Church news for the week beginning 2nd July 2022
OUR SERMON
This weekend we will be hearing from God’s word as Jacob Mierendorff preaches to us from 2 Peter Ch. 1.
SAFE MINISTRY COURSE
We would love every member of our church to complete the ‘Safe Ministry Essentials’ course at www.safeministry.training. The course costs $20 and lasts 3 years. See Sandee for more details.
MORNING PRAYER
Join us at 7am every day (except Sunday) at zoom.jamberooanglican.com as we gather to read the Bible, pray, and encourage each other as the new day dawns.
JUNE & JULY BOOK OF THE MONTH
‘How Will the World End?’ by Jeramie Rinne. How you ever wondered what the end of the world will actually look like? Christians believe that history is moving towards a dramatic conclusion – that one day Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But there seem to be so many different views about how this will happen, and when it will take place. How can we make sense of it all? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply the liberating reality of what the Bible is actually saying about the return of Christ and the end of the world. We have physical copies available for purchase over in the church hall. However, if you wish to order your own copy online or read via Kindle, you can do that here.
GIVING UPDATE
Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. Last month, our average weekly giving was $5616.00, leaving a gap of $684.00. Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $218,400. Compared to that total we received $195,239, leaving a gap of $23,161.
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 NEW details. Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.
To give to our tax-deductible MTS Scholars Fund to support our apprentice youth minister, head to mts.com.au/give/jamberoo-anglican-church/
Living Water
Sometimes I forget to drink water. I go about my day, surviving on coffee and toast. By the time the afternoon comes, I get a headache. But I only realise I am dehydrated after my headache, never before. I need water – coffee or other drinks won’t help. Nothing refreshes or rejuvenates like water does. I need it every day to survive and thrive.
Sometimes I forget, or put off reading my Bible. Life seems too busy to allow God to have input in my life. There are so many things to get distracted by, and reading God’s word is easy to make a low priority.
But just like we need water, we need Jesus.
Nothing this world has to offer can refresh and rejuvenate us like his word.
Hebrews 4:12 says: For the word of God is alive and active. 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.
God’s word is alive and active! His word is a gift to us!
If God cares enough to give us his word, he clearly thinks it’s important for us to read it.
Reading and listening to the Bible should be our number 1 priority. It is how we know God, and how he refines us to live for him.
In Luke 11:28, Jesus himself said “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
We shouldn’t wait until we get a spiritual headache to realise we need the water of God’s word. For our own good, listening to God should be a habit. Reading the Bible is not something we should do, it’s something we need to do.
Because like water, God’s word is the source of life.
BRAD VIDILINI
Coming up this weekend 2-3rd July 2022
This weekend we are going to be hearing from God’s word as Jacob Mierendorff preaches to us from 2 Peter Ch. 1.
After our 5pm Saturday service we’ll be having dinner, and after our 9am Sunday service we’ll be enjoying brunch together.
These are the questions we’re looking forward to Graham answering during the services:
1 Why do people have different last names if we all are descendants of Adam?
2 Shouldn’t all Christians forgive each other as it says in Colossians 3:12–15?
3 Why does Moses sometimes stretch out his hand and other times his staff?
4 If only certain people are chosen to be Christian, then why do we evangelise everyone?
5 What happens if a person submits to God but isn’t chosen?
6 If Jesus can resurrect Lazarus, why doesn’t he just resurrect us?
We’d love you to join us in-person if you’re able, or watch our livestream at watch.jamberooanglican.com.
We’re really looking forward to seeing you this weekend!
Church news for the week beginning 25th June 2022
OUR SERMON
This weekend we will be hearing from God’s word as Trevor Lucas preaches to us from Hebrews Ch. 12 about how we can ‘Keep on keeping on!’.
KEBECET PIE DRIVE
Orders are due by Tue 28th June. Head to the events page on our website to order some pies or donate to support scripture teaching (SRE) at Kiama High School.
SAFE MINISTRY COURSE
We would love every member of our church to complete the ‘Safe Ministry Essentials’ course at www.safeministry.training. The course costs $20 and lasts 3 years. See Sandee for more details.
MORNING PRAYER
Join us at 7am every day (except Sunday) at zoom.jamberooanglican.com as we gather to read the Bible, pray, and encourage each other as the new day dawns.
JUNE & JULY BOOK OF THE MONTH
‘How Will the World End?’ by Jeramie Rinne. How you ever wondered what the end of the world will actually look like? Christians believe that history is moving towards a dramatic conclusion – that one day Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But there seem to be so many different views about how this will happen, and when it will take place. How can we make sense of it all? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply the liberating reality of what the Bible is actually saying about the return of Christ and the end of the world. We have physical copies available for purchase over in the church hall. However, if you wish to order your own copy online or read via Kindle, you can do that here.
GIVING UPDATE
Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. Last month, our average weekly giving was $5616.00, leaving a gap of $684.00. Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $218,400. Compared to that total we received $195,239, leaving a gap of $23,161.
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 NEW details. Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.
To give to our tax-deductible MTS Scholars Fund to support our apprentice youth minister, head to mts.com.au/give/jamberoo-anglican-church/
The Perfect Backdrop
When was the last time you went to a jewellery store?
For me it was when I went to pick up an engagement ring so I could proposed to my lovely fiancé and (hopefully) soon to be wife.
I was absolutely dazzled! Firstly, by the price… and secondly, by the beauty of all the precious diamonds!
They were displayed on a dark black velvet cloth, which helped them stand out even more.
The jeweller knows that black is the perfect backdrop for these precious diamonds because it lets the diamonds shine through in all their glory.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans he spends the first few chapters doing something similar.
Rom 3:10b No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one… 19b the entire world is guilty before God.
Just like the jeweller Paul sets the scene for his message by showcasing the dark backdrop of human sinfulness and unrighteousness. He then continues;
Rom 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Every single human being has fallen short of God’s glorious and good standard.
But, our sinfulness is the perfect backdrop for God’s righteousnesses to shine though!
Rom 3:24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Against the dark backdrop of human sin God’s grace in Christ shines through like a marvellous diamond.
Praise be to our gracious God! He has freed us from sin and made us right in his sight!
JACOB MIERENDORFF
Coming up this weekend 25-26th June 2022
This weekend we are going to be hearing from God’s word as Trevor Lucas preaches to us from Hebrews 12.
After our 5pm Saturday service we’ll be having dinner, and after our 9am Sunday service we’ll be enjoying brunch together.
These are the questions we’re looking forward to Graham answering during the services:
1 Since Jesus was perfect, did he ever get sick?
2 Who named Adam and Eve?
3 Who made angels?
4 How should we respond when people use God’s name in vain?
5 Is there a time when it’s alright for Christians to kill, such as self-defence?
6 Were Old Testament sacrifices effective because of Jesus’ sacrifice?
7 Did Judas go to Heaven or Hell?
8 What can I say to encourage my friend who feels they’re falling away from God?
We’d love you to join us in-person if you’re able, or watch our livestream at watch.jamberooanglican.com.
We’re really looking forward to seeing you this weekend!
Church news for the week beginning 18th June 2022
OUR SERMON
This weekend we will be hearing from God’s word as Brad Vidilini preaches to us from Psalm 62 on ‘Real Hope’.
KEBECET PIE DRIVE
Head to the events page on our website to order some pies or donate to support scripture teaching (SRE) at Kiama High School.
SAFE MINISTRY COURSE
We would love every member of our church to complete the ‘Safe Ministry Essentials’ course at www.safeministry.training. The course costs $20 and lasts 3 years. See Sandee for more details.
MORNING PRAYER
Join us at 7am every day (except Sunday) at zoom.jamberooanglican.com as we gather to read the Bible, pray, and encourage each other as the new day dawns.
JUNE & JULY BOOK OF THE MONTH
‘How Will the World End?’ by Jeramie Rinne. How you ever wondered what the end of the world will actually look like? Christians believe that history is moving towards a dramatic conclusion – that one day Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But there seem to be so many different views about how this will happen, and when it will take place. How can we make sense of it all? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply the liberating reality of what the Bible is actually saying about the return of Christ and the end of the world. We have physical copies available for purchase over in the church hall. However, if you wish to order your own copy online or read via Kindle, you can do that here.
GIVING UPDATE
Each week we need to receive $6300.00 in order to meet our commitments. Last month, our average weekly giving was $5616.00, leaving a gap of $684.00. Up to the end of the last calendar month we needed to have received $218,400. Compared to that total we received $195,239, leaving a gap of $23,161.
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 NEW details. Account name: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.
To give to our tax-deductible MTS Scholars Fund to support our apprentice youth minister, head to mts.com.au/give/jamberoo-anglican-church/
Controversial Conversion
In all my years of being a Christian, there’s nothing I love more than seeing another person become a new follower of Jesus.
It’s such a joy to see someone go from living for themselves, with all the guilt and uncertainty, to now living for Jesus, with all the freedom and certainty for eternity.
Yet, not everyone shares the thrill of seeing a person become converted to Christ.
I was reminded of this when I read again about how Jesus sent a mob of demons out of a man, which led to the death of a large herd of pigs.
Sure, the impact of losing the livelihood of the livestock was a significant thing, but to see the joy and relief of the once-possessed man should certainly have overridden such concerns.
Yet, we read in Luke 8 that when the people saw the man who was freed from the demons “fully clothed and perfectly sane,” they were all afraid, and so:
“all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.” (Luke 8:37)
The people were face-to-face with a modern miracle that brought complete release to a tortured man, and yet all they could do was drive Jesus away because of their fear.
When people meet Jesus and are changed, it can be confronting to others.
For, their new life will mean that they now turn away from some things that they once embraced and encouraged.
If some of those former things are valued highly by others, then that person’s conversion to Christ will be considered to be a challenge to others.
Yet, when a person knows how good it is to be forgiven by Jesus, there’s nothing that anyone can say that will take away that deep joy and certainty for eternity.
JODIE McNEILL
(Photo credit: K-State Research and Extension via Flickr.com)