Youth in 4th Term 2007

This term at Mittagong Anglican Church we will be taking a fresh look at Jesus across all of our youth groups and services! We hope you will join us and discover that Jesus really is who he says he is.

FUEL is Refueling

FUEL will be taking a month vacation from October 1 and will be back in November in upgraded form.

Hope you have enjoyed FUEL so far and that God has encouraged you through our messages. Feel free to provide further feedback on any aspect of our site.

See you in November!

God and You: Your Action Plan

Well our series on 1 Corinthians is nearly over after two terms - only a couple of weeks to go!

Some questions for you: what has stood out for you from what Paul wrote in this letter? What has been something you hadn't known or thought through before in your Christian life that this series has helped you with?

For me one thing was (of all things!) the Lord's Supper. I was really reminded by God that the Lord's Supper is not just a private thing between me and God, but also between me and everyone at church proclaiming Jesus to each other!

Another thing was being reminded of how God's wisdom is so much more powerful than the shallow emptiness of the world's wisdom. Knowing and living out Christ crucified in our lives is the key for life!

What did you discover?

10 points for where this is. 30 points for the name of the park.

Todd Agnew and Rebecca St John

See them being interviewed about their joint single Our Great God on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSkT5ZSvh68 .

This Saturday and Sunday: Be There!

Well it's time! The new MAC Centre is about to open!

Make sure you get to both events:

1. This Saturday at 3pm: Official Centre Opening
2. This Sunday at 10am: Combined Service (THERE IS NO SUNDAY @ 6 THIS WEEKEND)

Some of us are going to be putting up balloons from 11.30am this Saturday around church at St Stephens. We'll then have a barbie lunch and some ultimate frisbee if you're around.

God and You: The Bourne Ultimatum

For our God and You column this week, go to this address:

http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/culture/watching/the_bourne_ultimatum/

It's a review of The Bourne Ultimatum! Read about the film from a Christian perspective - it's a good review.

God and You: Resurrection Chaser

It's been a big week if you're a Sydneysider. Major world leaders (such as Vladimir Putin-Russia, George W Bush-USA, Wen Jiabao-China) are in town, there's a great big security fence in the middle of the CBD, and the Chaser have done it again...a major prank success as they got through two levels of security and very nearly a third to reach the US President's hotel!

It's a good thing that world leaders are meeting together and it's a good thing to pray about at home. Pray for justice and mercy and care for the oppressed to be part of their discussions. Pray that God would over-rule in decision-making.

But on another level there is still so much difficulty and struggle in our world. At home we either struggle with family difficulties and feeling unsure about what we are meant to do in life - or we don't think about it at all. Across the world, people are still locked in patterns of poverty, injustice and heartache. Have a look at some world problems here, for example.

God's word says that our earthly bodies are perishable - sown from the dust in dishonour and weakness (1 Corinthians 15:42-47). Some choose to ignore the pain of death and its futility by eating and drinking merrily, for tomorrow we die (1 Corinthians 15:34).

But as Christians we have a light in the middle of the cloud! We have hope, we have the certainty that God is going to do something about all of this injustice and frustration that still clouds our world.

Jesus is risen! And because of this, one day Christ will put an end to all powers and authorities of every kind and hand the world over to his father. Everyone who has followed Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be given new life! We will be dressed in splendour, with bodies given to us by God - full of power, full of glory, transformed! We will have victory over death - God will rule us powerfully and with excellence!

With this certainty about the future, we can dive with confidence into Jesus and live for him! Although we see death and frustration in the world we know that Jesus will deal fully and perfectly with both soon. We can dive full-blooded into serving God before he returns! Praise God!

Confirmation for November 11th

Have you been confirmed before? Do you know what that means?

Confirmation is a way for you to share with everyone that you have made your own decision to follow Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. It's usually for people in their teens (although Andrew P got confirmed at the age of 29!!).

It involves you attending a few weeks of short classes with other confirmees to learn more about Jesus and the Christian faith you have taken on as your own.

At the end of the few classes there will be a confirmation and celebration service for all our confirmees on 11th November at Sunday @ 6 with Bishop Al Stewart taking the service and speaking from God's word.

Please speak to your parents first and then either Andrew P, Richard or Janelle if you would like to share with everyone that you have made your own decision to follow Jesus! As a church we will support you 100%!!!

10 points for the name of the man pictured. 60 points for his official title.

Youthworks Youth Leadership Training Term 4!

Exciting news! Youthworks are coming to the Southern Highlands!

Andy Stevenson from Youthworks is holding free youth leadership training in term 4 and in January 2008 in the Southern Highlands for anyone wanting to either become a youth leader or gain new skills in youth leadership!

Please speak to Andrew P (that is, if he doesn't speak to you first to ask you to come!) about this exciting new partnership between Mittagong Anglican Church, the Southern Highlands Anglican churches and Youthworks.

This is just the beginning of some exciting new ideas coming for 2008 for our youth and young adults ministries - stay tuned!

How many weeks ago was this picture taken? 60 points on offer!

You Must Buy Tickets ASAP

Friends - a ticket warning!!!!

a) Tickets for Sunday 16th September combined service lunch ($10 each or $25 for a family) must be paid for by 9th September at the latest!!!! Otherwise you will not be able to eat with every person at MAC! PLEASE BRING YOUR MONEY WITH YOU TO CHURCH!

b) Steve Morrison - tickets are $10 for 18 and under, $15 for adults. Includes dessert. Can buy new Steve Morrison CD on the night!!! PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!

God and You: God Keeps The World Together

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Psalm 75:3

It's been a big week for big names being affected in a big way.

Owen Wilson, star of Zoolander, Starsky and Hutch, Meet the Parents and a host of other hilarious Hollywood comedies, apparently tried to kill himself this week.

Andrew Johns, one of the great Rugby League footballers, confessed last night on Channel 9 that he has been a slave to drugs for 10 years to cope with the pressure of top-level football. He is still taking them in retirement. He also 'fessed up to having serious depression.

Let's remember to pray for these guys. Who hasn't enjoyed Owen Wilson? He is a great comedian and his movies with Ben Stiller have been hilarious and tremendously successful. And who hasn't enjoyed Andrew Johns at his best - he was a magnificent sight, scoring tries and winning games for Newcastle, NSW and Australia. We can pray for them to recuperate and recover from their illnesses, and to become Christians.

Sometimes I forget these guys are just people. Sometimes I forget and think they are hugely successful people on the outside and the inside. But I would be wrong - my Bible tells me something different:

As it is written: "There is no one righteous (right in God's eyes), not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." Romans 3:10-11

But Jesus is perfectly right with his Father, and through Jesus - if we accept what he has done for us on the cross - we are made right with God:

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Thanks Jesus! But what made Owen Wilson and Andrew Johns do what they did? Well, they each felt they couldn't cope with their situations - they needed help and couldn't get the help they needed.

God has something to say to us as Christians:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-11

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is God who keeps steady its pillars.

Where is this picture taken? 50 points!!!

God and You: The Outsider

Have you ever felt like an outsider at a church before? One of our own church members has felt like this recently. Read about it here.

Everything is new. Everything is strange. Your first instinct is to leave the building. It feels too hard to talk to anyone. You don't often get what is happening in the service. People speak in some kind of different language.

You think to yourself, if no-one talks to me soon I'm outta here and never coming back. God can't make that much difference to people if they're not nice to me.

Believe it or not that is how someone new to church feels when they first come to a service. Do you remember the first time you came to church? I do, even 'though it was nearly 15 years ago! Try going to a church when you are away from Mittagong on holidays - you'll quickly remember what it is like!

Paul talks about the outsider in 1 Corinthians 14:13-25. Even 'though it seems to be all about 'speaking in tongues' and 'prophecy', if you read between the lines Paul is really concerned for the outsider.

He says to the people in church who are speaking in tongues (a weird language no-one can understand),

"if some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?"

He wants people to speak normally! Paul says if people just speak normally to new people with words from God, that is really helpful to a newcomer and it shows them Christ in a powerful way.

Next time you see someone new at church welcome them, understand the nervousness and awkwardness they may be feeling, greet them lovingly, introduce them to your friends, and speak of God's goodness to them.

After all, that is why they have come!

Make Sure you RALPH this Weekend

...Ralph Whitten that is!

Ralph and Kylie Whitten are CMS missionaries in Seville, Spain. They'll be talking to us at Sunday @ 6 this weekend about Spain and how God is working there. Hope you can join us for our mission theme this Sunday night.

CMS Youth

This week our youth groups FEAST and SENIOR HIGH are heading to the Northern Territory (NT)!

It's the CMS Youth Night (see details in 'what's coming up' on the sidebar).

We're going to do some fun NT stuff - including eating NT foods - and then hear from Ruth Brigden, a young new missionary soon to head out to the NT to serve God.

Points Quiz

Yes, more points up for grabs. Where is this for 10 points. Another 10 points for what happens here in July.

God And You: Youth

God has a lot to say especially to youth in the Bible. He says some marvellous, encouraging things. Look at these verses as a sample:

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
Psalm 25:7-8

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
Psalm 71:5-6

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17-18

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2-5

For the Christian youth God does not remember our youthful sins and our rebellion. He teaches us even from youth about following him despite our mistakes. He is our confidence in our youth - even if we don't have confidence in ourselves. He is our hope! David and other psalm writers - still in their youth in some of the psalms - show us the hope they have in God. It's fabulous!

God warns youth also in the Bible. He doesn't warn them for no reason 'though. Youth are encouraged to turn around their behaviour so that they do not fall forever from God's grace by their rebellion.

I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, 'I will not listen!' This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me.
Jeremiah 22:21

Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the LORD our God."
Jeremiah 3:25

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

God cares deeply for youth and wants them to know the joy, the hope, and the everlasting friendship he promises through Jesus.

Do you know that hope?

Book Your Tickets Early

It's official! Keep Saturday 29th September 2007 from 7pm (for 7.30 -9.30pm) free!

We have managed to snag one of Australia's premier jazz groups, the Steve Morrison Trio, for our opening night for youth and young adults!

Steve is a Christian who was formerly in the well-known Australian Christian band AROMA before moving into the jazz scene. He has played several gigs at Australia's premier jazz house, The Basement in Sydney (he is playing there again to launch his new CD this Thursday 16 August at 8pm).

The night is going to be really special with top-notch desserts and entertainment. During the night Steve will give a short account of his Christian life - so this will be great to invite your friends for good music, great location, good food and hearing about why a premier musician would follow Jesus.

Who's Playing: Steve Morrison Trio

Date: Sat 29 September 2007
Time: 7.00-9.30pm

Cost: $15.00 (includes swanky dessert)/$10.00 for 18 and under
Location: The new MAC Centre, cr Main St and Church Lane, Mittagong

Book tickets: from Sunday 12 August through Andrew Paterson

Love and Pizza at Sunday @ 6

Join us at Sunday @ 6 - Janelle's going to be telling us about true love in the Bible. We'll also be having pizza after the service. Can't wait to see you then!

Made by Senior High B: Wedding Attire

These outfits can be ordered upon request. You supply the paper.

Made by Senior High A: Gladiator

The latest in toilet paper fashion.

As modelled by Tony Parks (note what his initials are).

God and You: Disciple Makers

At Senior High we like to do things that lead us into the theme of the night! Can you guess our theme from last Monday from the above picture?? You'd be doing well!

On Monday we we made things: unique bubble gum sculptures like the one above (yes - it was truly gross!), a gladiator outfit and bride and groom wedding attire (both made from loo paper).

God graciously makes us his followers through Jesus. He also makes us disciple-makers. Have a look at some of these verses from the Bible:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Jesus)

Matthew 5:14-16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...(Paul)

Romans 1:16

Some questions for you to post a comment on below:

Have you shared something of your Christian life with a friend who doesn't know Jesus? What do you find is the most scary thing about sharing Jesus with someone else?

However you answered those questions, know that you are not alone! You have all your Christian friends at church to get prayer, support and encouragement from.

And of course, when you share the gospel it is the power of God that changes people's hearts - we don't have to rely on our own power to convince our friends about Jesus! Hooray!

Spiritual Gifts

Hope you were encouraged and spurred on in your faith by our talk on spiritual gifts at Sunday @ 6 last night or at any of our services.

Do you know what your spiritual gift or gifts are? If not, be brave! Ask a Christian friend you love and trust to get their opinion - someone who will give you honest, truthful feedback. Pray to God and ask him too! And try out your gifts and you may discover you have a real passion for something (eg welcoming new people or encouraging others in their faith).

A Quick Silly Quiz!

To find out what supervillain you are, go to

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/villain/

Post up who you turn out as!

God and You: Being Connected

A few weeks ago in the USA, Apple introduced its new iPhone. Did you know Apple sold over 270,000 iPhones in the first 30 hours of sale - that's about two sold per second! Clearly people want to be connected to each other with a mobile phone, and they want a nice way of connecting! The iPhone is easy to use, pretty-looking and is a mulitpurpose device that seems to suit all of its users' needs.

At Senior High last Monday we looked at how we are connected to God through Jesus. We read about the image of the vine in John 15:1-20. We saw that:

• God is the gardener, or - to use iPhone talk - he is the best keeper of networks ever!
• Jesus is the only connection to God the Father
• We are in Jesus - that is, we are a branch of the vine, or like a mobile phone user connected to God's service!
• If we disconnect to God we can do nothing on our own - there is no connection or service! Our lives go dead!
• If we remain in him he will remain in us
• God chose us personally to be part of his network through Jesus
• God is not a big brother horrible God with us his slaves but a friend, a personal God (thanks for this point Ashleigh McGill)
• God asks us to love each other 'as I have loved you'
• As his disciples - connected to him and actually in him, like a branch is a living part of a vine (see picture above) - we begin to bear fruit for Jesus!
• This fruit is love for Jesus, hope in Jesus, faith, and things like
  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Like any good gardener, God will prune us now and then and that will hurt.
• But he does that so we will eventually bear more fruit for him.

Are you being pruned at the moment? Does it hurt? Although it is hard, know that this is for your benefit, to make you bear fruit for the living God, who personally chose you to receive the benefits of his 'kingdom network'.

He's Back!

This Sunday @ 6 Richard Mills returns! He'll be leading our service. And there's something different about him...see for yourself this coming Sunday night.

Catherine Laughlin is also going to speak to us about her mission trip with students from Bowral Christian High School to the Northern Territory.

Andrew will be speaking this Sunday night on the spiritual gifts we receive from God. Listen out for his 'top 10 gifts I wish I had' list...

See you there.

This Sunday @ 6...

...Elyse Bywater will be leading our service and Andrew will be speaking on the topic of 'Are Christians Cannibals?'. It will be a discussion on the Lord's Supper and its significance in our Christian life.

A great way to be prepared for Sunday @ 6 would be to read our passage - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Look forward to seeing you there.

God and You: Stumbling block principle brings real results!

Over the last few weeks in our sermon series on 1 Corinthians we’ve looked at stuff like ‘the Stumbling Block Principle’ of Paul.

It’s really important for us to remember that when we use that principle, good things happen.

In Acts 15, Peter tells the Council of Jerusalem that anyone – whether a Jewish person or non-Jewish – can turn to Jesus and be saved. But some people had other ideas.

"They have to be circumcised, according to the Law of Moses", they said*.

Why did they say this? Perhaps they were a bit alarmed at the freedom non-Jewish people were exercising in their faith.

In contrast, the Jewish believers were still fresh from observing all the Jewish customs and were finding it hard to break away.

To cut a long story short – the Council decides to apply what we know as ‘the stumbling block principle’! And it has a wonderful effect on Christians everywhere!

The council sends a decree to the new Gentile Christians, saying they are pleased they are saved by grace, but asking them to voluntarily steer clear of a few things that would really truly cause offence to the Jews.

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are…It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. (Acts 15:11; 19-20)

In this way, the Gentiles would care for the 'weaker' Jewish Christians.

Because of applying the ‘stumbling block principle’ so that Jewish people were cared for, here’s what happened:

As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16:4-5

Just remember from this example in Acts: when we obey God’s word and care and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ, good things happen.

*Acts 15:1

God and You will Be Posted Thursday!

Coming Soon to the New MAC Centre

www.stevemorrison.com.au

Here Is...Tony Parks! (Part 2)

What is your story with following Jesus?

I was brought up in the Catholic Church so I knew God when I was young – but for a long time through High School I never went to church. Things were going good and I guess God was just left out. In year 10 and 11 things got a little harder. School was hard and I didn’t like it much. The fun things which my friends and I used to do as kids were now getting to old for us to do. Even ‘though I had people around me who loved me I felt very alone and down.

But it was at this time of questioning that God really drew me in. So it was a rainy cold day when I was feeling like crap, sitting in my room, when I started to read my school bible. Then I read a bit more and a little more. And I guess that’s how it got started. Not long after this one of my friends from school who was not a Christian heard of the youth group at Mittagong Anglican Church and all the cool stuff they were doing, so I went along with him as much to hear about God and what Anglicans believe as to get out of the house.

I was blessed really that God brought me to a place where I met some amazing Christians. Mark Adam was running the youth group and what an awesome encouragement he and the other youth leaders were. I can remember just having great conversations with Mark, Fuzz, Josh and Dan and the other leaders in their cars to and from youth group events.

At Harvest 2000 I got up and went down the front when they asked people to commit their lives to Jesus. The next day when I was at home in my room I talked to God for ages and I pretty much said “From now on it’s me and you”. I mad a promise that I was always going to love and serve him and he was going to be my God. I said I would never leave him if he would never leave me.

The start of my Christian life was exciting and I was always full on. I felt God very powerfully in me, working in my life. I started to go to bible study which was just up the street, and every day in study class I would read my bible the whole time – so growth happened very quickly.

SO that’s about it, I am still following God 7 years later. Someone once said being a Christian is like being married – it’s a lifelong relationship which you have to work at, it takes a whole lot of work sometimes but other times you just know it’s the only place to be and it really makes life worth living.

What's a favourite Bible verse?

Hard to say – but Romans 10:11 is encouraging:

For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

Chris Tomlin Interview

For an interview with Chris Tomlin on how he wrote the song How Great is Our God (sung at Sunday @ 6) click here.

God and You: Being All Alone

(Contributed by Cecily Paterson)

The story of Elijah is very instructive for anyone who is feeling alone, isolated and misunderstood.

Elijah replied, "I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."

1 Kings 19:10

Elijah feels alone. He’s dwelling on his isolation, and it’s making him almost arrogant. He’s getting into a sense of forced melancholy – sort of crisis, panic, super-drama. It’s an easy state for any of us to find ourselves in.“I’m the only one who really understands the world, who really sees the problems in Australia, who really has a relationship with God that means something, who’s really suffered, who really.... " Well, you fill in the blank.

It's so easy to find ourselves the hero of an exaggerated super-drama.But God did not leave Elijah alone. He does not leave us alone either. We would have to go far to be completely isolated. There is always someone to stand with - others who love God. Why did Elijah not make an effort to find others who were the same as him and seek refuge with them? I don’t know. Maybe fear of being rejected, killed or persecuted? Maybe it was pride. In a dramatic way, it’s kind of cool to be the only one left! The single hero, solitary figure, misunderstood.

There are heaps of movies are built on that romantic ideal. But interestingly, the single, solitary, misunderstood hero is always seriously flawed - as a result of their isolation. It might be cool or interesting to be isolated for a while. But you will die of it in the end. It was the grace of God that told Elijah there were 500 others who followed him. Not just two or three. But 500!

There are plenty of people around who we can stand with too. We have to face our fears and our pride and go out and identify ourselves with them.

(15 points for naming the location in the picture)

Here Is...Tony Parks! (Part 1)

Tell us about yourself:

Well I was born Anthony John Parks in Ipswich, Queensland to iconic Australian parents (mum was and still is a schoolteacher, dad was a miner). Dad’s mum got sick when I was about 5 or 6 so dad got a job at the Berrima Colliery and we moved to the Southern Highlands.

I had a great childhood. I spent all my spare time riding my pushbike, building cubbyhouses and billycarts and climbing trees, like kids are supposed to do!

I finished year 12 in 2001 and had a variety of jobs after that which included being a factory hand, a delivery driver, trades assistant, installing skylights and insulation (worst job in the world!) and I joined the army reserves too.

In 2005 I started a linesman’s apprenticeship with Integral Energy which was a huge blessing from God – it is a wonderful job. It combines the things I like such as heights and electrical things. Not a day goes by where I am not grateful to God for giving me such an opportunity.

So that is where I am at now, I still live at home with my folks and my little sister Renee. My brother Clinton is at NSW Uni and my sister Alicia is at Charles Sturt Uni in Orange. I have an awesome family which is also another huge blessing in my life – I am not sure what I would do without them.

Do you have hobbies?

Well work keeps me pretty busy but in my spare time I love to fish and fish and fish a little more. Lately I have been getting into rock climbing and abseiling after I bought ropes a few months ago. I’ve been up the Gib a few times doing that which is very fun. I like to cycle when it is warm and am trying to get strong so I work out in our garage a few times a week. I also love to play Settlers (the board game). I play a couple of times a week with mum and Renee…not boasting or anything but my record is impressive! I also love to read – not that I do it overly much but Nan bought me a Bryce Courtenay book which was a great read. Pay the Devil by Jack Higgins also kept my interest.

Not being a suck but God is a huge passion in my life. I love reading the Old Testament stories of God’s faithful people like Abraham, David, Job, Gideon, and others. I love seeing how God can use people so powerfully and to do amazing things. At the moment I am reading Luke which is encouraging.

For how Tony became a Christian, stay tuned for part 2 soon!

Peter Bull This Coming Sunday!

This coming Sunday @ 6 we'll be hearing Peter Bull preach on a difficult passage in the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.

Why not read the passage before Sunday? This will really help you get your head around the passage before Peter talks about it with us.

Pray for Peter as he prepares. Look forward to seeing you there!

5 points to guess where this is (hard!). 20 points for the name of the building it is taken from (harder!).

What Coming Up at Sunday @ 6

This Sunday night we'll be hearing about suicide prevention from Daphne Robey. She's going to give us some pointers to watch for with our friends who we think may be in trouble in this department.

Also Janelle is going to speak to us on 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 - 'everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial'.

We'll then share a light supper together and you might want to go out to Shellfish - I mean Swordfish - Cafe or someone's place afterwards to talk about the night and what God has shown you!

Your Favourite Christian Artist(s)

Here's a chance for you to give us your opinion!

Who are your favourite Christian music artists? Who gets the most airplay in your CD or MP3 player? We want to know - please comment below!

God and You: Good God!

Last Sunday we heard from Richard about overcoming temptation. So what happens if you have already fallen into temptation?

Psalm 51 is probably one of the most well-known examples in the Bible of an example of someone who has fallen into temptation, and who truly repents for what he has done to God. It’s great for us to look at and imitate. King David himself writes it, only after his hidden sin is discovered and brought into the open.

David had lusted after a gorgeous woman – Bathsheba - and killed Bathsheba’s husband to have her all for himself! David thought no-one had found out his evil act. But he gets caught out by one of God’s prophets! You can read about this in (click on the verses to read them) 2 Samuel 11 and 12. David pays a tragic price for his sin in 2 Samuel 12:14-18.

People often focus on David and his heartfelt repentance in Psalm 51. This is a good thing. Sin makes us feel dirty, sad, broken, constantly guilty and far from God’s presence. Also, when we sin the person most offended is God himself.

If you read through Psalm 51 you will see David feels this too. He can’t go on with the sin in his life, and he knows only God can wash him clean. Like us when we sin, David wants to be washed clean of the dirtiness he is feeling as a result of his sin. It lingers in him and is making him despair. The most pure, clean thing he can think of is white snow so he says to God, “Wash me (of my dirty insides) and I will be whiter than snow”.

But this psalm tells us a lot more than just David’s reaction to his terrible sin. It tells us about the good God we have! Here are some things about God that are here for us to remember and delight in...

God is a God -

Of steadfast love (v1)
Of abundant mercy (v1)
Blameless in his judgement (v4)
Who delights in truth in our inner being (v6)
Who teaches us wisdom in our secret heart (v6)
Who washes and cleans us of our sin (v7)
Who gives us joy and gladness (v8)
Who creates in us a clean heart and renews a right spirit in us (v10)
Who gives us joy in his salvation of us (v12)!

God is good! He lavishes all these things on you! Why would we want to turn away from his goodness! Yet if you have succumbed to temptation - but then truly turn 180 degrees from our sinful ways (ie repent, like David) - God promises these things for you once more.

STRIVE News

Our STRIVE group for 18-25s will be having a two week break over the holidays.

We will meet again on THURSDAY 19th July at 7.15pm at the rectory.

At STRIVE we study God's word together and also have a time of practical ministry training. we've spent the last term looking at what it takes to lead a bible study group. We'll be doing more of this in term 3 as well as some 'gifts discovery' sessions together!

So if this interests you, you are most welcome to come along in term 3.

Write for FUEL!

Attention budding writers and potential interviewees!

If you like writing and you would like to contribute to FUEL, please send your piece to Andrew Paterson's e-mail address (see MAC Update). Also - if you are interested in being interviewed for FUEL we will send you some questions to answer!

A small sample of things you may want to write on:

• Soapbox - your opinion on an issue happening at the moment
• A book/film/CD/DVD review
• Something you've discovered or enjoyed from the Bible lately
• News about what something God has done in your life lately that you'd like to share
• Or any idea you may have!

Hold Onto God's Promise

Richard reminded us yesterday about God's promise to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and encouraged us to learn this verse from memory:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Richard also reminded us to 'blow out' temptation (like blowing out a newly lit match) when we feel its beginnings.

Was there anything else you were encouraged or challenged by in Richard's sermon?

Here Is...Elyse Bywater!

Who are you??!!?? Elyse J. Bywater
Where do you come from?

Southern Highlands - was born at Bowral Hospital!
What are you doing with yourself at the moment?

I am working at “Wool Addiction” in Bowral most days of the week, on Sunday I work at “Mimi & Fifi”.
Stuff you like doing?
I love playing the cello, and just veging out, watching some great classic movies. Also hanging out with friends is good too. And yes I do knit, and I’m trying to learn to crochet… I suppose you can call me boring sometimes, oh well. Oh and I also love reading the Bible and learning more about our Awesome Creator!
How/Why did you become a Christian?
I grew up in a Christian household, well everyone except Dad was Christian, and that’s still the same today. So I went to Sunday School, and GFS and other groups. However I didn’t really know what being a Christian was all about, I suppose I can say I just went with the flow.

I didn’t really find out what it was about until year 8 when my sister, Fiona, was playing a CD by “The Lads” (which is a Christian band) in our room. There was this one song called “Creator” and it is about how much God loves us and how He wants to know about our life. That got me really thinking about God and what He has done for us, giving up His only Son. I started going to church every week and learnt more and more about Him. In year 9 I was confirmed, which was when I was more confident to share publicly what I believed in.

However I still didn’t understand how great God was and how much I should let Him into my life, until 2004. That was the year when it seemed my life just fell apart. Dad decided that he didn’t want to be in our family anymore. So he left. Then a couple of months later Mum was in a car accident. Those couple of months and the months after really tested my faith. I was unsure about everything, except who God was and that even though I was going through a tough time, He was never going to let me go through it alone. And so, I just let Him take over and He got me through it all.

Favourite Bible verses?
I can do everything through Him, who gives me strength!!!

Philippians 4:13

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!!! Hebrews 13:8

How are you involved at MAC at the moment?
I’m involved in various ministries in MAC. I am a youth group leader as well as a Kidsplus leader. I am also involved in one of the Sunday @ 6 bands and I do occasionally lead Sunday @ 6 service, whether I’m good at it or not, that’s another story (you are! - AP.). I also attend STRIVE, it's very good for those who want to learn more about God and other stuff about leading.

How can we pray for you?

Thank God that He is in my life; and pray that I may be able to find a great church and good friends next year when I move to Lismore for uni. Please pray also for our youth groups - that we may be able to grow in number.

Book Review: How to Read the Bible Book by Book

If you have trouble in your quiet times working out what is going on in the Bible passage you are reading, having this book with you is a great help.

It's called How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. And yes, the title makes the contents of the book very clear! It gives you a good summary of every book in the Bible - even the harder to understand parts of the Bible like Ezekiel, Revelation and even Genesis 19 that we read at church a few weekends ago!!

It's not meant to replace your Bible reading. It's a companion book to the Bible which tells you what is going on in the passage you are reading. It also tells you how the passage you are reading fits into the picture of the whole Bible's story of God's rescue plan for you.

Look inside the book here - and you can buy it here (especially during the Koorong 15% off sale which goes until this Saturday!). Thoroughly recommended!

God and You: Quiet Times

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Matthew 6:6

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.Psalm 37:7

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10


It's great to spend time with God on our own - to close the door and leave our ipods, tv shows, music, internet and other distracting stuff behind, and just be still before God. To allow ourselves time and space to hear God speaking to us in the Bible.

Maybe you are carrying some baggage into your time of being still with God. You may be distracted by study, anxiety, time, anger at God, you may even be feeling like it's a waste of time.

Well - before you read from the Bible, share these feelings with God first! Tell him everything, be honest - don't be polite to God. He knows how you are really feeling! It's very refreshing to do this! The writers in the psalms talk very honestly to God about their feelings. Read Psalms 10-13 to see this!

Having a time of stillness before God, reading his word by yourself, with the door closed, is a really important way to truly reFUEL and be refreshed in your relationship with God. Read Psalm 18 also to see how the writer felt as he reFUELed with God.

FEAST has been given 'quiet time' sheets to do over the holidays to get into the habit of being still with God. It's a great habit to get into!

Your Chance for Points

5 points for where this is.
20 points for who remains undefeated so far on this table.

FEAST and SENIOR HIGH Combined Social!

Social:
Ten Pin Bowling
Where:
Campbelltown City Bowling Centre, 11 Hollylea Road, Leumeah
How and When:
Saturday 30 June Going in cars - get to St Stephens by 5.45pm, all cars leave on the dot at 6.00pm

COST:
If we get 30 people or more, cost is:
KIDS - $13 for two games
ADULTS - $15
If we get less than 30 people, cost is:
KIDS - $14
ADULTS - $16

So bring $14 plus money for a fast dinner. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS and let us know before Saturday so we can arrange transport.

Food:
Bring money too for dinner - we will all stop for dinner at the fast food place across the road from the bowling centre - then straight into the bowling!

Time Expected home: Each game (we are playing 2) lasts about an hour. So we will be leaving the centre around 9.30pm. Expect to get home about 10.30pm.

Please RSVP to Andrew by Thursday 28th June on his e-mail or ring on (02) 4872 1707.

The Old Testament Easy Study Guide

The old often gives you some background to the new, doesn't it?

In September our new centre will be finished and all of our youth groups will move into it. A look at our (current!) makeshift locations for our youth groups and we see straight away the need for our new centre! It will provide a wonderful new resources for us - like a place to have cinema-standard film nights, great kitchen, lots of space for groups to study God's word and other new resources.

Well---now think of the Old and New Testaments in the Bible....if you want to get a great summary of the Old Testament and why it is there, a great read is the Book of Acts in the New Testament!

The apostles Peter and Paul, as well as others like Stephen and Philip, all show us how to interpret the Old Testament by the way they use it to talk about Jesus.

Have a look at these sample passages in your bibles and you’ll see what I’m talking about:

Acts 2: 22-36 (Peter speaks about King David and his foretelling Jesus)
Acts 3:19-26

Acts 7 (a full summary of the OT and its fulfilment in Jesus)

The Book of Acts shows us how we read the Old Testament - to see the big picture of God’s rescue plan to save us. It foretells the coming of the Messiah – Jesus Christ – and how by Jesus’ wounds ‘we will be healed’ (Isaiah 53:5).

Just as the new church centre will replace the old youth sites - Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Terminator meets Jesus

Something amusing - to see what would happen if the Terminator met Jesus, click here.

The Stumbling Block Principle

A big idea from last night's sermon: The Stumbling Block Principle!

As Christians we are to be people who build other people up in love with our knowledge and not cause other people to stumble in their faith!

When Paul discovered the more mature Christians at Corinth were pushing the less mature Christians (against their conscience) to eat food sacrificed to idols, Paul said this:

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. (v13)

How does this transfer to us in the 21st century?

Well - here's a thought: by your behaviour are you building up other people in their faith in Jesus or are you making them stumble? Let's be guided by love for our brother and sister in Christ by how we behave around them!

Farewell to Our Capernwray Friends

Don't forget to make it to Sunday @ 6 this Sunday to say goodbye to Trenton, Jenny-lyn and Brittany as they leave us to return to Canada. Tony Parks will be interviewing these guys.

Andrew will be preaching on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 - The Stumbling Block Principle, a really important feature of Christian community and relationships. Find out more about this feature of cross-centred living at Sunday @ 6 this week.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

5 points to guess the location of the picture above!

God and You: Remember and Reflect

How good at you at remembering things? How about thinking deeply and reflecting (another word for reflecting is meditating) on things - do you reflect deeply about things that happen to you?

The Bible frequently talks about remembering and reflecting. There is a clear message here for us.

• Psalm 77:12 I will reflect upon all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
• Psalm 119:15 (a personal favourite) I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
• Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

It's a message repeated over and over in the New Testament as well (Ephesians 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 10:32; Hebrews 13:7; 2 Peter 1:15; Revelation 2:5 and 3:3): remember what God has done for you.

Here's a thought. Stop what you are doing right now and take time out. Make a list of the good things God has done for you in your life. How he brought you to himself. How he has kept you close to him since then, through the ups and downs of your life. How the Spirit of God has spoken to you in your Bible reading.

Write down the times people have said they have been praying for you. And the times other Christians have encouraged you to keep going and shown you love over the years. How about the times it was clear God obviously intervened in your life at some point.

Add to the list the good things that have happened at MAC in the last 12 months. And the good things that God has done in the lives of those around you lately. If you've finished your list, just reflect on it for a while.

When we feel low and troubled, unloved, or persecuted - as the psalmists often did - we can take their advice: remember and reflect upon the goodness of our God to us.

Reading the Bible

How is your Bible reading going? See below for how important it is to read the Bible regularly.

If you're having trouble getting into a 'reading rhythm' you can follow a Bible reading plan. I use one as a helpful guideline to my Bible reading.

Click here for a reading plan written by Don Carson. With this plan you can read the whole Bible in two years. Have a go and let someone else know how you are doing!

Here Is...Jess Lowe!

1) Tell us a bit about yourself!
Been coming to MAC since I was born, 18 years ago. Positions I currently occupy include: arts/education student, friend, girlfriend, Godmother, sister, daughter, cousin, niece, grand-daughter, taxi service provider, and among other things, I also dabble in a bit of hospitality work.

2) A favourite hobby or passion?
I love a good conversation. And laughing.... so I guess you could say I’m passionate about people (maybe why I’m training to be a secondary school teacher..?) I also enjoy music (listening to and playing), playing hockey when I get the chance, and cooking.

3) The dumbest thing you have done so far?
When I was ten years old I asked my mother whether I was a ‘bottle blonde’ or a ‘natural blonde’............Yes, I am a natural blonde. Other than that (which I like to class as inexperience), selecting economics to study at university as a major. Hmmm.

4) How did you become a Christian?
I have been brought up in a Christian family – always gone to church, scripture, Sunday School, Youth group etc. So it’s always been in me, but I can’t really define a moment when I took it on as my own relationship with God. I suppose that through high school I became more active within church (other than just participating), and my faith has seemed to grow more each time I think about it.. but I’ve always been a child of God!!

5) Favourite Bible verse?
They change regularly, but at the moment: Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Also fruit of the spirit stuff in Galatians 5:22; and 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

6) How can we thank God/pray for you at the moment?
Thank God for sending his Son to die for our sins. Thank God for the opportunities he provides for us all – we are all very, very blessed. Pray that I will always put Him first and for clear recall and concentration during the university exam period (also for the other uni students in the church: Fairlie, Mandy, James, Josh, Jodie, Alicia, Clint and Andrew)

Do You Own a Bible?

If you don't, here are some we recommend (click each one to see how to buy it!):

For everyone!: NIV Bible; NIV Study Bible - if you want to go deeper in your Bible reading and get some answers to your questions about a passage (or you can just ask them in your Bible study group!).

If you are 15-18: NIV Bible; NIV Quest Study Bible (see sample here) - has answers to difficult questions and gives info on places and customs that help you to understand the context of the bible passage you are reading.

If you are 10-13: NIV Bible; Teen Study Bible (see sample of it here) - the same as QUEST except for younger teens!

If you have kids who are 6-10: NIRV Adventure Bible; Kids Quest Study Bible - I use the Adventure Bible with my kids - great!

The Bible has been described as 'the most precious possession this world affords...reverence for God means reverence for what is in the Bible; serving God means obeying the Bible'.

The Bible is very important! We learn about God - his awesomeness, his love for his people, his rescue plan for us - through its words. God himself speaks to us through the Bible's words, as the Holy Spirit makes them touch our hearts and minds.

2 Timothy 3:16 says:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

Get New Posts from FUEL For Free!

Yes, you can be informed via e-mail whenever we put new info on FUEL.

Here's how:

1) At the bottom of this page you will see something that says subscribe to: Posts (Atom).
2) Click on Posts (Atom)
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Welcome!

Welcome to FUEL!

We hope this will be a refuge where you can be 'refueled' and refreshed for living as followers of Jesus. Here's what to expect:

HERE IS: Interviews with people from Sunday @ 6 and elsewhere
I THINK: Opinions on what's going on around the place
GOD AND YOU: A weekly reflection on God's word
QUESTION US: Your chance to ask any question you want about God, sermons, being a Christian in everyday life, or anything at all!
WATCH THIS: Reviews on films (and books and other stuff!)
WHAT'S ON: News on latest stuff happening around Sunday @ 6

and lots more. So make FUEL your home page and keep watching!