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With Christ

Miss Muriel May Aicken, aged 75, suddenly in hospital. Saved as a little girl and received into Clonkeen assembly, she later came to Dundonald where she was highly esteemed, taking an active interest in all the assembly affairs, especially in the children’s work. The children loved her and would have fought to get a seat beside her. Some weeks before her death her brother was taken, this leaving three sisters, one of whom is not well and needs our prayers. Muriel will be greatly missed, and the assembly will be poorer without her. The very large funeral was from Dundonald Hall. J G Hutchinson and G Hall gave messages of comfort and gospel, assisted by local brethren in prayer and hymns.

Mrs Janet Bruce, on 25th May, aged 59. Saved at the age of ten, Janet met with the Cullen assembly for the last 14 years, having been previously in fellowship in York Street Hall, Peterhead. Janet was a lovely, self-effacing, consistent sister with a deep love for the Lord and His people. Diagnosed with serious illness early in 2007, her acceptance and quiet courage were an example to all. She was very often present at assembly gatherings when really not physically able, until severe weakness during the last three weeks of her life made attendance impossible. The large funeral testified to the respect in which she was held. Please remember her husband John and the family in prayer.

Mrs Edith Colgan, aged 86, went to be with Christ on 24th May. She was brought up in the Rosslea/Clones area. Her parents were farmers and their farm straddled the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. She met her late husband, Robert Colgan (known as Bob), when he was posted to Rosslea during his time as a serving member of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary. Following their marriage Bob was transferred to Crossgar in 1947. On coming to Crossgar Bob and Edith professed faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Edith was saved on 15th February, 1954 through Isaiah 53.5-6. She was later received into Crossgar assembly where she remained until she was taken home to glory. She was a devoted mother, faithful in her attendance at all the meetings, a caring and attentive neighbour, and had an excellent testimony in the community where she lived. She was held in very high esteem, this being confirmed by the large number present at her funeral. The services were shared by J Beattie, W J Nesbitt, J Palmer, B Currie, and R J Tinsley. She will be sadly missed as a mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother, and by the Crossgar assembly.

Mr Alex McFeeters, aged 86, called home on 5th March. Alex was saved in 1941 through Isaiah 53.5 during gospel meetings conducted by Mr Stewart and Mr Wallace. He enjoyed happy fellowship in the assemblies in Londonderry, Sion Mills, Holywood, and for the last 20 years in Central Hall, Bangor. He was very interested and active in all aspects of assembly life and in the preaching of the gospel, and shared in oversight responsibilities in Sion Mills and Holywood. In recent years he had a particular involvement in the Friendship meeting, inviting, transporting, and taking a personal interest in the people. He also supported a monthly meeting in Sunnyside Residential Home, and for a number of years conducted a weekly Bible study in Richmond Nursing Home in Cultra. A brother beloved he will be missed. His very large funeral was from Central Hall where fitting family and assembly tributes were given with Mr J G Hutchinson speaking warm words of comfort, gospel and challenge.

Mrs Isobel Kyle, aged 65. Following a long trying illness our dear sister was called home to be with her Lord on 31st January. With her husband they both attended gospel meetings conducted by T McNeill and the late J Hawthorne in a tent in Portavogie in mid-summer 1977, when both were awakened to their need of salvation and were saved at the meetings. A short time later, she was baptised and received into fellowship in the New Road assembly, Portavogie, where she attended all the meetings faithfully while health permitted. A quiet godly sister with a good testimony who loved the Lord, His Word, and His people. The very large funeral, which included many Roman Catholics present, was from the Gospel Hall, and bore evidence of the respect in which she was held in the area. T McNeill spoke words of comfort and gospel at the service in the hall, and D W McNeill preached the gospel at the graveside, with R McCoubrey sharing in hymns and prayer at both services. Prayer valued for husband, son and daughter, all of whom have got the blessed hope of re-union.

Mr Hugh Logan, aged 87, called suddenly home to glory on 12th January. Saved when a lad of 14 years, shortly afterwards he was baptised and received into fellowship in Ballyclare assembly. In later years, he was in the Carrickfergus assembly, and for the past four years in the assembly at Ballycastle, where he with his wife moved to be nearer to their married daughter. In earlier years our brother was quite active with other brethren in the gospel, which he loved. On his last Lord’s Day, after remembering the Lord, he requested the twenty-third Psalm to be sung, and as he read the words of the hymn he stressed, "And in God’s house for evermore, my dwelling place shall be". A few days later he had arrived. Brethren J Lennox and T McNeill spoke at the funeral services helped by local brethren with hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for his dear widow who is not too well, and the family circle.

Mr James (Jim) Mairs, aged 73, called home suddenly on 5th May. Jim was saved in 1954 after a gospel meeting. Having concern about his soul he asked the late Sammy Moore how he could be saved. As he listened to the reply he saw the way of salvation and trusted Christ. Later he was baptised and received into the assembly at Ballyclare where he was regular in his attendance until health problems restricted him. Our brother was an asset in the assembly because of his good testimony amongst business associates. This was reflected in the large number of local people and relations who attended his funeral. He is missed by all. The service in the Funeral Parlour was taken by Sam Kennedy and Edward Greer, and at the cemetery by Jack Lennox and Stafford Logan. Please pray for his widow Margaret, two daughters, and a son-in-law.

Mrs Mary Martin, aged 79, of Bothwellhaugh, Lanarkshire, was called home from Nethanvale care home, Auchlochan, Lesmahagow on 23rd March, after a long illness patiently borne. She was saved in her early teens, baptised, and received into the assembly in Bothwellhaugh. Mary was of a quiet disposition, noticed especially by the many who cared for her, and was much loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her husband George, son Andrew and Mary, and daughter Mary and Hugh, who visited her regularly, and the four grandchildren. At the thanksgiving service, Lynsey, the eldest, read from 1 Corinthians 13.4-5 and Philippians 4.8 as a tribute to her Gran.

Mrs Edith Moore, aged 95, saved in 1940. Her late husband Mr S H Moore pre-deceased her. Together they served the Lord in South Africa. A godly sincere sister who stood with her husband faithfully in all his work and with him saw God working, souls saved, and assemblies planted. She was loved and respected by the South African people. Her funeral was from Silverbirch Hall in Bangor, which was conducted by Mr McCullough with J G Hutchinson giving a message and Mr D Aberneil paying a tribute. One sister in the Lord from South Africa read a tribute.

Mr Robert (Bobby) Thompson, in his 84th year. Born on 8th May, 1926, born again in May 1961, he was called home on 4th May. He was saved at the age of 35, following an accident on his farm. Soon after, he was baptised and received into the assembly in Ballymoney, where he continued steadfastly until his illness some years back, being in hospital, and nursing homes. He was a godly and quiet believer. His funeral was large, with quite a number of neighbours attending in the Gospel Hall where J G Hutchinson, Thomas McCaughan, James Martin, and Eric Love took the service. At the grave in Ballycastle Robin McKeown and Dr David Hutchinson were responsible. Prayer is requested for three sisters, a niece, and nephews who mourn his passing.

Mr William White, aged 89, on 6th April. Saved as a young man in October, 1939, he went on to prove the reality of his salvation throughout his long life. His witness began in Ashgill where he laboured faithfully for many years as Sunday School Superintendent, Correspondent, and Overseer. His wisdom and guidance were greatly valued. He was marked by stability, consistency, and enthusiasm in his labour for His Lord. Our brother came into fellowship in Hareleeshill Gospel Hall, Larkhall in July, 1986 and continued to display the traits of a good man "always abounding in the work of the Lord". Even in advancing years he delighted in open air preaching and his fervent love for the saints was exhibited in his unstinting hospitality towards the Lord’s people. Men of his calibre are scarce among the ranks of the Redeemed today. Prayer would be valued for his dear widow Mary who is now resident in Auchlochan. "The memory of the just is blessed."

Mrs Margaret Wilson, called home on 27th March. John 5.24 helped her to salvation as a girl of 15 at meetings conducted by the late T McKelvey and T Wallace. Baptised and received into the Ballynashee assembly, after her marriage to John Wilson in 1952 she moved to the Harryville assembly, Ballymena, where she was a faithful member - a widow for 12 years. Monthly gospel meetings and special series were held in a converted barn on their farmyard at the Greenhill, to which she gave wholehearted support, showing hospitality to neighbours. She was an active, hardworking lady, with a caring interest in missionaries. Paying tribute at her funeral M McKillen said, "She hath done what she could", while T Wallace brought words of comfort and challenge in the home. A large audience at the graveside heard a clear gospel message from R Pickering, L Reynolds, and J Workman sharing in prayer. She is sorely missed by her three sons who all have the blessed hope of meeting their parents "In the sweet by-and-by".

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