Aghavea Parish Church

Hi folks This is very urgent!  I ask you to read this carefully and consider helping. Our Mothers' Union have been contacted - as with the other groups - to ask for help!  The hospitals are desperately short of teddy bears and blankets.  These knitted items are given to children and babies who arrive in to the Emergency Department and the Neo-Natal unit to comfort them in their distress, and to distract them from the emergency situation they find themselves in. I have downloaded a simple pattern for a teddy bear - but if you have a better pattern, please share it with me and I'll share it with the wider community!  Please do not use Angora wool - or any related "flavour" as the young children put them in their mouths, and we do not want hairs coming off in their mouths. If you need any materials (wool, stuffing, etc), please send your receipts and I'll ensure that you are reimbursed ( even though our Treasurer doesn't know it yet, haha ). If you have...

Aghavea Parish Church A CELEBRATION OF WHOLENESS AND HEALING GREETING In the name of Christ, we welcome you. We have been called out of darkness into God's marvellous light. Grace and peace be with you   and also with you. HYMN The love of God has been poured into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us: we dwell in him and he lives in us. Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; and speak of all his marvellous works. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty; who was and is and is to come. THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (or the Collect of Healing may be used) Heavenly Father, you anointed your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with power to bring to us the blessings of your kingdom.   Anoint your Church with the same Holy Spirit, that we who share in his suffering and victory may bear witness to the gospel of salvation; through J...

Well folks, the First Minister recently announced that from 29th June, churches can reopen to allow Sunday worship.  This is the next step in the inevitable return towards some form of normality.  Many parishes have welcomed this news with enthusiasm and have announced the steps and precautions that they will employ to facilitate the reopening of their churches. We fall into the other camp - we will take a while to consider our options and announce our next step in time.  We are in the extremely fortunate position in that we can easily operate a drive-in church in our parish carpark.  I am certainly enjoying the outdoor experience, and in these difficult times, it has been a blessing to have had so many of our parishioners join us in their cars or online via our streaming option. There is a lot of extra work involved in bringing a congregation back into the church building again, and as I write this blog, the "2 metre rule" is still in effect - so we would only...

Hi folks It seems that although the lockdown is progressing slowly everywhere else, church assemblies inside the buildings is still off limit!  That make no matter at all - we'll keep on keeping on with our original plans and gather in the car park at the Parish Hall!  The church building is still looking fantastic - and a special mention to the team that cleaned it again recently, thank you - but the church can meet anywhere, and we will continue to make the best of the present circumstances. The First Sunday after Trinity marks the start of "Ordinary Time" until the weeks before Advent - but there's nothing ordinary about the Gospel - it's still absolutely extraordinary!  God still loves, Jesus still saves, the Holy Spirit still lives within us - and there's still work to be done. Hopefully see you all on Sunday 14th June at 11am in Aghavea!  Let's hope the weather continues to hold up! Blessings Johnny

Hi folks. We need to pray hard for Sunday morning! This Sunday marks Trinity Sunday in the liturgical calendar. It is an important day in our church year in which we mark the true importance of the godhead. We will do so by having our third Drive-through church service in Aghavea at 11am. It will be a service of Holy Communion, although only the rector and our parish reader will receive the elements. We will however all receive the benefit of the blessing from the actions. We need prayer, because the weekend weather isn’t looking overly favourable at the moment! I’m sure it won’t stop anyone coming along, and I know that our online congregation will still be with us, but pray hard, nonetheless!! Keep safe, and I hope to see you on Sunday. Johnny Rector

Hi folks Here's an update on this weekend's service.  We are going to be hosting our first (in my time anyway) drive-in church service!  We will gather at 11am, staying in our cars, and join together as we worship God.  It will still be streamed online - so you can stay in your home if you feel more secure. There are a few serious guidlines that we will need you to observe: 1. ONLY ATTEND IF YOU FEEL WELL ENOUGH AND FEEL SECURE ENOUGH TO DO SO!!!  We prefer that you were well rather than feeling obligated to be out. 2 . Don't offer lifts to people outside your family - the social distancing guidelines are still in force. 3 . Please park where you are directed to, the church and glebe wardens will be "seating" everyone! 4. STAY IN YOUR CAR!! 5. STAY IN YOUR CAR!! 6 . Feel perfectly free to wind your windows down, and to shout over to those parked around you, but please, please observe rules 4 and 5 ! 7 . You will be given a service sheet at the s...

Holy Communion Two This Sunday sees us return to Aghavea Parish Church to celebrate Holy Communion on the Sixth Sunday of Easter.  Our service will be live on the rector's Facebook feed (search Johnny McLoughlin) and a link will be provided shortly after it finishes. Our readings and prayers are as follows: Collect of the Day God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Readings Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21 Prayer during Holy Communion  Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, refresh me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Let me never be separated from you. From the malicious enemy defend ...

Hi folks As I am writing this blog, our First Minister Arlene Foster and our Deputy First Minister Michele O'Neill are announcing that from Monday 18th May 2020 they are allowing the country to enter the first step of the recovery from the pandemic. From that date, Recycling centres and Garden centres are allowed to open - but for us, the better news is that we can start looking at other ways to do "church".  Step One outlines that we are allowed to start a "drive-in" church.  That sounds like something that you do in the summer time - but with the proper steps and equipment, it can work for us! Our church property is ideally suited for this type of experience, with a fantastic church carpark and ample room for everyone to get in!  You will have to remain in our cars , but at least we could still turn up and worship together!  I wonder would we be interested in starting out this way, and coming together to worship, even in this unusual manner?  If it work...

Hi folks Our leaders have spoken and set out a phased return to normality - but in their own words, it's going to take time!  They, and their many advisers, have been sensible enough to not put time limits or dates on each of the steps - which is perfectly correct in my eyes.  How can we predict how the virus will spread as we start to permit more social interaction and activities? While I would love to get everyone back out to church on a Sunday - I think that we have a long and impatient wait as yet.  I would love to get back to the "old routine", but again, I think that we will have to remain as patient as we can.  The Church has a spiritual calling to tend to the souls in its care, and while that is our paramount calling, we also have a physical calling to care for those who gather in our buildings and surroundings.  I long for the day we gather in our church building to worship God together, but I understand the risks involved in the meantime and can ap...

Hi folks As a former Computer Consultant, you'd think that I would love using tecnology - whereas the exact opposite is probably closer to the truth!  Sometimes even the best thought-out plans can be derailed by the simplest of links crashing! I realise that our internet connection is better than most enjoy this far into the countryside, but I apologise for the occasions that it fails and I lose the stream of thought.  The only way to guarantee that this isn't a real issue would be to record the services first, and upload them as a single video - however I am loath to do this at the moment. I love the spontaineity of the live recording - and the mistakes, niggles and errors are all part of the joy of going live.  I enjoy the feeling of God's presence and control when streaming live, knowing that I am not using the opportunity to change my message at any stage.  Our parishioners would also report that it feels just like normal - I make the same mistakes, niggles...

Hi folks I'm feeling like a true liturgical renegade nowadays!  I've went slightly off-book with our readings for the last fortnight - the first week looking at the Ten Commandments , the second at the " I am ..." sayings of Jesus.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the preparation and lessons we have received from each day, and so I've decided to continue the theme of themes! Next week, I have decided to consider the role of some of the many " Women in the Bible ". I have chosen some fairly major characters, and a few minor ones who still played a huge role in God's plans in their lives. Monday morning - Eve Link - MP2 11-05-2020        Monday evening -   Sarah Link - EP1 11-05-2020a . EP1 11-05-2020b (The first link crashed at my end, and I had to restart) Tuesday morning - Rachel Link - MP1 12-05-2020 Tuesday evening -   Rahab    Wednesday morning - Bathsheba Link - MP2 13-05-2020 Wednesday evening - Ruth and Naomi Li...

Fifth Sunday in Easter Sunday morning Holy Communion will have the theme of a celebration of the Victory in Europe day (8th May 2020).  Service is live on the rector's Facebook live stream at 11am.  There will be a link to the service on our website and on our Facebook page as soon as we finish. HC 10-05-2020 Our readings for the service are as follows: Psalm 3 Micah 4: 1-5 Romans 8: 31-39 Luke 24: 1-9 Collect of the Day Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: Grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Communion Prayer Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, refresh me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, he...

Seventy five years ago, on 8th May 1945, the Prime Minister announced the end of war in Europe with Germany's surrender.  Peace fell across the continent, but the violence continued elsewhere in the world until 2nd September, when Japan capitulated to the Allied Forces. We are extremely thankful to those who served their country, and to those who paid the ultimate price to assure us of a peaceful future, and we continue to pray for those who lost loved ones to the conflict.  Seventy five years later, the world is a different place, but still faces new perils that were unthinkable even a few months ago. Our parish will formally recognise their service and commitment during our Holy Communion service on Sunday 10th May at 11am.  Please consider joining us for the service, and worship with us as we come around God's table, listen to his words, and praise him together. I hope you keep safe until then.

Hi folks Following last week’s series of Bible studies on the Ten Commandments, I am going to run a another series of linked readings and studies through this week. This week we will look at the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John - and a few extra studies to round off the week. The different sets of readings for each service are listed below, and a link to the services will be added following the respective service. Monday morning – I am Psalm 103 Exodus 3: 1-15 Revelation 1: 1-8 MP1 04-05-2020 Monday evening – I am the Good Shepherd Psalm 112, 113, 114 Deuteronomy 9.1-21 John 10: 11-18 EP2 04-05-2020 Tuesday morning – I am the light of the world Psalm 48, 52 Exodus 32.15-34 John 8: 12-20 Please excuse the "wobbliness" at times in today's service - we were travelling along in the car at the time, although I wasn't driving! MP2 05-05-2020 Tuesday evening – I am the bread of life Psalm 115, 116 Deuteronomy 9.23-10.5 John 6: 25-...

Hi folks, Here's the link to the service.   HC1 03-05-2020 This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  We are presented with some of the best known passages in the Scriptures, showing Christ as the ultimate carer and protector of his flock. Our service is Holy Communion, as will be all our Sunday services until we can meet again as a congregation in our church building.  Again, we will share the Communion virtually, safe in the knowledge that the God of Communion is much bigger than our church building could possibly be, and will be with us all as we gather.  Everyone is welcome to join our service, and all Christians are always welcome to share in our celebration of Holy Communion. As a change, we will use Holy Communion One, starting on page 180 (BCP). The service will be streamed live on Sunday via Facebook, and a link will be added to this post as soon as it is finished. Readings: Acts 2: 42-47 Psalm 23 1 ...

Hi folks Our Friday services conclude our week's theme of considering the Ten Commandments.  Please find links to the services below. Morning Prayer - Eighth and Ninth Commandments Readings: Psalm 139 Exodus 20: 1-17 Ephesians 4: 17-32 MP2 01-05-2020 Evening Prayer - Tenth Commandment and Summary Readings: Psalm 149 Exodus 20: 1-17 Romans 13: 8-14 EP2 01-05-2020

It's been a strange year so far!  We'd only just gotten back into our lovely refurbished church building and then along comes a pandemic!  Just as we had thought that church life had been about to return to the old normality, the world decided to do something completely different! We have discovered that "church" doesn't have to depend on where we meet, or even "if" we meet up on a Sunday - we can always find a different way to encourage and worship together.  I'm delighted that so many have been following our daily and weekly services streaming on Facebook - and if you don't have a Facebook account, no problems at all, just follow the links to the services from our own webpage here! I would like to thank everyone who have been working so hard behind the scenes to keep our church running so smoothly.  I would like to thank Albert and Frances for their dedication and skills in producing the Annual Church Reports.  Normally, they would have bee...

Hi folks Thanks for continuing to support the church through your prayers - and we are delighted to continue to support each other. Here are links to the services for Thursday 30th April: Morning Prayer - Sixth Commandment Psalm 136 Exodus 20: 1-17 Matthew 5: 21-26 MP2 30-4-2020 Evening Prayer - Seventh Commandment Psalm 73 Deuteronomy 5: 1-21 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 EP1 30-4-2020

Hi folks Thank you to those who continue to join us online, and leave comments on our Facebook pages.  For those who haven't been able to join us live, here are links to the services for Wednesday 29th April 2020. If you ever have any problems accessing the services, just let me know. Keep safe. Rector Morning Prayer - Fourth Commandment Psalm 34 Exodus 20: 1-17 Colossians 3: 1-11 MP 29-4-2020 Celebration of Wholeness and Healing - Fifth Commandment Psalm 72 Deuteronomy 5: 1-22 John 8: 21-29 CWH 29-4-2020

Hi folks Please find links to the Morning and Evening Prayer services on Tuesday 28th April 2020.  We continue our short series of contemplations on the second and third of the Ten Commandments.  I hope you'll find them enlightening, and possibly a challenge to how you understand their significance in today's world. Thank you for your patience and allowing me to conduct this morning's service with my dog in my arms.  Bruno suffers from fairly serious fits and convulsions from time to time, and when he does, he always wants his "daddy" to hold him, and clings to him the rest of the day.  At the time of posting, he has recovered well, but is sticking to me like superglue!  Thanks to all those who asked after him. Morning Prayer readings Psalm 98, 99, 100 Exodus 20: 1-17 John 4: 19-26 MP1 28-4-2020 Evening Prayer readings Psalm 71 Deuteronomy 5: 1-22 Hebrews 12: 14-29 EP2 28-4-2020