Dapto Anglican Church

Many times in his letters the Apostle Paul gives thanks to God for the grace and encouragement He lavished on the churches. Paul rejoiced at their generosity, service and faith. A number of our church leaders have suggested that I write to you all in a similar vein.

The last few months have seen many examples of great dedication to God. So many people joyfully and diligently gave of themselves over Easter, contributing to the services and ministering to our community. Almost everyone who was asked to help found a way to contribute. Four people became Christians and many enjoyed a deepening of their Christian faith. There have been a number of extraordinarily generous gifts, both financial and in kind (remember the random acts of generosity).

We’ve seen God answer many prayers. Keith Whitehouse has felt “covered” by prayer and God has significantly been improving his health.

Also the Anglican Architectural Panel has given preliminary approval to our building plans. This week the Wongawilli property settled.

Our first ever performing Arts Holiday Club has seen our talented team inspire almost 100 children per day. The Getaway is essentially full and the Carnarvon team feel the support of the rest of the church.

We continue to face many challenges and need to run the race God has placed before us. Let us do so with great joy and encouragement as we can witness his work in our midst.

Stephen Semenchuk

Digital news for the coming week and more.

Bulletin 30/04/06 (pdf, 2.0 MB)

Ever wondered why God doesn’t take a person straight to heaven the moment they become a Christian? The answer must be mission. Mission so that others have the chance to make it to heaven. Mission so that the good news of Jesus reaches all people. Mission so that each Christian has the privilege of being God‚Äôs fellow workers.

The power for mission comes direct from the risen Lord Jesus who sends his Spirit into the life of each Christian believer. Therefore it is vital for each one of us to spend time with our risen Lord each day.

“The Ephesus Code” is a personal prayer journal written by Bishop Reg Piper. It will give you guidance in spending focused time in God’s word each day. It is available today from the office for $10.00. Our sermons and Bible Study groups will follow the movement of God in the church at Ephesus from next week.

This is a great chance for us to join with churches through out the Wollongong and Sydney regions in opening up mission thinking and action.

Stephen Semenchuk

What’s going on?

Bulletin 23/04/06 (pdf, 2.1MB)

Many of the region’s roads will be clogged with Easter holiday makers. The warnings are appearing in the newspapers and on TV to “Stop, Revive and Survive“. The police are operating with “double demerits” for those who transgress road rules to try and get everyone to slow down and “belt-up”. They are doing everything in their power to keep us alive!

Almost 2000 years ago the roads were clogged leading into Jerusalem. It was a Jewish religious holiday time. Most of the people travelled on foot so car accidents were not a problem. At that time the authorities were by contrast, planning to kill one of their citizens. Jesus had upset the Jewish Leaders and gone “too far“.

When Jesus died he said, “It is finished“. He didn’t mean that those who took his life were finished or even that he was finished. He meant that his mission was finished. The power of sin and death was finished. Rather than people being finished at death because of their opposition to God, Jesus’ death opened the way to eternity. He took our punishment. He rose from the dead. We can trust Jesus when he promises to take us to be with him after we die.

I pray you will be safe on the roads this Easter, but even more that you will be safe in eternity because Jesus is your Saviour and Lord!

Stephen Semenchuk

All of the Easter activities are covered here.

Bulletin (16/04/06) (pdf, 2.1 MB)

The TV minis series “Band of Brothers” follows a company of US Paratroopers through basic training, landing on D Day and their subsequent battles during the Second World War. It is based on real life interviews of survivors and captures both the intensity and heroism of the soldiers.

Lieutenant Winters is a powerful character in the story who really understands his duty. When leading his men into the challenging task of defending the town of Bastogne, Winters is approached by an exhausted, retreating soldier, who said, “Looks like you guys are going to be surrounded”. Without hesitation Winters replies, “We’re paratroopers, we’re supposed to be surrounded”.

We‚Äôre Christians, and Paul reminds us throughout 2 Corinthians that we are ambassadors of grace, living in a world that just doesn’t get it. Times will be tough, and occasionally we may want to give up. Just remember who you are, members of God‚Äôs kingdom, and that we have heaven waiting and God‚Äôs Spirit walking with us on each step of our journey there.

Stephen Semenchuk

With all this news right here, you can enjoy sleeping in this Sunday without feeling guilty (unless you go to a morning service).

Bulletin 09/04/06 (pdf, 1.9 MB)

My laptop runs for about 1¬? hours on battery power. About 20 minutes before the power dies a warning message appears.
If I keep operating, then a final warning appears for the last 5 minutes telling me I am about to be closed down. Finally the machine just stops.

In our lives sometimes we ignore the signals our body sends and keep operating in our own strength. Really we need time out to spiritually refresh and access God’s power.

God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9.

Stephen Semenchuk

Get the latest news, no press involved!

Bulletin 02/04/06 (pdf, 1.9MB)