Rosemary Spiers (deaconess, Greenwell Street, Newtownards) 

Pray for wisdom and guidance for Rosemary as she builds friendships and has conversations with women from the church and community at various ministries. Pray too that she will encourage others in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greystones (Co Wicklow)  

Pray for Rev Gary McDowell, the elders and members of Greystones congregation as they continue to love God, encourage one another and serve the Greystones community and beyond.

Ukraine
A church planter in Ukraine: “There is only one true King—and the little tyrants of the world will ultimately only play into his great victory. His promises are sure, his victory inevitable.”
READ MORE HERE

Persecution
Kabita (name changed) is from #Nepal. Her decision to follow Jesus was met with intense persecution by her family – including her own husband.

She is one of millions of Christian women and girls who suffer for their faith and gender.

Read more here: 

Let’s Pray For Moderator

The Moderator embarks on a Presbytery tour of Iveagh starting Sunday 27 February. This will involve visiting several schools, some external organisations and an opportunity to provide pastoral care for those in Presbytery. Pray that it will be a fruitful and encouraging time.

Worship: Delighted in the wisdom of God’s truth  

‘Your statutes are my delight; they are my counsellors.’ Psalm 119:24. 
Ask God that his people would find delight in the wisdom of God’s truth for their lives in worship today.

James and Heather Cochrane (global mission workers, Portugal) 

Give thanks that the five small groups have started and feedback has been good. Pray that all who participate will grow spiritually. Pray for the people interested in becoming members of the church and for the four-week membership course running in March.

Europe

Pray for peace in Ukraine and a de-escalation of the political tensions between countries. Remember especially the Christian community in Ukraine, pray that they will know the Lord is with them in these difficult days. 

Christians want to stay and share the Gospel in Ukraine (10 minute audio)
Boris Johnson says he is committed to providing more support to Ukraine as Russian troops march on the capital Kyiv from the north, east and south. In the last hour, the Prime Minister has spoken with President Zelenskyy, and praised the bravery of Ukrainian people after Russia announced its military operation in the country yesterday. The UN estimates around a hundred thousand people have been displaced and are trying to flee the country. Vicky Gibbens from UCB News has been speaking to Derek Maxwell from the Slavic Gospel Association UK. He says their colleagues in the West of the country have been making plans to respond to the humanitarian need and to keep sharing God’s hope.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/31343/440123

An Excerpt From The Moderator’s Letter This Week

Dear Colleagues,
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24th February 2022
You will all have been both saddened and shocked at news of the dreadful events in Ukraine as they have unfolded in recent days. The western world has united in condemnation of the actions of Russia’s President Putin, in launching a military invasion of his western neighbour. None of us can know where this will end, but it seems certain that there will be great loss of life and suffering for both soldiers and those citizens of Ukraine caught up in this campaign.
I have many friends in both Russia and Ukraine, and messages from them in recent days have expressed their horror, fear and distress at what has happened. One wrote to me saying, “Please ask our Presbyterian brothers and sisters in Christ in Ireland to pray for us. That is our greatest need – to know that you are praying for us.” Another shared news of missiles and explosions near his family home in Kiev.
It is clear that many people are choosing to leave their homes, and indeed the country, thus creating a fresh movement of refugees. Many will seek to move further west, perhaps eventually coming to these islands.
Can I therefore ask you to consider leading your congregation in prayer this Sunday, asking God that the conflict would not spread further, that those who have lost loved ones will be comforted, and those who find themselves without homes would be led to places of welcome and shelter. Pray for the Christian Churches in Ukraine, for their endurance, protection and faithful witness in face of this time of trial. Pray especially that a way might be found to bring a peaceful end to this needless war.

READ MORE HERE https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/February-2022/The-invasion-of-Ukraine-by-Russia.aspx

10 Passages to Read in the Face of Global Conflict
 
Psalm 46:1 tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Read these passages for comfort and to help guide prayer during times of worldwide strife, conflict, and war.

READ THE PASSAGES HERE

Social Witness Human trafficking is a process in which persons, by force or deception, lose their freedom and become slaves. Pray for all those caught up in human trafficking, for courage and perseverance and for hope in their individual situations. Pray also for those who work tirelessly to combat human trafficking.  

International Relations  There are many global issues presenting significant challenges to world leaders. Pray for wisdom in decision-making, opportunities for positive collaboration, and outcomes which de-escalate tensions. Pray also for agencies providing support to people displaced in areas of conflict.

General CouncilGive thanks for our 19 Presbytery Clerks who serve diligently and often in the background, ensuring that the work of presbyteries proceeds in order. Pray for the appointment of new Presbytery Moderators, mostly in March.

Council for Training in Ministry  Union College Management Committee meets on Monday 28 February. Give thanks for those with gifts and experience in this area who give of their time in service of the Lord and his Church in this Committee. Pray that the Committee will be led by the Lord in all of the matters before it this week. 

40 Women
Lent this year begins on Wednesday 2nd of March and covers the 40 day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. This year we are going to take the 40 day journey exploring the lives of 40 significant but perhaps often overlooked women. Each day on Beside The Burn we will read a bible passage about one of the women and consider their part in the Easter Story. The 40 women can be found in the book “40 Women - Unseen Women of the Bible from Eden to Easter” by Ros Clarke. Like our journey at Advent it isn’t essential to have the book but you will probably find it a helpful addition.


You can order “40 Women” at any good bookshop or online.
It is available as a download on Kindle - £5.69 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From Amazon in Paperback -£7.75 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From 10 of Those in Paperback - £8.49 - https://www.10ofthose.com/


If you would like me to order you a copy which you can pick up in Burnside please email me or tell me on Sunday or leave a comment on the blog. (Cost £8 for ease of calculations) You can read the first 3 chapters at either of the Amazon links above.

Ukraine
No one yet knows how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will conclude. But before then we can be sure that much suffering and death will result. Amid this scene, The Gospel Coalition asked Vasyl Ostryi—a pastor near Kyiv and a professor of Kyiv Theological Seminary—to reflect on how the church is shepherding people. “If the church is not relevant at a time of crisis, then it is not relevant in a time of peace,” he explains.
​https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/church-stayed-ukraine/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:40
Eddie 2:16
Derek 2:45
​
​Play the "Mussenden Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=003251e86b71

Let’s Pray Michelle Stewart (community outreach worker, Trinity Cloughey)

Pray for the Hope Explored course they are starting in a local golf club in March, for many people from the local community to join and for all the discussions.  Pray for plans for an Easter community project and for good engagement with families in the village.

Gortin (Co Tyrone) 

Pray for Rev John Hanna (Stated Supply) as he gets to know the congregation. Praise God for increased attendance since the start of the year and for more families to come back to worship. Pray for the congregation as they plan a family get together later in the summer.

40 Women
Lent this year begins on Wednesday 2nd of March and covers the 40 day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. This year we are going to take the 40 day journey exploring the lives of 40 significant but perhaps often overlooked women. Each day on Beside The Burn we will read a bible passage about one of the women and consider their part in the Easter Story. The 40 women can be found in the book “40 Women - Unseen Women of the Bible from Eden to Easter” by Ros Clarke. Like our journey at Advent it isn’t essential to have the book but you will probably find it a helpful addition.


You can order “40 Women” at any good bookshop or online.
It is available as a download on Kindle - £5.69 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From Amazon in Paperback -£7.75 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From 10 of Those in Paperback - £8.49 - https://www.10ofthose.com/


If you would like me to order you a copy which you can pick up in Burnside please email me or tell me on Sunday or leave a comment on the blog. (Cost £8 for ease of calculations) You can read the first 3 chapters at either of the Amazon links above.

How To Thrive In An Anxious Age
This past year has, not surprisingly, contributed to a spike in anxiety. You already know why—a global pandemic, sheltering in place, online schooling, unstable job markets, the inability to go to church or meet with friends, racial injustice and tensions, politics, and social media.
By now, you’ve heard thousands of stories on those themes.
But here’s what you might not have heard on the news:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/anxious-age/

Bible in 30 Minutes
Ep. 52 - Revelation
• What’s it like to see life on earth from heaven’s perspective? • Who is ultimately in control of everything?  • What’s the best invitation anyone will ever receive?
​https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21332/422654

Who Can Be Saved?
The man on the island. Perhaps you’ve encountered him in a friend’s argument against Christianity. Maybe you’ve even voiced the objection yourself.
How could a good and loving God condemn to hell someone who’s never heard of him?
READ MORE HERE

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:30
Eddie 2:34
Derek 3:13
​
​Play the "Dunluce Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1194ed8e33b3

Let’s Pray For Steve & Rosie Kennedy (global mission workers, Romania) 

Pray for plans to increase the frequency of Cluj Christian Fellowship meetings in order to develop deeper community and fellowship, and pray for wisdom in deciding the best format. Pray too for Steve and Rosie as they continue learning both Hungarian and Romanian.

Hungarian Reformed Church 

Pray for God’s blessing on congregations in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine as they continue to minister and reach out to others. Pray too for wisdom and guidance for church leaders. 

40 Women
Lent this year begins on Wednesday 2nd of March and covers the 40 day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. This year we are going to take the 40 day journey exploring the lives of 40 significant but perhaps often overlooked women. Each day on Beside The Burn we will read a bible passage about one of the women and consider their part in the Easter Story. The 40 women can be found in the book “40 Women - Unseen Women of the Bible from Eden to Easter” by Ros Clarke. Like our journey at Advent it isn’t essential to have the book but you will probably find it a helpful addition.

You can order “40 Women” at any good bookshop or online.
It is available as a download on Kindle - £5.69 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From Amazon in Paperback -£7.75 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/
From 10 of Those in Paperback - £8.49 - https://www.10ofthose.com/​

If you would like me to order you a copy which you can pick up in Burnside please email me or tell me on Sunday or leave a comment on the blog. (Cost £8 for ease of calculations) You can read the first 3 chapters at either of the Amazon links above.