Events
Special Service - God the Master Artist
27/10/09 14:31
Donegal’s a great place to live. One of the questions often asked by my well-meaning northern acquaintances is, “Have you settled in yet?”, even though we have been here nine years. If we haven’t settled in yet, then there must be a problem!
Donegal is simply glorious in its scenery. The rugged mountains, the barren heather-covered hills, the long sandy beaches. I love the time of year that we’ve come to—the low afternoon sun casting its long shadows, bathing everything in a golden glow. I love that crispness to the air—cold enough to see your breath, but not enough wind to blow the cold deep into your bones. I love the autumn colours of the landscape as the sun brings them out—the greens of the fields, against the blue of the sky, the golden browns of the trees just before their leaves fall.
Now it’s getting somewhat colder, and the place to be is inside. So, wearing my other hat – that of minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, I invite you to come to a special service we’re holding to praise God for his work of creation. The conservation folks at An Taisce usually have an annual service, and this year they’ve asked us to host and organise it for them; we’re delighted to do that and would like to broaden the invitation to everyone.
The theme of the evening will be “God: the Master Artist”. One aspect of the evening will be a journey of praise through the book of Psalms looking at Psalms which celebrate both the Creator and the creation. But much more than looking at the creation, we will be looking at the artist himself—posing the question, If the creation is this fantastic, what must the creator be like? We are going to let scripture guide us on a take a brief high-speed tour of the universe, pausing to ponder the artist as well as the art.
We’d love to see you there on Sunday 1st November at 7.30pm at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church on the Kilmacrenan Road, Milford.
“The spacious heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
Donegal is simply glorious in its scenery. The rugged mountains, the barren heather-covered hills, the long sandy beaches. I love the time of year that we’ve come to—the low afternoon sun casting its long shadows, bathing everything in a golden glow. I love that crispness to the air—cold enough to see your breath, but not enough wind to blow the cold deep into your bones. I love the autumn colours of the landscape as the sun brings them out—the greens of the fields, against the blue of the sky, the golden browns of the trees just before their leaves fall.
Now it’s getting somewhat colder, and the place to be is inside. So, wearing my other hat – that of minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, I invite you to come to a special service we’re holding to praise God for his work of creation. The conservation folks at An Taisce usually have an annual service, and this year they’ve asked us to host and organise it for them; we’re delighted to do that and would like to broaden the invitation to everyone.
The theme of the evening will be “God: the Master Artist”. One aspect of the evening will be a journey of praise through the book of Psalms looking at Psalms which celebrate both the Creator and the creation. But much more than looking at the creation, we will be looking at the artist himself—posing the question, If the creation is this fantastic, what must the creator be like? We are going to let scripture guide us on a take a brief high-speed tour of the universe, pausing to ponder the artist as well as the art.
We’d love to see you there on Sunday 1st November at 7.30pm at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church on the Kilmacrenan Road, Milford.
“The spacious heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
4you.ie magazine coming your way
18/08/09 12:06
This coming week in Letterkenny we’ve a team of young people working with us at New Life Fellowship. One of the things we’ll be doing is distributing a magazine called 4you.ie. Already several different churches have been distributing it in different parts of the county, so you may have come across it.
There’s a number of interesting articles in it. Dr Stephen McAuley writes on the topic of suicide. Sadly there are, on average, approximately 13 suicides per week in Ireland. How can we help? What should we say? Dr McAuley, who is no stranger to Donegal having spoken here several times on related topics, gives practical and helpful advice.
Another article that caught my eye was the story of a man who had struggled with various addictions, including pornography and alcohol. These are major issues for Irish society, yet they are symptomatic of a deeper problem which requires a deeper solution. The writer tells of how he found freedom.
Perhaps you’re interested in Angels, maybe even read the best-seller Angels in my Hair by Lorna Byrne. There’s a piece which looks at what the Bible has to say about Angels, about the Angel-maker, and how we can have a correct focus.
What about the afterlife? Is there a Heaven, how do you get there, is there really a Hell? Much of what people believe is more fancy and sentiment than fact. But what are the facts? If there is life after death, surely this is something we need to take an interest in.
The recession should make us rethink our priorities, but how? Is it enough to simply streamline our lives, or is God trying to say something else to us?
Why not have a read? A number of free resources are offered and if you would like any of them, or if you have any questions and want to discuss them, please feel free to get in touch.
But if you don’t get a copy of the magazine in the next couple of weeks and would like one, give me a call or an email, and we’ll get one to you.
There’s a number of interesting articles in it. Dr Stephen McAuley writes on the topic of suicide. Sadly there are, on average, approximately 13 suicides per week in Ireland. How can we help? What should we say? Dr McAuley, who is no stranger to Donegal having spoken here several times on related topics, gives practical and helpful advice.
Another article that caught my eye was the story of a man who had struggled with various addictions, including pornography and alcohol. These are major issues for Irish society, yet they are symptomatic of a deeper problem which requires a deeper solution. The writer tells of how he found freedom.
Perhaps you’re interested in Angels, maybe even read the best-seller Angels in my Hair by Lorna Byrne. There’s a piece which looks at what the Bible has to say about Angels, about the Angel-maker, and how we can have a correct focus.
What about the afterlife? Is there a Heaven, how do you get there, is there really a Hell? Much of what people believe is more fancy and sentiment than fact. But what are the facts? If there is life after death, surely this is something we need to take an interest in.
The recession should make us rethink our priorities, but how? Is it enough to simply streamline our lives, or is God trying to say something else to us?
Why not have a read? A number of free resources are offered and if you would like any of them, or if you have any questions and want to discuss them, please feel free to get in touch.
But if you don’t get a copy of the magazine in the next couple of weeks and would like one, give me a call or an email, and we’ll get one to you.
Whirlwind tour of the Bible
16/06/09 12:06
Have you bought a Bible recently? I was talking to Bobby from the Open Door bookshop, and he was saying that there has been an increase in the sale of Bibles over the last 6 months. Apparently it’s not just the Open Door bookshop either, Amazon report an increase in Bible sales also.
That’s great! However, in my experience, there is a vast gulf between buying a Bible and reading it. That’s not to say that people don’t have good intentions. But what usually happens is that they start at Genesis, enjoy it, and half way through the second book, Exodus, the going gets tough, and then they grind to a slow bewildered halt somewhere near the start of Leviticus. The Bible is then put up on a shelf, with shake of the head and a “What was I thinking?”.
Part of the problem is that the Bible is a library of 66 books, not simply one book. And so to start in and read from the beginning is like walking into a library and starting to read from the left hand side round to the right. It can be done, but it is hard going. You don’t need some secret key to understand a library, but what is useful is a librarian who can take you and show you how to use a library. Once we get our bearings we are freer to enjoy what is on offer.
The same is true of the Bible—it’s not as if there is a magic secret to understanding it, but it makes it easier if someone can show you your way around. What’s the main plotline? Who’s who? How does it all fit together? Does it all fit together? Where should I start?
When we know these we will find ourselves freer to enjoy what is on offer.
If that’s you and you want to find out more come along on Sunday 28th when I’ll be giving a whirlwind tour of the Bible entitled “Getting the Big Picture”. Come and get your bearings and find out answers to some of those questions. The talk starts at 8pm in the Day Centre off Oliver Plunkett Road, and there will be opportunity for questions.
That’s great! However, in my experience, there is a vast gulf between buying a Bible and reading it. That’s not to say that people don’t have good intentions. But what usually happens is that they start at Genesis, enjoy it, and half way through the second book, Exodus, the going gets tough, and then they grind to a slow bewildered halt somewhere near the start of Leviticus. The Bible is then put up on a shelf, with shake of the head and a “What was I thinking?”.
Part of the problem is that the Bible is a library of 66 books, not simply one book. And so to start in and read from the beginning is like walking into a library and starting to read from the left hand side round to the right. It can be done, but it is hard going. You don’t need some secret key to understand a library, but what is useful is a librarian who can take you and show you how to use a library. Once we get our bearings we are freer to enjoy what is on offer.
The same is true of the Bible—it’s not as if there is a magic secret to understanding it, but it makes it easier if someone can show you your way around. What’s the main plotline? Who’s who? How does it all fit together? Does it all fit together? Where should I start?
When we know these we will find ourselves freer to enjoy what is on offer.
If that’s you and you want to find out more come along on Sunday 28th when I’ll be giving a whirlwind tour of the Bible entitled “Getting the Big Picture”. Come and get your bearings and find out answers to some of those questions. The talk starts at 8pm in the Day Centre off Oliver Plunkett Road, and there will be opportunity for questions.
Special Service in Milford: Living in God's Masterpiece
06/12/07 16:59
Donegal’s a great place to live. One of the questions often asked by my well-meaning northern acquaintances is, “Have you settled in yet?”, even though we have been here seven years. If we haven’t settled in yet, then there must be a problem!
Donegal is simply glorious in its scenery. The rugged mountains, the barren heather-covered hills, the long sandy beaches. I love the time of year that we’ve come to the end of – the low afternoon sun casting its long shadows, bathing everything in a golden glow. I love that crispness to the air – cold enough to see your breath, but not enough wind to blow the cold deep into your bones. I love the autumn colours of the landscape as the sun brings them out – the greens of the fields, against the blue of the sky, the golden browns of the trees just before their leaves fall.
Now it’s getting somewhat colder, and the place to be is inside. So, wearing my other hat – that of minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, I invite you to come to a special service we’re holding to praise God for his work of creation. The conservation folks at An Taisce usually have an annual service, and this year they’ve asked us to host and organise it for them; we’re delighted to do that and would like to broaden the invitation to everyone.
The theme of the evening will be “Living in God’s Masterpiece”. One aspect of the evening will be a journey of praise through the book of Psalms looking at Psalms which celebrate God’s creative powers. But there is much more to creation in the Bible than the Psalms – the wonder and beauty of creation is a theme that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. And we’re going to take a brief high-speed tour through the scriptures stopping to look at some of the highpoints of God’s creative work as we go.
We’d love to see you there on Sunday 9th December at 7.30pm at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church on the Kilmacrenan Road, Milford.
“The spacious heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
Donegal is simply glorious in its scenery. The rugged mountains, the barren heather-covered hills, the long sandy beaches. I love the time of year that we’ve come to the end of – the low afternoon sun casting its long shadows, bathing everything in a golden glow. I love that crispness to the air – cold enough to see your breath, but not enough wind to blow the cold deep into your bones. I love the autumn colours of the landscape as the sun brings them out – the greens of the fields, against the blue of the sky, the golden browns of the trees just before their leaves fall.
Now it’s getting somewhat colder, and the place to be is inside. So, wearing my other hat – that of minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, I invite you to come to a special service we’re holding to praise God for his work of creation. The conservation folks at An Taisce usually have an annual service, and this year they’ve asked us to host and organise it for them; we’re delighted to do that and would like to broaden the invitation to everyone.
The theme of the evening will be “Living in God’s Masterpiece”. One aspect of the evening will be a journey of praise through the book of Psalms looking at Psalms which celebrate God’s creative powers. But there is much more to creation in the Bible than the Psalms – the wonder and beauty of creation is a theme that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. And we’re going to take a brief high-speed tour through the scriptures stopping to look at some of the highpoints of God’s creative work as we go.
We’d love to see you there on Sunday 9th December at 7.30pm at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church on the Kilmacrenan Road, Milford.
“The spacious heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
Depression, Grief & Suicide
28/09/07 17:06
We live in a part of the world that seems to see more than its fair share of the problems of depression, grief and suicide. Sometimes they are inextricably linked, with one of these issues leading to another. Sometimes they stand alone, and that burden is heavy enough to bear.
As part of our concern for the community we live in, New Life Fellowship has organised a series of public meetings where these three topics will be dealt with by professional counsellors. Over the last number of years they have spoken at meetings here in Letterkenny dealing with these topics, and they have been well received and people have found them helpful.
Everyone is welcome to come along. The meetings will be held in the Day Centre on Oliver Plunkett Road. (1st building on the right going up Oliver Plunkett Rd. towards Main Street.) Each meeting will start at 8pm.
As part of our concern for the community we live in, New Life Fellowship has organised a series of public meetings where these three topics will be dealt with by professional counsellors. Over the last number of years they have spoken at meetings here in Letterkenny dealing with these topics, and they have been well received and people have found them helpful.
Everyone is welcome to come along. The meetings will be held in the Day Centre on Oliver Plunkett Road. (1st building on the right going up Oliver Plunkett Rd. towards Main Street.) Each meeting will start at 8pm.
Dealing with Depression – Thur 4th October
Dr Stephen McAuley - Psychiatrist & Counsellor
Grief: The pain that won’t go away – Tue 16th October
Brenda Kelso - Educational Psychologist & Counsellor
Suicide: When Hope Runs Out – Tue 30th October
Dr Andrew Collins - Psychiatrist & Counsellor
We live in a culture where these three issues are often swept under the carpet. We don’t like to talk about them. We sometimes don’t even like to admit that we have a problem. And we don’t know how to deal with them. Well-meaning but insensitive friends tell you to pull yourself together, and to get on with life. Yet it isn’t that easy.
These meetings are not just for those who are facing these issues directly, but for all who would like to be of help to a friend or family member who is struggling with them. We don’t know what the future holds, and unfortunately, the sad reality is that most of us will find ourselves needing to know more about these issues in order to be ready to help those who may need a friend to talk to.
As a church we long to see people finding hope, meaning and purpose in life again.
Mark Loughridge – www.newlifefellowship.ie