Tag: Alan Michael

Family Service – 20th January 2013

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Despite the inclement snowy weather, we had around 35 hardy people who joined us for our first Family Service of 2013.Jan Family Service

The service was hosted by Phil who began with the hymn I do not know what lies ahead, followed by prayer.

Phil ran through various notices, including clarifying that in 2013, Family Services would be on the third Sunday of each month.

The second hymn was one which we had learned at our November Family Service, and was Stuart Townend’s There is a hope.

Afterwards, Brian came up to introduce various children’s choruses, before Alan stepped in with an amusing box quiz, consisting of a number of different lengths of string hidden in a box.  Each team answered a question and then withdrew a length of string.  Each length was tied together and the team finishing with the longest overall length of string was the winner.  The quiz was created by Paul, who was unfortunately unable to join us.

Our final hymn was O Lord my God, after which, Matthew Hall came up to speak.

Matthew enthusiastically talked about different famous people and questions that you could ask them.  These included Lance Armstrong, Winston Churchill, Beethoven and The Queen.  He then finished with the final person which was Jesus.

After the service, most people stayed behind to enjoy warming soup, bread and other refreshments, which Lesley and other helpers had put together.

Perspectives of Christmas: Mary – 2nd December 2012

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We had an encouraging start to our series taking place during December looking at different Perspectives of Christmas.

After spending most of yesterday morning clearing up the hall following the recent painting and laying of the new carpet, everything was in place in time for our opening carol service this evening.

Like last year, the series is being hosted by Phil Bray and each of the four weeks consists of a similar format with a mixture of carols, a quiz and a short talk.

Tonight the carols were ‘O little town of Bethlehem’, ‘Away in a manger’, ‘See Him a-lying on a bed of straw’ and ‘Unto us a child is born’.  We also enjoyed a debut performance from the Parkside Voices with Paul, Rachel and Judith singing their version of ‘Mary, did you know’?  The accompaniment was a mixture of piano playing from Paul mingling with guitars from Jon and Judith.

This year’s quiz consists of two teams – the Turkeys and the Crackers – each taking it in turns to remove a layer from a big parcel.  This reveals an envelope containing a number between 1 and 24 which then gives a question for the team.  The quiz  will run over the four weeks with the final prize being revealed on 23rd December.

The speaker for the opening service was Alan, who had the subject of Mary and spoke bringing out her blessed nature.

The service was followed by a selection of mince pies and other festive treats as well as a hot drink.

The second in the series takes place next Sunday at 4.30pm, when we’ll be looking at the story through the eyes of Joseph, told by Paul.

Light Night 2012 – 31st October 2012

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On what had been our first ‘Light Night’ for a few years, we had a good number joining with us for an evening of fun and activities.

We organised the ‘Light Night’ as a safe alternative for children and their parents in which they could enjoy playing games and other activities rather than indulging in ‘trick or treat’ around the houses.

The main hall was decorated with strings of fairy lights hung across the room which provided atmospheric lighting for the evening.

The seventeen children and associated parents and helpers began the evening by playing games which were loosely organised by Phil and kicked off with Newspaper Hockey which was followed up by Chinese Laundry and Musical Chairs.

Alan then told the story of Gideon’s defeat of the Mideonites, taken from Judges 7, highlighting light and darkness.

Afterwards, the children went through into the back room where Lesley organised the making and colouring of paper torches before the evening finished with light refreshments organised by Hayley and Kerry.

Some of the kids and helpers enjoying refreshments
View from the other end of the table

Sam and Ben’s Baptisms – 28th October 2012

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Around 80 people gathered in a happy occasion to witness two of our youngsters, Sam and Ben, taking the step of baptism.

The service was chaired by Jon Cox, who also played guitar for most of the singing.

Alan conducted the baptisms and Jon Colman gave a short message.

Some of the crowds ahead of the baptisms

Here’s how things unfolded on Twitter:

Sam is first into the baptistry
Ben’s turn

Family Tea – 14th October 2012

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With many of our regular number away, we were delighted to have a large number of visitors for our Family Tea this afternoon.

We had around 70 people present to enjoy a mixture of sandwiches and cakes, culminating in the traditional jelly and ice cream.

Alan chaired the evening and, after tea, some of the children from Sunday Club came to the front to help him run through the Ten Commandments, a subject that they’ve been learning about recently on Sunday mornings.

They also enjoyed singing some of the choruses from Sunday Club, before Daniel Rudge came to speak over the tea table.

In a short, powerful message he told the story (from Numbers 20) of Moses striking the rock in the wilderness to bring forth water finishing with linking to 1 Corinthians 4:10 – ‘that rock was Christ’.

With the new ‘The Link Coffee Bar’, the upcoming baptism, the planned Light Night and the forthcoming Christmas activities we’re really looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Our next regular Family Service is on 18th November at 11.30am.