Dapto Anglican Church

A big thank you to the combined efforts of Ben Boardman, Emma Bell, MMM Men’s Ministry and a team of volunteers who have renewed all the signage at the Ministry Centre. Hopefully everyone in Dapto will know where we are situated and make some connects with the rest of our promotional activities.

The physical signs point people to our location and provide information. Our spiritual signs should point them to Jesus. In any church what are the spiritual signs? They are the lives and testimony of the “living stones”, the people!

Our words and actions should capture the essence of Eph 4:25-32. We should balance the truth with love. Honestly presenting in a way that encourages and enhances the lives of the listeners is our challenge. We need wisdom to know what to say and we need sensitivity to know how and when to say it.

Stephen Semenchuk

Our last Dapto Vision update highlighted how our ministry programs were charging ahead and seeing God’s blessing as many of our faith targets were reached. This week we celebrate some of the other things God has been doing in our midst.

Currently our church has a student in each of the four years at Moore College.

• Rob Sharp – 4th year
• Andrew Paterson – 3rd year
• Paul McPhail – 2nd year
• Naomi Ireland – 1st year

It is exciting to see our vision of being a “sending church”, into a mission beyond the parish actually happening. Ben and Kate boardman have applied for 2006 to continue the tradition.

While the facilities have not been updated according to our timetable, we are about to purchase the land next to the ministry centre. The office space had been renovated to accommodate the expanding ministry team (have a look this Sunday). The conference Room is also now available again for parish meetings.

Under God we are continuing to do whatever it takes to build real Christian community.

Stephen Semenchuk

Hardly a week goes by without the media reporting stories of the messes people have made of their lives and the damage they’ve inflicted on others because they couldn’t control their sexual urges.

Research has shown that sexual crimes such as rape and incest are often committed by very ‘normal’ people. Why is it that otherwise normal men and women let their sex urge get away from them? Why do they let their sexual desires destroy their families, career and even their self-respect.

Dr. Patrick Cairns, author of “Our of the Shadows”, describes it in this way:

What we’re talking about is a loss of control and a willingness to risk any kind of consequence for a pleasure that gets you so hooked you can’t stop.

More and more, people in Australia are seeking treatment for sex addiction.
Most of us when going through times of stress and alienation long for someone to get close to. In the midst of stress, fantasies may occur that are difficult to resist. But it is short term fulfilment and it leaves us with the “morning-after” let down.

Happiness and fulfilment come from finding meaning and purpose to our existence. This is helped by finding people to share in the living out of that purpose. Jesus said “What profits a main who gains the whole world and yet forfeits his very soul”.

Stephen Semenchuk

Jesus speaking to his disciples said,

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Matthew 5:44

When enormous injustice occurs every fibre of our being cries out for retribution. When grievous hurt is directed at us, many of us wait for an opportunity for revenge. Jesus sets down a high standard for His followers. Left to ourselves we would never achieve it. We need to draw upon the transforming power of the Holy Spirit so that the love of Christ may flow through our souls.

Prayer Ideas:
For those who have done serious harm:

Almighty God of Peach and Justice, we bring before You those who abuse others. Turn their hearts away from evil and fill them with a hatred of the damage they do. We pray that You will bring them to true repentance and the changing of the way they behave.
Amen

For those who are enemies;

God of all the nations, have mercy on our broken and divided word. Place Your love and peace in the hearts of all people. We ask You to help us to confront our differences without bitterness and hatred. We ask you to give us respect and patience for those who oppose us and show us the way to reconciliation and peace.
Amen

Stephen Semenchuk