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Mill Road, Portstewart, BT55 7SW
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Monday 1st March 2021

1/3/2021

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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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

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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!!
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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.
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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.
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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.
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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. ​
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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/
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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.
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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
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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.
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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

Tuesday 23rd February 2021

23/2/2021

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 Cheryl Meban (Chaplain, Ulster University)
Pray for the Friday online study of Ruth. Some staff and students are vulnerable and feeling the strain of isolation; others are juggling work, study, and the care of children in lockdown. Thank God for S: her spirit of gratitude and peace, facing a mountain of physical and emotional challenges.


Cootehill, Drum and Kilmount congregations
Pray for a continued sense of togetherness as they worship remotely and maintain contact, especially with the elderly and isolated. Give thanks for the monthly online youth meeting.
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I Cannot Tell
Stephen McNie shared this song yesterday with his Tides devotional.

J.John
Facing the Canon this week is Bishop Graham Tomlin, the Bishop of Kensington. Together, they discuss Bishop Graham's new book 'Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea'.

New City Catechism
What is Idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-is-idolatry/

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

John Calvin
Who was John Calvin? What did he believe? What are Calvin's Institutes all about? Answer these questions and more in these TGC Courses.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/john-calvin-courses/
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FOR NOW 
As restrictions on church life continue, how can we share our faith with others in a pandemic?
Neil Harrison shares some thoughts as part of the For Now resource.

For Now // Sharing our faith from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.


The New Jerusalem - Being Human Podcast (30 minute audio)
Join Peter Lynas and Jo Frosty as we wrap up season two's journey through the God story. We turn our attention to judgment and paradise, to the New Jerusalem and garden city, and to resurrected life with our King Jesus, here and now and what's to come.​

https://t.co/GWGHRNdFjc
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:50
Derek 3:06
​
Play the "Portstewart Harbour Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3bbed7ff1137
1 Comment

Monday 22nd February 2021

22/2/2021

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.

Sunday Service
Below is Burnside At Home from Sunday.

Let’s Pray For St Petersburg Christian University, Russia
Pray for health and protection for the staff, students and their families and for hope, vision and perseverance in spite of the Covid-19 situation. Continue to pray for the financial situation at the university, where staff are still paid less than normal.


Pakistan
Pray for staff and students in the Gujranwala Theological Seminary (training people for ordained and lay ministries), and in the United Bible Training Centre (training women for evangelism and pastoral work). ​
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Getty Family Hymn Sing
Yesterday after Burnside At Home we had the little extra of the Getty Family Hymn Sing, if you missed it or want to watch again, here it is.

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

Lent - Journey To The Cross (9 minute video)
The Ballymena Ministers' Fellowship have been preparing a series of short reflections for Lent – it is called "Journey to the Cross".  The first reflection is below

J.I. Packer and Puritan Books
In the 1940s, there were virtually no Puritan books in print. When an elderly Anglican clergyman donated his old library to the Christian union at Oxford, he had no idea how his gift would impact J. I. Packer, and then impact the church. https://t.co/NquXOCemn9
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Life Of John Calvin (51 minute video)
Kevin DeYoung delivered this message about God’s work in the life of John Calvin at TGC’s 2017 National Conference which celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/on-john-calvin/
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 11:38
Jean 13:23
​
Play the "Balintoy Storm Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3347cb1b83fe

1 Comment

Friday 19th February 2021

19/2/2021

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 new visiting arrangements, that they may go some way in meeting the needs of residents and families, who have now been separated for ten months and denied that all important hug.
Give thanks that we can now accommodate visiting in many forms; virtual visiting, phone calls, window visiting and visiting behind screens - acknowledging how important they are to residents, family and friends. 


Dying with Dignity Bill
Pray for the Oireachtas Committee on Justice as it considers the submissions it has received in relation to the Dying with Dignity Bill, and pray that the legislation would not proceed any further.
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Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Two by Two

50 Ways To Be Thankful
Sam Crabtree is a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and he has 50 simple suggestions for us if we want to be more thankful in life.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/50-ways-to-be-thankful/
He has also written a book - Practicing Thankfulness
Pastor Sam Crabtree surveys the Bible’s teaching on gratitude, demonstrating that every moment is an opportunity to observe, embrace, and appreciate with thankfulness the wondrous workings of God in ordinary life.
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Living With new Joy
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!’ Esther Parker, member of Sinclair Seamen’s congregation and PW Home Vice President, reflects on living with new joy.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/January-2021/Living-with-new-joy.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3fAfuZV-n61PMYpjrmOW7VgcAmGUhA5afRgCLtE-885PNN_9fVLBzrqZU
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Covid-19 Cases
Portstewart is no longer the place with the least number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland, but is still very near the bottom of the table. (4th)
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 1:43
Frances 3:27
​Derek 3:47

A little bit more tricky for the weekend.


Play the "Strand Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=294c34f2d32d

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1 Comment

Thursday 18th February 2021

18/2/2021

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.

Why keep Lent? by J.John
Also at the end of the Blog today is an article by J.John about why we should keep Lent.

Let’s Pray For Philip Whelton (Irish mission worker, Arklow) 
Pray effective and creative ways will continue to be found to maintain contact with the children and families who attended weekly activities before Covid restrictions. Pray that if it is God’s will, Arklow will be able to run a holiday Bible Club this summer in some format.


Carrigart and Dunfanaghy
Pray for these linked congregations in north Donegal which are vacant. Pray for the kirk sessions and members as they seek God’s guidance and for Rev Brian Brown, vacancy convener.
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WIlma Devenney
Today Christian Aid Ireland have featured our own Wilma on their facebook page as a #lockdownhero

It's been a while since we had a #lockdownhero story but we couldn't let this one pass. Retired nurse Wilma Devenney...

Posted by Christian Aid Ireland on Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt What are Evangelicals trying to do?

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

What Is Ash Wednesday All About (10 minute audio)
Have you ever wondered what Ash Wednesday is all about? Presenter Vicky spoke to Reverend Sally Hitchiner, Associate Vicar for Ministry at St Martin-in-the-Fields, to find out more! Listen now on UCB Player.

https://t.co/ccRP9Oc4DT
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Being Human
The Evangelical Alliance Podcast - An episode on church versus community with Peter Lynas and Jo Frost.
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/being-human/season-2/episode-9?utm_source=twitter
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Stormont & Abortion
Speaking on behalf of PCI
@pcimoderator has expressed support for
@paulgivan's @niassembly bill which seeks to remove the diagnosis of non-fatal disability as a sole ground for accessing abortion & encouraged MLAs from all parties to support it: https://bit.ly/3b4eBF2
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Loving Kindness - New Hymn
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” (Psalm 63:3)
Some truths are so rich, so wonderful and expansive, they call for a special word. Take the covenant love of God for his people. Throughout Scripture, God reveals himself as slow to anger, full of mercy, and faithful in steadfast affection to those he has redeemed. The King James Version uses a beautiful word to translate this idea, one that still resonates deeply today: lovingkindness. 
In this new hymn by Matt Redman, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa, we celebrate the never-failing, awe-inspiring, undeserved lovingkindness of God. Combining an upbeat energy with truths worth singing over and over again, this song was written to help us wonder at the character of God: “How great your lovingkindness, O God of goodness, our joy forever to sing the glad refrain!”

Evangelism In A Crisis
Rev David Thompson, Secretary of the Council of Congregational Life and Witness, introduces a forthcoming church wide initiative to share Jesus in the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic
https://t.co/nsjyMYDpAt
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With God Through The Mess (30 minute audio)
How do we grow with God through the MESS of difficult seasons? Author Lizzie Lowrie shares more as Presenter Chloe covers 'This is My Story' on #UCB2. Listen now on UCB Player!
https://t.co/cgwujoGfiq
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Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:40
​Jean 2:29
​Frances 3:28
Derek 3:49 

Play the "Waves Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=288cb16bb0f7

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Why keep Lent? by J.John

Lent, the forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays), is a somewhat curious period in the church’s calendar. Most events in the church’s year are festivals and we happily talk about celebrating them. Lent is very different: it is a minor-key period which is never ‘celebrated’ but only ‘kept’. Some churches and Christians treat Lent very seriously, while others ignore it entirely.

Even among those who keep Lent, there is no agreement on how it should be kept. Many Christians try to give up something: for instance, chocolate, social media or television. It’s even become a period for us to try to break bad habits, almost as if Lent gives us another opportunity to retake those New Year’s resolutions!

Now what exactly is Lent about?

Lent is about three ‘preparations’.

Lent is a preparation for Easter. Easter, with its message of Christ destroying sin and death through his death and resurrection, is the most exciting moment in the church’s year. Yet we can undercut this note of victory by being so occupied that, amid the frantic busyness of our lives, we carelessly stumble upon Easter. Lent provides us with forty days’ build-up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday that forces us to prayerfully ponder the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As the best way to appreciate a sunrise is to be there in the darkness before dawn, so the only way to appreciate Easter is to have come to it through Lent. We as Christians are, of course, an Easter people living in a Good Friday world.

Secondly, Lent is a preparation for Existence. A fatal flaw in our culture today is that people do not know how to say ‘no’ to bad things. It is now almost a virtue to give in to every desire that comes upon us. Yet a great element in Christian morality is to be able to say ‘no’to wrong desires. Paul, in Titus 2:11–12 (NIV), says, ‘For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.’ Lent gives us the opportunity to practise resisting harmful and hurtful desires that will continue for life. Trivial as it may appear, a battle won over chocolate, coffee or cake at Lent may help us win a battle over lust, lying or laziness shortly afterwards.

Finally, Lent is a preparation for Eternity. If you take Lent seriously, then these forty days can seem to be a long and often wearying season in which we never get our own way. Here, for a time, pleasures are put to one side and joys are postponed. But Lent doesn’t last. The darkness is broken by the joyful light of the glorious triumph of Easter Day. Here there is a splendid parallel with our lives. For many of us, much of our life seems to take place in what we might call ‘Lent mode’: things do not go as we hope, we do not get what we want and our joys are absentor at best short-lived. Yet, for the Christian, there is that wonderful and certain hope that however deep and hard the darkness is in our lives, it will ultimately be lifted and replaced by an indestructible joy. For those who love Christ, life’s long Lent will end one day in an eternal Easter in which death and sin are destroyed for ever. Whether or not you keep Lent (which starts on Wednesday 17th February), and in what way you keep it, is your choice. But to keep Lent, thoughtfully and prayerfully, is to come into a rich and lasting inheritance.
Be blessed this Lent and bless others.

J.John
www.canonjjohn.com
1 Comment

Wednesday 17th February 2021

17/2/2021

2 Comments

 
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 Gary and Mary Reid (global mission workers, Kenya)
Pray for Gary and Mary as they continue their work remotely and record video messages for the church in Olkinyei each week. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest and for many more Massai people to come to faith in Christ.


India
Pray for staff and students at Gujarat United School of Theology as they teach / study online, sometimes with internet difficulties. Pray for Rev John Faris (PCI) as he prepares some online talks for the students.
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Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
J.John with his wife Killy John
, talking about Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent on UCB.
You can listen back now.
https://player.lightcast.com/zQzMzgjM
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Finding Out About Other Churches
Today Matt asks what are evangelicals trying to do?

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Methuselah.
A message from Glen about how to live even longer than Methuselah and avoid death.



Prayer Walk
During Lockdown we are all encouraged to go for walks, Evangelical Alliance have produced this resource to help us go on Prayer Walks.
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/prayer-centre/coronavirus-prayer/walk-pray
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Why It Is Good to Be Poor in Spirit?
Paul Tripp discusses why it is good to be poor for our Spiritual health.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-it-is-good-to-be-poor-in-spirit/
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Confession
Confession is an important part of prayer. Here is an interesting article that encourages us to confess our sin rather than keep it hidden.​

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/bring-sin-light/
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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 Pakistan the fifth most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about Pakistan here 
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/pakistan/
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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. Here is a link to the week 2 resource guide.
https://prayercourse.org/session/adoration/

Christian Unions Ireland
12th – 18th February
–  Pray for students at NUIG (Dóchas), that they will be able to meet together in their small groups and be an encouragement to one another. Pray that these communities will not dwindle over time, but will continue to grow and strengthen in community and worship with one another.
–  Pray for the CU leaders at Waterford Institute of Technology as they continue meeting on Zoom every Tuesday evening going through uncover Mark.
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Myanmar
Following this month’s military coup in Myanmar, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, has joined with his Scottish counterpart in urging the UK government to ‘do all that it can to ensure the restoration of democracy which fully respects the November election.’
Read more here -
​ https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/February-2021/Myanmar-Presbyterian-leaders-write-to-Foreign-Sec.aspx

This Sunday, Terry is going to lead us in prayer for Myanmar.
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The General Assembly Building of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar in the city of Tahan, Kalaymyo District, Myanmar

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

​Janice 1:37
Jean 2:29
Eric 9:04

Don’t be fooled by the different shape today!!

Play the "Strand Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f5e60d4f286

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