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?

CLOSE THE DOORS - by Patrick Ramazani
Beloved in Christ, the aim of this message is to strengthen you, to give you some back ground in the knowledge of God, to help you to deal with your daily life (spiritual and physical), to enable you to understand your call in the body of Christ, and if you are a servant of God I hope this message will also inspire you in your ministry; in short to fulfill the first letter (D: dynamism in Word of God) of DNA-Networks.............

To read the full message click the link on the right hand menu bar -Bible Teaching from Patrick
There will be weekly Bible teaching posted on this page.

Gossiping the Gospel

Acts 11:19-30

Redina spoke from Acts 11 and focused on the Church in Antioch. Key points from her talk were...

• First 7 chapters in Acts were on the growth of the Church in Jerusalem /Chapter 8 is on persecution believers faced and the stoning of Stephen / Chapters 9-12 look at how the Gospel message spread.
• Jewish Christians mostly shared the gospel with other Jews. There were other non Jewish believers who were keen to share with outsiders of the Jewish faith.
• Antioch was a large city and had 5 cultures (Roman, Greek, Jewish, Persian, Arab). It was famous as a sports arena and was well known for peoples decadent lifestyle.
• Within this Antioch culture the early Christ believers gossiped the gospel. There were no clergy or leaders in the Church of Antioch. The believers were ordinary people who took the challenge to share the gospel message to the sophisticated and rich culture that surrounded them. God's hand was on them.
• How do we share the gospel in our culture? Do we know the story of Jesus firsthand or do we try to witness to others with secondhand knowledge?
• The Church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas (right person for the job) to go and check the Church in Antioch (vs 22). Barnabas understood how to share the message and encourage believers who were from non-Jewish backgrounds.
• vs 24: Barnabas was a Good man. Only person that Luke (the writer of Acts) says is 'Good'! Barnabas did not focus on the shortcomings in the lives of Antioch Christians but focused on the good things. Barnabas was gentle, tolerant, loving and compassionate.
• Barnabas encouraged the believers to Cling to the Lord Resolutely (Abide in Him) - When we grow in the grace of God we will cling to him.
• Barnabas then goes to Tarsus and gets Paul to come and they focused in teaching God's Word for one year with the Church in Antioch. - How often do we study God's word? We should stick to the task of reading God's Word. We cannot witness only through our testimonies. We need to grow from being a child and mature in his word as we abide in Him.
• Outsiders named the Christ believers as 'Christians' (Christ People) for the first time in Antioch. Christians must make the invisible Christ visible to others through our lives.
• Vs 27-30 The believers decided to take a collection to help others who were suffering due to a famine. Each person gave according to their ability.
• 'The real mark of a changed heart is a giving spirit' - When God touches our lives we become generous

What are the marks of a real Christian

1. Gossip the Gospel
2. Make the invisible God visible
3. Have a big heart to share with others
4. Not perfect but constantly growing in God's grace (more gentle, more generous, more loving)

Three qualities to pray for

1. Always about sharing the Good news (where ever you are)
2. God calls DNA as a community to grow in his Grace.
3. To be generous in our giving

Four questions to reflect...

1. How are you gossiping the gospel in your everyday life?
2. What does 'cleaving to the Lord resolutely' mean to you?
3. In what ways can you do that better?
4. Does your giving reflect your changed heart?
   

DNA Events:

DNA Summer Camp - Thetford Forest, Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2008 - Contact Tony (07796682571) or Paul (07505132664)

June 29th - No morning service at the Art Centre. Afternoon Baptism service at Frinton. Contact David or Janie Beales (01206530934) for more details.

Janie Beales spoke from Acts 8:26-40 where Philip explains and Baptises the Ethiopian Eunuch. The following points were highlighted

• Philip was on the road (journey) because of persecution Christians were facing
• Ethiopians were God believers and they followed the first five books in the Bible (Law)
• Eunuch's were always on the outside and never fully accepted by Hebrews
• Philip was on a journey but was interuppted! He was obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He had no clue what was ahead but he obeyed God.
• When Philip heard the Eunuch reading from Isaiah he knew what he had to do. Philip's response was immediate and bold. He also asked a subtle question to start a conversation with the Eunuch.
• The Ethiopian Eunuch wanted to be baptised when he saw water. He was also decisive and bold.
• The Eunuch was given a new identity and he emerged from his baptism full of joy (rejoicing)
• Philip entrusted everything to the Holy Spirit to work in the new believer's (Eunuch) life and he moved on.

Other passages for reference Isaiah 56:3-5, Isaiah 64:4, Isaiah 43:19, Acts 1:8, John 14:16,17

We can be open to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

We may all expect that God may want to interrupt our lives.

Three key aspects from Philip's character... (FAT)

Philip was Faithful to God's call. He was Available to be interupted. He was Teachable.

Faithful

Available

Teachable

It's a Party!

Football, BBQ, Beach

Everybody Welcome...

Sunday 1st June

Harwich Dovercourt Rugby Club, Swimming Pool Road (Off Wick Ro

ad), Dovercourt

BBQ starts at 2.45p.m (bring your own food)

Football Kick off 3p.m

Beach open all the time

Frisbee game at 3.30p.m

Last cook on the BBQ 5p.m

map and direction

Contact Tony for more details: 07796682571

Set-Apart

Jon Mulvey spoke about the early church referring from Acts 2:40-47.

He talked about how one man's (Jesus) mission in 3 years turned the world upside down. There were four choices for the early church to model their lives on:

1. Pharisees and Sadducee lifestyle - Very legalistic and uncaring to the poor and sick
2. Roman lifestyle - Trample others out of greed for money and power
3. Gentiles lifestyle - Many different theologies and understanding about God
4. Jesus way - A new life style as in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Why was there favour from all the people? Acts 2:40 - Peter pleaded with the people to leave the ways of a corrupt generation and live a life set apart for Christ

The early church was counter culture. In our modern day it is easy to become sub culture shaped Christians.

John 15:19 " If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Is our lives as Christians being clear to others around us to see that we are people who are counter culture just as the early church was?

Jeremiah 15:19 "Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them."

NOTE: Next Sunday (June 1st) -Venue Change! Service will be at St Martin's Church on East Stockwell Street.

Sunday with CYO

CYO Team (Tim, Tom and Steve) explained about their work in Colchester schools.

The purpose of CYO is to take the message of Jesus to young people especially into schools.

Tom shared his personal testimony about his addiction to alcohol, his journey to faith and his real struggles as a Christian. He said that even today he is so close to going back to his drinking habit and it is an inner battle within him.

Steve thanked those who have been supporting CYO financially and encouraged the church to give to the work so that more young people can meet Jesus in their schools.

Tim shared from 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. Some of his key points were

• A Sense of Calling by God to this work
• We wear no mask in the work with others and be real
• Making God's Word relevant
• For many young people the message of the Bible is not obscure and CYO work in bringing Jesus to the young people through real life stories rather than just information
• It is a privilege to carry God's message to young people

Prayer points

Pray for a possible Prayer room in various schools

Pray for the finances of CYO to be able to employ more staff

P-P-P

On Pentecost Sunday Enoch shared from Acts 2 and spoke the Promise to receive the Power to Proclaim the Message.
Some of the young people led by Hannah drew a painting during the service as an act of worship.
There was lots of time for prayer through the service.

Other highlights:
Alex Adams (DNA prayed for him) ran and completed his first marathon on Sunday in 3hrs 38mins and finished 73rd in a starting line up of 700 runners! Alex and Kevin were running to raise money for the Kigali Kids Project.
DNA Cricket team beat Eld Lane Baptist Church by 28 runs!
Ladies Aerobics every Tuesdays

DNA Cricket...

Come and support DNA Cricket team every Monday!

First game versus Eld Lane Baptist Church on May 12th at 6p.m - Mill Road Rugby Club

(Practices every Friday, 5p.m to 6.30p.m at Colchester Cricket Club)

SL.I.M

Rev David Beales explained what SLIM is from the story in John 21:1-14.

1. Jesus guides and directs the disciples in the process of fishing. After Jesus resurrection the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. Our Heart needs to be right with God to have the leading of God's Spirit. We have to be Spirit Led.


2. Fishing is a metaphor of Mission. Jesus gave clear instructions to his disciples and to us in Matthew 28 (make disciples). The message of Jesus in communicated to the world we live in through us. We are to be Incarnational (put flesh) in our mission.
   
3. Multiplication of fish. The catch was many more than that was expected. We are called to go and Multiply in the Kingdom of God

SPIRIT
LED
INCARNATIONAL
MULTIPLY

Risen from the dead

Sunday, 19th April - Talk by Rev David Beales from Matthew 28

David's question to the church: What if Jesus did not rise from the dead?
Some of the answers:
Sin would increase/ people will not know the love of God/ there would be no Christian faith/ No Holy Spirit/ Wouldn't know the real God/ Islam may be the dominant world religion

What happened within 53 days in Peter's life from denying Jesus to boldly proclaiming in the center of Jerusalem? How did this transformation take place?

• Encounter - Peter and the other disciples ENCOUNTERED Jesus.
  When Jesus is revealed in our lives he stops us on our tracks!
  
• Encourage - Jesus ENCOURAGED the women and told them 'Do not be afraid'
  Courage that Jesus supplies to replace fear is POWER, LOVE, SELF DISCIPLINE
  
• Enlist- Jesus ENLISTED people to become followers of God.
  He asks us to train other people to become disciples of Jesus. We are asked to train everyone from all cultures.

David also spoke on Baptism and Affirmation of ones faith if they have had a child baptism. There was an invitation to anyone to....
be Baptised/Affirmed
be part of the gospel and the gospel mission
build and multiply church plants
organise our lives best we can

Question: What if we hear God's voice and not respond?

(note: Do ask David Beales what SLIM is?)

Sunday Worship - April 13th

Chrissy Campos spoke on Hope and Hope Lost from Luke 24:36-49

What if life experience contradicts with what we hope and believe? Just as Jesus appeared to his disciples when they were in despair, in the middle of uncertainty in our lives he comes!

HOPE makes the assumption that the future is going to be better than the present.

HOPE LOST is despair

How do we have HOPE?

• Read and study the Bible - Psalm 119:114 'You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.'
• Pray - Philippians 4:6-7 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
• Encourage - Hebrews 10:23-25 'Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.'
  Romans 12:8 'if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.'
  

Questions to ponder
1. What are the things in your life you feel are uncertain or hopeless?
2. How might Jesus renew these?
3. What area in your life do you hope for change?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us - Ephesians 3:20

With Luton DNA

Easter Sunday

Chrissy shared about God being through tough times in her life. Patrick shared about the transformation that God did in his life when he believed in his heart and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord.

DNA family also shared communion together. There was also lots of snow and some tasty food!

Wailing Wall - Hoping Wall

These photos are from the Good Friday service led by DNA Networks in Colchester town centre (with Salvation Army Band)

Palm Sunday

Mark 11:1-19 - Jesus Triumphal Entry

Rev David Beales referred to Zechariah 9:9 where the events of Palm Sunday were prophesied.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus in the Temple
* Had an affection for the temple
* Prophesied its destruction
* Reinterpreted the meaning of the temple

Temple in New Testament
Stephen: God does not live in houses made by human hands (Acts 7:48)
Paul
- Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
- Local Church are God's temple
- Universal Church grows into a holy temple in the Lord

So what?
* Jesus cleansed the temple on Monday
* He cleansed us on Friday

Romans 4:25
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

As we enter this week it is time for cleansing and a time for getting right with God. If we are centred in Jesus our sinful nature will be removed.
Are we willing to let Jesus come and thoroughly cleanse us.

Challenge for the local church - Priority for each person in the body of Christ is to find what God's agenda and dreams are.

Jesus has disciples in his 12 who had completely opposite views but he commanded them to love one another!

The call is to - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

(Good Friday service: 10:30a.m at the Art Centre followed by a worship time near Eld Lane Baptist Church, opposite Boots)