Going for Gold!
Dear Friends and Families,
As I write, the current medal tally for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is a remarkable 123 medals – 46 Gold, 38 Silver and 39 Bronze; with more to come. We are currently first on the ladder. Simply stunning!
I do hope that you have enjoyed the vast array of sports currently on show and have relished the human drama that competitive sport brings about, both successes and disappointments.
The New Testament in the Bible was written at a time when the Ancient Games were held every four years in Olympia, Greece (between 776BC and AD393). Thus, it is no surprise that some of the letters (epistles) would refer to these contests and draw out spiritual applications from them.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes, ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever’ [9:24-25].
As noble and exhilarating as it is for an athlete to receive a medal or a wreath, they are both perishable; they will not last forever. However, the prize which Jesus Christ offers to every human being is one that will last forever: the gift of eternal life – an imperishable reward.
Thankfully, also, this gift does not have to be earned by us through works or deeds. Rather, it is an unmerited gift, earned by the merits of Christ himself on the cross. Now that is indeed worth celebrating!
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact either me or Reverend Sheela (our Associate Chaplain) at the respective email addresses below:
Reverend Peter: waterhousep@humegrammar.vic.edu.au
Reverend Sheela: pandhares@humegrammar.vic.edu.au
I also encourage you to pray the prayer for the week below and sing the song at the weblink (especially the last verse!).
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Minister: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733/03 9308 2452
Email: sheelapandhare@gmail.com/humeparish@gmail.com
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
Redemption Church Craigieburn (meeting at 4:00pm on Sundays in Building 12 – the Year 5/6 Centre at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: akhilgardner@gmail.com
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
A Prayer for the Week
Almighty God,
whose beloved Son for our sake
willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross:
give us courage and patience
to take up our cross daily and follow him;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Song (May the Mind of Christ my Saviour – Kate Barclay)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE5fOXSymBc