Page 3 - Contact Winter 2015

- Forty - In the New Year - in 2016 - High Kirk church We have invested money recently in building will be forty years old. I remember improvements in the sanctuary (new 1976 well for it was when our family moved platform, excellent lighting and sound Norman’s Viewpoint to Ballymena. It was one of those warm system and total repainting) but the surrounding rooms and foyer areas are in summers when the sunny days went on - Christmas & Exodus - forever and I spent a lot of time digging need of refurbishment and improvements the garden to make it ready to be re-sown. to bring our building up to 21st century Such summers are not so common now. standards. The property committee have, I remember riding on my bike around the with others, been looking for some time at north part of the town just exploring my new possible major improvements to our build- community and I came across a large red ing. Plans are currently being considered by I have always been struck at this time of year In both cases God ensured the salvation of bricked building. I stopped to admire it for it the Committee which seek to provide a more by the similarities between the birth of Moses his people, despite the dangerous climate was impressive, and still is. I discovered that it welcoming foyer, enlarged social spaces, and the birth of Jesus. Moses was provided of evil and death. The gospel today in our was a Presbyterian Church and I appreciated more small rooms, a link corridor connecting by God to be the leader of Israel who would culture is also under threat. Christmas will its state of the art curves and impressive site. the two ends of the building in a way which guide them out of the slavery of Egypt and as usual be swamped by commercialism Little did I know that one day I would be the satisfes child protection and improves the clutches of Pharaoh. It is known to us as and the baby will probably get lost in the minister of that church. security, better car parking and clearer the Exodus. The young Moses was entrusted wrappings, but for those with eyes to see entrances and frontage, which are less to God by his mother as he was placed in a and hearts that are soft, they will see not When I started my legal career as a solicitor imposing and confusing for visitors. basket on the river in a climate where young just a baby, but the Son of God, a greater in 1984, my pupillage was with Lyle Cubitt. male babies were being killed. Pharaoh than Moses who can lead us in an exodus, His ofce was in High Street adjacent to the The Kirk Session’s vision is that we be a was worried about how the Israelites were away from the slavery of sin. site where the old High Kirk Church was. church which continues to look outwards to increasing in numbers so he ordered the Indeed I later found out that I began my legal the community we are seeking to reach and mid-wives to kill the boy babies. God rescued God will ensure today, even in this career in the house which was formerly the any improvements to our buildings should Moses however and ironically he was raised atmosphere of apathy and antagonism High Kirk caretaker’s home and which serve that missional purpose. I am excited within the very household of Pharaoh. Eighty towards Him, that some will fnd faith and originally, was the High Kirk manse! God by the vision of what could be. This building years later he led the people of Israel to see Jesus for who He really is. He is not just has a sense of humour – a way of hinting at continues to see increasing numbers of freedom. a baby, He is the Son of God and Son of Man things. Since becoming minister here, I have people through its doors through the week and He will save us from our sins. Entrust often refected on the vision and foresight and we are reaching people across the Jesus likewise was born into a climate of your life to Him this Christmas if you have not of the leadership and the congregation in community and from every nation. We can threat where Herod decreed that all boys already done so and experience a wonderful their bold and risky move from High Street make a very good building even better as we under three years born in the vicinity of exodus from sin. in the mid 1970’s. I am sure it was costly in seek to reach today’s generation with the Bethlehem should be killed. Once again many ways and was hard on people who had gospel. As we enter our fortieth year and as under an oppressive regime, God ensures grown to love the old High Kirk. Change is the Committee soon shares their ideas and that Jesus is preserved and He leads people “She will give birth to a not easy, but it is worth it. plans with the congregation, I trust we will be into a greater exodus, not from the clutches risk takers who will again share the boldness of a Pharaoh or a Herod this time, but from son, and you are to give I have also admired the boldness and vision and vision of that previous generation of the the more powerful enslavement of sin and Him the name Jesus, of the architects because they designed a 1970s who caught a glimpse of the future in satan. Jesus is greater than Moses for He very contemporary building with I believe faith and went for it. To God be the glory. saves us from our sins. No mere human because He will save His one of the most beautiful sanctuaries for a being can do that – only Jesus the Son of building built in the last ffty years. It has stood Have a Happy and Blessed God can. “Jesus has been found worthy of people from their sins.” the test of time very well and for those who greater honour than Moses…” have lived through the transition, you would Christmas Season. (Hebrews 3:3). Matthew 1:21 understand that the building has contributed much to the life, worship and growth of High Kirk congregation. Norman