Solomon's car again lets him down

Dear friends,

Our probationer Solomon's car has seen better days. He broke down in Rosebank yesterday after voice training and it was again the clutch that was the cause of his problem. He fortunately crossed an intersection and then the problematic clutch became unresponsive. He only got home at 19h00. We've been talking about it, but it is perhaps time we dusted off the church car for his use. I believe Solomon will chat to Liz and Sophia today

Blessings,

The St Mark's Editorial Team.

UPDATE: Solomon has the church car, but after so long being idle it will need a wee service.

The Lord was praised despite the Gremlins

Felix Agyei is to help with the Sunday school ... this despite getting up at dawn to help his wife with her catering business, then handing out stickers at the door, followed by assisting Colleen with the Sunday school and then returning to help his wife with the catering. God Bless you Felix.

It was a jolly Sunday service despite the hiccups. The Sunday School choir was all set to sing two songs in Praise of the Lord, but at the 11th hour the portable CD player packed up. Our "techie" supreme then came to the rescue. Somehow he transferred the song onto his Blackberry and from there linked it to the sound system. It didn't come better than that for the the Sunday school choir, who did a grand job.

Marianne van Heerden was nervous about doing her first reading to the congregation and she spent the previous evening printing it out and practicing, only to find one of the readings had changed. That threw our Marianne, but Solomon was there to steady the ship and Mrs Van Heerden completed the readings with aplomb.

The service was preceded by a Men for the Master meeting. Your scribe was late and the lads were in full voice by the time he arrived. The fortunately the best was still to come. Colleen Butler, who runs the Sunday school, was a welcome visitor and she came to ask for help in keeping the boisterous youth in check, in short a man was needed.

Norman Mangena travels extensively and so is not always on hand to assist and in stepped Felix Agyei, who had his baptism of fire with Norman and Colleen on Sunday. The outcome was most encouraging and Colleen was all smiles after the service.

The St Mark's Editorial Team

Bronchitis and PC Blog blues

Hi friends

Geoff I amglad you are getting over your bronchitis … I am going down with it, hence I am not in church on Sunday, but at the office, where there is no-one else to infect (I wish the girl sitting next door to me last week had been as considerate), although I don’t see me lasting long here before I take off to my little bed, as I am feeling VERY woozy.

I had a tooth abscess this week, so I think maybe the antibiotics have had a good, but small, impact on the bronchitis, but I shall be visiting the doctor on Monday. Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow but, fortunately,most of the people will be on leave!

I am still battling to open the pictures, (by right-clicking), but will try on my home PC, although I have never had any problems before on my work PC … they normally open up immediately.

Geoff hope you are soon 100% strong – take care!

Blessings,

Val.

A morning out for the Women's Associaton

This is Twigs, a tea shop in a Garden Centre, near Geoff and Marianne's home..

The Women's Association of St Mark's decided to ditch the A S Welsh Hall for a morning of fun at a Garden Centre. There was an excellent turnout and the picture above is testimony to that. The fellowship was great and Merle had the chance to show of new cell phone, something she had wanted for a long time as the landlines in Yeoville at unreliable.

Scroll down the right hand side to see a slide show of the event. Just click on the picture and all will be revealed. You will also see Colleen admiring Merle's new phone.

The St Mark's Editorial team. 

The power of Prayer

Dear friends,

We are now 10 minutes away to start our prayer roster of one hour per person in which St Mark's is involved. This will be amazing. There are people who started last night 21h00. My time is 22h00-23h00. Then Sophia Williamsoon takes over at 23h00-24h00 then Elvis Fokala 24h00-1h00, then Elizabeth White This will be for the whole of this weekend.

Geoff has bronchitis, but the Lord is with him andI know how he can work. The Lord will be with him my friends.

David, Perry and I arekeeping the Van Heerdens in our prayers.

Blessing,

Solomon.

The primary role of the Elder is ....

Dear friends,

We are aware that any decision that needs to be taken in relation to the life and work of the congregation lies in the hands of Elders of the church. However as Elders we needs to know that any decision should be in agreement with the owner of the church, God Almighty. It is not easy to know His will if you do not know your duties and do them effectively.

The Elders' primary duties (according to Manual of faith and order) are:
1. Elders are obliged to be faithful in study of scripture and prayer,
2. to live holy lives,
3. to govern
4. guide and assist in the maintenance of the life of the congregation,
5. to participate in the fellowship and work of the Session,
6. to subject themselves to the authority and discipline of the Church, and
7. to seek its unity and peace

Study of the scripture and prayer are in my view very important. Let us prayer for ourselves

Blessings,

Solomon

The basis of leadership in the Presbyterian Church

Elder Veronika Macher and our Probationer Solomon Surwumwe at Saturday's Session Meeting

"Presbyterian polity is constructed on specific assumptions about the form of the government intended by the Bible:

"Bishop" (Koine Greek "episcopos") and "elder" (Koine Greek "presbyteros") are synonymous terms. Episcopos means literally overseer and describes the function of the pastor, rather than the maturity of the officer. A bishop is the highest office of the church (there is no Patriarch or Pope over bishops).

Preaching (the ministry of the Word) and the administration of the sacraments is ordinarily entrusted to specially trained elders (known as ministers of the Word and Sacrament,[2] sometimes called "teaching elders") in each local congregation, approved for these tasks by a governing presbytery, or classis, and called by the local congregation.

In addition to these ministers, there are also "others… with gifts for government… commonly call[ed] "elders"[2] or "ruling elders" (but not in the sense of "presbyteros").

Pastoral care, church discipline, leadership and legislation are committed to the care of ruling assemblies of presbyters among whom the ministers and "ruling elders" are equal participants.

All Christian people together are the priesthood (see priesthood of all believers), on behalf of whom the elders are called to serve by the consent of the congregation.

Presbyterianism uses a conciliar method of church government (that is, leadership by the group or council.) Thus, the presbyters and "elders" govern together as a group, and at all times the office is for the service of the congregation, to pray for them and to encourage them in the faith.

The elders together exercise oversight (episcopacy) over the local congregation, with superior groups of elders gathered on a regional basis exercising wider oversight."

You can comment on the above article, but using the comment button below.

Sourced from Wikipedia

Jane, St Mark's wishes you and your family well

Elder Jane Henderson ... master gardener and a true servant of St Mark's

It was announced at Session this weekend that Jane Henderson and family are moving on from St Mark's. Her letter was greeted with sadness and a profound sense of loss. The Henderson family have done so much for St Mark's over the years that their contributions are almost impossible to quantify. Jane may the Lord bless your endeavours and here follows a letter penned by Margaret MacLarty in your honour.

Margaret writes: "Jane Henderson was the initiator of the "St Mark's Pantry". That's the word from Margaret MacLary.

"I have heard that the very first hampers were packed in her living room.  Ceridwyn Jamieson was also
involved, and my sister Kay Patterson and I came on the scene only several years later.

"Jane was President of the Women's Association (WA) for the greater part of the last eighteen years, with Colleen taking over for several, and myself only briefly to give Jane a break.  In November this year she announced her final retirement and marked it with an amazing Christmas lunch at her home.  I am certain that few of us had ever before seen such splendidly decorated tables, and the food was delicious.  The WA Committee members helped provide and cook some of that, but I know that she and her husband were busy far into the previous night.

"Jane's four "teens and twenties" boys are now becoming more independent and she is finding time again for her part-time floristry business and landscape gardening.  We also have her to thank for the beauty of our garden at St Mark's, as well as many other behind-the-scenes activities.  Both Jane and her sister Susan are Elders and also at Christmas time decorate the church in memory of their father.  I hope that their mother, Jean Hobbs, will be able to enjoy the "flying angels" with us again this year."

The St Mark's Editorial Team.

Now is the time for giving, so that the Lord's work may be done

Mike MacMurray ... Treasurer of St Mark's explain our financial position

Income from January to March 2010 is up by just over 2%, compared with the same period last year. Expenditure for the same period is up by 11%, and so far increases for salaries and electricity, have not been taken into account.

Salary increases will only take effect in April, and as well as the above St Mark's, currently receives R2 500 a month from the Ministry Committee towards Solomon's stipend. There have also been effectively no motor car expenses. A permanent Minister will immediately increase expenditure by a minimum of R6 000 per month when the Ministry Committee contribution falls away and medical aid, pension, motor car costs begin, so we must aim for an increase in income of approximately R8 500 per month..
                             

	31st March 2009	To 31st March 2010
TOTAL INCOME	R90 392.86	R92 480.08
TOTAL EXPENDITURE	R79 503.50	R88 340.79
Profit as of 31st March	R10 889.36	R  4 139.29

 Our treasurer Mike MacMurray put it in a nutshell. If we have a hundred adults in the pews each needs to give R100, per week,  if we are to meet these financial targets. Some families are needless to say more blessed and are able give more. On the other hand the weapon of choice for a  Christian is prayer and a deep seated FAITH in the Lord. This came through strongly at Session on Saturday, at the Men for the Master Meeting on Sunday morning and through Solomon's service. Any queries can be addressed at the AGM next Sunday. But there has never been a better time to open up your hearts and your wallets, so that the Lord's work may be done in Yeoville.

News of new born babies and WA teas

• A baby girl has been born of treasurer of Men for the Master Samuel Ayeah and his wife Zoleka. Both mother and baby are well. The Lord be praised.
• Our probationer Solomon Surwumwe will be a fully fledged minister. He has passed his latest round of examinations in fine style and once Presbytery have given the final tick on Tuesday, he will be able to conduction communion services and baptisms. Well done Solomon.
• The WA social tea outing is on. It will take place at Twigs, at the Garden Shop in Parktown North, on the 20th April 2010, The schedule has been amended, so as not to clash with the public holiday on the 27th. Get in touch with Marianne van Heerden at 011 788-4416 for more details
• A number of our members are not well, among them Marianne, Giyani and Kefilwe Matampi. Please uphold all who are ill or in pain in prayer. 
• Marianne has taken up the challenge of overseeing the upkeep and growth of our wonderful garden. Alison Jackson has already been a great help. Get involved and donate either of your time, compost or plants to keep this a place of wonder in Yeoville.

The St Mark's Editorial Team

Do you know what your Session is doing to grow St Mark's?

The idea here was to give each member of Session a "love letter" via a sheet of paper pegged to each Elder's back. It was a great team building exercise.

Dear friends,

Are you happy with the way Session communicates with you, the people, of St Mark's? Historically your Elders would visit you once a quarter and there was a link between the Elders, who make up session,, and the people in the pews.

But along with changing demographics in Yeoville came a change with the way we do things. Now we the leader of St Mark's would like to initiate a renewal of sorts in getting bridges built between Session  and the congregation, which is growing by the day.

A number of initiatives are already ongoing. One is this blog on which we could highlight the big issues that Session is dealing with, accompanied by related updates in the Sunday diary when necessary We have the Men for the Master's bulk SMS line with which  to alert our membership in terms of both practical and spiritual support when needed. An Elder could also assigned to you, so that your concerns  are only telephone  phone call away. Where feasible Elder districts could even be reinstated.

Our Interim moderator Moshe Rajuili gives his views on chairman of Men for the Master Giyani Matampi

All the the above are flawed in some way. Not everyone has the internet, some have but do not use their cellphone,s negating the value of the SMS line, while yet others do not attend church regularly so miss out on potential diary updates.and of course visitations means travelling at night, which is difficult for both the families and some of our Elders, who do not have transport.

The bottom line is we need to get talking and to support one another, so that we can grow St Mark's in confidence driven by the Word and brotherly and sisterly love and support. Use the comment button below to input your ideas or drop off a letter with either the church office or Solomon. Together, we are powerful unit in spreading the Lord's word.

Prayer is the ultimate weapon we Christians have to defeat the influences of darkness. Let's pray for communication and love in St Mark's starting right now.You can see a slideshow of Saturday's Session meeting by clicking on the thumbnail picture in the right hand column. These are thanks to the services of Mike MacMurray's Blackberry.

The St Mark's Editorial Team

"Couples fellowship" ... a way to build stronger Christian families by sharing experiences

"Couple's Fellowship" ... a way to share Christian values and support one another in times of emotional family turmoil.

Dear friends,

The "couple's fellowship" will be an ecumenical fellowship, which will help struggling couples in the Lord's Church.

The Vision of this fellowship will to be “reducing the incidence of divorce in marriages and to assist fellow Christians cope with the stresses of modern life". The fellowship is intended to help the families around us to have good relationships.

We Christians are not exempt from the family troubles we see around us everyday. If we get together in Christ's name, we will be able to fight evil one. We will be able to apply Romans 12: 17-21 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Love can have its place in our midst.

In the couple's fellowship, people share their experiences in order to  help those who are married, as well as those who are planning to marry.  Once everybody is board, and we've created a  good environment, we plan to hold meetings once a month.  Ideally the campaign can start soon and run until July. It's a concept the Men for the Master are looking at starting, on a trial basis.

Blessings,

Emmanuel Solomon Surwumwe 

The Vision of the Dry Bones

The Men from the Master read from Ezekiel 37 during their Executive Meeting on Monday. This passage really moved your scribe, who attended that forum,  and our chairman's Giyani Matampi's, interpretation of the scripture drove home the lesson, if it needed driving,  that we have to let the spirit rule our lives and in everything we do.T he focus of Men for the Master now moves to the spiritual well being of our flock.  

Here is a synopsis of Ezekiel 37 from E-Sword : "The Vision of the Dry Bones."

"This chapter treats of the same subject with the preceding, in a beautiful and significant vision. Under the emblem of the open valley being thickly strewed with very dry bones is represented the hopeless state of the Jews when dispersed throughout the provinces of the Chaldean empire. But God, contrary to every human probability, restores these bones to life, thereby prefiguring the restoration of that people from the Babylonish captivity, and their resettlement in the land of their forefathers, Eze_37:1-14. The prophet then makes an easy and elegant transition to the blessedness of the people of God under the Gospel dispensation, in the plenitude of its manifestation, when the genuine converts to Christianity, the spiritual Israel, shall be no longer under the domination of heathen and anti-christian rulers, but shall be collected together into one visible kingdom, and constitute but one flock under one Shepherd, Eze_37:15-28. The vision of the dry bones reviving is considered by some as having a remote view to the general resurrection."

From E-Sword, the PC Bible.

Spiritual growth is now now key for Men for the Master

This is what it's all about ... the men of St Mark's joining the Women to expand our church and grow in the Spirit.

The Men for the Master have had a busy and successful quarter, culminating in the seminar, ""So who is the boss in your house?"

The executive met on Monday to review January to March and to plot the way forward for the next TWO quarters as our chairman Giyani Matampi, will be reporting to Session this coming Saturday, to get sanction for our plans.

After opening prayer Giyani raised the concern that perhaps the men were losing focus on their spiritual lives, with too much emphasis being placed on delivering practical service to the congregation.

His views were shared by the executive and the men will now actively work on ways of growing in faith, while looking to the spiritual needs of the Lord's flock at St Mark's. The issue of how to combine deeds with spiritual growth will be discussed with the full membership at the bi-monthly meeting, which resumes in the A. S. Welsh Hall at 09h00 on the 11th April

Other issues to be put to the membership are the potential projects to be initiated in the next six months, along the timelines needed to complete them, once Session has had oversight of them.

Projects on the table are:

1. Complete the new sign board outside the church. Materials have been bought and all that remains is for Session to be informed of the plans and to sign off on the wording on the 10th April. This project is a rollover from the first quarter.
2. To paint the Men's and Ladies toilets in conjunction with the WA (Sophia has some of the paint.)  This is another roll over project from the first quarter.
3. Organize another clean-up day themed along FIFA World Cup lines. The children and youth of the church can play diski (tennis ball soccer) and join the men and their families for a braai afterwards. This is a project close to our chief braaier, Charles' heart, who was a welcome invitee to the Executive Meeting today.
4. Organise a gardening work day to assist with the spreading of compost. Indeed the setting up of a compost heap is at the heart of this plan, but we will need advice from Julius, Marianne and other gardeners among us.
5. Organise a Men for the Master retreat and perhaps have a guest speaker to guide on issues of faith.
6. Organise the purchase of tickets for the World Cup, so that a delegation from St Mark's can share in the wonders of this once in a lifetime world class event. Charles already has his tickets for the Cameroon games, so we will have to wave to one another at the stadium.
7. Organise another hot dog Sunday for the youth and Sunday school to tie in with a special day on the youth calender.
8. Design name tags for Men for the Master members, so that members can be identified in church and be seen to serve as "examples" to others in our congregation. This would involve a token membership fee to cover the production of the clip on name tag.
9. Oh yes and the Men for the Master choir. This was not discussed, but is another roll over from the first quarter projects yet to be completed.
10. Trial the concept of "couples fellowship" at St Mark's.

So much enthusiasm and so little time in which to get things done, but the Lord will guide us to blow His Spirit into our dry bones, in reference to Giyani's reading from Ezekiel on Monday.

The St Mark's Editorial team.

St Mark's just keeps on producing fresh eggs

On Sunday, the initial count of fresh eggs, collected for the needy came up at 99 1/2 dozen. There was disappointment in the pews, because traditionally, we at St Mark's had always made our target of 100 dozen eggs. But then Irvine Florence who was on door duty, was given two more two more shopping bags and suddenly we were on 102 1/2 half dozen eggs.

That total grew by another dozen on Monday. The Men for the Master's executive meeting was drawing to a close at 11h00, in the A S Welsh Hall, when a couple of taps on the window attracted the attention of the men. There was Carlos, a friend of Muriel Jackson's, with yet another shopping bag. Muriel is unwell, but St Mark's traditions die hard with the faithful. Thank you Muriel for purchasing those eggs and thank you Carlos for delivering them.. So the total is now 103 dozen, with "change."

The St Mark's Editorial team.

"Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!"

John and Dawn renew their vows after 40 years of marriage, watched by Charles.

John and Dawn Bowman are quiet servants of the Lord. They do not like the limelight and they seriously do not like getting taken by surprise. But the Rev Charles Sangster, who graced us with his presence in the pulpit on Easter Sunday, managed to score on all counts to the delight of the more than 120 members of the congregation in the pews.

John and Dawn, who were married at St Mark's, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with us on Easter Sunday, as we declared as one, "Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!"

Charles called them forward and had them repeat their wedding vows watched by their daughter Jenny and their son Andrew, who had flown up from Cape Town. It was an emotion packed few minutes, which it did not end there. The Bowmans  paid for the flowers in the church, which Sophia Williamson and Marianne van Heerden had great fun in choosing at the Flower Market last Thursday. Sophia had then put her artistic skills to work, to craft a magnificent arrangement.

Another not fond of the limelight is Sophia Williamson ... but behind that palm frond is a familiar face

Then surprise number two. The arrangement was broken up into eight smaller arrangements. These were presented to surprised worshippers, among them Merle Nichols, and Solomon for Perpetue and David. The joy was spread to every corner of the church.

And our congregation can give itself a pat on the back on the back as well. Charles initially announced that we were six eggs short of the magic 100 dozen eggs that St Mark's usually gives to selected charities each Easter..

Then Irvine Florence, who was on door duty, came trotting up with another 1 1/2 dozens eggs and would you believe he had to make a third trip with more fresh eggs. So it was 102 dozen eggs, with change, that will be distributed to the needy shortly. The WA pantry also benefited  from the bounty on the day with the congregation giving generously to the pantry after Sophia's pep talk to all of us a week ago.

Sharai and Marianne about to get down to buttering the hot cross buns on Sunday

And let's not forget the hot cross buns. Sharai Simango and Marianne and the team had buttered furiously to get them ready for tea before the service. This was yet another treat in a neighbourhood where treats are few. We can truly say:"Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!"

Other tidbits:
Peggy Hawkridge celebrates her 80th birthday on Thursday, while Helene Huvers, who attended the Sunrise Communion Service on Sunday, celebrated her birthday on Easter Sunday, but nipped out before the well wishers arrived. Nevertheless happy birthday Helene and Peggy.

NOTE: You can view a slideshow of all the pictures, but clicking on the thumbnail picture lower this this web site on the right hand side.

The St Mark's Editorial team. 

Internet Evangelism Resources

Internet Evangelism Resources

How St Mark's can exploit Christian Web Trends

Hi Geoff,

The explosion in popularity of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have led to tons of new, creative ways for Christians to build relationships and share their faith with people online.

Each of the next 20 weekdays, some fantastic guest bloggers and I are going to share and discuss one creative Internet evangelism idea each day. That’s 20 ideas from 12 bloggers in 20 days.

All of this leads up Internet Evangelism Day, April 25, 2010

The purpose of this group blogging project as well as Internet Evangelism Day is to raise awareness about the opportunities each of us has to use some facet of the Internet to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

If that gets you excited, here are 5 ways you can get involved

Read the rest of this article

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Blessings

OurChurch.Com's Web Trends

Easter fact file ...

ēs´tẽr (πάσχα, páscha, from Aramaic פסחא, paṣḥā' and Hebrew פסח, peṣaḥ, the Passover festival): The English word comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre or Estera, a Teutonic goddess to whom sacrifice was offered in April, so the name was transferred to the paschal feast.

The word does not properly occur in Scripture, although the King James Version has it in Act_12:4 where it stands for Passover, as it is rightly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American). There is no trace of Easter celebration in the New Testament, though some would see an intimation of it in 1Co_5:7.

The Jewish Christians in the early church continued to celebrate the Passover, regarding Christ as the true paschal lamb, and this naturally passed over into a commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord, or an Easter feast. This was preceded by a fast, which was considered by one party as ending at the hour of the crucifixion, i.e. at 3 o'clock on Friday, by another as continuing until the hour of the resurrection before dawn on Easter morning.

Differences arose as to the time of the Easter celebration, the Jewish Christians naturally fixing it at the time of the Passover feast which was regulated by the paschal moon. According to this reckoning it began on the evening of the 14th day of the moon of the month of Nīṣān without regard to the day of the week, while the Gentile Christians identified it with the first day of the week, i.e. the Sunday of the resurrection, irrespective of the day of the month.

This latter practice finally prevailed in the church, and those who followed the other reckoning were stigmatized as heretics. But differences arose as to the proper Sunday for the Easter celebration which led to long and bitter controversies. The Council of Nice, 325 AD, decreed that it should be on Sunday, but did not fix the particular Sunday.

It was left to the bishop of Alexandria to determine, since that city was regarded as the authority in astronomical matters and he was to communicate the result of his determination to the other bishops. But this was not satisfactory, especially to the western churches, and a definite rule for the determination of Easter was needed.

By some it was kept as early as March 21, and by others as late as April 25, and others followed dates between. The rule was finally adopted, in the 7th century, to celebrate Easter on the Sunday following the 14th day of the calendar moon which comes on, or after, the vernal equinox which was fixed for March 21.

This is not always the astronomical moon, but near enough for practical purposes, and is determined without astronomical calculation by certain intricate rules adopted by ecclesiastical authority. These rules involve the Dominical Letters, or the first seven of the alphabet, representing the days of the week, A standing for the first day of the year and the one on which Sunday falls being called the Dominical for that year.

There are also involved the Golden Numbers and the Epacts, the first being the numbers from 1 to 19, the cycle of the moon when its phases recur on the same days of the year, the first of the cycle being that in which the new moon falls on January 1. The Epacts indicate the moon's age at the beginning of each year.

Easter was Thus fixed by these rules, but another difficulty arose when the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582, the difference between it and the Julian being then 10 days. This of course affected the determination of Easter, and its celebration by the Greek church, which has never admitted the Gregorian calendar, occurs usually at a different time from that followed by the western churches.

This difference may be as much as five weeks and it may occur as late as April 30, while in the West it cannot occur later than April 25 nor earlier than March 22. Occasionally the two come together but this is rare, since the difference between the two calendars is now 13 days. The Easter feast has been and still is regarded as the greatest in the Christian church, since it commemorates the most important event in the life of its Founder.

Sourced from E-Sword PC Bible