Churches unite for Women's World Day of Prayer
Hazel Pierce, pianist (second from left in back row) and a choir comprising ladies from Lisburn area churches who led the praise at the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Magheragall Methodist Church.
Ladies from Lisburn area churches who took part in the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Magheragall Methodist Church. Included are Sandra Matthews, Speaker and Hazel Mercer, Leader (third and fourth from left in front row).
Ladies from Dunmurry area churches who took part in the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Dunmurry Presbyterian Church. Included are Yvonne Robinson, Co-ordinator and Sarah Connor, Leader (third and fourth from right in front row), Karen Diamond, Organist (right in front row) and Felicity McCartney, Speaker (third from left in back row). Churches represented are: Dunmurry and Kilwee Presbyterian, First Presbyterian Non-Subscribing (Dunmurry), St Colman's (Dunmurry), Christ Church (Derriaghy), Our Lady Queen of Peace (Kilwee), St Anne's (Finaghy) and Seymour Hill Methodist.
Some ladies from churches in the Dunmurry area enjoying a cup of tea and fellowship at the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Dunmurry Presbyterian Church. L to R: Barbara Cully, Ellen Garrett, Dymphna Marshall, Mairead McKeown, Rosaleen Tait and Nancy Donnell.
Some ladies from Seymour Street Methodist Church enjoying a cup of tea and fellowship at the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Magheragall Methodist Church. L to R: Ethel Harper, Joan Clarke, Margaret Hutchinson, Angela Nelson and Marion Gill.
Hazel Mercer (Leader) and Sandra Matthews (Speaker) pictured at a beautiful floral arrangement by Iris Murphy that brightened the front of the church at the 'Women's World Day of Prayer' service in Magheragall Methodist Church.
WOMEN from churches within the whole Lisburn area united for 'Women's World Day of Prayer' at various local venues on Friday evening March 2.
The worship programme, prepared by Christian women of Malaysia, was based on the 'theme 'Let justice prevail'. The local venues were: Lisburn area churches - Magheragall Methodist Church; Dunmurry area churches - Dunmurry Presbyterian Church; Boardmills and Killaney area churches - Magheradroll Parish Church, Ballynahinch; Dromara area churches - St John's, Dromara; Glenavy and Crumlin area churches - Ballinderry Moravian Church; Maze area churches - Eglantine Parish. Church; Moira area churches - Moira Methodist Church. Services were also held in Thompson house & Blaris Fold.
Ladies from Lisburn City Centre area churches attended the service in Magheragall Methodist Church. The service was led by Hazel Mercer, wife of the Magheragall and Broomhedge Methodist Minister, the Rev Dr. Peter Mercer and the speaker was Sandra Matthews, wife of the Faith Mission Director, Trevor Matthews.
Ladies from several City centre churches also took part in the service and a choir comprising ladies from Lisburn area churches led the praise. Hazel Pierce (Seymour Street Methodist Church) presided at the piano. Mrs. Matthews gave a challenging addresses to the ladies based on the subject 'Justice will Prevail'. Referring to the Scripture lesson from the Old Testament book by Habukkuk, she spoke of how this prophet was distressed about the evil and wickedness being practised and how he wondered why God was silent.
Sandra explained that when Habukkuk complained to God, he received an amazing answer 'the righteous shall live by faith'.
She went on to explain that Habukkuk came to understand that a right relationship with God comes by faith alone - the heart of the Christian message. The great news of the gospel is that Christ died for our sins and because God's justice was totally satisfied at the cross - we can be saved by faith alone in Christ.
Sandra quoted the words of a famous preacher who once said, "To disobey the gospel is far worse than breaking the law. For disobedience to the law there is remedy in the gospel but for disobedience to the gospel no remedy can be found". She concluded by emphasising the importance for us to embrace the gospel for on the day of ultimate justice - our only hope is Christ.
Ladies from Dunmurry area churches attended the service in Dunmurry Presbyterian Church. The new church complex was built on the site of the church hall; facing on to Kingsway in the heart of the bustling village of Dunmurry, it was opened February 2011.
The service was co-ordinated by Yvonne Robinson and led by Sarah Connor, wife of the new minister, the Rev Grant Connor, who was installed here in November 2010. Ladies from several Dunmurry churches also took part in the service and the speaker was Felicity McCartney, a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Karen Diamond presided at the organ.
Ulster Star
09/03/2012
