WELCOME TO WORSHIP
We are always happy to have visitors with us in Cregagh; and we welcome any who may be worshipping with us today. We would invite our visitors to sign the Visitor’s Book in the Vestibule, giving full name and postal address.
We are delighted to welcome our guest speakers today:
This morning – Rev.Bill Haslett (Minister Emeritus of Ballyblack Presbyterian Church)
This evening - Mr.Sam Smyth (Leprosy Mission)
** The following may help our visitors to share in the service:
** The Processional and Recessional hymns are not announced – the numbers are on the hymn boards (those marked ‘Hy’, ‘Ps’ and ‘Par’ are in the red Irish Presbyterian Church Hymn Books, and those marked ‘G’ are in the Glory to God Books) – both books are in the pews.
** Please stand as the service begins when the Bible, Choir and Minister enter.
** The Offering is after the Sermon and is not announced)
** Please stand as the collectors bring the Offering to the Sanctuary for dedication, and remain standing until after the Recessional hymn and the Bible is carried from church.
TODAY’S FLOWERS
The Pedestal flowers today are provided by Mrs.Wilma McCluskey, Downshire Park North.
The Sanctuary flowesr are provided by Miss Leta Maxwell, Holywood and Miss Sandra Maxwell, Carryduff.
ROOM FOR QUESTIONS
The Room for Questions Group will meet on Wednesday from 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 noon in the Sleith Youth Centre. The topic is Lent: Why give something up? We are a small group, the discussion is interesting and we learn from each other. If you would like to know more please contact Maureen Mulligan or Barbara Dunlop.
WELFARE REFORM
The Church Leaders invite you to a Discussion on Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland on
Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, Church House with a Senior Representative of the British Government, the Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland MLA and a Panel chaired by Seamus McKee (including representatives from Citizens Advisory Bureau,
St.Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Skainos Project and Willowfield Parish Church)
Attendance must be registered by telephoning 9041 7203 or email
OFFICE HOURS
The Session Clerk will be in the Minister’s Room on Thursday from 7.30 – 8.30 p.m.
Any matters requiring urgent attention or the services of a minister during the vacancy may be referred to the Clerk, Dennison Mahood (tel: 9079 9307) or email:
OPEN CHURCH
The church will be open for private prayer and meditation on Friday as usual from
10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Volunteers to help with Vestibule duty during open church are required for February – May. Please see rota sheet in Vestibule today.
COME DINE WITH US IN LENT!
The second of this year’s Lenten Lunches will be served on Friday from 12.00 noon – 1.30 p.m. in the Allen Hall. The lunches, proceeds of which are for the Building Fund, will be held each week until Good Friday, 6th April. Menu consists of a choice of soup, wheaten bread, french rolls, traybakes and tea or coffee – all for only £5.
BIBLE READINGS FOR LENT
The Living our Faith Group has compiled a series of bible readings submitted by members of the congregation. These are included with today’s News-Sheet.
SPRING CLEANING – HELP THE BUILDING FUND!
For those thinking about starting their spring cleaning please remember we will have another
clothes collection (includes shoes, bags, blankets. towels and belts) Also this year we will
have two separate collections for bric-a-brac and books. The date for bringing your filled bags
to the church will be announced next Sunday.
READING CIRCLE
The Reading Circle group are reading Shakespeare….Nicholas Shakespeare’s ‘Inheritance’
The group will meet on Friday at 21 Ormiston Drive where they hope to enjoy
a ‘Medieval Banquet’, while discussing the book. Anyone wanting to join the Reading Circle
will be very welcome. Details from Carol (07936529562) or May (07969149048) after 8pm.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
This year’s Women’s World Day of Prayer Service will be held on Friday at
8.00 p.m. in Braniel Church, Woodview Drive, Lower Braniel Road.
CAR BOOT SALE
The March Car Boot Sale will be held on Saturday from 9.00 a.m.
Car spaces and hall tables may be booked by telephoning Kathryn Glover (07810276546)
WAVE SERVICE
Wave is an organisation which helps victims and survivors of the ‘Troubles’ in Northern
Ireland, and to mark their 21 years of work, an interdenominational service will be held
next Sunday at 3.30 p.m. in St.Anne’s Cathedral.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN FRIENDSHIP NIGHT
The P.W. annual Friendship Night will be held on Monday week, 5th March at 7.30 p.m. in the
Allen Hall. The speaker will be Irish author, Mr.Clive Scoular who will speak on the life and
career of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. All ladies of the congregation are
invited to attend and join with other ladies church groups from the area.
CONGREGATIONAL COMMITTEE
The Congregational Committee will meet on Monday 12th March at 8.00 p.m.
KIRK SESSION
The Kirk Session will meet on Tuesday 20th March at 7.45 p.m.
Elders are reminded that the Spring Issue of Church News will be available for collection
on Sunday 18th March and may be delivered with the communion tokens for April sacraments.
SUNDAY SERVICES IN MARCH
Morning Evening
4th March Rev.Dr.Ron Savage Rev.Dr.Ron Savage
11th March Rev.Dr.Ron Savage Rev.Dr.Ron Savage
18th March Nicki Bradley Presbytery Praise Service
(Mothering Sunday) in McQuiston Memorial.
25th March Very Rev.Dr.Sam Hutchinson Connect Service
(Baptism)
TITANIC MURDER MYSTERY
Tickets are selling well for these events taking place on both Friday 13th and Saturday 14th
April in the Allen Hall. Cost is £20 for the four course meal and entertainment.
Tickets already ordered may be collected and new bookings made with Karen McCurry.
MALAWI BOXES
“Pens, pencils, paper, text books are all needed to fill boxes to send to needy children
enrolled in schools in Malawi. Tesco ‘basic buys’ are perfect for sharing. The rainy
season is also the hungry season in Malawi. Flooding has occurred in some areas yet the
rain has been welcomed to water much needed maize crops for harvesting in April.
Malaria is rife at the moment but £6 will provide treatment for a sick child at Mulanje
Mission Hospital.” (Sheena Stewart)
FLOWER FESTIVAL INVITATIONS
Invitations have been issued to Cregagh for attendance at the following flower festivals:
Second Comber Presbyterian Church – Titanic Flower Festival and Historical Exhibition
from Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th April.
Contacts: Information – Lawrence 07923062069. Group catering – Roberta 9754 1382.
Ballyalbany Presbyterian Church, Monaghan – ‘All good gifts around us’ Flower Festival
and Heritage Exhibition from Friday 11th – Sunday 13th May.
Contacts: Information – Rev.Daniel Reyes-Martin. Group catering – Joyce 0851080694.
Belmont Presbytetrian Church – Festival of Flowers Celebrating 150 Years from Friday 25th
- Monday 28th May. Group catering – 9076 1207 or 9048 0661.
DUTY ROTAS FOR MARCH
KIRK SESSION – A.Graham, A.Sheppard, R.McKeown, D.Gillespie, A.Pollock,
M.Flanagan, S.Stewart and M.Graham (Team Leader)
CONGREGATIONAL COMMITTEE – J.McConnell, I.Sheppard, D.Pollock, S.McCormick,
K.Glover, C.Sharpe, M.Spiers, A.Todd, N.Platt (Deputy Leader) and H.Stewart (Leader)
KIDZONE – C.Taylor, K.Collins, C.Collins, D.Platt, D.Platt, A.Pollock and B.Elwood.
CRECHE – (4th) D.Stevenson and L.Fincham. (11th) C.McCormick and H.Scott.
(18th) K.Simpson and M.Gordon. (25th) C.Cochrane and C.McMillen.
FLOWER DELIVERY – (4th) P.Davey and P.Chambers. (11th) M.Thompson and B.Dunlop.
(18th) M.Elliott and J.McConnell. (25th) R.Irvine and R.Carlisle.
VACANCY
The congregation’s representatives, Dennison Mahood, Dixie Mackenzie, Alan Spence,
Robert McNair and Barbara Dunlop along with the Vacancy Convener, Rev.Purvis Campbell will be making a presentation and be interviewed on Tuesday by the Union Commission of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland in the hope that permission of Leave to Call a Minister will be given. We ask for your prayers at this important stage of the vacancy procedure.
Weekly News-Sheet
Sunday 26th February 2012
The First Sunday in Lent
“Seek Ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him
while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the
Lord, for He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.” Isaiaih 55. 6-7.
MORNING SERVICE at 11.00 a.m.in the Church
Rev.Bill Haslett
EVENING SERVICE at 7.00 p.m. in the Allen Hall
Mr.Sam Smyth (Connect Service)
Cregagh Presbyterian Church
102-104 Cregagh Road
Belfast BT6 0ER
Tel: 028 9045 5160
Website: cregaghpresbyterian.org
Vacancy Convenor: Rev.P.Purvis Campbell.
THE STRENGTHS OF CREGAGH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1. Cregagh is a liberal ecumenical and broad
based congregation which is open and
welcoming to all faiths.
2. An accepting church which accommodates, in practical
terms, people wishing to be married or have their
babies baptised or dedicated.
3. A sociable family of God’s people who enjoys worship
and fellowship in various forms.
4. The Word and Sacrament are presented through a
liturgical form of worship and excellent choral tradition.
5. Youth Ministry.
6. Harmonious cooperation between various committees and organisations, including Kirk Session.
THE CHALLENGES OF CREGAGH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1. The Church Buildings.
(Refurbishment/Rebuilding Project)
2. Maintaining the spiritual work and witness
in the congregation and to the community
as we look to the future in a modern secular
environment.
3. Longer term maintenance of musical tradition.
4. Responsibilities for the care and ministry to
an ageing congregation.
*****************************************************
In recent months Kirk Session have been working through the necessary
initial vacancy procedures and have indentified some of the strengths and
weaknesses of Cregagh Presbyterian Church. Elders were asked to submit
questions and ideas of what type of minister would be best suited to Cregagh –
the Youth Fellowship also submitted their views and these have been
taken into consideration.
It is vital that all sections of our congregation are involved in the filling of the
Vacancy and therefore we invite all members to submit any suggestions or
queries they may have by filling in the back page of this leaflet and
returning it to your District Elder or to Church on or before Sunday 27th
November.
We are all members of the Cregagh Family, now 110 years old, and it is up
to each and everyone of us to go forward in faith and prayer as to how we
will continue ‘To Love God and Love Your Neighbour’
YOUR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
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Name (optional)……………………………………………………………………..
VACANCY CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
Procedures to date
31st August - Rev.Hastings McIntyre retires.
4th September - Rev.McIntyre conducts concluding
service of his active ministry.
11th September - Rev.Purvis Campbell (Vacancy Convener)
declares the congregation vacant.
20th September - Vacancy procedures discussed with
Kirk Session and statistical matters
commenced.
17th October - Kirk Session met with East Belfast
Presbytery Vacancy Commission.
15th November - Kirk Session continue planning
questions for prospective ministers
and drawing up a ministerial profile.
Procedures to follow
20th – 27th November Congregation to submit questions for
consideration.
1st December - Kirk Session to finalise questions/profile.
6th December - Vacancy Commission report to Presbytery.
3rd week in January - Cregagh’s representatives interviewed by
Union Commission when hopefully ‘leave
to call a minister’ will be given.