Nearly 400 people gathered at Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church on Friday 15th June 2018, to witness the Rev. Thomas Murray, Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, officially open and dedicate the newly built meeting house to the glory of God and pray for the salvation of precious souls.
CHAPTERS
Community Singing 0:22
Opening Ceremony 1:11
Unveiling the stones 5:34
Words of Welcome 7:39
Opening Praise 9:30
Opening Prayer 12:35
Bible Reading 17:36
Singing by the Kingdom Heirs 20:14
Speech by Laurence Crawford 24:35
Singing by the Kingdom Heirs 26:00
Greetings from Presbytery 29:09
Acknowledgements and Announcements 32:17
Offering Hymn 39:28
Prayer of Thanksgiving 44:23
Presentations 46:40
Singing by the Kingdom Heirs 58:42
Preaching 1:04:04
Closing Hymn 1:37:13
Closing Prayer 1:44:37
The official service began with community singing, ably conducted by Rev. Fred Greenfield, followed by the opening ceremony at the front door. Mr. Silas Cousins (main builder) presented the key to Rev. Thomas Murray who opened the church and dedicated the building to God in prayer.
Within the entrance porch, Rev. David McLaughlin, Minister of the church and Rev. Thomas Murray, unveiled memorial stones commemorating the historic event. Rev. McLaughlin made reference to the testimony and witness of past members.
After the singing of Psalm 100, led by Rev. David McLaughlin, Rev. Gordon Dane, Deputy Moderator and minister of Crossgar FPC, opened in prayer.
The scripture reading was then read by Rev. Graham Middleton from Matthew 7v15-29 where we read about the wise man that built his house upon a rock.
Laurence Crawford, who attended the Sunday School and Children's Meetings in the Old Killynure Schoolhouse from the work was founded 42 years ago sang, along with his group, the Kingdom Heirs. They sung two lovely pieces entitled, My Chains Are Gone, and, I Come To The Garden. On the second song, the group were joined by the Rev. Middleton, who attended Killynure meetings with Laurence, many years ago.
Rev. Alan Smylie, minister of Ballygowan FPC, brought greetings from Presbytery and Rev. David McLaughlin proffered, on behalf of the Carryduff congregation, many acknowledgements to the architect, the main contractor, various tradesmen, and a band of willing helpers/cleaners who all contributed to make the opening possible. This was followed by certain necessary announcements.
After the Offering Hymn, Rev. McLaughlin offered a thanksgiving prayer for the sacrificial giving of many individuals inside and outside the congregation during the past 17 years.
The Clerk of Session of the church, Mr. George Anderson, oversaw the presentations to some of the key people involved in the construction of the new meeting house, followed by singing of a final hymn by the Kingdom Heirs, Just As I Am.
Rev. Thomas Murray brought a stirring sermon on building your life on the solid rock of Christ and issued a call for Christians to be ready for any storms in their lives by strengthening their faith in Christ.
The offering taken up on the evening came to over £21,000 with a total building fund offering for the first 2 weeks in June, including other gifts by local churches, amounted to £28,732.02 for which we thank and praise the Lord. To Him be all the Glory.
After the closing hymn, Rev. Gary Goodes, minister of Randalstown FPC publicly thanked the Rev. McLaughlin for his vision, passion and commitment to see a meeting house built in Carryduff. He then proceeded to close in prayer, pronounce the benediction and gave thanks for the sumptuous supper provided by the ladies of the congregation.
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