Dapto Anglican Church

Sometimes I go and wander through the grave yard at St. Luke’s. Seeing the graves helps me ‘keep it real’ in terms of seeing people saved from hell for heaven. I read the headstones, and try to ascertain what legacy remains.

I often hear advertisements asking me, “Have you got your affairs in order” or “Would your family be okay if something were to happen to you?”

Having an eternal priority, Jesus set his affairs in order and ensured that he would leave an eternal legacy. Before his death he tells his followers ‘Love one another.’ (Jn 13:34)

Jesus’ resurrection teaches us to set our heart on the things eternal, Jesus’ legacy remains, ‘Love one another.’ The Eternal King has taught us to Build for Eternity. He lives to see his last will and testimony carried out. ‘Love one another.’

He wants us to care.

Shane Dirks

Bulletin 1st March 2009 (Pdf 1.6mb)

March Prayer Focus

Last May one of Brazil’s last un-contacted tribes were spotted in the far western Amazon jungle. The Indians were sighted in an Ethno-Environmental Protected Area during a governmental flight. They photographed “strong & healthy” warriors. Their governmental policy is to ensure “total autonomy” and leave the isolated tribes alone.

Our “authority” said: “Go into all the world and make disciples.” We need to respect the culture of the lost tribes but we also have a responsibility to teach them about Jesus.

Closer to home, there may be some “lost tribes” in the houses next door to us in our streets. It may now be two or three generations since they had a meaningful contact with Christianity.

Whether near or far, Jesus has given us the task of making disciples. His promise to go with us assumes that we are “going”.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 22 Feb 09 (Pdf 400kb)

Our prayers, physical assistance and compassion should be for those who are suffering from the losses caused in the Victorian fires. One of their many struggles will be to understand “why”.

Romans 8 reminds us that the very creation itself is now suffering frustration as it waits for liberation from its bondage to decay. Our world is groaning and natural disasters are part of God reminding us that this world is passing away. Our hope ultimately lies in the world to come.

However, God is really concerned about the here and now. He desires us to show love to those in great need. He also wants us to be storing up treasure in heaven. He wants us to be “building for eternity”.

Today we are reminded that it is Christ who is building His church. He builds gatherings of Christian people to serve our needy and struggling world.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 15 Feb 09 (Pdf 1.5mb)

I had lunch with a blast from the past a few weeks ago. We had been buddies throughout our school life. In the course of the conversation we naturally talked about our families and what our children were up to. Both of his children had recently undergone the Jewish equivalent to confirmation. Before we knew it, we were discussing the place of religion in our lives and why the Jews did not acknowledge Jesus. I look forward to our next lunch in March and will have a copy of the Essential Jesus for him.

Steve Murphy connects with mates by inviting them around to play cards with a few of his Christian buddies.
Shane Dirks has painted “Jesus” on the side of his slot car that he is using at the Marshall Street Racetrack.
Pamela Rouse is taking enough “Essential Jesus” gospels to give out at Easter to all her neighbours.

Our strategy is that each of us will connect with the people in our lives and find ways of talking about our faith and giving away the “Essential Jesus” gospel of Luke.

Everyone is getting their initial quantity of 5 today (or next week) but please take more if you need them and come back as many times as you would like.

Please let us know your ideas and stories as you connect with our community and as you give out the Essential Jesus.

We have a great message to share for our great city.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 8 Feb 2009 (PDF 1.2mb)

Weddings are usually the biggest “party” most families organise in their life. Months and months of preparation precede a day of celebration. The marriage ceremony signifies the establishment of a new family which is intended by God to last a lifetime.

The biggest event in history is yet to occur. It is the day Jesus returns and the new heaven and new earth are established. On that day every knee of every person will bow before Him. On that day Jesus’ people will enter into eternity with Him.

Dapto Anglican Church is given a responsibility to help prepare the people around us for that day. We must urgently build our people to be ready to face Jesus that day. We need to build lives for eternity and devoted to taking as many people with us as God determines.

Stephen Semenchuk