It was a special St Patricks Day 2023 for one member of Portstewart Presbyterian Church. Nan Hayes was delighted to receive a 100th Birthday Card from the King.
Born on the 17th March 1923, Nan has been a Portstewart girl all her life. She was from good farming stock, learning from an early age what it meant to work hard on the family farm. Nan enjoyed those farming days.
It’s incredible to imagine the changes Nan has witnessed over her 100 years. Even this method of congratulating and celebrating her 100 years was unthinkable until recently.
One thing that hasn’t changed over Nan’s 100 years is her faith. She remains very much a woman of faith in Jesus Christ. One of the highlights of the year is the visit to celebrate home communion with her.
Nan, thank you for your wisdom, your laughter and your prayers and many happy returns on such an incredible birthday.
Every Sunday we send Bertie the Bookworm home with a treasure hunter to read and learn whatever story our treasure hunters have been learning. These are the photographs of his adventures.
Mervyn was never one to be left out
Mervyn Get’s in on the actionMervyn’s big day out Mervyn Belted Up I like bananas
Easter is almost upon us a time to switch off and hopefully enjoy some early spring sunshine with the family. Is that all Easter is? Another holiday, another opportunity to do something different?
At Portstewart Presbyterian Church Easter is about much more. Easter is a celebration of all that Jesus has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. Why not join us to hear and experience the Easter Story through our special services.
Just before the school holidays we welcomed the children of Portstewart Primary School into our halls for a special telling of the Easter story using the senses. Read more here
The theme for our Easter Services is Confidence, hope and power. On Palm Sunday we will think about the confidence we have in Jesus as our King and High Priest. When the children come into the service after Treasure Hunters we will have a special sensory telling of the Palm Sunday story.
On Good Fridaythe annual churches walk of witness begins at 11:00 am in the Harbour Hill Carpark. This is a wonderful opportunity to walk through the promenade stopping occasionally to hear the story of Jesus passion and death. Then at 7:30 in the church we will have our annual Good Friday Service. The sensory theme to Easter continues in this service as we celebrate Communion together.
It’s an early start on Easter Sunday as we meet on the Harbour Hill at 6:00am for the annual Dawn service before going to Burnside Presbyterian Church for a hearty breakfast.
At 10:30 our Easter Sunday Service will be a packed celebration of new life and resurrection power. The praise group will sing for us, girls from our GB will also sing King of Kings and we will will celebrate the sacrament of Baptism. A packed service full of life and joy and all the while our treasure hunters will still be available for any child of primary school age.
Come along to some or all and celebrate the story of Jesus wonderful grace offered to all.
As part of our Easter Celebrations in Portstewart Presbyterian Church we welcomed the boys and girls from Portstewart Primary School into our halls to not only hear, but experience the Easter Story.
Children from Portstewart Primary School
The children were able to see and hold palm branches as they heard the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jeruslaem told through video and story telling. Some children had their feet washed as the story moved on to the upper room and that incredible moment when Jesus stooped to wash his disciples feet.
A table was set, complete with bread and juice, which was broken and poured out for the children to enjoy as they heard about that last supper Jesus enjoyed with his disciples.
As the story took a more sinister turn some of the children drunk from a cup of vinegar as we tried to understand Jesus prayer in Gethsemane, Father if this cup can be taken from me, before the story moved onto his arrest and crucifixion. A rope to be tied up with, nails and hammer to handle, a crown of thorns to be worn all helped us understand the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us.
Just as the temple curtain was torn in two at the point of Jesus death, so the curtain on our stage opened, revealing the glory of God in all of it’s fullness. The barrier between sinful man and holy God forever removed.
At Jesus tomb we had the opportunity to roll back the stone and look inside. The only thing to be found, folded grave clothes and the announcement, He is not here, he has risen.
Thank you to all the children and staff in Portstewart Primary School for helping to make the Easter Story come to life.
This Sunday (5th of March 2023) we begin a new Sunday morning series thinking about the grace of giving. The offering, in all of its forms; Free Will Offering, Building Fund, United Appeal as well as other special appeals, is an integral part of our worship.
God has freely given to us, our response is to freely give in return, to the work of the church as well as improving the conditions of our fellow man.
In this series we will talk about the vision of our church. What is it we are being asked to give to and for what purpose.
The series will begin with Stuart setting out the vision for the work of the church and how we as a congregation can get involved in turning that vision into a reality.
Martin Hampton, convenor of the United Appeal Panel will come and speak to us on Sunday 12th March about the work and importance of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s United Appeal.
This series will not be just another appeal for money, or an urging for the congregation to give more. The generosity of the congregation has already been recognised in how it has given to the United Appeal, World Development Appeal and the Moderator’s Appeal for Ukraine. Rather this series will aim to help us understand the place of our giving in the context of our worship of God.
Why not come along and find out more about how we can partner in the work of the church at home and abroad over the next 4 Sundays at 10:30 am.
Commitment really is something that Noel Lyttle takes seriously. Not only is Noel one of the longest serving elders in Portstewart Presbyterian Church, but he has also been coaching junior football with Coleraine FC since 2007 and was honoured by the club on St Valentines night of all nights, marking his final season with the U14’s as he plans to retire at the end of the season aged 86.
Noel (Back row centre) with his U14 team
Noel was born on Christmas Day 1936 in the City Side of Londonderry. He attended Ebrington Public Elementary school and played on the school football team, but was only able to take part in friendly games as there was no football leagues. Noel’s footballing career was briefly interrupted when he moved to Foyle College. This was a rugby playing grammar school, football was not allowed.
During those years Noel played for Boys Brigade but again this was limited to friendly matches with other BB Companies.
At 17 ½ he went to Stranmillis teacher training College and played for their team (Kings Scholar) In division 2 of the Northern Ireland Amateur League. Unfortunately this is where his footballing playing days ended as he suffered a foot injury which required surgery meaning he could never play in the league again.
He graduated and returned to Londonderry where he taught at 21 years old in Clondermott Secondary School, there at 21 years old he was given his first team to coach. In 1959 he became Secretary of Londonderry Schools Football Association and held that office for 14 years. They developed a league which started with 6 schools and ended up with 25/26 schools involving both primary and secondary level. He was nominated from Londonderry School FA to represent them at the Council of Northern Ireland Schools Football association. Travelled for over 40 years once a month to Belfast for meetings. During that time he was 1 year Chairman and 24 years treasurer of NISFA. He was one of three delegates from NISFA who represented Northern Ireland at British Schools Football Association. He did this for 23/24 years. During those years he did one year as Chairman of British Schools FA and one year as President of European Schools FA.
Also during this time was Principle of Primary Schools Carlisle Road Londonderry, then Broughshane and finally Portstewart Primary School. He coached school football teams in each school until he retired in June 1998.
He went back to coaching football when his grandson James was 5 in approximately 2007 at Coleraine FC (Irish League Club). They started football academy and he got his IFA Coaching certificate. Noel now is 86 years old and is one of four coaches for Coleraine`s Under 14s alongside Stevie McCann, James Watters and James Mulholland
Well done Noel on a life of commitment and service in your community and congratulations on becoming a life member of Coleraine Football Club.
