It was a joyful day at St Mark's on Sunday. It was Harvest Festival and the congregation had given generously. More importantly there are visible signs that we are growing as a church.
Nine regular attendees have completed our new members course with Solomon and in recognition of this our Interim Moderator Moshe Rajuili and our session clerk Elizabeth White formally welcomed them into our midst. Francis Makia, who has been attending St Mark's for 11 years, was among those, who was delighted to finally receive his certificate of membership. They were also welcomed by the Elders as the flashes from the cameras of family and friends popped.
Moshe's sermon, which was nearly torpedoed by a power failure at his home which impacted his PC, laid down a challenge to all of us. The readings, which Irvine, delivered flawlessly, were Deuteronomy 6 10-19, Hebrews 4 12-16 and Luke 4 1-13. The theme was "To know the Word of God " and for that Moshe stressed that we have to know the Bible.
To know the Bible we have to read it every day Indeed, he said, we would benefit enormously from memorising key verses as we dig ever deeper into the scriptures in search of the Lord's will. Moshe pointed out that there were numerous aids to guiding our reading. Publications such as Closer to God and the IBRA Bible readings were cases in point. He said that we must make time for God as we build up to Easter and key to that is reading and understanding the Bible.
Solomon then asked all those, who were members of Bible studies to stand up. Only about five percent regularly attended Bible Study of any kind. He then laid down a challenge to the new members - to join him every Tuesday at 17h00 for Bible Study in the A S Welsh Hall. One thing is for sure. Our Pastoral Assistant will be waiting at the door come Tuesday.
Other bits of news:
A. The Sunday school was bursting at the seams on Sunday. Colleen reported that it was a very special time for all involved. She shared the story of the harvest with the children ably supported by Portia and Veronika.Sharai and Norman are also part of the Sunday school teaching team, which means that Colleen had ample support. There were smiles all around as the children share in half an apple each on Harvest Sunday.
B. We continue to pray for Solomon, Perpetue and baby David. Perpetue and David are still in Johannesburg Hospital where David is recovering from a bout of jaundice They were expected home home on Saturday, but it was not to be.
C. The WA's cake sale after the service was a success. The women of St Mark's had baked into then night and Alison and Marianne were on hand to sell the goodies to an appreciative tea time fellowship. The cakes that were not sold were given away, so there were no losers on this wonderful. Our thanks must go to the WA.
D. It does not end there. Thank you Sophia for driving the process around cleaning the walls in the ladies and men's toilets. Your scribe can attest to the cleanliness of the men's loo. The walls are shining white. Johar and Jotam, you guys did a grand job for us. The leak in Edward's roof is also fixed.
E: And if you did not know the fruit and vegetables gathered for Harvest Festival will be given to Guild Cottage, the Frida Hartley Home, Mother Theresa and Meals on Wheels. Help wold be appreciated with the distribution process on Monday.
The St Mark's Editorial Team.
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