Family Services in 2011

During 2011 we will be trying a new venture at Parkside – that of monthly Family Services on the first Sunday of each month.

In the series, we’ll be be looking at some of Jesus’ miracles.  We begin, next Sunday with the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine, at a wedding in Cana.

The format of each Family Service will be largely the same each month.  We’ll begin with some singing, have a memory verse and choruses for the children and finish with a short talk about the subject for the month.

Our normal two family teas will be taking place as normal.  On these months, we won’t be having a morning Family Sevice, and the tea will take place at 5pm.  In addition, the July and September Family Services will be followed by a BBQ and games in the park.

Please come along and bring all the family and friends, whatever their age.  We look forward to seeing you.

The full list of dates for 2011 is below (all at 11.30am unless indicated):

March 6              John 2 – Water into wine
April 3                 Mother’s Day Tea – 5.00pm
May 1                  John 4 – Nobleman’s son
June 5                 John 5 – Pool of Bethesda
July 3                  John 6 – Feeding of 5000 – followed by BBQ lunch
August 7             John 9 – Blind man
September 4      John 11 – Lazarus – followed by BBQ lunch
October 2           Family Tea – 5.00pm
November 6      John 20 vs 24-31 – Thomas
December 24    Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight – 5.00pm

Recent Thanksgiving Services

We’ve recently had two Thanksgiving Services at Parkside.

On 27th January, we said farewell to Iris Smith and on 21st February, it was was time to say goodbye to Hedley Bray. 

Both of them had lived lives full of service to the Lord.

You can listen to the services below. 

Thanksgiving Service for Mrs Iris Smith – 27/01/2011

Thanksgiving Service for Mr Hedley Bray – 21/02/2011

Annual meal

Queuing up for the main course

In 2005 we held a meal for those who come along to Parkside.  Different people signed up to make dishes and puddings and we had a great evening together.

Since then, we’ve had one every year and it’s become something of an annual highlight.

This year, the format remained much the same as in previous years.  Around forty of us gathered together to enjoy food and fellowship.  Dishes on the menu varied from traditional bangers and mash through chile con carne to cottage pie, and were followed by a smorgasbord of differing desserts.

As is usual on these occasions, the washing up fell to the men and the task was completed successfully, without a single breakage!

Paul and Rachel's duet

Following the coffee and mints, we were entertained by Paul regaling us with some amusing church ‘notices’ that he had picked up over the years.

We also enjoyed a delightful duet from Paul and Rachel and a time of informal guitar playing and singing with Jon, Judith and Kerry.

Another successful evening closed finally around 10pm.

Winter Conferences on 1 John

During the winter months we have been enjoying a series of Conferences from 1 John.

On the second Saturday of each month we have had a visiting speaker come along to talk about a chapter.

Each conference lasts for around an hour and is followed afterwards by refreshments.

You can listen to the conferences that have already taken place by playing them below.

November 2010 – ‘The disciple who Jesus loved’, Ian Jackson – Introduction to 1 John

December 2010 – ‘The Word of life and our responsibilities’, Fred Beevers, 1 John:1

January 2011 – ‘By this we know that we know Him’, David Tinkler, 1 John:2

February 2011 – ‘By this we know that he abides in us’, Gordon Stewart, 1 John:3

March 2011 – ‘By this we know that we abide in Him’, Ken Rudge, 1 John:4

April 2011 – ‘By this we know that we love the children of God, Fred Epps, 1 John:5

January 2011 Conference – 1 John 2

We had our third in our series of monthly conferences this evening from 1 John.  Tonight we were looking at chapter 2 with David Tinkler.  Here’s how it unfolded on Twitter.

Our next conference is on 12th February at 7pm from 1 John chapter 3 with the title ‘By this we know that He abides in us’. The audio from tonight will be on our website tomorrow.