One Church Family Rooted in Christ And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. Colossians 2 v 6 & 7 Contents Page No. Presbyterian Children's Society ---------------------- 6 How's your prayer life? ---------------------------------- 7 Our Village -------------------------------------------------- 10 Senior members' Evening ------------------------------ 11 An Open Door --------------------------------------------- 12 Inside Out --------------------------------------------------- 13 Choosing New Elders ----------------------------------- 17 General Assembly Report ------------------------------ 14 Our givings to God's Work ----------------------------- 21 Ballyeaston, UCB, Bob Gass & Belfast ------------- 22 Ballyclare Historical Society --------------------------- 30 Church Organisations: Flower Rota ---------------------------------------- 4 Choir notes ------------------------------------------ 5 Prayer Ministry ------------------------------------- 6 Jewels ----------------------------------------------- 6 GB ---------------------------------------------------- 8 BB ---------------------------------------------------- 9 Sunday School/Bible Class --------------------- 11 Congregational Committee Report------------- 24 Cradle Roll ------------------------------------------ 25 PW ---------------------------------------------------- 26 Treasurer's Report -------------------------------- 28 Church Record --------------------------------------------- 31 Upcoming Events ------------------------------------------ 32 ****************************************** My grateful thanks to all our contributors and to Joe, Marbeth & Margaret for proof reading, printing and getting your magazine ready for distribution. Please do get in touch by speaking to anyone of us or by emailing [email protected] if you can provide any ideas or helpful comments to make this magazine as relevant as possible. With grateful thanks, Claire McDowell. Page 2 Thought for September They might not admit it, but our children are genuinely looking forward to going back to school. Ellen is probably the most excited, as she is getting ready for a new school. In First Ballyeaston we are also looking forward to a new church year, our election for new elders and a new study course in the autumn. New beginnings always bring a sense of excitement, hope and expectation and the wonderful thing about Christianity is the fact that God always gives us the opportunity to make a new beginning with him; to confess our sin, to find forgiveness and to turn over a new leaf. As we read in Psalm 103 God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. However, there is a real danger that we take God's grace for granted, because we can easily end up in a cycle of new beginnings and of perpetual good intentions. God wants us to make that new beginning with him through his Son Jesus Christ, but critically He wants our faith to grow and put down deep roots of love in Him. In the parables of the sower and mustard seed Jesus compares faith to a seed. The seed being planted is a new beginning in itself but the most important aspect of these stories is the fact that the seed grows in the Sower to produce a full ear or in the Mustard Seed a tree which is over ten foot tall. And in Colossians 2 Paul exhorts the church: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. The key words here are rooted, built up and strengthened in the faith. We do that by taking God's word seriously and by putting it into practice. I pray that this September will be so much more than a new beginning, but rather the opportunity for each one to grow in faith and to put down deep roots of faith in Christ our Lord and that we cannot help but overflow with thankfulness before the Lord. Your friend and minister Eddie McDowell Page 3 Flower Rota September - December 2019 September 1st Mrs M Davis 8th Mrs H McAuley 15th Mrs L Hill 22nd Mrs M Bingham 29th Mrs A Grimason October 6th Mrs M McNeilly 13th Harvest 20th Mrs J Currie 27th Mrs M Strain November 3rd Mrs J Woodside 10th Mrs D Cunningham 17th Mrs E Witherhead 24th Mrs L Gordon December 1st Mrs B Irvine 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Mrs A Beard Thank you to everyone for supplying flowers each Sunday. These are passed on to members of our congregation who have been in hospital recently, currently unwell, or indeed suffered a recent bereavement. They are also sent to members in times of celebration too, milestone birthdays or wedding anniversaries etc. If your allocated date does not suit, please try to swap with someone or failing that please do contact me on 07767 271 089. Anyone who has received flowers in a container from the church please do return the empty container to your District Elder/Visitor or Galbraith Hall. Many Thanks, Ann Agnew Page 4 A new session is just about to start. As well as practicing for Harvest, Christmas and other special events we will be practicing for the Templepatrick Presbytery 50th Annual Choir Festival This will take the form of a concert this year with audience hymns and choir anthems which will take in ‘Ancient and modern’ styles. It will be held in Parkhall Integrated College, Steeple Road Antrim On Thursday 23rd April 2020 at 7.45 pm Soloist for the evening will D.V. be Ellen Mawhinney from Hydepark Congregation Compere D.V. Mr Alan Beattie from Joymount Congregation, Choir leaders from the Presbytery will be accompanying and conducting. Tickets will be available closer to the time. Please note this date and plan to attend. The Choir Festival Committee is planning to make this a really special event as audience and choirs join in praise of God. Please tell your friends so they can plan to attend as well. Margaret Waugh Page 5 Prayer Ministry God encourages us to pray for one another, to encourage one another and to bring our requests before His throne. The Prayer Team believe in the power of prayer and we would encourage you to call on us and allow us the opportunity to lift you up in prayer, whether you seek physical, emotional or spiritual healing for yourself, a friend or a loved one. You can contact me by phone, text or email. Tel: 07484 767 751 Email: [email protected] Jean Woodside The Presbyterian Children’s Society We will be having our annual collection for The Children's Society this year and will be taking contributions from Sunday 1st September until Sunday 24th November. Envelopes may be placed on the collection plate any Sunday during this period. If you would like a donation to be collected from your home please ring Jean on 93 324185 or Lily on 93 323450 and this can be arranged. Thank you for your continuing support. Jewels Ballyeaston Young Women's Group Planning meeting on 17th September in Pots of Coffee. Contact Ashleigh on 07921 147 666 or Kimberley on 07850 352 664 for more details. Page 6 How’s Your Prayer Life? Prayer can easily turn into a neglected part of our spiritual walk, a selfish wish list, or a last resort in desperate times. But we are called to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians. 5:17) and, through the blood of Christ, we can access the “throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). God promises us in His Word that He hears every word that we pray to Him. Like a good parent, He is waiting, ready and willing to listen to our worries, concerns and needs. Whether we are seeking forgiveness, strength, or healing, prayer provides the channel to communicate with God and receive supernatural strength and power! The following prayer quotes may help and encourage your prayer life. “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” – Max Lucado "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." - Martin Luther "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." - Charles Spurgeon “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. - Philippians 4:6-7 Page 7 Come along to our Registration evening on Friday 6th September at 6.30pm! Details of different sections, times and leaders (from age 3 upwards) will be given out on the night. All times will remain the same as before except for Seniors & Brigader sections which are moving back to a Monday night. Uniform can be ordered on the night. All girls must attend to receive their mark! For more information please contact Jayne on 07703006640. Page 8 Our start dates for the new session are: Anchor Boys (P1-P4): Monday 9th September 2019; 6.30pm to 7.30pm Brann Hall, Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian Junior Section (P5-P7): Friday 13th September 2019; 7.00pm to 8.30pm Brann Hall, Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian Company Section (Year 8 to Year 14): Monday 9th September 2019; 7.30pm to 9.15pm Brann Hall, Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian We're looking forward to seeing everyone back again and welcome all new members. If you require any further information please get in touch! Thanks, Gardiner McAuley [email protected] Page 9 Our Village A few updates on behalf of the village committee. Great News! Once again the village has won the Green Flag Award 2019/20 from the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Organisation.