GROW GROUPS This autumn join us as we GROW together in our home groups as we follow a 6 week study called These Truths Alone. Sign up sheets are available in the vestibules & halls. We are kicking off with our evening of Puddings, Praise and Prayer on Saturday 30 September @ 6:30pm in the Bruce Hall. This is an evening for ALL the family, we would love to see you there!

CHRISTIAN AID In this season of Harvest, we celebrate and praise God for providing all we need to eat, we also stand with our sisters and brothers facing the challenges of climatic changes whose harvests are uncertain.
We stand with Frank, a farmer in Malawi, who was taught a planting calendar by his grandfather based on the regular seasons, but the ever-changing climate means he can’t depend on this knowledge any longer. He used to be able to rely on growing maize to feed his family, but often his crop fails when the rains don’t come as expected.
This has a devastating impact on Frank and his family, the recent drought ruined another harvest, and Frank’s four-year-old son became so critically ill and he had to carry him on foot for four miles to the hospital. Frank was told his son was severely malnourished, and told us he felt helpless that he could not provide for his children.
Christian Aid’s partner, the Evangelical Association of Malawi, has been helping Frank and his family to thrive in such hostile climatic conditions. Frank has successfully grown a special variety of pigeon peas. This remarkable crop is high in protein and its deep roots are ideal for southern Malawi’s dry soil, as it can resist long periods of drought and the destructive flash flooding which is on the rise in the country.
Despite Franks efforts and the success of his harvest, he wasn’t able to make a profit. Many farmers like Frank work individually and rely on each harvest for sustenance. This means they have no choice but to sell their harvests to middlemen who often drive prices down to the lowest level.
With your support, this project will bring farmers together into Farmers’ Clubs, where they will learn vital business skills and work together to plan their planting to ensure a good balance of crops. They’ll learn marketing techniques and new methods for production and storage of pigeon peas, and they will be trained in negotiating fair prices for their crops.
For Frank, this could mean he is able to make a profit – enough to feed his family and even send his four children to school. In the Bible, Jesus tells us that he came so that we may have life and have it abundantly.
​Through giving, acting, and praying this harvest, you will help Christian Aid to support Frank and farmers like him not just to survive, but to thrive.

​MACMILLAN AFTERNOON TEA Lesley Kirkpatrick and her work colleague will be hosting a Macmillan Afternoon Tea on Friday 29 September, 1-4pm at Lesley’s home, 81a Old Ballyrobin Road, Antrim, BT41 4TJ. If you’re popping out of work at lunch time, we will have something more substantial than tea and buns. Everyone very welcome. All money raised goes to Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. If you’re coming, give Lesley a text or call for catering purposes.

​BOOK LAUNCH & GOSPEL PRAISE EVENING “Ezra & Nehemiah’s House of Prayer” Thursday 28 Sept @ 7:30pm in the Templeton Hotel, tickets £5 available from Kathleen Beatty.

​HARVEST SERVICE IN LADYHILL OLD SCHOOL Sunday 24 September @ 3:30pm, speaker Rev Stanley Barnes. Everyone very welcome.

​CAFÉ CHURCH will be commencing next Sunday night (24th). “Essentials” will take us through the journey of discipleship right from the call of the 1st disciples to their commissioning into His mission. There will be a multimedia presentation and the usual opportunity for discussion. The evening will start with tea/coffee served from 6:15pm, invite your friends and family along, all very welcome. For more information check out www.presbyterianireland.org

​Stephen, Lesley-Ann, Finn and Eric say a Big Thank You to First Antrim for making the move from Mullingar to Antrim a smooth one. We have been very touched by your love, care and prayers over the last few weeks. We look forward to getting to know you and sharing fellowship with you.

​CRECHE HELPERS Can you please text Ruth Colhoun so that she can add you all onto a WhatsApp group chat. Thanks.

​TRAIDCRAFT WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE All items 1/2 price or less. Come along on Saturday 23 September, 10am—5pm @ 107 Mill Road, Ballyclare. For more details contact Tom and Elizabeth Pollock.

​OPERATION MOBILISATION 60th Celebration in Belfast will be held on Saturday 23 September @ 7:30pm in the Waterfront Hall. Tickets available online www.waterfront.co.uk. Special guests are George Verwer, Matthew Skirton, Robin Mark, Nathan Jess, Sylvia Burnside and the New Irish choir and orchestra.