Ladies Craft Evenings start on 4th June 2015!

Ladies Craft Evenings - Get Arty! Inviting all women, of any age, to join some of the ladies of Richmond Park Church for creative arts and crafts sessions, every other Thursday, starting at 7pm (at different venues, see table below). With chat, cakes, and tea & coffee! £2 per event per person, cost includes craft materials for the session, cakes, and tea/coffee.

International Students meeting

International Students meeting this Thursday, 20th February at 6pm. This evening is great fun! We have a number of students join us from a selection of language schools, along with a few other international visitors from the Bournemouth and Boscombe area. It's an action packed evening which typically includes :- Enjoying a meal- We start the evening off with a meal. These are prepared by a number of different teams, many of themselves coming from different countries too. So there is often an international flavour to the meals. The meals have one thing in common though. They are all delicious! Learning some idioms- As well as the context of the whole evening being an opportunity to learn and practice conversational English there is also a short lesson. This is normally idioms but sometimes may be in the form of a quiz or some other way to engage with the language. Worshipping God- One of our church worship leaders lead us in a short time of singing. As well as being another way of interacting with the English language it gives an opportunity to meet with God in a special way. Listening to God- After the time of worship someone will give a short talk from the Bible. This is very engaging and geared to people whose first language is not English. Tea and coffee- We close the evening with refreshments: tea, coffee and a little cake. This is a great time to relax and chat to people from all around the world. Why don't you come along? It's a great evening! why not try one of the following dates: 6th February; 20th February; 6th March; 20th March....

New website!

Richmond Park Church now has a new website!

Richmond Park Church is a warm and welcoming, family orientated church, with passionate worship and lively Bible teaching; with a heart for reaching Boscombe, Bournemouth and further afield with the love of Jesus Christ. We are also privileged to be an international church, with over 12 nationalities worshipping with us. Please take a look at our new website!

More about Halloween....

Wednesday 31st October 2012: Fun Night 6-8pm. On Halloween evening we will have an open church with various activities (face painting, crafts etc) for any children wandering past, including refreshments for the parents. 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! 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". 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. 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. Wednesday 31st October 2012: Fun Night 6-8pm. On Halloween evening we will have an open church with various activities (face painting, crafts etc) for any children wandering past, including refreshments for the parents.

What's happening in June 2012

What’s Happening This Month Care Group - Tuesday 5th June (Bank Holiday), 6pm at Martin & Joy’s, bring and share food, prayer and fellowship. Picnic at Moors Valley for the children - Friday 8th June (in half term) - children must be accompanied by parent/carer. Meet at the main visitor centre at 10am. Please bring your own picnic. There is no entrance fee but parking charges apply. Speak to Joy for more information. Hope FM’s 5th Birthday celebration - Sat 9th June - 12 to 4 at Bandstand in Bournemouth Gardens, with live music and a bouncy castle. Bring a picnic. Safeguarding Training for new children’s workers—Saturdays 16th & 23rd June, 2.45pm to 6.15pm. Don’t forget to bring your Safeguarding information pack (the black ring-binder)! Fortnightly prayer breakfasts– 9th & 23rd June, at 8.30am, followed by a light breakfast. As you know we are at a very exciting time in the life of our church; we are currently seeking the Lord as to where he wants us geographically, but also expectant regards to the future generally. Burley Christian Festival - Sunday 24th June, 2-4pm at Manor Park (also known as Dan Tanners field) Burley. Hope FM, Keith Jones books, refreshment stalls and many others will be there. As we are already having a prayer breakfast Saturday we will cancel the evening so folk don't need to rush back. Reach out to internationals in the U.K. or overseas! International Training Network is running a one-week Introductory course in TESOL in Bournemouth from June 25th – 29th.  Please speak to Irwin for more details richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Parent & Toddler Group

We warmly invite you to our Parent & Toddler morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time from 9.30 to 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. 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! richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

January greeting

I personally must have read verse 12 hundreds of times over the years but even as I type I have been once again struck by those words “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Have you got it? You and I have been “taken hold of” by Jesus Christ!! Amazing truth for the “born again” believer…. Wow and double Wow!!

One personal reflection about “pressing on”. Way back in my youth when running in Cross Country races and I might add, occasionally since, when running to catch the bus!!! I developed stitch and quite often wanted to stop and give up but discovered that the best course of action was, in the words of a 70’s pop song, to “keep on running” and thus press on towards the winning post or bus stop!

So, if during 2012 you or I are tempted to give up, let’s make sure we “press on” in the clear understanding that the Lord is with us.

Have a good year………

Dave

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

New Year's Message from Dave

The first month of a new year always presents an opportunity to take stock and to seek to align ourselves to the purposes of God both individually and corporately, so consequently as we search our hearts there are doubtless a number of things that the Holy Spirit prompts us with……the major question is, and always will be,
are we open to allowing the Lord to lead and direct us in the year ahead?

My prayer would be, that the answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!!” and the Bible text that comes to mind is Philippians 3 verse 12 “ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” ( I suggest you continue reading verses 13 and 14 as well.)

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

History of Christmas part 1

Logically, it would make sense if Christmas had existed since the birth of Jesus, or at least since the resurrection of Jesus and the founding of the early Christian church. But, oh no! That would be far too easy! The first Christians didn't celebrate the birthday of Jesus; birthdays weren't considered a big deal in Jewish or early Christian culture. It was over one hundred years after the birth of Jesus that the church first suggested a solemn, respectful feast should be observed in honour of Jesus' birthday, and not until Julius 1st -who was pope from 337 to 352AD- that the date of 25th December was set for this "Feast of the Nativity".


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

October 2011 Events at Richmond Park Church

What’s Happening This Month

Bible conference at RPC - 8-9th October - Speaker Rev Sandy McMeekin.
Saturday 8th— Starting at 7.30pm
Sunday 9th– Both morning and evening services at our normal times.
(In order to make it easier for us to attend this special weekend we have cancelled the Care group meeting.)

‘No ticket needed’- Hosted at the Wessex Christian Centre. The Kings Chamber Orchestra on Friday 7th Oct & Pilgrims Progress by the Saltmine Theatre Company on 14th Oct. For further details and too reserve your free place please see the notice board.

‘How Great is our God’- Sunday AM 30th October - A DVD by Louie Giglio focusing on the greatness of God and his love for human kind. This is a guest service, so please invite your friends.

Halloween Alternative– 31 October– We are planning to have a little something for the children on this night. Details to follow.

Thank you!- Sylvia would like to thank everyone who has bought cards from her box. £50 has been sent to Open Doors. Keep buying!

Clocks go back one hour! - Sunday 30th October.


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

Parents & Toddlers

We warmly invite you to our Parents & Toddlers morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time from 9.30 to 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.

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.



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

September Events

Monday 19th September:

Fund raising fashion show for Hope FM and Hope HIV at St Leonards & St Ives Village Hall from 7pm (see notice board for more information).


Wednesday 21st September:

Teen Challenge concert at Boscombe Salvation Army starts 7.30pm (free entrance), everyone welcome.


Sunday 25th September:

10.30am Harvest Family service and 5pm Harvest Supper sit down meal, hymns and drama.


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

Pastor's Corner September 2011

So as the Harvest season draws near, spend some time thinking upon God’s goodness and provision to you in every aspect, then allow that spirit of thankfulness and praise to well up within your hearts. Allow that to overflow and affect the lives of those around you; those in church and those outside too and be amazed at the difference it makes in your life, as well as theirs. Let’s not forget, thankful people tend to be happier (and more contented) people.

A little exercise to help towards a thankful heart. Take a look at the different Bible passages using the word thank or thanks and note the different reasons, meditate on them and allow them to encourage you.

By the way; thanks for reading this.
God Bless Martin


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

Pastor's Corner Sept 2011

Thankfulness seems to be rapidly vanishing from our society; with selfishness and greed seemingly predominating. There is a preoccupation with our rights and entitlements, which has all but stamped out any feelings of gratitude and appreciation. This can be seen in the homes, work place and society at large. We need to guard against it in the church, in our relationships with each other but supremely in our relationship with the Lord.

As a gauge of our thankfulness, let’s ask ourselves the question, when was the last time we said ‘thank you’ to someone or to the Lord? And perhaps how many times have we said ‘thank you’ this past month? Saying thank you is so important and so encouraging. It says that you care about that person, appreciate what they have done and that you are not taking them for granted. It says a lot about the person saying thank you too!


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

Pastor's Corner September 2011

Pastor’s Corner

How many of us can still hear our parents saying, ‘what do you say?’ Or can hear ourselves,
perhaps even quite recently, saying it to our children or grandchildren? Of course, it is the
question asked to evoke the response; ‘thank you,’ to some kind deed or gift. It is a
question we pose to our children from time to time, though I must admit they are
getting much better and tend to need less prompting nowadays.

Later on in the month we are going to be celebrating Harvest here in the church. We, like
many churches, will be using it as an evangelistic opportunity, as we do with Christmas and
Easter. However, again similar to Christmas and Easter, we need to guard against us viewing
it only in an evangelistic light. It is a time for us above any other to be thankful, as we
reflect upon God’s provision for us, our families and our church, both on a material and
spiritual level.


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

International Student Meal 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.



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

International Student Meal Evening

Next meeting
Thursday 25th August at 6pm.

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

Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting at Richmond Park Church

As well as our Sunday morning service, we meet to pray Sunday evenings in the church at 6.30pm. You don't need to be in a church or with a group of people to pray; praying is just talking to God and you can do it walking along the street, doing the housework, while fetching a coffee from the vending machine in the office... but sometimes it's really good to get together and have other people back-up your prayers.



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

Morning Worship at Richmond Park Church

Then someone from the leadership team, or sometimes a guest speaker from another church, will spend 30 minutes teaching us about what the Bible says and how that applies to our lives today. We mainly use the New International (NIV) Version of the Bible. We have two BSL (British Sign Language for the deaf) signers in our church who interpret for our deaf members. On the third Sunday of every month the service includes taking Communion (also known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist). This is when Christians eat a piece of bread and drink a little bit of wine or red grape/currant juice as a reminder of Jesus' body being broken for us (the bread) and his blood spilt (the wine) when he died on the cross and how grateful and amazed we should be that he went through all that suffering to pay the price for our sins and reunite us with God the Father.

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

Morning Worship at Richmond Park Church

We do indeed sing our praise songs (modern hymns) along to the music of a guitar, keyboard, trombone, and drums, sometimes clapping along, and a couple of people even shake a tambourine! No organs or pews or stained glass windows for us! We have chairs set in rows; a Powerpoint projector beams the words of our songs onto a screen, we don't have hymn books; we don't have prayer books either - people pray out loud when they feel able to, from where they are standing or sitting. Some of the ladies dance to the songs, using expressive hand movements, or waving flags. Sometimes before the sermon our amateur drama group will act, or use puppets, to visually present their five minute interpretation of a Bible story or theme.

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