Magheralin Parish Church opens its doors to a new era of mission
Building on the past, growing The Kingdom in the present and looking to the future…
A large congregation welcomed Bishop Harold to Magheralin Parish Church on Sunday evening, 28 January, for the re–opening of the newly refurbished church following a seven–month refit.
It was an impactful night of worship, prayer, praise and preaching during which the people of God, the church, were encouraged to take the Gospel into their community using the church building as a welcoming and inviting space for all.
It was not a time for looking back, the Bishop told them, but for looking forward and not shirking in their responsibility to live out the Gospel and to do so with love, boldness and humility.
The Rector of Magheralin, the Revd Simon Genoe, presided over the service which combined traditional and contemporary worship with the rededication of the building and the recommitment of the congregation to God’s work in the parish.
Guest organist, Carl McCambley, led the praise and Magheralin director of music, Gareth Murray, conducted and led the choir. Worship leader, Dave Linton, ably integrated the contemporary with the traditional reflecting the diversity and unity within the parish.
Around 200 made the short walk from the church to the parish halls after the service for a superb supper where the theme was ‘Growing together in faith, hope and love’.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with our refurbished church,” said Revd Genoe. “Many thanks to all who worked so hard. The building is now fit for purpose and my prayer is that we would be a people fit for the purpose of serving Christ’s mission in 2018 and beyond.”
View a photo gallery of the service here.
View a photo gallery of the refurbishment here.