Ballee Baptist Church

Summer 2002

From the Pastor

As I sit in my study to write my latest article for our fellowship magazine, my three children are in the midst of exams… “A” Levels; GCSE levels; and end of term exams...we have them all this year!! But it has brought home to me, not only the speed of life passing by, but the fact that they will eventually, with all their peers, be looking for jobs. What will they do? Where will they go? Such meditations drives a parent to their knees on behalf of our children.

My mind took me back to Genesis 24:58. Rebekah is at one of life’s crossroads. She has an offer of marriage, given by a servant, on behalf of a man she has never seen. Her family pose the question, “Wilt thou go with this man?” I can understand their reluctance to let her go with one that they didn’t know very well, it is never easy to let go of our children in whom we have invested so much time, energy and love. But their question did not discourage Rebekah in the least, she was ready to travel to Isaac’s house. Her response was clear and unambiguous.. “I will go.”

There are some “houses” we should always be ready to travel to, let me suggest some to you:-

I will go to the Home of the Lost.

In Luke 14:23 we have the parable of the Great Supper, and the Lord commanded the servants to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Lost sinners need for us to reach out to them in love with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who is lost? Everyone born into this world is born lost (Rom 3:23;Rom3:10)

Little ones, prior to reaching the age of accountability are “Safe” - in other

words, they will not have to go to Hell if they die, for they have never

realised their accountability to the Lord, but soon they will understand and

appreciate sin and wrong doing.

How long will people be lost?....As long as they refuse God’s offer of

salvation and spurn God’s call to salvation, they will remain in their sin

you could be saved.

2. I will go to the House of the Lord.

In Psalm 122:1 the Psalmist lifts up his voice and declares, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

The place where the saints of God meet, should be a place that makes us glad in a Godless and uncaring world. It should be a house of peace, of prayer, and of proclaiming the good news. It is a very special joy and satisfaction when a believer finds his/her place at the house of God.

3. I will go to the House of the Poor.

Proverbs 19:17 “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.”

It is very important that God’s people are sensitive to genuine need, and not cynical. There are many, all around us, who are in real need, through no fault of their own, and con-artists and those just lazy, ought not to blind us to the genuine.

4. I will go to the House of the Glorified.

2 Cor 5:1 is a beautiful promise. “For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Paul refers to the new, glorified body that we will receive in Heaven, as a house. This old house (Body) we are now in is decaying and dying. But, PRASIE GOD, one day we’ll not have to put up with a body that is affected by disease and pain.

5. I will go to the House of the Redeemed.

All of God’s redeemed people have a mansion awaiting us in Heaven (John 14:2). So we have something to look forward to as the people of God. The best still lies before us. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

Saint of God, keep looking up, for the day of our redemption draweth nigh.

So I know not what my children will do the with the life that God has given to them, my prayer is that they will respond to the call of God “I will go”…. To the LOST; to the LORD; to the POOR; to their mansion in Glory.

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How Do You Know Christ

To some Christ is a creed and a pattern of life, but not a personal friend. There are many who know well the “Historic Christ” but to whom He is only a person who lived two thousand years ago. They read His biography as they read that of St Paul or St John, admiring and wondering and off times saying, in the lines of the children’s hymn -

“I wish that His hands had been placed on my head

That His arms had been thrown around me

And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,

‘Let the little ones come unto me.’

They think of His sweet life as but a vanished dream; or if they realize His resurrection, he is to them an absent friend, like a dear one journeying in another land - real, loving true, trusted, but far away. But all such miss the sweetest blessedness of knowing Christ. He does not belong to the past or to the far away, but is a friend who would come into the actual daily life of each of his believing ones. No mother was ever so much to her child as Jesus would be to us if we would let Him into our life. How can we get this blessing of personal knowledge of Christ and conscious personal friendship with Him? Trust Him and obey Him, and you will learn to know Him and love Him.

Submitted by Frances Smyth.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food.

According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, at least a mile long, would be required.

Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day.

And just think, there were forty years in transit. And ..oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!!

And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would to 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.

But then, there is another problem...each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long, just think of it. This much space for camping.

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not!!

You see, Moses believed in GOD.

GOD took care of these things for him.

Now do you think God has any problem taking care of your needs?

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!

Submitted by Louise McAuley. - taken from a gospel web newsletter - www.tuned4praise.org.

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The wonder of creation speaks

To everyone in different ways

But only those who know the Lord

Can for His handiwork give praise.

A Changing World.

As we think of days that are gone now

Of everything well out of date

It’s amazing how their replacements

Keep changing at such a fast rate.

For now nothing seems to be lasting

Change ever increasing in speed

As more things are being invented

The more everyone seems to need.

There’s tension and strife, discontentment

With boredom the word of today

For life must produce more excitement

And money a god to obey.

Our God in His wisdom gave freedom

Gave life - yet that life we must choose

In this changing world He is steadfast

His life everlasting - Good News.

In Christ, in this world that is changing

We stand on the rock that won’t move

Live life to the full in His keeping

And all of His promises prove.

Psalm 32 v 8

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The Ministry of Prayer

There’s a holy high vocation needing workers everywhere;

‘Tis the highest form of service ‘tis the ministry of prayer.

There’s no weapon half so mighty as the intercessors bear;

Nor a broader field of service than the ministry of prayer.

Do you long to see the millions who are perishing today

Snatched as brands, plucked from the burning, Do you long, yet seldom pray?

Are you longing for revivals in the good old-fashioned way?

We must use the old-fashioned methods - which have always been to pray.

Come and join the intercessors! Laurels, then, some day, you’ll wear;

For there is no higher service than the ministry of prayer.

(Annie Lind Woodworth)

Submitted by Sheila Burgess.

Ladies Fellowship

Our missionary meetings finished for the season in April with a visit from Maud Kells from W.E.C. We had a very enjoyable time of fellowship as Maud told of her work in Africa and showed slides. We could have listened to her for longer. Our missionary meetings recommence in October this year so please pray as we arrange these meetings and book speakers for our new season. If you haven’t been able to join us this year why not join with us in October as we spend time listening to what God is doing in different parts of the world and then join with us for a time of fellowship over a cup of tea. You will be made very welcome.

Our ladies outing took place this year on Saturday 24th April. An almost full bus travelled to Bloomfield where we spent an hour or so and then went to Bangor where we spent the rest of the afternoon. There were a couple of ladies who were reluctant to end their shopping spree and so when we eventually tracked them down we made our way to “The Stables” in Groomsport where we all thoroughly enjoyed our tea before making our way home. All the ladies thoroughly enjoyed the day as it is a great way of making new friends and getting to know one another.

Our prayer meetings continue throughout the summer months - the last Wednesday of each month. Please plan to attend if at all possible - prayer is vital for the work and if we don’t pray we cannot expect God to bless our efforts. It has been very encouraging to see the growth in the ladies prayer meeting so please come and join with us for just one hour on this night. We look forward to seeing you there.

Lesley Kennedy.

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On life’s busy thoroughfares

We meet with Angels unawares-

But we are too busy to listen or hear,

Too busy to sense that God is near,

Too busy to stop and recognize

The grief that lies in another’s eyes,

Too busy to offer to help or share,

Too busy to sympathize or care,

Too busy to do the Good Things we should,

Telling ourselves we would if we could…

But life is too swift and the pace is too great

And we dare not pause for we might be late

For our next appointment which means so much,

We are willing to brush off the Saviour’s touch,

And we tell ourselves there will come a day

We will have more time to pause on our way…

But before we know it “life’s sun has set”

And we’ve passed the Saviour but never met,

For hurrying along life’s thoroughfare

We passed Him by and remained unaware

That within the Very Sight Of Our Eye,

Unnoticed, The Son of God Passed By.

Inspirational Poem By Helen Steiner Rice.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Joseph Scriven

Only the Lord and the man in question really know what burdens of sorrow and affliction were heaped upon the writer of this great hymn. One thing we do know, however, is that this beautiful and blessed hymn would never have been penned if the author had not known such trouble.

The man was Joseph Scriven and he was born near Banbridge, in the heart of the rolling hills of County Down, Northern Ireland.

After graduating from Dublin’s famous “Trinity College” he seemed set for a brilliant career and a happy life for he was also engaged to be married.

But then tragedy struck! His fiancée was accidentally drowned on the very eve of their wedding and Joseph Scriven was plunged into his first great experience of sorrow. In the providence of God, it was this tragedy that brought him to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In 1845 Scriven sailed for Canada to start life anew and, hopefully, to leave all his sorrows behind. But it was not to be, for ill health dogged him and he was forced to return to Ireland after only two months.

Two years later, he again set sail for Canada to take up a teaching post. In this, he was successful and later graduated to the position of private tutor to the children of a military captain.

Life, at last, seemed worth living and prospects were continually improving!

Again he met and fell in love; this time with a charming young woman of twenty-three. Soon they were engaged to be married.

However, bitter disappointment was once more to be his unhappy lot, for this young lady was suddenly stricken with a serious illness and died before their marriage vows could be solemnised.

Cheated, for the second time, out of the prospects of happy marriage by the cruel hand of death Scriven, quite naturally, became the victim of severe depression and declining health. But despite all this he never gave up his personal faith in the Saviour.

By this time he had settled in Port Hope, Ontario, and was

manager of a small dairy there. He became known as the local “Good Samaritan”, helping the poor and under-privileged, sharing his food with the needy and often giving them clothing.

However, all these good deeds may well have been forgotten in Joseph Scriven had not written twenty-four lines of poetry to comfort his mother who was suffering from a serious illness.

Thus, from the heart he could write:

What a Friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear,

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

As I say, Scriven wrote these words to comfort his ageing mother at a time of illness. He had not seen her since he had said “goodbye” over ten years before and wasn’t able to make the long journey back home to be with her.

So he wrote What a Friend we have in Jesus, and sent it with the prayer that it would remind her of “the never failing Friend”, Christ Jesus. I’m sure it did.

Joseph Scriven never intended his poem to be published but a friend who visited him during his last illness discovered the lines and asked, “Who wrote these beautiful words?” Scriven’s modest reply was “The Lord and I did it between us”.

Soon it was published in The Port Hope Guide, a local newspaper. Remarkably, a copy of that newspaper was used to wrap a parcel destined for an address in New York City. When the recipient unwrapped his parcel he caught sight of Scriven’s poem and arranged to have it published.

Eventually, it was seen by German-American composer, Charles Converse and very soon his simple, plaintive melody gave wings of song to Joseph Scrivens’ telling words.

Thus an Irish-Canadian and a German-American were used of God to bring blessing and encouragement to millions.

Taken from “The Ambassador Book of Great Hymn Stories”

Going, Growing, Glowing

Two men were overheard in conversation the other day. “Get a life,” scolded the one as he vented his disgust with his workmate. Guess what? That advice is too late for the Christian. We already have a life! In fact, we have THE LIFE! A life that is more abundant in Christ Jesus. It’s the best in this world; not to mention blessings innumerable and eternal beyond our present world. But let’s give ourselves a little test. Being a Christian carries responsibilities and dangers as well as blessings. So here’s the checklist. Am I GOING, GROWING and GLOWING?

1. Realizing the Destiny of a Person Without Christ Should Make Us GO!

Have you read Luke 16 lately? Look it up and read from verse 19 to the end. It’s the old story of two contemporaries in life. The one suffered a big lack of what we usually like to be surrounded with: Food, money and a roof over his head at night. The other man? He had all the toys. In fact, he was more than set for life.

One problem though. His present surroundings completely obscured his future. He seemingly forgot all about it. Luke 16 records the fatal details. He died. Where now? The LOCATION - Hell! (v 23) His CONDITION was one of torment. Hear his LAMENTATION, “Have mercy on me” (v24). What about his SUPPLICATION? “Don’t let my brothers come to this place of torment” (V28).

Yes, a real man in a real place. This is just the partial description of the doctrine of eternal judgement (Heb 6:2). Revelation 20 further describes the ultimate destiny of every person without Christ as Saviour - The Lake of Fire!

How are we doing with our responsibility? Any neighbours that might be in danger of joining the rich man? Brothers or sisters? Sons or daughters? Workmates? No, this is not an attack against riches. It is an encouragement to capture a fresh glimpse of the destiny of those we rub shoulders with who are not saved. Mark 16:15 records the Christians commission. “GO YE THEREFORE into all the world and preach the gospel”

2. Realizing the Danger Of A Christian With No Convictions Should Make Us Grow Eph 4:14-16.

Is The Christian life new to you? Welcome to the family! Maybe you’ve been saved five, twenty-five or even fifty-five years. Beware! There’s danger for the young and the old. Fierce winds are whipping around. False doctrines are devastating Christian testimony and effectiveness.

Some perhaps have heard the hurricane’s howl. Striking fast and furiously. It leaves wreckage barely recognizable. Lush green leaves are replaced by bare brown limbs. Tress of glory lie uprooted; houses topple. At times, human lives are claimed. What cost! In the aftermath, engineers scramble to implement tougher building codes.

The Christian has only one defence against the temptations and deceitful storms the devil wants to throw at us. It’s conviction based on the doctrine. The doctrine

is the truth of God’s Word. It alone will cause us to grow to maturity. “As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby.” (1 Pet 2:2).

We need to accept, rather than argue, the standards of God’s word. Disobedience to this will stunt our growth.

3. Realizing The Delight Of The Christian With No More Curse Should Make Us Glow. (Rev 21 :4; 22:3-5)

Any pain these days? Do the tears flow often? Are the nights long and dark? You’re not alone. Many answer yes. Circumstances beyond our control often hit. The emotions feel bombed and raided. There’s no bounce in the step. The eyes have lost their sparkle. Darkness has invaded. Gloom has displaced the glow. Read no!

“There shall be no more curse” (Rev 22 :4)

“…….the former things are passed away” (Rev 21 :4)

No, God is not the cause of all this pain and death. Blame sin. With the committing of sin 6000 years ago came the consequences. Just look at Adam and Eve. But it’s all going to change. When Christians enter the realms of glory and bliss where sin will never be allowed, the former things will have passed away! The curse and consequences of sin will be no more. There will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain! Spiritual, physical and emotional perfection will be realised by every Christian. Psalm 16 :11 paints the picture, “...in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Imagine the delight when there is no more curse of sin.

Ever look forward to a holiday? Try this one! The anticipation of it can replace the gloom with glow, Hopefully, this will find us all Going, Growing and Glowing.

Submitted by John Boyd.

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O my Saviour crucified

Near thy cross would I abide.

There to look with steadfast eye

On thy dying agony.

Jesus bruised and put to shame

Tells me all Jehovah’s name

God is love I surely know

By the Saviours depths of woe

In His spotless soul’s distress

I perceive my guiltiness

Oh how vile my low estate

Since my ransom was so great

Dwelling on Mount Calvary

Contrite shall my spirit be

Rest and holiness shall find

Fashioned like my Saviours mind.

Baptism.

A look at ‘Baptism’ using each letter of the word.

1. The Basis of Baptism. The command of Christ. “ Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all Nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matt 28 v19. This is the answer to the question. It is the one single Name that is mentioned, to include three divine persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – One God. Authority for baptism is from the Lord – it is in His Name. But also the honour in baptism is also His, it is done unto His Name, and not in the Name of any person or any organisation.

2. The Answer in Baptism. – a good conscience. This is the answer to the question, “who should be baptised ? 1st Peter 3 v 21. Peter had earlier asked a very important question relative to baptism – “can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptised in the Name (Acts 19) Hence anyone who has a conscience about the matter and has obviously received the Holy Spirit, i.e. really been saved is in view here. Obviously Peter had it in his mind that objections could be made, but he is in a position to silence them knowing the cases in hand. He can judge that they have a good conscience towards God as he later says. Just as the ark carried the eight through the waters to a new life, so baptism takes us through the waters in newness of life.

3. The Practical aspect of Baptism. We should walk in newness of life. This answers the question, so what now that I am baptised ?

“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” Rom. 6 v 2 – 5. We have a resurrection life, which we should walk in. Being baptised has associated us with the Lord Jesus in His death and resurrection in the most public way possible. We should never forget that and always seek to live up to the fact.

4. The Testimony of Baptism. Hearing, believed and being baptised. This answers the question, what is in baptism for outsiders?

“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptised”. Acts 18 v 8. All New Testament baptisms were public occasions, and for the many unconverted people who witnessed this, they must have been a very powerful witness. We should do our best to make them the same here. Because of our weather we do not have baptisms out doors as in other Countries

but this is no excuse for hiding baptisms away from the public eye.

5. The Identification in Baptism. With Him. This answers the question “with whom does baptism associate me? Being baptised does not make me a Baptist, it associates me with Christ. In the epistle to the Colossians, Paul points out many times that at every step we are associated with the Lord Jesus. We died with Him, 2 v 20; we were buried with Him, 2 v 12; we were made alive (quickened) with Him, 2 v 13; raised with Him, 2 v 12, 3 v 1; living with Him; 3 v 3 and we shall be manifested in glory with Him when He comes back to this earth to reign, 3 v 4. In baptism we are associated with His burial and resurrection. Paul also taught that “as many of you as have been baptised into (as above, to, unto or into) Christ have put on Christ” Gal 3 v 27. The context is ‘Son ship’ as opposed to being Children, one point in the argument is that baptism is like putting on Christ as a garment. Our clothing is distinctive, it is what people see of us. What do people see when they look at us? Do they see Christ? They should see Christ in me as clearly as the can see my outer clothing.

6. The Symbol of Baptism – this answers the question “What does baptism represent? Baptism is a simple picture. It is a symbolic burial and resurrection. When those who are baptised are put into the water, it is the nearest picture we have to burial. Then, when they are taken up out of the water, that too is a very clear picture, this time of resurrection. When the Lord Jesus comes again, the dead in Christ, (that is their bodies) are going to rise from their graves and it will be just like baptism. The truth is that “we are buried with him by baptism into death” Rom 6 v 4, so that there is an end of the old life, but also “Buried with Him in baptism ..(and) risen with Him ( Col 2 v 12), so there is the beginning of a new life as far as this world is concerned. In New Testament times, it was not long after being saved that believers were baptised, so that immediately after they were baptised most people would for the first time see them living their new lives. The longer we leave our baptism after we are saved, the more of this truth we loose.

7. The Manner of Baptism. This answers the question “is there only one kind of Baptism. There was only one baptism, it was the same for all, as Peter said, “Be baptised every one of you” Acts 2 v 38. “both men and woman (8 v 12) For Jews and Gentiles, with their great differences in the past, there was only one baptism (Eph. 4 v 5) There is only one , and it is the same for all. It is the great leveller, bringing us all to the same position, irrespective of social, religious or racial background.

D. Mitchell

Kenya Experience 2nd-25th August 2002

“They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing” Psalm 34 v 10.

We’d like to thank everyone for taking our prayer letters and remembering us in prayer. A

lot has happened in the past few weeks so we thought we’d give you an update.

We have seen an amazing answer to prayer in that our visas came back within a week of

being sent! Processing of visas is usually very slow and so we are very thankful to God that

we got them back so quickly.

We are all in the process of getting injections at the moment and we will be starting to take

Malaria tablets soon so it would be great if you could pray that these injections and tablets

won’t have any adverse side effects.

Also, we are currently working through all the material that we will be taking with us to

Kenya, including: crafts; memory verses’ quizzes’ choruses; games and bible lessons for

both the children’s camp and the youth camp. We have to prepare each of these sets of

materials for each sessions of each day; there are four sessions per day.

Here is an outline of the structure of our day while in Kenya:

6.30 am get up, have breakfast etc

8.00 am- 9.00am prayer/bible reading time

9.00am -10.00am first session

10:00am - 10:30am breakfast for campers

10.30am-11.30am second session

11.30am-11.45am break, playing games

11.45am-1.00pm third session

1.00pm-2.00pm lunch

2.00pm-3.00pm fourth session

3.00pm-6.00pm games/crafts

6.00pm-8.00pm break/tea

8.00pm-9.30pm gospel time

As you can see we’ll be very busy over the next two months and also when we’re out in

Kenya.

We know that the Lord will be with us and we would ask you to pray for us because the

devil doesn’t like what we’re doing. Praise God!

“My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that

Persecute me.” Psalm 31 v 15.

Kenya Team.

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Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect.

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It is with regret that we record the passing of our beloved brother Nat Allison, on 4th May 2002. We thank God for times of fellowship with him at Ballee and for memories which time cannot erase. He was a faithful and regular worshipper at the Toome Road fellowship for many years. Pastor Kennedy spoke at the Funeral Parlour in Ballymena and at the graveside in Kells. At ground level we were in the presence of death, but because of the cross of Christ and Nat’s acceptance of it, new life, eternal life had just commenced for him in glory. Nat was a kind and gracious man, he supported faithfully the Lord’s servants at home and abroad and those who endeavoured to win souls for Christ. We express our heartfelt sympathy to Anna and the family circle. He will be missed and commend them to your prayerful support.

D.Mitchell Secreatary.

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I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4 v 8.

One evening when Luther saw a little bird perched on a tree to roost there for the night, he said, “this little bird has had its supper. Now it is getting ready to go to sleep here, quite secure and content, never troubling itself what its food will be, or where it is lodging on the morrow.

Like David, it abides under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91 v 1.

It sits on its little twig content, and lets God take care.

Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths Psalm 25 v 4.

When we cannot see our way,

Let us trust and still obey;

He who bids us forward go,

Cannot fail the way to show.

Though the sea be deep and wide,

Though a passage seem denied;

Fearless let us still proceed,

Since the Lord vouchsafes to lead.

Submitted by Isobel Magill

Youth Report: April/ May/June

The first event of April saw the young people head down to Castlewellen Castle for our weekend. This year our ‘honoured’ speaker was Mr Jonathan Reid, the local CEF leader, and the best way to describe this man of God is ‘mad’. For 3 days the young people enjoyed fellowship together, and for the guys in my room, close does not begin to describe the fellowship - at times 5 beds were joined together but to everyone’s amazement at least ten young people were resting on them! All in all the weekend was a huge success and feedback has been very encouraging.

Our next meeting was rather relaxed in approach. We searched for feedback from the weekend and found that the only major complaint was that there wasn’t enough meat for the lads for Sunday lunch, and for the girls it wasn’t long enough. Our conclusion was that next year we are going for a week to Spain with the church paying! Somehow I doubt that will happen.

The 12th May saw Ballee’s motley crew at Monkstown Baptist to visit Alan Hoey, and to take their young people’s meeting. Billy Portis was kind enough to speak after our choir sang, his topic being ‘Faith’. Billy - if you’re out there, you were an encouragement to all of us - Well done!!

The end of May saw the launch of the young people’s magazine, which was superbly managed by a team led by a committee of our own young people. It is important to emphasise that the leadership of the young people were involved only in a supervisory role, the full credit must go to the ‘mag-team’. If you are yet to read an edition of ‘Cleft to the Rock’ I commend it to your wish list.

In the same meeting as the launch of this magazine the new committee for the incoming year was finalised. The committee members are:

Noel Bell, Ian Calderwood, Joel Hutchinson, Geoffrey Kennedy, Deborah Kennedy, Pamela Livingstone and Claire Montgomery. The obvious absentee is Karen Moore. Karen decided it was time to move on so our thoughts and prayers are with her. She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Watch this space for original summer events and get ready for September when we start back, hopefully fresh and ready to restart a purposeful work of God.

Geoffrey Kennedy

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We must teach our children clearly

What is right and what is wrong

Live before them an example

CAST THY BURDEN UPON THE LORD

And He shall sustain thee - Psalm 40:22

Christian, when thy way seems darkest

And thine eyes with tears are dim

Straight to God thy Father hastening,

Tell thy sorrows unto Him

Not to human ear confiding

Thy sad tale of grief or care,

But before thy Father hastening

Pour out all thy sorrows there.

Think too thy divine Redeemer

Knew as thou canst never know

All the deepest depths of suffering -

All the weight of human woe;

And although in glory seated,

He can hear thy feeblest cry -

Even hear the stifled sighing

Of the hearts dumb agony.

Far too well thy Saviour loves thee,

To allow thy life to be

One long, calm, unbroken summer -

One unruffled storm less sea;

He would have thee fondly nestling

Closer to His loving breast,

He would have that world seem brighter

Where alone is perfect rest.

Though His wise and loving purpose

Clearly now thou may’st not see,

Still believe, with faith unshaken

All shall work for good to thee;

Therefore when thy way seems darkest,

And thine eyes with tears are dim,

Straight to God the Father hastening,

Tell thy sorrows unto Him.

Author unknown

Dates For your Diary

Holiday Bible Club

Mon.1st July - Fri 5th July 10: 30am- 12:30pm

FAREWELL FOR THE JONES FAMILY SUNDAY 21ST JULY

Sun28th July am Mr Francis Cosgrave

(Missionary to Bajau people, Philippians)

pm Mr Wesley Kane (Belfast)

Sun 4th Aug am & pm Mr David Goode

Sun 11th Aug am & pm Mr Robert McMaster

Sun 18th Aug am & pm Mr Auldwyn Calderwood

Sun 25th Aug am & pm Mr David Mitchell

Sun 8th - Fri 13th Sept Week of Ministry

Mr Billy Kennedy (Scotland)

Sun 15th Sept am & pm Student Sunday

Thur 26th Sept 8:00pm Mr Billy Campbell

(Silk Road Ministries)

Bible Study recommences on Tuesday 17th Sept 8:00pm

* Subject to be announced *