FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (NON-SUBSCRIBING)
NEWRY
Site menu:
News - 2012
| May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan |
MAY 2012
We were saddened to learn of the death of Mrs Jean Dodds, sister of Mrs Agnes Wharton. Her funeral took place on Monday 16th January in Downshire Road Presbyterian Church. To Agnes and the Wharton family, we extend our deepest sympathy.
On Saturday 21st January the children of the Sunday School, together with their teachers and some parents, enjoyed the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, in Newry Town Wall. Every child got a "goody bag" as well.
The funeral took place on Tuesday 24th January of Mr Maurice Davis, son of our highly valued Committee Member, Mr Walter Davis.
On Thursday 26th January the Newry Clergy met in the Bishop's House, where Bishop John McAreavey hosted a coffee morning.
The tender documents, regarding repairs to the church, were opened in the presence of Mr David Hanna and the Rev Norman Hutton by Mr Paul Monaghan at 25 Weavers Meadow on Friday 27th January at 5:40 p.m. The five tenders ranged from under £400,000 to under £500,000. A tender report was to be prepared for a full meeting of the Presbytery Committee on Tuesday 14th February. Hopefully it appears there will be some resolution of this on-going saga during the year.
The Ladies' Guild returned to the Canal Court Hotel for their Annual Dinner on Wednesday 22nd February. A very enjoyable evening was had by all those who attended.
Sunday 26th February saw the start of our services for Lent. During the run up to Easter, the Rev Hutton preached on a variety of subjects based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings from Mark and John's Gospels.
This year the Newry Chapter of the Women's World Day of Prayer held their Annual Service in our Newry Church, based on "Let Justice Prevail" prepared by the Christian Women of Malaysia. Mrs Doris Hutton filled the role of Leader and the Guest Speaker was Mrs Florence Hoey, President of the Mothers' Union. The attendance at this service was up on previous years and is a source of great encouragement for the Chapter.
The Annual General Meeting of the Congregation was held on Wednesday 7th March in the Warnock Hall. A better than average attendance heard reports from Mrs Muriel Hanna (Secretary), Mr William Hanna (Treasurer), Mrs Daryl Hempkin (Sunday School Superintendent) and Mrs Charlotte Holmes and Mrs Lorna Hanna (Secretary and Treasurer respectively of the Ladies' Guild). All these reports showed an improvement on previous years. The Minister, the Rev Hutton, congratulated everyone on the fine effort made during a year of economic uncertainty. All Officers were re-elected with Mr Joe Berry and Mr Samuel Strain being added to the Committee. Mr Paul Monaghan attended the later part of the meeting to update the congregation on the situation regarding repairs to the church building. The Rev Hutton thanked Mr Monaghan for his attendance and implored him to use his good offices to expedite a satisfactory conclusion to the dilemma, which was entering the second decade.
Aran David Alexander Fyfe was baptised by the Rev Hutton on Saturday 10th March; he is the son of Brendan and Emma.
We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mrs Joan Thompson, wife of our Senior Elder, Mr Robert Thompson. Mrs Thompson suffered a fall outside her house on the 1st June, and, during the last 10 months, she has spent time in the Royal Victoria, Craigavon and Daisy Hill Hospitals. Her funeral took place on Saturday 31st March from her home in Altnaveigh to the church, where an overflowing congregation heard the Rev Hutton pay tribute to her life. The Rev Hutton said that Joan went about quietly doing good deeds for friends and neighbours. He illustrated his address with examples of Joan's humour. The Rev Hutton extended the sympathy of the congregation and those present to her husband Bobby, her children Samuel and Robert, and all the Thompson and McClenaghan families.
At the same time another funeral was taking place in Downshire Road Presbyterian Church for Mr David McNellis, the brother-in-law of our organist Mrs Madge McNellis. On Sunday 1st April the Rev Hutton conveyed the deepest sympathy of the congregation to Mr and Mrs Herbie McNellis, and to Mr and Mrs Joe Berry on the death of Mrs Flo Berry's mother.
Earlier on Saturday 31st March the Ladies held their Annual Sale in the Warnock Hall. Initial returns show that the revenue is down on last year. In the afternoon the Ladies catered for those attending Mrs Joan Thompson's funeral.
Our Good Friday Service of Meditation was held on Friday 6th April. Although the congregation was smaller than usual, the enthusiasm for this service continues to grow. The choir sang the Introit "He Was Pierced" and the Anthem "The Old Rugged Cross". After the Rev Hutton had read from Isaiah Chapters 52 and 53, other readings from John 18 and 19 were read by Mrs Doris Hutton, Mr Thomas McGrane, Mrs Flo Berry, Mrs Daryl Hempkin and the Rev Hutton. After the service everyone adjourned to the Warnock Hall for refreshments.
On Easter Sunday morning the Rev Hutton advised the congregation of the death of Mrs Sarah Anderson. Her funeral took place on Wednesday 11th April from Digney's Funeral Home to the Crematorium at Roselawn. The Rev Hutton conducted the funeral service at both venues and conveyed the sympathy of the congregation to her husband Eddie and her family, and to Mrs Ann Sterritt, our Assistant Treasurer.
Our Easter Service commenced with the Introit "Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise". Other special music from the choir included "Kneel At The Cross" and "Jesus My Shepherd". For his address the Rev Hutton posed the question "What kind of World is this – is it a Good Friday World or an Easter World?", based on John Chapter 20.
We conclude our report by asking God's Blessing on all who mourn the loss of loved ones and all who are ill in hospital or at home – may God bless you all.
FEBRUARY 2012
On Sunday 23rd October we welcomed back to Newry Mrs Bessie Thompson, who conducted the service in the absence of our Minister, as the Rev Hutton and Mrs Doris Hutton were on a holiday in Lanzarote.
The Rev Hutton returned on Sunday 30th October. The following day we learned of the death of Mr George Johnston. George was born on 30th October 1939, and coincidently he died on 30th October 2011. The Rev Hutton conducted his funeral service in his home in O'Donoghue Park, Bessbrook and at the graveside in St Luke's Parish Church, Mullaghglass. To his sisters Maureen and Nellie we extend our deepest sympathy.
As usual our Autumn Communion Service was held on the first Sunday in November; forty-one participated in celebrating the Lord's Supper.
Mr Christopher Irwin, the Rev Hutton's son-in-law, gave an illustrated talk entitled "Remembering the Somme". A retiring collection raised £170, which was donated to the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund. Chris also brought along some memorabilia, which he had amassed during his several visits to the Somme.
After the Community Service at the Cenotaph in Newry, many of the congregation made their way to morning worship, where the Rev Hutton led the congregation in an Act of Remembrance for those who gave their lives and those who served in two World Wars. Mr Joe Berry laid the Poppy Wreath on the First World War Memorial.
After the morning service on Sunday 27th November, the Rev Hutton baptised Dylan Ciaran Galbraith, son of Ciaran and Lynda, into the Church Universal. This also being the first Sunday of Advent, the children of the Sunday School lit the first of the Advent Candles - the candle of "Hope".
On the following two Sundays the children again lit the candle of "Peace" and the candle of "Joy". On Sunday 11th December the children brought gifts of toys for the Salvation Army Toy Appeal.
Our Christmas Carol Service was preceded by a Coffee Morning hosted by the Sunday School. There was an excellent turnout for this event, and donations totalling £105.50 were given for Sunday School Funds. The service commenced with the Introit "Mary's Boy Child" with Mrs Lorna Hanna singing verse one. The fourth candle - the candle of "Love" - was lit after singing the carol "O Come All Ye Faithful". This was followed by the traditional carols and readings. The children of the Sunday School in their nativity costumes presented the play "A Christmas Window". At the close of the service Santa Claus appeared with a present for each child.
With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, we celebrated the Birth of our Saviour, by lighting the centre candle - "The Christ Candle". The short service consisted of three readings and four Christmas Carols. The Rev and Mrs Hutton greeting everyone on leaving the church.
We heralded in the New Year with a shorter than usual service. We commenced our worship with the hymn, "Lord hear our prayer for this New Year". The Rev Hutton's address was entitled "A New Year's Resolution".
Our Annual Trip is scheduled for the 23rd to 28th July 2012, based in White's Hotel, Wexford, with tours each day to local places of interest. Anyone interested in joining our happy band should see the Rev Hutton.
We learned on Sunday, 15th January, how grateful the Salvation Army were for the response to the Toy Appeal. Captain Valerie Morgan informed us that the small corps in Newry had helped 62 families, which included 173 children, who received one or more toys.
At this time our thoughts and prayers are with those who are ill, at home or in hospital. We also keep in our prayers those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and all who live alone.
The first commandment is this: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this: "You must love your neighbour as yourself." No other commandment is greater than these.
Mark 12:29-31
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17b