(Photos from Sunday morning service - 1st Feb 09)

God's agents in Colchester

Photos from 25th January

Questions to ponder...for 25th January

The theme for January has been Vision. Last week, Alison Finch presented her vision of connecting faith to the world of work. Here are some questions to take on these themes. Please think them over and there'll be opportunity to discuss them on Sunday following a short briefing. (Further ideas for engaging with children and young people will come later, for the "family clusters" in homes)

• How do you think God sees your work?
• How do you see your work?
• Do you and God see eye to eye on this ?
• How does your work release the blessing of God?
• What is God up to through the work that you do?
• In what ways does your work present opportunities for God's Kingdom to be revealed?
  (PS "Work" includes those who work at home caring for children and those who do voluntary work)

For those of you with children at primary school, here are some additional questions to help with connecting faith to school life.

Parents:

• What vision do you have for your child's life at school?
• What is God up to in your child's school?
• How will you pray for your child's teacher?
• How will your child begin to understand the school day from a godly perspective?
• How will you help your child to pray for the needs of other children in the class- especially if there is bullying or if someone is lonely or without friends?

If you like to find out more information or attend any of the following events please contact DNA Networks.

Friday, 23rd Jan - 'Forgiving Ferns' - Felixstowe Event, 7.15p.m (minibus available)

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Saturday, 24th Jan - Vision Morning in Assington, 10.30a.m

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Sunday, 25th Jan - Dispersal in Groups (No morning service at the Art Centre) + 6p.m communion and evening meal at Wellesley Rd

Building the temple - 11th Jan 2009

Next Sunday

Vision sharing day - Looking through the book of Haggai

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.