Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for strength for the residents and staff of our homes and units, that they would remain healthy, both physically and emotionally. We thank God for his guidance in all that we do, and pray we would have the wisdom and patience to commit all our plans to him.


Centenary
As the island of Ireland moves into a year of events to mark the centenary of the changed constitutional landscape, pray that these would provide an opportunity for honest reflection, positive civic engagement, and healing within communities.

Questions Answered About The Vaccine
If you have concerns or questions about the COVID Vaccines this is an interesting article. An infectious-disease researcher answers: Was the COVID vaccine developed too quickly? How is it different from previous vaccines? Are there ethical concerns with how it was made?
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/covid-vaccine-christian-unity/

The Herald
The new Winter edition of the Presbyterian Herald is now available to view free of charge as a PDF on the PCI website.  
https://t.co/zvQzBGEShV

Remove The Plank From Your Own Eye (30 minute video)
Keep the kids entertained as Jovis Bon-Hovis explores some fun Bible stories and songs from Matthew! This week Jovis learns why it's important not to judge others when we all have faults too. Matthew 7:3-5​

https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/197563

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:41
Jean 2:25
​Derek 3:17
Frances 3:30

The Weekend Jigsaw will take a bit longer to complete.

Play the "Portrush Sand Dune Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f481a989c60

​The Website that I use to produce the Jigsaw each day makes our Jigsaws available for anyone to complete and sometimes they highlight one and a lot of people try it out. So far just over 7000 people have tried this one and I don’t want to dishearten anyone (because it isn’t really about the time, its about the fun of completing the puzzle and seeing the North Coast) but below are the incredible times that people have logged for this puzzle so far.

Let’s Pray For Ken Doherty (Chaplain, Mater Hospital, Belfast)
Give thanks that there is hope in the form of vaccines against Covid-19, and that the vaccination process has begun. Pray for all frontline medical staff, support staff in our hospitals, indeed all healthcare professionals, patients and their families.


Aughentaine Presbyterian Church 
Give thanks for God’s care and protection and for how he has kept the congregation together despite Covid-19. Pray for wisdom and knowledge to navigate the months ahead.

Being Different
The lesson of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for 21st-century Westerners.
​ https://t.co/Al6rPowkG5

How Do We Cope With Suffering
Every belief system addresses the problem of suffering. But how does Jesus offer a unique hope? Listen to Presenter Vicky's chat with Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing on this episode of Life Issues. Available now on UCB Player.
​ https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21334/327897

Trivia Question

Perhaps this one was too easy for you.

Question From Wednesday
Q. How old was Methushael when he died?
A. 969


Question For Thursday
Q. He may have been the oldest person in the bible but what momentous event happened just after Methushael died?

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw​

​Janice 1:49
Jean 2:43
Derek 3:18

Play the "Portstewart Ship Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=076f675b6f1a

Let’s Pray For Volker and JinHyeog Glissmann (Global mission workers, Malawi)
Give thanks for the publication of the book that Volker edited on the laity's role in the Malawian church. May the contributions help the church to reflect further. Pray too for good health for the Glissmann family.


Hungarian Reformed Church 
Pray for the work and witness of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine which continues in different ways due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Hear! Here! Burns Night
Tuesday 26th January @ 7pm
 To mark Burns Night 2021, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Good Relations Team will host as part of our Hear Here Programme, an evening of discussion, storytelling, poetry and music with David Hume MBE (historian),  Liz Weir MBE (storyteller in residence, Libraries NI) and An Corraiste. This will be an online session via zoom.
To register visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-burns-night-tickets-136819529897
Or email  
​bebhinn.mckinley@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk ​

Bible Society
The Word At Work Magazine is available to bring you up to date with the work of the Bible Society.

Christian Unions Ireland


15 – 21 January
– Pray for the process of choosing and preparing new leaders to take over sometime this term. Pray that God would put it on the hearts of some committee members to serve for a second year.
– The University of Ulster campuses of Coleraine and Magee worked hard in the last semester to draw first–year students into CU communities. Pray those new CU members will courageously reach their classmates and friends with the gospel this semester.

Worship Outdoors
With more of us spending time outdoors this winter. Paul Hammond from UCB spoke to Rachel Summers about how we can use nature and the outdoors in worship. Listen now on UCB Player. 
https://t.co/rqcyUG44cX

Trivia Question
Question From Tuesday
Q. Who is the high priest of Jerusalem who put Jesus on trial? 
A. Caiaphas


Question For Wednesday
Q. How old was Methushael when he died?

Let’s Pray For John McCandless (community outreach worker)  
Pray for John as he continues to seek ways to share God’s love with people in the Albertbridge Road and lower Castlereagh Road areas of East Belfast.


Home Mission
Give thanks for the recent installations of Rev Philip Poots in Carndonagh, Greenbank, Malin and Moville, and Rev John Hanson in Ballyhobridge, Clones, Newbliss and Stonebridge. Pray that they will settle well into the congregations and begin to build relationships and minister to local people.

New City Catechism
This week in the New City Catechism. 

Question 13
Can Anyone Keep the Law of God Perfectly?
Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/can-anyone-keep-the-law-of-god-perfectly/

Going Slower
NEW BLOG Living with it - Living with a new rhythm
Rev Norman Cameron, minister of High Kirk in Ballymena, reflects on living with a new rhythm.
https://bit.ly/38zBNLq

Trivia Question
From Monday
Q. Who takes Jesus’s body off the cross? 
A. Joseph of Arimathea


Question For Tuesday
Q. Who is the high priest of Jerusalem who put Jesus on trial? ​

Let’s Pray For James and Heather Cochrane (global mission workers, Portugal) 
Give thanks for a good week of team planning. Pray that Comunidade Pedras Vivas would continue to be guided by God and keep focused on making Jesus known. Pray too for calmness and patience in the midst of challenging days. 


Leaders-in-training
Pray for students from overseas partner churches whose studies are supported by PCI, as many of them are adjusting to studying online in areas where internet connection is poor.

Christians And Politics
This is an interesting article written by an Australian but applies to the events in USA and has some challenging thoughts to apply to life in Northern Ireland.
When Christians become involved in politics, we must be careful to do so without sinning and being self-serving; without conflating church and state; without confusing the gospel with common grace; without limiting the consciences of others.​

https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/4-considerations-for-christians-wanting-to-engage-in-political-activism/

Christians And Politics Part 2
80 Years Ago C. S. Lewis Warned Against Making Faith a Means to a Political End. In this short article Justin Taylor reminds us of advice that Lewis’ Screwtape gave to his apprentice Wormwood in the Screwtape Letters. If you have never read the Screwtape letters it is well worth investing some time.


https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/80-years-ago-c-s-lewis-warned-against-making-faith-a-means-to-a-political-end/

The Screwtape Letters - Audiobook
If you would like to listen to the Audiobook read by John Cleese click this link.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA8BAC9375345E6C7

This Is My Story
Allen Langham was a professional Rugby player who found himself in and out of prison. But after an encounter with God, he not only found himself back in society, but back on the Rugby pitch. Listen to his story now on UCB Player!
https://t.co/RvmjdYLxjx

Trivia Question
From Friday - 
Question - What is the shortest book in the New Testament?
Answer - 2 John

Monday’s Question
Question - Who takes Jesus’s body from the cross? 

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for all who are living with an addiction, that they may become receptive to advice and
help at this difficult time in their lives. Give thanks for all those working in the area of addictions – in offering therapeutic programmes and a place of safety to stay and recover.


Debt
Give thanks for organisations like Christians Against Poverty and others who support people
overwhelmed by debt and financial challenges. Pray that those who are in difficulty will find ways to access the support they need.

Living With It - Living With New Realities
Having moved out of 2020 into 2021 the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us. Even though hope of the return of a greater normality is on the horizon, we still find ourselves ‘living with it!’ Rev Stephen Richmond, minister of Donegal Town and Stranorlar congregations, reflects on his experience of living with new realities.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/January-2021/Living-with-it-Living-with-new-realities.aspx

FREE Christian Audio Book
The free book this month from Christian Audio is now available for download. Hope Your Heart Needs - 52 Encouraging Reminders Of How God Cares For You.
christianaudio.com/free

What Does It Mean To Share In Christ’s Inheritance? 
Watch this powerful message by Bob Gass from a previous Foundation Event. He reflects on Revelation 1:5-6 and explores our God-given inheritance! Watch now on UCB Player.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/193573

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:59
Jean 2:46
Derek 3:25

​A slightly more difficult one for the weekend.
Play the "Mussenden Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3b28422a327f

Let’s Pray For Roberta Irvine (Deaconess in Greystone Road, Antrim)
Pray for seniors linked to the congregation who have received special activity packs. Pray that they will be used by the recipients to make decisive steps in their journey of faith.  


Arklow Presbyterian Church 
Give thanks for excellent attendances when the congregation has met. Pray for pastoral contact to be well maintained during the new lockdown and for plans for a summer Bible Club.

A Beginner’s Guide to Apologetics – Complete Series
Solas have just released “A Beginners Guide To Apologetics” - which is the discipline of defending the faith through argument. If you follow the link you will discover a whole series of short articles, setting out the reasons why we believe what we believe.​

https://www.solas-cpc.org/a-beginners-guide-to-apologetics-complete-series/

A Clean Start - Any Time Of Year
A new year is often a time for reflection, a fresh start and the wiping of the slate - clean. When it comes to actually cleaning on the farm, Charlotte Stevenson writes that as she was power hosing the calf buckets, she began to think about the New Year’s resolutions that people will make to hopefully achieve that fresh start. 
Read the Blog here.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:55
Derek 3:25

Play the "Wheel Portrush Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3ac0dcabf61b

Let’s Pray For Edwin and Anne Kibathi (Global mission workers) 
Pray for Edwin and Anne as they continue to minister to the East African expatriate community in the UK and lead the congregation in London. Pray for them as they continue doing so during changing Covid-19 restrictions.


Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (Indonesia) 
Pray for the work and witness of the church, including its social-economic development work in the community. Pray too for wisdom for church leaders.

Christian Unions Ireland

9th – 14th  January
– Pray for the International Student Ministries (ISM) Ireland Team during the 13th – 15th January: The team will be ‘attending’ the Friends International Annual Conference via Zoom, focusing on Lament and the Goodness of God, led by Chris Wright.
– Pray for creative and personal opportunities to welcome and re–welcome international students to our campuses in January.

Belfast City Mission
The latest prayer update from the Belfast City Mission.
This is a great tool to help us as we pray and to inform us about the work of the Mission.

United Beach Missions
The latest prayer update from United Beach Missions

Mission Africa
The Latest prayer update for January is now available

Let’s Pray For Michelle Purdy (Deaconess in Ballyclare)  
Give thanks for the generosity that has enabled the foodbank and Together Ballyclare to assist families. Pray that the leaflet ‘Christmas hope in a COVID world’ given to families will lead people to Christ. Pray for Michelle as she begins working with Rev Jonathan Moxen.


Alt Presbyterian Church
Pray for Rev Colin McKibbin and the elders of Alt in these difficult days. Pray too for Clodagh Dickson, Alt’s youth worker, as she prepares and leads youth work online.

New City Catechism
I hope you have been following the Catechism each week. It isn’t too late to start now. You can begin at question 12 this week and catch up by using the left arrow button at the top of the page below to see previous questions. A Catechism is a great way to reaffirm our faith and the video each week helps us understand what we believe.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-does-god-require-in-the-ninth-and-tenth-commandments/

Heroes Of The Faith- Elizabeth Fry (7 minute audio)
The story of how a middle-class lady was able to reform the appalling conditions under which prisoners were treated in Britain and in many other countries, is a classic example of the way God can use unlikely people to extraordinary effect.
https://canonjjohn.com/2021/01/09/heroes-of-the-faith-elizabeth-fry/

Too Busy (30 minute video)
One for the kids from UCB. Join Jovis Bon-Hovis for some fun Bible stories and songs from Philippians! This week Jovis Bon-Hovis' day gets off to a bad start as he doesn't spend any time with God and tries to do his daily tasks in his own strength. But Jovis soon realises it's better to start the day praying to God.  
Philippians 4:6
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/197578

Why Trust the Bible? (27 minute video)
Andy Bannister speaks with author Amy Orr-Ewing about the updated edition of her book "Why Trust the Bible?"

Let’s Pray For Diane Cusick (Global mission worker) 
Pray for Diane as she continues to serve in Zambia, working with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia in early childhood development. Pray that the teachers who attended Diane’s teacher training course in December will implement what they have learned.


Church of North India (CNI)
Pray for the church as it seeks to be an effective witness. Pray too for the people of India during the pandemic. India currently has the second highest number of cases worldwide.

Are You Too Small To Matter? (30 minute video)
Do you feel like your life is 'too small' to matter to God? Watch this teaching with @BaylessConley to explore some of the lesser-known Bible heroes, and learn how they were obedient to God's call on their lives!
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/272835

400th Anniversary of the Mayflower (37 minute audio)
A bunch of religious rebels board a ship to the Americas in search of freedom. As we reach the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower, listen as UCB Presenter Vicky chats with authors and historians to learn the real facts of the story. 
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21334/329509