Feb/Mar
love.
more than a word, love is a verb! 1
E M O C L E W 2
It’s so grea t tha t you’re a par t of our Sunday cele bra tion ser vice. As we cele bra te Jesus today, we pray tha t you feel right a t home. We would lo ve for you to join us in the “Meeting Place” after our mor ning ser vice for a cuppa so we can enjo y some grea t coffee and connection!
E
“God is love and he who lives in love lives in God and God in him”. 1 John 4:16
Love is the most powerful emotion in the world, and in fact, all of the universe. It is a ‘God’ emotion, and it motivated God not to reject a disobedient humanity but to sacrifice His life for them. What great truth it is for us to realise that our God loves us with such a passion and an intimacy, that He cho oses to live in us by the Holy Spirit; only real love could do that. Our required response is found in Matthew 22:37 – 39, ‘to love God with all our heart, soul and mind; plus love our neighbour as ourselves.’ The term ‘love’ has be en watered down to such an extent that the love Jesus said we are to show has lost its potency, but we still have to take personal responsibility for obedience to the Lord’s commands. Can I love my neighbour? Can I love myself? Some find the second one harder than the first. However if Jesus said “do it”, we must believe and step out in faith to love God and our neighbour who may or may not know Jesus. If we clothe ourselves in God’s love, then we will be desirable to be around....people will se ek us out. There will be an aura of love around us which becomes attractive to people living in a world starved of real love. We ne ed to cho ose to love, not because someone loves us first, but because we have made a conscious decision to be carriers of God’s love to broken humanity. I pray that the culture of our church will be a culture of love....people may not want to hear our words, but they will respond to our love. Make a decision today, “I will love people, both the lovely and those who are hard to love.” The world is waiting for YOU! Let’s do this together. PAST ORS ROB AND DENISE
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CONTENTS NEWS p.7 p.8-11
// p.6
Fe bruar y / March Bir thdays Church Life
FEATURE p.12 p.14 p.16 p.18 p.20
// p.12
LOVE. I got you babe. When there’s no will, God has the Way >> Careforce Lifeke ys FAQ’s about MCF Life Progress on Po werhouse
FAMILY LIFE p.23 p.24 p.26
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Missions Upda te Jour nal Readings MCF Calendar // Fe bruar y & March
//
/ p.23
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S W E N
What an exciting way to end 2010! Mia Ellul and James Woodland announced their engagement on the 31st December. Congratulations to you both!
Congratulations to Nathanael and Milly Stevens (ne e Hyatt) who were married on Saturday, 29th January at Shoal Point. We also congratulate Babitha (Bobi) (ne e Prakash) and Prasanna Christopher who were married in Chennai, India on 13th Dec, 2010. We wish both couples an abundantly blessed life together. All of Mackay Christian Family wish to express their sympathies to the Kerrigan family on the loss of Lindy’s father and to the MacDonald family on the passing away of Jim’s mother. We also offer our condolences to Janine Mullenbach and her family on the death of her Dad in South Africa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
We also congratulate Allan and Lor raine Croker on their 28th Wedding Anniversary which they celebrated on the 29th January, 2011.
New to MCF?
act details? nt co ur yo d ge an ch ve ha or F MC Are you new to r today and ye fo e th m fro rm fo te da up an up Then please pick bucket. return it completed in the offering to date with up This will ensure MCF can keep you r church and ng that is happening in ou hi yt er ev 6 community.
February / March
Birthdays! FEBRUARY
MARCH
03/02 – Hayley Zimmerman
01/03 – David Spark, Letesha Zimmerman
04/02 – Sam Hyatt, Ray Jenvey
02/03 – Alex Hutchings, Tayla Hutchings
05/02 – Kelvin Leon
03/03 – Angie Little
06/02 – Sharlene Bowater
04/03 – Mitchell Fry, Micah Deguara
07/02 – Julien Andre Mezieres, Ellen Steane 05/03 – Wayne Fouche 09/02 – Rodney Ward 11/02 – Sharon Grubb, Rodney Voss
06/03 – Brad Clark, Jeremy Buttle, Peter Woolcock
12/02 – Nicole Boccalatte, Corey Johnston
07/03 – Narelle Rosmalen, Zachary Roberts
04/02 – Katherine Wright
09/03 – Daniel Fehring, Mel Howell
15/03 – Robyn Hydson, Kaleena Smith,
11/03 – Kadie Dixon
Alf Welby
13/03 – Janelle Hawkins, Jeffrey Buttle
16/02 – Liza Deguara, Helen Tainton
15/03 – Cameron Murison, Katie Beth Walters
17/02 – Gloria Arrow
16/03 – Hannah Greer
19/02 – Warren Tysoe, David Wilde
17/03 – Claire Barton
21/02 – Jackie Steane
18/03 – Jo Alexander
23/02 – Rodney Pronger
19/03 – Zacchius Heron
24/02 – Pauline Frampton
22/03 – Ps David Westbrook, Alexandra Swadling
25/02 – Katie Wilde, Kerrian Zimmerman
Bernadette Clews
26/02 – Glenda Neaton
28/03 – Hannah Fehring
27/02 – Blake Coppo, Ben Croker
29/03 – Angela Clifford, Nicole Zimmerman, Aiden Hawkins
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Coming up... Shane Willard Shane was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina and began preaching at age 15. He to ok his first pastoral position at 19 and served on staff for 7 years at two large churches. Shane is an international speaker, teacher, and motivator. He has spoken in pastor’s and leadership conferences as well as churches throughout the world. Shane’s passion is teaching the Word of God in a relevant way. We’re excited that Shane will be with us from the 18th-20th February with his dynamic teaching on Friday & Saturday nights commencing at 7pm in Faith Centre & then both services on Sunday.
One Voice 2011 // May 26th-28th Each year, hundreds of women from ACC churches around Que ensland gather at the Sunshine Coast to spend time away from their normal commitments and responsibilities so that they can connect with God in a relaxed environment and spend much ne eded time with their girlfriends, reflecting on the go odness of God. Of course, ‘doing coffe e’ and going shopping is thrown into the mix to ensure a fabulous we ekend away. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Imagine’. Eph 3:20 says, “With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.” This year’s conference has an amazing line up of keynote speakers. For more information, we have brochures in the foyer of our Church, or you can phone through to Tiana in the Church Office, Wed – Fri on 49631155 if you would like to share our apartment accomodation.
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Mark your calendar: May 26th-28th. Don’t miss out!
Z D I K
NEW YEAR, NO FEARS... By Cheryl Greer
It is an exciting time of the year where everything is new for our children, some will be starting Kindy or Prep, or going into another grade with a new teacher. I remember when I was a child I was so excited to start scho ol and write on the very first page of my bo oks, I would write as neat as I could to make that page lo ok as go od as possible. Unfortunately that only lasted that one page as I was not a natural neat writer. As we begin children’s ministry this year things will be different for some of your children also, some will be excited like I was to start something new and some will be a bit apprehensive. I would like to encourage you to speak to your children with great enthusiasm if they are starting in a new group. Teddy Bear Club is for children who have turned 1 through to 4/5yrs – Priscilla Lister is in charge of this area; Kings Kids is for children who have begun Prep through to Grade 3 and Petro VanLoggerenberg heads this team up; Kids in Christ’s Kingdom (KICK) is for children in grade 4 – 7 and Sarah Findlay heads this team. Please fe el fre e to talk to these leaders or myself of any concerns you may have for your child and we will do our best to help you. I lo ok forward to working with you and your family during the year and I pray that it will be great and very fruitful.
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S W E N G N I K BREA
FROG PLAGUE DUE TO HIT MACKAY
After such an amazing year for our Red Frog Crew in 2010, we are so excited to se e what adventures God has in store for us in 2011! Last year we saw continued favour and growth in our City heart/ Uptown ministry, great relationships and connections built through our University ministry and amazing experiences gained from Airlie Beach Scho olies we ek. We will be hitting the ground running on February 4th with Red Frogs Uptown recommencing, and then Red Frogs will be invading the University and residential colleges in O-week February 21st-25th. If you are available during the day and would like to volunte er to help at O-we ek please let me know asap! There will be regular opportunity to volunte er in both these ministries so please se e me if you would love to join the crew. Compulsory volunteer training will be held Monday night the 14th of March 7-8:30pm in the Blue Room. All are welcome! Please continue to pray with and for us as we se ek to transform our city! Amber Clark. 0450 183 500 10
LAUNCH PARTY FEBRUARY 25TH* FIND US ON FACEBOOK ‘TWENTYONE.’ WHAT IS 21?
21 IS FOR EMERGING ADULTS AGED 17-22 WHO DESIRE CHANGE AND WHO WANT TO BE THE CHANGE IN THEIR WORLD. KEEN? VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE INFO. *MORE DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED VIA FACEBOOK ON FEBRUARY 4TH.
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OLIVIA. BRAD
&
AMBER. If you could put your love into a song, what song would you choose? Brad: You Are So Beautiful Amber: Love You I Do
What are the top 3 things you love about each other? Brad: Amber’s passion to help people, her commitment to church and the way she loves her boy and me.
Amber: I love Brad’s servant heart and how he’s got he’s got kingdom vision. I love how he’s a great Dad and how he wants to take of me no matter what.
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LOV
SAM
.
What is your favourite ‘love’ ballad?
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston... You’ve gotta belt it out like a 12 year old boy hitting puberty who’s singing it to his first love.
What are the top 3 things you love and can’t live without? The beach, my family and music.
VE.
REUBEN. What is your favourite ‘love’ ballad? Something by Usher...
What are the top 3 things you love and can’t live without? Surfing, my family and my church family.
M. What are the top 3 things you love and can’t live without? My iPhone, family and my car... that I had...
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I got you babe. By Shar ryn Westbrook
It was Easter, 1986 at a Youth camp in Ayre, where I met the man who would become my husband. He was a ruggedly handsome Townsville Bible College student, buff, tanned, passionate for God and, available. I was a bright eyed, full of mischief, hot for God, single teacher at MCC, not even lo oking for love!
Back in the day, the geographic distance betwe en us was a mere speck on the map! In the ‘getting-to-know-you, getting-to-know-all-about-you’ stage of our relationship, David would hitch-hike the 4 hrs to se e me, if his car was broken, and I would think nothing of doing the drive there and back, over one we ekend, so ke en were we to spend time together. He even laid turf outside my classro om window and planted tre es on the then new site, just so he could lo ok up and se e me throughout the day.
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The following year when he to ok a position in Sydney as a Youth Pastor, I thought I wouldn’t cope without se eing him every four we eks, as I had become accustomed to. When he would visit, we would spend hours talking about every little detail of life, our past experiences, expressing our dreams, hopes, fears, the future, our walk with God, everything. We forfeited sle ep to sque eze every ounce out of the time we had together. The phone would ring and I’d hold my breath, waiting to hear if my name was called. Then I would make a mad dash for the phone before the loud chorus of ‘Oo o o o o o!’ rang through the house! (I lived with Ross & Di Taylor) He would arrange for my favourite flower to be put on my pillow then ring to tell me he loved me. Before we had announced our engagement, I would slip my ring on whilst writing report cards, secretly practicing signing my name ‘Mrs Sharryn Westbro ok’, I would sit cross-legged on the flo or in the Newsagents, reading all the messages written inside the cards, before selecting just the right one to send him, to express my heart.
He even laid turf outside my classroom window and planted trees... just so he could look up and see me throughout the day... I would read the cards and letters he sent over and over and over again, falling more de eply in love with this phenomenal man. Each and every card and love letter we wrote and sent that year we were apart is safely tucked away in a large box labelled ‘Precious’. We saw each other thre e times in 1988 and the fourth time we were married by Ps Rob, at the Bona Vista, which was our then church facility. The past 22 years of our journey together have taken us on the ride of our life; extraordinary highs and earth-shattering lows, wins and losses, triumphs and defeat. Yet through it all, our mantra remains thus: God is go od; He does all things well. This is our love story; it is “To be continued”.
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WHEN THERE’S NO WILL, GOD HAS Introducing THE Careforce Lifekeys WAY. By Simon Stubbs
How many times have we heard the Word of God, ‘don’t be afraid, reject offense, cast off shame and guilt, rise up in victory’ etc, and go away full of fire to change our lives and live this way? However, as the sun comes up Monday mor ning, we slowly go back to live a life of what we know, fur ther hear tbroken.
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In Pastor Rob’s first sermon for 2011, he spoke on the “Nature of Man” and showed us that sin was a result of the fall of Adam, but so was fear, shame, guilt, rejection, and separation. Being born again removes our separation from God, however the others are only removed through the restoration journey of walking out our lives in relationship with God. When Jesus Christ adopted Isaiah 61 as His job description, (Luke 4:18, 19), He underlined one of the most basic realities about life - Christ came to heal and restore. Careforce Lifekeys have developed several courses which focus on unpacking these areas of our lives where pain exists and where we are stuck. Christ’s restoration work commences when we partner with Him to kick open the do ors of our heart to shine light on every part of who we are. These courses will show you how to remove the locks from these do ors.
LATEST PROGRAM:
“Search for Life” When?
Starts February 2nd. It is a 10 we ek program held on a Wednesday night
What is it about?
“Christ’s restoration work commences when we partner with Him to kick open the doors of our heart to shine light on every part of who we are...” UPCOMING PROGRAMS: Man to Man
The Search for Life program identifies the cause of so many human tensions and introduces participants to the healing power of truth in a caring and safe environment.
Search for Intimacy
For more infor mation?
Understanding Your Valiant Man
Please contact the Church office on 49631155
Woman to Woman
Valiant Men
Keep an eye out for dates in upcoming Church magazines
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Here at MCF our hope is that you would feel right at home. So to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Oh and did we mention... We’ve included the answers as well!
What is the MCF website? www.mcf.org.au
How do I order a ser mon on CD/DVD? CD/DVD Order forms are available in the foyer of the auditorium. This form is an A5 yellow form and all details you will ne ed to order are on the form. The form is then given to the deacon on duty to be forwarded to the MCF Office. The CD/DVD should then be available the following we ekend in the foyer. Payment should be made at the time of the order. (If you are rostered onto Children’s Ministry you will automatically receive a copy of that we ek’s morning sermon.)
How do I become a member of MCF? Membership forms are available in the foyer or by contacting the church office. Church Membership is done on Family Sundays (first Sunday of every quarter). To become a church member you should be 18 years of age or over.
How do I get water baptised or have my child dedicated?
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The forms for these two practices are available in the foyer or by calling the church office. Water Baptisms are done in Cell or in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries regularly. However, if you are not part of these areas, it can be done on a Sunday after church or by arrangement with a Pastoral team member offsite. MCF has several church members with po ols that can be used and on other occasions the beach has be en popular for this to take place.
Most baby dedications and water baptisms (held at church) are conducted on Family Sundays.
How do I make an appointment with a member of the Pastoral Team? Appointments with the church pastoral team are made by contacting the church office on 4963 1155. These appointments are bo oked by a member of the administration team, and are subject to staff availability. Also please be prepared with the subject of your appointment and when you would be available, before you call. Please note that appointments for Ps Rob & Denise can only be made by contacting their PA in the church office.
How do I join a Care Cell? Contact Ps Jill Hyatt or Jacquie Stubbs in the church office on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays. These two ladies will share with you the vision of Care Cells and then will put you in contact with a Care Cell leader in your area or one that would be suitable for you.
Does MCF have a New Christian Course or something similar? Know What You Believe is run in Care Cell and can be or done individually and in class situations as the ne ed arises. Please contact the Church Office to register or to get more details on this course. MCF also runs several other courses during the year, please ke ep an eye out for notices of when these courses are running in the Church magazine or listen to announcements on Sundays at Church. These courses include; Valiant Men, Man to Man, Woman to Woman, Search for Life, Understanding Your Valiant Man, Search for Intimacy & Parenting To ols. A New Friends Luncheon is held twice a year, for people that are new to the Church.
What is MCC? Mackay Christian College is an 1100 student scho ol that was commenced in 1984, by Ps Rob Bo oth-Jones and its Principal Ps Craig Murison. If you want to know more about MCC, please phone 4963 1100 or check out the website www.mccmky.qld.edu.au
Special Dates MCF Mission Sunday’s are the first Sunday of each month. MCF Family Sundays are the first Sunday in March, June, September & November.
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PROGRESS ON POWERHOUSE By Pastor David Westbrook
Rain, Rain and more RAIN! Then FLOODS!! We have experienced significant delays due to the phenomenal amount of rain our region experienced. August, September and November were amongst our wettest on record, with only 3 work days in November. Also the flo ods which affected Rockhampton, Gympie, Brisbane and surrounding areas also impacted on our progress. The Big Question is; “When do we move in?� As at this moment we expect that Prep to Year 5 will move across to Providence by the end of February. stor y continued follo wing pa ge...
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Powerhouse entry to foyer
Foyer
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We have be en battling for every victory on this site right from the very beginning... moving onto Providence serves as a very visible demonstration of the active faith life of our church. We do get knocked down but we get up again. We do experience setbacks but we persist. We have learnt that faith and patience obtain the promises of God, just as the Scripture instructs. Those of you who have taken the opportunity to do a drive past in recent we eks will have observed that driveways and pathways, stre et tre es and turfing, covered areas and car parks, line marking and landscaping all point to the progress being made. Providence Park, North Mackay’s Premium New Land Release is lo oking fantastic! From our original 32 lots, 19 have sold, 8 are under contract and only 5 blocks remain. It is not to o late (but you do ne ed to hurry) to secure prime, flo od fre e land, this close to the city. 15 months ago it was a paddock but now it is a boutique estate with 4 homes already under construction. Powerhouse‌ Stay tuned for further updates!
Main Auditorium stage
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MISSIONS UPDATE BRYAN serving in CHINA Over the past few we eks, Bryan has recorded a number of ways that God has really answered prayer and revealed Himself, showing that He cares so greatly about not only the major areas of Bryan’s missionary journey, but the ‘little things’ as well. On two separate occasions, Bryan had a mobile phone battery and then a camera ‘go missing’. He had thoroughly searched for them, all to no avail. He presented these ne eds to God, and in both cases, God was faithful, revealing the location of the two items. Bryan has be en unable to gain a work permit, so he has decided to go back studying at the Teacher’s Uni. An apartment has become available in the same area that he will be studying, so he is extremely grateful for that. Please continue to lift Bryan and our other missionaries up in your prayers.
MCF BANK DETAILS
We have members of MCF in many parts of our world, bringing the hope that we have in our hearts to people who ne ed hope in theirs! Brett & Val Durant Halls Cre ek John & Yolande Leroy Indonesia Margaret Pashley Philippines Bryan Scott China Ruth Bell China Fay Walkling Thailand Ne els & Anita De Jager FCE Zambia & South Africa Rachael Gre er FCE Zambia
Tithes and offerings can be paid via the internet. Bank details for MCF are: 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.
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FEBRUARY READINGS
L A N R U O J
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOURNALLING OR HOW TO JOURNAL, VISIT: http://www.mcf.org.au/resources/journalling/
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1
Ex 30-32; Acts 8
2
Ex 33,34; Ps 16; Acts 9
3
Ex 35,36; Acts 10
4
Ex 37,38; Ps 19; Acts 11
5
Ex 39,40; Ps 12; Acts 12
6
Lev 1-3; Acts 13
7
Lev 4-6; Acts 14
8
Lev 7-9; Acts 15
9
Lev 10-12; Acts 16
10
Lev 13,14; Acts 17
11
Lev 15-17; Acts 18
12
Lev 18,19; Ps 13; Acts 19
13
Lev 20-22; Acts 20
14
Lev 23,24; Ps 24; Acts 21
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Lev 25; Ps 25-26; Acts 22
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Lev 26,27; Acts 23
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Num 1,2; Acts 24
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Num 3,4; Acts 25
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Num 5,6; Ps 22; Acts 26
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Num 7; Ps 23; Acts 27
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Num 8,9; Acts 28
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Num 10,11; Ps 27; Mark 1
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Num 12,13; Ps 90; Mark 2
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Num 14-16; Mark 3
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Num 17,18; Ps 29; Mark 4
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Num 19,20; Ps 28; Mark 5
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Num 21-23; Mark 6,7
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Num 24-27; 1 Cor 13
MARCH READINGS
1
Num 28,29; Mark 8
2
Num 30,31; Mark 9
3
Num 32,33; Mark 10
4
Num 34-36; Mark 11
5
Deut 1,2; Mark 12
6
Deut 3,4; Ps 36; Mark 13
7
Deut 5,6; Ps 43; Mark 14
8
Deut 7-9; Mark 15
9
Deut 10-12; Mark 16
10
Deut 13-15; Gal 1
11
Deut 16-18; Ps 38; Gal 2
12
Deut 19-21; Gal 3
13
Deut 22-24; Gal 4
14
Deut 25-27; Gal 5
15
Deut 28,29; Gal 6
16
Deut 30,31; Ps 40; 1 Cor 1
17
Deut 32-34; 1 Cor 2
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Josh 1,2; Ps 37; 1 Cor 3
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Josh 3-6; 1 Cor 4
20
Josh 7,8; Ps 69; 1 Cor 5
21
Josh 9-11; 1 Cor 6
22
Josh 12-14; 1 Cor 7
23
Josh 15-17; 1 Cor 8
24
Josh 18-20; 1 Cor 9
25
Josh 21,22; Ps 47; 1 Cor 10
26
Josh 23,24; Ps 44; 1 Cor 11
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Judg 1-3; Ps 41: 1 Cor 12
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Judg 4,5; Ps 39; 1 Cor 13
29
Judg 6,7; Ps 52; 1 Cor 14
30
Judg 8; Ps 42; 1 Cor 15
31
Judg 9; Ps 49; 1 Cor 16
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Febr uary
2nd
Red Frogs Upto wn
Search 4 Life Star ts See Simon Stubbs for more info
Synergy >> Rev // 21 // Ignite 7pm // guest speaker Cam Bennett
4th 6th CELEBRATION SERVICES 9:30am & 6pm*
11th
REV // 21 // Ignite
7pm
18th REV // 21 // Ignite
7pm
w/ Shane Willard
13th
cele bra tion ser vices 9:30am & 6pm*
19th
20th 26th Cele bra tion Ser vices
Shane Willard // 7pm
Cele bra tion ser vices // 9:30am & 6pm* w/ Shane Willard REV // 21 // Ignite
7pm
9:30am & 6pm*
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27th
MCF Worship Team meets e ver y Thurs Care Cells meet during the week a t variou
March 4th
* 5pm po wer-packed prayer meeting
REV // 21 // Ignite
7pm
6th
cele bra tion ser vices 9:30am & 6pm*
11th
REV // 21 // Ignite
18th
REV // 21 // Ignite
13th
20th 25th
7pm
cele bra tion ser vices 9:30am & 6pm*
7pm
cele bra tion ser vices 9:30am & 6pm* w/ Ke vin Forlong
REV // 21 // Ignite
7pm
27th
CELEBRATION SERVICES 9:30am & 6pm*
sday night @ 6:30pm in the Faith Centre us loca tions // For more info call 49631155
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Family gems for you
Making memories.
When I was a kid, I loved it when my Mum left me notes in my lunchbox. She would write how blessed she was to have me, how beautiful I was, and that in just a few hours she’d see my wonderful smile again. I’ll never forget those notes, I loved them! They made me feel special. ~ Chelsea Excerpt from “Making Memories: A Parent’s Guide to making childhood memories that last a lifetime” compiled by Josie Bissett
mackay christian
family church
CREATING HOPE EXPRESSING LOVE GIVING LIFE 9 Quarry Stre et, North Mackay 07 4963 1155 www.mcf.org.au
SENIOR EDITOR // Denise Booth-Jones EDITORS // Tiana Fr y SENIOR CO-ORDINATORS // Jennifer Booth-Jones, Ka tharine MacDonald CREATIVE DIRECTOR // Jennifer Booth-Jones FEB / MARCH CONTRIBUTORS // Amber Clark, Tiana Fr y, Cher yl Greer, Simon Stubbs, David Westbrook, Sharr yn Westbrook FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHY // Crea tivemyk.com, Jennifer Booth-Jones, Re becca Wood wor th
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