Burnside Presbyterian Church
Mill Road, Portstewart, BT55 7SW
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Friday 22nd January 2021

22/1/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to different versions of Psalm 77 sung in a variety of styles this week. A new one each day.

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.
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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/
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Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits a Roman Catholic Cathedral Part 2. (Remember this comes from an American perspective)

New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns. Today - His Mercy Is More.

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

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
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Ray Ortlund
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”
(John 1:5).
Jesus enters our darkness, shining most brightly there. And our darkness is no match for his persistently invading, successfully conquering light and grace and truth. 
The darkness is losing.

Trump & Evangelicalism
Gavin Calver writes about the impact the Trump Presidency has had on church in the UK. 
“Delighted to have written a piece for The Times on UK evangelicalism & the Trump years. Would love you to have a read. We are a good news people here to impact the UK with the Gospel. P.S. The headline should be evangelicalism not evangelism!” - Gavin Calver - Chief Executive of Evangelical Alliance

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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
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Trivia Question
Question From Thursday

Q. He may have been the oldest person in the bible but what momentous event happened when Methushael died?
A. The Flood (Count up the ages of all the main characters when they died and the age of Noah when the rain came and you will see the dates fit)


Question For Friday
Q. What did the woman pour on Jesus’ feet at the home of Simon the Leper?

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 this table shows  the incredible times that people have logged for this puzzle so far.
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1 Comment

Thursday 21st January 2021

21/1/2021

2 Comments

 
Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to different versions of Psalm 77 sung in a variety of styles this week. A new one each day.

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.
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Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits a Roman Catholic Cathedral. (remember this comes from an American perspective)

New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns.

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

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

Wednesday 20th January 2021

20/1/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
Two very different versions of Psalm 77 today.

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.
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Doxology
Yesterday in the Tides devotional Dave Currie suggested we praise God using the Doxology and he suggested a few different versions. In case you didn’t get time to listen to them here they are.
1) Phil Wickham - Doxology/Amen
​2) Upperroom - Doxology - a much longer version
​3) Choral Version - Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Glen Scrivener (6 minute video)
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Garden Of Eden

New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns.

Finding Hope (6 minute video)
Adrian Adger was the minister of Clough and Seaforde Presbyterian Churches. Adrian and Karen's world was turned upsidedown when they were told that he has incurable cancer. In this series of short films Adrian shares some of his life experiences so that others will be encouraged and inspired to live their lives for God's glory by Finding Forgiveness, Guidance, Love and Hope.
Today Finding Hope

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt visits an Anglican Church. (remember this comes from an American perspective)

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has released the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2021. 
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/
North Korea
This week the focus is on North Korea the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Despite this there are about 400,000 Christians with between 50-70,000 in horrendous conditions in prison.
​Read about North Korea here -

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/north-korea/

Interview with secret Open Doors fieldworker from Open Doors UK and Ireland on Vimeo.


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  
​[email protected] 
​
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Bible Society
The Word At Work Magazine is available to bring you up to date with the work of the Bible Society.
w_w_spring2021.pdf
File Size: 7253 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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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.
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SU E3 North Coast 
Here is an update from Andrew Neill

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
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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?
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Derek 3:00
Frances 3:54

Play the "Portrush Harbour Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f98ea3ea6ee

1 Comment

Tuesday 19th January 2021

19/1/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
I thought you might like to listen to some different versions of Psalm 77 sung in various styles. A New one each day.

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.
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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/
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New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns. Lift High The Name Of Jesus.

Glen Scrivener (7 minute video)
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
The Breath Of Life

Finding Out About Other Churches
Ever wondered what it is like inside another church?
​Today Matt visits an Episcopal Church. (Please remember this comes from an American perspective)

Finding Hope (6 minute video)
Adrian Adger was the minister of Clough and Seaforde Presbyterian Churches. Adrian and Karen's world was turned upsidedown when they were told that he has incurable cancer. In this series of short films Adrian shares some of his life experiences so that others will be encouraged and inspired to live their lives for God's glory by Finding Forgiveness, Guidance, Love and Hope.
Today Finding Hope

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Every Book In The Bible
UCB has released a new podcast! 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes' will take you through a whole year as we explore every book of the Bible! Listen to the intro episode now on UCB Player, where we look at why the Bible is worth reading and where to even start! 
https://t.co/OaGCHGNidG

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
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Living With It
The power of the phone call, pressing into God, doorstep conversations, sitting still and creating family moments of discipleship. These were some of the things that emerged from this conversation between a minister, a deaconess and a youth worker as Rick Hill was joined by Rev Ben Walker (Saintfield Road), Joanne Dunlop (Hospital Chaplain) and Andy Lamberton (Exodus North West) to discuss how we can live with the circumstances we find ourselves, both in following Jesus ourselves as well as caring for others around us.

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? ​
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Frances 3:32
​
Play the "Elephant Rock Balintoy Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=18636d60b84a

1 Comment

Monday 18th January 2021

18/1/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week our studies continue we follow the theme of Lamenting from Sunday - When Storm Clouds Gather Turn To God. Each day we look at Psalm 77.

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.
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Love
Join J.John for the third of a three-part series on Faith, Hope and Love.

New Beginnings
Keith & Kristyn Getty have released an EP - New Beginnings, Hymns for the New Year. Each day this week we are sharing one of the hymns. Today - “Come People Of The Risen King”

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

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/
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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/
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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

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Finding Out About Other Churches (25 minute video)
Sometimes finding out about another church that we don’t agree with helps us understand what we do as a church much more clearly. Today starts a series of videos where Matt Whitmann visits a number of different churches and asks the questions we wish we could ask. You may not agree with everything he says but this is a fascinating insight.



He writes about today’s video as follows -
“Greek Orthodoxy has always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I wanted to get a clearer sense of what it's all about so I drove down to the Assumption Cathedral in Denver, Colorado and spent the morning getting answers straight from the source.
Huge thanks to Father Chris Margaritis for taking the time to hang out!”

Finding Home
Last week Rev. Adrian Adger died after a long battle with cancer. He has recorded a number of videos and Eileen shared this one with me, titled “Finding Home”.

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
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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? 

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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 10:50
​Derek 14:41

We ended last week with a puzzle of Mussenden Temple, so we begin this week with the Temple from a different perspective.
Play the "Mussenden Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=004a5fbd9598

1 Comment
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