Weddings
 

Marriage is an important and exciting stage of life. 

We, like you, take the marriage relationship seriously, and so we are committed to thoroughly preparing couples beforehand.

We would expect you both to agree to participation in our marriage preparation.  This has three particular aspects to it:

 

 

  1. Relational:  To help develop sound and maturing relationships we ask you attend the "Growing Together" Marriage Preparation Course run by Anglicare.  This is an excellent course conducted by their professional team.  You will need to book in as soon as possible to ensure the course is completed before being married.

The "Growing Together" course takes a full day Saturday.

  1. Christian:  While there are many sorts of weddings available in our society, we only prepare couples for Christian marriage. If we agree to proceed, we will meet together around 4 times to look with you at the Bible about these matters and the promises contained in the service of marriage.

We also consider it important that your join us for Church on Sunday. Each week we have services at 8.00am, 10.00am and 6.00pm, and assure you of a warm welcome.

  1. Legal:  This is the preparation of all forms and signing of the wedding declarations required by the Federal Government.  We cover this in our administration.

As to the costs.  We ask that couples pay $600 to St. Paul's Anglican Church, Shellharbour, covering all aspects of your Wedding Day, e.g. church, administration, Minister, flowers, with organist optional at $100.  There are also costs for the "Growing Together" course, payable to Anglicare.

 

We would welcome your wedding enquiries.

For further details, please contact our Church Office on (02) 4295 1321 or at: stpauls@stpaulsanglican.com

 

 

Baptisms

 

What is  baptism?  Baptism is a sign of the new life and new birth which we all must have to be saved.  For someone who believes, their baptism as a child confirms God's promises, that his or her sins are forgiven, and that he or she is indeed adopted as God's child by faith.

Baptism is more like marriage than graduation.  In Baptism, like marriage, a person (or their parents on their behalf) makes very serious promises that must affect the rest of their life.  Baptism in a formal way welcomes a person to a life of trusting Jesus and obeying him, and as a result, into a life long commitment to the family of God's people, the church.

What baptism doesn't do.  Baptism does not change the person in a magical or automatic way.  Neither is baptism a sure fire ticket to heaven.  Baptism does not give to the person anything that they did not already have.  If someone does not believe in Jesus, baptising them won't give them faith.

The obligation of parents.  During Jesus' life on earth, he welcomed little children to himself (Mark 10:13-16), and warned his followers not to hinder the children coming to him.  As parents, godparents, or other interested adults, we must not be a stumbling block to our children coming to personally trust in Jesus Christ.  We therefore have great obligations to bring them up so that they will trust, love and serve Jesus Christ, and love the fellowship of his people.

What about godparents?  Godparents are Christian friends or relatives who take on with you both the responsibility and the privilege of praying for your children.  Your role as parents is primary and the most important.  Your church assists you.  But the child's godparents will also supplement you and your church in encouraging your child to trust, love, serve and obey Christ, to read the bible and to pray.

What am I promising?  It is always goods to know the fine print before you sign the dotted line!  When you ask that your child be baptised, you as the parent (and the godparents with you) will make promises before God, who will call all people to account, and before the church, who also make promises regarding the child.  Baptism is therefore both a heavy responsibility, and a joyful privilege.

We would welcome your baptism enquiries.

For further details, please contact our Church Office on (02) 4295 1321 or at: stpauls@stpaulsanglican.com