On this morning of Tuesday 24th March 2020 we wake up to a very different world. After the Prime Minister’s statement last night we now are to stay at home and only go out when it is absolutely essential. All gatherings of more than two people have been banned in an attempt to allow the NHS to cope and to limit deaths from the virus.

Over these last few days we have had to change our lifestyle completely, remember it was just 9 days ago that we met in Burnside for morning and evening worship and now our worship is limited to online only.

I don’t plan to write an update every day, (I will be preparing the online service some days) but do check back to the Latest News section of the Church Website to get these updates.

If you have found anything helpful then please do share with me so that I can share with others. I’m always looking for things that I can include in these updates or include in the service of worship.
For example -
    Prayers
    Bible verses
    Thoughts
    Films
    TV programmes
    Books
Anything that you think others may be encouraged by please email me.

[email protected]

One such resource that I just discovered this morning is from the Gospel Coalition and is a series of online courses.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/courses/

The courses vary from text based, to audio, to video and cover the widest range of Christian subjects I have ever seen. They vary in length and cover books of the bible and theological topics. Why not draw near to God and fill your mind with the things of God rather than just Corona updates. If you find any of the courses helpful, why not let me know so that I can point others in the right direction. (Obviously I have not watched every course so cannot vouch for the content, but The Gospel Coalition is usually incredibly helpful)


Tides

The reading from Tides today is all about our Faith.
The moderator writes -
“Even though we can’t see clearly ahead, we have confidence to take one small step after another... So, look to him, tell him what you are anxious about, and show your friends and neighbours the difference steady trust in God makes.”


Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. HEBREWS 11:1-3


Let’s Pray

Also remember the Let’s Pray resource this week.

Additional Point For Prayer -
Pray for small businesses at this time where they are being forced to close and owners have no guarantee of income. There are several people in the congregation with small businesses who need our prayers at this time.


Day 24 - Trypraying 2020

Throughout Trypraying there has been a theme of drawing near to God. There are always dangers when we take one verse from the bible out of context.

1. We may misunderstand the meaning of the verse.
2. There may be more that is helpful that we have not read.

James 4:8 is encouraging when read on its own.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.  James 4:8
But it is far more helpful when read in context, especially with verse 7.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.  James 4:7-8

To come near to God involves removing ourselves from the company of another. We must resist the devil. In this time of social distancing and self isolation, let us distance ourselves from the devil and isolate ourselves with the Lord, submitting to him.

​Yesterday (Sunday 22nd March 2020) was a very strange day for many of us. Instead of going to Burnside and being able to worship together we had to stay in our homes and worship God. Many of you worshipped by using our online service, and I have been overwhelmed that so many of you took the time to watch and worship, and so many of you have sent such kind messages. There will be more to follow each week on the Website.


The online Service can be found at the link below.
https://burnsidechurch.weebly.com/burnside-sermons/worship-for-sunday-22nd-march-2020

Despite all the disadvantages of not meeting together there have been at least two major plus points.

1. So many churches have been broadcasting online that we have been able to fill our Sunday (and potentially the week ahead) with numerous acts of worship rather than just one. At a time when most people are focused on a big virus, we are able to focus on our Big God who is able to help us face the virus and help us take all the necessary precautions.
2. We are able to share our church message with friends who might not be able to come to church with us, but who are looking for hope in these desperate times. So do share with others the words of hope that you have discovered online.

The Presbyterian Churches in the Presbytery of Coleraine and Limavady have been praying for Revival during the last four weeks of Lent, through Trypraying. More details can be found at www.Trypraying.co.uk 
Yesterday morning Youtube struggled to cope with the bandwidth required, as so many churches were broadcasting their services. (Services which normally only a few people can attend, but this week went out to a potentially world wide audience.) We are beginning to see the Spirit move in new ways. On page 3 of the Trypraying - Catching The Wave book we read ...  

Imagine
Imagine what would happen if thousands of people were praying every day and hundreds of churches united in asking God for his will to be done.
Imagine whole communities becoming saturated with the presence of God and people forsaking what is wrong, experiencing his love and finding Christ every day.
Imagine people becoming interested in the message of Christ and widespread social change as people live in hope instead of despair.
Imagine discovering God to be near; answers to prayer becoming common place and church becoming truly glorious.

Imagine… revival

Is this what we are beginning to see in the midst of the spread of this most terrible virus? Let us keep praying for Revival.


The Theme this week in Trypraying is Restoring. 

We restore ...
“‘Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
We are all called at this time to follow the Holy Spirit and love our neighbour. We are asked to care for our neighbours practically by running errands for those who are stuck in their homes, but also by being considerate and not exercising our own rights but thinking of how our actions will impact the lives of others.

The special prayer focus this week is Education (page 47), which in a week where schools are closed, teachers are communicating online, pupils are learning at home and everyone is adapting to the new circumstances, prayers for Education are valued more than ever.

Day 23 of Trypraying is about Confidence. 
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13


As well as our Presbytery being involved in Trypraying there are two other initiatives from the Presbyterian Church this week.


Tides - (The daily devotional delivered via email each weekday) is focused on helping us through these uncertain terms.

If you don’t receive Tides every morning then you can find today’s reading at the link below and you can subscribe for free.

https://mailchi.mp/presbyterianireland/twbf7snlv-0-fytt1039589-1040490?e=98d44608b0

Also Let’s Pray, has specific topics to guide our prayers each day. You can sign up to receive these by email or find today’s topic at the link below.

https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Prayer/Prayer-for-Today.aspx

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10