Building for Eternity
Archive for September, 2009
The Good, The Sad and the Likely
2 years ago
by Lyndall Bailey
in News
If you haven’t already heard, the Moombara Street Development Application has now passed Council. The next stage involves preparation of the documentation for builder tendering, establishment of an electricity substation and the construction of a new entrance to the existing auditorium.
Also this week we received a $47,059.00 grant from the Federal Government to undertake the restoration of the brickwork at St. Luke’s Church at Brownsville.
At the same time our St. Luke’s Church Community is having a tough time of it! Ellen Kirkwood passed away late Thursday night. Her funeral will be held on Monday 28th September at 11am at St. Luke’s Brownsville. Then Jean Sandy and Gillian Horrell are both currently in Wollongong Hospital with significant medical challenges.
Then there are some great opportunities currently before us! The Best is Yet to Come Ministry has a full coach of people away on Tuesday and Wednesday on their Blue Mountains Retreat. Also we are only weeks away from this year’s DAC Attack Children’s 3 day Holiday Program 7th, 8th & 9th October.
As our community BUILDS FOR ETERNITY there is always plenty of growing, gathering and caring.
Please pray that God will continue strengthening and comforting and providing for us in His great work.
Stephen Semenchuk
Senior Minister
Marriage is not a contract rather a place of care!
2 years ago
by Lyndall Bailey
in News
In the Australian Parliament there is a debate over what relationships can use the word “marriage”. The argument tends to concern legal entitlements. Prenuptial agreements for marriage assume the likelihood of a breakdown and marriage is being increasingly seen as a contract not a place of care!
A contract may be broken with mutual consent of the parties and is self-serving, being focused on what one gets. Marriage on the other hand is a commitment based on trust—its promise is unconditional and has no termination date! A marriage vow is intended to be unbreakable and is others-serving, focused on what one gives!
God’s intention for marriage is that it is a mutual love relationship set up for life. While the Bible provides grounds for divorce and remarriage, the clear priority is for grace and reconciliation with your partner.
Divorce and remarriage is allowed by God because of our “hardness of heart”. It allows some good to be retrieved when commitment from their vows has been withdrawn. However divorce should be the exception that is thoroughly tested by the Bible and wise Christian counsel.
The best way to preserve your marriage is prevention of problems rather than cure. Spend time building your relationship and learning to care for your partner.
Stephen Semenchuk
Senior Minister