Winter 1989

FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE KENNEDY

Dear Fellow-Worshipper,

As I sit in my new study, in my new home, in a new town studying for a new ministry, I praise God that He is the same yesterday, to-day and for ever. Change never comes easy, especially when that change brings with it challenge and responsibility. However it would be neglectful at the start of this new chapter,for Lesley and I not to pay tribute and offer praise to the faithfulness of Almighty God.

"There hath not failed one word of all His good promise" I Kings 8 v 56

We also must thank all of the fellowship at Ballee for the welcome extended to us as a family. The smiles and warm handshakes have helped to ease the trauma and upheaval of our first house move. It is amazing how much excess unnecessary ‘baggage’ you collect over ten years in the one place, so it has also been a time of sorting and disregarding the old and making a ‘clean’ start. There is surely a spiritual lesson for us here as we begin a new year. We so often collect unnecessary ‘baggage’ in our spiritual lives which clearly holds us down and clutters up our service for the Master. Oh that we might be able to inspect our own lives that we may "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12 v 1.

There might not be too much to the race left to run. As we look all around at the misery, sorrow, bloodshed, apathy and godlessness - surely Christ is coming soon! It is at times like this, we, as the children of God, must look up, for the day of our redemption draweth nigh.

As Lesley and I settle into our new sphere of service for our Master, it is our prayer that you all will enjoy a healthy, peaceful and Christ-centred 1989. As with all New Years, 1989 comes neatly package in months, weeks, days, hours and minutes yet we only receive one second at a time. May each of us make each second count for Christ, that through the power of prayer we might see God’s blessing, not only in the lives of individuals, but also in our fellowship to the Glory of God.

oOo

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP by Sally Fleming

At the beginning of another winter’s work in the Women’s Fellowship we have been encouraged and challenged by what God has said to us through the various speakers.

On 12th October Mrs Matthews [Faith Mission] spoke about fruitful living - through daily study of God’s Word and through prayer. On 9th November Miss Emily Gilchrist [ACRE] showed slides and spoke of her work among leprosy sufferers. December 14th was our Annual Christmas evening when approximately 50 ladies met in the new Church Hall. After a superb meal a time of fun and fellowship was enjoyed.

The monthly prayer meetings continued when messages given by Mrs Margaret Carlisle and Mrs Maureen Robinson exhorted us to live pure lives and to think afresh about our walk with God. As prayer goes up at these meetings for the needs of the Fellowship, for Missionaries and for personal needs the Spirit of God is very real to us. As our requests go forth we also have much to praise God for.

As we anticipate a New Year we would encourage more of the ladies to join us for our Fellowship Meetings and for prayer. We look forward to seeing you.

A LITTLE WHILE WITH JESUS

Just a little while with Jesus,

Just a little while each day...

How it strengthens me for service!

How it helps me on the way!

Just a little while with Jesus,

Just to be with Him alone;

All my doubts, and fears and questions,

He will solve them, everyone.

Just a little while with Jesus!

How my strength will be supplied!

How my burdens will be lifted!

How my blessings multiplied!

Just a little while with Jesus!

Just to tell Him what I need!

Just to thank Him for His kindness!

Just to make Him Lord indeed!

Submitted by Mrs Robinson

oOo

Leave the HOW with Jesus,

Secret things He knows;

Infinite in wisdom,

Time will all disclose.

Leave the HOW with Jesus,

He will comfort bring;

Thro’ the storm He’ll hide thee

Underneath His wing.

oOo

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP REPORT BY W Knowles

Since our last magazine our young people have had a very busy schedule. We have had our meetings on alternate weeks as normal, with different speakers coming to take part including: A representative from the Prison Fellowship - Billy McFarland; Adrian Adger and Friends; Samuel Scott, who was aboard the Logas when it sank, had a very challenging message for all and showed us a video of the Logas and its work; our own young men who were away on F.O.C.U.S. [Finding Out Christ Under Sail] told us of the blessed time they had.

As well as our meetings we were invited to different Youth Fellowships to take their meetings. We went to Ballyclare, Ballykeel and Dunsevrick, where we had good times of fellowship with the other young people.

Our annual Youth Rally was held on Thursday 10th November with everyone invited. Taking part were Rev. Tommy Shaw [Guest Speaker], Singers - Four plus One, Margaret and Leonard Graham, Jenney Hannah. Supper was provided afterwards for everyone. Thanks to all who supported us in this meeting.

At the time of writing Christmas is approaching again and we have had out Christmas Party, which was held in the Old Oak on Monday 12th December. The evening was enjoyed by all, both meal and games.

We also were invited to sing in Lagan Valley Hospital to the elderly, on Wednesday 14th December when 25 of us travelled up by bus to Lisburn and sang carols in three different wards. Then we went for supper to Susanne’s house which was appreciated by all.

As 1988 is drawing to an end, and we look back over the past year, we thank God for the blessed times we have had together as a Youth Fellowship, and we are also encouraged by the increase in numbers, as we have to bring in more seats week by week - so why not join us and share the fellowship and blessings.

oOo

THE PRODIGAL SON

With riches and youth to squander

The pleasure-bent Prodigal Son

Left the house of his father

In search of adventure and fun

And in reckless and riotous living

He wasted his youth and his gold

And stripped of his earthly possessions

He was hungry and friendless and cold

And thus he returned to his father

Who met him with arms open wide

And cried "My son you are welcome

And a banquet awaits you inside".

Now this story is told to remind us

Not so much of the wandering son

But the unchanging love of the father

Who gladly forgave all he’d done

And the message contained in this story

Is a powerful, wonderful one

For it shows us our Father in Heaven

Waits to welcome each Prodigal Son

And whatever have been our transgressions

God is waiting to welcome us back

And restore us our place in His Kingdom

And give us the joy that we lack

Son wander no longer in darkness

Let not your return be delayed

For the door to God is wide open

To welcome the sheep that have strayed

Submitted by Jean Campbell

oOo

GOOD NEWS CLUB BY Ivan Bankhead

This term in the Good News Club we have been examining the lives of Elijah and Elisha, and we have learned much about the power and the love of the one, true, living God through our study of these two great Old Testament prophets. Also we have been pleased to welcome Miss Janice Warwick and Mr Tommy Wright along again as guest speakers at the Club.

We have been greatly encouraged at the way the members attending the Club have grown steadily since the start of the season. On the first night, in the middle of September, just under thirty children came along, whereas the average attendance now is somewhat over fifty! We trust God that each of these, and others, will continue to come to the Club in the days ahead, and to hear the Word of God explained to them week by week.

We praise God for the way He looks after all those who attend the Club each week and for the way He has ensured that every single need has been met. Please pray for His continued blessing on the meetings.

The next term begins on 9th January at 7.00pm [D.V.], when we plan to begin a study of the life of Peter. Encourage your own children to come along, and to bring a friend [or friends] with them too.

oOo

While Jesus whispers peace

And unctuously displays

The matchless beauties of His grace

Our hearts approve His ways.

But when the Lord withdraws

The unction of His love

His will we wickedly oppose

His judgements disapprove.

So fickle false and blind

Are these unstable hearts

We only are to God resigned

As He the grace imparts.

Father Thy will be done

In words we oft express

When in our hearts we want our own

And wish our sufferings less

Dear God our guilt forgive

Thy pardoning love display

And may we to Thy glory love

Thy righteous will obey

Thy presence let us view

And give our conscience rest

The visits of Thy love renew

Then do what Thou think’st best.

Submitted by Mrs Alexander

oOo

Dearest Loving Jesus please help me to be good, and do the things and say the things that all good children should...but if sometimes I slip a bit and do get out of hand, then please, Dear Lord Jesus, make the grownups understand that it isn’t always easy to be good as good can be, and that I’m getting better, Lord, because You’re helping me. Thank you and amen.

Submitted by Mrs Robinson

oOo

MISSIONARY FOCUS

Dear Friends,

As we once again turn our minds towards the work of the missionaries we would be challenged by the little hymn which says:

Lo the golden fields are smiling

Wherefore idle should’st thou be

Great the harvest, few the workers

And the Lord hath need of thee.

Go and work, thy time is waning

Let the earnest heart reply

To the call so oft repeated

Blessed Master here am I.

Go then work the Master calleth

Go no longer idle be,

Waste no more thy precious moments

For the Lord hath need of thee.

Once He gave His life thy ransom

That thy soul with Him might live

Now the service He demandeth

Can thy heart refuse to give.

Yes friends, we can pray for the missionaries and the mission fields and this is very essential and very good but I hope we also remember to do what it tells us in Matthew 9 v 37 & 38, when Jesus would say to us what He said to His disciples..."the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest". I wonder if we were praying and the Lord said, "Go ye"; I wonder could we say with the little hymn, ‘Blessed Master here am I’. I trust that we might all be in that position, both young and old.

We are so glad for those in our own assembly who have been willing to go - Geoffrey and Gillian McGrath, Sam and Anna Irons, James and Audrey McKeown; how we long that God would challenge others to go into the harvest field that’s white and ready to be gathered in. Dear friends you might ask why I have said so much along this line; well as I read all the prayer letters from the different mission fields there is a great need for workers in Indonesia, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Panama, Bolivia and we could go on. Some of the stories are amazing as millions are still unreached for Christ; it’s challenging even to read of Christians who have paddled the rivers for two or three days to get to one Bible Study. Surely we could all do with a touch from God to set us on fire again for His work. In spite of the lack of workers God is working and souls are getting saved; eleven souls saved at one meeting in Bolivia, seven men, one boy and two women saved in Venezuela. The workers in Papua New Guinea report eight hundred Mouk believers continuing to grow in grace and thirty more got saved at a meeting in Popmu village. These are the things we pray for at the Prayer Meetings, yet we hear very little about, so God is answering prayer. Praise His Name!

Some folks think that missionary work is easy; well let me share with you what three missionaries had to do to try to reach a tribe, and a dangerous tribe in Papua New Guinea. They left a place called Wasi and continued south by descending very steeply to the rushing and dangerous Mekiko river which they waded or swam twenty-six times before they reached Mamusi territory. They then had to claw their way up a 2000 foot cliff to get to the first village. These people believe that all intruders are vampires and would do anything, even kill, to keep people away; so the missionaries asked us to pray for wisdom as they move into the villages and seek to win these dangerous people for the Lord Jesus. So let me urge you again to keep holding unto the Lord for all His workers across the world.

We are looking forward to having Geoffrey, Gillian and Sarah home for Christmas. It will be very interesting to hear what they have to tell us regarding their stay in USA. Just because they are home doesn’t mean to say that we stop praying for them; they still need God’s help as they travel around and speak at meetings.

Pray on for Sam and Anna at Sandes. I am sure most of us have got their prayer letter and know about the problems they face; so they need God’s wisdom and help for all the different circumstances that arise.

Remember James and Audrey too in Belfast doing a very good work for the Lord. Yes friends the work of reaching souls for Christ must go on, and God’s servants throughout the world need our support and our prayers. ‘Please’ don’t let them down; remember to pray for the missionary weekend coming up at the end of February. It will be held this year on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th, when we hope to have Alan Armstrong, E.C.M., Maisie Smith, U.F.M. and someone from the ACRE to take part. Could I encourage you all to not only pray for those taking part, but to come along and support us by your presence.

Desmond Shaw

oOo

THINK IT OVER

I’ll go where You want me to go, Dear Lord;

Real service is what I desire;

I’ll say what You want me to say, Dear Lord -

But don’t ask me to sing in the choir.

I’ll say what You want me to say, Dear Lord;

I like to see things come to pass;

But don’t ask me to teach girls and boys, Dear Lord -

I’d rather just stay in my class.

I’ll do what You want me to do, Dear Lord;

I yearn for the Kingdom to thrive;

I’ll give You my nickels and dimes, Dear Lord -

But please don’t ask me to tithe.

I’ll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord;

I’ll say what You want me to say;

I’m busy just now with myself, Dear Lord -

I’ll help You some other day.

oOo

SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING YOU

Don’t forget that day by day

Someone is following you;

Be careful what you say,

Be careful what you do.

Don’t forget as you go along,

Someone is following you;

Watch to avoid the wrong,

Watch the path you pursue.

God help you this truth to see;

Someone is following you;

Be strong! His witness be,

Be strong! Live always true.

oOo

For the benefit of those who did not receive a copy of Geoffrey and Gillian’s prayer letter we have included it in this magazine.

The Lord certainly has been faithful to us over the last 1 1/2 years here at Jersey Shore. If there’s one lesson we have learned, it is that GOD IS FAITHFUL. He has shown us that if we are willing to yield ourselves completely to Him, HE will live HIS life through us. A number of weeks ago we talked to the staff about our progress, and they expressed to us that they didn’t feel at peace about letting us go on to Language School. They told us that there had not been much improvement in the areas that they had pointed out to us previously, and that these would be important for our future ministry. At first we were really discouraged, but Geoffrey was able to talk to some of the staff individually, and was greatly encouraged to continue to trust the Lord for these needs in his life, and was also told that there had been improvement already. How the LORD is faithful! Then just a few days ago, they told that they now felt that we were ready to go on to Language School in January! Unknown to us, the Holy Spirit had been doing a real work of grace in our hearts, as we continued to yield to Him, and obey His prompting. So, from January, we will have a new address, which you can see at the end of this letter. To get to language school, will involve a 1200 mile drive to Missouri; so please be praying for safety for that; also for finances to make the trip.

A little while back Geoffrey’s parents surprised us with tickets to come home for Christmas! What a great Christmas present! The opportunity to be with family at Christmas will be a real blessing. Also it will give us a chance for a ‘wee’ rest before Language School which is much more demanding than any of the training we have done beforehand. We are looking forward to the opportunity of sharing with some of you about what the Lord is doing in the tribes. Please pray for us as we have to renew our USA visa when we are at home, and we need those!

Sarah is really growing; she has 2 teeth and has started to crawl about - we really enjoy her. The Lord certainly has given us a little bundle of joy! Our little American is really looking forward to seeing her grandparents and relatives!

Points for Prayer: - visas [permission to re-enter the USA]

- finances, as the cost of living down in Missouri is higher

- our preparations for going to N.Ireland and then Missouri

- our walk with the Lord and our relationship with each other

- wisdom in raising Sarah to trust the Lord from an early age.

Geoffrey, Gillian and Sarah

NEW ADDRESS: New Tribes Institute, Box 1200, Camdenton, Missouri,

MO 65020

oOo

THE DEATH OF CHRIST - LOVE OF GOD by Ronald Linton

In John 3 v 16 we are told that God in His love for us sent His only Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST into the world so that those who would "believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life".

In the death of Christ we have an exhibition of the greatest love ever known. In Romans 5 v 8 Paul says, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". God clearly proves His love for us by the fact that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us even though we were sinners. Was not this more than any human deserves, that Christ should not only come into this world but that "He humbled Himself and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2 v 8.

When we look at the death of Christ was it not the making known of a great example; Ephesians 5 v 2 " Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour", or as the New English Bible puts it, "Live in love as Christ loved you and gave Himself up on your behalf as an offering and sacrifice whose fragrance is pleasing to God". Even though we are but humble sinners saved by grace it is our duty to love God Who has done so much for us.

Christ in His death showed us an example of total love; even when they nailed Him to the cross He prayed to His Heavenly Father to forgive them - Luke 23 v 34.

The death of Christ makes clear to us the greatest victory ever achieved. Hebrews 2 v 14 tells us that He came into this world that "through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil". Paul goes on to say in v 15 "and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage". Just as the last verse of that well-known hymn goes...

Of victory now o’er Satan’s power,

Let all the ransomed sing

And triumph in the dying hour

Through Christ our Lord and King.

Oh, ‘twas love, ‘twas wondrous love

The love of God to me,

It brought my Saviour from above

To die on Calvary

oOo

TAPE MINISTRY

Margaret and I would like to take this opportunity, through this medium, to thank everybody who helped and encouraged us in the release of our recent tape. We have put out 625 to date, many of these going into Roman Catholic, Atheistic and indifferent homes. Reports have come to us regarding God’s blessing to many different people. We can only say like the psalmist David, "The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad". Psalm 126 v 3.

Praise His Holy Name.

Robert McMaster

oOo

THE BIBLE

It is a book of laws to show the right and the wrong.

It is a book of wisdom that makes the foolish wise.

It is a book of truth which detects all human errors.

It is a book of life that shows how to avoid everlasting death.

It is the most entertaining and authentic history ever published.

It contains the most remote antiquities, the most remarkable events and wonderful occurrences.

It is a complete code of laws.

It is a perfect body of divinity.

It is an unequalled narrative.

It is a book of biography.

It is a book of travels.

It is a book of voyages.

It is the best covenant ever made, the best deed ever written.

It is the best will ever executed, the best testament ever signed.

It is the young man’s best companion.

It is the school boy’s best instructor.

It is the housewife’s best guide.

It is the learned man’s masterpiece.

It is the ignorant man’s dictionary and every man’s dictionary.

It promises an eternal reward to the faithful and believing, but that which crowns all is the Author.

He is without partiality and without hypocrisy, "with Whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning."

Submitted by Mrs Alexander

oOo

BIBLE QUIZ No. 4 [SELECTED]

1 What is the meaning of Emmanuel? Matthew 1 v 23

2 What Queen looked out at a window? II Kings 9 v30

3 How many years of famine did Joseph prophesy for Egypt? Genesis 41 v 30

4 What King had a son who was a preacher? Ecclesiastes 1 v 1

5 Which prophet wrote the following words - "He was wounded for our transgressions"? Isaiah 53 v 5

6 Finish the following question: "What must I do to be ______?" Acts 16 v 30 & 31

7 Three eternal things mentioned in Jude. What are they? Jude 6, 7,21

8 Where do we read of an invisible army? II Kings 6 v 13 - 18

9 Who wrestled with an angel? Genesis 32 v 24 - 32

10 Who said that "the devils also believe"? James 2 v 19

11 In which Epistle do we read of the armour of God? Ephesians 6 v 13

12 To whom did Paul say, "the wages of sin is death"? Romans 6 v 23

13 How many tables of stone did Moses bring down from the mount? Exodus 31 v 18

14 Who was the prophetess who saw the Lord Jesus in the temple? Luke 2 v 36

15 Who said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God"? Matthew 16 v 16

oOo

A CHILD’S PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, I wish I had been a little child in Nazareth with you, to share my toys, and all my joys and little problems too ... but when I talk to you like this, I feel You’re close to me, and I pray Dear Jesus, that’s the way it’s always going to be. Amen.

Submitted by Mrs Robinson

oOo

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday January

1st Miss Rhonda Davison

8th Mr & Mrs Matchett

15th Mr William McBride

22nd Youth Fellowship Choir

29th Word of Truth

February

5th Ballymena Gospel Male Voice Choir

12th Mrs Margaret Russell

19th Mr Mervyn Black

26th Fellowship Choir

March

5th Mr Jackie McIlwaine

12th Mrs Wilma Power

19th Sally, Eddie and Moira

26th Robert & Margaret McMaster

This year our week of prayer is from 2nd January to 6th January. Make a date with us.

Mr Bartlett from New Tribes Mission will be along to take our usual Tuesday night meeting.

Mr Fred Orr will be speaking at our morning worship. Please plan to attend this meeting - our brother is only home for 1 month and we have managed to get him to come the morning meeting only.

Annual Church Business Meeting - members take note.

This year the missionary weekend will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 24th - 26th February. The speakers expected are:

Friday Alan Armstrong [E.C.M.]

Saturday Miss Maisie Smith [U.F.M.]

Sunday am Tom Geddis [ACRE]

pm Jack Bennett [ACRE]

Our young people’s weekend this year is from the 10th - 12th March. The venue again is Seaview House, Kilkeel and the speaker at the weekend will be Pastor Gibson, Limavady. Anyone wishing to go to the weekend should see a member of the Y.P.F.

If you have any news for the magazine, any comments you would like to make, we would be only too glad to receive them. Think about it - and let us know as it would make our task much easier in compiling the magazine. We have three months before the next issue is due.

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