Saint Nicholas’ Parish News
Carrickfergus, N Ireland
April 2009
MINISTER’S LETTER
Hopefully you have seen and felt the change in our weather as we move from winter to the early days of spring. The clocks will be changing, the flowers are starting to bud, the grass is growing taller and in need of a cut with the weeds trying to outdo the grass. Change is in the air, even within the politics of our land! Along with the season changing, so too, we, as a church family, are soon to embark on another exciting chapter with the appointment of a new Rector. I want to thank Mr Ted McAuley, Mr Harry Kirk, Mr Eric McMullan and Mr Don Howe the parish nominators on your behalf for their dedicated service to St Nicholas as they sought God’s leading in the appointment of a new Rector. I was personally very happy to hear the news concerning who the board of nomination, under God, chose. I understand Mr McAuley has contributed a short note on behalf of the nominators expressing their gratitude for your prayer and support and introducing the new Rector and his family.
Sometimes as I sit in St Nicholas I think and wonder how many people have sat in this church over the years. People come and go but God and His Word do not, His promises the same as they were yesterday. We may experience their fulfilment within different circumstances but they are the same. This month will see us visit Easter once again and so briefly I want to look at “Jesus the Conqueror of Death”
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Luke 24:5 The angels gentle rebuke when the women came to anoint Christ’s dead body.
Three people die every second, 180 every minute, almost 11,000 every hour, about 260,000 every day and 95 million a year—taken from John Blanchard’s book, ‘Whatever happened to Hell’ which was written more than ten years ago. So I imagine the numbers will have increased since then. Despite the reality we seldom speak of it and when we do, many speak of a person’s passing on. To speak of someone as dead seems very final. There are many who have not seen a dead body. Some will not have seen a dead body well into their adulthood. Unfortunately, I have seen and handled many dead bodies and there is no mistaking when someone is dead. The corpse is lifeless; the corpse no longer has the life blood running through it. Colour changes, the skin starts to feel different.
There is no mistaking when someone is dead! Death is final! Is there not something very fearful about death? Perhaps that’s why we try to avoid it in whatever way we can? Who we are and what we have strived for in life is soon forgotten. How many of us could tell of their grandfather’s or grandmother’s life, where they grew up, what school they went to, how well they did at school what their job was and what their life dream was? We are soon forgotten and what we strived for is also soon forgotten!
The Bible teaches that Death entered the world after the fall. You will remember that God told Adam and Eve that they could eat of any tree in the Garden of Eden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The command came with a warning: “If you do eat of it you will surely die.” (Gen 2:17). It happened just as God said it would. Once the first humans had eaten of the forbidden fruit they are banished from God’s presence and prevented from returning to the garden, to the tree of life. Death is the result of human rebellion against God. The apostle Paul in the New Testament states that “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23).
Jesus had proclaimed Himself to be the rescuer who had come from God. He proclaimed Himself to be the Way back to God whom He claimed was His Father. That He was eternal life. He had come to undo the effects of the Fall. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matt 26:28
You and I hopefully know that the only way to deal with the fundamental problem-our sin and God’s righteous anger against it was by the death of Christ on the Cross whenever Jesus cried out "It is finished." John 19:30. We are told at that time in Marks gospel that “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Mark 15:38. The curtain which separated the Holy of Holies was ripped apart showing that the old covenant was no longer in operation. That which separated mankind from God was dealt with there and then, through the Blood of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. It dealt with the punishment and power of sin, there and then once for all.
But how do we know that Jesus did in fact deal with our sin and God’s righteous anger against it? The Bible’s ultimate answer is to point us to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Death is the great sign of the judgment of God. Death spoils this world, but it has been conquered! We need not fear it any more; instead we can have a hope as we face the future. This hope that we can have is not based upon wishful thinking; Paul speaks of some 500 witnesses who were still alive when he wrote 1 Corinthians 15:8, but rather our hope is firmly rooted in the historical event; that first Easter Day – the day death died.
I’m reminded of what Pilate asked the crowd “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” That is a question we all must answer!
Reverend Darren James McCartney
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Mission Carrickfergus has arranged united services for Holy Week. They will be held in ChristChurch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights and there will also be a sunrise service on Easter Day.
Wednesday 8 April 8 pm —All Age Multi-Media Event
Thursday 9 April, 7.30 pm —Communion & speaker Pastor Lindsay Allen
Friday 10 April, 7.30 pm —Speaker: Rev Trevor Johnston
Sunday 12 April, 7am —Sunrise Service at castle & breakfast afterwards in North Street Presbyterian
It is always enriching meeting with members of other denominations during Holy Week. We invite you to join us and perhaps to invite someone to go with you who isn’t a Christian. Someone may be secretly hoping to get an invite.
PLEASE REMEMBER
We have our own morning devotions in the Church at 8 am Monday to Friday of Holy Week and also our family Service on Good Friday at 11 am.
DECORATION OF CHURCH FOR EASTER
We will be decorating the Church for Easter on Saturday 11th April from 9 am ONWARDS. All gifts of flowers etc., should be brought to the Church that morning. Also, any time that can be given to help arrange things will be appreciated.
PRAYER MINISTRY HEALING GROUP
On the third Sunday of each month at Evening Service, following Holy Communion, anyone wishing to receive prayer and the ‘laying on of hands’ for healing may come to the communion rail. They can receive for a loved one, a friend or oneself.
We have a prayer list (Christian names only) which is read out each Sunday for those who are ill.
We find that quite a few people do not know about the Prayer Ministry Group. In this group we have approximately 30 intercessors who are each given a short list of names to pray for each day. We ask our Lord Jesus to come into that person’s situation, it could be for an operation, treatment, tests or very many anxious times.
Anyone feeling the need for Prayer Ministry please contact either the ministers, Maureen McAuley, Stella Neill or anyone known to be involved with the Prayer Group. Contact telephone numbers are in the church porch. The names will be kept on the list for 6 months and can be taken off when asked.

Saturday 25 April 10am – 12:30pm
St Nicholas’ Women’s Fellowship
Crosslinks-SASRA-Tearfund-Open Doors
Drop in - bring your friends and have a chat
Open Doors provides Bibles, Christian literature, training and practical support to the Persecuted Church worldwide. It is the world's largest outreach to persecuted Christians, working in the most high-risk places on earth.
The ministry of Open Doors began in 1955 when God called a young Dutchman to act on the basis of Revelation 3:2: ‘Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.’ He went to Poland and discovered a Church under threat behind the Iron Curtain, and desperately longing for the Word of God.
So Brother Andrew became ‘God’s Smuggler’, taking suitcase after suitcase of Bibles to the Persecuted Church, facing great danger, but determined to bring encouragement and hope. He has never forgotten the words of one believer:
“Your presence here with us is worth more than your ten best sermons.”
Right now more than 200 million Christians are at risk of persecution around the world. Open Doors is active in around 45 countries, supplying Bibles, leadership training, Scripture-based literacy programmes and support for Christians suffering for their faith.
And we want to continue to encourage the Church here to play its part: that means not only responding to the needs of the Persecuted Church, but also learning from their experience of what it means to follow Jesus. So welcome to the ministry of Open Doors. We hope that as you see all that is made possible by the gifts and prayers of people like you, information will become inspiration!
Check out the website—www.opendoorsuk.org
Open Doors Ireland Conference: 24 – 26 April 2009
Glenada Conference Centre at Newcastle
This year we will receive first-hand reports from our co-workers, as well as hearing the latest news from various other countries. It will be a time for learning, encouragement, prayer, fellowship and discussion.
There is a possibility of transport on Saturday 25 April for those wishing to attend for the day and also for those wishing to go down just for the Saturday evening session. If you are interested in going please speak to either Lynn Rodgers or Karen McCartney.
Reg Charity XR54953 www.niicca.co.uk
Around the world, the lives of millions of children are being destroyed through war, famine and poverty. When they loose their parents, they are then further traumatised by the inadequacies of the orphanage system. In Ukraine increasing numbers of children are abandoned by parents or removed from their families by social services. Hundreds of thousands of children are in need of care.
NIICCA is a support ministry of Light of Crimea Foundation which is based in Simferopol, Crimea’s Capital city. Both are registered charities involved in relief and development work among Crimea’s orphaned and abandoned thousands, bringing hope and a future to the deprived and vulnerable. A few years ago the Women’s Fellowship heard about the plight of the people in Crimea and responded very generously by donating toys, toiletries and household items. The Brownies too donated toys and some are still helping.
Further help is now needed as the lease will soon expire on the existing warehouse where relief work aid is stored prior to being sent in containers to Crimea. A unit at Kilroot is available but at a monthly rent of £1800 it is completely prohibitive considering it costs £3000 to ship each container. Is there anyone who has storage facilities who would be willing to let the Charity have them for a ‘Peppercorn’ rent?
If you think you can help, or know someone who can, please contact Ruth Bell on 07986085070 or email info@niicca.co.uk.
Alternatively contact me on 93 365152. Janet Davis
Gift Aid
Dear Parishioner,
The item in the Parish News, published for March, will now have been read by you. The Gift Aid team has been encouraged by your response in returning “Gift Aid Declaration” forms and this has been the subject of further discussion at the Select Vestry.
As a result of that discussion the Select Vestry, in recognising the importance of this to our Church, has requested us to take this further opportunity to ask all tax payers in the Parish to give serious consideration to completing and returning the form. This applies even if you have signed the old form in the past. (We take the liberty of again including a copy of the Gift Aid Declaration” form in this Parish News).
Let’s not forget that, at no extra expense to yourself, we, on behalf of our Church can claim back 25p in the £1 (plus and extra Government supplement of 3p from 6 April 2008) on tax that you have paid.
If you have any queries or concerns we, in the Gift Aid team, will only be too pleased to speak to you.
E. McMullan
(on behalf of the Gift Aid Team)
Gift Aid declaration giftaid it
Name of charity or CASC St Nicholas’ Parish Church, Carrickfergus
Please treat
□ The enclosed gift of £ ________________ as a Gift Aid donation; OR
□ All gifts of money that I make today and in the future as Gift Aid donations; OR
□ All gifts of money that I have made in the past 6 years and all future gifts of
money that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations.
Please tick the appropriate box
You must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax the charity or Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) will claim from HM Revenue & customs on your Gift Aid donation (s)
Donor’s details
Title _______ Initials(s) _______ Surname ________________________________
Home address _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Postcode ___________________________ Date ____________________________
Signature _____________________________ Free Will Offering Number
Please notify the charity or CASC if you:
1.Want to cancel this declaration.
Change your name or home address.
No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.
Tax claimed by the charity or CASC
The charity or CASC will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 you gave up to 5 April 2008.
The charity or CASC will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give on or after 6 April 2008.
The Government will pay to the charity or CASC an additional 3p on every £1 you give between 6 April and 5 April 2011. This transitional relief for the charity or CASC does not affect your personal tax position.
If you pay income tax at the higher rate, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return if you want to receive the additional tax relief due to you.
Under the terms of the Data Protection Act the details on the form will be used for confidential Church records only.
Prayer Diary – April 2009
1st April – Wednesday
Our Organist Alison Irwin and the Choir meet this evening for practice and preparation for our Easter services. Pray for Alison, her understudy and for all choir members.
2nd April – Thursday
Andrew Campbell has begun part-time study in Dublin for Ministry. Pray for Andrew combining study with his duties here in St Nicholas’ and give thanks for his contribution to Youth Ministry with us. Pray for Kathleen Brown as she enjoys a well-earned holiday. Give thanks for Kathleen’s commitment here in St Nicholas’ during the vacancy.
3rd April – Friday
March saw a return to murder by dissident republican groups here in Northern Ireland. Pray for those who lost a loved one. Pray for those reminded of similar incidents in the past involving themselves or family. Pray for the security forces as they seek to preserve peace.
4th April – Saturday
The Brownies and Guides will, this morning, take part in the annual Lorne Walk. Pray for the girls and for their leaders. Pray that everyone will remain safe and well during the walk and while travelling.
5th April – Sunday
This Palm Sunday our uniformed organisations will join us for this morning’s family service. Pray for this and all our services today.
6th April – Monday
Each morning during Holy Week there will be a short service of reflection in church. Pray for, and with those taking part.
7th April – Tuesday
Pray for Darren and Karen McCartney, giving thanks for the way they have taken on and carried out additional duties these past months.
8th April – Wednesday
Holy Week services in Christchurch begin this evening with an All Age Multi-Media Event. Pray that the service would be enjoyed by young and old and pray for those leading worship this evening.
9th April – Thursday
Pray for this evening’s Holy Communion service in Christchurch.
10th April – Friday
Meditate on the intolerable physical and mental anguish of our Lord on the Cross. Pray for today’s Good Friday services. Remember Trevor Johnston preaching at this evening’s service in Christchurch.
11th April – Saturday
Pray for those who will decorate the church this morning in preparation for Easter. This evening the Youth Fellowship will hold a sleepover in the Church Halls and finalise preparations for tomorrow evening’s presentation in church. Remember them in your prayers.
12th April – Sunday
On this Easter Day praise our Risen Lord for the hope He brings to all those who put their trust in Him. Pray for persecuted Christians who must worship in secret. Pray for non-Christian family and friends, that they too may come to know Jesus. Once again pray for Alison’s, the Choir’s and our young people’s participation in this evening’s service.
13th April – Monday
Give thanks and pray today for Rev George Davison who will be our new Rector. Pray for him and for preparations for his move to St Nicholas’ in the summer. Give thanks also for the Nominators.
14th April – Tuesday
Pray for the work of Mission overseas. Pray for organisations like CMS, Crosslinks and MECO. Pray for those men and women currently spreading the Easter message in foreign lands. May they draw strength and comfort through our prayers for them.
15th April – Wednesday
Pray for the sick in mind and body. Pray for doctors, nurses, therapists and carers. Pray that by God’s will the sick would be restored, and that those for whom there is to be no recovery would know His peace.
16th April – Thursday
Pray for continued growth in the Diocese of Tabora, for Bishop Sadock Makaya and all who teach and minister there. Pray that resources such as food, medicines and books would be available when required.
17th April – Friday
As unemployment continues to increase, pray for those who have lost their jobs or businesses, those facing repossession or homelessness, and those without hope for the future.
18th April – Saturday
Pray for the Churches Ministry to the Jewish People.
19th April – Sunday
Pray for our services today, especially this evening’s Holy Communion with Prayers for Healing service. Pray for Stella Neill who compiles and updates the list of those asking for prayer.
20th April – Monday
Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney will be speaking in St Saviour’s Dollingstown this evening on the topic of ‘Refreshing the Vision’. Pray for Archbishop Jensen and for those travelling to Dollingstown.
21st April – Tuesday
Pray for the recently bereaved as they survive without a loved one.
22nd April – Wednesday
This evening our General Easter Vestry takes place and we will elect a new Select Vestry. Give thanks for the work and dedication of the outgoing Select Vestry and pray for those who will be elected this evening to serve in the coming year.
23rd April – Thursday
Parish News will be assembled this morning ready for distributors. Pray for Catherine Wallace and her helpers this morning. Pray for distributors. Pray for your own Parish News distributor.
24th April – Friday
Pray for our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and for their Disco being held in the Church Hall this evening.
25th April – Saturday
This morning the Women’s Fellowship will hold a Coffee Morning in the Parish Halls with the church open for visitors. Pray for the ladies of the Women’s Fellowship, that their efforts would be well supported.
26th April – Sunday
Pray for our Sunday School Superintendents and Bible Study leaders. Pray for this afternoon’s Sunday School meeting in Oakfield.
27th April – Monday
Parishioners will have noticed that the Bookstall has been moved into the Baptistry, giving parishioners the opportunity to peruse the books on offer with a greater degree of privacy. Pray that more parishioners would make use of the Bookstall.
28th April – Tuesday
St Nicholas’ website can be viewed by anyone who has access to the world-wide-web. Pray that we may play our small part in spreading the Gospel through this medium. Pray for Paul Letters who has agreed to update the website for us.
29th April – Wednesday
Pray for the Women’s Friendship and Fellowship Group. Pray for our Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys, Junior and Senior Sections.
30th April – Thursday
Pray for Christian marriage and for couples planning to marry this year.
Church tour guides meet again this evening. Pray for parishioners who will give freely of their time to open the church to visitors during 2009.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
At our March meeting we were joined by Lorraine Hall, a dietician, who spoke about "What's in Our Food?" We looked at range of information provided on food labels and what to look out for in order to maintain a healthy diet. Lorraine also answered a number offrom the audience and we are very grateful to her forthe time to join us for the evening. We also had a very successful Bring & Buy sale£77 which will allow us to make further donations to thecharities represented by our visiting speakers.
We will not have a meeting in Aprilinstead as a group we will attend a the Holy Week service in Christ Church, Oakfield,onThursday April (please note change of evening).
We are also planning to hold a coffee morning in the Church Halls on Saturday 25 April. All ladies are asked to bring their cakes/pastries etc for 9 am that morning and toset up the hall for the event.Our annual outing will be on Tuesday 12 May - this will be a visit to Sentry Hill, Carnmoney. If you have not already put your name down please speak to one of the committee members.
Valerie Leighton, Honorary Secretary
Death by Love
Letters from the Cross
by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears
This book is co-written by an American pastor and a professor of theology but don’t let that put you off. The short chapters of this book are easily read and stand on their own, you don’t have to read it straight through. You can read a chapter, put it down and come back later. Some of the subjects dealt with in these chapters include “Lust is my God,” “I am going to hell,” “My wife has a brain tumour” and “My wife slept with my friend.” At the end of each chapter there are answers to common questions asked about the subject matter dealt with in that chapter. It takes the form of letters written by a pastor to people in his congregation who have approached him with different issues in their lives. He writes to them to offer pastoral advice. Some of these issues are disturbing. He calls sin for what is in and does not let the sinner off lightly.
Some of the subject matter he deals with is despicable but it happens so we cannot ignore it. These are all broken people but he points them in each case to the cross of Jesus and shows how this can heal their brokenness. The introduction to this book describes the death of Jesus. It is very graphic and upsetting with nothing left to our imagination but we need to read it to see how Jesus suffered because we sanitise his death, we are so familiar with the details that we don’t think how big a sacrifice it really was. We are made aware that this was a very public sacrifice where Jesus hangs on the cross in front of the very sinners he came to save.
In all of the issues dealt with by the author he makes one thing quite clear that they are all covered by the blood of Jesus. No one is too bad that they cannot be saved by God’s ultimate sacrifice of his own blood. If you think that you are not a sinner please don’t buy this book because it will point out your sin to you and you will be convicted of it because it uncovers what is in your heart and what we are all really like.
It also explains very simply in language everyone can understand the theology of the cross and how the death of Jesus covers our sins and heals us. The authors give us examples of pastoral cases they have encountered and how they would counsel people. I would highly recommend this book to everyone in our congregation as we are all called to minister to each other. This book coasts £11.99 and is available from the church bookstall and is better for you than a KFC lunch! John Kane
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Sunday School Smartie Tube Appeal
I am happy to report that the money raised through both our Sunday Schools last year was used to run a training course for 15 youth leaders in Tabora Diocese, in February.
The course was residential over a week or two and your money enabled these youth leaders to travel from distant villages and stay at Tabora Bible college.
In thanking us, Canon Isaya Mugaragu, the Youth and Children's co-ordinator, says that their dream is to train more youth leaders for work with children and young people in the Diocese.
Bishop Sadok Makaya also thanks everyone who contributed to our appeal which enabled this course to be held.
I must add my sincerest thanks to all the boys and girls who contribute on a regular basis to this on-going appeal, and also to all others who give so faithfully.
If there are any parents of children who have started Sunday School in recent months who would like to start giving to this appeal please speak to either Sharon Lutton or myself.
Last June, £1000 was sent to Tabora as a result of your giving We are well on the way to matching that amount this year. Keep it up.
Sunday School changes in April
Would parents of our Morning Sunday School children please note the following changes to our routine during April.
Sunday 5 April; Palm Sunday no Sunday School as uniformed
organsations will be parading to Church
Sunday 12 April Easter Sunday no Sunday School
Sunday 19 April Classes as usual
Sunday 26 April Classes as usual and not Family Service
Please do encourage your children by attending both the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services. Thank you
Sunday School Excursion
It seems a bit odd to be thinking about the excursion in these cold late winter days, but these things have to be planned well in advance.
It is our thinking that we will move the date for the Excursion forward to 30th May to try to catch the better weather that often occurs in May.
This year we will be going to Carnfunnock Country Park, Drains Bay, on the coast road north of Larne. Please note this date in your diaries.
Parents of Sunday School children, both morning and afternoon, will soon be receiving a letter with more details together with a booking slip. We do need to know numbers intending to travel so that travel arrangements can be made in good time.
I’m looking forward to it already.
Lynn Rodgers
Sunday School Superintendent
CROSSLINKS CAMPS
Crosslinks Mission Agency is again holding its well known and highly respected Junior and Senior camps this Summer.
These camps are planned to bring children and young people together to experience great Bible teaching in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
Junior camp is for ages 8-11 and will be from 4th—11th July, held as before in the Kilbroney Centre, Rostrevor.
Senior Camp is for ages 12-15/16 and will be from 25th—1st August, in Greenhill YMCA, Newcastle.
A number of our young people have attended both Junior and Senior camps in past years, several having returned for a second year. All of them will tell of the wonderful time they had.
The advertised cost is £120 per camper, with a discount for families with more than one child attending. Our Select Vestry has kindly agreed to subsidise this cost by contributing half the cost per child, so making it £60 each.
If there are any children or young people who are interested in attending either camp, could parents please get in touch with
Crosslinks Belfast Office 90796028 or
Speak to Andrew Campbell or Lynn Rodgers.
CMS PROJECT
On the first Sunday in February the children heard about this year’s CMS Project call “Start small, grow tall”. It is centred on the Kigali area of Rwanda and is aimed at helping the subsistence farmers improve their growing and harvesting methods of their maize, or corn crop.
Whilst being the smallest African country, it is also the most densely populated, and pressure on the available growing land to produce sufficient food is immense.
The aim is to help the farmers to produce more than is necessary for their immediate needs so that the surplus can be either stored for use in lean times, or sold to provide much needed money to buy other food or essentials for living. The project hopes to raise £30,000 throughout the Church of Ireland in Ireland as a whole.
CMS boxes were handed out to all the children present, and these can be returned at any time, perhaps around Easter or later if preferred, there is no specific deadline.
Please pray for the success of this project, remembering that the people of Rwanda have come through such an horrific civil war. Schemes such as this coupled with prayer will help this war-ravaged country attain some semblance of normality.
Saint Nicholas’ Youth Fun night (I mean all night)
All night 11th April
Talk on ‘Seeing is Believing?’
John 20:19-31
Afterwards:
No Sleep,
Games,
Movies,
Xbox 360
Wii
And a Fry in the morning
Contract Andrew on (07832133885)
Sorted on …World Religions
One of the major objections to Christianity is that there can’t be just one true religion. When there are at least 40 organised religions in the world surely Christianity can’t be the only true one. This has led to three objections which people often use.
First people claim that “All major religions are equally valid and basically teach the same thing.” I got this a lot in the University of Ulster. Here everyone made the assumption that all major religions where based on loving others and therefore all equally true. This however has many problems. First it dismisses smaller religions because it focuses on the major four (Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism), the fact is that some religions do not encourage love rather the likes of the Muti religion and Satanism both practice Human sacrifice (not very loving). This view arrogantly dismisses these religions while claiming to promote tolerance. Secondly this view doesn’t match the facts. All four major religions take a different view of Jesus. Christians believe He is God, Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet but not God; Jews believe Jesus was a liar and a blasphemer and defiantly not God, while Hindus says all three are correct. If Christianity is right then Jews and Muslims fail to see God as he is. If Jews and Muslims are right then Christians fail to see God for who he is. So then these four can’t stand together and therefore there must be a right one and a few wrong ones. The reply is often made, that this is worrying too much about doctrine, it’s doctrine that divides and instead of doctrine we should simply love. The problem here is that this is itself a doctrine. A doctrine is simply a teaching or position and to say we need to love is as much a teaching as the teaching that Jesus is uniquely God. Therefore we can see that one religion must be true and the others false.
The second objection is that each religion only sees part of the truth but all contain bits of the truth. Billy Connolly made this point in Dublin several years ago. He claimed that religion was like feeling a chair blindfolded. Someone feels the cushion and thinks this is soft and flat, while someone else feels the leg of the chair and says this is long and hard, a third person feels the back and says this is hard and flat. Each person was right but no one sees the whole picture. The problem here is that is very arrogant. Billy Connolly here tells the story as someone who is not blind, the only way he could know that each man was feeling a chair unless he had no blindfold; it claims that he can see the whole picture. The same applies to religion. How can you know that no religion can see the whole truth unless you can see the whole truth yourself? Therefore sorry Big Yin but this view is just more arrogant than the view it attacks for it’s arrogance.
The third objection is that religious belief is simply the product of the society in which we are brought up in. Here people are Christians because they were born into a Christian family, therefore how can Christianity be the only way to heaven or even true it’s just the product of a particular society. Philosopher Alvin Plantinga answers this:
“Suppose we concede that if I had been born of Muslim parents in Morocco rather than Christian parents in Michigan, my beliefs would have been quite different. [But} the same goes for the pluralist (Someone who says our beliefs are just products of our society)… If the pluralist had been born in [Morocco] he probably wouldn’t be a pluralist. Does it follow that… his pluralist beliefs are produced in him by an unreliable belief producing process.”
There can be no doubt that you are more likely to be a Christian if you are brought up in a Christian society, but this does not suggest that Christianity is false nor does it suggests that it is not the only true religion.
But what does the bible say about all these false religions. Well in Romans 1:21-23 Paul describes the human condition. Here he claims that though we should know and worship God because we make false religions and Gods of our sin. Therefore Christians must say other religions are wrong, they don’t lead to God, instead they anger God and lead to hell. Therefore we must tell people the truth, we must evangelise and tell people from different religions about the true way to God, which comes only in Jesus Christ. A.P. Campbell
LAUGHLINES
Visitor to Crufts: “Has this dog got a good pedigree?”
Indignant Breeder: “Has he? If this dog could talk, he wouldn’t speak to either of us!”
Oh dear
The middle-aged man shuffled along, bent over at the waist, as his wife helped him into the doctor’s waiting room. He groaned at every step, and the receptionist eyed the scene with sympathy. “Arthritis in the back with complications?” she finally ventured. The wife shook her head briskly. “Do-it-yourself in the garden,” she replied, “with concrete blocks.”
POINTS TO PONDER
The best news the world ever had came from a graveyard. Anon
Christianity is the revelation of God, not the research of man. JA Stewart
Our friends bring us to the grave and leave us there, but God will not. Anon
Give God what's right - not what's left.
Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope.
Crèche Rota April 2009
5th Pauline Walsh, Deirdre Beck, Valerie Leighton, Rebecca Leighton
12th Ann Laverty, Karen Bell, Heather Gingles, Hester Gingles
19th Annie Crawford, Lorraine Gibson, Sharon Lutton, Jonathan Nelson
26th Kathleen Arthur, Christine Stewart, Carol Connor, Ruth Nelson
The Crèche is in the Church Hall. Children can be left there at 11 15 am each Sunday. It would be appreciated if those who kindly staff the Crèche would be there by 11 10 am. If you can't be present on a Sunday listed please arrange for another of the volunteers to cover for you. Thank you for your co-operation.
Flowers in Church April 2009
5th Mrs N McKee
5th Kaye Cheshire—In memory of Dylan
11th Davd McAtamney—In memory of my wife Denise
12th Easter Flowers
19th Sally Campbell—In memory of dad, mum and my brother
26th To Mummy from Libby
If you would like to donate flowers for the Sanctuary please fill your name in against the appropriate space on the Flower List in the main porch–or contact Mary Withers ( 9336 2869.
Christian Baptism
“Suffer the little children to come unto me”
22nd March 2009
Alex Charlie Gareth Morris Hill, 2 Leicester Park
22nd March 2009
Georgia Phyllis Rafferty, 16 Killaloe
Christian Burial
‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’
25th February 2009
Isobel McCartney, 75 Albert Road
2nd March 2009
Robert (Roy) Parkhill, 4 Richmond Park
SERVICES IN APRIL 2009
5th 9.30 am Holy Communion
11.30 am Palm Sunday with Uniformed Organisations 2 Samuel 7 v 4-16
7 pm Palm Sunday—The Crucifixion
Deuteronomy 21 v 22 & 23 John Richardson
Luke 23 v 32-49 Daphne Murphy
8th - 10th HOLY WEEK
8.00 am Monday—Friday in St Nicholas’
15 minute service of reading and prayer
7.30 & 8 pm Wednesday—Friday in ChristChurch (See article)
10th Good Friday
11.00 am Family Service in St Nicholas’
EASTER DAY
12th 9.30 am Holy Communion
11.30 am Praise Service—The Resurrection
Acts 10 v 34-43 Ted McAuley
John 20 v 1-18 Harry Kirk
7 pm Praise Service
Special Events in Jesus’ Life-Teaching and Prayer
Luke 11 v 1-13
19th 9.30 am Holy Communion
11.30 am Morning Prayer—Jesus appears to his Disciples
Acts 4 v 32-35 Jean Stewart
John 20 v 1-18 Christine Stewart
7 pm Holy Communion & Prayers for Healing
Women speak of the Resurrection
Isaiah 26 v 1-9 & v 19 Hilary Bishop
Luke 24 v 1-12 Kathleen Arthur
26th 9.30 am Holy Communion
11.30 am Morning Prayer—Jesus’ Message to his Disciples
Micah 4 v 1-5 June Carmichael
Luke 24 v 1-12 Joan Sykes
7 pm Youth Service—How do I know I’m a Christian? - Because
I love other Christians
1 John 2 v 29—3 v 24
Other Events in April 2009
15th 7.15 pm Widows’ Group
22nd 7.30 pm Easter General Vestry
There will be NO Vestry Hour on 8th April and
NO Holy Communion or Vestry Hour on 15th April
We are happy to announce the following important news.
At a meeting of the Board of Nomination held on Wednesday 18 March 2009, the members unanimously voted to appoint the Rev George T W Davison as Rector of St Nicholas’ Church.
George is presently Rector of Kinawley & Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kilmore and Archdeacon of Kilmore Diocese. The provisional date given by the Bishop for the Institution here in St Nicholas’ Church has been given as Monday 29 June 2009.
May we, the Nominators, thank you for your prayers of support during our time of interviewing, We would ask you to pray for George, wife Nadine, daughter Erin and son Jamie in this time of upheaval in their lives. Pray for them as they prepare to move here and give them a warm welcome when you meet. Ted McAuley on behalf of the Nominators
THANK YOU
The Scouts and their leaders would like to thank
everyone who did anything to help make their recent Coffee Morning a success whether it was to donate food, money or time
The total raised now stands at over £500
CD’s now available
If you are interested in obtaining a CD of the Sunday service then please advise John Kane on the sound desk. Those who bring tapes to folk please find out if they would like a CD instead. Both Tapes and CD’s will be made available.
The team is:-
Jacqui Kane – Telephone 028 9335 1949
Ann McVeigh – Telephone 028 9335 9736
Alan Miles – Telephone 028 9336 8821
Eric McMullan – Telephone 028 9086 7808
ANNUAL FAMILY DAY OUT
MAY DAY—Monday 4th May 2009
Calling all families and friends—join us for our
Annual Family Day Out at Tollymore Forest Park
Walk/Games/Food/Fun/Fellowship
Meet at the Church Hall at 10 am
For further information
Contact Janice 9336 0415 or Sharon 9336 8808
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Youth Confirmation classes will commence
Sunday 5 April at 8.30 pm in the Church Halls.
For details of adult confirmation classes,
please telephone Andrew on 07832 133885
OM Ships International is the organisation behind Doulos, Logos II and Logos Hope. The Ships Ministry began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, OM International. Since then OM's ships have visited over 450 different ports in over 150 countries and territories and welcomed 37 million visitors on board.
Our goal is to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. We do this by supplying vital literature resources, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, providing needed relief, and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity.
The ships visit each port for several weeks each and open the gangways to hundreds and sometimes thousands of visitors each day. On average, over one million visitors have been welcomed onboard every year! The floating book fairs offer over 6,000 titles, providing many visitors their first-ever opportunity to purchase quality educational and Christian literature.
An international crew and staff of volunteers live and work on the ships. Teams from the ship go into surrounding areas to supply aid and community care. In each port, the ship's crew joins local churches to bring hope and show love to people whatever their circumstance, culture or background.
Operation Mobilisation’s Ship The Logos Hope arrives in Belfast on 29 April 2009 and leaves again on 12 May 2009.
The ship is open for viewing from 30 April to 11 May.
Church Openings – April
On Saturday 11th April, following its decoration with Easter
Flowers, the church will be open for anyone wishing to have a time of silent prayer from Noon until 2.00pm.
On Saturday 25th April the church will be open in conjunction with the Women’s Fellowship Coffee Morning
from 10.00am until Noon.
Tour Guides will be in attendance on both dates.
