| The "Carols by Candlelight" service was a lovely afternoon of worship on Sunday, December 18. With dusk falling outside, and the only illumination inside the church being dozens of small tea-lights, everything combined to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere in which the church family came together for some praise and singing at this special time of year. Organised by Donna McDonald, the whole thing ran like clockwork, and Donna deserves all our thanks for recruiting so many willing volunteers and putting together such an enjoyable Christmas event. In her introduction, Donna thanked all the participants, the choir, organist Leona Coulter, and Amy Flanagan, who had put up the Christmas tree and made the church look suitably festive. An early highlight of the afternoon was soloist Catherine Black singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City, before the congregation joined in at the second verse. Catherine sang beautifully and we look forward to hearing more from this talented young girl in the future. Others carols to feature in the service were Still the Night, Holy the Night; O Little Town of Bethlehem; See Amid the Winter Snow; While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night; and Joy to the World.  Organist Leona Coulter was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for all her hard work leading the choir (photo: Roderick McMurray) |  Catherine Black impressed everyone with her beautiful singing at the Carols by Candlelight service (photo: Roderick McMurray) The choir performed two special pieces - Not That Far From Bethlehem and When a Child is Born, which was particularly well arranged. All the readings were delivered loud and clear, with the Bible lessons read by Louise Simpson, Elma Fairley-Matthew, Norma Shields, Hazel Russell and Hannah Webb, while poems were read by Zara Greenfield (The Bells Across the Snow) and Jordan Wilson (Cradled in a Manger Meanly). It was a pleasure to have Alister Bell in the congregation, who was visiting along with his mother, and he brought proceedings to a close with the Benediction. A retiring collection was held in aid of Marie Curie. Thereafter, the congregation moved to the Ervine Hall for some refreshments and fellowship. Roderick McMurray |
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 The Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral processes into Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for the 300th anniversary concert (photo: Karen Bushby) The Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, travelled to Banbridge on Wednesday December 14 to help the First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) celebrate its 300th anniversary. The Cathedral’s Master of the Choristers David Stevens was accompanied by the Girls’ Choir and Lay Clerks. The choir sang 5.30pm Evensong in St Anne’s before heading down the M1 and A1 in the Cathedral minibuses. They were welcomed by the minster the Rev Norman Hutton, and enjoyed some sustenance in the form of the ever reliable pizza!  The Rev Norman Hutton welcomes the Choir of St Anne’s Cathedral to the concert of Christmas Music to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church (photo: Karen Bushby) The First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) was founded 300 years ago and 2016 also marks the 170th anniversary of the opening of the present church building in Downshire Road in Banbridge. The original church was in Lurgan Road, in what is now known as Old Meeting House Green. The congregation worshipped there until 1846, when they moved to the impressive new church. A special 300th anniversary service was held in the church in September.  The First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing) was founded in Banbridge 300 years ago (photo: Drew McWilliams) David Stevens had prepared a varied festive programme. He played the historic church organ and the choristers sang a number of items including the Advent Hymn Creator of the Stars of Night, Torches (John Joubert); Jesus Christ the apple tree (Ledger); Mary’s Magnificat (Andrew Carter); In the Bleak Midwinter (H Darke) and the Little Road to Bethlehem (M Head). Their rendition of O Holy Night (H Adam) was simply stunning. There were congregational hymns including O come, O come Emmanuel, Once in Royal David’s City, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. The audience was treated to some wonderful pieces played by David on the organ. These included Bach’s In dulci jubilo, Noel X (LC Daquin); The Holy Boy (J Ireland) Sleigh Ride (L Anderson) Mr Hutton had invited representatives of other churches in Banbridge to do readings between the musical items.  Members of the St Anne’s Cathedral Girls’ Choir singing in Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church (photo: Karen Bushby) Thanking David and the choir for a wonderful concert, Mr Hutton said the evening had been a fitting end to the church’s tercentennial celebrations.
The concert was free, but a retiring collection raised £600 and this will be divided between the Cathedral Black Santa Appeal and the St Anne’s Choir School Project. The organisers of this concert thank all those who attended for their generous support. For further information contact Karen Bushby, Press Officer, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on 07766 103880; email [email protected]  Starring Indie and Scott as Mary and Joseph The congregation was taken on a magical journey by the children of our Sunday School, and reminded of the real story of Christmas by our Bible Class. We are grateful once again to the Poole family of SuperValu, Dromore for their generosity in supplying chocolate gifts for all the children (and, as a matter of fact, the webmaster!). Teachers and children have a well deserved break for the holidays and return on Sunday, 8th January.  Hark the Herald Angels Sing! - or even Kaitlin, Samara and Abigail  Have yourself a very happy Christmas from Santa (Scott) and all at Sunday School Click here for Sunday School Christmas Service 2015
 God’s power in action, his active force. (Micah 3:8; Luke 1:35) You will recall that this article are part of a series, the theme of which is what we as Christians and non-subscribing Presbyterians (and please note that we are Christians first and non-subscribers second) affirm. These then are the basics of our faith.
We started with our belief in God. The One God, immanent (revealed) and transcendent (hidden). We find evidence for God everywhere around us, not least in the natural world, and we meet him personally through His Son Jesus Christ. We progressed to our belief in Jesus. Stressing the sufficiency and simplicity of Scripture, we confess Him to be our Lord (name above all others), our Master (guide in life) and our Saviour (the one who bring us to God). He is all that the Bible claims Him be: Messiah (Chosen One), Son of Man (new ‘Adam’) and Son of God (the one in whom Humanity and Divinity meet); the sole King and Head of our church. So now we move to the Holy Spirit. We believe in the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is crucial, for any understanding of Christian faith. The LORD God is Spirit. It is His Spirit which moves across the waters in the story of creation. It is His Spirit – the Holy Spirit – which descends on Jesus at His Baptism in the Jordan. It is the means by which God embraces His creation. The Holy Spirit is at work all the time. You may think of it as the ‘second person’ of the Trinity if you will, or simply as the power of God at work in the world (remembering that ‘person’ comes from ‘persona’ which means ‘mask’) but however it is understood; without it there is no connection between Man and God; without it, Christ is stripped of His Divinity, reduced down becoming the ‘good man’ and no more worth following that a Socrates or a Buddha. It really is that important. With the Holy Spirit, there is creation and Christ. With the Holy Spirit there is redemption and renewal. Without it, the connections are broken, and we truly stand alone in the universe. Think of our first reading. This was from Matthew 3:13-16 & 28:16-20 (NLT): ‘Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptised by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who need to be baptised by you, “he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry our all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.’ Let’s be clear here. Baptism should be done. That was always the position of the church; and we baptise children and yes, adults (when they have not been previously baptised) after the example of Christ. But let’s never forget that the water is symbolic (the Seal on the Sacrament), just like the bread and the wine in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) it has no magical properties; for change is brought by the Spirit: ‘After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’ Note again, it is the Holy Spirit which transforms. And this transformation, this anointing, takes place after Christ comes up from the water. Thereafter Christ’s ministry begins with the Spirit (again) first leading Him into the wilderness. So when we baptise a child we are calling on that same Holy Spirit to transform, to bring them ever closer to Christ. The Holy Spirit, you see, seeks us all out. God through the same, through Christ, would bring all people into His Kingdom (not just some, the few the Elect, but all) and that requires and evangelical approach to baptism (that is, sharing that good news, that all souls who turn to God are saved): ‘Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountains where Jesus had told them to go, when they saw him, they worshipped him – but some doubted! Jesus came and told them his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ‘ These words institute the Sacrament of Baptism. Why do we do it? We baptise because Christ, the Son of God, commands us to, turning none away, ‘suffer the little children to come unto me’ (Matthew 19:14 KJV); knowing that this is but the first step (for Jesus said teach these new disciples), trusting in the prevenient grace which brings children for baptism, and in the Holy Spirit to transform us all into the likeness of Christ. For the Holy Spirit would change us all. It would change old and young alike. Jesus promised it to His disciples in John 14:16 and as we heard it arrives in Acts 2:1-4 & 17,21 (NLT): ‘On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a mighty sound from heaven like a roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them that ability.’ I love the idea of people understanding each other. That is surely a sign of the Holy Spirit at work; when division melts away, when reconciliation breaks out, when people learn to truly love God and neighbour as our Lord, Jesus Christ taught and showed, and everyone there was given that ability. And that is what is really exciting, God want no-one left behind, Christ was sent, Spirit-filled, to bring everyone home. All that is required is act of faith. An act of commitment, an opening to the Holy Spirit, to burn away Sin, pride, to change the world: ‘In the last days’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams… But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ So yes, non-subscribers do believe in the Holy Spirit. And we seek that same Holy Spirit, the Christ-Spirit, each and every day of our lives; knowing that only that can bring us to God, and only that can save us all. What do non-subscribers believe? We believe in the Holy Spirit. Amen. This is the third in a series of addresses by The Rt. Reverend Christopher Wilson, MA Click here for the first address, We believe in God Click here for the second address, We believe in Jesus  Dromore NSP Church Women's League Christmas Dinner (photos: Jean McIlroy) The Women's League enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Dinner....and craic at the Riverside Tearooms, Dromore. |
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