FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (NON-SUBSCRIBING)
NEWRY
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Sunday School Events - 2011-12
Beetle Drive
A Beetle Drive organised by the Sunday School was held in the Warnock Hall on Thursday 3rd November 2011. This was a very successful fun night, which ws thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. We raised £100 for Sunday School Funds. A special "thank you" to everyone who helped on the night, and to those who donated raffle prizes and pastries for the supper.
We were delighted to present a cheque for £200 to a representative of Southern Area Hospice Services on the night. This donation was made possible by the money raised from our Sponsored Walk and Barbecue in June 2011.
Carol Service
As is now tradition we held our Christmas Coffee Morning before the Carol Service. This was just as successful as previous years and was extremely well attended by the entire congregation and many thanks to everyone for their kind and generous donations, it is greatly appreciated. It is hoped everyone enjoyed the chance to have a chat with friends and relax in the busy run up to Christmas.
Our theme for the Carol Service this year was "The Real Meaning of Christmas" and during the Carol Service the younger children dressed up and played out the story of Jesus' Birth while the older pupils read the story, "A Christmas Window". The children also sang "Away in a Manger" and Martin said a prayer for us. Members of the congregation were given a scroll detailing the poem that the children had read during the service (see below). Many thanks to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule and making a special appearance to present the children with Selection Boxes.
"A CHRISTMAS WINDOW"
One day in December I happened to pass,
In the high street, a window with nine panes of glass.
And on each, a letter all covered in snow,
which spelled the word "Christmas" when read row by row.
And it caused me to wonder what Christmas might mean
to the thousands of people who passed by that scene.
C is for crackers - each contains a surprise.
And then there is M and I think of mince pies.
R stands for Rudolph who has a red nose;
And pulls Santa's sleigh wherever he goes.
S is for stocking that's filled up with toys;
Brought by Santa for good girls and boys.
A stands for adverts - there's still time left to shop till you drop.
I for illuminations twinkling so bright.
T is for tinsel which catches their light.
H stands for holly, red and green;
Brightening up the winter scene.
One final letter - I'm sure you know;
That S stands for Santa - the star of the show.
But as I continued to ponder these things,
I thought, "Is that all that this season brings?"
Is there nothing more than the food and the fun,
And the tinsel and glitter which soon will be gone?
It was then I remembered a story that's true,
And nine different images came into view -
C stands for census ordered by Rome, for that's how the story began;
Amazing how everything fell into place, but then it was all in God's plan.
I stands for inn, which sadly was full when Joseph and Mary arrived.
R stands for room - there was none to be had except in a stable outside.
S stands for Shepherds, watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.
A for the Angel who brought them the news that a Saviour was born unto them.
M stands for Magi - from eastern lands, men who were really wise;
They were led to the child who was Israel's king, by a star they observed in the skies.
H stands for Herod a wicked man, who lied to the wise men and said,
"I too would like to worship this child", but he planned to kill Him instead.
T stands for treasures the Magi brought - Gold, frankincense and myrrh;
Which, when they had found and worshipped the child, they presented to him there.
The central letter still remains, but now it should be clear;
That S stands for Saviour - the Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth is the reason we're here.
Christmas Outing
On Saturday 21st January the Sunday School enjoyed their annual trip to Newry Town Hall to see the pantomime, which this year was Jack and the Beanstalk. As in previous years it was a great presentation by all the cast. We had 30 Sunday School members, parents, grandparents and friends attending and the production was greatly enjoyed by all. This is the sixth year we have had this successful outing and hopefully it will continue for many years. The children also enjoyed Goody Bags, provided by the Sunday School, as they watched the performance.
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