New Year Prayer

Almighty God, by whose mercy my life has been yet prolonged to another year,

grant that thy mercy may not be in vain.

Let not my years be multiplied to increase my guilt,

but as age advances, let me become more pure in my thoughts,

more regular in my desires, and more obedient to thy laws.

Let not the cares of the world distract me, nor the evils of age overwhelm me.

But continue and increase thy loving kindness towards me,and when thou shalt call me hence, receive me to everlasting happiness,for the sake of Jesus Christ,our Lord.

Samuel Johnson: 1709–1794

Joy to the World

Kundai, Miriam and Jess at DNA Christmas Carol Service

Sue and Sarah sharing about the Christmas Hope

Joel and Josiah on African Drums

Christmas Week Programme

Sunday December 21st: STAY IN BED!!
4-5.00pm at Arts Centre:
Theme: Christmas Mulled and Minced:
Carols, Storytelling, Mulled Punch, Mince Pies


Christmas Day, December 25th, WAKE UP!!
Christmas Communion 10-11.00am at Arts Centre
Theme: Bethlehem Then and Now

Sunday December 28th: 10.30 am in Arts Centre
Theme: Joseph, Mary, Jesus- Refugee Family

DNA Weekend: 13th/14th Dec

DNA Colchester & Luton Youth event

14/12/08

DNA Youth in action

Morning session led by Andrew

Sue and Viv did some amazing food for the hungry DNA Youth

Football News:

3rd victory of the season

Question of Sports...Who is this??

DNA Footballer celebrating the 4-1 victory over Berechurch on 13/12/08

Feedback from Dec 7th

Hi from 294
We had a great morning of fellowship, sharing thoughts and ideas, with some croissants thrown in (not forgetting the great hot chocolate as Lewis commented!)

Here are some thoughts
' It's all about Jesus' /'Jesus Christ is the center of God's plan for the world'

' I'd rather see people than have a present' / 'It's all about giving and sharing' / 'Give more time, not money' / 'Being obedient to God'

'When we first become a Christian it's like we let God in as a baby, then our faith grows and grows in us as we mature'

' We need to ask God what we can do. So watch this space!' '
Jesus can be born in anyone's heart, just welcome Him in.' Revelation 3:20

All neatly summed up by Maddie in a conversation at home with her Mum ' I really like Christmas but Jesus comes first'

From Hereford Rd
Point of Christmas
Jesus being born in our lives / Season of joy and sharing/ God became man for us

Managing out emotions, finances and expectations
Expectations can affect our emotions, relationships and finances
How to manage our emotions during Christmas?
Have enough sleep/ Pace yourself/ keep communication channels oiled/ pray/ enjoy the season/ Time to work together
Emotions and finances don’t sit together well.
It’s better to be in the presence of others than give presents!
We need to break the expectation of giving gifts!

Born again
Jesus says come to me and I will give you my Spirit. Christmas is meant to be a time of new life in Christ.

Venue Change: Sacred Space - 7th Dec

Christine Claydon will be leading Sacred Space
this Sunday December 7th,
7-8pm
at 52 Wellesley Road (Not St Martin's)

Questions to ponder...

• What’s the point of Christmas?
• How can we effectively manage our emotions, our finances, our relationships this Christmas?
• The carol says, O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. What does it mean to have Jesus born in us?
• What random and unexpected acts of kindness can I do this Christmas?

Team Challenge - Nov 22nd

Candles, Coats and a Choir
and Evening of West End and Broadway Songs

Performanced by Members of Colchester Operatic Society in support of the DNA Church Colchester

To raise funds for the rwanda Schools Appearl
Musical Direct: Peter Snell

at
St Martins Church
West Stockwell Street
Colchester

7:30pm Tuesday 25th November 2008
(Please wrap up warmly)
£6 or £4 concessions (students, senior citizens etc)
(Refreshments included in the ticket price)

Please contact Richard Shakespear on 07894513543

I will make you fishers of men

Colossians 3

Food and warm welcome by the Harvey boys

Janie Beales shared from Colossians 3.

Compassion: Stirred within yourself to do something...not just sympathy but action

Kind: Good of others...not just be good to those you like but to everyone

Humility: No place for arrogance....we are all chosen by God

Gentleness: This is strength...Being in control and firm but be kind

Patience: Receiving insults but not going down the road of bitterness

7-2 victory to DNA against St James the Less

DNA Free Kick video

Team tactics before the game (in the changing room!!!)

Sunday, 5th October

This Sunday, October 5th, following a shorter worship event at the Arts Centre, there is an open invitation to everyone to come and spend the afternoon together up at the Assington Hall Annex.

For those who have never been before, the Annex is a wonderful Christian Activities Centre set in the Suffolk countryside, 8 miles from Colchester.There is space for football, frisbee, other outside games, country walking, a couple of llama, and plenty of luxurious space indoors to lunch, put your feet up and chill!Bring yourselves, a picnic lunch (to have indoors), suitable outdoor clothing, football, frisbee....tea, coffee and squash will be provided. We plan to arrive at 1pm.

'Out for Good'

On Sunday during Communion, we will be making an offering to the "Out for Good" household.

There is an invitation to everyone to bring something along: non- perishable items such as cans/ jars food, toiletries,household cleaning things would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everybody!
Huge thanks to everybody who brought supplies for the Out for Good house last week. That was fantastic blessing and much appreciated!

We'll be worshipping back in St Mary's (The Arts Centre) this Sunday, September 7th, at 10.30 am. The first half hour or so will be singing worship and praying together. At about 11.00, children will have a movie session in the Green Room, while adults will reflect on "Jesus' Dream for Colchester".

At about 11.30, there'll be news about (and prayers for) Mission projects that are springing up right now, including.......

Next week, on Friday September 12th, DNA and several other churches will be welcoming refugee families to Colchester. These are all people who have had to leave Iraq because of threats of violence. We have been assigned two families to care for and help along in the early days. There are many items that will be needed to get these families started in a new life. If you are able to provide any of these, please contact Adam Minns who will co-ordinating everything that needs to go into the homes. adam.minns@hotmail.com 07825551267

Adam will ensure that there is the right amount of gear and not too much of one item or too little of another. Once the teams of volunteers have inspected the houses, they will know what furniture or larger items are required. There will be news about that on Sunday.Look forward to seeing you,

David and Janie

THE WILL OF GOD
I will develop seven points taken in the bible before Jesus,
Psalms 143:10 teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground,
Mark3:35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."1John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us? whatever we ask? we know that we have what we asked of him When Jesus started to preach,

To read the full message click the link on the right hand menu bar -Bible Teaching from Patrick

You are invited to a live presentation on the Life and Work of the Lutheran Pastor who refused to swear the oath of allegiance to Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

by
Mr Peter Krummeck – International actor/director/playwright
From his successful one-man play which has toured South Africa, USA and Canada,
"Bonhoeffer" was acknowledged "Best of the Fest" during its tour of Canada, where it was filmed for Canadian television and nominated for an award.

Venue: EARLS COLNE BAPTIST CHURCH
(Halstead Road, Earls Colne, Essex CO6 2LS)
Date: Friday 12th September 2008
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Rev. Terry Tennens – of International Justice Mission UK -
will discuss the ministry of IJM and contemporary human rights,
one aspect of which is the combating of human trafficking.

The HIV-AIDS disease in Southern Africa, and especially the care of orphans,
will be addressed.
~ Exhibition of original water colours by a Cape Town artist ~
Sales to support AIDS charities in South Africa

Light refreshments will be available
There will be a small entrance fee of £5.00 to cover costs

Enquiries and bookings: Anne Daring ~ 01787-478805 ~ newlifeannie@btinternet.com
Terry Tennens ~ contact@ijmuk.org ~ www.ijmuk.org

Next Sunday @ St Martin's

Next Sunday (Augsut 31st) we will be meeting at St Martin's, as the Arts Centre isn't available.

Start at 10.30am as usual

(St Martin's is down West Stockwell St, opposite Pizza Express)

CELEBRATION FOR JOEY'S LIFE

Date: Saturday, 23rd August

Time: 3.30pm

Location: St Barnabas church, Chappel,

Parking: 50 yards past the Pancaldi's house on the left,

(the church is up a little cul-de-sac opposite the car park.)

Dress: Strictly no black, wear colourful shorts if you dare!
We would like to have a number of meals in the freezer for the family's return, please call Nicky on 01206 768765 if you'd like to offer a meal, in a disposable container please.

BRADWELL PILGRIMAGE
24-25 August 2008

Start – 10am The Hythe, Maldon Town Centre Sunday

24 August walk to Asheldham (12 miles) stay overnight

Monday 25 August walk to St Peters Chapel, Bradwell on Sea tea and cake at the Othona Community

Finish - 4pm

Cost: Accomodation £15 each/ Food (sunday dinner, Monday breakfast and lunch) – £10 each+ fuel donation to be given to drivers.
Total £25 each + fuel donation. (Please give abit more if you can afford to, to cover people who can't afford it.)
Please let me know ASAP if you want to come, Nicky 01206 768765

DNA 2008 Cricket team after a 18 run win over University Staff (August 08)

GROWING IN THE LORD or MATURITY IN THE LORD?
Beloved, did you “close the doors”?
Here is a second message to help you. The aim of all messages will still be the same, to boost your faith in God’s Kingdom. I believe all of you who take time reading these messages are children of God. The purpose of these biblical references in the message is to steer away from my own merely human comments in your life.
I want give you the source of the message, for “teaching, rebuking and correcting” in the love and compassion of God as said in the bible: ...........

To read the full message click the link on the right hand menu bar -Bible Teaching from Patrick

On Thursday evening July 24th at 8pm, the day of Joe's funeral, John and Christine Claydon will lead a service of remembrance of Joe at St Martin's, West Stockwell St.
Some of the same prayers and readings from the funeral will be used.
You are most welcome. We hope that people will meet with God and find his presence will be strengthening.

Sunday July 27th

Sunday July 27th

BBQ and Swim at Peyton Hall, Pebmarsh,

12.30 – 4.30pm
Following a shorter worship event in the morning, we will be heading out to Pebmarsh for our annual summer bbq.
Heated indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, field for football, croquet…Walking, chilling and talking….
The perfect opportunity to invite a friend or 2 along

Bring: your own food for the barbie (please pre-cook any chicken) , your own drinks, plates and cutlery
bring your own football, frisbee…tennis rackets and balls are provided

Directions to Pebmarsh: Take the A1124 towards Halstead, passing through Eight Ash Green, Chappel, Wakes Colne.In White Colne look for the signpost right to Bures. Turn right (if you go down the hill and cross the Colne river, turn round!) Follow this windy country road for about 5 mintues, past White's Farm and past the sign to Daws Cross...Look for the sign to Pebmarsh on left. Turn left. Follow another windy road until you see Car Park sign on the left. Follow the arrow to car park and walk through to Peyton Hall grounds

*********************************

DNA women’s summer social “Mediterranean Night!”

Friday August 1st, from 7.30 pm @
52 Wellesley Rd Colchester

A feast prepared by our resident cordon bleu chef, Redina!
BYO drinks…bring a friend…bring your appetite!

RSVP and further info contact Janie Beales 01206 530 934

Funeral arrangements for Joseph Charles Pancaldi
10 October 1986 – Eternity
Joseph went to Scotland to combine his three passions in life - his Christian faith, his love for people and his spirit of adventure. We wish to hold a service in Glenshee, Scotland in celebration of his remarkable life and we hope you will join us.

This will take place this Thursday 24 July 2008. The Burial Service will be held at 2.30pm at Sillerburn Cemetery, Kirkmichael, Blairgowrie, Scotland PH10 7NT.

Followed by a Service of Celebration at the Compass Christian Centre, Glenshee Lodge, by Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 7QD, where Joey lived and worked.
Everyone is welcome to join family and friends throughout the day.

Dress code: It is the family’s preference that there is no mourning attire. Joseph was a very colourful person and we’d like to respect that during the day.

Joey’s Mum and Dad are setting up a charity to carry on the work inspired by him. It is the family’s wishes that charitable donations are made in preference to flowers. In addition we would ask everyone to undertake an act of reconciliation in memory of Joe.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration will also be held in Essex on a date to be confirmed in August plus a further Celebration in Hout Bay, South Africa later in the year.

Additional details overleaf:
Directions:

Sillerburn Cemetery, KirkmichaelIs situated on the B950/A924 between the A93 Perth to Aberdeen road and Pitlochry.
On arriving in Kirkmichael turn left at the Church and follow the road until reaching the cemetery on the left. (It is recommended that you park in Main Street and walk the 300-400 yards to the Cemetery.
Compass Christian Centre: Tel 01250 885209 Is located 2 miles south of the Spittal of Glenshee (the Glen of Peace) on the tourist route to Braemar at the base of the Grampian Mountains.The entrance for the centre is on the A93, which runs from Perth to Aberdeen, about 17 miles north of Blairgowrie Donations:

Please forward donations to:·
DNA Networks, 52 Wellesley Road, Colchester CO3 3HF ESSEX.·
All cheques should be marked "For Joe". ·
To enable the charity to collect a further 25%, on top of your gift, from the Inland Revenue, tax payers may make the following written and signed declaration along with their printed full name and address: "I would like DNA Networks to reclaim tax on the enclosed donation. I confirm that I have paid income tax or capital gains tax equal to the tax that you are claiming on this donation".

Accommodation: There are several places to stay in the area many of which can be found on the following link: http://www.bepta.com/

Family Contacts:
Matthew Pancaldi: 07774 777 472 Email: matthewpancaldi@btinternet.com
Tony Charles Pancaldi Email: tony.pancaldi@worlddig.com

Quiz Night

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

8p.m

in aid of

Colchester Korban Project - "Helping Young People in Crisis"

at

The Grapes Public House

87 Mersea Road, Colchester

£2.50 per person - includes free prize draw ticket and bufffet

The Book of Remembrance for Joe Pancaldi is now in St Peter's Church on North Hill. Walk in the main door and it will be on a table in front of you, just to the right of the aisle.

The church is open 9am-4pm. We will remove the book some evenings to go around different groups. We'll also bring it to St Mary's on Sunday.

We were all deeply saddened to hear of the death of Joe Pancaldi in a hill walking accident in Scotland last weekend. Joe was training as an outdoor pursuits instructor at the Compass Christian Centre near Blairgowrie. Joe was the son of Charlie and Penny, brother of Matthew, Anna and Charity.

All of us who knew Joe were profoundly touched by his life. His compassion, love, generosity, humour, friendship, sense of adventure and fun were boundless. His love for God was extreme. We could all see something of the face of Christ in Joe. Having known Joe, we understand a little more of Romans 8, 29: “Those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

A Book of Remembrance for Joe will be placed in the daytime in St Peter’s Church on North Hill from Tuesday afternoon, July 15th, up until the morning of Thursday July 24th. You are welcome to go in and write or draw prayers, memories or messages of condolence. The book will go around to different DNA groups and teams when they have evening meetings. We encourage everybody to talk, pray and cry together as we remember Joe with thankfulness.

Making Disciples

Acts 14:1-7

Enoch shared from this short passage the following five points on making disciples

1 ) Go to the people with the Good news
2) Learn to share the Good news effectively
3) Expect opposition to the message - Don’t give up, keep sharing the Good news
4) We may have to leave or move on
5) Life circumstances may change but being (making) a disciple does not change


Essential criteria to be a disciple of Jesus
Mark 8:34-35
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Baptism at Frinton

Journey of Faith

Karen Carr spoke on Acts 10 where Cornelius and his household met Peter to hear the Gospel message.

• Cornelius - Devout, prayerful man, a man under authority and understood discipline, humble and God fearing. He was not Jewish
• Peter - was Jewish, walked and talked with Jesus, spoke boldly about Jesus, obeyed the law

Both men had a vision. Cornelius waited in expectation to meet Peter. Peter was trying to work out what the vision meant.

• God's challenge to Peter was, would he go to people that he would not be comfortable with, people who he would not associate with!
• Cornelius was on a journey to discover Jesus and he didn't want to go alone. He invited all his household and waited to meet Peter.
• When Peter recounted the life of Jesus, Cornelius came to faith in Jesus. Probably Cornelius couldn't work out the guilt and burden of sin in his life but when he put his faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit came upon him (and others).

There is no-one that Jesus cannot reach. He wants to reveal himself to all races, all people.

The Fruit of the Spirit
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience (Long suffering), Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness), Self Control

The Gifts of the Spirit
Wisdom, Faith, Knowledge, Healing, Prophecy, Miracles, Discernment of spirits, Tongues, Interpretation, Administration, Helps, Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leadership, Showing Mercy

Question to ponder: Where are we in our journey of faith?