Easter Sunday Family Service – 31st March 2013

We enjoyed an excellent time at our Easter Sunday Family Service, with almost sixty people joining us for the morning and the hall decked out with daffodils.

Easter 2013 Family Service Final (1)

Hosted by Phil, we began by singing Come and see followed by prayer.

After a short welcome including the dates for the resumption of Sunday Club as well as the next scheduled Family Service, we moved on to our first reading from Luke 23:44-47, which was read by Rebekah.

This was followed by the singing of Oh to see the dawn and our second reading, from Matthew 28:1-6, which was delivered by Brian.

Our third hymn was See what a morning, which was followed by an entertaining Easter themed quiz consisting of general knowledge questions about Easter.

Afterwards, we watched a short animated video of the Easter story, shown below:

Easter 2013 Family Service Final Romans

Before Paul came up to speak to us, we sung Jesus Christ is alive today and I’m Special.

Paul Cogger came up and spoke briefly about life, highlighting various verses and explaining how important Easter is to Christians and how it is that we can obtain eternal life through the work Jesus did for us in his death on the cross.

Paul also talked about goodie bags which we would be handing out at the end of the Family Service.

These each contained a number of items including invites to forthcoming events, a booklet entitled What’s the point of Easter, an activity story (Josh and Jade at Easter) and colouring for children and a creme egg.  Ladies were also given some of the many daffodils decorating the hall.

Capture
Josh and Jade

If you’re interested in obtaining a copy of either of these two publications, please either click on the images to order online, or alternatively contact us and we would be happy to send you one.

The Family Service ended with the singing of Led like a lamb and prayer.

It was followed by a selection of refreshments which included hot cross buns.

Our next Family Service is due to take place on April 21st at 11.45am.  We hope you’ll be able to join us.

Family Service – 20th January 2013

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.

Thanksgiving Service for Meg Stanton – 17th December 2012

Meg Stanton Thanksgiving Service
The front of the Order of Service for Meg’s Thanksgiving Service

We had a good turnout for the funeral service of Meg Stanton, who had passed away a few weeks ago.

The service was taken by Ken Hill who welcomed various friends and acquaintances of Meg along.

The first hymn was O Lord my God, which was followed by the opening prayer, led by Paul Cogger.

Phil Bray read a tribute to Meg, which included reference to her many years spent working with horses.

Brian Sparks read the following from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

‘Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.’

Ken gave a short address, using the words read by Brian to bring out Meg’s faith in her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The service ended with the final hymn The King of love my Shepherd is, and prayer.

A short committal service at Braywick Cemetery followed the Thanksgiving Service.

We will miss Meg’s cheerful smile and presence with us, but are all so thankful that she is now free from her discomfort and at peace with her Saviour.

Family Service – 18th November 2012

We enjoyed a great Family Service this morning, hosted by Phil and ably assisted by Brian.

The service opened with In Christ Alone followed by prayer, after which Phil ran through some of the upcoming activities at Parkside including Toddlers, The Link Coffee Bar and the various Christmas services which are planned.

With the help of Kerry and Judith we were able to learn a new song – There is a Hope, by Stuart Townend:

After singing some of the kids choruses from Sunday Club, led by Brian, we had a slightly chaotic ‘pairs quiz’ which was followed by two readings (the parables of the Wedding Feast and the Great Supper) and singing Majesty, before Dave came up to speak using the two readings as a basis for his talk.

Dave used the idea of receiving an invitation from various people and how we would react, finishing with receiving the offer of salvation from God and whether would choose to accept or reject his invitation.

The service was followed by soup, bread and other refreshments, organised by Lesley.

We now look forward to our first Christmas Carol Service in two weeks time.

Friday Club: Autumn 2012 – 8th September 2012

Our Friday Club, for young people over the age of 10, meet (unsurprisingly) on Friday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm, normally at Parkside.

We usually get a good attendance with around 15 to 20 children most weeks.

Activities planned for the autumn term:

  • 7 September – Games Night
  • 21 September – Quiz Night
  • 5 October – Evening Walk
  • 12 October – Games Night
  • 26 October – Travelling Meal
  • 9 November – Craft Night
  • 23 November – Games Night
  • 7 December – Visit from Bracknell
  • 14 December – Christmas Party

A typical evening will consist of the activity for the night mentioned above which is followed by light refreshments and a short talk or video.

If you’ve never been before, you’re sure of a warm welcome.