January 2012
2 posts
Ruth!
On Sunday evening our study of the book of Ruth will continue. This week we will be looking at Chapter 3 - Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing-Floor. Why not come along and enjoy learning more about how God has used this remarkable woman.
The Book of Ruth
Tomorrow, Sunday Evening at 6:30pm we will be starting A Study on the Book of Ruth. All Welcome to attend
December 2011
4 posts
Watch Night Service
New Year’s Eve at 11:30pm in St. Lurach’s. This will be in the context of the Service of Holy Communion. All Welcome to attend.
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve - Service of Holy Communion at 11:30pm
Christmas Day - Family Worship at 10am
Both Services in St. Lurach’s Parish Church. All Welcome
RE-KINDLE
Friday 27th January, 2012 The Guest Speaker is Rev. Hugh Palmer, Rector, All Souls, Langham Place, London In the Millennium Forum Theatre & Conference Centre, Londonderry Time 7.45pm - 9.30pm
If you would like to attend this event please contact the Rector or the Curate.
Joint Schools Carol Service
Joint Schools Carol Service, Tuesday 13th December at 7:00pm in St. Lurach’s Parish Church. All Welcome!
November 2011
2 posts
Sunday Evenings
Starting on Sunday 20th November for 4 weeks we will be looking at the Holy Spirit in our Sunday Evening Services at 6:30pm in St. Lurach’s The titles of each week are as follows: - Sunday 20th November - Who/ What is the Holy Spirit? Sunday 27th November - Filled with the Holy Spirit Sunday 4th December - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Sunday 11th December - Living and Growing in the Holy Spirit...
Remember
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13)
Today at 11am we had the honour of standing in silence with 100 Primary School Children and their Teachers as we remembered together the sacrifice made in both World Wars and all other conflicts. This is a solemn thing and it somehow always seems right to pause and pay our respects at the 11th hour on the...
October 2011
4 posts
UPGRADE Prayer Time
Please note that the prayer time each morning this week is at 7:30am and not 8am in the Hut!
UPGRADE
UPGRADE Mission starts tomorrow!!
Please note, joint service on Sunday Morning at 11am in Maghera.
September 2011
4 posts
Just a thought...
As we are preparing for the Upgrade Week (15th - 23rd October) I have been thinking alot about what it means to experience to Love of God in our own lives.
Just think for a few moments about these simple questions:
1 - Have you ever experienced the Love of God in your life?
2 - If you were to die tonight, are you sure God would let you into His Kingdom?
If you can answer yes to these...
Why do you come to Church? →
While looking at Matthew 16, Rev. Mark asks the question ‘Why do you come to Church?’ He also encourages the congregation to ask other people to come to church as the Back to Church event is…
How Can??
Change of Plan, for the next few Sunday evenings we will looking at the book of Esther.
The HOW CAN?? Series will be given after Harvest Thanksgiving!
How Can??? on Sunday Evenings
Our Sunday Evening Services will re-commence this Sunday (11th Sept.) at 6:30pm in St. Lurach’s. For the next few weeks we will be aswering different “How Can?” questions from the book of Romans.
This week Rev. Isaac will look at Romans chapter 2:17-29 and answer the question “How can we connect with God?”
Everyone is welcome to attend.
August 2011
5 posts
Genesis 12 - Feast of Aroma →
Rev. Isaac unpacks Genesis 12, looking at God’s covenant blessing and how as God blesses us we must be a blessing to others
The Address given by Dr. Margaret Barker at the...
This is a small limestone tablet, the earliest Hebrew writing ever found.* It measures about 4” x 3 “ and was found near Jerusalem in 1908. It is calendar, written in the time of King Solomon, and it mentions flax. The third line says ‘month of pulling flax’. Their year began in the autumn, and the first two lines say ‘two months of ingathering’ which would correspond roughly to our September...
Romans Chapter 8 - Part 3 →
Rev. Mark Lennox unpacks the third in a three part series on Romans Chapter 8.
Commissioning Service
This Sunday, four members of staff will be commissioned to work with MPCA. As the Rector and I spent this afternoon finishing the Order of Service for printing tomorrow, we found ourselves being reminded of our ordinations of Deacons and then a year later to the Priesthood. For me this was 2009 and 2010 and for Rev. Isaac 2008 and 2009.
After I present the new staff to the Rector (who by the...
Kids Plant Love in Upperlands
During a very successful Holiday Bible Club in Upperlands the children, who attended, tidied up a local park and planted out a flower bed.
Commenting upon the weeks activities, organiser Elizabeth Clark stated “This was a new venture for the parish and was well attended by the children. It was a fun week and we really felt the presence of God as we embarked upon the Holiday Bible Club”.
...
July 2011
5 posts
A prayer for the people of Norway
Almighty Father,
We pray for the people of Norway, especially those who have been affected by the tragic events this weekend. May the families and friends who have been bereaved know the consolation of your love over the coming days weeks and months which are ahead. Grant to them and all who are bereaved your comfort and peace, help them to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience...
East Africa Drought Crisis
The Donation Box will be in the Church Porch for this Sunday. All donations will go towards the East Africa Drought Crisis Appeal organised by Bishops Appeal. Please give generously!!
In an urgent response to the persistent drought in East Africa, the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal has announced that it appeals for contributions from parishes and individuals throughout Ireland to help with the...
Crack the Code Holiday Bible Club
The Parish Ministry Team is currently organising a Holiday Bible Club in Upperlands Linen Hall from Monday 1st August - Friday 5th August at 10:30am to 12:30pm. All aged 4-11 years old are welcome to attend. There will be a BBQ and family service on Friday 5th August from 6:30pm in the Linen Hall. Please contact the Parish Office for more details.
Please Pray for this Event
P.S. There will be...
Random Thoughts of a Curate
During the past couple of days, I have found myself touring parts of the north and south which I haven’t been to since I was a child. This has meant many memories have been brought to mind, the majority of which are great memories. However, if someone had told me when I was a young boy that I would revisit the same spot 20 years later, and what would happen in life since that visit, one would...
August 2010
4 posts
No-So-Gentle Jesus? - Mark Lennox - 15th August... →
Opening up Luke 12, Rev Mark examines a contrasting image of Jesus as He discussed spiritual division and fire. We are challenged to pay attention to what God is showing us, and to ask: if as…
Treasure in Heaven - Isaac Hanna - 8th August 2010 →
Looking at Luke 12, Rev Isaac asks now how we should help others. Observing biblical models and examples from church history, he asks: rather than storing up treasure on earth, is there a clear path…
The Rich Fool - Mark Lennox - 1st August 2010 →
Rev Mark opens up the story of the rich young fool, and talks about the dangers of hoarding and greed. Discussing the balance between taking care and relying on God, he asks how we can practically…
Standing At His Side - Mark Lennox - 27th July... →
Rev Mark takes a look at the story of the disciples James and John, whose mother asked Jesus if her sons could be elevated to his right and left hand sides in the coming kingdom - explaining why she…
July 2010
4 posts
The Challenge to Love - Valerie Thom - 18th July... →
Church Army officer Valerie Thom asks us to examine the reality of living out the Christian faith, and challenges us to learn to love those around us, starting at home.
To find out more about…
Compassion Without Rules - Mark Lennox - 11th July... →
Rev. Mark asks a difficult question: can we truly claim to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength if we don’t love our neighbour?
To find out more about Maghera & Killelagh Parishes,…
The Call To Be Welcoming - Mark Lennox - 4th July... →
This week, Rev Mark looks at the sending out of the 72 in Luke 10, and asks us to examine our church motto - are we really the local church, living as Jesus intended?
4 tags
Open Air Concert & BBQ - 13th August
Quench at Killelagh Parish Church are hosting an open air concert at Davitts Park in Swatragh on Friday 13th August at 8pm, with special guest Hugo Duncan and his band. All proceeds are in aid of Killelagh Church roof fund.
The young people of Killelagh Parish Church have been inspired by their faith in God and love of their church to form a youth group. The youth group have already held a...
June 2010
11 posts
The Cost of Discipleship - Isaac Hanna - 27th June... →
Using Luke 9, Rev. Isaac discusses the challenge and cost of following Jesus as a disciple.
2 tags
MPCA Vacancies
Father’s Day - Isaac Hanna - 20th June 2010 →
In his talk to mark Father’s Day, Rev. Isaac emotively reflects on the joy and responsibility of being a Father. He opens up the Biblical guidelines and models for fatherhood, and warns of the…
6 tags
Building Faith...
[Taken from the current issue of N:Vision, the Diocese of Derry & Raphoe’s magazine.] To be the local Church living as Jesus intended… The driving force of the Maghera Parish Caring Association is faith, faith to step out and take risks for God in our community. In the past three years as an organisation we have worked with young people sharing our faith and God’s love. We...
4 tags
Howzat! Ampertaine Cricket comes to a smashing...
This week saw the conclusion of the Introduction to Cricket programme, run by the MPCA in Ampertaine Primary School, Upperlands.
Beginning back in April, every Tuesday a group of P5-P7 pupils took part in the scheme, which aimed to introduce newcomers to Kwik Cricket. This accessible programme saw the students learn all the basic skills, including batting technique and even overarm bowling.
To...
The Cooked Breakfast - Isaac Hanna - 13th June... →
Rev. Isaac marks our Children’s Day by firing up the stove and organising a fry up. As the bacon sizzles, he discusses hunger and explains that all of us are hungry for something - and not just a…
5 tags
Big Breakfast & Fun Day - Saturday 26th June
Preparations are well underway for the annual Big Breakfast & Fun Day, which takes place this Saturday at St Lurach’s Hall, Maghera.
The famous Breakfast will be available from 8am, with fun and games for young and old outside starting at 10am. With face painting, races and big games, fun events like the lucky dip, and of course the giant bouncy slide the whole family are guaranteed a...
3 tags
Two New Priests Ordained in the Diocese
Bishop Ken Good has ordained two new Priests in the diocese of Derry and Raphoe. The ordination service took place on Sunday 20 June in Donemana Parish Church. Rev Judi McGaffin and our own curate Rev Mark Lennox were ordained as Priests. Both Judi and Mark will continue to minister in their respective parishes. A diocesan spokesperson said “It is a great asset to the diocesan ministry...
Promises - Mark Lennox - 6th June 2010 →
To find more podcasts like this, visit our iTunes channel through www.magheraparish.co.uk.
In this week’s podcast, Rev. Mark uses a baptism to talk about promises. Looking at Ezekiel 11, he explains three promises which God makes in the reading to us as believers.
Podcast - What Does God Want For Our Church? -... →
In his first talk as Rector in Maghera, Rev. Isaac sets out a vision for how God seeks the church to move forward. Taking the example of the apostles in Acts 2, he looks at the ideas around growth, and what that specifically means for us as we look to the future of our church.
To find out more about our church and browse our recent podcasts, click to our website - www.magheraparish.co.uk.
4 tags
Isaac Hanna Instituted as Rector
The Parishes of Maghera & Killelagh came together last Thursday (27th May) to celebrate as the Reverend Isaac Hanna was instituted as our new Rector in a service at St Lurach’s Maghera. Parishioners joined with local community representatives to welcome Isaac in a service led by the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe Diocese, the Right Reverend Ken Good.
Back row, l-r: Canon David McClay,...
May 2010
5 posts
1 tag
Parishes preparing for Institution
This Thursday night (27th May) sees the Institution of the Reverend Isaac Hanna as the new Rector of the Parishes of Maghera & Killelagh, by the Right Reverend Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.
With the preparations nearly complete, the joint Parishes are looking forward to welcoming so many guests to join us in celebrating this latest milestone. Therefore the Churchwardens and Select...
2 tags
MPCA Fantasy Football Ends, Winner Announced
As the English Premier League season came down to the wire this year in a feast of football, things were also stressful in the MPCA office - as it also meant the climax of this season’s inaugural MPCA Fantasy Football league.
Quietly launched last year, the league was open to anyone involved with the church or MPCA youth activities. The winner, announced in church yesterday, was Martin...
3 tags
Church Condemns Closure
The decision to close the services of the accident and emergency department of the Mid Ulster Hospital so suddenly is something which has shocked and disgusted the local communities of South Derry and East Tyrone. The Mid Ulster Hospital has served the needs of this community well for generations and should be classed as an asset and be developed rather than down-graded. It is heart breaking to...
2 tags
Podcast - The Power of Prayer - 16th May 2010
Rev Mark looks at active prayer, and the crucial role it should play in every aspect of our personal, and our church, lives. He looks at what can make prayer difficult, and offers some ideas for how to break down the barriers.
To listen to this or any of our podcasts from the last eight weeks click on the Sermon Podcast link on our main homepage.
2 tags
Podcast - Happy Ascension Day? - 9th May 2010
In this week’s podcast, Canon Ian McDonald discusses the crucial role that Christ’s ascension played in God’s plan, and why we should be aware of its importance. He also reflects on the Holy Spirit’s life-changing impact on our lives.
To listen to this or any of our podcasts from the last eight weeks click on the Sermon Podcast link on our main homepage.