A talk from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 & 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 by Stephen Semenchuk at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 7PM service on 5th February 2012.

• the first day of preschool,
• the first day of school,
• the first day of work,
• the first day of coping after a challenging event.

When most people first start university they go to every lecture and tutorial in the early weeks but then reality sets in.

Many of us experience the same burst of enthusiasm when we first become Christians.  It seems natural to talk about Jesus and to be excited about the great news of salvation through faith in Christ.  However the naturalness of sharing our hope seems to get overwhelmed by our busy lives and personal insecurities.

Today we start a series which we pray will restore your enthusiasm and encourage you to promote the gospel as a normal and natural way of life.  It is not about adding more activities into your diary but a challenge to be more Christian in your everyday encounters.

We promote Jesus with our words and actions, with our prayers and thoughts, and with our work and leisure. We promote Him because He lives with in us through His Spirit.  Over the next 9 weeks the goal is that our heart for God will beat so profoundly, that all the people around us, will see Jesus in us.

Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Pastor.

To see this week’s bulletin click on this link: 05FEB2012

Dapto Anglican Church invites men to their Men’s Steakhouse

Saturday 18th February

at Dapto Anglican Church

in the Foyer/Cafe on Moombara Street, Dapto

Ride the mechanical bull from 5.30pm

Bargequing starts from 6pm

Tickets $20 or 3 for $50.00

Guest Speaker Andrew Mahaffey

Tickets available at serices or midweek from the Church Office.

Have a Laugh

when: 8am Saturday 18th February

where: Dapto Anglican, Moombara Street

Cost $8.00

Tickets available from your service or from the Church Office midweek.

However, the model of Jesus Christ is far from any ‘recruitment drive’ or ‘pre-packed gospel presentation’ – Jesus was the original friend of sinners. He spoke and ate and lived in friendship with those around Him. Dickson challenges us to orientate our ‘social lives’ around three simple but profound goals from 1 Corinthians 10:31-33.

1. We should live with a desire to bring glory to the one true Lord.

2. Do not cause anyone to stumble but rather seek to please everybody in every way. Do not act in such a way that puts other’s interest or trust in Jesus at risk.

3. Seek the good of many, so that they may be saved. Take the opportunity to speak about Christ when the opportunity arises.

All this is not an added extra to our Christian lives which we call ‘mission’ or ‘evangelism’. God is calling us to put on a ‘salvific mindset’, that is, an outlook on life that cares deeply for the salvation of others.

Scott Goode,
Assistant Pastor

A talk from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 by Scott Goode at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 10AM service on 29th January 2012.

In this passage we are reminded that the ‘great news’ from God is that He has set up His Kingdom through His King/Christ dying for our sins and being resurrected so that we can stop living our lives of rebellion and instead be loyal subjects of our king.

This week we [Scott Goode & Greg Lacey from 7pm] went to Sydney and interviewed John Dickson; well known evangelist, pastor and author. Our teaching series this term (which will begin properly next Sunday) is based largely around John’s book ‘Promoting the Gospel’ (also published as The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the gospel with more than our lips).

John had this message for us:

Hi Dapto Anglican,
I’m thrilled to know that you are going to be doing a sermon series on Promoting the Gospel – a topic very close to my heart.

Over the next nine weeks you are going to be looking at the idea of promoting the Gospel. We can actually do our bit to help our friends who don’t know Christ, come to know Christ in a way that meets your particular circumstances, personality and opportunity.

I am sure you are going to have great fun looking at these topics. It’s going to be controversial at times but hopefully it’s going to be helpful.

God bless!”
John Dickson

Over the next week is your opportunity to…

• purchase John’s book,
• ensure you are in a Growth Group,
• and get ready for God to challenge you to be promoting the gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Scott Goode,
Assistant Pastor

To view this week’s bulletin click on this link: 29 JAN 2012

Many of our Growth Groups will be using the Discussion Guide based on ‘Promoting the Gospel, The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission’. It is also recommended that you get hold of John Dickson’s book ‘The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission’ as the discussion guide often refers to this book.  Contact Scott Goode or call the Church Office to pick up your copy of this book.  We do have a limited number of them available now. If you prefer you can also purchase an ebook version.

Growth Group LEADERS:
Your Study Guides are now available. Pick up from the Church Office.

Not in a group at the moment?  Take the opportunity & join now. 
Chat to Stephen or Scott about which group is right for you!

We have a range of Growth Groups regularly meeting throughout the year.
Groups for men, groups for women, groups for women with childminding, groups for young adults, Groups for Seniors. And if that wasn’t enough to choose from we also we have some new groups starting up.

For men
The Purpose Driven Life. A six week course.
A group for new Christians.  Wednesday evenings with John Doughton

For ladies
For those exploring Christianity or are new to their faith  with Leigh-anne Semenchuk
New Growth Group  with Sarah Doughton Tuesday mornings

For anyone
For those exploring Christianity or new to their faith. A seven week course meeting fortnightly with Jim & Julia Legassick and John & Wendy Eagleton
New Growth Group  with Ken & Pam Harper
New Growth Group (good for couples with kids)  with Simon & Vanessa Webb and Scott & Natalie Goode. Sunday afternoons (babysitting provided).

ALSO AVAILABLE:
Preliminary Theology Course with Moore College.
Teacher: Priscilla Michael. Starts 28/2 but you must register with Lyndall at the Church Office on 4261 1001 by 12/2.  On offer Semester 1 is Introduction to the Bible (preliminary level) 6.30pm to 8pm Tuesday evenings and Doctrine 3 (certifical level) 8pm to 9.15pm Tuesday evenings at Dapto Anglican Church, Moombara Street, Dapto in the Conference Room. Fee applies.

Mary Andrews College for women
Several subjects being run through Dapto Anglican Church this year, contact Mary Andrews College for more details or talk to Lyndall. Fee applies.

And finally a new group: Support and Recovery Program
with Ken & Pam Harper  starts 13/2 with fortnightly meetings.

Want to know more about any of our groups?
Then chat with Scott Goode, Assistant Pastor,   who looks after all our Growth Groups.

A talk from 1 John 4 by Stephen Semenchuk at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 7PM service on 22nd January 2012.

‘A new civilization is forming. Do today’s technological changes and social upheavals mean the end of friendship, love, commitment, community and caring? Will electronic marvels make human relationships even more vacuous and vicarious?’

from The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler.

Computers, mobile phones, television and game consoles have us spending much more time interacting with technology rather than face to face with people. Loneliness is the most frequently expressed complaint made to psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. Our culture is becoming more sophisticated in avoiding the pain of loneliness. Social media networks, internet pornography, escort agencies, virtual worlds and experiences are replacing personal intimacy and actual life encounters.

We are substituting a virtual electronic world, for actual personal encounters.  When John writes about love, he uses Jesus as the great example.  Jesus did not send a message about love, He came and lived it out!  Jesus did not theoretically deal with sin, He really died and bore our punishment.  We need God to pour the love of Jesus into our own hearts and then get out, and live it, in real relationships with others.

Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Pastor.

To see this week’s Bulletin click on this link: 22 JAN 2012

Parish wide prayer.
Join us, young and old, for our prayer event.

We will be praying for ….

• God’s guidance, as we prioritise the year ahead.
• God’s blessings on all our plans and preparations for His work in 2012 at Dapto and beyond.
• Guidance to work in and through His Church family, asking for wisdom, sensitivity and boldness as we share the gospel, with our family, friends and neighbours.
• For God to bless our church, with many new believers.
• and more….

A talk from 1 John 4 by Stephen Semenchuk at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 10AM service on 15th January 2012.

Our Op Shop 'Sorters' have shared lots of good times over a cuppa

On 1st October 1985 Dapto Anglican Church took over the running of the Op Shop.

In January 2000 the shop moved to the Dandaloo Shopping Centre at Brownsville.

In 2006 when the church sold the old building at Wongawilli the storage & sorting moved to 36 Hamilton Street, Dapto.

During the 26 years our Church has been running the Op Shop, Gwyn & Ruby Davies have been co-ordinating its operations along with a dedicated committee and 100’s of volunteers.

On the 1st February 2012 Gwyn and Ruby will be handing over their responsibility to Carl &  Lyn Cheetham.  Carl & Lyn have both had significant experience with the Op Shop and they have been meeting with the Davies to arrange a smooth hand over for the last 2 months.

Stephen and the Parish Council are preparing a Thanksgiving Celebration for all or Op Shop volunteers to occur in February.  Any Parishioners who whish to financially support this opportunity to bless this fine team for their years of service, please use an envelope and mark it ‘Op Shop Thanksgiving’ and place in the offertory.

 Stephen Semenchuk, 
Senior Pastor.

 To view this week’s bulletin click on this link: 15 JAN 2012

Special Guest Speakers

Colleen Hirst

Colleen is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and family therapist with over 30 years counseling experience.

Jenny Salt 

Jenny is the Dean of Students at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC), a gifted author and speaker.

Julie Irving

Julie is a parent and talented educator, Director of St Lukes Preschool.

Earlybird registrations are now open for the Enrich Conference, to be held at Dapto Anglican Church on 27-28th April 2012.

Not in a group at the moment?  Take the opportunity at the beginning of the year to join one.

For men
The Purpose Driven Life    
A six week course  with Neville Stumbles
New Christians   
with John Doughton will be held Wednesdays PM

For ladies
Explorers
A short course specifically designed for those exploring Christianity or who are new to their faith
with Leigh-anne Semenchuk
New Growth Group
with Sarah Doughton Tuesdays AM

For anyone
Explorers
A short course specifically designed for those exploring Christianity or who are new to their faith
A meeting fortnightly with Jim & Julia Legassick and John & Wendy Eagleton

New Growth Group
with Ken & Pam Harper

New Growth Group (good for couples with kids)
Simon & Vanessa Webb and Scott & Natalie Goode
Sunday afternoons (babysitting provided)

Support and Recovery Program
with Ken & Pam Harper
Fortnightly – First meeting Monday 13^th Feb, 7.30pm Ministry Centre

Bookings and more information for these groups are available from Scott Goode, Assistant Pastor or call our Church Office on 4261 1001.

A talk from 1 John 2 by Stephen Semenchuk at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 7PM service on 8th January 2012.

Of course some habits are helpful and some of our relational tendencies are positive.  The challenge of spiritual maturity is to discern which habits we need to ‘break’ and which ones we should nurture.

This is something most people seem to explore each new year.  Many of us make ‘new year resolutions’ which generally do not survive as long as the January sales.  Such failures can often lead to guilt and feelings of hopelessness.

The test of true Christianity is that when we stumble and fall we grasp hold of God’s grace and get up, secure in the forgiveness available in Christ.  We then need to become aware of those times, people and places that take us out of the ‘light’ of Christ and into a murky twilight zone of worldly pursuits and desires.

Keeping a diary and recording the thoughts and feelings that accompany our slips into ‘sin’ are a useful first step.  We need to identify the areas of our personal temptations so that we can bring the light of God’s gospel and love to bear.

Stephen Semenchuk
Senior Pastor

To see this week’s bulletin Click on this link: 2012 JAN 08

Martin Luther once wrote that ‘God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger.’ In 1 John Chapter 1 the Apostle is giving us a way to move beyond just lip service of sin in our lives. By encountering the strong mercy of God in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have the comfort and security and forgiveness to face our sins and problems rather than be too ashamed to admit them to ourselves, to God and to others.

A talk from 1 John 1 by Scott Goode at Dapto Anglican Ministry Centre at the 7PM service on 1st January 2012.