2012 - ‘Running the Race’
This
is our theme for 2012 which is the year of the London Olympics!
The people of this place may not be competing at Stratford but we are
called to run another kind of race and it requires us to train well,
stay focused and go for a goal that speaks of glory!
‘Forgetting
what is behind, and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards
the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in
Christ Jesus’
(The Bible, Philippians 3:13-14).
So, we start this Olympic year with a new series - ‘On Your
Marks!’ - as we look into the first six chapters of Mark’s
gospel with a clear focus on Jesus. Overleaf is the running order
for this series.
‘ON YOUR MARKS’ (January
to Easter)
Sunday mornings at 10:30am, looking into the first 6 chapters of Mark’s gospel in The Bible:
January
- 08 Jan - ‘The opening ceremony’ (1:v1-13)
- 15 Jan - ‘Seizing the moment’ (1:v14-20)
- 22 Jan - PRAISE TOGETHER
- 29 Jan - ‘What matters most’ (1:v21-45)
February
- 05 Feb - ‘The first Paralympics’ (2:v1-12)
- 12 Feb - ‘Taking sides’ (2:v13 - 3:v6)
- 19 Feb - ‘The power to win through’ (3:v20-30)
- 26 Feb - PRAISE TOGETHER
March
- 04 Mar - ‘Producing the goods’ (4:v1-20)
- 11 Mar - ‘Seeing the crowds’ (6:v30-44)
- 18 Mar - ‘Straining at the oars’ (6:v45-56) {Mothering Sunday}
- 25 Mar - PRAISE TOGETHER
April
- 01 April - ‘Riding to victory’ (11:v1-11) {Palm Sunday}
- 08 April - ‘The greatest day’ (16:v1-8) {Easter Sunday}
‘THE INSIDE TRACK’
‘Running
the Race’ is our theme for 2012 and an Olympic connection is made
with each Sunday morning series. From January to Easter we
were encouraged to be ‘On Your Marks’ - as we explored some
of Mark’s gospel with its clear focus about following
Jesus. Soon we will be encouraged to be ‘Going For
God’ - as we respond to the Bible’s call to be involved in
the mission of God. But first we need ‘The Inside
Track’ - as we learn about the inward work of the Holy Spirit to
encourage us as believers and to help us get set for mission.
- Apr 29 - ‘The inside track about Jesus’ (John 21)
- May 06 - ‘God on the inside’ (John 16)
- May 13 - ‘Inward assurance’ (Galatians 4)
- May 20 - ‘Inward power for mission’ (Acts 1) (Sunday after Ascension)
This short series will be followed by:
- May 27 - ‘Praise Together’ (Pentecost Sunday)
- Jun 03 - ‘Diamond Jubilee Special’