This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin

Don’t Give Up Meeting Together

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Over the past three months of Covid-19 restrictions, one verse from the Bible has continued to come to mind: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25).

God’s word clearly tells us that followers of Jesus need to make sure we keep meeting together so that we can keep encouraging one another whilst we wait the return of Jesus, but until last weekend, we’ve been told to keep the building closed to the public.

Yet, even though these restrictions have been hard for us, we have followed them because we gladly submit to our ruling authorities, knowing that they are sent for our good (Romans 13:1,4).

Plus, using the technology of live-streaming, we’ve been able to keep hearing God’s word together, and sharing in video conferences to keep encouraging one another after the online gathering.

As people of the new covenant we know that we meet Christ in his word by his Spirit, and that the temple is now his body, of which we are members by faith (1 Peter 2:5).

So, that’s why we’ve still been able to keep meeting together through video screens, even though we’ve been physically separate.

But now we’re allowed to come together again, how sweet is it to be in the same room together at the same time!

We look forward to the final aspects of the Covid-19 restrictions being eventually lifted for church, but even as we cannot properly sing when gathered, we can come together and set our minds on things above as we hear psalms, hymns and spiritual songs sung to us, for our reflection and encouragement (Colossians 3:16).

And though we long to be able to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16), or at least a handshake, we know that we are fully connected through our union with Christ, knowing that we can’t get closer to each other than being part of the very same body! Amen!

JODIE McNEILL

Connecting through live-streaming

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One of the surprise outcomes of the COVID-19 restrictions has been the great number of people who have tuned in to join us via Facebook Live.

Not only has this technology helped our regular members gather for church, but it’s also been a wonderful way to include friends and neighbours from our village, valley and way beyond into our services.

For this reason, our Archbishop has encouraged our churches to continue live-streaming into the future so that we can keep this terrific form of community engagement going for good.

So, we will continue to stream our services to Facebook Live, especially during the time of COVID-19 restrictions, so that we can carry out our Covid-Safe plan which provides unwell and higher-risk people with the option of staying home without missing out.

Our prayer is that everyone who is able to safely attend will come and be with us in person, but this technology means we can have a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to connect with our services via video broadcasts.

Our video cameras are located at our all-new tech area at the back of the church, but from this weekend we will not be having any ultra-wide angle shots of the whole inside of the building, so that people can attend without any concern about being filmed.

If you need or would like to avoid being filmed for livestream, then please sit on the left (carpark) side of the church and avoid the front four rows. If you sit in the seats on the right side then you might find the back of your head filmed from time to time when you stand up, but it won’t get in the way of the shot.

We’re praying that the new technology will help us continue to connect our church with the world through Facebook Live, whilst also maintaining a place where we can gather in person, without worrying about about video cameras, if that is a concern to you.

JODIE McNEILL

Where is your faith?

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It’s easy to be scared with the terrifying news that is currently filling our world.

We used the word ‘unprecedented’ to describe the bushfires, but with this one-in-a-hundred year biohazard raging around the globe, we are right to naturally fear the outcomes of this pandemic.

Unless, of course, we have faith and trust in the good and powerful hand of God.

When Jesus lived on earth two thousand years ago, he instructed his closest friends to make a voyage in a small boat… and the journey nearly ended in disaster, Luke chapter 8 verse 23:

As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

Jesus and his closest friends were at genuine risk of death by drowning, and so, verse 24:

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.

It went from chaos to calm with just a simple word from Christ.

And after he spoke to the wind, he turned to his disciples and asked them, “Where is your faith?”

If Jesus’ closest friends really trusted that he had complete control of the climate, then they would have curled up for a snooze alongside him.

But they had great fear because they had little faith, and in response, verse 25: 

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

 As you fear the future, find your faith in Jesus.

Since he controls the climate, we can trust that he also controls COVID-19, and everything in the universe.

Where is your faith?

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Tony Hisgett via Flickr.com)

What’s your opinion?

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In the next few weeks leading up to Easter, we’re wanting to hear from everyone in the village and valley of Jamberoo about who you think Jesus is.

He’s the most famous person in history, and most people have got some sort of opinion about him.

Some think Jesus was a great teacher who told people about how to live in a wise and caring way.

Some think Jesus was a miracle worker who was able to help the sick and feed the poor.

Some think Jesus was a religious leader who divided his people and was executed because of his controversial teachings.

Some think Jesus was God himself, who lived, died and rose from the dead to bring eternal life to his followers.

Some think Jesus is no longer relevant and whose teachings stop fundamentalists from progressing in modern views.

What about you? Who do you think Jesus is? What do you think about his words and his works?

Jesus was a controversial figure when he walked on earth 2000 years ago, and he remains just as divisive today.

But if you’ve formed an opinion about Jesus without reading anything in the Bible, then its likely you’ve misunderstood who he is and what he’s like.

Because many of us think that he is the most amazing person who ever lived… and who continues to live, today, in Heaven.

If you’ve not given him much thought, then as we lead up to Easter you should spend a moment reflecting on who Jesus Is___

Our church is holding special ‘Jesus Is___’ talks during our 5pm Saturday and 9am Sunday services… and it’s especially relevant and welcoming to people who haven’t come along for a long time or for ever.

So what are you waiting for? Come and join us this weekend, and bring along your opinions… we’re interested!

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo: slimmer_jimmer via Flickr.com)

Gospel First Aid

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When I attended my initial first aid training, I was told that my job was simply to keep the patient alive until the ambulance arrives.

I needed to learn how to react automatically so that I could stop the bleeding, cool the burn, or keep oxygen-filled blood moving to the brain.

There’s no time in an emergency to consult books or watch ‘how-to’ videos… you’ve got to react fast so that you can keep someone alive until help arrives.

But what about spiritual first aid?

If someone wants to find out how to become a follower of Jesus, then what ‘gospel first aid’ would you administer to them?

As a young Christian I was trained in the ‘Two Ways to Live’ gospel outline, and it’s something that every follower of Jesus can benefit from.

But if you’ve got ten seconds to tell someone how to be saved from God’s judgement and receive eternal life, then what would you say?

Well, probably the simplest, most direct summary is, “Jesus is Lord”.

For we read in the Bible that:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

So, just say, “Jesus is Lord”.

And then you can easily flesh that out a little bit by telling the person that they need to ask Jesus to be their Lord.

Then, when they come to follow Jesus, they can start to learn more about the amazing way that Jesus brought reconciliation through his death and resurrection.

But to give people the gospel first aid to help them survive God’s judgement, they just need to know and believe that Jesus is Lord.

And because Jesus rose from the dead, they can have totally confidence in him, for eternity.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: The NRMA via flickr.com)

Prayer for the Pandemic

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In a year that has seen bushfire and flood emergencies, we are now bracing for a further escalation of the ‘Coronavirus’.

As fears grow that the COVID-19 virus will soon be declared a global pandemic, our Prime Minister has now announced the launch of a plan to respond to the rapid and uncontrollable spread of this disease.

Like the fire and flood emergencies, we are again facing an emergency that we are powerless to control in our own strength.

This is the same realisation that drove so many Australians to their knees in prayer, as we collectively asked the true and living God to send saturating rain to quench the flames and the drought. 

Now is the time for our world to gather to ask the Lord of the universe to miraculously stop the spread of this destructive disease, and to help restore communities crippled by the effects of this virus.

When we pray, we acknowledge our powerlessness and our need for a genuine, super-power.

For if Trump and Jinping, are unable to come up with a way to fix this crisis, then again it shows that faith in technology is no match for faith in Jesus.

And so, as we prayed for rain to fix the fires and drought, let us pray that God would stop the spread of this virus.

Yet above all, pray that this global threat might lead people to acknowledge their genuine need of Jesus, and bring them to genuine repentance and true faith in Christ.

For the same Lord who stopped the plague when King David repented of his arrogance (2 Samuel 24:25) is the same Lord who is also able to answer our prayer for our planet.

Let us pray that our planet might come in great number before the Lord in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Alexander Mueller via Flickr.com)

Why we need judgement

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We have been shocked and saddened to hear about the horrific deaths of a Brisbane mother and her three, young children.

In what appears to be an appalling incident of domestic abuse, we feel a deep sadness as images of the once-happy-looking family are splashed over our media.

One of my facebook friends shared a news report of the incident, and the simple comment was, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’

It is right for us to long for the return of Christ to come and bring an end to this world full of sin, death, and tragedy.

It is right for us to long for Jesus’ return to judge the living and the dead, and to bring justice to those who have been victims of harm and abuse.

And above all, it is right for us to long for a time when those who trust in Jesus will live in the new heavens and the new earth, a world with no more tears.

For this to happen, we need to pray for judgement and justice, and we need to ask for God to punish those who have committed crimes against the innocent.

Yet as we we ask for justice, we all need to plead for mercy, for the Bible tells us that all of us have rebelled against God and deserve his judgement.

However the greatest miracle of all is that Jesus, the judge, promises to take the punishment we deserve upon his own shoulders, and now look at us as though we had never committed any wrongdoing, ever.

All we need do is ask for his forgiveness, and trust in him as our loving ruler for life.

For we read these powerful and comforting words in the Bible:

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. (Romans chapter 5 verses 8 and 9)

JODIE McNEILL

(Image of flowers from a make-shift memorial, near where the family died. From ABC News).

If you or anyone you know needs help:

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774

kNOw domestic abuse

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It is tragic that one of the most beautiful concepts within the Bible is so easily distorted and used to harm others.

This concept is the equal and complementary roles within marriage that help us understand the glorious service of Jesus for the church, and his self-sacrificial love for Christians.

Yet sadly, we live in a world where sin and selfishness lead us to disobey God and to harm others for our own benefit.

This is why domestic abuse is a reality amongst people in our society, including Christians in the church.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, including women, children and men, no matter where you live, your culture or religion, or your level of education.

But as we consider this, we must remember that domestic abuse is not just about getting angry or being in a bad relationship.

Instead, domestic abuse is a “pattern of behaviour, based on exerting power and control over another, causing fear and intimidation” (www.knowdomesticabuse.church).

The Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney has recently produced an excellent website, with printed support material, to help promote and support safer environments “that recognise equality between all people, including husbands and wives and promote a culture of healthy relationships of mutual responsibility and respect in marriages, families and congregations”.

Please visit the www.knowdomesticabuse.church website to read more about how to respond to domestic abuse in your home or in the lives of others you know.

And as this website reminds us, we must remember that the Bible “rejects all abuse, whether physical, verbal, or otherwise expressed from one person towards another and always condemns the misuse of power to control or exploit others. Therefore domestic abuse is evil.”

Are you or someone you know living with domestic abuse? Talk to someone at church you trust, or visit the www.knowdomesticabuse.church website.

JODIE McNEILL

Will you wear a ‘Jesus Is___’ t-shirt?

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During March and April, Anglican Christians throughout Wollongong and beyond will be wearing ‘Jesus is___’ t-shirts and other merchandise.

We’re praying that it will get lots of people talking and thinking about the identity of Jesus.

You might think that it’s a bit ‘out there’ wearing it, but a really good reason to put it on is because you want to show that you’re not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus!

As we read in 1 Peter 4:16, “…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name”

So the first reason to wear a “Jesus Is___” t-shirt is to go public for Jesus, to be unashamed that you’re connected to Christ.

For we know it’s only by calling on the name of Jesus that people can be saved (Acts 4:10, 12), and that means we need to get people talking about Jesus.

The second big reason to go public this way is to harness the power of synergy… that we can achieve more together than the sum of our individual efforts.

One person wearing a ‘Jesus is___’ t-shirt won’t be noticed for long, but if hundreds of people from across the region do, then it will create an impact.

Or, instead of a t-shirt, you could try a small badge on your lapel, or wear a wrist-band, or a “Jesus is ___” coffee keep cup, or a bumper sticker for your car or pencil case.

You could even just change your Facebook profile picture to temporarily include the ‘Jesus is ___’ artwork.

The third big reason is that when you wear it, someone might ask you, “what’s the deal with all those T-shirts… I keep seeing them everywhere!”

And you can be ready to answer: “We’re interested in people’s opinions. How would you complete that sentence?”

Let’s pray for lots of great conversations about Jesus.

SANDY GRANT with JODIE McNEILL

What’s Glorious about Judgement?

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When people talk about ‘judgement’, it normally seems to be pretty negative, because a judgement divides people, with winners and losers, and the whole idea of one person judging another just seems downright uncomfortable.

Yet in some circumstances, a judgement is a positive and welcome result.

If your wellbeing or reputation has been harmed because of someone’s harmful actions towards you, then you will welcome justice if you receive compensation or if your name is cleared from false allegations or claims.

And if the act of injustice is against someone you know and love, then you will celebrate the judgement and acquittal of the person who has been harmed.

In this case, a ‘judgement’ is a good thing, and something to be celebrated.

With this in mind, the Bible speaks over and over about God’s judgement against people who reject him and harm his good reputation.

It’s in the context of God’s judgement and punishment that we see his gracious and glorious mercy to all of us who don’t deserve his kindness and love.

Over the next four weekends we’re going be looking at four episodes in human history where God showed and will show his glorious judgement against all those who stand against him in anger and rebellion.

We’ll see his glorious judgement at Eden, as we witness the rebellion by Adam and Eve, and God’s grace through his judgement.

We’ll see God’s glorious judgement in Egypt, as he judged the blatant rebellion of Pharaoh, which led to the glorious salvation of God’s people in the Exodus.

We’ll see the glorious judgement at Easter, where the cross of Christ demonstrates God’s extraordinary love and mercy.

And we’ll see the glorious judgement at the End Time, when the definitive punishment of all rebels against God will show his love for justice and his justice in love.

JODIE McNEILL

(Image credit: Ken Teegardin via Flickr.com at www.SeniorLiving.Org)