Celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday with Afternoon Tea at the Kepier Hall on Sunday 15th May at 3.00pm. Limited tickets available for £10 from the Next 900 team at church. Includes a glass of Prosecco!
As part of Thy Kingdom Come national wave of prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost (8-15 May) we will be leading prayer inspired by Houghton Rector, Apostle of the North, Bernard Gilpin (1517-1583) at Durham Cathedral on Friday 13 May, 8.00pm-9.30pm. Come and pray with us!
Friday 13 May
9.15am – 5.15pm
The Galilee Chapel – prayer space for Thy Kingdom Come – a special week of prayer, today’s focus is Bernard Gilpin, Apostle to the North.
8.00pm – 9.30pm
The Gregory Chapel – a prayer gathering inspired by Bernard Gilpin, Apostle to the North.
Bernard Gilpin, known as The Apostle of the North, lived through the tumultuous and dangerous times of the sixteenth century Reformation. His early academic career was marked by the theological controversies of the time, but during the reign of Queen Elizabeth he became Rector of Houghton-le-Spring and for the next 26 years was known for his generosity, help for the poor, and his annual travel in the border area of England and Scotland where he endured hardship in order to preach the gospel and care for the people living in poverty. Following his example, we pray for the mission of the church in proclaiming the gospel and caring for people in need, especially in this North East region.
Lord God,
whose Son Jesus Christ loves the Church
and desires to present it holy and without stain:
we thank you for Bernard Gilpin, Apostle of the North,
and pray that like him we may show forth
integrity in the faith and purity of life;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our annual Friends of Houghton Parish Church Trust events are coming up this May. There’s something for everyone!
Thursday 5th May, 7pm – Houghton Brass in Concert (£5 entry)
Saturday 7th May, 10am-1pm – Coffee Morning
Monday 9th May, 7pm – The George Whitfield Organ Concert – with Dr Gordon Stewart (£7 entry)
Jesus Christ calls every person to follow him. As Christians it’s our duty and joy to share that invitation. That’s why the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every church in England to join a week of prayer this Pentecost, from 8-15th May — let’s pray for every Christian to receive new confidence and joy in sharing this life-transforming faith.
In response to this there will be a series of prayer spaces across Houghton-le-Spring to which we invite everyone to come in the days between Ascension Day and Pentecost to pray for renewal – of themselves, of our community and of our nation. Can you spare a few minutes or even an hour to pray during this special time? You will be joining with people all over the country in a great ‘wave of prayer’.
Prayer Spaces in Houghton-le-Spring
In St Michael & All Angels Church
In the big church on the Broadway, Houghton-le-Spring. Add your prayers to our prayer tree. Pray for friends, family, neighbours to come to know the love of God. Pray for our nation and our government. Pray for whatever burdens you are carrying.
Prayer Labyrinth outside St Michael’s Church
Use this ancient form of prayer by walking around the labyrinth path into the centre. As you walk slowly, ask God to speak to you, pray for anything that comes to mind. Journey with God and see what happens.
Space4 prayer
Join us at Space4 on the ground floor of Houghton Library on Newbottle Street in an interactive prayer space.
Durham Cathedral Friday 13th May 8.00-9.30pm
Join us in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral as we are inspired by Bernard Gilpin, Apostle of the North to pray for the re-evangelisation of the North East.
Join us for an evening of entertainment and music with the Gilpin Singers on Wednesday 27th April at 7pm in the Kepier Hall. Tickets are £3 and include tea and coffee – you can bring your own drinks.
At our APCM yesterday we had to give a very special thank you to our Church Warden extraordinaire Alastair Bradley who has served us very faithfully for a full term of 6 years. Alastair has made a particular contribution to managing and maintaining the fabric of our Grade I listed building and will continue in a role as Assistant Church Warden in this capacity.
Thanks for all your hard work Alastair!
Join us this Wednesday 13th April at 1.00pm – for a special Master Musicians International piano recital from Jens Hagen Wegner (Germany). Jens will be playing a selection from Chopin, Liszt and Dohnanyi. Tickets are £7 on the door.
Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ there would be no worshipping community here in Houghton-le-Spring. Everything we do is in response to the love God lavished on us through Jesus. We are all trying to make a difference and share this love with everyone we encounter. Here is a video and song expressing this desire – will you join us?
Every good wish for a joyous Easter
Rector Sue and the St Michael’s Ministry Team
We were blessed with beautiful weather this morning as we gathered in Rectory Park for our Procession of the Palms remembering Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowds waved their palms.
We were joined by Houghton Youth Brass Band and two donkeys, the little one, a Spanish miniature called Bethany and the bigger one an Irish breed called Summer.
Here are some photos from John Lambton of this very special day:
This Sunday’s Engage explores the question of Why did Jesus Die? If you haven’t been to an Engage service before – why not try it out. The service is relaxed, we sing contemporary songs, listen to readings and ‘engage’ with God and each other. See you there this Sunday at 6pm.