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Let’s Pray Each week Let’s Pray provides us with a prayer, this week a prayer for creativity as normal gives way to new.

Creator God,
you have made all things out of nothing;
out of emptiness and darkness,
fashioned every form of life,
and birthed light for each new day.
In this moment –
the ways we have always done things
seem inadequate and redundant;
we know things have to be different,
but our well-worn routines shackle our thinking;
our range of vision for alternatives
is limited by our struggle to imagine other possibilities. Help us in this twilight zone,
between what was and what is to come.
Give us a sense of your presence with us in the storm, speaking to us above howling wind and tossing wave, calling us to take courage,
not to fear,
inviting us to take those first faltering steps,
in answer to your call out of the familiar,
to exercise fresh faith in you.
Draw our eyes to Jesus,
and fix them there.
Reach out your hand and catch us,
in those times when our faith shrinks,
and our doubts grow.
Expand our thinking,
enlarge our courage,
enable wise choices,
extend your grace,
engage us heart, mind and soul,
equip us for what lies ahead.
For you are making all things new,
and we want to be renewed as your people,
after the image of Christ.
In whose name we pray.
Amen

‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.’ 
1 Timothy 2.1–2 (ESV)

dublin_mission_spring_2020_dcm_spotlight.pdf
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Hairdressers Isn’t it great that we have a date for hairdressers to reopen?

Jigsaw Times for yesterday. Janice 3:15 ​Lynne 4:15 William 4:27 Frances 4:59 Wilfred 5:49 Today is Jigsaw number 40. How many of them have you attempted? To celebrate we return to the first puzzle but it was only 24 pieces so today you can try it again with 40 pieces. Play the "Burnside Sunset" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3902aac3e9e5

Where Is It? So where would you find this flower pot.

" Thus far has the Lord helped us "  1st Samuel ch 7 v 12​

Recently memorials and statues have been in our news bulletins and have caused much controversy. This topic directed my thoughts to a non-controversial memorial. It is the American Monument on the Oa Peninsula in the island of Islay, and can be seen from our coastline on a clear day.

It is a memorial erected by the American Red Cross to those lost in two shipping disasters during the first world war. In 1918 the ship Tuscania was carrying American soldiers when it was torpedoed by German U-boats close to the Oa peninsula, around 260 lives were lost. The other ship, the Otranto was carrying American troops to Glasgow when it collided with another vessel in a fierce storm off the west coast of Islay, 400 lives were lost.
A few years ago the Royal Ramblers were on an island hopping trip to walk on several Scottish islands, Arran, Gigha, Islay and Jura. When on Islay, one sunny evening we decided to walk to the American monument. There was a clear blue sky and only a few light clouds. We had superb views of Rathlin Island, the North Antrim Coast and the hills of Donegal. We were well on our way to the monument when suddenly we saw a very dark ominous cloud approaching, then a squall followed by a cloudburst. Two of us decided to press on with great speed to achieve our aim of reaching the monument, and we did so. We had no wet weather gear on us so got drenched! The others found shelter behind a large rock.
In recalling this walk I was reminded of verses in Philippians ch 3 about pressing on towards the goal. Paul writes in v 13 and 14 "forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus"  Paul is not thinking about any earthly prize. His ultimate aspiration is not found in this life but in the the award of everlasting glory in heaven where Christ dwells. 
According to Hebrews ch 12 v 1 and 2 we are called  "to run with perseverance the race marked out for us" and to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus".
During lockdown life has not been easy, and for many dark clouds and storms have occured, bringing added difficulties and suffering. On our evening walk a rainbow appeared in the sky, a reminder of God's covenant promise and a symbol of hope, it has appeared on many windows and doors during lockdown. In Christ alone our hope is found!
Memorials are mentioned in the Old Testament, one such is recorded in Joshua ch 4. God asked Joshua to set up 12 stones taken from the river Jordan as a memorial to the miraculous crossing of the river by the Israelites. They represented the 12 tribes and were placed at Gilgal, so that future generations would know that "the hand of the Lord is powerful". In Samuel ch 7 v 12 we read about another memorial. It was a stone placed by Samuel between Mizpah and Shen after the defeat of the Philistines by the Israelites. He named it Ebenezer which means "stone of help" saying "thus far has the Lord helped us". After lockdown may we all be able to make this statement.
Wilma

Malawi #LetsPray for the people of Malawi as they re-run presidential elections today, asking God that the election process be conducted fairly and peacefully, with people being disciplined in social-distancing so as to minimise the spread of #COVID19  BBC News Report here. Malawi

Wind rush Generation To mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival in Britain of Empire Windrush, (2 years ago) Dr R. David Muir, senior lecturer in Public Theology and Community Engagement, University of Roehampton, talked immigration scandal, overcoming prejudice, the next generation, and hope for an even brighter future with Evangelical Alliance Read the interview here  https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/caribbean-communities-contribution-to-the-uk?utm_source=twitter

John Wesley Mitch from Crown Jesus posted this quote Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’‬ ‪John Wesley‬

Stand In Faith (25 minute Video) Has lockdown made it feel like your whole world is turning upside down and you just need to DO SOMETHING?  It might feel odd, but sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply stand on God's Word. Watch Pastor Phil Pringle's inspiring message: https://player.lightcast.com/yYTNykDM

Gideon (25 minute Audio) The loss of time with loved ones, the cancelled plans... have you found yourself doubting God's love for you with all the chaos happening this year? In this episode of Bible Biogs, we look at the story of Gideon. How was his faith unbelievably tested? https://player.lightcast.com/ycTOwIzM

New Homeschool Resource Available Lion Storyteller Bible author Bob Hartman tells the story of Jesus’ special friends – the first disciples (Luke 5.1–11). Watch the video and download the accompanying resources, suitable for children aged 5–11.  explore-the-bible/homeschool

Happy Anniversary Happy Wedding Anniversary to Davis & Margaret Clarke who celebrated 56 years together on Monday (22nd June 2020)

Have You Ever Wondered ... How you would weigh a Koala? (Sometimes I find things that have no relevance to anything but just have to be shared.)

Jigsaw ​ Times for yesterday Janice 3:05 Frances 3:36 Derek 4:07 Wilfred 5:06 Try today’s puzzle. ​ Play the "Promenade Fishing" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0cf0292c49ca ​

The Blog I’ve been talking to many of you about the Burnside Blog and I am surprised by how much it has become part of our daily routines and I thank you for welcoming me into your lives in this way. From my perspective the blog sort of happened by accident but of course God had a plan in bringing it into existence. The Blog is here to provide some hope in place of the despair that is all around us during Covid-19. I am making a few small changes this week to hopefully increase the usefulness of the Blog. Where possible I am going to give a guide to how long a video or a podcast lasts, and I will try and write descriptions which explain why a particular article may be relevant to our lives. Some of the articles are picked because they have some local point of interest. For example Keswick features because of the Keswick at Portstewart Convention, Evangelical Alliance features because of the local connection with Peter Lynas, New Horizon is also local and of course we are all connected to PCI.

Let’s Pray The latest prayer guide is now available for the incoming week, download it here. let’s-pray_a4_ttr_21-06-20.pdf File Size: 410 kb File Type: pdf Download File

"Little did we know, when we were crafting the last verse of this new hymn, how relevant the lyric would be to the times we are living in:

'My final breath shall be forever Jesus
When shadows lengthen before my eyes;
My Lord and Friend, companion through the valley
When dearest ones are left behind,
His hand will lead me to the light.'

Not only are so many of us facing the prospect of battling this awful virus that has claimed so many lives already. But loved ones, relatives and friends are literally having to "be left behind" as the ill are taken into hospital, because of the dangers of passing on the virus. How important, then, to be reminded that Christ is there to 'lead us to the light' - whether that is the light of eventual recovery, or (and this is the reality) the light of His eternal presence.

Perhaps we are not keen to be reminded of the awfulness of the times in which we live in a song! But to know that we are completely held in His loving arms, and guided by His all-powerful hand, is so vital for every single one of us right now."

QUIZ: Fathers in the Bible Sunday was Father’s Day, Fathers in the Bible are sometimes fantastic role models – but sometimes not so much. Can you identify these biblical fathers and their children?  ​ .Quiz biblesociety.org.uk

Last week I referred to the Burnside Church Website where we have the opportunity to watch Sunday Services online and also keep up to date with current events during the week. It’s lovely to have friends contributing, and frequently we see those who are now living at a distance. The wonders of modern technology!  
As you may be aware, we are usually presented with two challenges each day, a Jigsaw and a ‘Where is it?’  The Jigsaw actually tests us in two ways…. the ability to complete it (especially when the pieces may have to be rotated) and also the length of time taken.
Based on thoughts I had about a Jigsaw being made up of many parts but eventually becoming one complete item, I widened this idea and wondered where we find similar examples of parts making up the whole.
Illustrations which came to mind were: The Books of the Bible, a Choir of singers, a Congregation of worshippers.
In 1st Corinthians Ch 12 we read of the body being a unit. Verse 27 states: ‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’  As individuals, God has given us particular talents. Let’s use them in His Service .
The Song I have chosen introduces four singers….. but, that’s not quite correct, is it?  It’s all about the technology I mentioned at the start! But we will listen to a Lead, a Bass, a Tenor and an Alto as they sing (or more correctly, he sings) ‘Praise the Lord.’
Frances