Category: Sunday Services

How much we mean to God

3/1/2017

Linda Kane at Dromore Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church

Linda Kane delivered our first message of 2017

We began the New Year with a new preacher. Linda Kane of All Soul's Church, Belfast, was visiting Dromore for the first time and hopefully we made as good an impresion on her as she did on us.

Linda read from Psalm 139 to illustrate just how much God know us and how much we each mean to God.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Concluding, Mrs Kane urged us to remove the "rose tinted spectacles" regarding the new year, new year resoutions and how we compare ourselves to others, and instead remember:

1. we are made in the image of God - that's how special each one of us is
2. be gentle with yourself - don't judge your "inside" with how others look on the "outside"
3. God is not bothered about external, superfical aspects of our lives - it is the spiritual He is concerned with

Linda Kane returns to our pulpit on the 22nd January 2017.

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Carols by Candlelight 2016

19/12/2016

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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 at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

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)

Christmas Carol Service at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

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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Sunday School Christmas Service 2016

11/12/2016

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Mary and Joseph at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church Sunday School Christmas Service

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.

Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church Sunday School Christmas Service

Hark the Herald Angels Sing! - or even Kaitlin, Samara and Abigail

Santa at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church Sunday School Christmas Service

Have yourself a very happy Christmas from Santa (Scott) and all at Sunday School

Click here for Sunday School Christmas Service 2015

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Remembrance Sunday 2016

13/11/2016

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Alister Bell at Dromore NSP Church on Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Day service was conducted by Alister Bell (photo: Roderick McMurray)

Remembrance Sunday was commemorated in our church on November 13 with a suitably sombre and reflective service conducted by Alister Bell.

Many in the congregation had come to church having attended the Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in the Town Square at 11am - and our own service began with Alister and Joe Martin laying a poppy wreath at the memorial window. A recording of the Last Post was also played.

In his address to the children, Alister revealed that the medals he was proudly wearing were his father's who had served for 36 years in the RUC.

Alister's family has a deep association with policing - and sadly his uncle, Inspector George Bell, was murdered in 1976. In fact, it was at his uncle's funeral that another policeman, Ben Forde, was so moved by the hymn 'Supreme Sacrifice' that he made a recording - and Alister brought along the LP to show the boys and girls.

Alister explained the significance of the poppy to the children and gave them each some poppy seeds to plant and a bookmark with the verse "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends". (John 15:13)

In his sermon, Alister asked the question: "What makes a good disciple?" and rounded off his address with the following thoughts:

"So to become that good disciple ourselves, we are to build on the solid rock which is Jesus and interpret the use of the Word in a way which shows our love for each other.

"Today we remember those whose love knows no bounds, those who paid the supreme sacrifice, those who for our tomorrow they gave their today.

"And we show our example to those whom we come into contact with. We may not be on the bloody battlefield which our forefathers were, but we still have to be those soldiers of the Cross, showing love and compassion to all we meet."

The service came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

Remembrance flower display at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Flowers provided by Joan Black and arranged by Jean McElroy (photo: Roderick McMurray)

A special mention must be made of the flowers, which were supplied by Joan Black and arranged by Jean McElroy. It was a very creative display of poppies, rising up from a patch of grass. Amongst the flowers was a card bearing the poem "In Flanders Fields", and towering over the poppies on either side were some beautiful white lilies.

Roderick McMurray

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On Eagle Wing

31/10/2016

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Sunday School pupil at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Abigail, from our Sunday School, read for Rev Cockcroft

On Sunday 16th October the Rev. Lena Cockcroft came to our church in Dromore to conduct our weekly service. For her children’s address she brought an eagle’s nest.

She told the story of the first passenger ship to leave Ulster and head for North America. This ship was called the ‘Eagle Wing ‘.

It left Groomsport bound for Boston on 9th September 1636 with 140 Presbyterians - four ministers (clergy) and 136 laity - from congregations in counties Down and Antrim seeking a new life in the New World.

Groomsport had a thriving Presbyterian congregation who, because of persecution, did not have the opportunity to practice their beliefs freely. The son of the governor of Massachusetts had invited them to come to the New World where they would have the freedom to worship as they wished and would not be persecuted for being non-conformists.

Two ministers - Robert Blair and John Livingstone - commissioned the building of a ship which would be able to transport them and their congregation to America. The result was the Eagle Wing which was built in Groomsport.

The name of this ship is from a Bible verse: ‘Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to myself’. Exodus chapter 19,verse 4.

The children read this verse from the Bible and loved seeing the Eagle's nest that the Rev. Lena had brought to show them.

Sunday School takes place each week and all children are welcome, from the age of three upwards. We are also able to provide a creshe faculty, if required.

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All Hallows' Eve

30/10/2016

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Photograph of Rev and Mrs Robert McKee at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Mrs McKee faithfully attends each Sunday with our Minister-in-Charge, Rev Robert McKee

Love it or loathe it, there's no escaping Halloween - though nowadays you're just as likely to see Christmas decorations and presents in shop displays in October!

In his 'All Hallows' Eve (Eve) sermon, Rev Robert McKee discussed the Celtic and Saxon roots and traditions of Halloween. In conclusion, he acknowledged that Christian wisdom remains divided about celebrating Halloween but that there's no doubt it exists as a very ancient festival, giving expression to the mystery of death; but that Christians can confirm that death holds no dominion over us and quoted the words of the modern hymn, "In Christ alone"....

You can listen to Rev McKee's sermon again, here:

Halloween flowers at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

All Hallows' Eve flowers supplied by Lorna Beggs

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When you pray, you really do make a difference!

23/10/2016

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Dr Heather Walker

Dr Heather Walker was back in Dromore this morning and spoke about the experience of Daniel. Often held up as a hero in the lion's den, evidence from Daniel Chapter 10 draws a very different and more complex character - a man who could suffer from serious anxiety attacks! And yet, God used him.

Dr Walker suggested that, even though we often can feel too small, too weak, too inexperienced...too whatever to contribute, God can AND WILL still use us too.

Her message was the same as that given to Daniel,
You are greatly loved by God.... Do not be afraid. Be at peace. Take heart. Be strong.

You can listen to Dr Walker's address again, here:

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What's the value of our faith?

16/10/2016

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Photograph of Rev Lena Cockcroft and Rev Brian Cockcroft at Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Rev Lena and Rev Brian Cockcroft recently celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary

Rev Lena Cockcroft returned to her "home" church to deliver a challenging sermon on the cost of our faith. Her husband, Rev Brian Cockcroft accompanied her and sat in the the Baxter family pew.
The Cockcrofts recently celebrated their Silver Anniversary.

Praying Hands (Dürer)

Rev Cockcroft began by relating how, as a little girl, she didn't always appreciate having to go to church but that a consolation was the central heating pipe running through the pew that allowed her to "toast her toes".

Beginning by displaying a print of Albrecht Durer's, "Praying Hands" Lena challenged us to consider whether the impression we make on those we meet on a day-to-day basis is that we take our faith for granted or that our faith is something of value to us.

You can listen to Rev Cockcroft's sermon again here:

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 13: 44-46