The Lord worked at St Mark's on Christmas Day. The service was moved from its usual 10h30 slot to 09h00 and many felt that this would impact the numbers in the pews in this holiday period. But thanks to Liz and Mike for their continuous reminders to our flock of the change in starting time and more than 80 adults arrived to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.
But there was one curve ball. Our Interim Moderator had first to complete his Christmas service at St Giles and that caused a minor delay to proceedings. Untroubled by this blip on the radar the congregation rose in song and Sophia came forward for the first reading and just as she finished there was Moshe to pick up smoothly in mid stride.
The children were called forward for the Children's service and Moshe did a Q & A with the shining young faces, but you never know what to expect from the next generation of St Mark's. To the question" "Where would you expect to find a shepherd?" One young man responded, "in the zoo." Moshe fielded that one with aplomb gently putting the young man "right" before devoting a considerable time of his Sermon to the status of the shepherd in society in Jesus's time. This was an eye opener to your scribe.
It was a grand sermon and our thanks go to Moshe for juggling two congregations and finding time for us at St Mark's.
The retiring offering was also "significant" and the beneficiaries will be the Johannesburg Children's Home and the United Church School.
It was fantastic to meet up with old friends, who made the time to join us today. The Spirit is moving at St Mark's. Note there are plenty more pictures to be seen. Just scroll down the page until you see the thumbnail picture on your right. Click on it and you can via a slideshow.
The St Mark's Editorial Team.
Thank you so much Jane and family for what you have done and continue to do for all of us at St Mark's. It's much appreciated.
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