Dapto Anglican Church
Building for Eternity
Time for the Soul
4 months ago
Each year my internet connection and download speed gets faster. Yet I now get more impatient waiting for my computer to start up or download. I have forgotten how long it used to actually take.
As world events seem to occur faster because news is almost simultaneous, we forget that depth of knowledge and relationship takes time.
Our soul needs transformation which starts with the word of God and is nourished by the Spirit of God.
- The process occurs in the furnace of real life.
- Our joys and sorrows provide a context.
- Our challenges and frustrations keep us in touch with our physical reality.
- But we must leave room for God to be the spiritual reality.
Opportunities like our Church Getaway this weekend at Lake Tabourie are special times for the soul.
We need to make room for regular times for our soul each day (in devotions) and each week (in church and growth groups).
Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Minister.
To view this week’s bulletin click on this link: 18 Sept 2011
God is working powerfully in Hipstars!
4 months ago
What a term, this Term 3 has been at Hipstars! We have really seen God at work in powerful ways and it has been a privilege to be part of what He is doing.
Throughout the term we looked at Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We focused on the 5 senses and how Jesus was a real man, who met real people and their lives really changed after they encountered Him. We loved teaching the Word, hanging out with the girls, holding a pretend game show called ‘What’s in the Box’ each week (where a leader got to dress up as the gorgeous hostess), doing great crafts and participating in awesome activities.
We’ve had great numbers of girls each week- so many that we had to recruit new leaders!
Praise God for answered prayer with Miranda Janszen and Molly Pickford jumping on board this exciting ministry.
One of the highlights of the term was our mother daughter night. We had about 14 women join us for an evening of teaching, games, craft, good food and fellowship. Most of these women don’t have any other contact with our church community, so it was a really great opportunity to build relationships.
Last weekend we had another highlight for the term; a combined Hipstars/Gangstars sleep over. This was an amazing time to hang out with the kids and really just take time to strengthen relationships. Many of them also stayed on for Sondaze so it was a great opportunity for them to get a taste of church.
During the evening, 3 of our girls made a commitment to Jesus for the first time!!! What an exciting time it was!
Praise God for the work that He has done in these girls’ lives and pray that they will love and serve Jesus all the days of their lives.
Pray that He will continue to work in the other girls coming along, many of which come from homes where this is their only experience of God.
Eliza Vesey,
Hipstars Head leader
Urgent vs Important
5 months ago
It is very easy for us as people to lose perspective. I have visited lots of folk in hospital who at the end of their life amongst us, express some regret. No-one has ever wished they had worked harder or regretted that they did not do more overtime.
Almost everyone expresses a desire to have spent more time with loved ones and to have given more of their life to ‘important’ things.
Death often focuses our attention on what is important while we are on earth. In the end storing up ‘treasure’ in eternity must be the highest priority. People are all that make it into heaven. We can take our faith and relationships.
We live in times where ‘busyness’ is normal for most people. We rush around doing urgent things and getting ‘stuff’ done.
But are we neglecting the people and God given opportunities for relationship that exist all around us?
Stephen Semenchuk,
Senior Minister.
To view the bulletin for this week click on this link:11 SEPT 2011
The Café
5 months ago
Last Saturday saw us open our new on-site café and it has been exciting to see it begin this last week with such momentum. Under the leadership of Jill Pearce, so many people within our church family have contributed with their time, energy, expertise and hands-on help – a big thank you to you all!
Already this ministry is providing us as God’s people with opportunities to invite our local community into our church home to experience hospitality, friendship, and ultimately (we pray) Christ Himself. The Café is serving our many mid-week ministries by providing this connection point.
People are also meeting up together in twos and threes for prayer and Bible reading and various ministry meetings are also utilising the facility.
Would you like to help? Speak to Jill about any contribution you would be interested in making including volunteering your time, etc…
Café hours:
Mondays to Wednesdays 8.30am to 5pm
Thursdays 8.30am to 7.30pm
Fridays 8.30am to 10pm
Sundays after the 10am 5pm & 7pm services.
Our Menu:
Includes a growing range within breakfast, lunch and snacks. With a Daily Blackboard menu being planned.
The Pearce Family:
Jill and Trevor along with their children Madison, Chloe, Caleb and Georgia are a key part of our 10am family congregation. Having previously managed the CMS Conference Centre (Katoomba) Jill and Trevor come with vast experience in the area of catering and are generous and warm-hearted in their ministry of hospitality.
Pray:
Continue to uphold the Pearce Family as they embark upon this exciting ministry opportunity.