These two big words are rarely used in common speak, but they both mean a lot to us as we ‘do’ church here at Jamberoo Anglican.

The first word, ‘intergenerational,’ describes our passion to fully include people of all ages and stages, as much as helpfully possible.

That means that we want our church to work for children, youth, seniors—people of all generations—as we gather each Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The natural response to this challenge would be to try to err on the side of making it feel like a special ‘all-age’ service, with lots of kids’ songs, puppets and memory verses.

Or, we could keep church just like it’s been for decades, and train the children to endure the adult-ness of the service, as we assume they will eventually learn the big words and get used to the formality.

But, in our church we’ve tried to cater for all of the people, most of the time, so that every person will participate and benefit, even if some of it is a little out of our comfort zone.

Ironically, a way we have achieved this is by using what the second, big word describes, namely, ‘liturgy’.

This word is commonly used to describe the words we say together during our church service, like set prayers, creeds, and the public reading of psalms.

Conventional wisdom would say that liturgy was the last thing that younger people would want, and yet it’s a surprisingly good and powerful way to achieve our desire for intergenerational church.

For, by saying words together that have been prepared in advance, it actually helps people of all ages to have the confidence to participate in church, and the joy of being fully involved, no matter how old they are.

In fact, accessible and intelligible liturgy doesn’t need to feel ‘formal’ but can actually be a really-helpful ‘scaffold’ for younger people seeking to fully engage with the ‘grown ups’ with whom they share church, week in and out.

JODIE McNEILL

This week I messaged one of our missionaries, sharing about the joys that Mandy and I experienced during our recent holiday overseas.

She responded by saying that, “there is something very energising about entering into the other world of another culture… it does good things for our imaginations.”

As we were immersed alongside people who spoke a different language and followed a different rhythm of life, it forced me to look afresh at our own culture, and to consider again how our ‘normal’ is not the same for everyone.

What’s more, it gave me insights into how to engage with a world that needs to know how to follow Jesus and why it matters, as I had a fresh look at what we value and cherish.

Two of our church members are heading to Fiji in September with the Year 13 program to learn and to serve in an environment that is very different to their own, where they will also be given the opportunity to have their imagination energised.

As they experience life in a different culture it will help them look afresh at the life they live now, and will expose them to the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry.

Yet because the Year 13 program has been partnering with Christians in Fiji for fifteen years it means that this cross-cultural partnership has grown and flourished between our two countries as we’ve shared in gospel ministry… and long-term benefits are being seen.

The blessings of this cross-cultural experience flow both ways, as the Year 13’s are equipped for a lifetime of Christian service as they taste missionary life for a moment.

As Elise and Oscar prepare for this special adventure would you please join with me in praying and financially supporting them as they get ready to have their cross-cultural imagination energised, to God’s glory!

JODIE McNEILL

Could you imagine how exhausting flying would be? Flap, flap, flap… again and again and again! 

Yes, I am sure soaring above the clouds wouldn’t be all bad, it would probably be exhilarating… but I can tell you right now, chances are I wouldn’t last 5 minutes.

Just like flying, following the Lord Jesus is both exhilarating and exhausting. 

It’s exhilarating to know Jesus and serve him with your life, but it can also be exhausting as you constantly pour yourself out to love and serve others.

Paul, a follower of Jesus, knows this reality all too well. So he encourages us with these words

2 Tim 2:1 …be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [ESV] 

He encourages Timothy, a follower of Jesus, to be strengthened by the grace that is found in Christ. 

We are saved by this grace when we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. 

And, we are strengthened by this grace every time we spend a moment with him.

When we listen to Jesus from his word and talk to him in prayer, when we spend a moment with Jesus and focus on him, we are strengthened by his grace.

Just like how a bird is strengthened and continues to fly by a strong wind, so too is a follower of Jesus strengthened and continues to endure by God’s grace.

There is no end to this mighty wind! It’s a tornado of God’s love displayed and sustained through the powerful saving work of Christ!

If God’s grace was enough to save you, it will be more than enough to strengthen you every day.

Fill your life with these precious moments and let God’s grace strengthen you every day.

Why not spend a moment with Jesus right now? 

JACOB MIERENDORFF