Harvest Thanksgiving and Farewell to Clarke and Hazel Deering

The sun shone as Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church Lambeg celebrated harvest thanksgiving last Sunday. The congregation enjoyed the vista of fruit, vegetables and flowers and Rev David Knox thanked all who had given gifts and of their time to tastefully decorate the buildings.The new student assistant minister Rev Helen Freeburn spoke to the children on the value of water. The children’s choir along with the church choir under the leadership of Mrs Jinhyeng Glissman sang the anthem ‘What a wonderful world’. The sermon by Rev Knox was on the reaping of the seed we sow.The harvest offering goes to the Presbyterian United Appeal which supports the PCI’s social and evangelic mission in Ireland and abroad.In the evening Rev Clarke Deering led his final service. He has been called to Ballycairn Presbyterian Church. Rev Deering spoke on the ‘Fruits of the Harvest’ portraying how our lives can produce fruits of faith. Again the choir sang harvest anthems and the traditional hymns where enjoyed by all present.The harvest supper provided an opportunity to say goodbye to the Deerings. Mr Derek Alexander, as session clerk spoke on behalf of the congregation expressing best wishes in their new church. These wishes were reinforced by Rev Knox. Mr Nicholas Trimble presented Clarke with a gift from the church and flowers were presented to Hazel Deering by Rae Dickson.Clarke responded by thanking everyone, not only for the gift but for the spiritual gifts that he has received from so many people but most of all from Rev Knox and the everlasting friendships formed in the past two years.