Friday 1st January 2021

Blessed New Year
At the start of a New Year I pray that you may know God’s blessing for the year ahead. We do not know what 2021 has in store but we do know with confidence that God will be with us, just as he has been with us during the year that has passed. Just because we have entered a new year does not mean that everything from 2020 has been left behind, there are still many challenges ahead but we have a faithful God who is sovereign.

Below is a poem, “God Knows” which is more commonly known as “The Gate Of The Year” which was quoted by King George VI in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire. The poem was given to him by his daughter the young Princess Elizabeth aged 13.

THE GATE OF THE YEAR
‘God Knows'

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” 
And he replied: 
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” 
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East. 

So heart be still: 
What need our little life
Our human life to know, 
If God hath comprehension? 
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low, 
God hideth His intention. 

God knows. His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision, 
Are clear to God. Our fears
Are premature; In Him, 
All time hath full provision. 

Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes, 
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail, 
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill

Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

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Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for all those who have worked over Christmas in the Health & Care Sector, that they may find rest and respite in the comings days. Give thanks that the true love and spirit of Christmas has shown in our homes and units in so many ways in a Christmas Season that was like no other.


Government
Pray for political leaders in Dublin, Belfast and London, for good relationships across the islands and as they continue to manage the Covid-19 crisis. Pray for wisdom and decision-making that promotes the common good. ​

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Church Leaders’ New Year Message
As 2021 begins, many people will be hopeful for a brighter and safer future. The pandemic of 2020 brought grief, anxiety and uncertainty, as well as economic loss and disruption of livelihoods. Many aspects of life that we had taken for granted, like visiting loved ones in nursing homes, or popping in to a see a friend, suddenly changed...
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/10328/church-leaders-new-year-message?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=churchofireland

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CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
New Scottish Hymns Band

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FOMO
This may not be the Christmas present we’d expect. But it’s the present we most need. And it all begins with the arrival of this baby.
Read more from Sam Albert here - 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-christmas-is-the-antidote-to-fomo/

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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 2:59
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Another Larger puzzle for the Weekend.
Play the "Harbour Hill Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3735267810a9