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Isaac and Rebekah
Genesis 24
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Don't forget you can catch up with all our sermons on our sermon channel at http://sermon.net/stmarkssaltney
Welcome to the St Mark's Blog
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Sermons from Sunday 14th July available for download
Monday, 15 July 2013
Questions for Fellowship Groups from 14th July 2013
Isaac and Rebekah
Read some or all of Genesis 24
The
Lord had blessed Abraham in every way.
Share with the group some of
the blessings that you have received from God.
In verse 7 Abraham explains to
his servant about the promise that God had made to him that his offspring would
inherit the land. How does this influence Abraham’s plans and actions? Are
there any plans in your life that have been directly influenced by God’s
revelation to you?
The Bible is God’s word. Do
you read it regularly? When you read it do you expect God to speak to you
though it? If you would like to spend more time reading the Bible discuss with
the group how you might change your habits to make it more of a priority.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Sermon from Sunday 7th July available for download
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Hagar and Ishmael
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Don't forget you can catch up with all our sermons on our sermon channel at http://sermon.net/stmarkssaltney
You can also download them directly to your mobile or tablet and listen to them on the go!
Questions for Fellowship Groups from 7th July 2013
Hagar and Ishmael
Read Genesis 16
This is not an episode that reflects well on Abram and Sarai -
what might that tell us about how God deals with people and the people he
chooses to use? Take some time to reflect on how you think Abram and Sarai seem
to you to behave here – and how Hagar might have felt about it all.
How God relates to Hagar and how she relates to God seems
very different from how Abram and Sarai relate to God in this chapter - what do
you spot? What does God say to each of them and what do they say to God?
What does God say to Hagar and how does he treat her? What
do you spot about what God says about Hagar and Ishmael's future? You could
maybe discuss how their story carries on in Chapter 21. What picture of God
comes out of the story of Hagar and Ishmael?
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
More sermons from "People in Genesis" available for download
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Noah and his family
Abraham and Sarah
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Don't forget you can catch up with all our sermons on our sermon channel at http://sermon.net/stmarkssaltney
You can also download them directly to your mobile or tablet and listen to them on the go!
Monday, 1 July 2013
Questions for Fellowship Groups from 30th June 2013
Abram and Sarai
Genesis
12:1-3, 15:1-6, 17:1-8 & 15-22
The story of Abram and Sarai is a story of waiting, where
lessons are learnt in the delay, and in the silence. Can you relate to this
experience in your own Christian journey?
'Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith
is the courage to dance to it today'. If you agree with this statement what
challenge does it bring to us in our witness for Christ?
Abraham and Sarah continued to stumble and fall as they
strived to be obedient to God's call on their lives. How do you find yourselves
re-acting when you know others are continuing to stumble and fall - do you
judge or do you forgive and love them on into the land God has promised us?
Hennie's July Blog 2013
Hennie's July Blog 2013
June seemed to arrive and depart very quickly,
but perhaps that is because it has been a very busy month. It has been a month
where there has been much grief, and I am sure many questions.
It started for me with my dear friend Ruth eventually dying on Thursday 30th May - very quick and peaceful. Many of you know that I spoke at her funeral, and a very beautiful service it was. God gave her an extra year to show many of us how 'to die well to live well', and I hope and pray that this gift will equip me further in my funeral and pastoral ministry. Ruth's funeral meant that I had to postpone my already booked holiday, but it also meant that I was present, as was Wendy, when we heard of the tragic and very sudden death, of Kathryn Dowling, daughter of Don and Karen. Of course her sudden death will leave people with many questions, and raw emotions, and it is important to ask the questions, and express the emotions, though the questions may not be answered, and the pain will remain. We thank God that Don is a committed member of our family at St. Mark's and I hope, and pray, that we will continue to be able to love and support the family in every way we can. During June we have also had other members of St. Mark's lose very close family, and when one part of the Body suffers we all suffer. It is right to weep with those weep, and to rejoice with those that rejoice. (Romans 12.15)
Last week I attended the Chester Diocesan Conference at Swanwick in Derbyshire, and the theme was 'Worship - lament and praise'. Jeremy Begbie was one of the main speakers, who was excellent, and he suggested that we did not have enough songs of lament in our musical repertoire both in our hymnal and more contemporary songs of worship, to allow people to express their lament. He suggested that lament is enfolded by praise through the resurrection of Jesus Christ - lament will lead to praise - but we need a place to lament. I hope and pray that St. Mark's will be a safe place to grieve, and to lament, as well as rejoice and praise. Lament not only being caused by being torn apart from loved ones, but lament in the biblical sense, as being torn apart from God through our own selfish ways. The Psalms are a good place to go when we find we have no words to express our feelings and emotions.
It started for me with my dear friend Ruth eventually dying on Thursday 30th May - very quick and peaceful. Many of you know that I spoke at her funeral, and a very beautiful service it was. God gave her an extra year to show many of us how 'to die well to live well', and I hope and pray that this gift will equip me further in my funeral and pastoral ministry. Ruth's funeral meant that I had to postpone my already booked holiday, but it also meant that I was present, as was Wendy, when we heard of the tragic and very sudden death, of Kathryn Dowling, daughter of Don and Karen. Of course her sudden death will leave people with many questions, and raw emotions, and it is important to ask the questions, and express the emotions, though the questions may not be answered, and the pain will remain. We thank God that Don is a committed member of our family at St. Mark's and I hope, and pray, that we will continue to be able to love and support the family in every way we can. During June we have also had other members of St. Mark's lose very close family, and when one part of the Body suffers we all suffer. It is right to weep with those weep, and to rejoice with those that rejoice. (Romans 12.15)
Last week I attended the Chester Diocesan Conference at Swanwick in Derbyshire, and the theme was 'Worship - lament and praise'. Jeremy Begbie was one of the main speakers, who was excellent, and he suggested that we did not have enough songs of lament in our musical repertoire both in our hymnal and more contemporary songs of worship, to allow people to express their lament. He suggested that lament is enfolded by praise through the resurrection of Jesus Christ - lament will lead to praise - but we need a place to lament. I hope and pray that St. Mark's will be a safe place to grieve, and to lament, as well as rejoice and praise. Lament not only being caused by being torn apart from loved ones, but lament in the biblical sense, as being torn apart from God through our own selfish ways. The Psalms are a good place to go when we find we have no words to express our feelings and emotions.
With regard to rejoicing, we celebrated 'A
different Taste @ St. Mark's' cafe's first birthday on Thursday 6th June which
was a great occasion. It blesses my heart every Thursday as we see so many
different people, from the church, and the local community, of all ages, coming
to experience good food, good company and good news. Thank you all who
serve so selflessly week after week.
On Sunday 2nd June we celebrated the wedding of Mike and Kate who worship at our 6.30 pm service, and again it was a wonderful ceremony, followed by a very happy reception. Many of St. Mark's were there to support and pray for them. On Saturday 15th Beth and Rose held another MST Prayer Breakfast, which again was very well received, and, though not present myself, I have had very encouraging feedback, and many people experienced a very powerful time of prayer.
Lastly we celebrate the arrival of Jon and Cyd Phillips, together with James & Edmund. They arrived late on Thursday 20th June and were overwhelmed by the food parcel and card, and other expressions of welcome. I know they would wish me to say 'thank you' on their behalf. Please pray for them as they prepare for Jon's ordination on Sunday 21st July in Chester Cathedral, and we will be welcoming them again with a 'bring and share' lunch on Sunday 28th July after the 11 am service at St. Mark's.
I end my blog informing you that we have now advertised for a part-time Youth Minister to start in September. Please can I ask you to pray that God will raise up the right person for this post, and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us as we short-list, and interview on Thursday 15th August.
Yesterday I preached on the The Call, the Promises and the Blessing of God as we looked at the remarkable call on Abram and Sarai, their own journey of faith, and how God's call, promises and blessing still relate to His present day disciples. I leave you with this quote to meditate and reflect on during this coming month - 'Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today'.
Love and prayers,
Hennie
On Sunday 2nd June we celebrated the wedding of Mike and Kate who worship at our 6.30 pm service, and again it was a wonderful ceremony, followed by a very happy reception. Many of St. Mark's were there to support and pray for them. On Saturday 15th Beth and Rose held another MST Prayer Breakfast, which again was very well received, and, though not present myself, I have had very encouraging feedback, and many people experienced a very powerful time of prayer.
Lastly we celebrate the arrival of Jon and Cyd Phillips, together with James & Edmund. They arrived late on Thursday 20th June and were overwhelmed by the food parcel and card, and other expressions of welcome. I know they would wish me to say 'thank you' on their behalf. Please pray for them as they prepare for Jon's ordination on Sunday 21st July in Chester Cathedral, and we will be welcoming them again with a 'bring and share' lunch on Sunday 28th July after the 11 am service at St. Mark's.
I end my blog informing you that we have now advertised for a part-time Youth Minister to start in September. Please can I ask you to pray that God will raise up the right person for this post, and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us as we short-list, and interview on Thursday 15th August.
Yesterday I preached on the The Call, the Promises and the Blessing of God as we looked at the remarkable call on Abram and Sarai, their own journey of faith, and how God's call, promises and blessing still relate to His present day disciples. I leave you with this quote to meditate and reflect on during this coming month - 'Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today'.
Love and prayers,
Hennie