I must share with you an interesting thing I heard through the week. I was speaking with a person and asked how they were going. They said “Really well thank you.” They sounded so chipper so I inquired as to what was happening in their life to be so upbeat. I was told they had decided to give up negativity for Lent!
Whilst others were giving up chocolate and feeling grumpy, they were feeling great and helping others feel good by their positive outlook.
We can choose our attitude and our attitude will influence our altitude, whether we are up or down. A good attitude to cultivate is one of thankfulness. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Negativity is often formed out of fear and these fears can be legion. Many are caused by us “catastrophising ” about events, seeing them likely to deliver the most disastrous consequences. For example your boss tells you she wants to see you first up on Monday morning. You spend all weekend thinking you will get the sack. When in reality she wants to commend you for a job well done.
Faith on the other hand builds a positive outlook and confidence in the future because you walk with God. A God who has the best for you in mind and between the two of you there is nothing life can throw at you that you together cannot handle. Ken Hopper
On Tuesday the 16th of February we are giving away pancakes to mark the start of Lent (which begins of Ash Wednesday). Come along from 6:30 til 9:00am to get two free pancakes with yummy maple syrup!
Drive in off Waterworks Road into the church car park to get your take away pack.
From 31t of January, St Mark’s will be undertaking a six month trial of a new service time, with our 9:00am Service starting at 9:30am. This time will be more family friendly, and the service will also include a kids segment, complementing the Children’s Church program.
Our 7:30am and 6:00pm services will continue to run at their scheduled times.
We are on a mission to sign up as many people as we can to join our Lenten Growth Group Study. This is a great opportunity to strengthen your faith. Please contact Mick George on 3300 1502 during office hours.
During the school holidays, St Mark’s is turning up the spiritual heat, with five guest and local preachers preaching on their favourite bible passages over five weeks. We have already had Phil Campbell preach on Philippians chapter 1, and John Dougherty preach on Matthew 22:34-40.
We still have three great preachers to go, with Hugh Begbie, Catherine Sutton and Ralph Bowles preaching over the next three Sundays. Come and join us as we turn up the spiritual heat in 2010 with our Summer Favourites series.
Santa visited the St Mark’s Playgroup on Wednesday, bringing good tidings and Christmas cheer as part of the groups end of year break up party. A fun time was had by all and Santa even remembered to bring some special presents for all of the kids!
Thanks for visiting us Santa!
If you would like to find out more about St Mark’s Playgroup, contact the office on 3300 1502.
If you would like to find out more about Santa Claus, The Saint Nicholas Center has a wealth of information and activities for the kids.
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Santa visited the St Mark’s Playgroup on Wednesday, bringing good tidings and Christmas cheer as part of the groups end of year break up party. A fun time was had by all and Santa even remembered to bring some special presents for all of the kids!
Youth & Children’s Minister
Themocracy