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An opportunity
                         to explore



                                           the meaning of life.




                                                                  What is the point of life?


                                                              What happens when we die?

                                                           What relevance does Jesus have

     The Alpha Course                                                for our lives today?

                                                                How do we deal with guilt?






       If you would like to explore any of these questions, then Alpha is for you.
                   Ask your local church for details or ring (01793) 874221


        nyone interested in finding out more about the    The Alpha course consists of a series of talks looking
    AChristian faith.                                     at topics such as 'Who is Jesus?' and 'Why and how
       earning and laughter. It is possible to learn about   do / pray TA fter each talk we divide into smaller groups
    Lthe Christian faith and  have fun at the same time.   and discuss any questions raised from the talk.
        asta & pudding. Eating a meal together gives      Alpha is for everyone. It particularly caters for:
    Ppeople an opportunity to get to know each other.      •    Those wanting to investigate Christianity
        elping one another. The   small groups give you a   •   Newcomers to the church
        chance to discuss Issues   raised in the talks.    •    New Christians
        sk anything. Alpha Is a place   where no question   •   Those wanting to brush up on the basics
    AIs regarded as too simple or too hostile.            There Is no charge for the Alpha course.


     The Alpha Course                                                      playing with a Christening ornament.
                                                                           Mandy rescued it then looked at the base.
     made sense of life for                                                Printed there were the words, "Mandy, I
                                                                           love you just the way you are." Mandy
     Mandy and Keith                                                       sobbed, laughed, wailed - the feeling of
     "In the last eight months my life has                                 relief was immense! This was her sign from
     changed. You see, I've found LOVE, pure                               Jesus.
     unconditional love. I still have to pinch                             Keith was more sceptical but came on the
     myself to believe what has happened,"                                 next Alpha course. His interest grew as the
     says Mandy. "OK. Jesus... lam ready to                                videos and friendly discussion answered
     trust you, but to convince me I need you                              his questions. Having missed the session
     to do two things for me." said Keith.                                 on prayer, he decided to test it anyway.
     Mandy and Keith's problems as a young couple were all familiar   "OK. Jesus, I want you to payoff all my debts and I want you
     ones: Debt, uprooted from their home town, a mixed marriage,   to get me the   Job that Is right for me.
     etc. Mandy read a few books on religion from the library, and then   Two days later he had  dream about winning the National Lottery!
     took the family to Holy Trinity church, Shaw. Her interest was stirred   That Saturday he won £10. "That was it! Jesus had listened to my
     and she joined the new Alpha course.                 prayer and I could trust him, but He wasn't going to pay off my
     The videos really spoke to her and she began to question her life,   debts that way." He had three jobs in the pipeline, and on the
     she became a Christian encouraged by Jesus' words, "Ask and   following Monday he phoned the personnel manager of one of
     you will receive. But she secretly longed for a physical sign from   the companies. He was stunned again to be offered the position
     Jesus.                                               with a bonus. God's timing was just right, and now Keith is devoting
     Then a couple of weeks later, her three year old daughter was   his life to him.
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