, we needed to have received $273,000. Compared to that total we received $245,588, leaving a gap of $27,412.

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.

Olimometer 2.52

To give by direct transfer then these are the details: Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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These verses are a cornerstone of biblical wisdom literature, offering profound guidance on how to navigate life with faith and reliance on God – teaching us to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and refrain from relying solely on our own human understanding.
To trust in the Lord with all our heart means to place our confidence in His character and promises.
It requires us to believe that God is good, loving, and faithful, even when we don’t fully understand His ways. This kind of trust is rooted in a personal relationship with God, nurtured through prayer, reading Scripture, and experiencing His faithfulness in our lives.
Next, we are instructed to “lean not on your own understanding.”
Human understanding is limited and often flawed. Our perspectives are shaped by our experiences, emotions, and biases, which can lead us astray. This is why the Bible warns us against relying solely on our own reasoning.
Leaning not on our own understanding means acknowledging our limitations and seeking God’s wisdom instead.
The third part of the verse requires us to “in all your ways submit to him.”
Submission to God involves recognising His authority and allowing His will to influence every aspect of our lives. Submitting to God in all our ways means seeking His guidance in both major life decisions and daily choices, knowing that our actions reflect our faith. 
The final part of the verse promises that “he will make your paths straight.”
This is a reassurance that when we trust in God, lean on His understanding, and submit to His will, He will guide us and direct our steps.
This doesn’t mean that life will be free from challenges or that we will never face difficulties. However, it does mean that God will provide us with the direction and strength we need.

As we grow in our trust and reliance on God, allowing Proverbs 3:5-6 to guide our daily lives, we will experience the peace and direction that comes from living in alignment with God’s will.

Sandee Batelic