New Year's Eve

Many of you might already have plans for New Year's Eve, but others will not. So, whatever: our home is open on New Year's Eve from 7 pm to midnight. Come and go as you please. We can chat and play Wii and other games like Balderdash etc. If you want to bring some drinks (soft drinks) and a little treat please feel free; but if not, that's fine. We'll pray over the water when the Shloer runs out!

 

Jack

 

Open Home

For those interested we'll be watching the "Aston Villa v Liverpool" game on TV tonight. It starts at 7.45. Some are coming earlier with Chinese etc and to play a few games on the Wii before the match. You are welcome to come along. Bring your own Chinese (food that is).

 

Jack

 

  

Weekly Contact 29 Dec 2009

Well wouldn't you know it; even during holidays I'm still expected to do a Weekly Contact? Only jesting! I'm glad that some of you missed it and were looking for it. Well here it is, albeit a day late!

 

This is the last Weekly Contact of 2009 and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to stay in touch with people through email, although nothing beats meeting face to face and connecting with each other in person. Television should NEVER take the place of church, regardless of what's on, whether it's Christian or the next best thing - Liverpool! and email should never take the place of connecting with people person to person. I look forward to staying connected and hopefully improving relationships in 2010.

 

What can YOU do to stay connected and to improve relationships in 2010?

 

Sunday Morning: was a short service with worship and a little bit of fun with the kids. If your child was on the platform and I did not speak to them personally please do not take it personal! There were so many kids with toys it made me feel like I was in the middle of "Toys R Us". I will hopefully send a few photos later.

 

This happened to be the last service at New Life City Church in 2009. Thanks to everyone who came along. You now have the opportunity of being with us for the first service in 2010 which is this coming Sunday at 11.30 am. Hope to see you then.

 

I hope you had a great Christmas and that you helped others get the most out of the season. If anything broke down, I hope you got it fixed, like the door of a coffee stand or a burst pipe.

 

Avatar: Kathleen and I went to watch Avatar last night in 3D. It was a good movie, but a disturbing commentary on what we as humans would do if we found life on other planets (not that there is life on other planets; so you don't need write back to ask!), but if there was and that planet had something we wanted we would kill them and take it. But hey, go and watch the movie.

 

Prayer: There are still people and issues that continue to need prayer. A few examples are Coleen's dad in hospital (I went to see him today and prayed with him); Billy Haddock's mother (I'll be calling to see her at home soon); Violet Miller's son Colin; Terry and Eileen; and Sylvia Moore's brother. Ther are many others who need prayer. Some make it church, while with others their illness keeps them at home. The Bible instructs us to pray for one another and to encourage each other.

 

Colin & Carole: are heading to Madeira (where they make great cake!) for week beginning this coming Thursday until 8 January. We trust they have a great time away and that Colin doesn't eat too much of that Madeira Cake! 

 

Enjoy the rest of the holiday and I wish you all a Happy and truly blessed New Year.

 

And remember: Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

 

 

 

Boxing Night

Hope y'al had a great Chrismas Day.

 

I'm starting a new campaign; it's called "Let's put the T back into Chrismas!"

 

Anyway, Liverpool v Wolves kicks off at 5.30 on ESPN. If you are a Liverpool Fan and you want to watch it you can come to my home for 5.30. If you want to watch it in HD you can go Craig McCurley's, but the company's better here!

 

Kathleen is throwing the home open from 7.30 for games on the Wi etc. So feel free to come along.

 

Other than that, see you in church tomorrow at 11.30 am

 

Happy Boxing Day (when the well off give fill up boxes with food and clothes etc to give the poor).

 

Jack  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you see the motorcycle?

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Cars; motor bikes and mobile phones do not mix!

*Do you see the motorcycle?* *Now do you see it?* *The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately* * 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she* * pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the* *motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not sufficient* *enough to avoid this accident. The car had two passengers* *and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact* *and landed 20 feet from where the collision took place.* *    All three involved (two in the car and the bike rider) were** * *killed instantly**. This graphic demonstration was placed at* *the Motorcycle Fair by the Police and Road Safety* *Department.* *Pass this on to car drivers or soon to be* *new drivers, or new motorcycle owners** **AND ESPECIALLY EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS A MOBILE PHONE!!!!!* * A picture is worth a thousand words.* *Wake up people, Stop talking on Mobile phones and* *Texting while trying to drive. Put your Mobile phone* *in the back seat !!!*

Prayer

We are told to pray for one another and to bear one another's burdens. Colleen Fulton's dad is very seriously ill. Colleen is under some "pressure" lately for several reasons. She has been putting in the hours to support her mother. Kathleen and I called to her parent's home tonight. We prayed with her dad before leaving. Please remember Colleen and especially her dad and mum at this time.

 

There are of course others who need prayer and encouragement. Please do you best to encourage one another during this Christmas season. Barnabas was an encourager. You will find the moment you think of others and begin to encourage others it will come back to you. So be an encourager and be encouraged.

 

I do not always hear things firsthand, so if you know of someone who needs encouragement or who needs prayer please send me an email.

 

By the way: one eagle eyed Deborah McCurley noticed the deliberate mistake in my Weekly Contact where I said the last service of 2010 instead of 2009! This is Sunday 27 December at 11.30 am.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

Jack 

Some Pics from Sunday Night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Contact Sun 20 Dec 2009

Thanks again to all who came along and helped to make the weekend such a success. This was the last weekend before Christmas and many of you made the point of getting out to church. While I know that many more could have been out to New Life I was encouraged by those who were and also by the fact that many were out for the first time on both Saturday and Sunday nights.

 

The Dinner and New Life's got Talent

 

A great night last night. Thanks to all who were bold enough to enter the Talent Show. Everyone did really well, but as they always say "There can only be one winner" and that one winner last night was Aaron Nutt. Sadly for Daniel and Mia they were runners up for the second year in a trot. Maybe next year their parents will enter and perhaps win it for them! The Twins were late entries and were dark horses; you know "he's Johnny and I'm Jake and together we're called Johnny and Jake" or better still "Joke!" But hey, well done everyone.

 

Wedding

 

I did a Wedding Service today at the Belfast Castle for two American friends Tom Croyle and Christine Buchanan. They had an amazing day. Thanks to everyone for making them feel so welcome last night. They really enjoyed the evening and of course the wedding at the castle. Here's a couple of little photo :

 

 

 

 

Sunday Night Special

 

Thanks again to everyone who took part. This truly was a night for the children and of course the adults. Thanks to JC's and to Crown Jesus Ministries who put on an amazing Puppet Show. There were loads of strangers out tonight, these included parents of children and family and friends, besides a few who received a card through their door.

 

Special Thanks

 

To Colin Morrison for being so much involved and helpful whether it's been doing the weekly Newsletter, or the Cards to invite people to church, or liaising with the caterers and taking everyone's orders and money etc etc; thanks to everyone who came along to give out invitations on the Falls and on the Shankill. It was great to hear of people saying on both roads that they knew about New Life and where we were. We now need to stay focused on encouraging people (you heard me - encouraging people) to come along.

 

Christmas

 

The last I heard, Christmas is still on. There are only 4 more sleep nights until Christmas after tonight (Sunday). So let me, very sincerely, wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

 

Next Sunday

 

This will be our last service of 2010. It will be a short service, starting at 11.30 and ending at 12.30. Please pull out all the stops and put all excuses to the one side and come along for this special service. For those with children, bring them along with one of their toys they got for Christmas and we will bring them to the platform. 

 

Have a great Christmas week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

 

 

LEAFLETS

Colin Morrison has printed invitations to the Sunday night Christmas Special. He has already given some of these out, but is asking for help to hand the rest out on Saturday on the Shankill and Falls. Please contact him if you are able to help.

 

I will hand some out on Friday along the Falls Road at 2 pm for about an hour. Anyone want to come along let me know.

 

Where are all the budding evangelists? All you need to do is hand someone a little card!

 

Jack

What would you do?

 

I thought this was so funny and is worth sending on. This is a true story.

 

 

 

 

"Good news is that I truly outdid myself this year with my Christmas decorations. 

 

The bad news is that I had to take him down after two days.I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories.  But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

 

Second, a 55-year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize that it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). 

 

By the way, she was one of the many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either.  I have more than a few tyre tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

 

 

Weekly Contact 14 Dec 2009

In the Spirit of Christmas, which is goodwill and peace to all men:

 

We are fast approaching the end of another year, so let's make the most of the weeks that are left. Once again I deeply appreciate seeing everyone come together to worship God and to study his Word. I do not normally do this, but yesterday morning I stood at the back of the church and was very much encouraged not only by the depth of worship, but also by the participation of all who had gathered. I know we are all different, yet we are one in the spirit and it is always good to see people stepping out of their comfort zones and letting go of inhibitions and just worshipping God. For some reason I think women find this so much easier than men, yet I was delighted to see many of our men just entering in. Keep it up men, for as wise men still follow Jesus, the father still seeks those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

Jonathan brought an encouraging word to all who are hurting, who have been wounded and scarred. He asked several people to share about scars on their bodies. Many more could have done so; in fact some were disappointed they did not get the opportunity. Maybe another day! Or maybe not!

 

Anyway many raised their hands to reveal the fact they had physical scars; but I wonder who doesn't! Jonathan went to show that these scars are a permanent reminder of painful past experiences. Yet not all scars are physical, for many carry emotional scars that last a lifetime. These can be caused by the loss of a loved one or the loss of a friend; they can be caused by the sudden loss of employment or other unexpected traumatic experiences.

 

Isa. 53 "He was wounded (scarred) for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that was meant for us was laid upon him; and by his wounds we are healed". This verse shows that Christ has gone through suffering, but it ends in hope = by his wounds we are healed. Jesus knows rejection, for he was despised and rejected, and he understands our suffering and the things that scar us in life, but he heals the broken-hearted and he binds up our wounds.

 

We went into a time of prayer prior to communion and we prayed for those who needed healing from those things that scar us in life. I sense that even now, in sending this email I should do so with prayer. So if you are reading this and you know you carry scars that remind you of past experiences, perhaps even recent; scars caused by circumstances; scars caused by people; perhaps by friends or family or even Christians, I pray you will reach and receive healing; but perhaps you need to let go of your own anger and judgemental spirit, no matter how right you might be; just let it go, because that could be a major blockage to the blessing of God in your life. Just let go and receive healing from those wounds.

 

FIST: Quite number of "MEN" got together last night for another good discussion. Last week it was "Our devotion to God"; this week it was "Our devotion to Church". Keep it up men.

 

Prayer: Ten more shopping days and one more Thursday night Prayer Meeting to Christmas! But what excites you more? I know the answer! But just in case I get accused of being judgemental I am not telling you what it is! You just go ahead and answer it! But hey, there's still a lot of shopping to do and still a lot of praying to do and people to pray for.

 

Christmas Dinner: This Saturday 19th at 7 pm followed by "New Life's Got Talent". We have 130 booked in, but there is still room for a few more. Contact Colin at colinmorrison56@googlemail.com

 

If you are not coming to the dinner, please feel free to come along for the entertainment afterwards. We would plan to start this between 8.45 and 9 pm. So please come along and join in the fun.

 

Christmas Family Special: Sunday 20 December there will be NO Sunday morning service, but there will be the Christmas Family Special at 7 pm. It would be awesome if we had a full turn out as we celebrate Christmas together. This will involve the Worship Team; JC Kids and Crown Jesus Ministries.

 

As this is the 3rd Sunday of the month, the offering that night will be our building fund offering. Wouldn't it be amazing if this, the Sunday before Christmas, was the biggest offering of the year!

 

Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANKS

Thanks to everyone who turned to help with sofas and tables. Ya'l did a great job. Coffee & tea will be available upstairs on Sunday mornings from 10.30 - 11.20. For Childcare purposes, only JC's Sunday School and Crèche should be upstairs after this. Everyone else should be in the service.

 

Thanks again.

 

Jack 

 

 

Help Needed

Sofas arrived today. We need to get them upstairs on Staurday morning. So this is a call for help. If you can give a bit of muscle and time, please be at City Life Centre on Saturday for 10 am. Thanks.

 

FIST: is on this coming Sunday. Doors open for drinks etc at 5.45. Programme starts at 6.15.

 

Christmas Dinner. We have over 120 booked in, but you don't need to miss out. We can still take a few more. Contact Colin Morrison.

 

Jack

Weekly Contact 6 December 2009

Tonight is my night at home while Kathleen goes to GLOW, so it gives me an opportunity to do this Weekly Contact early. So you might get this on Sunday night!

 

Anyway, I know I keep saying this, but we had another great time in church this morning. As soon as the Worship Team began to play and sing and people joined in there was an immediate sense of the presence of God. It was one of those mornings when everything seemed to connect and flow. During the singing of "How He Loves Me" I moved to the front and began to speak about God's desire to reach out to us and embrace us. I spoke of those in need of healing and deliverance, whether at home or in the service. I shared the names of those who needed prayer and then invited people to come forward.

 

Several people came to the front of the church. The worship team again began to lead us in "How He Loves Me"; and I began to pray for those at the front and for those not with us, while inviting people to think of others and to pray for them. It was an awesome time as we reached out to God together. Immediately after this I took to the platform to bring the message.

 

This morning's message was: "Christmas Under Pressure". This was a follow on to last week's "Christians Under Pressure". We saw that Christmas is under pressure from the following three things:

 

1. Global Warming (but China is coming to the rescue!)

2. Global Atheism (they threaten our day, but we do not threaten theirs, which is the 1st April!)

3. Christian Apathy (Christians who are easily bored and have no interest in promoting the truth about Christ or Christmas)

 

Both of these messages, "Christians Under Pressure" and "Christmas Under Pressure", can be ordered from our Church Administrator, Colin Morrison, for £3 each. Thanks again to all who came along and helped make the service another memorable experience. I only wish that others whom we have constantly reached out to would likewise join with us, but what more can we do?

 

Coming Events: I have attached our Weekly Newsletter, which is done by Colin Morrison. This gives details of all events. However, I want to mention the following:

 

PRAYER: Unless otherwise announced, there will be Prayer Times at City Life on Mondays from 11 - 12 noon; and on Thursdays from 7.45 - 9 pm.   

 

FIST: next Sunday night for all the men 

 

Christmas Dinner: Saturday 19th at 7 pm followed by "New Life's Got Talent". Still room for some more. Contact Colin at colinmorrison56@googlemail.com

 

Christmas Family Special: Sunday 20 December at 7 pm. There will be no Sunday morning service that day, but we would ask for a full turn out as we celebrate Christmas together. This will involve the Worship Team; JC Kids and Crown Jesus Ministries.

 

FINANCES: A huge thanks to everyone who gives regularly to the ongoing running costs for church, both in tithes and offerings. These tithes and offerings are the financial life blood of any church. Thanks also to those who contribute an additional £25 per month towards the repayment of our loan for refurbishment. This is a huge help. If you would like to become one of these please let me know. One person gave me £500 this morning as part of a £1,000 gift. Others have done this and more, and for all of this we are so grateful. Please continue to pray for our financial situation.

 

YOUR CHURCH! Is New Life City Church your church? If not, why not? If it is, then how do you contribute to the life and the development of the church? If everyone gave financially into Your Church as you have given during the past 2 months, how well would the church be able to cover its expenses? If everyone attended Your Church as much as you have done during the past 2 months, how well would they have attended? If everyone talked about Your Church in the same you have talked about it during the past 2 months, how well do you think the church has been talked about? As I said last week, if you do need encouragement or you need a visit, please email me direct and let me know. Your email will be confidential.

 

Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack