Searching the Scriptures

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Recently at Youth Group, we looked at Acts chapter 17:1-15, as part of our series on Paul’s missionary journey in the book of Acts.

In Acts 17, there are two, very different responses to the gospel.

When Paul preaches in Thessalonica, he gets run out of town by an angry mob, but when he then moves onto a town called Berea, he gets a much more positive reception towards the good news of Jesus.

Acts 17:11b says, “they searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth,” and as a result, they put their trust in Jesus.

As the Youth Minister of this church, it is a privilege to witness our young people exhibit the same attitude towards the gospel as the Bereans.

Each Friday night, we meet to hang out, play games and build relationships, but most importantly, we search the Scriptures week after week to find the truth that God has revealed in his word to us.

In this passage we were particularly challenged by the fact that the Bereans searched the Scriptures day after day, coming back to Scripture time and time again, soaking in it, reflecting on it.

Do you search the Scriptures day after day?

We have access to the Bible like never before, both hardcopy and online, yet how often do we fill our time with other things than reading God’s word?

The young people of our church have an enthusiasm for the gospel: day after day, week after week, time after time, they encourage those of us who are older to be as excited as they are to read God’s word.

This week, why not ask a young person at church what they’ve read in the Bible recently?

Hopefully that will encourage both you and them to follow the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures for truth day after day.

BRAD VIDILINI

Coming up this weekend 14th July 2024

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This weekend Andy McPhail continues his three-week series called ‘The Race’ from Philippians 3, with his second talk called ‘Running the Race: Pressing On’’

This weekend we continue the second of our three weekends in our ‘Schools Out, Kids In’ program, where Rach helps us work to make our church gatherings even more intergenerational.

This week we won’t be having a question time but feel free to reply to send your questions via email or text.

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 7th July 2024

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Sermon Series

This Sunday, Andrew McPhail begins a three-week series on ‘The Race’ from Philippians 3.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for July is ‘You’re Only Human’ by Kelly Kapic. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

We’re having a holiday break from our normal Friday 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.

Equip Women  

Equip Women’s Conference, ‘Hope for the Weary’ livestream on Saturday 27th July, 2-5pm. Afternoon Tea included. $22 (teens free.)  Register at equip.org.au and RSVP by SMS to Gabriella on 0418685169

‘Meet Jesus’ Evangelism Series

From 28 July to 1st September we’re having a six-week ‘Meet Jesus’ sermon series in conjunction with local Anglican churches. Pray that people would meet Jesus and follow him!

Schools Out, Kids In!

Our ‘Schools out, kids in’ church services begins this Sunday and the next two weeks, as Rach leads us in extra-intergenerational services for all ages and stages, all together!

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  

Our Safe Ministry Representative is Gemma Bartlett. Speak to her about everything related to safety in ministry 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.

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: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

We Love Kids’ Ministry!

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As our teachers take a break after a big Term Two, we’ve asked two of our kids’ church leaders to reflect on their ministry and share with us about how we can encourage and support them as they serve our children and our families.

One leader is Elise Baker, who serves as a leader in our morning kids’ program, as well as leading youth and also teaching Scripture at Jamberoo Public School.

She loves doing ministry because she believes that helping build a biblical and Christ-centred foundation for children is important: “Whether it’s through song, a Bible story, prayer, craft or activities, I find it super rewarding to see the children’s growth and curiosity as they continue learning from the Bible.”

For this term, a personal highlight has been going through the Old Testament in the Jesus Storybook Bible, “for I love how each story connects so clearly to Jesus.”

Liz Vidilini is another morning church leader, and she says that she loves leading in this way, “because it brings me joy to see little children understand how much Jesus loves them, and it reminds me that following Jesus is a childlike faith and he welcomes us with open arms.”

As she reflects on the ministry, she wants us to know that leading in this way, “is not scary or hard,” and that even if teaching kids isn’t a person’s normal skill set, that “it’s just about sharing Jesus with the children.”

She’d love more people to volunteer to spend time intentionally sharing Jesus with the great kids at our church, because she believes that, “intergenerational ministry is so valuable.”

Elise would love us to pray that God will continue to give the leaders, “wisdom, joy, and creativity as we prepare and lead,” and she ask that for the kids, they might, “remain curious and open-hearted, and that they grow in their understanding and relationship with Jesus.”

Finally, they’d love us to pray for all the families, that each parent or carer would disciple their children’s growth at home.

Praise God for our kids’ ministry!

RACHEL BEMMER

Coming up this weekend 7th July 2024

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This weekend Andy McPhail will be launching a three-week series called ‘The Race’ from Philippians 3, with his first talk called ‘Starting the Race: The Call’’

We’re thrilled to let you know that this weekend we kick off the first of three weekends in our ‘Schools Out, Kids In’ program, where Rach helps us work to make our church gatherings even more intergenerational.

This week we won’t be having a question time but feel free to reply to send your questions via email or text.

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 30th June 2024

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Sermon Series

This Sunday, Brad Vidilini is preaching on the topic ’Grateful Praise’ from Psalm 100. Next week Andrew McPhail begins a three-week series on ‘The Race’ from Philippians 3.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for June is ‘A Chance To Die’ by Elisabeth Elliot. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

This Friday join us for SPARK (Years 3 to 6) at 4:30-6pm, or Youth Group (Years 7 to 12) from 7-9pm at the church hall. After this Friday, we’re taking a break for holidays.

Equip Women  

Equip Women’s Conference, ‘Hope for the Weary’ livestream on Saturday 27th July, 2-5pm. Afternoon Tea included. $22 (teens free.)  Register at equip.org.au and RSVP by SMS to Gabriella on 0418685169

‘Meet Jesus’ Evangelism Series

From 28 July to 1st September we’re having a six-week ‘Meet Jesus’ sermon series in conjunction with local Anglican churches. Pray that people would meet Jesus and follow him!

Schools Out, Kids In!

Our ‘Schools out, kids in’ church services return next Sunday and the two weeks after, as Rach leads us in extra-intergenerational services for all ages and stages, all together!

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  

Our Safe Ministry Representative is Gemma Bartlett. Speak to her about everything related to safety in ministry 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.

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: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

Messiah of the Middle East

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It’s hard to imagine somewhere in the world with greater conflict than the Middle East, where Islam, Judaism and Christianity all compete and clash with each other as they search for their roots in this distant, dusty land.

It is true that these three ‘Abrahamic faiths’ have a common ancestor, and for that reason, they bear many similarities to each other in their origins.

Yet, when Jesus was born, God showed himself in the clearest way ever, as the Word became flesh and lived among us, showing us the true glory of God.

Jesus showed that whilst sacrifice was essential in repairing our relationship with God, it was ultimately through the sacrifice of himself that we could have our broken status with God restored, and gain the only hope of dealing with the problem of our sin.

Yet, this idea of undeserved grace continues to be a sticking point between these three faiths, for only Christianity has all the heavy lifting done by God, not us, which grants us a confidence that we cannot have if we rely on our performance.

This is one of the many ways in which these three faiths differ, but ultimately we see how the love of Jesus shapes and impacts the everyday life of his believers, as we see the way that men and women are equally loved and valued by Jesus, who sets himself as the model for the love we are to show each other.

This is why we need to pray for the Christians in the Middle East, that they will be able to explain the heart of the love of Jesus, and how his death and resurrection changes everything for everyone who believes in him.

The one who was born in the Middle East is the one who came to change the world.

JODIE McNEILL

Coming Up This Weekend 30th June 2024

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This weekend Brad will be preaching from Psalm 100 on the topic ‘Grateful Praise’.

This week we won’t be having a question time but feel free to reply to send your questions via email or text.

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 23rd June 2024

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Sermon Series

This Sunday, Jodie finishes the series on Titus called ‘Effective Christianity’ The talk is ‘Effective Unity’ from chapter 3 verses 9 to 15.

Book of the Month

Our book of the month for June is ‘A Chance To Die’ by Elisabeth Elliot. Physical copies are available at our bookstall or buy online at: wanderingbookseller.com.au

Friday Kids and Youth

This Friday join us for SPARK (Years 3 to 6) at 4:30-6pm, or Youth Group (Years 7 to 12) from 7-9pm at the church hall. 

Equip Women  

Equip Women’s Conference, ‘Hope for the Weary’ livestream on Saturday 27th July, 2-5pm. Afternoon Tea included. $22 (teens free.)  Register at equip.org.au and RSVP by SMS to Gabriella on 0418685169

‘Meet Jesus’ Evangelism Series

From 28 July to 1st September we’re having a six-week ‘Meet Jesus’ sermon series in conjunction with local Anglican churches. Pray that people would meet Jesus and follow him!

Middle East Friend Visit

Our ‘Friend From The Middle East’ is visiting Jamberoo in June! Join us for a special evening of prayer and updates next Tuesday 25th June at 7-9pm in the hall.

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  

Our Safe Ministry Representative is Gemma Bartlett. Speak to her about everything related to safety in ministry 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.

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: Jamberoo Anglican Church. Account number: 356831. BSB: 032605.

Generating Power

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There’s been a lot of talk recently about generating power, with one side of politics promoting off-shore, wind-generated power, and the other side promoting nuclear power.

But as the politicians try to reduce emissions and bills, it’s worth noting that the Bible speaks about power, and often in the most unexpected places.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul prays for his readers in an intimate and glorious prayer, where he asks God to give them what is most needed.

Somewhat unexpectedly, he prays about power.

Firstly, he prays that the Ephesian Christians would be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit so that Christ would truly live within them (Ephesians 3:16-17.)

In other words, he prays that God would give them the power to truly be united with Christ in every way—something that needs divine power to really happen.

Secondly, he prays that they would have the power, “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (3:18.)

The only way that they’ll really get their head around the amazing love of Jesus is if God gives them the spiritual power they need to comprehend it.

Thirdly, as he prays for God’s glory, he recognises that with God’s power in us, he is able, “to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (3:20.)

By the power of his Holy Spirit, God is able to do the greatest thing of all: lead us to truly know the love of Jesus.

This is the greatest thing that anyone can experience, and it’s only by the power of God that this remarkable truth can truly break through our thick minds and hard hearts.

That’s the power we need the most!

JODIE McNEILL