Hill Street

Presbyterian Church

September, 2010

Confident in Christ

In mid August around 800

delegates from

Presbyterian congregations

all over Ireland gathered

at Coleraine University for

a conference entitled

„Confident in Christ‟. Nigel

McCullough, Peter Wright,

Lloyd McIlwaine and Dan

Corr represented Hill

Street at various points

through the three days of

conference.

The main speaker was Ajith

Fernando from Sri Lanka.

He has been involved in

Youth for Christ in Sri

Lanka and is a widely

published author but he

also speaks all over the

world. Stafford Carson,

David Bruce and John

Woodside spoke in the

mornings and there were

also a number of seminars.

One of the things that was

most encouraging was to

see the centrality of the

historic gospel message

being affirmed in our

denomination. The whole

thrust of the conference

was to renew our

confidence in Christ and in

his message for the

nations.

Ajith comes from a setting

where the church is

growing rapidly but he had

some perceptive and

relevant things to say to us

in the west. He detected

that we are often

discouraged by falling

numbers and an apathetic

society. We perhaps

question if God is at work.

He pointed out however

that this may well be God

preparing us for a new day

for the church. If this is

the case it will mean us

embracing a theology of

suffering. In the west we

have acted as if we can

have Christ and a

comfortable life. This is

not the experience of the

vast majority of our

brothers and sisters across

the world but as they have

suffered the church has

grown. It is almost always

that way – blessing comes

on the other side of

suffering.

On one of the evenings the

work of two church

planting ministers was

highlighted. Dario Leal is

working in North Belfast.

Dario, originally from Chile,

does not have a church

building but meets with a

small number of people in

his living room and

together they are seeking

to reach out to those in the

difficult area of North

Belfast. Andy Carrol is

working to plant a church in

Donabate, near Dublin

Airport. He is working with

about 20 families from

Malahide Presbyterian

(which is full) and they are

going to start meeting on

Sundays in Donabate in

September. These are

fantastically exciting works

and it is great that our

church is encouraging

these sorts of innovations

(although we see it in

Acts!). As I listened to

these young men telling

their stories of working in

situations so very different

from ours I was struck by

their determination to

reach others with the

gospel. They were

uncompromising on the

message but were willing to

try anything to

communicate it to others.

We need that same

determination even though

how that looks in Lurgan

will be very different.

There were many

encouragements through

the week. Ajith pointed out

that while many are

naturally hostile to the

gospel it nevertheless finds

a deep resonance within

the human heart. On one

level we „know‟ it is true.

We are therefore bringing

a message to people that

meets their deepest need

and „fits‟ them in a way

nothing else does. He also

made the point that the

central message of the

gospel – the sacrifice of

Jesus for us – finds deep

correlations in nature and

experience. Love inevitably

sacrifices and we should

not find it strange

therefore that the

greatest lover of all (God)

should make the greatest

of sacrifices.

Sri Lanka is a land that has

known terrible bloodshed in

recent years with

thousands losing their lives

in a bitter civil war. Ajith

had some very challenging

stories of those who had

reached across the divide

for the sake of the gospel

and had seen great blessing

as a result. Again that was

a poignant message in the

light of our Province‟s

recent history.

All in all it was a most

encouraging few days and if

the challenges and lessons

from it are applied across

the church I have no doubt

that we can expect

blessings ahead.

Nigel

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Read any good books lately? (Barbara Porter)

I enjoyed recently this one by Paul Tripp where he likens our life and world to a house that God

has created but that sin has ravaged. We know we are living in a broken world and if we are

honest we know we are broken people. Restoration can only be accomplished by the hands of the

Builder. The bad news is we are living in the midst of the restoration process (messy and

chaotic!) but the good news is that the divine Builder will not relent until His house is fully

restored and made new. But right now we are called to live with peace, joy and productivity in a

place damaged by sin. A very realistic and rousing book at how God works in us and also wants us

to become agents of renewal and with His power we can enter the most dilapidated rooms of

creation and bring the transforming love of Christ. Recommended reading. Here are some

words that Paul uses at the beginning of the first chapter. Read and digest…slowly.

Broken Down House

Shards of window glass

shimmer

in

weed-strewn sod.

Roof shingles

clap

with the wind,

A spontaneous ovation

for

the dwelling

that once was.

With creaking voices

dark halls

repeat

long-gone conversations.

Too much

decay,

too much

damage.

Violent elements

have disrespected

the carpenter‟s

dream.

The sagging -porch frown

tells a painful story

of beauty shattered.

All that‟s left

is a

broken-down house.

As well as serving as part of our local PW committee, Edna McIlwaine is also PW Vice President at a

central level. This is a demanding role and I asked Edna to let us know a little about what she is doing

so that we can support her in prayer. Nigel

Presbyterian Women

(PW) is a Christ-centred organisation for

women within the Presbyterian Church in

Ireland (PCI).

Its motto is Living for Jesus.

In recent years we have widened our focus

from overseas Mission to include global and

local mission. Our aim is to encourage women

to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to

have confidence in sharing their faith.

Our PW Group in Hill St usually meets on the

3rd Tuesday of each month from September

to April, in the Conference Room of 105 Hill

Street. You should all by now have seen a

leaflet, placed in the pew, giving our

programme for 2010/2011.

Janet Robb is the leader of the Group and

Margaret Qua is Deputy Leader. The

Committee includes Karen Blair, Karen

Hamilton, Anne Harra, Jayne McCormick,

June McCormick, Valerie McCullough, Andrea

Stafford and myself. If you‟re new to the

church or if you‟ve never met with us, we‟d

love you to come for fellowship and even

some fun. If you would like to know more,

please speak to one of the Committee or to

Katrina McCullough (the Minister‟s wife).

I‟m a member of the Central Committee of

the Organisation which is the decision

making body and which has one member from

each Presbytery. This means that I am

sometimes asked to speak at PW services or

at PW meetings or Special Events. It‟s a

daunting prospect and I would value your

prayers because I cannot do this in my own

strength. God has promised He will give us

His Strength in our weakness and I am

clinging heavily to this Promise.

These are the events for which I would

value prayer. First of all, that what I say

will bring Glory to God and secondly, that we

will all be open to what God is saying to us.

September,

19 (Sunday)

Myroe PW

Service

10.30am

September,

19 (Sunday)

2nd Limavady PW

Service

11.45am

September,

25 (Saturday)

Dublin – Clontarf

& Scots

Roadshow

10.00am

October, 21

(Thursday)

Railway Street,

Lisburn PW

8.00pm

November, 11

(Thursday)

Kilkeel

Presbyterian PW

8.00pm

November,

16th (Tuesday)

Tullylish

Presbyterian PW

8.00pm

November, 21

(Sunday)

Cregagh

Presbyterian PW

Service

11.00am

Edna

Isiah 41, v 10: Fear not, for I am with you, Be not dismayed

for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Ideas are like children – your own

are very wonderful!

The new theme in

PW for this year is....

What does it mean to STIR UP? Picture the

embers of a fire when

it starts to die down.

To make it burn

brightly again it needs

to be stirred and fed.

So it is with our lives – we are called to „stir

up‟ one another in Christ. Often all we need

is a word of encouragement to stir us once

again to continue serving the Lord with

passion and fervency.

This year‟s programme will focus on helping

us to identify areas of our own lives which

may be in need of rekindling and also suggest

how we can become actively involved in

helping others.

As Paul says in Hebrews 10:24 “Let us

consider how to „stir up‟ one another to love

and good works.

PW committee: Edna McIlwaine, June

McCormick, Margaret Qua, Karen Hamilton,

Jayne McCormick, Valerie McCullough, Ann

Harra, Karen Blair, Andrea Stafford, Katrina

McCullough and Janet Robb

2010/2011 Programme

September, 21st Stir us …. to Action Jessica

Faulkner

Please note:

Each meeting will

begin at 7.30pm

from October

onwards with a time

of prayer in the

crèche room in 105.

October, 12th Stir us …. to be Enthusiastic

(followed by Tear Fund sale

tables)

Mpatso

November, 16th Stir us … to Be

December, 7th Christmas Dinner

Stir us …. to Celebrate Jesus

Patricia Carson

January, 18th Stir us ….to Encourage

February, 15th Stir us …. To Empathy Pauline Kennedy

March, 15th Stir us …. To Compassion

April, 12th Stirred to Taste and See Fiona Millar

Fancy a trip for some

shopping in Ballymena?

Saturday, 27th November

If interested please speak

to any member of

the PW

Committee.

All ladies are invited to a Christmas Dinner

at the Jethro Centre

on Tuesday 7th December

Stir us...to Celebrate Jesus

Speaker - Patricia Carson (Wife of Dr Stafford Carson)

Cost £15

Reserve your place with

£5 deposit - speak to any of the PW Committee.

Everyone very welcome.

Craft Sale Table will operate as usual to raise funds for mission.

Women’s Conference

Longing to call Them Sisters

Saturday 13th November2010

9.30am – 4.00pm

Newtownbreda Baptist

“The conference aim is to raise awareness of God‟s love, through Christ, for Muslim women and

our part in His plan.”

Susan Geske from Malatya, Turkey will speak about her journey of Christian service,

commitment and ultimately forgiveness, following the martyrdom of her beloved husband in April

2007.

Registration Fee £5

(packed lunch required)

Sponsored by Open Doors, Interserve, International Release, Arab World Ministries and others

If interested in attending please speak to Janet Robb before end of September.

Book of the moment

A visit to the Faith Mission book shop or ICM

leaves many of us scratching our heads at the

astonishing amount of books available on

almost every subject imaginable. A few

people have approached us recently asking for

help in the pursuit of helpful reading so we

have decided to begin a new scheme to guide

you towards some best of the current

offerings.

With help from Stephen Dundas, who is now

working with the Faith Mission book shops, we

are going to recommend one book each school

term and if there is enough interest they will

be offered to you at a discounted price.

The first book that we are profiling is „The

Cross Centred Life‟ by C.J. Mahaney. This is

an excellent place to start Christian reading

for a number of reasons. First the book is

short! I know many of you start numerous

books only to lose interest after a few

chapters. This book is 85 small pages and can

easily be read in an hour or two. Brevity is

not the only attraction however, Mahaney

(pastor of Covenant Life Church in

Washington DC) writes clearly, passionately

and crucially practically about leading a life

that is centred on the reality of the cross.

“We‟re all living lives centred on something.

But what is the right thing?” Mahaney asks as

he applies gospel principles not only to

salvation but to the nuts and bolts of

everyday life.

If you would like to get a copy of our book of

the moment contact Andrew or Stephen

before the end of October, price depends on

the amount ordered but will be between £5

and £6.

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Belfast City Mission

Would supporters of the Belfast City Mission please bring in their boxes and gifts

as soon as possible? Thank you. Brian (Williams)

gLo Over the past 6 years gLo has

been a missional

expression of the

prayers of the young people of

Lurgan. The last week of

Summer 2010 saw 150 young

people from many of the

different churches around

town gather together to serve

Jesus in Lurgan. The aim this

year was to continue to serve

the people of the town

practically - by cleaning gardens, cutting

lawns, painting fences and helping in any

other way that we could.

In addition to this, there

was an emphasis on looking

for opportunities talk

about the gospel. As

leaders, we recognise that

this is often a very

difficult thing to do and

often at gLo it can be

easy to shy away from

talking about Jesus. As

such, we sought to

challenge the young people to

look for opportunities to talk

about WHY we serve the

community practically - to

realise that gLo is not just

about cleaning gardens, but

rather about sharing the

message of Jesus with people

in our town.

Each morning we had a time of

devotion, led by Philip

Emerson from Emmanuel,

Nigel, our own minister, and Brian Thompson,

a former missionary in Venezuela. Each

morning we were challenged not

to shy away from the

opportunities that God might give

us to share the message of Jesus.

To their credit, as the week grew

on some of our young people

began to grasp this idea and rose

to the challenge of sharing their

faith. There were great stories

of conversations about the gospel

and of young people praying with

some members of the community. Yet by the

end of the week there was a real sense that

God has more to do - both IN

our lives and THROUGH us.

There was a recognition that,

for all of our efforts

practically, the greatest need

in our town is for people to

come to know Jesus. As such,

there was a renewed urgency

to pray for our town and to

begin to explore how we might

be more purposeful in sharing

the gospel both at gLo and in

our daily lives.

I would encourage the congregation

to continue to pray for the young

people involved in gLo. Pray that we

will continue to live boldly for

Jesus, that we will continue to be

burdened for the lost in our town,

that God will continue to work both

IN us and THROUGH us, that we

will allow the words of John 3:30 to

gradually transform how we live.

“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

Life is built a day at a time, so Christian, tired and somewhat disheartened, take not only life,

but the Lord, a day at a time. Let the lifetime you deal with be just for today. And for today

you possess nothing less than the whole Christ of God. (Bishop H.C.G.Moule)

Malahide (Going Bananas 10)

From the 7th-14th of August a group of young

people form our Church travelled to North

Dublin to be part of the Kids‟ Club at Howth

and Malahide Presbyterian Church. Gary and

Fiona Millar are working in the Church there

and are seeking to establish a community of

people who are trying to live lives that are

faithful to Jesus and His Word.

The week represents a great opportunity for

some of our older teenagers to serve Jesus

in a culture that is very different from what

we are used to at home. It is an intense and

busy schedule over the week but also a

thoroughly enjoyable time. The team was

split into two sections; The Totally Tropical

Treasure Hunters worked with the children

aged 4-8 and Trash or Treasure Team

worked with the kids aged 9-12. Heather

Calvert, Laura Girvan, Daniel Wright and

Julie Girvan worked with the 4-8 year olds

while Zara Hancock and Peter Wright

worked with the 9-12 year old kids. Over the

course of the week the gospel message was

presented clearly and in a fun and

interesting way that led to lots of

interesting discussion with the kids. A

particular highlight of the week was the

Parents‟ Night on Thursday evening, during

which the kids got to show off all that they

had learned all week to their parents.

Furthermore, Fiona presented a simple and

challenging gospel message to a large crowd

of children and adults, most of whom have

little or no contact with Church.

Going Bananas is a hugely challenging and

beneficial time spiritually. Over the week

Gary challenged us to read Ray Galea‟s

excellent book God is Enough, which

challenged us to refocus our lives on God.

Each evening we had a time of devotions,

when we looked at the Great Commission in

Matthew 28:19-20. Gary suggested that the

purpose of life as a Christian is ultimately to

„go and make disciples.‟ It was encouraging to

be able to talk some of these issues through

with other members of the team and also to

pray for each other.

Coming home from Malahide it was clear that

God had been working in our lives. There was

a real sense that being a Christian in North

Dublin seemed to be a lot more demanding

than here. We were challenged by the words

of Jesus in Matthew 28 and also excited by

what God is doing in Howth and Malahide.

We would like to encourage the Church

family here to pray for the Church family in

Howth and Malahide.

In particular please pray for:

Gary and Fiona - for health and strength, for encouragements in the work of building the

Kingdom.

The Church plant in Donnabate - that God would bless this step of faith.

Marty and Emma Gray. Marty is the youth worker in Howth and Malahide.

God to continue to bless the work amongst young people there and continue to guide Marty

and Emma on their journey of faith.

Teenage Christians in Howth and Malahide - life there is much more difficult that in

Northern Ireland - there is no comfortable Christian sub culture and often young people

can be the only Christians in their school. Pray that God would encourage them to keep

running the race.

Hello, It's been a great joy and privilege to visit Northern Ireland and Hill Street Presbyterian

Church in Lurgan again, after 2 years since our previous stay.

We had a great time with our friends in Lurgan from

12th August - 2nd September, meeting old friends,

making new ones and enjoying the wonderful Northern

Irish coasts and mountains. We appreciate everything

Hill Street did for us to make us feel welcome and

comfortable during our stay. Marcus and Abigail Sophie

and the two of us felt like home and we were really

spoiled by your love.

We returned home, where Dorin started to work and

Corina applied for a 3-year Pharmacy College.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragements and

warm love. Please continue to pray for guidance and wisdom in all our decisions. May God bless

Hill Street members with prosperity in every area of their lives.

Love, Corina and Dorin

This is a year of change for our BB. After 16 years of service to the

Company, most recently as Captain, Roy has decided to take a well deserved

break from BB. Roy has been a dedicated and hardworking Captain and

Leader-in-Charge of the Company Section who often burned the midnight oil

to complete his duties. We want to thank him for all he has done for us and

wish him – and his family - God‟s richest blessings for the future.

Roy‟s responsibilities as Captain have been taken by Graham (Montgomery) who has been with the

Company Section for the last seven years.

The new leader of the Company section will be Billy Harra. Billy has an amazing 37 years of

service to BB and is well known to anyone who has ever been involved with 1st Lurgan Company.

Joy McGaffin has decided to call it a day after a magnificent 24 years as an officer, many of

them as Leader-in-Charge of the Anchor Boys. Joy‟s service is commendable and we want to

thank her and pray that God will richly bless her and her family in the years ahead. Lynsey

Wilson who has been involved with BB for 21 years in now Leader-in-Charge of the Anchor Boys.

We are delighted to welcome Jill Wilkinson as a new leader in the Anchor Boys. Although Jill is

new to BB she has been involved in CE and Sunday School work for several years.

Please pray for all the officers as they start a new season of work but especially for those who

are taking on new responsibilities

Children‟s comments on the commandments: -

The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

LEAGUE OF CHURCH LOYALTY

Do you have a child aged 3 or

upwards who regularly attends

church? If so, this is just to remind

you that we have a League of Church

Loyalty scheme.

It‟s very simple - when you come into

church on a Sunday morning just

come to see me at my little desk on

the left hand side of the entrance.

Each child is given a card which is

stamped each Sunday they attend and a

record is also kept on a central register.

At the end of each year prizes are awarded

to the children for their

attendance during the year.

The scheme is simply a way of

encouraging children to attend

church.

Any new children are very

welcome.

To those of you who are

already on the roll – don‟t

forget to come and get marked in each

week! Heather Porter

Girls from the G.B formed a guard of honour at the wedding of officer Gail Burrell to Andrew Hamilton on Wednesday, 25th August.

Andrew has now been conscripted as an honorary member of Hill Street Girls‟ Brigade!

Special Events/Speakers at forthcoming Sunday Services:

October 3 Evening: Emmanuel Hospital Association, India

10 Morning: Tony Lambert, China

17 Harvest Thanksgiving

24 Evening: Mpatso, Malawi

November 7 Evening: Willie Cowan, Belfast City Mission

14 Evening: Neil Kennedy, Malawi

Wedding Bells for Gail and Andrew at Shankill Parish Church

Young People‟s Christian

Endeavour

Are you 1st year high school or older?

Are you free on a Monday night?

Do you want to develop your gifts and

talents as given to you by God?

Well, we might just have the answer.

Y.P.C.E. is dedicated to the training of young

people in the service of Christ in His church.

As far as possible we encourage members to

take part in the meetings, after all it is the

Young People’s Christian Endeavour –

You take ownership of it.

Why don‟t you come along to Y.P.C.E on

Monday nights? We meet at 7.45pm in 105,

starting at 8pm and finishing at 9pm.

If you have any further questions contact

Alan Blair.

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The church weekend will

be in Glenada Conference

Centre Newcastle from the

16th - 18th September

2011. This venue provides

ensuite accommodation and

all meals.

A great opportunity to

spend a weekend with the

church family and perhaps

get to know new faces.

Noel Agnew will be joining

with us and we look

forward to having him

share God‟s word with us.

Booking forms will be

available shortly and we

would ask that you

prayerfully consider joining

with us.

Please speak to John or

Helen Wright if interested.

Men’s Breakfast:

A warm invitation is extended to all men in the congregation, and friends,

to breakfast in the Jethro Centre

at 8.30 a.m.

on Saturday, 9th October.

You may list your name on the sheet which will be available in the vestibule

(by 6th October, please)

or contact Stanley (tel. 38316720) for further information.

Here are some words from chapter 2 of “Broken-Down House”.

A Light in His Hands

So little preparation,

so many

unrealistic expectations;

so often

dreams are dashed,

unwanted fears

realized.

Too few

understand where they are,

too few

know where they‟re going,

too many

feel alone and lost.

Yet the One who knows

and who understands

has joined the journey.

He holds a light

in His hands

and He is the One

who can be trusted.

Hill Street Kidzz

Moses and the Ten Commandments

You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 15 v 14

Ten Commandments Word Search

A M Q U Y L R Y I P S F H K Z

G U I C O M M A N D M E N T S

K R M V V B U W A J X G I L T

T D E B O T G N O M C A O V O

E E P W L D T J K R W M P B N

V R U O B H G I E N K I A R E

O E G R U O N O H G E S J P T

C S P S A B B A T H D M E Y A

S T I H O L Y T R F O G A R B

I E S I Q U D Y H S E I L E L

N D S P W E E U E T X W O T E

E E O D F Y T S J E O Z U L T

M A G Y E O S K L A D X S U S

A L T B S A E Z C L U Q B D M

N O O T H E R G O D S C V A N

Word List:

adultery Exodus image murder obey steal

bow gossip jealous name rested stone tablets

commandments holy lies neighbour Sabbath work

covet honour love no other gods sin worship