Blog Archives

Thursday 25th February 2021

25/2/2021

Beside The Burn
This week we begin the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let’s Pray For Timothy Vaughan (community outreach worker, Garnerville, Belfast)
Pray for God’s guidance for Timothy and others as they regather momentum in regards to Alpha courses and outreach. Pray that many people will engage with them online and that God will bless and inspire them.

Corboy and Mullingar congregations
Pray for Rev Danny Reyes, the leaders and members of the congregations as they continue to worship together online and seek to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Babel

PCI Podcast with PW (40 minute audio)
Presbyterian Women have been taking part in this twenty ninth episode of PCI's Podcasts.
It is entitled, STORIES OF GOD’S WAYS AMONG US .
The creativity and courage of congregations and individuals is encouraging in stories of life and witness from across PCI including recipe books, a drive-in cinema and the hope of sunflowers. These are some of the examples told by Neil Harrison and Pauline Kennedy along with guests Flo Houston (Conor) and Andrew Dawson (Second Dromara), as we hear good news stories of God’s ways among us, near and far, throughout the pandemic. Click on the link to Listen Now ?:

https://audioboom.com/posts/7807625-029-stories-of-god-s-ways-among-us

Heroes Of The Faith - Michael Faraday
The extraordinary life of Michael Faraday, perhaps the greatest scientist of the nineteenth century, reads like one of Charles Dickens’ novels.
Read J.John’s latest Heroes of the Faith blog on the ‘Patron Saint of Electricity’
https://twitter.com/Canonjjohn/status/1363041821035790337

PCI BLOG Mind yourself
Graeme Thompson reflects on the #mentalhealth challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic for children and young people and previews two forthcoming free resources being made available to congregations to minister to this need.
https://t.co/6pZcTdMCbA

6 Questions about Christ’s Heart for Sinners
Dane C. Ortlund
With Christ, our sins and weaknesses are the very resumé items that qualify us to approach him. Nothing but coming to him is required—first at conversion and a thousand times thereafter until we are with him upon death.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/6-questions-about-christs-heart-for-sinners/

Bible Books in 30 Minutes
What does does the book of Joshua teach us about the importance of accepting who’s REALLY in charge? How important is it to deal with seemingly minor issues in our lives? Find out in this podcast episode of 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes.'
https://t.co/lq8lUfUMe6

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 3:00
Jean 3:00

Play the "Christmas Tree Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1b6028742cf3

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Friday 26th February 2021

24/2/2021

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Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for our Disability Services Homes and Units, as the staff continue to provide care and activities in challenging times.
Pray for residents and tenants as they struggle with the restrictions, which prevent them from going out and about.
Pray for Caroline Yeomans, Head of Disability Services, as she settles into her new role.

Council for Public Affairs
The Council for Public Affairs addresses current topical issues on which the Church seeks to have its voice heard clearly in the public square. Pray for the convener Rev Daniel Kane and for God’s continued guiding and leading in this role.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Abraham

“Hope is borrowing the joy of tomorrow, today.”
I heard this quote this week and thought it deserves some thought to appreciate the depth.
Jason Cook delivered a message at The Gospel Coalition Carolinas Regional Conference called “Groaning til Glory.” From Romans 8:18–25, Cook addressed the manner in which Christians must anchor themselves through storms and suffering, building from the thesis, “Suffering exists as a divine tool to wean us off the lower pleasures of this world and to encourage us to persevere, because we have hope.”
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/future-liberation-present-pain/

Chasing The Dragon
Many of you may have read Jackie Pullinger’s hard hitting book, Chasing the Dragon (first published in 1980). In this video Nicky Gumbel (HTB at Home, Alpha Course) is with Jackie Pullinger MBE, author of 'Chasing the Dragon', who has been working in Hong Kong for over 50 years and has seen God bring real change to families and communities.
*Please note, this interview discusses issues related to substance use and sexual exploitation which some people may find distressing.

Covid-19
Portstewart has the 5th lowest number of cases of Covid-19 in Ireland this week.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:44
Derek 3:00

A little bit tricky for the end of the week.
Play the "Sunset Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1c49ed771ab8

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Wednesday 24th February 2021

24/2/2021

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You Lead Us Through the Wilderness
This is the song from the service on Sunday, if you want to listen again.

Let’s Pray For Steve and Rosie Kennedy (global mission workers in Romania)
Pray for Steve and Rosie as they settle into work at Tóvidéki Reformed Church, especially for the English language ministry - for continuing clarity of vision and unity of purpose, and for effective outreach and mission. Pray also for their two children settling into school.

The Christian Church of Sumba, Indonesia
Pray for the leadership and members of the church as they seek to encourage one another and build each other up in the faith and as they share the gospel with others.

THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE CLOSURE OF CHURCH BUILDING FOR WORSHIP
This information was received in an email from the Moderator and the Clerk of the General Assembly at 9:00am this morning.

In-person gatherings for worship in Northern Ireland

Following on from the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to extend the current Covid restrictions to Thursday 1 st April 2021, the Clerk of Assembly and senior leaders from other churches met again on Monday 22nd February with Ministers from the Executive Office, the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). At that meeting the CMO stressed that it would make a significant difference, and be of huge public benefit, if churches were willing to continue at this time not to gather in person for services and other meetings.

In the light of the Executive’s extension of the current restrictions, and on the basis of the clear and unequivocal public health advice that people should continue to stay at home, the General Council Standing Committee, acting with the delegated authority of the General Council and General Assembly, has directed that all in-person Sunday gatherings for worship, along with all other in person church gatherings, should remain suspended in all PCI congregations in Northern Ireland until Thursday 1 st April 2021 - with the exception of weddings, funerals, arrangements for recording and/or live-streaming, drive-in services and private prayer (as permitted by regulations).

The Standing Committee also decided that it would further assess the situation immediately after the next NI Executive review on Thursday 18 th March 2021, in the cautious anticipation that, from Friday 2 nd April (Good Friday) onwards, Presbyterian congregations in Northern Ireland could begin to meet again for in-person gatherings for worship, with all necessary precautions and mitigations in place. This recognises the importance of Easter, which was acknowledged by both the Ministers and the CMO at Monday’s meeting.

We again welcome that this same approach is also being taken by the Methodist Church, the Church of Ireland and, in a slightly different form, by the Roman Catholic Church.

Vaccinations

At its meeting, the General Council Standing Committee also considered the issue of vaccination. The Committee were aware that a few groups are actively discouraging the take-up of vaccines and were informed that this is a significant cause of concern to the public health authorities. Following discussion the Standing Commission authorised the following statement for distribution to all active ministers in Northern Ireland and in Ireland, with the request that this be shared with our congregations:

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) encourages all of its members to actively consider receiving vaccination against Covid-19 when it is offered to them. While recognising that this is ultimately a matter of personal judgement, PCI neither discourages its members from taking up the vaccine offer nor is it supportive of those who seek to discourage the take-up of the vaccine.

We continue to hold all of our PCI congregations in our thoughts and prayers, asking God to graciously bless the ongoing life and witness of His people in these challenging times. We live in the hope that comes through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus - a hope that is sure and steadfast and which we look forward to celebrating in the Easter season which lies ahead.

Yours in His Service,
Rt Rev Dr David Bruce (Moderator or the General Assembly)
Rev Trevor Gribben (Clerk of the General Assembly)

24/7 Prayer Course
This week we continue the 24/7 Prayer Course with Pete Greig - a course which we took part in a couple of years ago on Wednesday evenings. The videos have been re-recorded and a couple more sessions have been added since then so even if you attended the course they are well worth watching. Here is a link to the week 3 resource guide.
https://prayercourse.org/session/petition/

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has released the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2021.
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/

This week the focus is on Eritrea the sixth most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about Eritrea here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/eritrea/

Christian Union’s Ireland
Prayer Guide 19th – 28th February
– Please pray for wisdom as we look to identify and train up new leaders who will take on this serving role within the CU. Pray that God will appoint the right people into these roles and that he will be working in their lives, preparing them for these roles.
– Pray for University College Cork’s Mission Week, taking place the 22nd – 26th February. Pray for Gareth Black and Hannah Irwin as they prepare to speak at the events, and for God to work in the hearts of students, even if it does have to be fully or mostly online.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Rainbow

PCI BLOG Learning God's ways
Rachael Gamble, a member of Sloan Street congregation in Lisburn, reflects on how we might be learning that unplanned is okay.
https://t.co/MPCB6ckCef

New Horizon Update
New Horizon issued the following update yesterday
The one certainty in these turbulent times is that apart from our Lord Himself everything is subject to change. This is also true for New Horizon 2021. We had hoped to organise a LIVE event but have now made the decision to livestream from behind closed doors. This means there will be no public meetings in Coleraine.
While we are sad that our coming together physically is delayed, we are thrilled that NH2021 will provide an online programme of Bible Teaching, worship and prayer with our guest speakers Chris Wright (for the morning Bible Teaching) and Malcolm Duncan and Kate Coleman (for the Evening Celebrations). This will take place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 August.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:14
Derek 2:42

Play the "Big Fish Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3f39ed9a04a6

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Tuesday 23rd February 2021

23/2/2021

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Cheryl Meban (Chaplain, Ulster University)
Pray for the Friday online study of Ruth. Some staff and students are vulnerable and feeling the strain of isolation; others are juggling work, study, and the care of children in lockdown. Thank God for S: her spirit of gratitude and peace, facing a mountain of physical and emotional challenges.

Cootehill, Drum and Kilmount congregations
Pray for a continued sense of togetherness as they worship remotely and maintain contact, especially with the elderly and isolated. Give thanks for the monthly online youth meeting.

I Cannot Tell
Stephen McNie shared this song yesterday with his Tides devotional.

J.John
Facing the Canon this week is Bishop Graham Tomlin, the Bishop of Kensington. Together, they discuss Bishop Graham's new book 'Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea'.

New City Catechism
What is Idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-is-idolatry/

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Olive Branch

John Calvin
Who was John Calvin? What did he believe? What are Calvin's Institutes all about? Answer these questions and more in these TGC Courses.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/john-calvin-courses/

FOR NOW
As restrictions on church life continue, how can we share our faith with others in a pandemic?
Neil Harrison shares some thoughts as part of the For Now resource.

For Now // Sharing our faith from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.

The New Jerusalem - Being Human Podcast (30 minute audio)
Join Peter Lynas and Jo Frosty as we wrap up season two's journey through the God story. We turn our attention to judgment and paradise, to the New Jerusalem and garden city, and to resurrected life with our King Jesus, here and now and what's to come.

https://t.co/GWGHRNdFjc

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:50
Derek 3:06

Play the "Portstewart Harbour Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3bbed7ff1137

1 Comment

Monday 22nd February 2021

22/2/2021

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Sunday Service
Below is Burnside At Home from Sunday.

Let’s Pray For St Petersburg Christian University, Russia
Pray for health and protection for the staff, students and their families and for hope, vision and perseverance in spite of the Covid-19 situation. Continue to pray for the financial situation at the university, where staff are still paid less than normal.

Pakistan
Pray for staff and students in the Gujranwala Theological Seminary (training people for ordained and lay ministries), and in the United Bible Training Centre (training women for evangelism and pastoral work).

Getty Family Hymn Sing
Yesterday after Burnside At Home we had the little extra of the Getty Family Hymn Sing, if you missed it or want to watch again, here it is.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Forty Days And Forty Night

Lent - Journey To The Cross (9 minute video)
The Ballymena Ministers' Fellowship have been preparing a series of short reflections for Lent – it is called "Journey to the Cross". The first reflection is below

J.I. Packer and Puritan Books
In the 1940s, there were virtually no Puritan books in print. When an elderly Anglican clergyman donated his old library to the Christian union at Oxford, he had no idea how his gift would impact J. I. Packer, and then impact the church. https://t.co/NquXOCemn9

Life Of John Calvin (51 minute video)
Kevin DeYoung delivered this message about God’s work in the life of John Calvin at TGC’s 2017 National Conference which celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/on-john-calvin/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 11:38
Jean 13:23

Play the "Balintoy Storm Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3347cb1b83fe

1 Comment

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