Hoppers Crossing UC - New Ministry Centre

A Walk through the New Ministry Centre

2012-03-30T02:03:00.010+11:00

Shalom. How time flies.
It's been three months since the last post and it's good to be back.
We're now at a stage where we can walk with you through the building, albeit with some imagination.

If you're ready, let's check out the first part of the video clip, covering the library, hospitality, kitchen and sanctuary.

Follow through from the foyer to the offices and to the first floor.

and finally to the Playgroup, Op Shop and not forgetting the Shed.

The construction site is currently a very busy place, with so many things going on at the same time.

Please continue to pray as a church for the safe and successful completion of our new ministry centre, and for our architects, builders and services engineers. Also pray and work with the Design and Development Team as the planning for the fit-out of the building and landscaping gets underway.

Can't wait to see the final outcome. Things are really getting exciting.

But let us bear Proverbs 16:9 in mind:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

With Easter dawning on us, I would like to share with a contemplative song "Love Crucified Arose" by Michael Card.

May you be blessed by this song.

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A visible landmark in the making

2011-12-30T05:14:00.001+11:00

Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It is time to rejoice at the birth of Jesus and His redeeming grace. The good Lord has given us plenty more to cheer about.
There's been a lot of activity and hard work going on with an excellent safety record at the construction site.
Since the last update, a lot of effort and time was focused on laying the building services as well as laying a strong foundation. The generous amount of rain that we received in the last quarter of 2011 did not help the cause...but we're thankful for it as water restrictions for Melbourne has been downgraded to Stage 1 as of 1st December.

A good amount of blinding concrete was laid to reinforce the ground. The importance of a strong foundation cannot be ignored as the whole building will depend on it for stability.

This is a timely reminder for each of us at this time of rest and quiet contemplation that just as we devote effort and time to build a strong building foundation, so too must we build a strong spiritual foundation for our own lives. We can only build it on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ who is the Living Word. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is our Rock and our salvation (1 Corinthians 10:4, Matthew 7:24-27). Or are we building our lives on unstable foundation of materialism, ambition, sport, education, philosophies, traditions, man's wisdom?

The concrete panels are now being erected....and very quickly indeed. This phase of construction is getting to be exciting and encouraging. The church together with the Design and Development Team are getting busy on various preparatory activities in order to be ready for the planned opening sometime later in 2012.

From quite a distance from the construction site, you could see the building structure as it towers over the building skyline in the vicinity. From Matthew 5:14: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Our new ministry centre and Jesus - the Light of the world cannot be hidden. Let our light shine for the glory of the Lord.

Our sincere thanks to Ian Hartley Architects, Lyons Construction and all the sub-contractors for the building works completed so far. We wish them restful holidays and continued excellent partnership, progress and safety for 2012.

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Ground Preparation Works

2011-08-31T00:52:00.003+10:00

Work is truly well underway. Ground preparation works are in progress.

A sneak preview of the shy mound.

Mounds in many shapes and sizes.

A perfectly formed mound. Just what the queen ant ordered.

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Let the construction begin...hurray

2011-08-11T04:07:00.002+10:00

1 Kings 5:1-4 When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David. Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
"You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enmies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster."

Our wait has ended. Indeed, the good LORD has removed the many obstacles that have delayed us and made all things possible. Now we may work with those having the same vision of building the church, especially the architects and the builders.

On the 21 of July 2011, the security fencing went across the front of the work-site.

A close-up of the translucent fence.

And then followed by the setting up of the work-site offices, and the first dig into the grounds began during the week of 8th August 2011.

1 Kings 5:6 "So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians."

Preparation of the site is now truly underway. The journey to completion is still far away but the congregation will soon be involved in many ways in the design, fund-raising, procurement and then finally the fit-out of the building.

Our site representative at the bi-monthly site meetings with builders, engineers and architect is Mark Emerson. In his absence, Rev Paul Blacker or Geoff Stafford will represent.

Our Operational Health & Safety representative is Geoff Stafford.

Congregation is advised to heed safety precautions around the construction site. No entry is permitted unless advised.

Please continue to pray for the safety of all those working on-site and for smooth progress.

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What is a church?

2011-07-20T02:00:00.003+10:00

It's been some time since the last post, and many events have taken place.
Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church congregation moved out of the old church and now worships at the Seventh Day Adventist Church from which we also conduct the playgroups. Our Opportunity Shop and offices are operating on the Werribee Baptist Church premises. Our church property and furniture are safely tucked away at another church. We appreciate the hospitality shown by these churches, and see the hand of God stretching out to us through them.

It is indeed touching and interesting to see the varied reactions of congregation when we moved out of the old church due to strong emotional attachments from the labour and investment in the building construction to the many years of serving within the church. Some may view it as a demolition of God's stronghold, others look forward to the new church as a sign of God's grace that He is always with us.

But what is a church? What makes a church? What is a church without a building? Our minister has covered these topics during the difficult transition period, but I would like to share a post on a website concerning this topic:

http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/whatisachurch.htm

It is an interesting read of ideas, definitions and misconceptions.

But we know for sure, this is a time for our church to have a good look at itself. A self-evaluation, if you'd like. What areas of governance and administration do we need to implement or improve? How would the existing ministries operate out of the new ministry centre? What can we do to re-postion ourselves in the community?

We are a church on the move, in more ways than one. Our spiritual life is being transformed, even if we do not realise it. We submit to the lordship, grace and wisdom of Jesus Christ throughout this journey. We have formed network neighbourhoods to keep our congregation members engaged during this transition. We continually pray for the togetherness that will form cords that cannot be easily broken. We continually pray for the intertwining that happens when we serve and struggle together that it will strengthen our spiritual resolve. This is our time of preparation and the whole church is involved. Even our website has been revamped, the church logo revitalised.

At this stage, the planning permit has been approved and the building permit just about issued. It has taken a longer time than expected to get to this stage due to the very nature of the project, the many processes and facets that need to be addressed and the many people involved. But praise God, all the things happen in God's time.

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time
Lord, please show me everyday
As you're teaching me your way
And I'll do just what you say
In Your time.

At this stage, a power pole stands in the ground, all ready to serve the electrical needs during the construction.

Also, a new community signboard informs commuter traffic of the various church and community activities that still take place.

We have completed the preparatory stages and keenly await the setup of fencing around the site to signify the start of construction on the new ministry centre. We're moving into a highly visible and exciting phase. Hallelujah.

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Getting Ready for the Next Phase

2010-09-28T18:11:00.011+10:00

Our church is getting ready for the next phase in the development of our New Ministry Centre.

An attractive sign board stands in an empty plot of land destined to fulfil God's plan for a greater purpose in reaching out and serving the Wyndham community.

The Notice of Application for Planning Permit was put up to inform our neighbours of our intention to build.

We look forward to seeing the next step in the building development.
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Exciting Glimpses of the New Ministry Centre

2010-08-10T23:10:00.017+10:00

The design of the New Ministry Centre is fast gathering pace, and we've got some exciting architect renderings of how our New Ministry Centre could look like !!

Praise be to God for His faithfulness, the expression of design and the joy of creation. May God be the firm foundation of our New Ministry Centre.

Building View from Driveway & Aerial from Derrimut Road

View from Derrimut Road (northward) & View from Derrimut Road (southward)

Please feel free to approach any member of the Design & Development Team if you have any queries, at church or through email to ddt@hoppersuniting.com.
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New Ministry Centre - Welcome!!!!

2010-07-28T17:56:00.000+10:00

Welcome!

This is the new space for updates on Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church's New Ministry Centre - due to be complete in 2011.

This Blog will be regularly updated with the progress on the development and important content for your information.

For any concerns regarding the development of the New Ministry Centre, please email ddt@hoppersuniting.com

For any concerns regarding this website and it's content, please email m.emerson@hoppersuniting.com