World Development Appeal 2017 This year’s World Development Appeal is due to be launched on 19 October. The Appeal will highlight the additional challenges to sustainable development which exist in chronically fragile states, with a particular focus on gender-based violence. The partners being highlighted this year are working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, congregations are invited to encourage their members to give generously to this year's World Development Appeal.

•  Give thanks for the generous support given to the Appeal last year.
•  Pray that this year’s Appeal will also be well-supported, so that more people in need can be helped.

Pray on every occasion, as the Holy Spirit leads, stay alert and be persistent in your prayers.”  Ephesians 6 : 18
 
PLEASE LET US KNOW BY SUNDAY 26th NOV  IF YOU ARE GOING TO ATTEND, or contact Nora, Angus, Ken or Norman.  Final numbers are being given to caterers on Monday morning, so please act by 26th Nov.

MUSICAL CHAIRS MONTH Make the most of your last Sunday of Musical Chairs! Watch this space for February’s fun challenge!

FESTIVAL OF HOPE Please note the following dates in your diary for the bi-monthly prayer meeting, all are at 8pm.

• 27 November @ Elim Church,
• 31 January @ Greystone Road PC,
• 30 May @ 1st Antrim PC.

We are also planning a special service on Easter Sunday evening in Antrim Baptist. All are very welcome to join us.

​CHRISTIAN AID “Enough for everyone this Christmas with Christian Aid”. Colette lives in Burkina Faso, with her husband, young daughter Eulalie and baby Ornela. Colette’s Christmas is not dissimilar to ours. It starts with cooking delicious food and getting her children ready for church. When Colette gets home, she greets her neighbours and they share food. They gather together and show their joy by dancing and singing. Like us, they eat special food on Christmas Day, only they eat rice, goat and spaghetti! Life has been hard for Colette, as she was forced to work at a gold mine every day to earn money to feed her family. She made so little that she was unable to buy nutritious food, and Eulalie soon became very ill and weak, and was diagnosed with malnutrition. However, Colette found hope through a market garden project supported by Christian Aid. She and her husband were trained in how to grow crops and were provided with tools and seeds. She produces nutritious food to eat and sell, and can work with her children close by. Colette sells some of her vegetables to pay for healthcare and clothes for her girls, and plans to extend her garden to pay for her children to go to school. Colette’s story shows that a family can be saved from the horrors of malnutrition. Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest countries with half of its 16 million inhabitants living below the poverty line, and more than 30% of children under five years old having stunted growth. Christian Aid is working with partners to reduce malnutrition and ensure reliable access to healthy food for those in need. This Christmas, for every pound you give to Christian Aid between the 6th November 2017 and 5th February 2018 the UK Government will also give a pound. Please remember and plan to attend the Christian Aid Soup Lunch following the morning service on Sunday the 26th November. The guest Christian Aid speaker will be the Rev. Rev Karen Mbayo.

CHRISTMAS FAIR & TEA ROOM -Sat 25th NOV - 10am - 1pm Last years fair was a wonderful opportunity to open our doors to the public and warmly invite them into our halls. We already have tables booked by vendors including Taste by Rose Cottage (Lesley's sweet &a Savoury goodies inc. Christmas cakes). Candles from Ballymena Day Centre, Paracord Bracelets, Second hand bookstall (£5 each) & CD's (unused books by Lucado, MacArthur, Yancy, Swindoll, Tozer etc/CD's by The Gaithers), The Unused Gifts Stall, Good quality children's books and toys(all donations are welcome). £1 Parcels (could you wrap up something to the value of £1, indicate for male/female/boy/girl (inc.age). Ruth's Book Stall, Habitat for Humanity Stall, Action Cancer & Cancer Focus Christmas cards. If you feel you could support this endeavour please speak to Rowena or Lindsay.
 
WHERE & WHEN CAN I LEAVE ANY DONATIONS FOR THE FAIR INTO THE HALLS? TROLLIES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE ENTRANCE AREA FOR:- CHILDREN'S TOYS/BOOKS, UNUSED & UNOPENED GIFTS –THUR 23rd Nov 9am - 2pm & between 7-8 pm.
CAKES / TRAYBAKES etc Fri 24th Nov 9am-2pm & between 7-8 pm

CAKE STALL & TEA ROOM The Cake Stall and Tea Room have been very popular because of all the lovely baked goods that the folks in this congregation have produced! We would love to repeat this success.  We will have lovely home made jams & Christmas chutneys available. Do you think you could bake some mince pies, cakes, tray bakes or maybe help at the Cake stall or in the Tea Room please speak to Ellen or Linda or use the sign up sheets in the vestibules this morning.
​

​7:00pm Committee Meeting in Primary Room.  ​HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE There will be a short meeting after the main committee on Tuesday evening.

​MISSIONARY & STUDENT COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday 19 November @ 8pm at 78 Steeple Road.

​MISSIONARY & STUDENT COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday 19 November @ 8pm at 78 Steeple Road.

PCI ROAD TRIP Training for Youth and Children’s Ministry is always beneficial. If you are involved in any kind of Youth & Children’s ministry, please consider attending a PCI Road Trip session. Multiple seminars are available offering insights, ideas and encouragement. The next course is Thursday 16 November in Ballyloughan PC @ 7:30pm.