Dapto Anglican Church

As the Hollyword version of United Airlines Flight 93 (United 93) opens in the cinemas it will be interesting to see if the movie does justice to the personal stories of the real life characters. The major events of September 11 2001 are etched into our memories. But we need to remember that these events represent thousands of personal stories.

One heroic character is Todd Beamer. He was the young Christian man who tried to contact his wife and two young children by mobile phone. He ended up speaking to the telephone operator as credit and difficulties prevented him talking to his pregnant wife.

He asked the operator to say the Lord’s Prayer with him. He spoke of his faith in Jesus. Then he let the telephone drop and the operator heard him issue the final order to the men on board Flight 93, “Are you ready, guys? Let’s roll!” This fourth plane missed its target and Lisa, Todd’s wife, is convinced God was acting through Todd and the other passengers that day.

We do not look for a future that’s shrouded in vague predications and insecurity. Christ has died, Christ is risen and Christ will come again. Todd Beamer testified to the hope he has in Christ.

Our faith is grounded in the fact that the future belongs to Jesus Christ who made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us.

Stephen Semenchuk

Click the link to read the news.

Bulletin 27/08/06 (pdf, 1.49 MB)

Last Sunday at 10.05am our car park was full and throughout the day over 110 children and 80 youth attended our services. We average over 500 adults each Sunday! Fridays are another day when our facilities at Moombara Street are pushed to the limit. A new baby has been born into one of our church families on an average every fortnight for the last 3 months. Thirty people have decided to follow Jesus as Saviour since last Christmas. The 2pm Thursday Service is well established at St. Luke’s and recently celebrated it’s first anniversary. This has happened while the 8am service has held its numbers. St Aidan’s now regularly celebrates with 40 regular members.

However, as we look around the neighborhoods and streets of Dapto we need to see more and more Christian faith lived out. There are:

• So many lives that need to be touched.
• So many families that need support.
• So many young people that need meaning and purpose.
• So many people suffering and
• so many that need to meet Jesus.

The time has come for us to commit to the next level of expansion. The building we propose to build will allow our ministries to prosper and develop. We don’t want people to miss out on Jesus because of our physical limitations. But this commitment is a Faith Commitment. Once we sign the contracts there is no turning back. We are leaving the safety of the harbour and heading off on a great adventure with our God.

Stephen Semenchuk

The coming events for this week, read what’s happening in our church.

Bulletin 20/08/06 (pdf, 1.0MB)

• This week the contracts for the purchase of the school land should exchange.
• This week the final plans for the Development Application of the Ministry Centre should be lodged.
• This next weekend 100‚Äôs of us will come together for more equipping and a community celebration at the sausage sizzle and bush dance.
• This week many of our ministries will continue to grow under God as we seek His blessing.
• This week will hopefully see more people come to faith in Jesus and seek to serve His community in Dapto and the world.

Our vision under God is becoming a reality. Join us over the next 2 weeks as we rethink, recommit, refinance and rejoice in God’s vision for us. Join us for prayer!

Our dreams are about to become more concrete! Make sure you set aside time over the next few weeks to join us as we take the next crucial steps of our corporate life under God together!

Stephen Semenchuk

Extra, extra.

Bulletin 13/08/06 (pdf, 928 KB)

Everything presented to me I return at once. Although helpless I can wound; although speechless I can encourage. People are afraid of my fabled revenge so I am seldom hurt. Children adore me. A widely known character once went through me and discovered an amazing world. What am I?

Take a few moments to read James 1:22-25. James encourages us to not merely listen to the word of God but to do what it says. The answer to the “what am I” question above is a mirror. A mirror reveals certain physical truths to the onlooker. They are true whether we remember them or not. The word of God cuts us to the heart and reveals spiritual truths. The revelation of the spiritual truths is so that we can call upon the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us. God also calls upon us to be involved in the process. He expects us make choices informed by His will. Pray for the courage to act on the realities God’s word reveals.

Stephen Semenchuk

Catch the goss.

Bulletin 06/08/06 (pdf, 783KB)