2013 february | march
FEB | MAR 13 /// 1
the future is bright.
words by Sharryn Westbrook
“The future is as bright as the promises of God” - William Carey ”When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before” (Josh 3:3-4). This is still good advice for us today as we embark upon a brand new year. The text was written at a time in history when the children of Israel were about to leave the desert which had been their home for 40 years, cross over the Jordan River and enter into the Promised Land - the unknown. Don’t you know there would have been anxiety mixed with great excitement and anticipation. Officers 2 /// FEB | MAR 13
went throughout the camp giving the people this advice “... Move out and follow”. Following the presence of God is always good advice. Doing so simplifies our lives because we don’t have to sort through a list of options with our limited understanding and become even more confused than ever. The best choice we can make today would simply be to follow God wherever He leads us. The comforting message to the children of Israel was “Then you will know which way to go” and it reassures us also. If our ears are inclined to hear from God, and our hearts have a willingness to follow, we will not be lead astray or tossed about when the storms of life blow and the pressure rises.
Following the presence of God is always good advice. Doing so simplifies our lives because we don’t have to sort through a list of options with our limited understanding and become even more confused than ever. The phrase which captures my attention is, “You have never been this way before.” That was true of 2012 and is also true of 2013. The future may be challenging and even frightening for those who have a fear of the unknown. There will invariable be vast opportunities for us to take hold of, opportunities to grow our faith and enlarge our capacities in different areas. We don’t know what situations we may face this year, but we do know our God. He has an inexhaustible supply of grace for each and every one of us and He has promised to never abandon us or leave us hanging! Corrie ten Boom said it like this: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” We can look back in Scripture and read what the future held for Israel. They possessed the land God had promised them but they had to follow and leave behind the familiar and step into the unknown. That will be our future too, because our future is in God’s hands. We don’t know what 2013 holds but He does. And He’s got it all covered! “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Teresa
FEB | MAR 13 /// 3
CONTENTS p. 4
// fyi.
p. 6
// coming up
p. 7
// nuture now
p. 8
// we are creative.
p. 9
// this summer is ours.
[rev youth]
p. 10 // journal readings p. 11 // calendar
EASTER SERVICES GOOD FRIDAy///////
9:30AM
EASTER SUNDAY///
9:30AM & 6PM 4 /// FEB | MAR 13
NEW FRIENDS & FOCUS MEETING DATES FOCUS MEETING ///////////////////// Monday 4th February @ 6.30pm Saturday 10th March @ 7pm w/ Rev. Dominic Yeo NEW FRIENDS ////////////////////////// Monday 18th February @ 6.30pm Monday 17th March @ 12.30pm after AM church
SHIRT ALERT! If you are no longer serving in a Service Team, please help us by returning your “Here to Help” volunteer shirt to the Info desk on a Sunday to go back into our stock for future team members. Thanks!
LOST&FOUND Over the course of the year many items are left behind in Powerhouse or at MCF Events. If you have lost some prescription sunglasses, a Bible or four, shoes, clothes, etc. Than please contact the Church Office or see the Information desk on Sunday. You will need to provide a description of the item to claim it. Any items still left in the lost and found at the end of March will be donated to a local charity.
FEB | MAR 13 /// 5
COMING UP We are privileged to have world-class guest ministry at MCF over the next two months. Check it out!
REV. DOMINIC YEO Reverend Dominic Yeo is the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Singapore and the Executive Council Member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. He is also the Senior Pastor of Trinity Christian Centre, an Assemblies of God church in the city of Singapore with over 7,000 in weekly attendance. Having been dramatically transformed by the power and love of God as a youth, today he ministers internationally, carrying the heart of God, bringing breakthroughs into lives and churches. Known for his visionary and strategic leadership, Rev Dominic is passionate about building pastors, leaders and churches. He trains and provides consultation to churches around the world, helping them experience transformation and break into new levels of growth.
BRENDON & CATHIE CLANCY For over twelve years, Brendon and Cathie Clancy have been ministering and helping people from all over the world to enter into the presence of God through Praise and Worship. They have also worked in Australia and a further 21 nations with some of the world’s largest and most successful children’s organization’s and community groups. 6 /// FEB | MAR 13
NURTURe nOW words by Cheryl Greer
The beginning of each New Year is always exciting. Many of us decide how we will change in some way or another. Some people say they are going to lose weight, others state that they are going to read more, and yet others might say they are going to have more time for themselves this year. I think every year as a parent it is so important to ensure we spend more time with our children (and not just in front of the tv – good quality time). Our families are so important, friends come and go, but our families are always there - through the good and the challenging. I once heard the statement that “it takes a village to raise a child”. Well this year, let’s make a commitment to pull together as one big family, realise the importance of our own child’s spiritual growth and do something about it. Don’t just let it happen as it flows, but let us together be an
influence on our children and the children around about us.
We are all very important in the family of God. Stand up, be counted, and make a difference to the generations around you.
There are some children who do not have a father or a mother, grandfather, or grandmother, or if they do have one, perhaps they are not around much. We are all very important in the family of God. Stand up, be counted, and make a difference to the generations around you. Timothy says in chapter 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Whether we are young, middle age, or mature we all have a part in ministering to the generations around us. Let this be the best year ever in nurturing our families.
If you would like to join our team ministering to children and having a ball of fun while you are at it, please sign up ready for the start of a new and exciting year ! FEB | MAR 13 /// 7
Creative. Thursday nights 6.30 AT Powerhouse
8 /// FEB | MAR 13
COMING UP AT REVOLUTION
FEB | MAR 13 /// 9
JOURNAL READINGS February
March
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Ex 30-32; Acts 8 Ex 33,34; Ps 16; Acts 9 Ex 35,36; Acts 10 Ex 37,38; Ps 19; Acts 11 Ex 39,40; Ps 12; Acts 12 Lev 1-3; Acts 13 Lev 4-6; Acts 14 Lev 7-9; Acts 15 Lev 10-12; Acts 16 Lev 13,14; Acts 17 Lev 15-17; Acts 18 Lev 18,19; Ps 13; Acts 19 Lev 20-22; Acts 20 Lev 23,24; Ps 24; Acts 21 Lev 25; Ps 25-26; Acts 22 Lev 26,27; Acts 23 Num 1,2; Acts 24 Num 3,4; Acts 25 Num 5,6; Ps 22; Acts 26 Num 7; Ps 23; Acts 27 Num 8,9; Acts 28 Num 10,11; Ps 27; Mark 1 Num 12,13; Ps 90; Mark 2 Num 14-16; Mark 3 Num 17,18; Ps 29; Mark 4 Num 19,20; Ps 28; Mark 5 Num 21-23; Mark 6,7 Num 24-27; 1 Cor 13
10 /// FEB | MAR 13
Num 28,29; Mark 8 Num 30,31; Mark 9 Num 32,33; Mark 10 Num 34-36; Mark 11 Deut 1,2; Mark 12 Deut 3,4; Ps 36; Mark 13 Deut 5,6; Ps 43; Mark 14 Deut 7-9; Mark 15 Deut 10-12; Mark 16 Deut 13-15; Gal 1 Deut 16-18; Ps 38; Gal 2 Deut 19-21; Gal 3 Deut 22-24; Gal 4 Deut 25-27; Gal 5 Deut 28,29; Gal 6 Deut 30,31; Ps 40; 1 Cor 1 Deut 32-34; 1 Cor 2 Josh 1,2; Ps 37; 1 Cor 3 Josh 3-6; 1 Cor 4 Josh 7,8; Ps 69; 1 Cor 5 Josh 9-11; 1 Cor 6 Josh 12-14; 1 Cor 7 Josh 15-17; 1 Cor 8 Josh 18-20; 1 Cor 9 Josh 21,22; Ps 47; 1 Cor 10 Josh 23,24; Ps 44; 1 Cor 11 Judg 1-3; Ps 41: 1 Cor 12 Judg 4,5; Ps 39; 1 Cor 13 Judg 6,7; Ps 52; 1 Cor 14 Judg 8; Ps 42; 1 Cor 15 Judg 9; Ps 49; 1 Cor 16
FEB/MAR CALENDAR February 3 4 10 17 18 24
Missions Sunday Celebration Services // 9.30 & 6pm* Focus Leadership Meeting // 6.30pm Vision Sunday Celebration // 9.30am Celebration Service w/ special guests, Brendon & Cathie Clancy // 6pm* Celebration Services // 930am & 6pm* New Friends Dinner // 6.30pm Celebration Services // 9.30am & 6pm*
March 3 9 10 17 24 29 31
Celebration Services // 9.30am & 6pm* Focus Leadership Meeting w/ special guest, Rev. Dominic Yeo // 6.30pm Celebration Services w/ special guest, Rev. Dominic Yeo // 9.30am & 6pm* Celebration Services // 9.30am & 6pm* // New Friends Lunch after AM service Celebration Services // 9.30am & 6pm* Good Friday Service // 9.30am Easter Sunday Service // 9.30am & 6pm*
* Join us at 5pm for Powerhouse Prayer!
MCF BANKING DETAILS Account number: 69481 8914 BSB: 084 792 Please label your transfer with the appropriate title so we can direct your money to the right area. eg. ‘tithes and offering’, ‘Leroy sponsorship’, or ‘missions’ etc. Cheques should be made payable to: Mackay Christian Family FEB | MAR 13 /// 11
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.MCF.ORG.AU