Lisburn.com

 

Exiles Forum

Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
Mayor and Mayoress are special guests at Hillhall Family Service

At the Family Service are L to R:  Councillor Ronnie Crawford (Mayor), Mrs Jean Crawford (Mayoress), Mr John Connor (Clerk of Session), Mrs Jean Jamieson, the Rev Paul Jamieson, Mrs Sally Richardson and the Rev Dr Jack Richardson MBE.

At the Family Service are L to R:  Councillor Ronnie Crawford (Mayor), Mrs Jean Crawford (Mayoress), Mr John Connor (Clerk of Session), Mrs Jean Jamieson, the Rev Paul Jamieson, Mrs Sally Richardson and the Rev Dr Jack Richardson MBE.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Ronnie Crawford and his wife Jean were the special guests at a Family Service in Hillhall Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon 21st December.  They were welcomed on behalf of congregation by Mr John Connor, Clerk of Session, who spoke of his delight to see a full house for this unique service, which has been held since around the time the church was built in 1902.  The Rev Paul Jamieson, who is enjoying his first Christmas as the new minister of Hillhall Presbyterian Church, conducted the service.  Mr Jamieson was installed here in February 2008 in succession to the Rev Dr Jack Richardson MBE, who retired in December 2006 and who together with his wife Sally and family also attended the service renewing many happy memories. 

Mrs Maxine McConaghy presided on the organ and Claire Mitchell on piano and together with the Hillhall Praise Group led the hearty festive singing of carols that included: 'Silent Night' and 'The first Noel'.  Leah Jamieson accompanied by her father (the minister) on piano sang 'Joseph's Song'.

In a children's address entitled 'Sweet Christmas', Mr Jamieson spoke of Mary who heard a WISPA from an angel saying that she would be the mother of God's son.  As she was not yet married to Joseph, she knew that she would be the TOPIC of conversation.  Joseph and Mary made the MARATHON journey to Bethlehem where the baby was born.  That night, some shepherds, and DRIFTERS, heard TUNES in the sky and decided to take a break (KIT- KAT) and went and found the TRIO - Joseph, Mary and Jesus.  They were UNITED in their wonder and REVELled at the thought that this child was special - the LION of Judah.  It was getting late (AFTER EIGHT) so the shepherds returned to the hills.  Meanwhile in a far country, some SMARTIES (wise men) were busily scanning the GALAXY when they saw a star near the MILKY WAY - was it MARS?  No it was a special STAR - signalling the birth of a King.  They travelled and reached Herod's Palace and were not embarrassed to HOBNOB with royalty.  Herod tried to FUDGE the issue by saying that he wanted to go and worship the baby - and told the wise men to report to him on their way back.  The wise men travelled until the found Jesus and offered their BOUNTY - GOLD, frankincense, and myrrh.  God warned them in a dream that Herod was up to his TWIX and seeking the child's life; so they took TIME OUT and returned by another route.  Mr Jamieson concluded, 'Jesus was born so that ALLSORTS of people might know God's love for them.  Many people are looking for meaning and purpose - some kind of REFRESHER in life - a BOOST in difficult times.  The Christmas Story really is cause for CELEBRATION - Jesus is no MINATURE HERO'.

In a challenging festive sermon entitled 'Zechariah's Story', Mr Jamieson spoke of the importance of knowing the amazing God and of the need to respond in worship, admiration and humble submission, making Jesus Lord of our lives and receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ at this Christmas time.

Ulster Star
22/12/2008