White Christmas

What's all the fuss about having a WHITE CHRISTMAS?

The interest in snowy Christmases has its origins in the colder climate of the period 1550-1850 when Britain was in the grip of a 'Little Ice Age'. Winters were particularly persistent and severe - 1813/14 was the last winter that a 'frost fair' was held on the River Thames in London. For most parts of the UK, Christmas comes at the beginning of the season for snow. Wintry weather is more likely early in the deepening cold of January. White Christmases were more frequent in the 18th and 19th centuries, even more so before the change of calendar in 1752 which effectively brought Christmas day back by 12 days. For many a White Christmas means a complete covering of snow, ideally falling between midnight and midday on the 25th. However, the definition used most widely, notably by those placing and taking bets, is for a single snow flake (perhaps amongst a shower of rain and snow mixed) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25th. The last time we had a White Christmas with snow falling across the UK was 2001, but this was mainly confined to high ground, 1995 was a good year for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.





richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Tinsel and Turkey

Who first decorated with TINSEL?

Tinsel was invented in Germany in 1610 and used to be made with real silver!



Why do we eat TURKEY at Christmas?

The tradition of eating turkey only at Christmas is a distant memory of the days when the principal dish on that day was something special. Before turkey took over, the popular Christmas delicacies were bustard, goose and cockerel, and in the houses of the rich, peacock and swan. The peacock was often skinned before roasting. For serving, it was re-clothed in its feathers and its beak was gilded. Sometimes the beak was propped open with a bit of bread soaked in spirit. This would then be set alight and the bird brought into the dining hall with the greatest pomp and ceremony. The turkey was introduced into Europe by one of Sebastian Cabot's officers on a return journey from the New World, which is where the birds came from. Strangely, they were called turkeys because of their similarity with another bird which was already established in England for human consumption. This was known as the turkey! Merchants from the Levant, or Turkey, first brought them to England, having originally imported them from West Africa. This soon created a lot of confusion. So, the first turkey was renamed the Guinea Fowl, as a reminder of its place of origin.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Robins at Christmas

Why is the ROBIN a Christmas symbol?

The robin is a sedentary British garden bird. During winter they are often joined by migratory Scandinavian robins, making their appearance at this time more common. The birds often feature on Christmas cards, their red breasts a dash of colour in a white wonderland. According to a Christmas legend, a robin landed on the shoulder of Jesus when he was on the cross and sang in order to relieve his suffering. The blood from Jesus' crown of thorns stained the little bird's chest, and from then on, all robins were red breasted. Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Christmas cards often showed a robin delivering Christmas mail.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

What about RUDOLPH?

Rudolph - the red nosed reindeer was the creation of Robert May, an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago. May, who was very imaginative, wanted to create a booklet to give to parents who shopped at Montgomery Ward and with the help of Denver Gillen, a friend who had artistic skills, they created a booklet about Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. The story of how Rudolph lit the way through the fog to help Santa Claus deliver his toys was distributed for several years, with millions of booklets distributed at Montgomery Wards stores over the years. In 1947 the story of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was put to music by a friend of Robert Mays by the name of Johnny Marks. It was recorded and sung by Gene Autry, a famous TV star, and sold millions of copies of the song. Rudolph has had his own TV shows and movies and continues to grow in popularity with every passing year.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Reindeer

Why does Father Christmas have REINDEER?

Reindeer have been domesticated and used for centuries to pull loads on sleds in snowy regions. The legend of eight flying reindeer was made popular by the 1822 poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, and has its origins in an old northen European Lapp legend that says Old Man Winter brings his reindeer down from the mountains at the same time as the first snow. This got mixed in with the spread of the legend of St Nicholas to northen Russia and Finland. Reindeer made good animals to become part of the legend of Father Christmas, since they lived in very cold northern climates and were therefore unfamiliar to most people in the world.




richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Presents

Why do we give PRESENTS at Christmas?

One of the earliest known customs of giving presents around the time of the winter solstice was during the Roman festival of the Kalends, on the first day of January. Such gifts were known as "strenae" and were originally merely branches plucked from the grove of the goddess Strenia, probably with the aim of securing contact with this vegetation-spirit. High ranking officials of the Roman Administration were expected to present gifts to their Emperor during Kalends, and during Caligula's reign the gifts were changed to honey and cakes, as a symbol of their wish that the new year might be full of sweetness, and gold that it might bring prosperity, as Caligula was not impressed with olive branches. Sometime in the 1200's the custom of giving gifts during the mid-winter festival moved to the feast day of St Nicholas, the bringer of gifts. There was also a medieval legend that the baby Jesus GAVE presents ("Kriss Kringle", taken from the German "Christkindl ", little Christ child) and the part of the Christmas story where the wise men brought their three gifts to Jesus. The mainstream Christian view of present giving at Christmas today is that we give presents as a symbol and reminder that God gave the greatest gift of all - Jesus.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nativity Play

Who put on the first NATIVITY PLAY?

The nativity play was created as a means of telling the Christmas story. Many people were unable to read or write so they couldn't read the Christmas story in the Bible themselves. Also many of the church services were in Latin which they didn't understand. There were generally two plays in the Christmas repertoire, one about shepherds, the other involving wise men. These plays merged and some details about Herod and the slaughter of the innocents were later added for dramatic effect. The telling of the Christmas story has been an important part of the Christianisation of Christmas. One way that the Christmas story has been maintained is through the crib, a model of the manger that Jesus was born in. The tradition of crib making dates back to at least 400 AD when Pope Sixtus III had one built in Rome. In many parts of Europe in the 18th century crib making was an important craft form. This was not the case in England until much later, suggesting that British Christmases were less Christian than those in other parts of Europe. St Francis of Assisi is credited with staging the first Nativity performance in Italy in about 1223.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mistletoe

Why do people kiss under the MISTLETOE?

The European mistletoe, as a parasitic plant growing on deciduous trees, was seen as a symbol of the continuing 'life-force' (and vitality/fertility) of the tree through the winter, and was sacred to the Celts. The fertility image was completed by European mistletoe's shape and form. Druids would hold a special ceremony for any mistletoe found growing on a similarly sacred oak. Such a plant could be cut only with a golden sickle on to a white sheet - if it touched either earth or iron the magic powers would be lost. Scandinavians regarded mistletoe as a peace plant and it was given to indicate a truce between warring nations or husband and wife. Its evergreen leaves and association with kissing meant it later got used as a symbol of Christian love and eternal life. The modern tradition of kissing under the mistletoe may be more to with 18th century fashions to promote druidic ideas than a genuine national tradition. It is a very British tradition, hardly practised abroad except for English-speaking countries, particularly North America.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mince Pies

Why do we eat MINCE PIES?

The mince pie goes back hundreds of years - England's King Henry V was a great fan of them and was served a mincemeat pie at his coronation in 1413. When the crusaders returned from the Holy Land with spices, and it was deemed appropriate to celebrate Christ's birthday with a pie containing spices from his native land. It was important to add three spices (cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) for the three gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi. Originally the mince pie did contain meat - mincemeat was a way of preserving meat by mixing it with fruit, spices and alcohol. The initial mince pies were large rather than bite size. It is sometimes said that the large pies were cooked in an oblong dish and that the top often used to cave in. As a result the mince pie looked a little like a crib, in keeping with the Christian nativity story. Over time the amount of meat in mincemeat was gradually reduced until it became the fruit only substance we know today. In addition, the pies became smaller. Apparently they were sometimes called "wayfarers' pies" because they were given to visitors over the Christmas period.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Father Christmas and Santa Claus

Who is FATHER CHRISTMAS / SANTA CLAUS?

Our British Father Christmas is a combination of the Viking "Old Winter" and the legend of St Nicholas who became known as Santa Claus. The Vikings chose someone to represent Old Winter and he was dressed up, fed and made as welcome as possible in an attempt to appease the gods and bring on a mild winter. This figure later became confused with Santa Claus and they are now considered one and the same. Santa, however, came to Britain from America, where he was introduced by Dutch immigrants. Their "Sinter Klaas" was Saint Nicholas, a Bishop of Myra in fourth century Lycia (in Asia Minor), famed for acts of kindness.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas and evergreens

Why do we decorate with EVERGREENS?

Holly, ivy and mistletoe are some of the few plants that keep their leaves during the European midwinter, and were revered as symbolising everlasting life. Sprigs of green leaves were brought inside to provide a temporary haven for the tree-dwelling spirits that were seen to have deserted the rest of the forest for the winter. Holly and ivy were also primitive symbols for male and female and therefore fertility. The Church injected Christian meaning into the use of holly, making it a symbol for Jesus' crown of thorns. One legend says holly berries used to be white but Christ's blood left them with a permanent crimson stain. To Christians, decorating with evergreens symbolises eternal life through Jesus.




richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Stockings

Why do we have CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS?

Christmas stockings come from one of the stories about the kindness of St Nicholas (see Father Christmas) who is said to have wanted to secretly provide the dowry for a poor girl to enable her to marry, and so threw a purse of money down a chimney...and it landed in a stocking hung up by the fire to dry!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas pudding

Why do we eat CHRISTMAS PUDDING?

The Celts kept the harvest god Dagda happy by stirring a pot of porridge for him. This was later livened up with prunes to become plum porridge; then it turned into plum pudding, and finally today's Christmas pudding. In theory, the pudding should be stirred by each member of the family in turn to show that everyone has done their bit, and only in an east-to-west direction, to mimic the sun's path across the sky. Flames from the brandy symbolise the heat of the returning sun and the sprig of holly - with its unique winter berries - evokes the fruit of the harvest. Two of the Christian version of this is that it should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and His Disciples and that a sprig of holly is used to top the pudding as a reminder of the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Trees and decorations

Why do we have CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS and CHRISTMAS TREES?

To appease the tree spirits, people in the Dark Ages attached painted stones and coloured cloth to oak branches in midwinter. The belief that bad luck will follow if you leave Christmas decorations up past Twelfth Night also has its origins here: if the spirits were not released once midwinter had passed, the forests and fields might not awaken again. Christian missionaries transferred the focus to firs, whose triangular shape they linked to the Holy Trinity, and people merged the idea of this tree with the tree seen in the Garden of Eden in the medieval "paradise plays"- depicting the story of man from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus- which had baubel like fruit hanging off it. The Christmas tree points upwards to heaven reminding us of the Christ Child who pointed us to God. The "Jesse Tree" is a custom from the Middle Ages. It comes from the words 'A shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a branch will bear fruit' (Isaiah 11. 1) Jesse was the father of King David and the Bible tells us that Jesus will be born 'of the house of David'. Pictures or symbols representing people and events in the Bible were hung from a bare branch to make up a sort of family tree of Jesus. Christmas trees were decorated with apples, cakes and sweets for many centuries, and also decorated with candles, to remind children of the stars in the sky at the time of the birth of Jesus. Prince Albert didn't introduce the Christmas Tree to Britain, but he was responsible for the mid-19th century onwards surge in popularity. The first manufactured Christmas tree ornaments were sold by Woolworths in 1880. Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison had his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879. And in 1903 the Ever - Ready Company of New York began the mass production of stringed electric lights.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Crackers

Who first pulled a CHRISTMAS CRACKER?

Crackers were invented by Thomas Smith in 1846 as a way of attractively wrapping French novelties he was trying to get people to buy as Christmas gifts!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Cards

Who sent the first CHRISTMAS CARD?

Greeting cards were not new. Since Aloys Senefelder perfected lithography in 1796, merchants would send their customers best wishes for the new year. But in 1843 Henry Cole commissioned an artist friend to design the first Christmas card as a way of making his Christmas correspondance easier. It took some time for Henry Cole's Christmas card idea to take root with the wider public. In fact, until 1878, more Valentine’s cards were sent in the post each year than Christmas cards. However, just three years later in 1881, the Post Office issued its first public instruction to 'Post early for Christmas', to help manage the volume of festive mail. The growth of the postal service, and introduction of a flat rate for sending cards allowed this custom to spread, especially when steam trains speeded up the delivery of mail.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christmas Cake

Why do we eat CHRISTMAS CAKE?

These rich fruit cakes were a sensible celebratory food as they didn't spoil quickly, and could therefore be made in advance to have in ready for guests whenever they arrived, or could be taken on a journey to give as a gift, in days when travelling was a slow process. The fruitcake as we know it today evolved from plum cake recipes in England.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christingle

What is CHRISTINGLE?

The first Christingle service was held in Marienborn in Moravia in 1747, when the pastor, John de Wattville, wanting to find a new way of telling the Christmas story to children, gave each child a lighted candle tied with a red ribbon. He asked them to relight them at home and place them in their windows to show the Light of Christ to passers by. The tradition was kept alive by the Moravian church and in the United Kingdom was adopted by the Children's Society in the 1950s as a way of raising awareness of their work. Many churches and schools now hold Christingle services any time from Advent to the end of the Epiphany season. Each child is helped to take an orange (representing the World) and insert four cocktail sticks into it (representing the four seasons). Fruit, nuts and sweets can then be attached to the cocktail sticks to represent the fruits of the Earth. A red ribbon is then tied around the centre of the orange as a reminder that Christ died for us all. Finally, a small lighted candle is placed on top to symbolise Jesus Christ, Light of the World.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Carols

Why do we sing CAROLS at Christmas?

Singing to and about their gods was part of all pagan festivals, including the winter ones. When Christmas was established on the 25th December in the fourth century, the church initially tried to stop people singing these pagan songs, but then changed track, and decided to encourage the singing of Christian Christmas themed songs in their place. By the late medieval period the singing of Christmas carols had become a tradition. St Francis of Assisi (around 1220AD) promoted the use of carols to spread the Christmas message by translating songs sung in Latin into languages spoken by ordinary people in Europe for use in formal church services.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Candles

Why are CANDLES a Christmas symbol?

Because Jesus is the "light of the world"! In the pre-Christian mid-winter festivals sun gods were worshipped, and the candles were a symbol of the needed light of the sun.




richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Boxing Day

What is BOXING DAY?

In medieval times, the day after Christmas churches used to distribute the money that had been collected in the "almsbox" (charity box) to the poor and needy. This evolved into the tradition of giving tradesmen a "box", meaning a gift or money, on the first day of the week after Christmas.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Advent wreath

What does the ADVENT WREATH represent?

The circle of the wreath reminds Chrisitans of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Chrisitans have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son, Jesus. The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolise hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle, which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday. A fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas Day. It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth of Jesus.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Advent Calendars

Why do we have ADVENT CALENDARS?

They were designed to help children focus on the coming of Jesus by having a "window" to open each day from December 1st to December 24th with a picture behind it of something related to the nativity. "Jesse Trees" were used in this way too - see Christmas Decorations and Christmas Tress. But modern day Advent Calendars are often a countdown to Christmas devoid of anything to do with Jesus, and instead have pictures of cartoon charaters and contain chocolates.




richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

why do we thank God for food? (drama sketch)

Michelle: There’s no need to go into details! I was thinking more along the lines of sun and rain, like in the song, “We plough the fields and scatter, the good seed on the land..” (starts singing) “but it is fed and watered by God’s Almighty hand. He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain...”

Derek: “The cow pats and the horse dung, the poly-ure-thane!”

Both: “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, For all his love” Amen!

Michelle: This is cold now, I’ll zap it in the microwave (picking up both plates and walking off stage)

Derek: Do we have to thank God for microwaves?

Michelle: I’ve only got an hour for lunch, I haven’t got time to explain!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

why do we thank God for food? (drama sketch)

Derek: So what are we thanking God for?

Michelle: For creating seeds in the first place

Derek: Oh. And cows.

Michelle: Cows?

Derek: Yes, cows don’t grow from seed

Michelle: I never said they did

Derek: Thank you God for cows

Michelle: And seeds, and things that make seeds grow

Derek: Like stuff from cows


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

why do we thank God for food? (drama sketch)

Michelle: No, we still thank God for the baked beans, the bread, and the tea with milk in it

Derek: Even though it all came from farmers via Sainsburys?

Michelle: Yes, because it’s God who makes things grow

Derek: Not farmers?

Michelle: Well, yes, it’s farmers who plant the wheat seeds and the haricot bean seeds and the... I have no idea how tea grows, it’s probably from seed too, and farmers milk the cows


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

why do we thank God for food? (drama sketch)

Michelle: So you think we should just thank God for the baked beans?

Derek: Yes, because I can’t think how they ended up in a can looking like that. It didn’t happen on a farm did it?

Michelle: Ah, yes, the lesser known “miracle of the baked bean.” I think the clue is in the name. They actually are beans, haricot beans to be precise, and they ARE grown by farmers, then..er...well, baked, and put in tomato sauce, which is made with some tomatoes, which are also grown by farmers

Derek: Right. So we should thank farmers for baked beans too.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

why do we thank God for food? (Christian drama script)

Why do we thank God for food?
Written for Harvest Festival. Psalm 111: 5 and Matthew 6: 9-13.
Scene: Lunch time, Michelle and Derek walk on to stage carrying plate of beans on toast and mug of tea each, sit at table to eat.

Michelle: Let’s thank God for our food before we eat
Derek: Why do we have to thank God when the food came from Sainsburys? It’s not manna from heaven, you know
Michelle: Well, where did Sainsburys get the food from?
Derek: A farmer? Bread from wheat, milk from cows, tea from a farmer in India maybe. Except for the baked beans. I don’t know where they came from. Maybe they came from God.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

History of Halloween

Halloween was originally called "Samhain" -a Gaelic word pronounced "sow-in" (in Ireland), or "sow-een" (in Wales), or "sav-en" (in Scotland) - meaning "summer's end." The Celtic culture had established itself throughout the British Isles from approx. 600 BC to 50 AD, and Samhain was an ancient Celtic type of harvest festival, marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the Celtic new year, celebrated on the evening of the 31st of October. The Druids (Celtic priests) also believed that on this day (exactly between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice) the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken, allowing demons, witches and lost souls to harass the living and play tricks on them. People tried to protect themselves from attack by disguising themselves as witches, devils and ghosts, and carved grotesque faces in things like pumpkins, which they kept illuminated by candlelight, to ward off evil spirits. They also left out treats, like cakes, as a peace offering. When the Romans came to Britain (successfully in 43AD after failed attempts in 55BC and 54BC) they added the traditions of their own harvest festival, "Pomona", to Samhain, such as bobbing for apples in water barrels and putting nuts in the fire to watch where they jump to.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views of Halloween

What all this means is that Richmond Park Church has never regarded Halloween, even in the guise of All Hallows Even and All Saints Day, to be a real Christian festival. However, as Halloween is a popular excuse for many to party, and we ourselves enjoy a good party, we see it as a great time to give children and families an opportunity to celebrate Jesus the light of the world rather than celebrate the darkness that the popularist Halloween represents.



Sunday 31st October 2010:

Hallelujah Party (an alternative to Halloween) for children in church from 5.30 to 7.30pm with games, food, and entertainment.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views of Halloween

However, some Christians use the Biblical definition of all Christians being saints, and then choose to celebrate All Saints Day to remember the example and strengths of past Christians and thank the Lord for the work done through them.

And another more generous interpretation of the traditional church's actions is that they were trying to proclaim the supremacy of the gospel over the superstitions of ghosts, but even if this is true, their attempts to "Christianise" Halloween failed because All Hallows Day and All Hallows Even continued the theme of focusing on the dead (not the risen Jesus) and it was easy for people who didn't want to give up the perceived mystery and excitement of Samhain to merge the old and the new, which the church encouraged by keeping the dressing up and parades.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views of Halloween

Considering All Hallows Even and Day, although Anglican and Catholic churches still follow the "church calendar" that was developed in the six hundred years following the death and resurrection of Jesus, many non-denominational churches, such as Richmond Park Church, don't follow all the old church traditions, preferring to try and be more like the church as described in the New Testament. We believe in the Biblical definition of a "saint", that all Christians are saints, not because of anything great we've done, but because we have Jesus living in us. We don't believe that the church has the authority to declare some people saints, and therefore we don't celebrate "saints days".

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views of Halloween

However, other Christians argue that Halloween is a rare time of year when you actually get to meet your neighbours -taking the kids trick or treating, or opening your door to neighbour's children- and that Christians should use it as a "meet and greet" opportunity instead of remaining aloof from this community activity. They point out we will not be bolstering the kingdom of Satan by joining in, and we have nothing to be afraid of with Jesus on our side!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views about Halloween

You can see from the history where the practise of "trick or treating" comes from -leave out a treat or risk having a trick played on you by those from the other world- but we don't think it is nice to threaten people with pranks unless they hand over sweets. It can be very intimidating, and is definitely not something Jesus would do! It's the same with dressing up as ghosts and witches, and carving pumpkins -it was part of Samhain and it's focusing on fear and can be intimidating.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Christian views of Halloween

What do Christians today think of Halloween?



Hmmm...there are mixed views!

Most non-Christians and some Christians view Halloween as "a harmless bit of fun". However, Halloween's pagan Celtic origins revolve round placating, and trying to hide from, the roaming dead and evil spirits - in other words, Halloween is about FEAR, over-emphasising evil and telling people they have to save themselves by dressing up in disguise and offering gifts. There is NOTHING in Halloween of the peace and love of God, or the saving power of Jesus, or the fact that Jesus has conquered death and sin. The Bible says "fear not" 366 times! God doesn't want us to be scared or afraid.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

History of Halloween

The date was chosen on purpose to rival Samhain and involved similar traditions, including dressing up as a saint, an angel or a devil and joining a parade, with the aim of weaning people off of the pagan festival. By the 9th century, Samhain traditions were still going strong, so the church tried to take-over the evening of the 31st of October itself by making it another feast day, "All Hallows Even" (evening) and this and Samhain (remember, it's pronounced something like "sow-een") merged to become "Halloween". Because of it's Celtic history it is only popular in the UK, and the USA and Canada, taken there by the Irish who emigrated to America in their tens of thousands after the 1845 potato famine.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

history of Halloween

As Christians were killed for preaching about Jesus and standing up for their beliefs, those surviving chose to commemorate the death of these martyrs or saints by celebrating "martyrs days" or "saints days". These were usually local festivals, though the martyrdom of some of the apostles were more widely celebrated. Pope Gregory III (731-741AD) decided to have one day a year in the church calendar to celebrate all the martyrs or saints, instead of lots of different regional saint's days, and this was set as the 1st of November, and known as the "Feast of All Saints" or "All Saint's Day" or "All Hallows Day" ("hallow" is an old English word for saint or holy person).



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

history of Halloween

They also left out treats, like cakes, as a peace offering. When the Romans came to Britain (successfully in 43AD after failed attempts in 55BC and 54BC) they added the traditions of their own harvest festival, "Pomona", to Samhain, such as bobbing for apples in water barrels and putting nuts in the fire to watch where they jump to.

Meanwhile, after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in 30AD, the "new" controversial religion, Christianity, spread to Asia Minor, Greece and to Rome, and so through the Roman Empire, largely as a result of persecuted Christians having to flee Jerusalem.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

History of Halloween

The Druids (Celtic priests) also believed that on this day (exactly between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice) the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken, allowing demons, witches and lost souls to harass the living and play tricks on them. People tried to protect themselves from attack by disguising themselves as witches, devils and ghosts, and carved grotesque faces in things like pumpkins, which they kept illuminated by candlelight, to ward off evil spirits.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

History of Halloween

Halloween was originally called "Samhain" -a Gaelic word pronounced "sow-in" (in Ireland), or "sow-een" (in Wales), or "sav-en" (in Scotland) - meaning "summer's end." The Celtic culture had established itself throughout the British Isles from approx. 600 BC to 50 AD, and Samhain was an ancient Celtic type of harvest festival, marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the Celtic new year, celebrated on the evening of the 31st of October.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehmiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Wall (drama sketch)

And on top of all that, Nehemiah kept receiving letters from Tobiah saying:

You’re rebuilding project is a stupid plan! It doesn’t have my approval and I’m a very important person round here! Woe to you if you don’t stop such foolishness!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

And after 52 days of hard work the entire wall was finished! Nehemiah said:

I got the wall rebuilt! I got the wall rebuilt! I got the wall rebuilt! Praise the Lord!

A big celebration party was planned to dedicate the wall and give thanks to God that, against all the odds, the wall got rebuilt! All the people joined in and the joyful noise of songs of thanksgiving could be heard far and wide!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehmiah Rebuilds Jeusalem's Wall (drama sketch)

And he prayed to God for the strength and courage to carry on. Then Shemaiah told Nehemiah that God had said to tell him:

Those officials are going to kill you! Quick! Let’s hide!

But Nehemiah replied: That’s not what God says to do! I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

And he was right! God hadn’t told Shemaiah to say that at all; the nasty officials had! And some other so-called prophets also tried to frighten Nehemiah into stopping the work, saying:

Doom and gloom! It’s all going to end badly, very badly, for you if you don’t stop building the wall!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Wall (drama sketch(

Then the troublesome officials tried to trick Nehemiah in to going to visit them, to get him away from his rebuilding work, and have the opportunity to harm him. They sent him four messages saying:

Come and meet us in one of the villages! We need to talk! We can iron out some of our differences! Come on!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m busy! I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

So they sent a fifth note saying: You are in so much trouble now! We know you are planning to revolt against the king! Wait until he hears about this!

But Nehemiah replied: Stop making up lies! I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehmiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Wall

Then those pesky officials returned and mocked Nehemiah and the Jews working on the wall:

That is the most rubbish wall I’ve ever seen! Nobody sneeze, it might fall down!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

Which really wound them up, so they plotted together to come and attack Jerusalem and cause chaos. But Nehemiah heard about their plans and put men on guard duty; everybody carried a weapon in case of attack, and the officials knew they has lost the element of surprise and backed down. Nehemiah said:

I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

The wall-builders said: We are tired out! And there’s still rubble everywhere and loads of wall to build!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

Then the Nehemiah’s people said: We’re hungry! We’re broke! We’re in debt!

So Nehemiah had to sort out their social and economic problems, but he said to himself:

I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehmiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Wall

It was a good start, but then things started to get tricky. Nehemiah said:

I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

And some officials from the neighbouring towns said:

(laugh) Rebuild the wall! It’s never going to happen! It’s equivalent to rebelling against the king!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!

And Nehemiah and all the other Jews started the work. All except the noble men of Tekoa, who said:

We’re not going to get our hands dirty!

But Nehemiah replied: I’m going to get the wall rebuilt!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem’s Wall (drama sketch)

Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem’s Wall (Nehemiah 1-6 & 12: 27-43)

Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. It didn’t look like a useful, protective, grand wall; it looked like a messy trail of rubble. At that time Nehemiah was working for King Artaxerxes in Persia. The first thing he had to do was ask for the king’s permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. It could have made the king mad – why should the king let his wine steward go and rebuild a conquered enemy’s wall? But Nehemiah prayed about it first, and the king agreed to let Nehemiah go. Not only that, the king also agreed Nehemiah’s request for wood from the king’s forest and gave him an armed escort for the journey! It was a good start to Nehemiah’s plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Road to Emmaus (drama sketch)

[Joanna comes on to stage, Cleopas and Disciple 2 go up to her, both speaking fast, excited]
Disciple 2: You were right! You’re not mad! Jesus has risen! We met him on the road to Emmaus...
Cleopas: Not that we knew it was him...
Disciple 2: Though our hearts were racing as he spoke to us...
Cleopas: And then he broke the bread and....
[Jesus appears – makes them all jump]
Jesus: Peace be with you. Don’t be afraid, I’m not a ghost, I’m really here. Touch me and see.
[Cleopas and Disciple 2 touch him. Joanna takes his hand, kisses his wound, falls to her knees]
Joanna: Lord!
Jesus: As the Father sent me to bring people back to him, I am now going to send you out, in the power of the Holy Spirit.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Road to Emmaus (drama skecth)

Cleopas: This is as far as we are going. It’s getting late, you shouldn’t travel on in the dark. Stay with us.
Disciple 2: Yes, sit and eat with us
[the disciples sit down, and Jesus joins them. Jesus breaks the bread and passes it to them]
Jesus: Thank you Father for this bread...
Cleopas and Disciple 2: Jesus!
[Cleopas and Disciple 2 freeze - exit Jesus]
Cleopas: We should get back to Jerusalem and tell the others!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Road to Emmaus (drama sketch)

Disciple 2: Which sounded like nonsense, but Peter and John went to check it out anyway and found the tomb was empty, as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus.
Cleopas: It’s all very confusing! We don’t know what to think!
Jesus: You are slow on the up-take! It’s not really confusing, if only you’d look at it through the eyes of faith. The Lord’s prophets since Moses’ time have been explaining what will happen.
Disciple 2: Have they?
Jesus: Think of the blood of the lamb saving you at Passover; think of Moses lifting up his staff; who had a virgin birth, born in Bethlehem, in the line of David? Zechariah even said he will ride in on a colt – remember Palm Sunday? Do you remember what Jesus himself said about the third day? How the temple will be rebuilt?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Road to Emmaus (drama sketch)

Disciple 2: Jesus of Nazareth. He was a mighty man of God. He could heal people and work all kinds of miracles like you’ve never seen before. He talked about the kingdom of God so powerfully you felt you could reach out and touch it.
Cleopas: But our Chief Priests and rulers handed him over to the Romans to crucify him. [putting shoe back on, walking slowly forwards]
Disciple 2: We thought he was the one who was going to save Israel
Cleopas: What’s more, all this happened three days ago, but this morning some of our women say that when they got to his tomb it was empty and an angel told them Jesus was alive again!
[all stop walking to talk]


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The Road to Emmaus (drama sketch)

Disciple 2: The women don’t think he is dead
Cleopas: The women have lost the plot. I don’t blame them – it’s the stress of the situation. You think you’ve met the Messiah, he makes all these promises, and then gets put to death in front of you.
[Jesus joins them]
Jesus: What are you two talking about?
Disciple 2: There’s only one thing in the news this week – Jesus
Jesus: Who?
Cleopas: Have you been out of the country?
Jesus: You could say that


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The Road to Emmaus (drama sketch)

The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24
A straight forward re-enactment of one of the recorded resurrection appearances of Jesus, that of him joining two disciples as they walk the road from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus.
[Two disciples, Cleopas and Disciple 2, walk slowly on to stage, looking dejected. Cleopas has a stone in his shoe and is shaking his leg trying to move it. They stop walking while he takes his shoe off to tip out stone.]
Cleopas: I can’t believe, I can’t take it in. I was so sure Jesus was the one who was going to save us.
Disciple 2: He was...
Cleopas: He can’t have been. If he was he wouldn’t have died.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Worship Through Music

Obviously music in a church context is used to glorify God, to worship Our Heavenly Father. But what better medium to use when communicating with the Creator of All Things? The music is different every time. So is my expression. I feel grateful and positive, strong and defiant, weak and helpless, sad and remorseful. There is room in music to be honest with my God and let down the guard that I’ve constructed to hide my heart from all the pain in this world. And there is room for God to come to meet me and talk to me as if there were no one else around...


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Worship Through Music

Maybe it was playing the first time you fell in love, the first time you saw Eve in all her glorious beauty (or Adam riding to the rescue in his shining armour). Maybe it captures the nostalgia of your youth when you were invincible, eternally young and carefree. Even it might remind you of a tragic event in your life, a moment that shaped you irrevocably and although it brings back all those dark feelings and tears there is somehow a peace and a healing in the process. This doesn’t sound very religious does it? God gave man the gift of music for a specific purpose I’m sure.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Worship Through Music

Music has a very unique significance throughout the world in that it permeates every single nation and culture. I’ve yet to find a society where music does not exist in some form or other. It clearly has the power to draw communities together but also has a transcendental quality that reaches outside of the normal and the mundane. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about just think about ‘that special song’.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Worship Through Music

My name is Richie and I often lead the music side of things for RPC. I am lucky because my job is to play the guitar and sing loudly both of which I really enjoy doing.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Parents and Toddlers Group

We are aware that during our get-togethers lasting relationships have been formed among the parents and the children are often asking them when the next "toy time at that church" is!


We follow normal child protection guidelines and all staff are CRB checked.

Re-starts 7th September 2010, 9.30-11.30am


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Parent and Toddler Group

We warmly invite you to our Parents & Toddlers morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time between 9.30-11.30am. This is a great time to come together in a secure, relaxed and informal atmosphere where parents and carers can unwind as their children enjoy playing with toys, creating different things, sliding down the slide, singing and learning to relate to one another at a young age.

Starts up again on Tuesday 7th September 2010.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Young People's Fellowship

There's always lots of news! We then look at our bibles and discuss how various topics apply to our lives today. We pray for each other and learn how to trust God with every aspect of our lives. We often finish by playing a game to help us remember what we've learnt. Lots of laughter and lots of noise!
New young people are always welcome.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Young People's Fellowship

The young people in Richmond Park Church meet together every Sunday after the worship. We have a small cosy room with comfy chairs and usually start with a cuppa and a biscuit or 2 (or 3!) and share together how our week has been.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

International Student Evening

Our main activity for students is our International Student Meal Evening (ISME), held every other Thursday at 6pm, to which you are warmly invited. The evening includes food, a short English language session, a time of worship and short message about the Christian faith.

Next meetings are Thursday 19th August and Thursday 2nd September, then fortnightly.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

International Student Evening

As Bournemouth is a centre for language schools we have the privilege of meeting students from all over the world, and because of this we are happy to provide opportunities for friendship and language learning. It is our great joy to have welcomed many, many international students to the church.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

(2) hear God's words taught from the Bible, learn the significance of those words and how they apply to our everyday lives;
(3) pray for other people and situations and receive prayer for yourself;
(4) develope the gifts and talents God has given you in a nurturing environment and support and encourage one another.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The church is a great place to grow in your faith as it means at least once a week you are taking time out to:


(1) focus on worshipping (showing our respect and love for) God and getting to know him more intimately by singing praise songs to him, during which we can often sense God's presence with us, which is amazing;



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Giving your life to Jesus is just the start of your Christian journey; we all need to grow in our faith and understanding of God's ways and over the years we change for the better as our motivation and plans fall more and more into line with God's motivation and plans.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

There are lots of things in life - stresses, problems, temptations - that try to lure Christians away from being true to their faith and God. If you belong to a church you've got your "church family" to encourage, look out for, and care for you; and they've got you on their team too. Together we can compliment and support one another, each contributing our own gifts and talents.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

You can be a Christian without going to church, but it makes life harder for you. God designed us to be inter-dependent, meaning we are at our best when we work together, rather than when we try to go it alone. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and can be "up" and "down" at different times too.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, not even if you've gone to church every Sunday since the day you were born! You can only become a Christian by personally choosing to invite Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour. As a Christian, spending time with God on your own (in Bible study and prayer and quiet thought) is important as you get to know someone better if you spend some quality one-to-one time with them. But church is important too.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why go to church?



'And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together...' ~ Hebrews 10: 24-25



If you're not already a Christian you may want to go to church to see what Christians get up to there, and soak in the atmosphere of the singing, praying and teaching from the Bible.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

John: You’re right. God. I’m really sorry for hitting Mark [hits Mark].
Michelle: Er... you’re still hitting him!
John: Yes, but I’m really, genuinely sorry about it; I feel bad about it, I’ve apologised to Mark, and I’ve said sorry to God. What more do you want from me?
Michelle: Am I talking to myself?! Stop hitting him!
John: Oh, I’m not ready to do that yet...


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

John: No [hits Mark].
Michelle: You know that repenting means not just saying you’re sorry, but also choosing to turn away from your sin, right?
John: I’ve tried that. I turned away [turns 90 degrees, hits Mark even though Mark is now behind him and John can’t see where he’s aiming], and I turned away [turns another 90 degrees, hits Mark sideways], and I turned away [now facing Mark, hits him again]. I still don’t feel any better...
Michelle: Let me put that more simply for you, have you thought about stopping hitting Mark?
John: But it’s SO satisfying. I see him, and I want to hit him, it’s addictive [hits Mark]. There you go!
Megan: Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to have a clear conscience before God?

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Megan: Are you keeping short accounts?
John: [prods Mark in arm instead] I don’t keep accounts at all, Sarah does that in our house...
Megan: I mean with God! Are you regularly repenting to make sure you don’t have a build-up of sins against your name?
John: Oh, yes [hits Mark]. Sorry. See, I just apologised...
Megan: Have you said sorry to God as well?
John: [hits Mark] Sorry Mark; sorry God. [hits Mark – sighs] I still feel guilty...
Mark: Can I say something?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Scene: Mark sat on a chair on stage reading a book. Megan and Michelle sat on chairs next to him. John walks on, stands to the side of Mark and hits him on the head with a long cardboard tube (the sort wrapping paper comes on). Every time John hits Mark, Mark says “Ow!”
Mark: Ow! [rubs head]
John: Sorry [hits Mark again]. Oops. Sorry [sighs].
Megan: [over-sincere, like a TV agony aunt] You seem down John. What’s wrong?
John: Lately there’s been this distance between me and God [hits Mark]. I don’t feel I’m walking as closely with him as I used to I don’t know why. I’ve been reading my Bible, and praying, and singing praise songs. [hits Mark].
[Mark puts on a toy yellow builder’s hardhat]


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Sketch showing the difference between feeling guilty and true repentance, which means to ask for forgiveness AND to stop engaging in the sin you have been indulging in. Otherwise we are in danger of abusing God’s grace.

Jesus, speaking to the woman caught in adultery: “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” Romans 6:15

Declares the sovereign Lord, “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.” Ezekiel 18:30-31

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Repentance
Sketch showing the difference between feeling guilty and true repentance, which means to ask for forgiveness AND to stop engaging in the sin you have been indulging in. Otherwise we are in danger of abusing God’s grace.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Scene 4: the King and the Servant, Again

(enter King)

King: You!

Servant: Who me?

King: Yes you! I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to, and now you won’t even cancel a debt of £5! You wicked servant! You had your chance to do the right thing and you blew it. Now I’m going to have you thrown into prison!

(exit King and Servant)


Scene 5: Jesus again

Jesus: Even though you do lots of things wrong, God forgives you. God wants you to pass on that forgiveness to others, and always forgive them when they do something wrong.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

King: It’s such a large amount, I don’t see how you’ll ever be able to pay it back. Hmmm… I think I will cancel your debt completely…Yes, your debt is cancelled, you’re free to go!

Servant: Really?! That’s amazing! Thank you! Thank you so much!

(exit King)


Scene 3: The Servant and the Other Servant

(Other Servant appears)

Servant: You!

Other Servant: Who me?

Servant: Yes you! You owe me £5! Give it to me now! (hitting him) Right now!

Other Servant: I’m really sorry, but I haven’t got it! I can’t pay you back! I just need more time! I promise I’ll pay you back!

Servant: No! You can’t have more time! I’m going to get you put in prison until you pay me back my £5! (pushing Other Servant)

(exit Other Servant)



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Servant: Only a few million pounds!

King: What!!! That’s loads of money, and I want it back right now!

Servant: I’m really sorry, but I haven’t got it! I can’t pay you back!

King: That’s terrible! You have to sell your house, and your business, everything you own, and your family, to try and raise some money to give me!

Servant: I just need more time! I promise I’ll pay you back!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Jesus: No, more than that! You have to forgive them as often as they hurt you, even if that means hundreds of times, because that is how many times God forgives us when we do things wrong.

(exit Peter and Jesus)


Scene 2: The King and the Servant

King: Today is the day when everybody has to pay the money they owe to me back! How much do you owe me?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18: 21-35)

A straight-forward presentation of this parable put into simple English, suitable for children to perform – our Sunday School did it as a puppet show! Jesus wants us to forgive others in the same way as he forgives us: as many times as it takes.

Scene 1: Peter and Jesus talking

Peter: Jesus?

Jesus: Yes Peter?

Peter: When one of my friends is really mean to me, how many times do I have to forgive them? Seven times?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

And for those of us acting it's great to be so actively involved in the life of the church and have an excuse to dress up and play with props! Even the most serious dramas usually dissolve into unprofessional laughter during rehearsal!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The Drama Group act out re-tellings of Bible stories and themes in short sketches with the aim of entertaining whilst presenting a memorable message. Drama can be a very effective way to get a point across, capturing people's imagination and reinforcing the words of a sermon.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms..." (1 Peter 4: 10)


"Whatever gift" and "various forms"... we are claiming this verse as motivation and mandate for our Drama Group and Puppet Team!


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We are aware that during our get-togethers lasting relationships have been formed among the parents and the children are often asking them when the next "toy time at that church" is!


We follow normal child protection guidelines and all staff are CRB checked.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We warmly invite you to our Parents & Toddlers morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time between 9.30-11.30am.This is a great time to come together in a secure, relaxed and informal atmosphere where parents and carers can unwind as their children enjoy playing with toys, creating different things, sliding down the slide, singing and learning to relate to one another at a young age.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our times are a good mixture of seriousness and fun. We always have a good chat and often a good laugh - a good aid to joyful dancing. But whatever we do, our main aim is to lift up Jesus and bring glory to His Name.


Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but to your Name be the glory. ~ Psalm 115:1


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

(3) Outreach - we are sometimes asked to dance at outside venues eg. Wimborne folk festival, or other churches
(4) Intercession - prayer dancing for particular topics involving spiritual warfare.


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We are a group of ladies who meet each week to seek the Lord in dance. We have four specific areas:


(1) Dancing in church to enhance the praise and worship. This is spontaneous according to what songs are sung.
(2) Ministry - where the Lord gives us anointed dances to speak and minister into people's lives in a specific way.


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Current Ministries and Activities within RPC:
• Sunday Morning Worship – Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting
• Parent & Toddlers Group
• Ladies Meeting
• Care Groups (aka House Groups or Cell Groups)
• Prayer Surgery (church open for anyone to drop in for prayer on Wednesdays 10-2)
• International Student Evening
• After Schools Club (Yr. 2-6)
• Youth Meeting (Yr. 7+)
• Worship Dance Group
• Drama and Puppet Group

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His present intercession for His people, and His personal return in power and Glory to judge both the living and the dead.... The sinfulness of all mankind, the separation this sinfulness causes between man and God, and that the only way of reconciliation with God is through Jesus Christ...In the ministry of the Holy Spirit and in His gifts and graces....In the priesthood and unity of all believers through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our Statement of Faith:
We believe....The Bible to be the only infallible authoritative word of God...That there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.... In the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, the authority of His teachings, His work of atonement through His vicarious death and His bodily resurrection,

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our Mission Statement:
The mission statement of RPC is to love God and be His disciples and to love others and make disciples. Our aim is to help all who believe in Jesus Christ to love God with all their hearts, souls and minds and to love others, particularly those who do not yet know God in the same way that He has loved us and thus with the anointing of the Holy Spirit to enable them to become followers of Jesus also. (Matthew 22 v 37/44 and 28 v19)


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Freedom in worship and allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work were the God given emphasis from the start. Richmond Park is an evangelical charismatic church which is not linked to any denomination or house church stream but is a member of the Evangelical Alliance of Great Britain.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

About Richmond Park Church:
RPC started life as a house fellowship in Richmond Park Avenue (hence the name) in 1981. From the early days the church was called to be a "church in the community" reaching people with the gospel and bringing the kingdom of God into the area through lives submitted to the Lordship of Christ.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our Pastor is retiring from leadership after eight years service and this has led to the opening for a new Pastor to join our Leadership Team as soon as possible. We are an independent evangelical charismatic church with approximately 65 members, based in Boscombe, Bournemouth. We are looking for a man who is born again, spirit filled, and highly motivated and committed to be our full time Pastor.

Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Geof: So you’re trying to seek God’s will, but only if God’s will is yes?
Michelle: Yes, that’s right. It’s hard work.
Mark: And what’s your question?
Michelle: [mumbling] Is it God’s will that I marry Brad Pitt...
Mark: What was that?
Michelle: [loudly and clearly] Is it God’s will that I marry Brad Pitt!


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Geof: No, I mean a direct answer to your question
Michelle: I know it’s a big book, but it hasn’t got a specific answer for every specific question
Mark: Have you thought about whether your “yes” or “no” best fits with God’s character? Which is the most true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable?
Michelle: Um...
Geof: Have you simply asked God in prayer whether it’s a yes or a no?
Michelle: Oh, I don’t want to do that. What if he says no?


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mark: What does your ipod say?
Michelle: It’s giving me a choice of “Best Worship Songs Ever” and “Kylie Minogue Greatest Hits”. It’s not really the answer I’m looking for...
Geof: Have you read the Bible to see if there’s an answer to your dilemma in there?
Michelle: Where do you think I got all these ideas from?


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Geof: If I’m a prophet my line must be “Repent! Turn from your evil ways and commit yourself to the Lord or disaster will befall you!”
Michelle: Oh, you’re no help! [taking ipod out of pocket and talking to it] What about you? Do you say yes or no?
Mark: What are you doing now?
Michelle: I’m consulting an ipod. [blank looks from Geof and Mark] What? It’s Biblical! Look, 1 Samuel 23, from verse 9: When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ipod”, and then David asks his question, and the Lord replies through the ipod ...


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Geof: I could?
Michelle: Yes! Mr Prophet, does God say yes or no?
Geof: If I’m a prophet my line must be “Repent! Turn from your evil ways and commit yourself to the Lord or disaster will befall you!”
Michelle: Oh, you’re no help! [taking ipod out of pocket and talking to it] What about you? Do you say yes or no?


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Michelle: Yes. We can draw lots. [picks up 2 long sticks and one short, hides in hand] Pick a stick, any stick
[Geof and Mark take a stick each]
Michelle: Bother. I’ve got the short stick. Short stick means no [looks discouraged]
Geof: I think it’s going to rain...
Michelle: Aha! You could be a prophet!


Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mark: Does it?
Michelle: Yes, the first time you do it. But the second time damp means no and dry means yes
Geof: Yes or no to what?
Michelle: I’m trying to determine God’s will
Geof: Isn’t there another way you could do that?



Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth, 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church. Details from http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf or +44 (0)1202 399448.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Full Time Pastor Vacancy, Bournemouth
We are a 60 strong independent evangelical charismatic church in Bournemouth, Dorset. We are looking for a man who: has a love for Jesus and a lifestyle that commends the gospel; holds the conviction that the Bible is central to making disciples; has proven ministry experience. Responsibilities will include regular expository preaching and oversight of evangelism and outreach.

see http://richmondparkchurch.org.uk/media/JobVacancyPastor.pdf

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Michelle: Does that feel damp to you? [holding out a fleece jacket]
Mark: No, not really
Michelle: You’re saying “no”?
Mark: Yes, no
Michelle: You’re sure?
Mark: Yes, it’s a no – why?
Michelle: Damp means yes, dry means no


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Seeking God’s Will
The Bible has several suggestions on how to seek confirmation of God’s will, the most straight-forward way being to ask God in prayer. But sometimes we are worried that the answer won’t be what we want it to be and we need to be careful not to twist God’s Word to fit with our own desires. Judges 6: 36-40 (Gideon and the wool fleece); Joshua 18: 8-10 and Acts 1: 23-26 (drawing lots); 1Samuel 23: 9-12 (“bring the ephod”); Ezekiel 18: 30-32 (“Repent and live!”); Jeremiah 16: 10-15 (“such a great disaster”); James 1:5 (“he should ask God”); 2Timothy 3: 16 (“All Scripture is God-breathed”); Philippians 4: 8 (“whatever is true..”)


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Peter: We’re going to be “clothed with power from on high” [Luke 24:49]

Andrew: Well, that’s good, because I think you should be clothed in something other than pyjamas if you’re going to go all over the world telling people about Jesus

[At same time as this, use something to represent “the blowing of a violent wind” (Acts 2: 2) eg. a powerful fan with ribbons attached blowing out, or a sound effect (use a search engine to find sound effects you can download for free)]

Bartholomew: You’re so right, I can feel an awful draft…[looks around for the source of the draft – everyone freezes]



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: Given that he’s giving us this gift so that we have the right words to say when we are arrested, and I quote, “brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them” [Mat 10: 18-20] I’m not sure if I want to find out!

Peter: It’s going to be fine. The Holy Spirit is going to be our Helper too, reminding us of how Jesus would do things [John 14:26] and guiding us [John 16:13]

Bartholomew: It’s going to be like that feeling of courage and excitement we get when Jesus lets us in on the secrets of his kingdom. And we’re going to have that flowing from us all the time [John 37-39]


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: But we’ve been waiting for days. What if it doesn’t come? What if it has come and we’ve missed it?

Peter: We won’t miss it! We just need to be patient!

Andrew: That’s funny! You! Peter, being patient!

Bartholomew: I wonder what being baptised in the Holy Spirit is like?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: No, it’s not come. And I’m beginning to doubt it ever will.

Bartholomew: It will come! It will! He promised!

Andrew: This is so dangerous, waiting here in Jerusalem. If we are going to receive the gift he promised, I wish we could receive it somewhere else!

Bartholomew: I think it’s really exciting! Hiding here, waiting for a special gift of God’s power! [Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4] I can’t wait to get it!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew sitting looking dejected, about to tip cornflakes into a cereal bowl. Bartholomew and Peter burst on to stage, all are in pyjamas/ dressing gowns and slippers.

Peter: [very excited - addressing Andrew] Is it here? Has it come?!

Bartholomew: Have you hidden it somewhere?! [searching about]

Andrew: Every morning, it’s the same! When will you two give up?

Peter: So it’s not come then?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Waiting for The Gift (of the Holy Spirit)

Acts 1:1-8 and 2:1-4. For Pentecost.

When Jesus was arrested and crucified the disciples were terrified for their own safety and completely gutted that Jesus’ ministry should have come to an end in this way. But after the resurrection and his appearances to the disciples, imagine how they might be feeling? Confused, elated, excited, wondering what comes next? In this in-between stage they haven’t been given the Holy Spirit, so are still dependant on Jesus’ actual presence and reassurance, and they are still in danger from the religious leaders and the Romans. But Jesus has told them to wait in Jerusalem, that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them and that then they will be witnesses for Jesus “to the ends of the earth” [Acts 1: 8].


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: In the past only God’s prophets were touched by his Holy Spirit, but now God wants to pour out his Spirit over all who believe in his son, Jesus

Peter: And all who believe will prophesy, or have visions, or dreams, or speak in different languages

Person in Crowd: What should we do?!

Peter: Save yourselves – repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Andrew: That’s another 3000 for the Possible Mission Taskforce!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Peter: We’re not drunk! It’s only nine in the morning!

Matthias: In no other name is there salvation, Jesus is Lord of all

Andrew: You saw his miracles, wonders and signs – he was sent by God and raised from death by God

Peter: We are witnesses to his resurrection, and because this Jesus is now seated at the right hand of his father in heaven, he has given us the Holy Spirit, as he promised


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: (opens dossier, takes out two clear sleeves, speaking at same time) This is the choice of agents to replace Judas on the Possible Mission Taskforce…Barsabbas, a-k-a Justus, or Matthias.

(Andrew puts them behind his back and switches them about)

Peter: Lord, do you choose the left hand or the right hand? (pause) He says the right…

Andrew: Matthias it is!

(Enter Matthias. Play sound effect of violent wind - Andrew, Peter and Matthias take flame headbands from briefcase and put on their heads – all face forward in a line)

Andrew: We’re ready for action!

Peter: People of Jerusalem! We want to tell you about Jesus and we are not afraid to do so!

Matthias: Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, he’s the Lord of all the earth!

Person in Crowd: You’re all drunk!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mission Possible - Pentecost

(John to play theme music of Mission: Impossible)

(Peter and Andrew, carrying a brief case/dossier, enter.)

Andrew: Play the tape! (shouts this across to John on sound-desk, this is literally a cassette)

Tape: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go, make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to follow everything Jesus taught you. To help you on this mission, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Remember, with God all things are possible. This tape will self-destruct in three seconds. (ends with sound effect of taping fizzing into destruction)


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Ascension Day - 40 days AFTER Easter Sunday



Looking forward from Easter day to the end of the Easter period there are the little remembered Rogation days (for prayer, and formerly also of fasting, aimed at persuading God to protect and give a good harvest). These lead up to Ascension Day 40 days after Easter Day - when we remember Jesus ascending into heaven. This concludes the Easter period itself.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

But then use of Jonhhy Cash's "Ring of Fire" was refused altogether by the owner's of the sound recording (Sony BMG Music). We are unable to use another track we wanted, "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, as MCPS were unable to get in contact with the publisher and could therefore not get permission to use it. We are therefore not currently going to include videos with music in them on the website!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The current process is long-winded and involved. As an example of how this all works (or doesn't!), at the date of writing this article, we have been quoted £50+VAT for the PRS Online Licence for a year, and £400 for a year's use of one track (Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire") from the owners of the composer's rights (Shapiro, Bernstein & Co) via MCPS.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Come and play skittles at the Hamworthy Club in Canford Magna on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2010 at 7.15pm. This is an evangelistic event in that there will be a short "Food for Thought" God slot, but it is light-hearted and not pushy, and mingles well with the socialising and eating and skittling. Tickets cost £7 and there is a choice of fish and chips or chicken and chips or veggie burger and chips. So get inviting your non Christian friends! Names of those attending, meal choice and money need to be with Pauline at Richmond Park Church by Sunday 23rd May at the very latest.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

3) Permission from the owner of the sound recording of each individual track you wish to use. You can ask PPL to identify who owns the sound recording and give you the contact details of that owner. You then have to apply to the owner of that particular sound recording for permission to use that track.

PPL stands for Phonographic Performance Limited

http://www.ppluk.com/

email: member.info@ppluk.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 7534 1122 to ask PPL to identify who owns the sound recording and give you the contact details of that owner

or for general information, email: iestyn.david@ppluk.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 7534 1257


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

2) Permission from the publisher that owns the rights of whoever wrote each individual track you wish to use. You need to complete a MCPS Information Supply Form for prior approval of online music use. (MCPS are also trialling some blanket licences, to save you having to get a licence for each individual track, which may be worth while if you intend to use lots of tracks.)

MCPS is the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

email: newtech@mcps.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 8378 7500

They will need to know the song title, artist, the nature of your website, context of music use, number of hits per month, and how long you want the licence to last. It also helps if you can provide the name of the composer, publishers, and the duration of music use. Or you can discuss the possibility of some sort of blanket licence.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

When the worship was over, the sermon started and during the sermon, I heard those same three words again ‘Come, follow me’. After the sermon, the church pastor said ‘If anyone wants to become a Christian, then come to the front’. So I quickly prayed my first prayer asking if these words and visions were really from God. Shortly after I prayed, I heard that same voice and saw that same vision of Jesus as before. The voice said ‘Yes Come, follow me’. So I went forward, got prayed for and became a Christian. That was 9 years ago and I’m still a Christian today. It hasn’t always been an easy 9 years but I know that God has been there for me and has helped me through both the good and bad times.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

So I went to this baptism and as the worship started it all felt a bit strange because this was a modern church and my vision of church at the time was old fashioned traditional, pews and church organ church. But this was different. This was a lively all dancing, all singing church with a band not an organ. As the worship went on, I somehow (don’t know how) joined in with the worship and closed my eyes. After a while, in my mind, I had a picture of Jesus and I heard a voice in my head saying ‘Come, follow me’. I just dismissed the picture and the voice as I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mark's Story: Before I became a Christian, I was just a normal teenager into girls, sex, etc. I had no contact with any Christians and didn’t really think much about life and God. However, when I attended college, there was this Christian in my class who I got very friendly with. Halfway through the college year, his girlfriend was getting baptised. He invited me to her baptism and I said yes just to keep him happy and I suppose I was a bit curious about God and Church at the time but always put it at the back of my mind and denied it.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

1) Permission to broadcast music online. You need to apply for a PRS Online Licence.

PRS stands for Performing Right Society

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

email: darren.house@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0207 306 4248


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

If you wish to use commercial music -eg. something written and recorded by professional musicians that you've bought on a CD- on a video of your own making on your website, you need to get three types of clearance before you can go ahead.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) do NOT cover licencing for use of music on websites.

It may help to start by reading the FAQs from http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/about_us/press/Pages/PressFAQs.aspx



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Getting permission to use copyrighted music in your video on your website.
Different rules apply for different uses of music on a website, so if you want to use music on a website but not in your own videos, you should check the rules with MCPS, PRS and PPL.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

And because of the different ways of structuring sentences (grammar) in different languages, and special ways of using words, it is possible to end up saying the same thing in different ways. If you've ever tried to learn another language, French for example, you will understand the difficulties!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

So, basically, the reason there are diffferent translations of the Bible is that it was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, so needed translating, in our case, into English.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Since that time many other translations (or versions) have been written to try to get the balance right between being faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek words, and at the same time communicate the original meaning, in a form of English which can be understood by today's reader.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

A man called Tyndale translated the New Testament from Greek into English and got as far as translating half of the Old Testament, before he was caught and executed for committing this crime. But then King Henry VIII spilt from Rome and the authority of the pope and decided to commission an official English Bible. This was superseded by the King James Bible, or Authorised Version in 1611.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

It wasn't until the Reformation (a period of huge social and political upheaval) in the 14th century AD that campaigners braved the wrath of the established church to call for the Bible to be translated into ordinary, everyday languages.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

As Christianity spread into the western world, a Latin translation was needed as that was the written language of the minority who were literate. After the collapse of the Roman empire, Latin was only used by intellectuals and the church, but sadly the then powerful church chose not to encourage or allow translations of the Bible into the languages spoken by normal people in order to keep control of religious information.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.