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As a nation we are currently experiencing a credit crunch. In the run up to Christmas, many ordinary people in the triangle will be feeling “the squeeze”, as the cost of living continues to rise. In all probability, most items bought as presents for loved ones this Christmas will be purchased through credit cards.

A person is granted credit when an organisation makes a sum of money available for them to borrow. Most of us need to use credit at some time in our lives to make expensive purchases such as houses.

Credit cards work in a similar manner. We are able to spend our credit up to a certain limit agreed by our credit card company. Credit is basically a debt that we owe and are obligated to pay. The only honest way to get out of debt is to pay what we owe to our creditors. When the debt has been paid in full then we are no longer obligated to the organisation or person who lent us the money.

The Bible teaches that each one of us is in debt to God. Debt is something we owe and we owe our total obedience to God who is our Creator. We owe Him our love for we are commanded to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind; this is described as the greatest commandment in Matthew chapter 22 verses 37-38.

The truth is that there is no one who loves God like that. We also frequently fail to obey Him and therefore we are debtors to God. But how do we pay our debt to God? The answer to that question is that we can't. Many people try by good works and religious activity but the Bible tells us that we are unable to pay our debt because even our best effort is spoilt by sin.

The remarkable thing about the Christian message is that God is the only one who is able to cancel our debt and that is why He sent Jesus. Jesus lived upon this earth with the sole purpose of dying on behalf of others and by so doing Jesus was paying the debt of sin that we owe. God was punishing Jesus for our sin and therefore all that ask Him for forgiveness will have their debt of sin removed by God. This is the message that our church proclaims and will be seeking to make known to as many people during this Christmas?

Adapted rom a thought given by Noel Ramsay. www.wechurch.org.uk/Reflection/reflection.html

1) Carols by the Fireside: 14th – 20^th of December. There are six venues in which we will go into people’s homes, sing carols, provide musical items, and bring a short evangelistic thought based upon Christ’s advent. Home owners will invite friends and neighbors. Afterwards they will provide tea/coffee and mince pies.

2) Harpurs Hill Primary School Carol Service: 17^th December. Last year over 300 people gathered for a local school carol service which was held in our church. I (Mark) had the opportunity to bring a Christmas presentation at this service. Once again we will host this service and are expecting a large crowd. All those who attended last year were not regular attendees at our church. Many in fact were un-churched.

3) Christmas Programs: 21^st of December AM & PM: Annual Christmas program. Children are taking part in the am service, adults in the pm service.

4) Pastor’s Christmas Open House: 22^nd of December: Open house at Pastor Mark and Deanna’s house.

5) Christmas Morning Service: 25^th of December.

6) Watch night Service & Supper: 31^st of December. This year we are pleased that the Rev and Mrs. David Fry will be with us over the New Year period. They will be ministering in the watch night service as well as regular services while they are visiting us. Sarah Fry is Deanna’s sister.

7) Men for Revival: 3^rd of January. An all day men’s retreat where men can gather for fellowship, instruction and encouragement. Topics covered include – 1) The Man in the Church, 2) The Man in the Home and 3) The Man in Society.

8) Young Adults’ Winter Weekend. 9^th – 11^th of January. Once again we are holding another young adults’ winter retreat. The Rev John Parker, from South Carolina will be this year’s special speaker. Please pray that a number of young adults will respond to the invitation to come to the retreat.

9) Church Fellowship Meal. 21^st of January: Fellowship & Outreach event held at TBF Thompson Ministry center.

10) Junior & Teen CampReunions: These are held on the third and fourth weekends of January respectively. Mark and Wesley Stewart will share the teaching at these weekends.

11) Friends & Neighbors Evening: 8^th February. Blessed Assurance from Larne will be sharing and testifying in this great PR service for the church.

THE ADVANCE BIBLE STUDY

On Sunday mornings at 10.00 a group of people representing a wide range of our congregation meet together for coffee and bible study. This past term we have worked through the workbook, Seeking Him. Over 12 weeks the group looked at the subject of corporate and personal revival. Many of the group found it to be a searching time.

The group will recommence on the 18^th January. By popular request, the topic for a significant part of next term will be “Looking at Revelation.” If you would like to join the group, feel free to drop by the portacabin at 10.00am on Sunday mornings. Feel free to come by anytime, even if you cannot commit to come each week!

VISIT OF GBSC CHOIR

Plans are being finalized for a visit from the God’s BibleSchool and College Choir. A group of 20 students accompanied by director, Professor Garen Wolf, and accompanist, Mr. Tim Crater will be in the province from the 19^th – 28^th of May, 2009. Although this is some months away, we want you to be aware of this visit, so you can help us pray that it will be a profitable week of ministry.

The group will be based in the Coleraine area and our church will be the host church for this visit. Each night they will travel to various locations across the country to share in testimony and song. The group will be at our church on the 21^st of May.

DEAR CHURCH

We really want to thank you for your prayers and support over this past year. It has been a wonderful year! We have experienced several encouragements and seen God’s hand of blessing upon the ministry.

Our prayer is to see God continuing to work among the members and friends within of our church this incoming year. We also desire wish to see Him move in greater way in our community. As a church we wish to be ready to rise to the challenges of sharing the power of gospel and making a spiritual impact in Coleraine and the surrounding area.

As we soon approach the Christmas season, The Rev and Mrs Stewart along with Pastor and Mrs Mander wish all of you a blessed holiday season.

Teen CampReunion !

Once again the annual teen camp reunion will be held locally here in the Coleraine area. From the 23^rdto the 25^th January, those teenagers who came from across the province to our summer teen camp in Scotland will gather for their reunion in Ballyhome Residential Centre. Wesley and Lorna Stewart will be leading the weekend

Coleraine Independent

Methodist Church

Ballycastle Rd

Coleraine

Phone:

(028) 70822072

(028) 70359686

E-mail:

secretary@coleraineimc.org

Jesus Christ Is Lord

We’re on the Web!

www.coleraineimc.org

3) Christmas Programs: 21st of December AM & PM: Annual Christmas program. Children are taking part in the am service, adults in the pm service.

4) Pastor’s Christmas Open House: 22nd of December: Open house at Pastor Mark and Deanna’s house.

5) Christmas Morning Service: 25th of December.

6) Watch night Service & Supper: 31st of December. This year we are pleased that the Rev and Mrs. David Fry will be with us over the New Year period. They will be ministering in the watch night service as well as regular services while they are visiting us. Sarah Fry is Deanna’s sister.

7) Men for Revival: 3rd of January. An all day men’s retreat where men can gather for fellowship, instruction and encouragement. Topics covered include – 1) The Man in the Church, 2) The Man in the Home and 3) The Man in Society.

9) Church Fellowship Meal. 21st of January: Fellowship & Outreach event held at TBF Thompson Ministry center.