One of our members - Sadie - celebrated her 90th birthday on July 10th and as well as singing Happy Birthday at the start of the service we all shared her birthday cake over coffee after the service.  Congratulations Sadie from all at ABC.

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to Jeanette, Alison, and Margaret.

Sunday 3rd July saw three new members welcomed into the Church.  All three have been attending the church for a while and had responded to Alastair's appeal to attend a preparation course for membership.  They all said how much they had enjoyed the course and also how they had loved getting to know each other better too.  Visits were made and reports given at the last church meeting when they were all three unanimously given membership status.  Today was the day when they were officially welcomed into membership and in addition to signing the membership book, they were each given an appropriate text by Alastair.  The service concluded with the Lord's Supper.

A BUSY DAY

SUNDAY JUNE 12 saw us making an early start with our Pentecost breakfast.  Twentyfive of us gathered in the Main Hall and shared the Lord's Supper before breaking our fast and sharing breakfast together.  It was a good time of worship and fellowship and enjoyed by all. (Apologies that I was so busy making toast that I forgot to take a photograph so have used one from last year!!)

Soon folk were arriving for Morning Worship and unfortunately it was raining heavily so it was a case of umbrellas and raincoats for everyone.  Each year, the High Bailiff and his Officers organise a Town Charity Market and today was the day set for this year.  'A day at the Seaside' was the theme and the rain continued to come down relentlessly.  We know that the gardens and crops desparately need the water but did it have to come today!  However, everyone soldiered on and we served teas and hosted the Male Voice Choir and the Sharp as Razors singing group.  Obviously because of the atrocious weather there were not as many folk attending the Market but in true British fashion, folks made the best of it and we had a lot of fun.

 Lynn and Brenda had a superb selection of gorgeous hand make cards for purchase.

Yes because we did not have as many customers we were overstaffed with helpers to serve and wash up, but that gave us time to chat which is never a bad thing!  A total of £162 was made which has been handed over to the High Bailiff for his Charity Fund.  

What a fantastic weekend we have just shared together.  When one of our members realised that the Church Anniversary and the Ruby Wedding Anniversary of Alastair and Ruth were on the same day, she dreamed up the idea of us having a Flower Festival with Anniversaries being the theme.  She (Brenda) and Ann being the "Flower Organisers" in our church put their heads together and this weekend their dream became our reality. 

Thursday afternoon and Friday saw a flurry of activity as all those who had offered to decorate a windowsill with a particular Anniversary gathered to weave their magic.  Jacqui and Mark had suggested that anyone in the church family who wished to submit a photo of their wedding day, then they would display these in the church over the weekend.  And so it was that by Saturday morning the church looked magnificent.  At the front of the church we had our wedding scene, with bridge, groom and bridesmaid.  Alongside them was the area where they would sign the register and at the other side a splendid wedding breakfast setting was laid out. 

Windows depicting, Paper, Silver, Tin, Golden, Pearl, Silk and Linen, and Lace were gloriously decorated.

and the foyer was reserved for a Ruby Wedding display including a cake! 

Folks were on hand to make coffees for the visitors and soon a steady stream which turned into a throng made their way into the church.  A presentation on the screen showing most of the wedding anniversary symbols ran throughout the morning with accompanying music.  What a wonderful atmosphere there was and allcomers seemed very taken with all the displays. 

Lots of fun was had trying to discern who was who on the wedding photos! 

Ploughmans lunches were served to over 70 people and then the afternoon session commenced with still more visitors across the thresh-hold.  A tired but very happy bunch of folk shut the church up for the night at 5.0pm.

Sunday dawned with blue skies and sunshine and the church was opened up to greet our Anniversary Day with our very special Anniversary couple. 
Alastair and Ruth received many many congratulations, cards and kisses from folks as they arrived and the service started.  Alastair was preaching on Psalm 34 verse 3 which both he and Ruth have engraved on the inside of their wedding rings.
We truly had a double-act as Ruth was also playing the piano and the organ.

During the service Ruth and Alastair renewed their wedding vows (though we were not treated to a "Balcony kiss"!)  At the close of the service Ann and Brenda presented Alastair with a card signed by all the fellowship and Ann presented Ruth with a basket of flowers. 

This was followed by the cutting of the cake and everyone was then invited to go through to the hall for coffee and a piece of cake.  Again there was a lovely "family" atmosphere and this continued on during our very special "Bring and Share" lunch was was attended by 49 folk.

At 2.00pm the church was again open for visitors and though we had not expected very many, we did in fact have a steady stream throughout the two hours.  Tired but happy we dismantled the scenes, windows and displays, cleared away the food and closed the church door at the end of a very enjoyable weekend.

EASTER DAY

Our Service started by us singing Happy Birthday to Dorothy who will be 99 on Easter Monday.  This was followed by us all saying the traditional Easter Greeting.

Worship was led by Alastair and  Easter hymns were sung with gusto.  We were even given a treat of a chocolate mini egg! 

We were reminded by Alastair that it was ordinary folk who were called to witness for God in the communities in which they lived. 

After the service we had a lovely time, sharing coffee and birthday cake with the Birthday girl.

The picture left shows her deep in conversation with Sadie and Christine.

WALK OF WITNESS - GOOD FRIDAY 2011

It was a misty start to the day but by the time some of the Christians of Alcester gathered in front of our church at 10.30am the sun was shining. Unlike previous cold and wet Good Fridays, today folks were dressed in summery clothes and there was not an umbrella in sight. 

Revd David Capron welcomed everyone and outlined the health and safety rules for the walk. Next a member of our church - John Thompson started the singing of our first hymn which he followed with a reading and a prayer.  We all formed up behind the wooden cross which was carried by Keith and Stephen.

On then to the Greig Hall where the Renewal Church meets.  Again one of Renewal's members led the singing, gave and reading and prayer. 

The picture on the left shows the oldest and the youngest on the Walk.  Flo Taylor aged 101 and Ruth Roberts not yet a year old - both of whom attend our church.

Down School Road and across Moorfields Park in the glorious sunshine we made our way to the Birmingham Road and to the Catholic Church where again we witnessed by singing, reading the Bible and praying.

Gathering extra folk along the way we reached the Methodist Church where well over 100 people witnessed. 
Next we went to the Car Park outside Waitrose and finally through into the High Street, ending up on the green outside St Nicholas Church.  Here Revd Capron led the worship and Alastair gave the benediction.  It had been a wonderful opportunity to witness for God in our town, and we are mindful that we should endeavour to be witnesses each and every day.

Still bathed in lovely sunshine we made our way into the Parish Church where we were served Coffee/Tea and Hot Cross Buns. 

BELIEVERS BAPTISMAL SERVICE - 16 January 2011

Natalie has been part of our fellowship since she was a toddler, coming faithfully practically every week with her grandparents, Ron and Barbara with her Mum coming when she was able to do so.  Natalie came to the creche, and then came through the Junior Church and has for the last few years remained in church for our Morning Worship.  She has often done Bible readings, she has taken part in sketches and helped with numerous Short Message Services over the years.  Now she also helps by being on the rota for operating the projector in church.  It was a great delight when we learned that she had asked for Believers Baptism and church membership.  She completed the course of preparation and today was the day we had all been waiting for.  The church was filled and there were a goodly number of Natalie's friends and relations there to support her.  She is seen here with one of our members Lynn before the start of the service.

She had chosen a piece of music by a Christian group as her testimony and this proved to be very moving.  Her grandfather, Ron, and senior Deacon, Chris, performed the actual Baptism, with Alastair conducting all the rest of the ceremony.  Though very nervous, her comittment to her Lord shone from her throughout the whole service.  What a wonderful occasion, for the fellowship at ABC, for Natalie, her friends and family and for God too.

Covenant Service - 9 January 2011

As well as being our Covenant Service, we welcomed Sadie Henderson, Gareth Roberts and Kathleen White into membership.  What a lovely occasion and how pleased the membership are to have these special people join us.

Also at the service, Alastair our Pastor/Teacher gave us the ABC Motto for 2011.  He took the second part of verse 49 of Acts2 in the King James/Authorized Version which says Jesus said;"I must be about my Father's business".  He encouraged us to daily make sure that we "Be about Father's business!" throughout 2011.