Exchange. Spring/Summer 2018

Transcription

1 Spring/Summer 2018 Exchange Dear Friends It has been a long, dark, cold winter and we are now looking forward to brighter and I trust warmer days as spring approaches. During the winter months the staff of the Mission have been as busy as ever sharing the good news of the gospel from pulpits in our halls and in various churches across the province. They have continued to engage with people on the doorstep as they reach out to the non- church goers of our capital city with the good news of Christ who brings salvation and hope for the future. Hospitals, nursing homes and private dwellings in our sixteen districts have been visited to minister to the aged, sick, lonely and bereaved. Continue to remember in your private prayers the Mission Staff, that they will continue to have those Divine Appointments with people in the hope of leading them to Jesus Christ. A big thanks once again to all of our subscribers, prayer supporters and volunteers in all of our halls and auxiliaries across the country. We are so grateful to Almighty God for continuing to meet the Missions needs in these difficult financial days. Yours in Christ Bobi Brown Executive Secretary Belfast City Mission Glengall Exchange 3 Glengall Street Belfast BT12 5AB

2 BELFAST CITY MISSION ANNUAL RALLY ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS THURSDAY 26 TH APRIL PREACHER - REV SHAW THOMPSON SINGER - AMY ROBERTS GREETINGS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RIGHT REV DR NOBLE MCNEELY Marking 90 years of witness in the Kilburn St District. Donegal Road A week of Mission with Evangelist John Weir Sunday 15th Sunday 22nd April Exchange Marking 45 of witness in the Glencairn Area. A week of Mission with Rev Mark Neilly (1st Ahoghill Pres) Monday 1st Friday 5th October All welcome TOWARDS OUR 2017 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL BEST YEAR EVER - 2 -

3 Points for Prayer and Praise Around the Halls Glencairn Continue to pray for our stretched resources at this time. We need people to help with our youth work and take on responsibility in this area as well as other areas in the Hall. We also need help with the driving of our mini-bus. Remember in prayer our planned Bible club in June amongst the children. Pray for the week of meetings that are also planned for Monday 1st Friday 5th October 2018 with our speaker Rev Mark Neilly. Give praise for a number of new people attending the Hall and for the continued progress of the ladies meeting that was started in September Praise also that there has been an increase in the numbers attending the new meeting in Forthriver Fold. Give thanks this year that we have reached the milestone of 45 years of work in the Glencairn estate sowing God`s word. Ballybeen Remember in prayer our annual joint Girls` Brigade and Boys` Brigade Camp to Southend on Sea; August Pray for the planned Holiday Bible Club Monday 20th Friday 24th August 2018 led by Roberta Sherlock (CEF). Canton Street We long to see new people attending the Hall. Pray that we will experience this and also we would see many more families bringing their children and young people to our Tots Group and the various clubs that are held during the week. Pray that God would raise up leaders and helpers to add to our resources in the work. Pray that the Spirit of God would move in a new way amongst the people of East Belfast. Praise God for the good progress we have had within our children and young people`s work since September and His help in trying new things. Give praise that our attendance remains steady and also give thanks for those who have come to help us in the work. Kilburn Street Continue to pray for the Gospel Mission from Sunday 15th Sunday 22nd April 2018 to be held in conjunction with 90 years of work and witness in the Kilburn Street district. Pray for the Evangelist Mr John Weir who will be the speaker at this Mission. John grew up in Kilburn Street and has a real burden for the district. Mountcollyer Avenue Pray for a real movement of God`s Holy Spirit in the district and that we will experience many lost souls finding Christ as their Saviour. Spring/Summer

4 Exchange Remember the whole area of North Belfast, in particular all who minister, that they will know God`s strength and enablement and they will receive fruit for their labour. Pray continually that God would send more labourers into the harvest fields that surround us here in Lower North Belfast. Fairview Road (Ballyduff) Remember in prayer all of our leaders within the organisations, that they will know God`s help and guidance as they serve Him each week. Pray for the elderly of our Hall, that they will continue to experience good health and strength, also that they will be able to keep attending. Continue as always to pray for the ongoing outreach around the district each week. Give praise for our Girls` Brigade Company who have reached 25 years of service to the community of Ballyduff. Praise God for the person who came to faith in Christ at the beginning of the New Year. Give thanks to God for His continuing faithfulness. Mayo Street Remember in prayer all the activities and events we have planned over the Spring/Summer. Family Service with Rainbow of Hope Ministries on Sunday 11th March Kids Club trip on Friday 11th May 2018 to Monkey Business, Ballymena. Sunday School Family Service/Prize Day on Sunday 13th May Sunday School trip to Bangor on Saturday 19th May Mums And Young Ones trip on Tuesday 22nd May Summer Kids Club from Monday 30th July to Friday 2nd August Give Praise for the provision of extra help with our Kids Club. Praise also for the new faces that are now coming to Sunday school, Mums and Young Ones and Kids Club. Give Praise for all the different services and events that we held over the Christmas season, especially the Sunday School Christmas Service and Carols by Candlelight Service. Praise also for the contacts and relationships that have been formed as we handed out food parcels and presents to needy families before Christmas. Great Northern Street Pray for the Men`s Breakfast meetings, that many men will attend, relationships will be formed and this meeting will be an effective outreach among the men. Pray for another potential outreach activity to Christian football supporters. Pray that we will receive help from the local churches, especially in supplying the next generation of workers. Pray also that we will receive help with our worship from musical students living in the area. Give praise for the opportunities received to witness in several Residential Homes each week. Praise also for the relationships that are developing with parents of children who attend the Hall. Give thanks for the loyal support from those who attend the Hall, also for the small band of ladies from local churches who support our meetings. Bloomfield Drive Pray for all who continue faithfully to attend the Hall however, pray that we would see new people coming especially to replace those who have died recently and also those who have gone now into Nursing Homes. Pray that the people of the area would be moved by God`s Holy Spirit in concern for their eternal destiny. Pray that we would soon see some form of children`s work begin

5 Praise for the Mums and Tots group that has been a real source of blessing as it has opened up many opportunities to share the Gospel through my testimony with the adults. Give praise for the faithful band of prayer warriors who continue to pray earnestly and expectantly each week. Give thanks for the Missionary Tom Marshall who since his calling has now reached 25 years of service with the Belfast City Mission. Sandy Row Pray for the continuing work in the Men`s Hostel and that it will strengthen. Pray for a stronger relationship to be forged with the Rev William Harkness, new Minister in Great Victoria Street Presbyterian. Pray for the people who attend our meetings regularly who as yet have not come to faith in Christ. Continue also to pray for all the various people availing of the Food Bank. Pray for the new Addictions programme that will be commencing soon. Give praise for the gentleman who recently came to faith in the district and is now attending the meetings. Praise also for the increase in numbers attending our Sunday and Thursday meetings. Give thanks for the strong relationship with Friendship House and Great Victoria Presbyterian. Give thanks for the various Churches that continue, and have donated food towards our Food Bank. Also for the number of Churches that have provided clothes and furniture for the work with the Men`s Hostel. Island Street Continue to remember in prayer, Missionary Billy McCullagh and his family especially in the run up to the first anniversary of Elizabeth`s passing. Pray for a busy range of activities planned over the coming months including various trips out with the members of the Hall and the local community. Pray for the planned St. Patrick`s celebration evening and also the special events that take place around the Easter period. Pray for the newly formed Residents group who now meet regularly in the Hall. Give praise and thanks for the continued interest of children and young people who attend the Sunday School, Example Youth Group and Thursday Night Club. Pray for more to join them! Give thanks for the recent trip to Crumlin Road Gaol, and the safe release of everyone who attended! Rathcoole Continue to remember in prayer, Missionary Jordan Neill and his wife Elaine and family as they continue to deal with the devastating loss of their child. Pray as they continue to adjust to life after what happened. Pray that they would know the presence of God in His consolation and understanding and He will grant His peace to them knowing that His will be done in all things. Pray for the ongoing youth and children`s work in Rathcoole (Parent and Toddlers, Girls` Brigade, Boys` Brigade, Youth Club, Sunday School). Since August we have given out in the region of 4000 leaflets around the Rathcoole estate, each with an invitation to our meetings and some gospel literature. Pray God will move in the hearts of those who have picked them up. Recently the Hall has been hit by death and bereavement which has resulted in the loss of some faithful attendees and others who had a long association with the hall. Pray as we continue to try and fill those empty seats. Sadly there has been a falling away of teenage and senior youth activities in the Hall. This is such an important area of ministry especially as the young people are the church of today and Spring/Summer

6 Exchange tomorrow and they will be the means of taking the Church into the next generation. Pray that we can get something together that allows teens to come, to feel BCM Rathcoole is a place where they belong and enjoy and ultimately, see their need for Jesus soon in life. Also pray that God will give us all the resources we need for this important work. Give thanks for the continuing help and welcome Jordan and Elaine have experienced since their installation in April Give praise for the conversations and opportunities provided to engage with people about spiritual matters over recent months and for new contacts made. Praise for the different events that took place during the summer especially the Ladies Conference Day in July and our Family Fun Day in early September. Praise for partnership in the Gospel with the various missionary organisations that have visited BCM Rathcoole, especially our long standing relationship with Pastor Samuel Yaldia from Burkina Faso. Praise for the opportunities given through the act of child dedication services in bringing the gospel message to families who would hardly ever enter a Church environment. Give praise for all our faithful workers and volunteers within the Hall, for their willingness as the phrase goes to go the extra mile. Praise also for the encouragement the junior helper has been in our youth club (as part of Duke of Edinburgh service). Jersey Street Pray that we would see fruit borne from the invitations given out in the district. Pray for families and individuals who have and continue to face difficult times that they may see in Christ the answer to their need. Pray for a true spiritual awakening in the district. Pray for the children in Sunday School, although we are small in number, will respond early in life to God`s word. Praise God for those who continue to stand by the work within the Hall and district. Give thanks to God for enabling one of our Sunday School children to pass her 11 plus and we say well done Jollie. Bilston Road (Ballysillan) Remember in prayer the special men`s events that will take place this year, that God would move amongst the men in the district. Pray for the planned week of Mission that will be held later this year. Pray for the ongoing work within the schools in the district, that we would continue to know God`s favour in continuing to have an open door in this ministry. Pray for our Bible Club and Football Camp we will run during the coming months, and we will see many young people put their trust in Jesus as Lord. Pray for all our faithful leaders who help out in all our activities that they would know God`s strength and enablement as they serve Him. Continue to pray for the work on the doorstep. For contacts and relationships to be formed with families in this important work. Give praise for the souls that God has saved in recent months. Give thanks for the good work among the young people and the opportunities that have been given in the local schools for outreach. Praise for the new connections that have been made with families as result of the toy appeal during the Christmas season. Praise for the new faces that have started to attend the hall during Give thanks also for the work done through our local Food Bank

7 Kimberley Street The English classes run two mornings each week with over 20 foreign nationals attending. Pray for the Christians who help teach these classes and for opportunities to share their faith. Please pray for the large number of men who play football twice each week at the Hall. Pray that they too would come to know the saving grace of Jesus in their lives. Each Thursday evening a local Church uses the Hall for a children`s Bible Club. Pray that these local children would not only hear the good news about Jesus but come to trust Him as their Saviour. Pray for the Sunday evening service, asking prayer especially for the local district that God would work in the lives of those living around the Hall and draw them unto Himself. Praise God for those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that as they grow in their faith they would become wonderful witnesses for Jesus even here in the City and through the work of the Belfast City Mission. Praise God for a wonderful time each Monday morning of Bible study and prayer, as we see those young, and not so young in the faith so eager to hear more from God`s Word. Praise God for the after schools homework clubs, running four afternoons each week. Pray for God to use these times for His glory. Shore Road Hall Youth Club Outing to World of Wonder Wednesday 28 March 2018 Ladies Day Service Sunday 11 March 2018 Easter Service Sunday 1 April 2018 Box Opening Service Thursday 12 April 2018 Praise by The Boys Brigade Male Voice Choir 52nd Belfast Boys Brigade Display Friday 13 April 2018 Retirement of Mrs Betty Currie as Treasurer for over 40 years BELFAST CITY MISSION - SHORE ROAD HALL FIRST IN IRELAND TO ACHIEVE GOLD AWARD Juniors from Belfast City Mission Shore Road Hall Junior Christian Endeavour Society have been working hard on the Irish CE National Award Scheme. The children who participate enjoy being involved and feel a great sense of achievement and pride as every task is successfully completed and eventually a Badge is earned. Belfast City Mission Shore Road Hall Juniors have made history as three of them have successfully completed Gold Standard and they are the first in Ireland to do so since the Scheme was introduced some years ago. Some Junior CE members with the CE President Mr Wesley McCready Award winners include: Bronze - Emma Parkhill, Adam Parkhill and Deacon Ramsey. Silver - Leah Woods, John McAuley, Sarah Lapsley, Lucy McClelland and Kate Taylor. Gold - Thomas Lapsley, Pippa Knowles and Sarah Jane Strain. Great credit is due to the children and to their leaders who supported and encouraged them Spring/Summer

8 OFFICE STAFF MISSIONARY STAFF GOVERNING BODY SUPERINTENDENTS BOARD VARIOUS COMMITTEES PRESIDENT MR RONNIE ARMOUR BELFAST CITY MISSION WIDOWS MISSION STAFF WIDOWERS DISTRICT OUTREACH STAFF MEMBERS FAMILIES HELPERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN ALL OF OUR HALLS OUR MISSION AUXILIARY SECRETARIES ACROSS THE PROVINCE FORTHCOMING GOSPEL MISSIONS Exchange Tel: Fax: Web: Charity number NIC