We have three big events this weekend, and we’d love you to join us.

Firstly, on Friday night at 6.30pm our highschoolers are heading up the escarpment for a Youth Event in partnership with Robertson Anglican (64 Hoddle Street). If you need a lift, then be at our church at 5:45pm.

Secondly, on Saturday morning at 8am our guys are joining together for a Men’s Breakfast at James Rosten’s house, as we hear from our visiting Canadian men. For more details (and to tell us you’re coming) click this link.

Thirdly, at our 5pm Saturday service we’re having a special Canada Night, which will be followed by Canadian food and games as we hear from our Canadian visitors about what it’s like to be a Christian in the land of ice hockey, maple syrup and moose.

During our two church services, we’ll be hearing the next instalment from our ‘Hope Beyond Chaos’ series in the book of Judges, as I look at chapter 5, where we read of the ‘Chorus of the Saved‘. We’ll also have a question and answer time as I share my thoughts on these beauties from last weekend:

1 How would an Israelite be protected in the Passover if they couldn’t afford to sacrifice a lamb?
2 What is “the unforgivable sin”?
3 Does God “give” or “allow” sickness to happen to people?
4 Why does God kill people in the Bible when he’s supposed to be full of forgiveness and grace?
5 What is a ‘latrine’?
6 Since Catholics believe different things and pray to Mary, will they go to Heaven?
7 Why do we have a question time?

So, we’d love you to come at 5pm on Saturday night for an all-age service (with creche, kids’ programs, dinner, and youth group), or 9am Sunday morning for a more classic Anglican service (with tasty espresso coffee at morning tea).

Grace and peace, Jodie.

We’ve started our new series ‘Hope beyond chaos’ and it’s a fresh reminder that when things go sour, God stays sweet. If you’ve never joined us before, then come along this Saturday night at 5pm or Sunday at 9am and hear from the Old Testament book of Judges how God continues to be faithful and kind to his people, even when we fail to follow him as we ought.

I’ll be speaking on the topic ‘The Cycle of Salvation’ and it’s all about God’s faithfulness. You can read ahead from Judges chapter 2 verses 5 to chapter 3 verse 11.

If you’ve been following the news from our church then you’ll know that we’re hosting three Canadian Bible college students for the month of May, and you can meet them on Saturday night. They’ll be leading our youth group this week after church on Saturday, so it’s a perfect time for new teenagers to come along.

After a week with no questions, we’ve got ten! Here are the questions you’ve asked from response slips and emails, which I’ll answer during our church services this weekend:

1 Why did you say that we are by-products (that is unintentional) of God’s salvation, considering creation and the cross?
2 How is it possible that the tribe of Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites when they had already been completely destroyed?
3 When we ask God for guidance how does he answer and speak to us?
4 How are we sure of God’s guidance?
5 If we want to gain money in order to give it away then is it wrong to want a business to grow?
6 Is there any sin that God won’t forgive?
7 Does God ever stop forgiving us?
8 How can I feel God’s peace?
9 How can I be assured that I am going to Heaven?
10 If you claim to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you of it?

So, come and join us this weekend on Saturday at 5pm for an all-age service with creche, infants and primary programs, followed by dinner then youth group. Then on Sunday at 9am we have a classic Anglican service followed by a delicious morning tea with espresso coffee.

Jodie.

An Aussie Irishman walks into a church…

It’s no joke, because my old mate Cameron Jones has travelled all the way from Ireland to come to Jamberoo to tell us why Ireland needs Jesus more than almost any other place in the English-speaking world. (He’s also coming out to visit other churches… but it makes for a good story to say he only came out to visit us!)

To celebrate, we’re having a special Irish night this Saturday night 27th April starting with a special Irish church service at 5pm, then an Irish dinner, with trivia, games and other special items. Plus, Cameron’s also preaching on Sunday morning the 28th at 9am, so you can hear his Bible teaching in the morning at a more-classical Anglican Holy Communion service, if you’d like.

During both services, I’ll be answering all these questions you asked during church last weekend:

1 How do we know what Jesus prayed in his private prayer on the night before he died?
2 What hymn was sung at the Last Supper?
3 If Judas repented, then would Jesus have forgiven him?
4 Does our preference for unity show an innate desire for God’s love?
5 When God said “let us make man in our image”, is this the same “us” as John 17:21?
6 When we are in heaven, will we be able to speak to Jesus’ disciples and dead friends?
7 How should we respond to a Jehovah’s Witness when they come to our door?
8 What do Mormons and Scientologists believe differently to us?
9 Is casting lots the same as gambling?
10 Is it a sin to question God’s existence?

So, don’t miss out on a special weekend of church as we gather to learn about the church of Ireland and the special plans God has for the future!

Jodie.

Speaking to many people last week, it was clear that the new Bible Talk series on Jesus’ prayer to his Father has really had a big impact on us. Jesus prayed for his glory, so that his Father would get the glory, and because of that, his chosen people get certain eternal life. Amazing. If you missed the talk then you can catch up by listening on our Talks page.

So, be sure to join us this coming weekend for the next instalment as I preach from John chapter 17 verses 6 to 19, as we hear what Jesus prayed for his disciples, and what that means for us.

If you’ve never joined us before, then you really need to pop in! We absolutely love visitors, so come along at 5pm on Saturday for an all-age service with kids’ program, a terrific dinner together, then youth group for the teenagers afterwards. Or come at 9am Sunday for a more classic Anglican service, followed by espresso coffee at morning tea.

Plus, during our services we have a question and answer spot, where I get to answer your questions from last week. And they are:

1 Is it OK to be single or a virgin if you’re not wanting to grow up to be a nun?
2 Is it acceptable to divorce if the husband and wife were not Christians when married, but one later becomes a believer?
3 Whilst we won’t have married relationships in heaven, won’t we still know people there?
4 Will we feel sadness in heaven about the people who are suffering eternally in hell?
5 How is there any ‘cool’ way to die?
6 Why does God choose to save some people but not others?
7 Can we truly forgive someone who continues to do wrong to you and doesn’t repent?

Can’t wait to see you this weekend!

Grace and peace, Jodie.

It’s been quite an experience for us as we’ve spent the past three weekends looking at the topic ‘True Sex in the Song of Songs’… a study of a remarkable book of the Bible. Some people have thought that this book simply describes the love of Jesus for his church, but it doesn’t take much to realise that its really just about sex.

This week is the fourth week, and we’re looking at the topic ‘True Sex is Committed’, as we explore what the Bible says about commitment… which will lead us to cover marriage and singleness, and a whole lot more. Our Bible passage is chapters 7 and 8 from Song of Songs.

As part of our normal gatherings we spend a little time hearing some answers to questions from last week, and here are the questions you can look forward to hearing answers for:

1. Given that Baal is the moon god, does this mean that Allah is a reincarnation of Baal because Islam’s symbol is a crescent moon?
2. Since Jesus will reject some people who say “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7), then why will a person be saved simply by confessing Jesus is Lord (Romans 10)?
3. What does it mean in Song of Songs when it says, “the watchmen made their rounds”?
4. Is marriage a human ‘right’?
5. Does the Bible talk about whether it’s right to marry a non-Christian?
6. How do new-age feminists’ values line up with Christian values?
7. How should we discuss the topic of sex with non-Christian friends who are sexually-active and unmarried?
8. When you say that a “survivor should seek counselling”, who are you referring to?
9. How can I recover from the trauma of sexual abuse when I feel like I’m not good enough for God to heal me?
10. If someone likes tattoos but not hymns, doesn’t this disprove your theory about the modern attraction to ancient forms of worship?
11. Why don’t our services include a reading from the New Testament every week?

If you’ve never joined us before, then this is a perfect week to come along. Join us on Saturday at 5pm, for church with a kids’ and youth program, followed by a hearty dinner together. Or come on Sunday at 9am for church followed by a terrific espresso coffee.

I’m really hoping you’ll join us this weekend! It will be awesome to have you with us.

Grace and peace, Jodie.