the 191-193 Upper Lisburn Road, Finaghy, Belfast guide BT10 0LL September 2019 – January 2020 Connect with us this Autumn Community Fun Day Coffee Joseph’s Technicolour Dream Coat Faith Alpha Course Concerts ! A warm welcome to Lowe Church, Belfast. While a third (34.3%) of people see their God also made us in a unique way so that we as we explore the purpose of life? We will be friends on a monthly basis, almost 6% admit can enjoy a relationship with God as a friend. listening to the original story of Joseph and In a recent article for The Belfast Telegraph to never seeing them. It may sound bizarre. In fact, the actor/ his technicolour coat (in HD!). Or, join one of (23/3/18), Victoria Leonard outlines the director Woody Allen, in one of his old wacky our book-club groups (called Contact Groups) decline of ‘community spirit’ in our society Shockingly, the survey found 25.7% don’t films, holds up a picture of the late evangelist as they read together ‘What on earth am I leading to social isolation and loneliness know the names of their neighbours. Billy Graham and says, “Billy Graham: here for?” by Rick Warren, which has sold 32 which many people experience, even here in claimed to know God”. And he is right: it is an million copies worldwide. The Alpha Course Northern Ireland (a place renowned for its The majority appear to be disillusioned audacious claim. is a must- do course, exploring the question, hearty welcome and generous breakfasts!) with life, with just a quarter saying life has ‘Who is Jesus?’ in an open and friendly Citing a survey conducted by the Rotary Club, “turned out the way they wanted it to” and But what if it is true? What if we can know atmosphere (at White Field Coffee Shop). she summarises the realities of life today: they “couldn’t ask for more.” God in a personal way? You are welcome to join us in all or any of our The highest percentage of people feeling Does any of this resonate with you? Jesus says, “I have called you friends…” activities, events and programmes. Please isolated were in the 16 to 29 age group (John: 15.15) take a good look inside. (71.5%), followed by 62.7% of those aged 30 At Lowe, we share life together. And this is to 44 - ending the myth that loneliness only not our idea. God made us for community, Knowing God through Jesus is a journey we We live in such a great part of the city. Please affects the elderly. to live life in relationships with other people. love to explore at Lowe, with one important T accept this guide as your invitation to what’s It is how we are fulfilled, what it means to be and C: everyone has space, time and room to on at Lowe. Further analysis shows that, while nearly human. And yet the statistics above suggest be themselves. You don’t have to be a ‘certain half of people (48.6%) see their families on many of us are not realising our full potential type’ of person, or ‘churchy’, to fit into Lowe. Have a great autumn! a weekly basis, a small number (2.9%) never as human beings. see their relatives. Some Sunday morning, why not come along James 2 3 Community Former JLS Singer JB Gill Weekend will be sharing his story OPEN DAY : Saturday 14th September • 1-5PM in Lowe Church Come and join us for an action-packed day of fun and activities at Lowe. Sunday 17th November ADMISSION: FREE AT 11am SUNday 15th September 11AM All Superhero JB rose to fame as a member of one of fans welcome the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS. They regardless of age dominated the charts for fi ve years, Sunday boasting 5 number one singles. Six years ago he set up a farm in the Kent countryside, where he lives with his wife and children. He is now an ambassador for several charities as well as working on television. Please join us to hear his story about his life, his current work and his faith. 4 5 ALPHA LAUNCH NIGHT Join us as we explore Sunday 8th September at Lowe Church – 7pm Jesus, His claims, the Guest Speaker from Alpha NI historical evidence, science and lots of other questions about faith THE ALPHA COURSE White Field Coffee Shop, Finaghy Starting Thursday 19th September 7.30pm Everyone Welcome 6 7 ROCK of EDGES Concert with St. Malachy’s College Jazz Band Sunday 15th December, 7pm THE MUSIC OF U2 A LIVE MUSIC AND STORYTELLING EVENT WRITTEN AND The College’sChristmas historic and enviable reputationShowcase for musical excellence PERFORMED BY SINGER/SONGWRITER DAVID KELLY is renowned throughout Ireland and beyond. In this Christmas Showcase, the College Jazz Band will perform a programme of well-known jazz and funk arrangements, garnished with some special up-beat festive favourites. LOWE CHURCH SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 7PM A toe-tapping Christmas treat for all the family! 8 9 10 11 Join us as a couple for a meal and some “you THE time” at our marriage enrichment course. Enjoy an opportunity to have dinner for two and to talk with each other in a new way as each class provides you Good with engaging material that during the evening you can work through together as a couple. Spaces will be limited to the region of 10 couples so please email Samaritan [email protected] to secure your place. Come along and Fridays 18/25 October & 8/15 November 2019 at 7pm see a fresh take on the story Marriage of The Good Enrichment Samaritan with local performers Programme from Kilmakee Presbyterian Church. Monday 4th November at 7.30pm TROPIC An evening of pampering, shopping Sunday 17 November A night of NIGHT and natural beauty products 7.00pm storytelling through Light refreshments will be provided Lowe Church song awaits! 12 13 Strictly Come Dancing Evening March 2020 Members of Lowe can apply to join an exciting missions team to Kenya Raising funds for the Kenya Team All applicants must be 16 or over and Lowe’s Development Plan For more information on this proposed trip email Melanie on [email protected] James is in… but who else will be a contestant? Keep an eye on our Facebook for more information 14 15 Christmas Carol Service by Candlelight Christmas at Lowe Join us on Senior Citizens’ Sunday 22nd December Christmas @ 7pm Fair Christmas Party Everyone welcome SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER MARTIN HALL : 10AM - 1PM Stay for Christmas refreshments You are invited to enjoy a cup of fairly- traded tea or coffee, while browsing following our stalls which include: a ‘nearly new’ the service gift stall, a wide range of fairly-traded gifts and Christmas cards from a range of suppliers. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER DUCKWORTH HALL 2.00 PM 16 17 Christmas Service Times Sunday 22nd December HANDEL’S 11am Christmas Family Service featuring ‘The Promiseland Christmas Special’ MESSIAH 7pm Carol Service ‘SING IN A DAY’ Sunday 25th December Saturday 18th January 2020 Come and be part of the concert choir! 10am Christmas Day Service Come and attend the Concert! The “In a day” event involves morning and afternoon rehearsalS, with the performance beginning at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to the evening performance. Singers are invited to attend from 10am. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day. This offers an enjoyable day of music-making for singers of all abilities. Suggested donation of £10, All profits going to Cancer Research. Please contact the church office to register interest and /or for more details. 18 19 Desserts, Coffee and Prayer Thursday 12th September, Lowe Church, 7.30pm We invite you to come along as we join to pray for our children and young people at the beginning of a new term. Parents, guardians, youth volunteers and anyone interested in the youth & children’s work in church are all welcome Inter-church Revival Prayer Join us as we unite together as churches to pray for our community, city and country Wednesday 2 October : 8pm : Finaghy Methodist Church Wednesday 4 December : 8pm : Lowe Church For further information contact Lowe’s offi ce 2020 21 Name : Alec Shaw love of God and Hoping for Help? the power of What was life like before Church? His Holy Spirit Christians Against Poverty (CAP) I grew up with anger issues and a deep in a way that frustration because my father wasn’t would change is an award winning charity committed to helping people who around. I surrounded myself with the my life forever. have problems which could cause poverty. Lowe, in partnership wrong people and their influence in my All the baggage with CAP, runs services for debt, unemployment and addiction. life was leading me down a path of self- I had carried All services are free. destruction. The only way to block out with me over who I had become was to turn to alcohol the years was weighed down by and gambling. replaced with His wonderful peace, love and assurance How did you hear about Alpha, the that I had been forgiven for all the wrongs church and CAP? in my life. At a family wedding I ended up sitting at the table with my now minister. As we Through the CAP resource Fresh Start, an chatted he invited me to an Alpha Course 8-week dependency course, I was able to debt? run in his church. From that conversation face my demons head on. I learned how to Free debt counselling in your things changed and as a result questions manage my alcohol addiction and I’m now community from started to come to my mind, I wanted to over two and a half years free of drink.