Pictured in the tastefully decorated porch of Hillsborough Parish Church at Harvest Worship last Sunday morning (5th October) are L to R: David Mercer (Churchwarden), Ken Dougherty (Sexton), Revd Simon Richardson (Rector), Revd Stanley Gamble (Preacher), Julie Bell (Organist), Johnny Beare (Youth Minister), Susanna Beare and Lesley Harvey (Churchwarden).

Hillsborough Parish Church was tastefully decorated for the annual Harvest Thanksgiving services last Sunday (5th October). The recently instituted rector, the Revd Simon Richardson, led the Harvest Worship on Sunday morning and the guest speaker was former St Paul's (Lisburn) member, the Revd Stanley Gamble. Mr Gamble, who was accompanied by his wife Sarah, is now Curate Assistant of Knockbreda.

Julie Bell, who was appointed organist last April, led the harvest praise. The church choir sang the anthem 'For the beauty of the earth' and the children's choir sang Psalm 148. The congregational hymns included the well-known harvest hymns 'Come, ye thankful people, come' and 'We plough the fields and scatter'.

At Harvest Worship in Hillsborough Parish Church last Sunday morning (5th October) are Ballyworfy Poultry Farmers John and Liz McKee and their son Stephen, daughter-in-law Sharon and granddaughter Katie (6 months). They are pictured at the church window, which for the past 27 years, Liz has decorated for harvest thanksgiving.	Guest preacher, the Revd Stanley Gamble and his wife Sarah, formerly from Banbridge.

In a practical harvest address, Mr Gamble encouraged the packed congregation to pray for more Christian workers for both home and abroad. He pointed out that without Jesus, people are spiritually harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. With Jesus, people have a Good Shepherd who feeds, leads and protects them. Christians should be compassionate with non-Christians and not judgemental; they should see non-Christians as a plentiful harvest, ready to be gathered in. In conclusion he said that to resolve the problem of too few workers, Christians are called to pray and consider doing what they can to help people discover Jesus adding that the Youth Ministry at Hillsborough Parish was one area in which this was already happening under the leadership of Johnny Beare.

09/10/2008