And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke chapter 2, verses 10 & 11

 

Church  of  Ireland  WOODBURN,  CARRICKFERGUS  

 

DECEMBER  2012  A  Bible  in  their  hands  

A  Saviour  in  their  hearts  A  Purpose  in  their  lives  

 

www.holytrinitycarrick.org.uk  

LEADERSHIP  TEAM  Rev.  Alan  McCann           028  9336  2126  Jack  Blair               028  9337  8130  Rector’s  Warden  –  Vic  Wootton       0777  2512  531  People’s  Warden  –  Garry  Richmond     028  9336  1549  GB  Captain  –  Sandra  Montgomery     028  9336  4075  BB  Captain  –  Drew  Buchanan  MBE     028  9336  5620  Potter’s  House  Supt.  –  Vicky  Watson     028  9336  0523  Youth  Club  Leader  –  Maurice  Dalzell     028  9335  1236  

Text  2  Corinthians  8  verse  9    

Dear  Friends,  

That  may  appear  to  be  a  strange  text  to  read  during  this  festive  season  but  for  me  it  speaks  profoundly  about  Christmas.    If  you  have  a  copy  of   Eugene   Petersen’s   The   Message   read   the   text   again   and   see   the  fuller   meaning   that   he   draws   out.     At   Christmas   time   our   western  world  over  indulges  itself  more  than  usual.    More  presents,  more  food,  more   parties   and  more   debt.     Every   year   I   hear   people   saying   that  they  are  going  to  be  buying  less  this  year  and  yet  they  feel  unable  to  follow  through  on   that  promise   to   themselves.    The  TV  channels  are  full  of  advertisements  for  the  latest  must  have  toy.    Supermarkets  are  full   of   special   offers   and   the   luxurious   food   that   is   available   is   a  weight-­‐watchers  nightmare.    Now  read  again  the  verse  above.    Isn’t  it  amazing  at   the  time  of   the  year  when  people  spend  the  most  money  that   the   One   whose   birth   it   is   we   are   supposed   to   be   celebrating  actually  became  poor  for  us.  He  left  the  glory  and  majesty  of  heaven  to  be   born,   not   in   a   palace   though   he   was   the   King   of   kings,   but   in   a  stable.    His  crib  was  no  four-­‐poster  bed  or  Moses  basket.    No  nursery  with  central  heating  but  a  feeding  trough  filled  with  straw  (and  it  may  not  have  even  been  fresh  straw).    He  gave  up  all  the  riches  of  heaven  to  become  poor  for  us  so  that  we  might  become  rich  in  him.    He  was  born   in   a   stable,   to   a   frightened   young   virgin  mother,   into   a   hostile  world  where  he  would  meet  a  cruel  death  on  a  cross.      As  in  birth  so  in  death  –  Jesus  was  buried  in  a  borrowed  tomb  as  he  had  no  tomb  of  his  own,   but   then   he   wouldn’t   need   it   for   long!     His   death   and  resurrection  were  the  reason  for  his  birth  –  the  salvation  of  the  world.    Now  let  me  ask  you  a  personal  question:    Has  Christ  enriched  you?    In  the  midst  of  all  the  money  you  will  spend  this  Christmas  are  you  rich  in   faith  and   spirit   towards  Christ   Jesus?    Christmas  without   Jesus   in  our  lives  is  just  another  empty  cultural  ritual  in  which  we  indulge  our  greed,  our  passions  and  increase  our  debt.    Yet  the  One  to  whom  we  

owe   the   greatest   debt   became   poor   that  we  might,   in   Him,   become  rich.    Keep  that  at  the  heart  of  your  Christmas  celebrations  this  year.    May  Christ  richly  bless  you  this  Christmas.  

God bless,  

Rev Alan McCann

Youth Club News

The club’s last night will be Friday 14th December 2012. We will be having a Christmas party on this night so please do come along and enjoy the fun!

The club will re-open on Friday 11th January 2013 @ 7.30pm. We will be looking again at our membership to see if there are any available places as some members who joined in September have not returned. I’ll let you know if there are any new places available.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of all Youth Club leaders to wish you all a merry Christmas and God’s blessing for 2013.

Remember to keep Christ in Christmas!

God Bless

Bert Macartney.

From the Treasurer Thank  you   to  everyone  who  completed   standing  order   forms.  These  will  be  processed  and  send  to  your  bank  in  time  for  the  January  2013  payment.  

Envelopes   for   2013   will   be   available   from   Sunday   9th   December  2012.   If   you   would   like   a   set   of   envelopes   please   speak   to   Donna  Harrison.  

GIFT  AID.  

Please  note  HMRC  will   not   allow  double  names  on   the  next  Gift  Aid  return.    We  will  assume  the  male  member  of  the  family  is  the  taxpayer  and   their   name   will   be   recorded   against   your   donation   unless   you  advise  Karen  Buchanan  that  that  is  not  the  case.  

Fundraising Pantomime Tickets available from the Fundraising Committee.

A tuck shop will be available at both performances.

Matinee 3:00pm

Evening 7:30pm

 

 

 

Wedding  Dress  Extravaganza  

A  big  thank-­‐you  to  Janis  and  a  great  team  who  worked  so  hard  to  make  the  Wedding  Dress  Extravaganza  a  real  success  not  just  financially  but  a  real  night's  entertainment.  Thank  you  to  the  men  who  did  supper  and  did  it  so  well.  Over  £800  raised.  

Christmas  Sale  

The  fundraising  committee  thank  you  for  your  support  at  yesterday's  sale.  

Giant  Christmas  card  

We  had  this  several  years  ago.  The  idea  is  instead  of  buying  Christmas  cards  for  friends  in  the  congregation  you  write  your  message  to  your  friends  on  OUR  big  Christmas  card  and  make  a  minimum  donation  of  £5  towards  our  Building  Fund  target.  

Finally  please  continue  to  pray  for  the  committee  as  we  start  to  look  at  events  for  2013.  

Keep updated with our Holy Trinity Fundraising Facebook page.

Drew Buchanan

Hon Treasurer.

YOUNG AT HEART

Ladies,   this   month   is   our   Christmas   Dinner.   We   are   to   meet   at   the  Clarion  Hotel  at  12:30  on  Monday  3rd  December.    

See  you  there.  

God Bless. Ann, Eva and Violet

Crèche Rota – Dec 2012

Sunday 2nd Dec 2011

Sharon McNeill

Maureen Lunn

Adrienne Tasker

Joan Cummings

Sunday 9th Dec 2011

Brenda Frame

Fiona Moody Sharon Piddock

Joy Graham

Sunday 16th Dec 2011

NO CRECHE NO CRECHE NO CRECHE NO CRECHE

Sunday 23rd Dec 2011

NO CRECHE NO CRECHE NO CRECHE NO CRECHE

Please swap with somebody else on the rota if you are unable to do your day. Thanks to everyone who helps and if you would like to help on the rota or wish to change your slot please speak to me or phone 07706707332.

God Bless, Sharon McNeill

Select Vestry

If anyone wants an item raised at the Select Vestry please contact:

Fiona Moody secretary@holytrinitycarrick.org.uk drew Buchanan: treasurer@holytrinitycarrick.org.uk or any member of SV. This includes booking the church hall for any events.

Fiona Moody

9 Lessons and Carols Service Everyone is invited to the 9 Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday 16th December at 6pm. All music will be by the choir and musical ensemble featuring a children’s choral group.

Louise Hanley

Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Club Tuesdays 10am-11.30am.

Please note there will be no class on 18th, 25th December and 1st January 2013. There will be NO PRICE INCREASE IN 2013 AND

MEMBERSHIP will remain FREE, when you pay for 4 weeks £24.00. Come along, you will be very welcome. For further details-please visit our website www.rosemaryconley.com/classes Or contact Avril on 9335 5129

or E-mail: avril.waller@rosemaryconley.com

Avril  Waller  

8th Carrickfergus Company

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

BB news

The Company won the Battalion Roy McCune trophy again for the 12th time in 13 years.

We recently won 2 shields at the table tennis and 4 trophies at the badminton Battalion competitions.. Please check out the website for full details and photographs.

For the first time we have entered the National Table Tennis and Badminton competitions. We will report next month on how we got on.

8 seniors boys really enjoyed the experience of Marching at the London Cenotaph, pictures on the website.

DATES

Saturday 1st December is the Anchor and Junior outing to the Pantomime. All boys should meet at Holy trinity at 2-30pm wearing their BB polo shirt.

Friday 7th December Anchors and Juniors will be going to Ballylinney Church for a Christmas Celebration.

Monday 10th is the Christmas Parties at the normal times. No uniform required.

BB will be closed on 17th December and reopen on Monday 7th January 2013

On behalf of the company I wish all readers a very happy Christmas.

All other information relating to our Company can be found at www.8thcarrickbb.org.uk

 

Masterteam  

A  four  man  team  from  the  Company  section,  consisting  of  Adam  Fittis,  Christopher  Ringland,  Jonny  Morgan  and  Kyle  Hutton,  took  part  in  the  first  round  of  the  National  Masterteam  event  for  Boys  Brigade  companies  across  the  whole  of  the  UK.  They  succeeded  in  qualifying  for  the  next  round  of  the  competition,  coming  second  behind  the  100th  Belfast  ahead  of  teams  from  Gransha  and  Greenisland.  The  second  round  will  take  place  in  January  2013.  How  would  you  have  fared  answering  the  same  questions?  Below  is  a  sample  of  the  questions:  

1.  How  many  gold  medals  did  Team  GB  win  in  London  2012  Olympics?  

2.  What  was  the  theme  of  the  Opening  Ceremony?  (Clue:  The.......of.........)  

3.  Suffolk,  Punch  and  Hackney  are  three  types  of  what?  

4.  Complete  this  phrase  “Billions  of  Blue  Blistering..............”  

5.  What  animal  is  on  the  badge  of  a  Lamborghini?  

6.  In  which  European  capital  would  you  find  the  sports  team,  Young  Boys?  

7.  What  happened  if  you  missed  two  consecutive  parade  nights,  without  good  reason,  in  the  1st  Glasgow  BB  when  it  started  in  1883?  

8.  What  was  the  title  of  Gary  Barlow  and  The  Military  Wives’  single  for  The  Queens’  Jubilee?  

9.  Which  Queen  single  contains  the  words  “  But  it’s  been  no  bed  of  roses,  no  pleasure  cruise”?  

10.  In  Blockbusters  style,  what  M  is  the  stretch  of  water  between  Anglesey  and  Wales?  

11.  What  A  is  a  group  of  small  islands?  

12.  Who  composed  The  Planets  Suite?  

Answers  next  month!  

Drew Buchanan MBE

- Captain

Pilates Thursdays 10am - 11.00am at Holy Trinity

The class will be closed 20th, 28th December and 3rd January 2013. If you are feeling stiff, have a sore back, or want to flatten your abdominal's, then come to Pilates. It will keep you flexible, strong, improve your posture and "give your mind peace". £5 per week, pay at the door. Talk to me or email me if you have any concerns. E-mail Avril on avrilwaller@talktalk.net or ring Avril on 9335 5129.  

Avril  Waller  

Spend And Give This Christmas

Spend and Give is an internet portal to over 200 well-known retailers including : Amazon, Carphone Warehouse, HMV, Interflora, John Lewis, Land’s End, Marks and Spencer, Mothercare, New Look, PC World, Toys R Us to name but a few. By using this portal to buy something from one of the retailers, they will make a free donation to Release International. The web address is:

www.release.spendandgive.co.uk

Please note that you do need to go through the portal to your retailer for the donation to be made.

Valerie Sprott

Announcements If you have any information you wish to pass to the congregation via the data projector please e-mail it to: david_saunderson@hotmail.com by Friday of each week. Any Microsoft Word or PowerPoint attachments should be sent by Microsoft 1997-2003

TEA and COFFEE after the Services

Volunteers are always needed to help with the tea and coffee after the service. If you can help please add your name against a date on the list, or speak to Anne or Joanne. The list is beside the donation basket on the table. All donations are to help cover the costs.

Hey everybody! This month I would love it if you could keep the Parents and Tots group in your prayers. We have had many new mums, grannies, and kiddos which is fabulous! If you could please pray that we will be a light to them as we welcome them into our church that would be wonderful. Our last Parents and Tots will be 20th December 2012 and will start back up on 17th January 2013!

If you have any questions, or feel like baking a treat for any Thursday morning please contact Amy Moffett, Liz Adair, or Cathy Wilson. God Bless, and Merry Christmas!

Amy Moffett

CD Launch

On Saturday 10th November 2012 Holy Trinity Church, Carrickfergus released their second praise album: "What A Saviour". Recorded, mixed and mastered at Chicken Shed Studio by Ruth Trimble this mix of contemporary worship songs aims to bring hope and encouragement with such poignant songs as "King of the Broken", "Healing Is In Your Hands" and "The Power of Your Name". The title track "What A Saviour" reflects the heart of the project - hearts that are grateful for all God has done for us, and hearts that seek to pour out that gratitude in praise and worship. All of the music is performed by Holy Trinity Praise Team and features the talents of other congregation musicians including a children’s vocal group and teenage musicians. This album aims to bless God and also to be a blessing to those who listen.

CDs are £8 each or two for £15, and can be purchased throughout November and December after the morning service. Alternatively please contact Louise.  

Louise Hanley

Discover Jesus: Growing Young Disciples In November we studied how to “live life to the max” by learning about how to escape temptation and how we can use this in our lives. On the 16th December we will be meeting for our Christmas party. We will also be welcoming along the new discovering Jesus group. Anyone in 1st or 2nd year at school is welcome. If you want more information speak to Alison Allen, Helen Wotton or Daniel Lafferty.

Alison Allen & Daniel Lafferty

 

Alison Allen, Joan Harvey, Fiona Moody

Vera Saunderson, Libby Todd, Nicky Quigg,

After the 10.30am service every Sunday a number of us will be available to pray with you at the front of the church. Please feel free to bring any situation for prayer. Your prayer requests will, as always, remain confidential, however should you feel that you would prefer to receive prayer in the privacy of the prayer room two of the team will be happy to move into there with you. Additionally the Prayer Team continues to meet Thursdays at 7.30pm-7.45pm to pray through the request slips that have been placed in the box. Please continue to make use of the prayer request box and please feel free to add in a request slip for continued prayer, even if you have already come for prayer in person. As has always been the case the prayer request slips are lifted for one month after which time we ask that you complete a new slip should your situation require continued prayer or we need to be updated.

God Bless, Nicky Quigg

A Special Visitor On  Sunday  16th  December  2012  Santa  will  come  to  Holy  Trinity  to  receive  gifts  for  children  in  Northern  Ireland.  Everyone  is  welcome  to  bring  a  gift  for  Santa  to  give  to  another  boy  or  girl  on  Christmas  Day.  

Uplift Performing Arts This  year’s  Christmas  Show  is  going  to  be  hosted  at  Downshire  School.  We  are  bringing  all  three  of  our  branches  together,  Carrick,  Larne  and  Greenisland,  about  140  cast  members!  Come  along  and  enjoy  an  evening  of  some  of  our  favourite  Christmas  medleys.  The  show  starts  at  6pm  on  the  15th  December.  Tickets  cost  £5  per  adult  and  children  under  the  age  of  12  get  in  free.  If  you  would  like  to  support  our  students,  tickets  can  be  purchased  through  Ryan  and  Amy  Moffett.          Our  classes  finish  for  Christmas  on  the  15th  Dec  and  will  not  start  back  until  12th  January.  If  you  would  like  more  info  about  classes,  please  feel  free  to  contact  us:     Email: info@weareuplift.com or Call: 07840453723 Web: www.weareuplift.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Ryan Moffett

 

Potter’s House Dear  Parent,  

This  year  our  special  service  on  Sunday  16th  December  is  going  to  be  a  Christingle  Service.  This  Christmas  worship  will  be  a  little  bit  different  to  our  usual  Nativity  service.    

Please  do  come  along  and  support  the  children  as  they  take  part  in  this  special  Christmas  celebration.  We  look  forward  to  seeing  you  on  Sunday  16th!  

Vicky Watson

Superintendent

The Girls’ Brigade

The captain, officers and girls would like to thank all who attended our annual enrolment service on Sunday 18th November for your continued support. It was lovely to be able to present our former captain Mrs I Moffett MBE with a bible in recognition of her service to the company over the last twenty years.

The Ladybirds/Explorers will be attending the pantomime matinee at Holy Trinity on Saturday 1st December. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Sandra Montgomery

Captain

Seed Youth Fellowship

We  have  plenty  in  store  over  the  next  month.  We  have  arranged  to  have  a  YF  Christmas  Formal  Dinner  and  we  will  be  going  out  on  Christmas  Eve  Carol  singing.  If  you  would  like  the  YF  to  call  to  your  house  when  we  go  carol  singing,  please  let  Clare  know.  We  have  been  working  through  the  book  of  Mark  with  our  Christianity  Explorer  CY  course.  Please  keep  our  members  and  leaders  in  your  prayers.        

We  have  also  been  praying  about  other  Leaders  at  the  YF.  If  you  feel  God  has  been  leading  you  to  working  with  the  youth  of  our  church  and  you  are  passionate  about  advancing  God’s  kingdom,  then  please  think  about  becoming  a  leader  at  Seed.      For  any  info:  seedyouthfellowship@gmail.com  Follow  us  on  Facebook.  

For more info please see Ryan Moffett or Clare Mulligan.

 

YOUNG  PEOPLES’  BADMINTON    

The first half of the season has gone very well with over 30 members attending on a Saturday afternoon and around 16 attending on a Thursday evening. This season we have 2 senior teams Mixed doubles team in Ulster League Divisions 7&8. Both teams have started very well with overall results of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Our Under-15 Boys team matches begin shortly in the North Down League Division 1. The senior club closes for Christmas on Thursday 20th December, re-opening on Thursday 3rd January with the junior club closing on Saturday 15th December, re-opening on Saturday 5th January. For more information please speak to any of the leaders.  

God  Bless,    

Joanne  Hunter,  Donna  Harrison,  Graeme  Hunter,  Garry  Richmond  

An Evening with Helen Roseveare A huge thank you goes to the Captain, Officers and girls of our Girls' Brigade Company for hosting our November women's event. Over 150 girls and women of all ages gathered to hear Helen Roseveare talk about her life and the love that she has for Jesus.

The girls listened wonderfully well as she told stories of God looking after her in Africa when she worked as a doctor and as an ambassador for Jesus. We hope that this was a night to remember for everyone who came. We also hope that those who bought her books have enjoyed reading them.

Helen sent an email the day after the event thanking everyone for

coming, listening and caring so much. She also wanted the girls to be thanked for their impeccable behaviour - so well done girls!

There is no women's event planned for December to allow time for everyone to spend time with family and friends but we look forward to seeing everyone again in January - watch out for the new year plans!

Janet McCann

Holy Trinity Men’s Group

Hello all and welcome to the Holy Trinity’s men’s group article, the group is open to all men within HT and we meet on the first Thursday of each month. The ethos of the group is for like-minded men to meet and have a bit of craic. We try to arrange something different each month, in September we had a tour around Belfast city hall and last month (October) 8 of us went to the Ulster aviation society’s museum at the Maze site near Lisburn. A very interesting and enjoyable night was had by all. Next month we plan to go out for a meal somewhere in Carrick so if you are interested please speak to me.

God Bless

Vic

Groan Jokes Thanks to the late Tommy Cooper

So I said to the taxi driver, 'King Arthur's Close'. He said, 'Don't worry, we'll lose him at the next set of lights'

Jumped in a taxi in Belfast and said " Ladas drive"

He said " No get the back like all the rest"

I went to the doctor the other day I said 'have you got anything for wind' so he gave me a kite.

I was nearly a step-child, my Mother said she would have left me on someone's doorstep if she'd had half a chance."

I bought my wife a wooden leg for Christmas! It's not her main present, just a stocking filler......

"Doctor, I can't pronounce my F's, T's and H's." "Well you can't say fairer than that then"

Two cannibals eating a clown. One says to the other "Does this taste funny to you?"

I went into a shop and I said, 'Can someone sell me a kettle?' The bloke said 'Kenwood' I said, 'Where is he then?

So I started playing the piano and this elephant burst into tears, I said "do you recognise the tune?"

he said "I recognise the ivory".

The pastor told me the other day, that at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter, I told him, "oh I do it all the time". No

matter where I am- In the kitchen, upstairs, the living room, I ask myself "what am I here after?"  

God Bless - Vic Wootton

(Editor’s Note: The last joke was supplied by an anonymous donor…. just thought I would blame Vic for it! I have also dedicated this joke to Amy Moffett for reasons she will understand!)

Services – December 2012

Date Reading Number Reader Title & Prayer

Leader Book Chapter & Verses

2 December 2012 1st Reading Helen Wootton HC James Chapter 5 verses 7 - 12

2nd Reading Rev Alan McCann

Prayers Libby Todd

Luke Chapter 23 verses 6 -

16

9 December 2012 1st Reading Carol Mulligan MP James Chapter 5 verses 13 - 20

2nd Reading Jonny Blair Prayers Rev Alan McCann Matthew Chapter 15 verses 21 -

28

16 December 2012 ------------ ------------ Children’s Carol Service ------------ ------------

6.00pm ------------ ------------ Nine Lessons and

Carols by Candlelight

------------ ------------

23 December 2012 Christmas Family Service

Prayers Young at Heart

24 December 2012 11.30pm Christmas Eve

HC by candlelight

25 December 2012 9.30am Christmas Day HC

10.30am Christmas Day Service and HC