Burnside Presbyterian Church
Mill Road, Portstewart, BT55 7SW
  • Home
  • Latest Blog
  • Services
  • Sermons
  • Find Us
  • Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Prayer Room
  • Photos
  • Activities
  • Why Jesus
  • Trypraying
  • Blog BSTB

Monday 1st March 2021

1/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Beside The Burn
This week we continue week 3 of the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let’s Pray For Peter and Valerie Lockwood (global mission workers in Nepal) 
Pray for them as they work from Northern Ireland and await visa renewal. Pray for the United Mission to Nepal’s efforts to help people affected by the pandemic.


Christian Presbyterian Church of Portugal
Pray for the ongoing witness of this small denomination (7 churches, 9 pastors, 250 members) at this time of lockdown. Pray for wisdom and creativity as each congregation seeks to bring hope and help amidst lockdown restrictions, remembering especially the church plant in Senhora da Hora.
Picture

J.John
In this episode, J.John talks to Thea Muir about the promises God has spoken over us. Thea is the the founder of 'I Am So Many Things'.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Fear Not

FILM CHOICE
This week I am going to suggest a film each day. These videos are free to watch but may take a little longer to fully appreciate.


The Welsh Revival 1904-1905 (1 hour video)
This is an in-depth look at the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival which was the largest Christian revival in Wales during the 20th century. While by no means the best known of revivals, it was one of the most dramatic in terms of its effect on the population and triggered revivals in several other countries. "The movement kept the churches of Wales filled for many years to come, seats being placed in the aisles in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Swansea for twenty years or so, for example. Meanwhile, the Awakening swept the rest of Britain, Scandinavia, parts of Europe, North America, the mission fields of India and the Orient, Africa and Latin America."

Lessons From Lockdown
How should the Church respond to the ongoing pandemic crisis? UCB Presenters Vicky and Helen explore this topic in one of UCB's latest podcasts, 'Lessons from Lockdown.' Start listening now!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hHf3k26jUtBrtBF4K7VST?si=0Hs4umdOQG2Yxy9wjJ2tSg&nd=1
Picture

Mental Health
47% of young adults say reading the Bible has improved their mental wellbeing during coronavirus. 
Don't stop reading it.  It gives life, hope and light.  Because its Author is the life, hope and light bringer.
Picture

Rejoice (15 minute video)
Maybe when you read the Bible telling us to 'rejoice,' you have no idea HOW to actually do that. Watch this episode of Discipleship Explored on UCB Player, where we look at what it means to rejoice, even in suffering.
https://t.co/5jxH8yznXX
Picture

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 10:49
Derek 12:49

Play the "Salmon House Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0aeea4d7ec36

0 Comments

1st April 2021

1/3/2021

1 Comment

 
I’m sure you have already realised today’s date, and that we would never introduce a subscription fee for the Blog!
Have a great Day!
​
Return to the Blog by Clicking HERE!!
Picture
1 Comment

Thursday 25th February 2021

25/2/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week we begin the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let’s Pray For Timothy Vaughan (community outreach worker, Garnerville, Belfast)  
Pray for God’s guidance for Timothy and others as they regather momentum in regards to Alpha courses and outreach. Pray that many people will engage with them online and that God will bless and inspire them.


Corboy and Mullingar congregations
Pray for Rev Danny Reyes, the leaders and members of the congregations as they continue to worship together online and seek to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Picture

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

PCI Podcast with PW (40 minute audio)
Presbyterian Women have been taking part in this twenty ninth episode of PCI's Podcasts.
It is entitled,  STORIES OF GOD’S WAYS AMONG US . 
The creativity and courage of congregations and individuals is encouraging in stories of life and witness from across PCI including recipe books, a drive-in cinema and the hope of sunflowers. These are some of the examples told by Neil Harrison and Pauline Kennedy along with guests Flo Houston (Conor) and Andrew Dawson (Second Dromara), as we hear good news stories of God’s ways among us, near and far, throughout the pandemic. Click on the link to Listen Now ?: 
​
https://audioboom.com/posts/7807625-029-stories-of-god-s-ways-among-us

Heroes Of The Faith - Michael Faraday
The extraordinary life of Michael Faraday, perhaps the greatest scientist of the nineteenth century, reads like one of Charles Dickens’ novels. 
Read J.John’s latest Heroes of the Faith blog on the ‘Patron Saint of Electricity’
https://twitter.com/Canonjjohn/status/1363041821035790337
Picture

PCI BLOG Mind yourself
Graeme Thompson reflects on the #mentalhealth challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic for children and young people and previews two forthcoming free resources being made available to congregations to minister to this need.
https://t.co/6pZcTdMCbA
Picture

6 Questions about Christ’s Heart for Sinners
Dane C. Ortlund
With Christ, our sins and weaknesses are the very resumé items that qualify us to approach him. Nothing but coming to him is required—first at conversion and a thousand times thereafter until we are with him upon death.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/6-questions-about-christs-heart-for-sinners/
Picture

Bible Books in 30 Minutes
What does does the book of Joshua teach us about the importance of accepting who’s REALLY in charge? How important is it to deal with seemingly minor issues in our lives? Find out in this podcast episode of 'Bible Books in 30 Minutes.'
https://t.co/lq8lUfUMe6
Picture

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Derek 3:00
Jean 3:00


Play the "Christmas Tree Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1b6028742cf3

1 Comment

Friday 26th February 2021

24/2/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week we begin the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for our Disability Services Homes and Units, as the staff continue to provide care and activities in challenging times.
Pray for residents and tenants as they struggle with the restrictions, which prevent them from going out and about.
Pray for Caroline Yeomans, Head of Disability Services, as she settles into her new role. 


Council for Public Affairs
The Council for Public Affairs addresses current topical issues on which the Church seeks to have its voice heard clearly in the public square. Pray for the convener Rev Daniel Kane and for God’s continued guiding and leading in this role.
Picture

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

“Hope is borrowing the joy of tomorrow, today.”
I heard this quote this week and thought it deserves some thought to appreciate the depth.
Jason Cook delivered a message at The Gospel Coalition Carolinas Regional Conference called “Groaning til Glory.” From Romans 8:18–25, Cook addressed the manner in which Christians must anchor themselves through storms and suffering, building from the thesis, “Suffering exists as a divine tool to wean us off the lower pleasures of this world and to encourage us to persevere, because we have hope.”
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/future-liberation-present-pain/

Chasing The Dragon
Many of you may have read Jackie Pullinger’s hard hitting book, Chasing the Dragon (first published in 1980). In this video Nicky Gumbel (HTB at Home, Alpha Course) is with Jackie Pullinger MBE, author of 'Chasing the Dragon', who has been working in Hong Kong for over 50 years and has seen God bring real change to families and communities. 
*Please note, this interview discusses issues related to substance use and sexual exploitation which some people may find distressing.

Covid-19
Portstewart has the 5th lowest number of cases of Covid-19 in Ireland this week.
Picture

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Jean 2:44
​Derek 3:00


A little bit tricky for the end of the week.
Play the "Sunset Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1c49ed771ab8

1 Comment

Wednesday 24th February 2021

24/2/2021

1 Comment

 
Beside The Burn
This week we begin the Journey of Lent, a journey of 40 days through the Wilderness with Jesus Christ towards Easter. We will discover that Wilderness is a much more positive experience than we might imagine and we pray that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

You Lead Us Through the Wilderness
This is the song from the service on Sunday, if you want to listen again.

Let’s Pray For Steve and Rosie Kennedy (global mission workers in Romania)
Pray for Steve and Rosie as they settle into work at Tóvidéki Reformed Church, especially for the English language ministry - for continuing clarity of vision and unity of purpose, and for effective outreach and mission. Pray also for their two children settling into school.


The Christian Church of Sumba, Indonesia 
Pray for the leadership and members of the church as they seek to encourage one another and build each other up in the faith and as they share the gospel with others. ​
Picture

THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE CLOSURE OF CHURCH BUILDING FOR WORSHIP
This information was received in an email from the Moderator and the Clerk of the General Assembly at 9:00am this morning.

In-person gatherings for worship in Northern Ireland

 
Following on from the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to extend the current Covid restrictions to Thursday 1st April 2021, the Clerk of Assembly and senior leaders from other churches met again on Monday 22nd February with Ministers from the Executive Office, the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). At that meeting the CMO stressed that it would make a significant difference, and be of huge public benefit, if churches were willing to continue at this time not to gather in person for services and other meetings.
 
In the light of the Executive’s extension of the current restrictions, and on the basis of the clear and unequivocal public health advice that people should continue to stay at home, the General Council Standing Committee, acting with the delegated authority of the General Council and General Assembly, has directed that all in-person Sunday gatherings for worship, along with all other in person church gatherings, should remain suspended in all PCI congregations in Northern Ireland until Thursday 1st April 2021 - with the exception of weddings, funerals, arrangements for recording and/or live-streaming, drive-in services and private prayer (as permitted by regulations). 
 
The Standing Committee also decided that it would further assess the situation immediately after the next NI Executive review on Thursday 18thMarch 2021, in the cautious anticipation that, from Friday 2nd April (Good Friday) onwards, Presbyterian congregations in Northern Ireland could begin to meet again for in-person gatherings for worship, with all necessary precautions and mitigations in place. This recognises the importance of Easter, which was acknowledged by both the Ministers and the CMO at Monday’s meeting.

We again welcome that this same approach is also being taken by the Methodist Church, the Church of Ireland and, in a slightly different form, by the Roman Catholic Church.
 
Vaccinations
 
At its meeting, the General Council Standing Committee also considered the issue of vaccination. The Committee were aware that a few groups are actively discouraging the take-up of vaccines and were informed that this is a significant cause of concern to the public health authorities. Following discussion the Standing Commission authorised the following statement for distribution to all active ministers in Northern Ireland and in Ireland, with the request that this be shared with our congregations:
 
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) encourages all of its members to actively consider receiving vaccination against Covid-19 when it is offered to them. While recognising that this is ultimately a matter of personal judgement, PCI neither discourages its members from taking up the vaccine offer nor is it supportive of those who seek to discourage the take-up of the vaccine.
 

We continue to hold all of our PCI congregations in our thoughts and prayers, asking God to graciously bless the ongoing life and witness of His people in these challenging times. We live in the hope that comes through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus - a hope that is sure and steadfast and which we look forward to celebrating in the Easter season which lies ahead.
 
Yours in His Service,
Rt Rev Dr David Bruce  (Moderator or the General Assembly)
Rev Trevor Gribben  (Clerk of the General Assembly)


24/7 Prayer Course
This week we continue the 24/7 Prayer Course with Pete Greig - a course which we took part in a couple of years ago on Wednesday evenings. The videos have been re-recorded and a couple more sessions have been added since then so even if you attended the course they are well worth watching. Here is a link to the week 3 resource guide.
https://prayercourse.org/session/petition/

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/

This week the focus is on Eritrea the sixth most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about Eritrea here 
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/eritrea/
Picture

Christian Union’s Ireland
Prayer Guide 19th – 28th February
–  Please pray for wisdom as we look to identify and train up new leaders who will take on this serving role within the CU. Pray that God will appoint the right people into these roles and that he will be working in their lives, preparing them for these roles.
–  Pray for University College Cork’s Mission Week, taking place the 22nd – 26th February. Pray for Gareth Black and Hannah Irwin as they prepare to speak at the events, and for God to work in the hearts of students, even if it does have to be fully or mostly online.
Picture

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

PCI BLOG Learning God's ways
Rachael Gamble, a member of Sloan Street congregation in Lisburn, reflects on how we might be learning that unplanned is okay.
https://t.co/MPCB6ckCef
Picture

New Horizon Update
New Horizon issued the following update yesterday
The one certainty in these turbulent times is that apart from our Lord Himself everything is subject to change.   This is also true for New Horizon 2021.  We had hoped to organise a LIVE event but have now made the decision to livestream from behind closed doors.  This means there will be no public meetings in Coleraine.  
While we are sad that our coming together physically is delayed, we are thrilled that NH2021 will provide an online programme of Bible Teaching, worship and prayer with our guest speakers Chris Wright (for the morning Bible Teaching) and Malcolm Duncan and Kate Coleman (for the Evening Celebrations).  This will take place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 August.
Picture
Picture

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw​

Jean 2:14
Derek 2:42
​
Play the "Big Fish Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3f39ed9a04a6
1 Comment
<<Previous

    General News

    Latest News!

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    May 2018
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    BMI
    Books
    Christian Aid
    Community
    New Horizon
    PCI
    Prayer
    SU
    Websites

    RSS Feed

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC 105542)
Picture