Are you living a life less rewarding?
Do you feel that every day is like the day before?
Do you feel trapped on an endless conveyor belt?
Are you searching for life’s meaning in a dictionary?

Come as you Are!

Newmachar Parish Church
is proud and honoured to offer you the
‘Change of a Lifetime’

The Alpha Course
Upstairs at the Kirk, Thursday,
17th January at 7.30pm
 

 
   Ever wondered what it's all about? 

   Over 2 million people in the UK and 10 
 million worldwide have now attended an
 Alpha course, an opportunity to explore
 the meaning of life, running in tens of
 thousands of churches of all
 denominations across the world.

   Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to
 explore the Christian faith in a relaxed
 setting over ten thought-provoking
 weekly sessions, with a day or
weekend away.
 

How the course works
The course is based around small groups of about 12 people, hosted by one or two leaders whose role is to facilitate and encourage discussion.

Courses vary in size, from one small group meeting in a home, to hundreds of people in a larger venue. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour, most are evening courses, typically lasting 2 hours. Whatever the course size, people tend to remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.

The whole course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle.

Each session begins with a meal or refreshments - a chance to get to know others in the small group. There is then a short talk, which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week.This is followed by a time of discussion in the small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss with the rest of the group.

The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.
 

 
 Who is it for?
   The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren't churchgoers and each course is open to everyone who would like to attend.

Most courses attract a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints. Over 7,000 courses are currently running across the UK in rural and urban settings, including every major UK city.

People find out about the Alpha course in a number of ways - a recommendation from a friend, a poster, flyer, newspaper article or advert, or through the website or an internet search.

Guests attend for a wide variety of reasons - some want to investigate whether God exists; others are concerned about what happens after death. Some people have particular questions that they would like to discuss; others want to understand other peoples' beliefs or would like to explore what the purpose of life is. Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.
 

   Course Content
   The talks each week cover the following
  topics, which people are then free to discuss
  in the small groups afterwards:

  Week 1 Who is Jesus?
  Week 2 Why did Jesus Die?
  Week 3 How can we have Faith?
  Week 4 Why and how do I Pray?
  Week 5 Why and how should I read the Bible?
  Week 6 How does God Guide us?
  Week 7 How can I Resist Evil?
  Week 8 Why and how should I tell Others?
  Week 9 Does God Heal Today?
  Week 10 What about the Church?
 

 ‘Change of a Lifetime’
The Alpha Course
Newmachar Parish Church
Begins 17th January
Contact Manson Merchant or
Moira Lee to reserve