Friday 25th February 2022

​Beside The Burn
On Beside The Burn this week, we turn to Daniel Chapter 5 and The Writing Is On The Wall. A short devotional video, bible reading and prayer to encourage us this week.

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The Book Of Daniel
If you haven’t had a chance to watch the film now is a good time as we conclude our series in Daniel this weekend.
​This is an excellent retelling of the story of Daniel,
Free on YouTube or a higher quality version is available with a Amazon Prime subscription or can be rented from Amazon for £1.99.
https://youtu.be/FYDvYkbnabk

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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. 

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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.

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Almighty God in heaven above is not too great to notice you.
He is too great to overlook you.

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

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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/

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Ukraine
‘Pray for us,’ says Ukrainian Bible Society
‘Pray for peace,’ are the words coming today from the Bible Society of Ukraine.

Spokesman for the Bible Society of Ukraine, Rostyslav Stasyuk said, ‘Please continue praying for peace in our country, for the governments on both sides that their hearts are influenced by the Holy Spirit, pray for our soldiers who are sacrificing their lives to protect their homeland.’

He added, ‘Also pray for church leaders and especially ministers to remain strong mentally and physically as they carry the message of hope and encouragement.’

Currently, all Bible Society staff are accounted for, though there are concerns for those who live in areas close to the fighting.

Rostyslav said, ‘It is crucial that we continue providing support for our churches and people, with Bibles’.

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Information About The Car park at Convention Avenue

Part of the site owned by Portstewart Convention at Convention Avenue in the town has been leased to the local Council and its predecessor bodies for the past 50 years to be used as a public car park, apart from the period of the annual Convention held in July each year. Causeway Coast and Glens Council, at its meeting in December, decided not to renew this lease when its most recent term ended on 29 December 2021.

The Convention is currently in discussion with a car park operating company with a view to that company taking over the operation of the car park. As this will be a commercial arrangement there will be a modest charge payable by users of the car park. However, under the agreement being discussed there will not be a charge for parking on Sundays. The Convention is hopeful that a satisfactory agreement on the future of the car park area can be reached. If not the Convention will have to dose this area to public use as, otherwise, the Convention would face insurance implications and repair and maintenance costs which it does not have funds to cover.

I would be grateful to you if you would make this change in circumstances known to any organisations whom you know who may be affected. In particular I know that members of some local churches use the car park at times although, of course, there will not be a charge on Sundays.

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Snow In Portstewart
We woke up on Thursday morning to snow.

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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

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