Damascus Lunch: March Invitation

Please note: If it rains on Saturday, we may move the event indoors (In the Chapter House - enter via Bathurst St).

February Report

The first Damascus 12 lunch for the year was held outdoors in the Square between Town Hall and St Andrews Cathedral. We were especially thankful to the Lord for the excellent weather, given that it has been raining for most of the week.

The morning started with preparations for the lunch and inviting people around the Square to join us for lunch. Many invitations were given to people who merely happened to be in the city on the morning. These people included, tourists, city dwellers, Sydney locals who were in the city for the morning, people who work in the city, and the homeless. Inviting complete strangers to lunch can be a challenging task, with many people on the streets often being sceptical of our motives, and don’t believe the claim, that we are providing a free lunch.

Lunch began at 12noon. We were entertained by Duncan who is from the band ‘Windows in Heaven’. He did an excellent job, providing the music which included some contemporary Christian favourite songs. Subway sandwiches and cookies were served for lunch. These were a popular choice and well received.

During the course of the lunch, Rhys addressed the crowd of 30 or so people on the topic of “What Jesus did for us.” The key question asked, was what this life was all about. Dismissing, the popular ideas of gaining material wealth and success, the purpose for our lives is to know, love, serve and have a relationship with God. However as we reject God, our only hope is Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

We also heard from Paul, who was helping out for the day. We heard his testimony, which included his account about surviving a serious illness when young, and how he learnt to become a committed Christian.

We are very thankful to Jesus for the excellent weather on the day.  Having the lunch outside meant that we were able to reach people who otherwise would not have come to an event inside the Chapter House. We are planning to conduct future Damascus 12 lunches outside. Perhaps in a way this somehow fulfils the Great Commission in going out into the world to meet people rather than expecting them to come into the church to hear about Christ.