Sunday: 10-3-2013. 1st service

 Hello all, hope you had a blessed week. Welcome to a glorious and a wonderful service in His presence.

Pastor Peter led the opening prayers. "De Masterpiece" followed with a worship song led by Direction titled "Lord I Lift Your Name On High." 

The praise session was led by Maryann with the song "I Came To Give Him Praise" and "Oh Happy Day". Paulnams took over with "Take Your Blessing".

A longer worship session was led by Maryann; it started with "Hossanna In the Highest" and was followed by "Mma Mma" meaning Great and Mighty God.

Announcements were taken by Pastor Dexter. Two new babies were born to the families of Mr & Mrs. Fidelis and Mr & Mrs. Lincoln Itive. Next Sunday the 17th of March is women's day. It will be celebrated in church, husbands are enjoined to buy gifts for their wives. To this effect, all women are to meet on Thursday the 14th of March by 5.pm.

ELITES' meeting holds this evening by 5pm at the church auditorium while the meeting for couples, "Two-in-One" will hold at Mr. and Mrs. IKenna's house. The topic to be discussed is "Third Party in Marriage". All workers are to meet at the close of second Service with Pastor Cosfinney Udoka.

"De Masterpiece" took us further into the service with the choir song titled "Incredible God" led by Anita. Paulnams took over with "He's Able".

Chinyere welcomed the first timers with the song "I need you to survive". She advised that though there were lots of churches in Asaba, the host pastor, Cosfinney Udoka would be happy to be their pastor if they madeHouse on the Rock their place of worship. After that, we were further taken into God's presence with a ballet dance presentation by Njideka and Solomon from ELITES, titled "Not Guilty."

Following the inspiring presentation, it was time for the message. Once again, our host pastor, Cosfinney N. Udoka was welcomed by Pastor Chikelu to the melody of "More of you," by "De Masterpiece."

Pastor Udoka informed the congregation that today will be the start of a series that will run through the month of April.

The series is titled, "The Content of Marriage, or Why Marriage?"

Bible reading: Genesis 2 vs 16, 18, 23, 24, 25, Ruth 1 vs 6-18, Genesis 2 vs 25, Ephesians 5 vs 21, Genesis 1 vs 28.

Being alone and being lonely is not the same. Marriage is the program of God, not man. Our traditions and lifestyles have made it seem like it is man's program. It is the heartbeat of God, it was the first institution He created, and it was the only way He saw fit for procreation to take place.

A lot of people have focused on the wedding, instead of talking of the marriage. The devil knows how important marriage is to God, so he tries everything possible to destroy the institution, to thwart the program of God. Marriage has been so mitigated today, to the point that we have begun to accept a lot of shams as marriage.

Marriage is a legal relationship between a man and a woman. The yearning to get married comes from God, not from the devil. We are meant to get married, it is part of God's purpose for human beings. We are instruments of marriage, the day we were born is the day we became qualified to get married, at the appointed time.

A woman completes a man, there is something only a woman can give a man as his wife. That is the way God designed it to be. He who finds a wife finds a good thing (Prov. 18 vs 22), a wife is a blessing.

Marriage is a tri-patheid relationship that has to do with God, a man and a woman. You cannot wed outside God and expect a consistent, peaceful marriage. God should not be dropped at the altar after the wedding, God should be carried home with the couple. He becomes the reason for the marriage.

A man without a woman is incomplete, and a woman without a man is a girl. Womanhood is an office, and not a title.

Reasons God created marriage:

1. Companionship, Friendship: Adam needed consistent fellowship and friendship, so God created Eve for him, for that purpose.

   If you are not ready for that kind of companionship and relationship, do not get married.

   Ruth (in the Bible), is an example of companionship, and what marriage is all about. Companionship does not stop, until death do you part.

 

No matter where you're coming from, once you get married, whatever curse you were previously under, is automatically removed.

2. Sexual Fulfillment: If your sexual life is perverted as a single person, it will take God's hand to correct it in marriage.

   The proper joining of two people takes place at the altar and through sex. Sex is the major unifying factor in marriage, it bridges the gap in the night after the distance         

   covered in the day. A husband and wife should be open with each other about sex and sexual-related issues. Sex should not be an instrument of punishment in the home, 

   either for the man or the woman.

3. Procreation: From the day God created man and woman, creation stopped. He gave man and woman the power to create as much as they want, and it is important to talk

    about how many children you want to have before you get married. That is part of the reason God created the institution of marriage. Couples should have as much

    children as they can take care of.

Requirements for Marriage:

1. A job: No matter how small the job is, you need a job. Adam had a job in the garden of Eden, a job gives you a sense of direction. A man needs to take care of his

   family, and the Bible says any man who cannot do that is worst than an infidel. In conclusion, a woman also needs a job to qualify her to get married. She should not be a 

   liability.

  Tithes and offerings were taken, the benediction was said, and the first service came to a close.