Friday 1st July 2022

Beside The Burn
We continue in Paul’s letter to the Philippians - Finding Joy Right Here. Paul reminds us that we are citizens of Heaven but we still have to live right here everyday as disciples of Jesus Christ. Each day we have a short devotional video based on some verses from the letter.

---

July & August
“Burnside Blog” & “Beside The Burn” will be taking a holiday during July & August this summer and God willing will be back again in early September. Thank you to everyone who has logged on each weekday as we have explored God’s word and what it means to live for Christ in today’s world. I hope to be back in September and the plan is to delve into the book of Revelation, which should be quite an adventure. You will still find the Sunday service available on the Burnside Website each week (www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk). I pray that you may have a great summer and be refreshed by our glorious Saviour.

---

Let’s Pray For Social Witness The Specialist Services Committee oversees the work of Carlisle House, Thompson House and Gray’s Court – facilities which offer care and services to those with addictions, past offending behaviour and who require short/mid-term supported housing. Give thanks for the service the staff at each facility offer. Pray also for wisdom for their respective team leaders, David Cuthbert, David Farrow and Frances Craig.

School holidaysPray for those who find the school holiday period challenging due to complexities in home life, financial uncertainty, or missing the routine and structure that term time brings. Pray that families would be able to access appropriate support, and that we would have eyes to see those whom we can draw alongside at these times.

General Council

Give thanks for the Support Services and its vital work of ensuring the provision of IT services, Creative Production, Personnel for all the Councils of the Church.  Pray for the staff of these various departments as they seek to serve the church in their crucial work.

Training in Ministry The Accredited Preacher Scheme meets Monday-Friday next week, for intensive teaching in Union College. Pray for the trainees, that the Lord will equip them to serve him in this way in his Church. Pray too for the teachers, that the Lord will use them to teach effectively. Pray for existing Accredited Preachers as they preach in congregations throughout Ireland.   

---

Malawi Fundraising
Our own Joyce McMullan is Raising £4,000 to Fund young Malawian athletes to take part in competitions.
Benedicto Makumba set up an athletic club for young athletes in Zomba in 2019 with his own funding. The successful young athletes need funding to compete. 
He wants to raise funds through sponsorship running the Mt Mulanje Porters Race on 9th July 2022. 
You can find out more and sponsor through the Just Giving Page.

​https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/young-malawian-athletes?utm_id=1&utm_term=ZwEXK2WQa

---

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

---

Is secular Britain reviving Christianity’s rituals?
Is secular Britain reviving Christianity’s rituals? #CelebrationDay is the latest idea to help people celebrate the lives of those no longer with us. As a post-Christian society strives to create its own meaning and rituals, will we take every opportunity to have deeper conversations about the importance of values and the Source of true meaning?

---

Some good summer reads.

---

This Autumn the ‘Institute for Ministry’ will host a series for individuals, or groups, entitled ‘Bible for All’ at Union Theological College. 
 
Union is hosting an academic conference on 12-13 September to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s first publication of the New Testament in the heart language of the people and the ‘Bible for All’ series has been designed to help participants go deeper in their engagement with the Bible, in four related ways:
 
29 September    How we got our Bible                  Rev Dr Marty Cowan – telling the story of how God’s Word in Scripture has come down to us today.
 
6 October           How to read the Bible                 Rev Dr Ben Walker – offering practical advice and guidance on getting the most from our Bible.
 
13 October         Those who need the Bible          Bible Society for Northern Ireland / Biblica / Wycliffe Bible Translators – exploring the impact of the Bible in people’s lives and opportunities for getting involved in Bible translation and distribution work in today’s world.
 
20 October         Telling the story of the Bible      Rev Lesley-Ann Wilson – sharing her passion for oral Bible storytelling and helping us discover the power of learning and speaking Scripture.
 
Each of these events will be easily accessible to anyone who wishes to know more about the Bible and we would encourage individuals, mid-week fellowships, Bible study groups, PW, Youth or Men’s Groups to consider coming together to one, or all, of the evenings.
 
Booking will be on a first come, first served basis and each evening will begin at 7.30pm.
 
To register for the events, or for further information, contact Union Theological College (02890205080) / [email protected]
 
Cost: 
Under 18s & students – free
£30 for four evenings
£10 per evening

---

---

Thank You To Tesco
Eric wrote a letter to thank Tesco Portstewart for their generosity at our Jubilee Drop-In. Yesterday I saw it displayed on the Tesco Noticeboard.

---

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Jean 2:43
Eddie 2:46
Derek 2:51
​
​Play the "Arcadia Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=122c5f737aa8