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Mill Road, Portstewart, BT55 7SW
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Friday 29th May 2020

28/5/2020

1 Comment

 
Tides
Today Tides deals with the blessing of forgiven sin. The opening verses of Psalm 32 are powerful.
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin theLord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1,2
This is the blessing that we can have as we enjoy God each day.
The Moderator challenges us today.
Aware that you are forgiven and accepted, who can you help today and thereby point to Jesus?
And then he encourages us to listen to this song.

Frances on Friday
As one does, I asked Google for help!
For Friday I needed inspiration….. yes, I was being prompted very clearly to concentrate on one Hymn in particular. 

I had no doubt that the Hymn for this week was to be ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,’ but the word ‘Tomorrow’ was to be the main emphasis. 
So I turned to Google to find how often this word might be used….and Google presented me with 39 pages of ‘Tomorrow Quotes!’  Some were familiar, some were not.
According to my Google Guide, Mark Twain said: ‘Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.’  
And then I went back to depending on what I knew from ‘days gone by.’ 
I thought of familiar phrases such as:  ‘….as if there was no tomorrow’,  
‘….here today, gone tomorrow’,  ‘….tomorrow is another day.’
I recalled that my Father often quoted:  ‘Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well.’
We have song titles which include the word:  
‘Will you still love me tomorrow?’  
‘If tomorrow never comes,’  
‘It’s almost tomorrow.’
Hebrews 13:8 NIV reminds us  

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’       

And that includes every tomorrow!
​

Let’s listen to  
‘I know who holds Tomorrow.’ 


​- ​Frances
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God is Near
Dr Cindy Brown is a lecturer in Systematic and Historical Theology at Belfast Bible College.  In this article she reminds us that even in the desert, God is near. Read the article here at Reimagining Faith

Florence Nightingale Exhibition
A couple of weeks ago Wilma wrote about Florence Nightingale and now Wilma has informed me that there is a nursing exhibition at the Ulster Museum. It should have been launched just as the start of lockdown was announced. It can now be viewed digitally.
The Florence Nightingale - Nursing and Midwifery 200 years exhibition at
 nmni.com/fn200
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Having God in The Squad Is No Longer Mocked
Last Friday The Times ran an article about Christians in sport, claiming that where once a belief in God was mocked in sport, that is no longer the case. An interesting read, sorry if the picture below is a little difficult to read.
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Bible App For Kids
Kids will love “Colour the Story”, which lets them customize Bible story pictures!
Get The App Here
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Kristyn Getty
The Belfast Telegraph carried this interview with Kristyn Getty on Saturday, the day after her birthday.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/belfast-telegraph/20200523/282269552598496
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Survey About Online Worship
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in online worship across the island of Ireland, new research from Queen’s University has revealed. The Newsletter on Thursday published some of the findings, you can read the article here - 
NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
Or the main parts are available to read at the end of today’s blog.

Care UK
James from CARE UK is on Facebook each weekday morning at 8:45am, with a devotional message and a time of prayer. You can either join live or catch up later in the day. This will only work if you are on Facebook.
 https://buff.ly/3c8fStd
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Mitch - Crown Jesus Ministries
While on the subject of Facebook devotionals, Mitch from Crown Jesus Ministries is live with his wife Amanda every Morning at 7:30am. Again you can join him live or watch later in the day. This is the link to Mitch on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/mitch.belfast

And this is the link to the Thursday devotional.
https://www.facebook.com/mitch.belfast/videos/10217106437349468/

Jigsaw

Derek 9:53
Lynne 17:34

Rumour has it that the National Trust are opening up the Strand to cars very soon (it may even be today) numbers will be restricted and may be initially for members only. So today’s Jigsaw is from 21st March 2020, the last day that cars were allowed to park on the Strand. The next day cars were restricted to just the  entrance. Once again for the weekend, I’ve increased the number of pieces and all that sand looks the same colour - take your time with this one.

Play the "Portstewart Strand" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2d68c2a1ff6b
Where Is It?
Yesterday the Where Is It? Was part of the white rocks in Portrush. This particular structure is located below the car park at Magheracross situated just before you arrive at Dunluce Castle. You can’t see it from the car park but you can see the fence of the car park in the top right corner of the photo.
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Where Is It?
Still on the North Coast, we are venturing a little outside Portstewart once again for this Where Is It? I hope this one isn’t too difficult, it was taken a few years ago.
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Newsletter Article 
Survey About Online Worship (Mentioned earlier in the blog)
A survey reveals surge in online religious worship during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in online worship across the island of Ireland, new research from Queen’s University has revealed.

Many churches have moved their services online during lockdown Copyright: Press Eye Ltd
The research was conducted in the form of a survey by Dr Gladys Ganiel, from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast and published by the Irish Council of Churches.
The survey reveals how people of faith are grieving, coping, moving religion online, and serving the wider community; and allows us to see how faith leaders are coping with the stresses of ministry.
During the pandemic, many faith leaders who responded to the survey described an increase in religious practice, linked to moving worship and services online. They observed surprising numbers of people tuning in for worship services and other events, noting that people who would not have entered their church building were accessing online services.
“Moving faith online has created new opportunities for religious practice. In some cases, lay volunteers have assisted faith leaders in moving faith online. This is an opportunity to increase and enhance lay involvement in many aspects of ministry and should be encouraged,” Dr Ganiel said.
“Religious practice will continue to feature a mixture of online and in-person elements. Faith communities should invest in training and resources for faith leaders and laity to develop blended online/offline ministries.”
The key findings include:
* Before the pandemic, 44% of faith communities did not provide online worship opportunities; now only 13% of faith communities do not provide these opportunities.
* 70% of respondents agreed that they would retain aspects of their online ministries when restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.
* 74% of faith communities from the largest denominations – Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist – were providing social services to the wider community during the pandemic.
* 89% of faith leaders said that faith had helped people cope with stress during the pandemic. They provided examples of people praying more and people who had previously demonstrated no interest in faith or religion tuning in to religious services or seeking prayer.
* 46% of faith leaders said their ministry had been more stressful than usual.
* 82% of faith leaders who are cocooning for age or underlying health conditions have continued their ministry.
Speaking about the findings, Dr Ganiel commented: “It is hoped that the results of this survey can inform and improve the practices of faith communities as the people of this island continue to negotiate the effects of the pandemic and lockdown.
“It also affirms the important role that faith leaders and communities continue to play across society, documenting the scale and character of their services.”
During the pandemic, clergy and religious staff have been designated as ‘key workers’ by both the Irish and the UK Governments, signalling their important role in burying the dead, comforting the grieving, and providing focal points for communities.
The survey was distributed to over 2,000 faith leaders via direct email throughout the island of Ireland, with 439 responses received between 6 - 22 May 2020.
1 Comment

Thursday 28th May 2020

27/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Tides
Today in Tides we look at the Lord’s Prayer.
The Moderator highlights that little word that the prayer begins with - “Our”.
‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
MATTHEW 6:9-12
William comments -
Jesus is telling us that his Father is also our Father.
We are brothers and sisters of Jesus and adopted into the family of God.
In prayer we do not approach someone distant,
​but a father who is keen to hear us.
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Tides - Wednesday
Anne sent me the following message yesterday,

“Having read Tides today "consider the ravens" it reminded me of an old hymn which I had forgotten about but heard yesterday. It is called "The raven He feedeth" showing us of the tender compassion and wonderful love of a Heavenly Father.”

We are unable to find a recording of this hymn but you will find the sheet music at this link, and the words are below.
https://hymnary.org/hymn/CYBER/11739
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1 In tender compassion and wonderful love,
The Father looks down from on high;
He knoweth the raven hath need of its food,
And heareth in mercy its cry.

Refrain:
The raven he feedeth, then why should I fear,
To the heart of the Father his children are dear;
So, if the way darkens or storms gather o’er,
I’ll simply look upward and trust him the more.


2 His arm is abundantly able to save,
His eye is a guide to my feet;
Since love sought and found me, I constantly dwell
With him in companionship sweet.
[Refrain]


3 No need have I ever to trouble my breast,
Or fear what the morrow may bring;
The heart of the Father is planning my way,
And I am the child of a King.
[Refrain]

Leo The Cat
The strangest thing I have to do each week is preach to the camera instead of a congregation. It is very easy to make a mistake and have to start over again. How the Dean of Canterbury manages to keep talking I do not know...

Pre-Lockdown Advice 
"Buy stock in Zoom, don't start your spring cleaning early, buy extra loo roll and hand sanitiser in January"
The BBC ran an article on their website this week asking - 

“If you could go back to the start of 2020 and give yourself pre-lockdown advice, what would it be?”


​So why not email me at  burnsidechurch@gmail.com or leave your suggestions in the comments. Just one or two lines - nothing too complicated.
My piece of advice to myself - “Buy a phone with more memory so that I don’t have to keep deleting the videos that I record each week for Burnside At Home”

Plans - God’s or Ours?
This time of year you might be caught behind a tractor towing fresh cut silage. Rev David Reid often likes to watch them from his study window, taking a break to time the intervals between loads, just to see how quickly the harvester is filling them. Sometimes rain and breakdowns can affect the cutting – just as changes can impact our own lives. In his blog he writes about the One who is in ultimate control of everying. Read the blog at the link below.
https://bit.ly/3d057dL
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Paralympian Testimony
Stef Reid - The five-time world record holder, reigning world champion (London 2017 long jump), model and broadcaster shares her remarkable testimony. Read it here 
Premier christianity
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Marriage, Family & Ministry
In this interview conversation from Sing! 2019, Keith and Kristyn Getty share the simple ways they teach their kids to sing. Children sing because God has given them a voice. What a privilege it is to spark their imagination and understanding through the songs we sing. Thank you to Eric for sharing this.

Irresistible Church from UCB
How do you balance the need to make church attractive to newcomers whilst also getting deeper into theology with long-standing Christians? In this episode of 'Irresistible Church', the hosts discuss the concept of 'Deep and Wide' in the church.  
https://player.lightcast.com/yYzNzYjN
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The Keswick Convention Podcast
Click below for all the links to this podcast on all the popular platforms.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/866182
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The Unforced Rhythms Of Grace
Adjusting to the unforced rhythms of grace: Rt Rev Dr Charles McMullen looks at the tensions of living in lockdown, explores the gap between longing and experience and searching for spiritual harmony. Read the blog here.
https://bit.ly/2LSuJxr
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The Bible And Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week ran between the 18th & 24th May. The Bible Society had a look at what the bible says about Mental Health.
Mental Health Awareness
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Jigsaw
Not everyone is brave enough to share their time, but most people do look to see how they compare. So even if you think your time is a bit rubbish you are encouraging others.​

Yesterday
Derek 7:07

Where Is It?
Yesterday the Where is it? Is as Derek MacAfee stated, “is from the tiny beach just before the steps and the main beach.”
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Where Is It?

Now that lockdown restrictions appear to be lifting slightly, why don’t we venture just a little outside Portstewart and ask Where Is It? On this lovely summer evening.
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Wednesday Quiz
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Zoom Quiz last night. If you ran madly through your house or were content to sit and watch, we had an entertaining evening, so much so, that we would like to do it again and you are all welcome. We did have a few technical problems at the start, which were all my fault, but once that was sorted out the technology worked really well. Here is a little screen grab of the evening. (Not everyone is in the photo)
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Ebenezer Stone Of Help
Continuing on the theme of the Ebenezer Stones of Help - this isn’t so much the art of Stone Balancing, but is a similar exercise. One family have been very productive during Lockdown.
​Read about them here.

EBENEZER STONE
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Our friends Colin & Lynne have this photograph on their wall, that they took on holiday at New England Bay, in Scotland.
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0 Comments

Wednesday 27th May 2020

26/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Tides
The Moderator today, writing about Luke 12:22-31 says,

Twice here Jesus gets us to ‘consider’ the world around us.
We’re to look at the ravens (v24)
and we are to gaze at the wild flowers (v27).
We are left in no doubt as to what Jesus wants us to learn –
we have no need to worry because all around us
​we can see the evidences of God’s care and blessing.

William and Wilma are writing about the same themes.
Wilma has asked us to consider in her Thoughts On Tueday,
the birds last week and this week the gardens.
We have so much to give thanks to God for,
and William at the end of Tides today points us to this song,
“My heart is filled with thankfulness”.
​Give thanks to God as you listen to it.

Wednesday Evening Quiz 7:00pm
You are invited to join us tonight, Wednesday for a short quiz via Zoom. I know that some of you have been using Zoom to keep in touch with family or for work meetings. We haven’t tried this before so we are going to try a Burnside meet up for half an hour on Wednesday evening, 27th May 2020 7:00pm - 7:30pm. You can either take part in the quiz or simply watch and listen to what is going on.
If you would like to take part please email burnsidechurch@gmail.com and I will send you the meeting code and password. It is the same code that was in the Saturday email this week. Join at 6:55pm and be ready to start at 7:00pm. 
You will need some paper, a pen and a lot of patience
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Wednesday Prayer
Each Wednesday on the Blog we take the Theme of Prayer, so most of the articles concern prayer today. Why not take a moment to Trypraying.

Christian Unions Ireland
There is an incredibly dedicated CUI Prayer support group that meets monthly in Burnside to pray for the work of CUI in Coleraine, Magee, Letterkenney and through out Ireland. Earlier this month CUI gathered students, supporters and staff from across the island of Ireland, online to pray, below is a short highlights video from the day of prayer that will help you and encourage you and guide you in your prayers for CUI.
Prayer
Pete Greig - From the 24/7 Prayer (You may remember the Prayer Course that we completed on Wednesday evenings last year) tweeted the following about prayer.
Can I be honest with you? I'm actually not into prayer. I’m into Jesus, so we talk.

I don’t believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of God. So I ask for his help. A lot.​

I'm not into evangelism. I hate evangelism!  I'm into Jesus. So I talk to people about him.

Praying For Five Friends
During Trypraying we were praying for three friends, at the moment the Church Of England are encouraging people to pray for 5 friends. Here are 5 excellent ideas to help motivate us to pray.
https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/pray-five-friends

Listening To God
What does it mean to listen for God's voice? We hear it all the time, but HOW do we actually do that? This episode of 'Mark & Mark at Full Volume' talks about the different ways that God speaks to us. Click below to listen!
https://player.lightcast.com/yMzN3EjM
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Prayer 2020
Prayer 2020 is praying for 20 minutes on the 20th of each month at 20:20 (8.20pm) that God will give many opportunities to speak about Jesus. You can still watch the last 20-minutes of prayer
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost (21 May-31 May) for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. 
Here are five great ways to join in this time of prayer.
Kingdom Come Prayer

Forever Jesus
This is a new Hymn from Stuart Townend and, Keith and Kristyn Getty, it will feature this week in the Getty Family Hymn Sing, so start practicing.

​Ministry Milestones
There are certain milestones that you reach in ministry, sometimes you are pleased with your achievements, other times you wonder where it all went wrong. Lockdown has brought new opportunities and challenges, and today I can announce a new record of 5357 views online, sadly not for one of my sermons but for a Jigsaw. The Jigsaw of the trees in Coleraine covered in snow at the last count has been attempted 5357 times.
​I can safely say, I never thought this would ever be part of my ministry. In a week where I appeared on TV for my walking skills rather than my preaching skills, perhaps I need to use lockdown to take a long hard look at where my life is going. (Usually the jigsaws get about 40-50 attempts)

Jigsaw
Times for yesterday’s puzzle of the Giant’s Causeway -

Derek 6:55
Lynne 10:54

The puzzle today picks up the theme of the Ebenezer Stone from Burnside At Home last Sunday.
I think this is a tough one today.
The photo for this puzzle was taken at Holy Island, Lindisfarne, which we often visit when we holiday in the ever popular City of Durham.

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1232b937d0ec
​
Ebenezer Stone Of Help
Eric also shares, on the theme of the Ebenezer Stone of Help, the following photographs of Fantail Falls in New Zealand which Zara visited. This puts the feeble attempts around Portstewart to shame.
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Where Is It?
A little debate about the tractor yesterday, some thought it was cleaning the sand at the play park in the Crescent, but as Anne commented yesterday, “Tractor is the one on the beach used by National Trust to pull out vehicles which are embedded in the sand.”
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Where Is It?
This pile of stones has appeared since the Bank Holiday Weekend, but do you know where it is?
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0 Comments

Tuesday 26th May 2020

25/5/2020

2 Comments

 
Tides
Today the Moderator asks us to look at all the things that happen in our lives and to consider that -
everything that occurred in your life today has been put in place by your Heavenly Father to finish a work in you.
Such awareness radically changes how we view each happening of every day.
William then gives us this prayer to refocus our attention on what God is doing.
Dear Lord, help me 
- every single morning - 
to find faith in the midst of the chaos. 
Give me the desire and ability to 
see you, 
hear you, 
talk to you, 
and give thanks to you. 
And as I do, 
I pray that I will draw nearer and nearer to you, 
and that my faith will multiply exponentially 
as I understand in new, deeper ways 
that you are everything 
I ever hoped you would be, 
and so much more. 
Amen.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley

Junk Emails
One person has mentioned that one of the Saturday emails that is sent to people who attend Burnside (who I have email addresses for) went into their Junk email folder recently. To try to avoid this if you add burnsidechurch@gmail.com to your address book then the email should be recognised. Also if you haven’t received your email by Saturday lunchtime then check your Junk/Spam folder to retrieve it.

Wilma’s Thoughts On Tuesday
Last week should have been the Chelsea Flower Show. Garden designers, plant experts, flower arrangers, gardeners etc were very disappointed, that it had to be cancelled. I have attended the show on two occasions. It is a most rewarding experience, visiting the Grand Pavilion, getting close to the prized blooms, seeing celebrity designers and gardening experts and generally soaking in the atmosphere. It was decided this year, that there would be a virtual version of the Show on TV and on line, filmed in the presenters’ gardens. It was good to be able to see these programmes and go down memory lane to past shows. One of the presenters said, having a virtual version "is the next best thing to being there".
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In lockdown, we have been experiencing "the next best thing" to worshipping in our church building. At present, each Sunday, there is a virtual church service, 
also a sermon available by telephone, and a virtual prayer room. It has been marvellous to be able to access these services, "the next best thing" to  meeting together in our church building. Thank you, Richard for all your work in keeping our fellowship together in this way. Many in Burnside, and the wider community have been blessed and encouraged. 

The Moderator's Sunday sermon recently, mentioned the subject of loneliness, and the need to be with other people. He raised the question, could we be getting tired or restless with the VIRTUAL? We have a deep need for fellowship and "the real thing"  and getting back into our church building again. But we have to wait, and be patient for that day to return, in God's time.

Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  
Psalm 27 v 14

We will meet again!
Wilma

Where Is Jesus?
Many of you will be saddened to learn of the death, yesterday, of Martin Holley. Martin has been sharing from God’s word online as last few weeks. This is his message from Sunday, entitled, “Where Is Jesus?” and then also from a week ago, “Staying Alive”. (Thank you to Eileen for sharing)

Flower Of The Holy Spirit
Frances shares this incredible orchid which blooms during Pentecost each year.
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Keswick - Kes Talk
The latest Kes Talk is out now! Delving into Psalm 100 with Alistair Begg. The Psalm reminds us that the Lord doesn’t dismiss our suffering but calls us to worship him because he is God & he is good. Very apt at this time.

https://keswickministries.org/podcasts/
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New Horizon Online
A scaled-down evening celebration on the theme 'Healthy Church; Serving Church' each evening at 8pm from Sunday 26th July to Thursday 30th July.
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Jigsaw
Yesterday’s puzzle.
Jean 3:39

​I’m trying out a new feature today which should allow you to play the puzzle directly below,
or You can still click the link to play the way you always have.
(Remember you can click bottom right to make full screen.

Today’s puzzle is From the Giant’s Causeway.

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=140048788b21
Where Is It?
5 Points to everyone who knew the Blue Plaque was located on the promenade, an extra bonus 10 points for those who said it was located beside Bradley’s Pharmacy.
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Where Is It?
Where would you find this tractor in Portstewart?
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And Finally ...
Newsline - Crimewatch
It’s not exactly Crimewatch, but can you name any of these 3 shady characters who were spotted on the BBC Bank Holiday Lunchtime & Teatime news walking along the Promenade in Portstewart. The report was about how the seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart were so busy over the weekend.
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2 Comments

Monday 25th May 2020

24/5/2020

3 Comments

 
Tides
On Sunday coming we will be celebrating Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit filled not only the apostles but also the whole house where they were sitting.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:2-4 (NIV)
Sometimes we are in danger of underestimating the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As the Moderator writes in Tides today -
What are you expecting from God right now? Some of us might expect too much, but honestly, I think most of us expect too little and the outcome of that is that we take the supernatural out of our Christian experience! Some words of Francis Chan come to mind.
“I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit.”
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Forgotten God
Francis Chan may have some unusual ideas about communion but he has written an intriguing little book about the Holy Spirit - “Forgotten God” Which is well worth a read.
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Wednesday Evening Quiz 7:00pm
You are invited to join us on Wednesday evening for a short quiz via Zoom. I know that some of you have been using Zoom to keep in touch with family or for work meetings. We haven’t tried this before so we are going to try a Burnside meet up for half an hour on Wednesday evening, 27th May 2020 7:00pm - 7:30pm. You can either take part in the quiz or simply watch and listen to what is going on.
If you would like to take part please email
burnsidechurch@gmail.com
and I will send you the meeting code and password. It is the same code that was in the Saturday email this week. Join by 6:55pm and be ready to start at 7:00pm.
If you do not have Zoom clicking on the meeting code will help you download it. 
You will need some paper, a pen and a lot of patience.
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Moderator's Service
The Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. William Henry leads his penultimate online Service: Hope Beyond which includes a Prayer of intercession focusing on current mental health pressures during the Coronavirus crisis #mentalhealthawarenessweek.


Ascension Day
A celebration for Ascension Day led by the Revd Dr Sam Wells and the Revd Marie-Elsa Bragg, with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, The Daily Service Singers and St Martin's Voices. Below is a link to this programme on BBC iplayer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000j8rt

Keswick Convention
Keswick at Portstewart is not the only convention that is held outside Keswick in the Lake District. This week, Keswick Ayrshire held an online event on Sunday 24th May 2020, featuring the Keswick Ayrshire band and Peter Maiden. You can watch it here.
Mental Health Awareness
This is a really important message to the church from those leading mental and emotional health charities. We need to listen, be equipped & act.

Three Videos From The Bible Society
Below are three videos produced by the Bible Society looking at death from different perspectives.
​Thank You to Eric for spring these.

VIDEO 1 - What if I didn't have to fear death?
Is there anyone who doesn't fear death? Apparently so. This video from Easter Sunday explores why Christians take strength from the Easter story and how it can give us hope as we face the coronavirus crisis.  
VIDEO 2 - Is coronavirus the end of the world?
Is coronavirus the end of the world? Or just the end of the world as we know it? What does the Bible have to say, and what other wisdom might it have for us as our lives are put on pause? 
VIDEO 3 - Where is God in our pain?
To those on the front line of the coronavirus crisis we have a message for you. 
This is a special message from Bible Society for those in the thick of it taking on the coronavirus crisis, whether in healthcare, as key workers or helping those who are suffering.  
Mental Health Awareness Week
A prayer for Mental Health Awareness Week.
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Jigsaw
Some of you were getting worried that your times for the Jigsaws were increasing, but there were a lot more pieces on Friday.
Jean 11:57
​Derek 21:03

There was some debate over where the photograph in the Jigsaw was. It is just beyond the council Offices at Cloonavon, as you go towards Coleraine. Behind the trees there is now a memorial garden which wasn't there in 2010. 

New Puzzle for today.
​Saturday should have been the annual Raft Race in Portrush which raises money for RNLI, of course The race didn’t take place this year, so here is a Jigsaw of the Lifeboat.
​
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1e1791466569

Where Is It?
Of course the Witch's Hat is the Bandstand at the Crescent.
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Where Is It?
Here is your picture for today, and surprisingly it is not on Lever Road in Portstewart.
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3 Comments

Friday 22nd May 2020

21/5/2020

1 Comment

 
Tides
​

Remember you can sign up for the daily Tides email on the Home page of the Burnside Website.
www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk

Today is the last day of 2 weeks of promises that we have been reminded of. Today we are reminded from those very familiar words in John 3:16 that God has loved us so much that he has come among us. Remember in December our theme of “God With Us”

Today Rev. Jonathan Cowan reminds us that Jesus does not socially distance.
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We are advised to keep our social distance during this pandemic. We can only watch from a distance the pain that this world is experiencing from the effects of Covid-19. However, God got involved in this world and kept his promise and sent his only son to save it. Jesus did not self-isolate from the world, but came to save sinful and rebellious people. Our God makes and keeps his promises so let’s trust him more and more during these days.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18

Frances on Friday
It is always great when others contribute towards the Blog content and this week, knowing her love of hymns, I asked Frances Bleakley to write a piece for the blog. Frances asked which day I would like it for, and after a brief pause, I suggested Friday. 
So now we have it - “Frances on Friday” 
Thank you Frances for this meditation.

Frances on Friday
I wish to introduce you to two ladies who have meant a lot to me over the years ---- and both had become blind. The first one was my Grandmother.
After their marriage, my parents continued to reside in the family home in order to support my Grandparents.

Now if that brings to mind a picture of a little old lady sitting in the corner being attended hand and foot, nothing could be further from the truth. My Granny was an active and busy person both in the home and in her Church.

She had insisted that my Mother would resume her teaching career and, with help in the day to day running of the home, this indeed came about.
Here are some lines which sum up how she felt about life:

‘Oh, what a happy soul am I
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.’

And who penned those lines?  They were written by a girl at the age of eight and who had become blind when she was six weeks old…. Fanny Crosby.
Fanny went on to write more than 8,000 Gospel Hymns.
One day a close friend played a melody and asked, ‘What does this tune say?’
Fanny Crosby immediately responded: ‘Why, that says ‘Blessed Assurance,
Jesus is Mine.’    

This song reflects Fanny Crosby’s walk of faith, as we read in
Philippians 1:21

‘For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.’
A Capella Hymns
Yesterday Eileen shared a wonderful version of 23rd Psalm sung in four part harmony. Many of you really enjoyed the Psalm, Edgar got in touch to say, 

Very much enjoyed this fellows rendering of 23rd psalm. I first heard him on Easter Sunday when he sang “Our God, He is Alive”.  Marvellous harmony.  Perfect timing. Could listen to him all day!
The following is taken from Michael Eldridge’s YouTube Channel
My name is Michael Eldridge. I’m a pharmacist by trade with a passion for singing. I’ve been blessed by God with the opportunity to share my love for the classic acapella hymns I grew up singing, and still sing today. The goals of my work are as follows: 
- To glorify God with the gifts He has made me a steward of as long as He grants me the opportunity to do so
- To inspire brothers and sisters in Christ to use the abilities God has given them to bear fruit in the kingdom
- To refresh and admonish the spirits of all who hear
- To imprint godly lessons and principles upon the most impressionable minds
May God bless you, wherever this page finds you!
“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭
So here is “Our God, He is Alive”
Mental Health Awareness Week 

To honour #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we are giving free access to read the special edition of the Herald (February 2020) that focused on Mental Health Matters. 

Read through the different articles looking at mental health among young people, how to deal with grief and how to recognise signs of depression and hear direct from people and experts as they share their stories and advice.

Feel free to share this link with your friends, families and congregations.

A quote from Dr Yeow in the magazine: “We all feel difficult things, that’s part of life. It’s not a bad thing, it’s not sinful, it’s not something to be ashamed of. The ability to express that and share that and to gather with others with shared difficulties – it’s very necessary. It’s part of the Christian life.”

Click Here for Herald


These Three Remain Podcast
This is a fascinating insight into the lives of three members of PCI who are working everyday on the Frontline. This well worth a listen to understand how difficult it is for Key Workers.
​

Listen at this link. 
https://audioboom.com/posts/7582565-008-life-on-the-frontline

Some details about the Podcast - Life on the Frontline – The latest episode of #TheseThreeRemain podcast hears from three Presbyterian keyworkers – a teacher, a GP & a supermarket manager – about how God is still working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please share, comment, review & subscribe.
It's not just churches that have changed during lockdown. Workplaces have been turned upside down. In this latest episode of These Three Remain podcast, we talk to three Presbyterians who are keyworkers in education, health and retail. 
Primary school principal Mark Beattie, 
GP Dr Alastair Aicken (who used to lead CSSM in Portstewart)
and supermarket manager Caroline Orr 
share their experience of pressurised and changed work environments and how God is working in their lives with PCI's Discipleship Development Officer Rick Hill.
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A Prayer For The Church Scattered
As millions of people around the world worship together, we are thankful for church scattered.
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Dublin City Mission
An Update and video from the Dublin City Mission - 
​Even in the uncertainty of these days, we can still proclaim this is the day the Lord has made as we begin another day preparing a hot Sunday meal for our many homeless friends. In His Name, we rejoice in serving and representing Him in this way!  We witness daily HIS faithful protection and abundance provision.

Although I must admit, I am not sure we realised what we were getting into as we enter our 10th  week of Daily Takeaway Hot Meal Packs at The LightHouse for the homeless community during this Covid-19 health crisis.  Yet it is the smiles, thanks and tears that keep us encouraged and pressing on, in addition to the many supporting the needs required to continue this essential service, now serving over 300 meal parcels each day and distributing countless toiletries and clothing items.  We have even begun distributing meals and clothing to homeless hostels and other related services as the needs increase and time lengthens.
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You can SEE what we are doing in the attached video.  Would you consider being a part of the VISION through the Go-Fund-Me link below, partnering with us in this critical service to our many homeless friends.  Together we are representing God's love and compassion in such a unique time of need and despair.  This week, a woman came to our door asking for food and clothing in tears, making the comment "I have lost all dignity", such a sad statement to hear.

What Happens After Lockdown
Thank you to Frances for this.
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Jigsaw​

Jean 6:50
Derek 10:48

Puzzle For The Weekend
Thursday was a Lovely Lockdown day, but apparently the storms are moving in over the weekend. I don’t think there will be any snow but here is a winter photo from 2010 in Coleraine. As usual on a Friday there are more pieces (you have all weekend to complete it) As a weekend bonus, I’ll also ask Where Is It? 

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=397ab27d7c40
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Where Is It?
Yesterday the Where Is It? Was the new apartments/house being built at the Harbour in Portstewart, as you can see from the photograph, below. Congratulations to everyone who guessed correctly. Thanks for taking part. Do still submit your guesses even if someone else has already done it, it gives me an idea if the puzzles are too easy or too obscure.
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A couple of days ago I wondered if the building at the end of the Crescent was a Dance Hall. Derek MacAfee wrote the following - “I can confirm the earlier building was a Dance Hall which doubled as a Badminton Hall and Sylvia and I can remember playing for Knock Pres. Badminton Club against a local Club probably around 1970.”
Where Is It?
Where is The Witch’s Hat?
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1 Comment

Thursday 21st May 2020

20/5/2020

4 Comments

 
Ascension Day
Today is Ascension Day, we have just completed another period of 40 days, this time since the resurrection. Luke tells us in his 2nd book that Jesus appeared for 40 days after the resurrection. Then he ascended into heaven but told his disciples that they were to wait until they received the Holy Spirit.  It was to be 10 more days until Pentecost. Those dramatic events at the beginning of Acts when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and thousands came to faith.
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:1-5 (NIV)
Pentecost is next Sunday, 31st May, we have been praying for revival, now we pray that that God would pour our his Holy Spirit in revival power. Those ten days of waiting for the Holy Spirit must have seemed such a long time for the disciples, but as Christine Cordner reminds us in tides today.
“His timing is perfect.”
Try telling that to my son who has missed the end of his P7 year, school trip and all the fun promised post-AQE! Try telling my friends who have had to postpone their lovely June wedding. Try telling the newly 40 year old me, who missed birthday celebrations with family and friends. Try telling yourself in whatever you’ve missed, because we’ve all missed something.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-27
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Installation Of New Moderator

The formal election and installation of the new Moderator of the General Assembly will be held at 7.00pm on Monday 1st June 2020. This will be live-streamed from the Assembly Hall and therefore available for everyone to watch by following the link that will be on the main PCI website (www.presbyterianireland.org).

​Please note this link will be ‘active’ on the PCI website from about 6.45pm on Monday 1st June.

More details and the full News Release from PCI is included at the end of the blog today.
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23rd Psalm
Eileen sent this beautiful rendition of the 23rd Psalm. It is a solo quartet in 4 part harmony.
Home... but never alone
A Member of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church & busy working mum Deborah Sloan reflects on how spending time at home in Lockdown has increased her awareness of God’s presence & brought lessons that might not have been learned any other way
Read the Article here https://bit.ly/360rGfG
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Two Tribes
Two Tribes : thinking theologically about ‘us’ and ‘them’. Reimagining Faith asked Union College to help reflect on these times. Rev. Prof. Drew Gibson is a Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological College Belfast. He has written about the importance of unity within the church during these challenging times:
https://bit.ly/2WEBrgQ

Virtually Keswick Convention
More details about Virtually Keswick Convention – an exciting, new five-day online event this Summer. Check out this launch video by James Robson, Ministry Director.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates. Virtually Keswick Convention will feature teaching, sung worship and seminars for adults, youth and children. The engaging sessions will be available free online for everyone. 

https://keswickministries.org/convention-2020/
Keswick Praise Concert
While we are on the subject of Keswick, why not have a relaxing evening and watch this late evening concert recorded at Keswick 2019. Enjoy the Banter and the Blessing! Colin Webster and Phil Moore Concert
Solas
Lots of videos, answering deep questions are available from Solas on YouTube
https://bit.ly/2zMbGlo
Also lots of information available on their Website, Solas is the organisation that David Robertson came from when he spoke at the 8 Churches event at the University.
https://www.solas-cpc.org/category/solas-news/

Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention
This message comes from the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention.
It will not come as a surprise that this year Bangor Worldwide will take on a very different format.  Our launch which was planned for Wednesday 27 May is still taking place, albeit online.  Below is the link to our promotional video and we ask if you would kindly share this with your congregation via your websites, social media etc inviting them to join us at 7.45 pm.  The launch will be streamed on Facebook, Vimeo and YouTube.  There will be singing, reports from around the world and Rev David Meredith, Missions Director, Free Church of Scotland will be speaking.
Bangor Worldwide Launch Wed 27 May @ 7.45 pm
Tom Clarke, Chairman explains how Bangor Worldwide will take place 21 – 29 August:  “In the light of current government restrictions around Coronavirus and the uncertainty about when these might be lifted, both here and across other nations where our speakers were due to travel from, the organising committee has decided to proceed with the summer Convention albeit with a different format. All the talks from various mission personnel and our weekday Bible studies will be posted online for free for people to watch and engage with. 
With a history going back to 1937, we are delighted to continue our support of mission work throughout the world and will be gathering video content to stream on our website.  The complete details of the online programme are still being worked out and more information will be released during an online launch due to take place on Wednesday 27th May.”


VIDEO. https://vimeo.com/bangorworldwide/download/417546608/1f59066bd7
Jigsaw
Times that have been submitted for yesterday’s puzzle.
Jean 5:15
Frances 6:11
Derek 7.35

And a new puzzle for today. 
The easing of Lockdown restrictions means that Golf Courses are allowed to reopen.

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3087d39ccb10

Where Is It?
Yesterday was very close to the last “Banksy” it is in one of the boarded up windows of the building at the end of the Crescent, I think it may have been an Old Dance Hall but I am not sure.
Well done to everyone who guessed correctly.
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Where Is It?
It is a simple but sometimes puzzling question. Where is this building under construction in Portstewart?
​If you look closely there is at least one clue in the photo.
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Full News Release - 21 May 2020
New Moderator to be installed on 1 June
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland announced today (21 May) that Rev David Bruce will be installed as the denomination’s new Moderator on the evening of Monday, 1 June, in a special event, which will be livestreamed from Assembly Buildings in Belfast.
 
The installation will take place on what would have been the Opening Night of this year’s General Assembly. The annual meeting was cancelled last month due to the current Coronavirus emergency and a small 25 person Standing Commission of the General Assembly has been appointed to transact necessary business, including the installation of the new Moderator for the year 2020 / 2021. Traditionally, the service from the historic Assembly Hall, would have been attended by upwards of 900 people from across Ireland, including past moderators, civic dignitaries, and representatives from other churches across Europe, Africa and Asia.
 
This year, apart from technical support, only four people will be physically present – the outgoing Moderator, Rt Rev Dr William Henry, Moderator-Designate, Rev David Bruce and the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the General Assembly, the Revs Trevor Gribben and Jim Stothers. Other people will be participating remotely in the livestream from the Assembly Hall, leading in prayer and praise and reading from the Scriptures. Also taking part, but remotely via a video conferencing platform, will be the members of the 2020 Standing Commission, which has been set up to conduct all necessary business of this year’s Assembly. Monday evening will be one of their main tasks - electing the incoming Moderator, PCI’s most senior office-bearer and principal public representative.
 
Speaking about the installation, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said, “If we think back to that cold winter’s evening of 4 February, when our Church’s 19 regional Presbyteries met and nominated David Bruce as our next Moderator, who would have thought that so many of the things that we have taken for granted, would have changed so much in such a short space of time?
 
“As I have said before, our General Assembly has been part of the rhythm of our Church life since 1840. It is the Presbyterian family coming together, and as far as I am aware a meeting has never been cancelled, only postponed, due to a different kind of national emergency in 1940.”
 
Mr Gribben continued, “Yet, unprecedented times often call for unprecedented responses, and like many organisations, we have found it necessary to find different ways of working to do what needs to be done, and this includes the installation of our new Moderator.”
 
Outlining the service of installation, Mr Gribben explained that the four people present, along with the couple of technicians in the Assembly Hall, would follow all appropriate health and safety precautions, including observing government guidance on social distancing in the large hall, which normally holds over 900 people.
 
The Installation, which is being livestreamed and can be watched by following the link on the PCI website (www.presbyterianireland.org), will start at 7pm with an introduction and call to worship from the outgoing Moderator, Dr Henry. He will give a short address about his year in office and his theme, ‘Enjoying God’. Following a worship song from members of Dr Henry’s home congregation, Maze Presbyterian near Lisburn, the Clerk of the General Assembly will then formally propose David Bruce as Moderator, with the Deputy Clerk seconding the nomination. The members of the 2020 Standing Commission will then be asked to elect PCI’s new Moderator for 2020 / 2021.
 
Following the election, Dr Henry will then pray for David Bruce, installing him as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He will then take the Moderator’s Chair for the first time and give his address. During the evening, Scripture readings and prayers will be led remotely by the Chaplains of both the outgoing and incoming Moderators. The installation will close with a final hymn and the Benediction, which will be pronounced by the new Moderator, by then, the Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, the 175th person to hold the office.
 
Trevor Gribben concluded by saying, “This is always a special moment in the life of our Church and for our new moderators and their family. This year, by necessity, it will also be a different kind of ceremony for a particularly unique time in our history. We very much hope that many will join us by watching the livestream on the night.”
4 Comments

Wednesday 20th May 2020

19/5/2020

2 Comments

 
Tides
It would appear that Rev Gareth Maclean was inspired by Wilma’s Thoughts On Tuesday and today in Tides he too is thinking about the birds.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
MATTHEW 6:25-34
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Gareth writes -
I can hear the birds. The soundtrack of my day is normally traffic, Spotify, notifications, voices and the constant din of thoughts racing around my head of doubts, fears and to-do lists. However, in the midst of a pandemic, when fears, needs and economic uncertainty have intensified, the noise and busyness around me and within me has reduced. So as I walk through the park, I hear the birds singing. They aren’t worrying about their wellbeing or fearful about finances. Simply being. Simply trusting.

Beard Watch
On Tuesday I had asked for a picture of Eric’s hedgehogs and his beard. Eric says that it will be difficult to get a photo of the hedgehogs but he sent me this photo of his beard.
​Lockdown suits you Eric.
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Wednesday Prayer Time
Each Wednesday the prayer meeting took place in Burnside at 9:30am, I encourage you to take some time today to pray, most of the articles on the blog today are themed around prayer and do remember that you can go to the Virtual Prayer Room to find inspiration for your prayers.
https://bit.ly/BurnsidePrayerRoom
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Alexa - Can I have my Prayer List?
YouVersion Prayer is helping people all over the world make prayer a part of their everyday lives (with more than two million Prayers so far). Now, whatever you’re praying for, try it on your Amazon and Google voice devices.
YouVersion Prayer reads the first Prayer on your Prayer List, then plays soft, soothing background music as you pray.1 After a minute, YouVersion Prayer reads your next Prayer, followed again by quiet music. One Prayer at a time, YouVersion Prayer helps you pray through each item on your list.​

Read more here
https://bit.ly/2Lrpvsf
PCI Global Mission Prayer
Global Mission Worker updates for May are now available over on the PCI website. Read how Coronavirus has been affecting their life and witness in the countries they are serving in. Each bulletin also includes prayer points
https://bit.ly/3buTgTI
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PCI Global Mission
Remember Terry McMullan shared some great insights in Burnside At Home this week, about Global Mission Workers and the challenges they face with Coronavirus.
Walk & Pray
A new resource produced by Evangelical Alliance to help us pray on our daily walks around the community. 
Daily walks around local community have become a feature of life, and drawn us into a deeper awareness of who, where and what surrounds our daily existence. The Evangelical Alliance have created Walk & Pray – a series of short, simple prayers to use as you walk around your local community – helping you to – Walk & Pray…
As we pray the same prayers – across the UK – God’s people are united in spirit, united in purpose and united in vision. We are united with each other – but as we become present to God, present to people in our place – we participate, join in with the renewing work of Jesus Christ in these streets, towns, cities and nation.
More information here. https://bit.ly/3cFnt3B​

Download the guide here -
walk-and-pray-resource.pdf
File Size: 189 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Prayer For Moldova
You may remember Robin Peake from Innovista coming to Burnside a few years ago with Slavic from Russia.
Innovista have now realised a podcast and the first episode focuses on Christian Leadership in Moldova.
In this episode we hear from Maricela, Innovista's national director in Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe and formerly part of the Soviet Union. In her conversation with Jon she reflects on 2019, and the impact of training church leaders last year. Then she tells us about the effects Covid-19 is having on the leaders she’s worked with, and on Moldova as a whole.
Join Maricela and Jon to be encouraged, as together we hear about Leadership in Difficult Times and Places.
https://innovista.podbean.com/e/the-one-about-moldova
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Church Of England Daily Prayers
You can listen to the daily prayers of the Church of England here.
https://soundcloud.com/the-church-of-england/sets/time-to-pray
Daily Hope
This also appeared in the weekend email. (If you don’t receive that email please send me your email address) To be VERY clear this is nothing to do with Burnside but I draw it to your attention because so many people have benefitted from our own Phone Burnside. Daily Hope has been set up by the Church Of England and is a phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers. It is a Freephone number (But please be aware that calls from a mobile may incur a charge - check with your mobile provider) The Telephone Number is 0800 804 8044
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Prayer For Muslims During Ramadan
There was a special call to prayer last night for Muslims during the “Night of Power” which is part of Ramadan. Attached is a PDF document which will guide you if you would like to pray
More details on the website https://www.awm-pioneers.org/night-of-power/​

Download the prayer guide here.
night-of-prayer-virtual.pdf
File Size: 117 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Learning
I have found during Lockdown that it is good to learn some new skills and keep broadening horizons at a time when it is possible to become more insular. This blog has been a real challenge each day but it seems to be a great way for us all to connect and a great way to fill our minds with positive things. The following verses from Philippians explains what the blog is about.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9 Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
​Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG)

I try to do something new each week and yesterday I took part in an online Preaching Seminar organised by Keswick Ministries (Part of the Convention in Keswick) I joined with 97 other ministers who wanted to learn more about preaching online. It was a fascinating education with lots of ideas on how to “talk to the Dot”. The Dot is the tiny little lens on the phone which captures the video for our services. Below is a screen shot of about a quarter of those who were taking part.
Keswick Ministries tweeted Great to have nearly 100 people join an online preaching workshop today! 
It was led by communications consultant Richard Garnett & Ministry Director James Robson. The workshop helped people, who are now preaching regularly online, on some key questions around communication.
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Home Deliveries
Kraken Fish from Portrush are now delivering to Portstewart. You can order online.
https://www.krakenfish.co.uk

Jigsaw
Jean 3:11 (You don’t need to verify I believe you! Sometimes if someone sends it in I like to include a photo, they have all been photos that have been emailed to me)
Derek 4:58
Frances 5:01 for the jigsaw.... 0:00 for the Housework!

​A Puzzle that will take you a little longer today. 
Sunrise in Portstewart. That sky is beyond someone who is colour blind - Enjoy.

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=35f1ccbed030

Where Is It?
Edgar and several of you guessed Where Is It? 
Edgar said - “Photo is taken at the viewing point on the cliff walk not far from the path leading to the golf club.“
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Where Is It?
So today, Where Is It? Another Banksy?
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Beard Watch
Eric also sent this picture “Does anyone remember Grizzly Adams?”. (Eric’s own words not mine)
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2 Comments

Tuesday 19th May 2020

18/5/2020

3 Comments

 
Tides
Today tides focuses on trusting God to guide us.
PROVERBS 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Rebecca McConnell says -
The promise of guidance is offered in this verse when we lean on God and stay close to him. To do this, we need to turn to his Word which guides us in the wisdom of his ways. Leave all your questions with God. Park your worries and concerns with him. It is what he wants us to do. He didn’t make us to have all the answers. The truths he wants us to know are found in his Word.
Rebecca then reminds us of that wonderful hymn “Trust And Obey”

WTOT
You may have noticed that I like having names for things at the moment, so that we all have something to use when we talk about things. So the Sunday service is Burnside At Home, the telephone listening service is Phone Burnside, the infrequent blog feature is “I’ve Lost & Gained” and each day we have a “Where Is It?”.
Today let me introduce you to Wilma’s Thoughts On Tuesday. Last Tuesday Wilma wrote about Florence Nightingale and Ministering Angels. Wilma then made the mistake of sending me another article this week which I am publishing today, (Tuesday) so I am assuming this will now be a weekly feature and have given it a name. I hope Wilma agrees. (If only Wilma had chosen Wednesdays we could have had WOW - Wilma On Wednesday)
Wilma’s Thoughts On Tuesday
" The time for the singing of the birds has come "  Song of Solomon ch 2 v 12
When listening to the lovely hymn, “How Great Thou Art”, in the praise section of the Virtual Prayer Room, I was reminded that in Lockdown, we have not been able, so far, to "wander in forest glades" but we have been able to hear "the birds sing sweetly in the trees". Less pollution, less noise, and the wonderful sunshine have made the birds very happy. Many more than usual, have visited our gardens. Some people of course may not have relished a noisy dawn chorus!

Last week, when walking the shore path, I had my first sighting of several swallows, zooming in a loop the loop Red Arrows style, across the rocks at Edgewater beach. My spirit was lifted, as I thought about the distance these birds had flown, possibly, all the way from South Africa, I wondered had these swallows been at this spot before, where there is a little stream they could drink from, and catch a few flies. I also wondered where they were nesting, and thought about Psalm 84 and the the swallows  and sparrows finding a home in the temple courts. How blessed we are to be able to walk along the shore! At our Friendship Hour, last year we had a speaker from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Before his presentation began we were reminded and amazed, to discover the many different birds that are mentioned in the Bible. They include the dove,  raven, buzzard, vulture, hawk, heron, stork, pigeon, osprey, and many more. The gulls and cormorant are also mentioned and often, the Eagle.
In Exodus 19 v 4 the eagle is mentioned as a picture of God's deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt. He said "I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself " The eagle is the symbol of the power, strength and protection of God which is a available to us all.
We have a promise in Isaiah 40 v 31

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar  on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint "
​

A wonderful promise in our difficult times !
Wilma

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Out Of The Saltshaker
You may remember, the book by Rebecca Manley Pippert back in the day, “Out Of The Saltshaker” she now has a new book out, “Stay Salty”.
The world has changed in so many ways, and many of us no longer feel confident when it comes to evangelism, especially with the rise of hostility towards Christian points of view. Keeping quiet is becoming our default position. Yet the world has not changed in one way—it still needs Jesus.
In Stay Salt, renowned evangelist Becky Pippert draws on decades of conversations about Christianity around the world to call and equip ordinary Christians to share Jesus through their ordinary day-to-day conversations. She shows that by leaning on our extraordinary God, such conversations can, and often do, have extraordinary results.

https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/stay-salt

Other books my Rebecca Manley Pippert
https://bit.ly/2Tc9eMd
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Evangelism Help
If you are inspired by Rebecca Manley Pippert’s book, Solas have a number of Webinars. (Solas is the organisation that David Robertson who spoke at 8 Churches event at the University came from)
 They write the following -
Coming in the next few weeks, we have four exciting free webinars. Two of these are evangelistic—perfect events to invite friends, colleagues, or neighbours to along watch with you. The other two are training webinars, designed to help equip you to share your faith in these difficult times. Each webinar will be 90 minutes long and will have a mixture of content and also Q&A. They will be presented by Solas Director Andy Bannister, our new speaker Gareth Black, and emceed by Solas’s Digital Editor, Gavin Matthews. 
Viral Evangelism: How to Share Your Faith in a Locked Down World
Wednesday 20th May @ 7pm (Training session for Christians)
Where is God in a Coronavirus World?
Friday 29th May @ 7pm (Evangelism - Invite your friends!)
Uploading Your Faith: How to Increase the Bandwidth of your Christian Witness Online
Thursday 4th June @ 11am (Training session for Christians)
Where Can We Find Hope in a World of Uncertainty? 
Sunday 14th June @ 4pm (Evangelism - Invite your friends!)
 (All times are UK times — you’re welcome to join us from anywhere in the world, too!)
You will be able to watch these webinars simply by going to the Solas Facebook page (where we will stream via Facebook live)
Do come and join us: and please invite friends and neighbours, too. 
Solas Facebook - https://bit.ly/2X4szjl

Christian Nurse
"'I have the eternal security that takes away the fear of death': Christian nurse explains how she's coping on the frontline"
https://bit.ly/3g1NvAr

Empty Streets: 
Cities without people and the city as people.
Rev Professor W Gordon Campbell (union Theological College, Belfast) writes a fascinating article inspired by our empty cities, looking at the roll of the city in the bible.
Read the full article here https://bit.ly/35Zs12m

These Three Remain
Online Worship – new episode of #TheseThreeRemain podcast with @RickHillNI talking to Revs Gordon Best, David Leach & Gareth McFadden, finishing with a beautiful version of Be Thou My Vision recorded by Ballykeel’s Andy Murray. 
https://audioboom.com/posts/7579954-007-online-worship
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Dying Matters Awareness
This week is Dying Matters awareness week, which aims to get us talking about dying, death and bereavement. As we grapple with the impact of social distancing on our ability to visit those we love who are ill, or gather to mourn and attend funerals, there’s no doubt how important these conversations are. The Bible Society have produced this helpful article.
https://bit.ly/3bGp1cp

Keswick Convention
Keswick have launched 2 podcasts!
Keswick Convention Podcast: Presented by James Cary featuring speakers & presenters of Keswick Convention
KesTalks: Talks for our times from our library 
Find them here
https://keswickministries.org/podcasts/

Get Your Life Back
A book by John Eldredge, Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad.
Available on Kindle https://amzn.to/366cbTv
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Gospel Message For Seafarers
Colin Jenkins has shared this video from a fellow Seamen’s Missionary which is a Gospel presentation for Seamen - Light house.
Aaron House
Staff of Aaron House in Belfast would like to extend their sincere thanks for the gift of hand cream from Mitchell House School whose staff & pupils held a ‘virtual coffee morning’ to raise funds. Their kindness is much appreciated
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Who Died How?
There has been a real explosions in quizzes and puzzles on the internet during Lockdown. (Like Jigsaw & Where Is It?) BUT perhaps this is the most bizarre I have come across.

​Who died How? The weirdest deaths in the bible...

The Bible Society say, 
The Bible is full of real life stories: births, deaths, marriages – you name it! But how many characters can you match to their unusual end?
​

To try the quiz Click Here - 
https://bit.ly/366I0LV

Lockdown Essential Key Workers
On Saturday a Lockdown Essential Key Worker paid a visit to just outside the Manse. We were sitting in the kitchen when a familiar tune sounded as a red vehicle drove past our kitchen window. As the tune played, doors open in most of the houses behind us, and quite a bit of excitement ensued. To maintain social distancing I had to wait for what seemed like an age before everyone had been served and the key worker appeared back towards the main road. As I walked back home I met a family with three children who when they spotted my cone began to squeal. The most difficult part of the whole operation was trying to find some cash, I hadn’t used coins for 8 weeks!
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#MrWhippeyDoorStepDeliveriesNI

Jigsaw
Top times submitted for yesterday’s jigsaw
Eric 5.06 (With proof)
Derek 5.07 - So close!


Puzzle For Today
​

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0eefeddfa69c
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Where Is It?
Yesterday’s Where Is It? Was of course as Eric stated “A rather grubby entrance to the tunnel at the NW200 start grid area through to the pits. They might have tidied it up a bit for this year's races!”
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Where Is It?
So Where Is It? today?
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3 Comments

Monday 18th May 2020

17/5/2020

1 Comment

 
Tides
For a two-week period, Tides is exploring a number of God’s promises from the Bible, with a variety of daily contributors sharing their reflections on them.
​This is a good time to sign up for Tides if you haven’t already. 

Sign up at this link https://bit.ly/2WBs3ZU
It’s free and a devotional guide will arrive in your email inbox each week day morning.

Today Rick Hill draws our thoughts to 
Weakness Not Strength
And the promise that God makes to Paul.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Rick says -
We’re not called to be strong, but instead rely on the One who is strong. We’re not meant to have all the answers, but rather walk with the One who is the answer. You are weak. He is strong.
And he encourages us to ...
... take time to thank God for your weaknesses. Ask him to flood those weaknesses with his strength and enable Christ’s glory to be displayed through them.
And points us to this hymn -
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose every promise is enough
For every step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace. My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose every promise is enough
For every step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.


I’ve Lost & Gained
I love it when others contribute to Burnside At Home and to the blog. So please do share.
Today thank you to Eric Leslie who remembered back a couple of weeks and has shared “I’ve Lost & Gained”, It is a little feature where you share what you Lost and what you have gained during Lockdown. If anyone else would like to contribute please email in.
What I have GAINED and LOST from lockdown - Eric Leslie
GAINED
1. A son who now bugs ME about any jobs needing done!
2. A whole new perspective of Portstewart through the eyes of Richard’s camera (truly beautiful).
3. The Getty family (what a joy!).
4. A weekend that lasts all week.
5. A scruffier bible.
6. Not one but TWO hedgehogs (isn’t life wonderful).
7. A beard!
8. Burnside @ Home (Brilliant)
9. Sore hands from clapping on a Thursday evening (I now use saucepan lids).
 
LOST
1. ½ a stone (only joking Julie).
2. A son who never sees the jobs that need done.
3. The company of you folks from Burnside. (I haven’t lost it but I sure miss it).
OK Eric - I think I speak for everyone when I say we would LIKE photographic evidence of the hedgehogs BUT we definitely NEED photographic evidence of the beard.

Irish Blessing
I sent out an email yesterday evening to tell most people about The Irish Blessing. Some of you may have missed this. It is a plan to include members of churches all across Ireland to sing Be Thou My Vision and release it for Pentecost Sunday. If you enjoy singing all the details can be found on the Web-Site below. All you need to do is follow the instructions, download the backing track and record yourself singing, the team will then mix everything together in a similar style to the UK Blessing. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in something momentous, so act quickly and get your video recorded sent in before they are inundated. If you are not of the singing kind then do pray that God would use this ministry to impact this country.
 https://theirishblessing.com


​
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Burnside At Home 
(What you may have missed)

​​Louise Glenn

Just in case you missed Burnside At Home this week, Louise Glenn sang a lovely version of In Christ Alone
Edith Birrell
If you did miss Burnside At Home this week then you will also have missed Edith Birrell playing piano again.
Terry McMullan
And you will also have missed Terry McMullan informing us about PCI Global Mission Workers
Moderator’s Service
Something New
Each week I am trying to add something new or do something differently.
This week there are two things.

1) Lost & Found
Have you tried to find something on the website and simply given up because you can’t remember which church service, blog article or prayer point you last saw it. I have now introduced a search feature on the Home page. Enter what you are looking for and you should get a list of all the places that it is mentioned.




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2) Burnside At Home Podcast
We have all been learning new words during Lockdown and many of you have been introduced to Podcasts. I am pleased to announce today that we now have a Burnside Audio Podcast. It is basically an edited version of the Sunday service, (This is what you hear if you Phone Burnside) so if you have watched the service and now want to listen to something again you can using your Podcast Software. It is also a convenient way to listen to the service while out walking. I used to listen to Podcasts when driving, but who drives anymore? It is only available on Spotify & Google Podcasts initially but hopefully should appear on iTunes and lots of other platforms over the next few weeks. This is all a learning curve and apparently it can take a new podcast a few weeks to be approved.
https://anchor.fm/burnside
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"Unchanging Truth for Women in a Changing World"

Live Stream tonight (Monday Evening) organised by Evangelical Bookshop, Belfast. 
Do you believe that learning doctrine can fill you with delight? That being grounded in unchanging truth can encourage you when life gets hard? Do you hunger to know God better and love him more deeply? The Good Portion series is written by women for women, and seeks to spur women on to relish the truths of the Christian faith as they do what they were created for – to enjoy knowing God.

Evangelical Bookshop, Westminster Bookstore, and Christian Focus Publications have combined to bring this event to as many Christian women as possible. Make sure you don’t miss the live stream conversation with Good Portion authors Keri Folmar, Rebecca Stark, Natalie Brand and Jenny Reeves Manley on Monday 18th May at 7pm. These ladies will be sharing their wisdom, chatting about faith in lockdown, and digging into how solid doctrine helps us when our plans are turned upside–down.
Tune in to the live stream Tonight Monday 18th May at 7pm on the EBS Facebook page or here if you prefer to watch on YouTube

A Stitch In Time …
During the current Coronavirus emergency, many congregations from all denominations, including the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, have been working quietly behind the scenes in different ways, to support their church families and their local communities. At the same time, many are also rising to the challenge of supporting those on the frontline. With the need for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in the headlines, members of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church found a creative way to help.
Read more here https://bit.ly/2Z9n3Pd
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Songs to Sing in Tough Times?
Rev. Stafford Carson (Principle of Union Theological College, Belfast) writes about singing the Psalms during and after the Covid19 pandemic.
He writes - 

Part of the ministry of the Church in the days to come will be to bring comfort and consolation to our community through corporate worship. That is why it might now be a good time for us to dust off our psalters and consider again the words which God’s people used in their worship in past ages when facing times of crisis and loss.

Read the article, which was written at the beginning of April here.
https://bit.ly/2X8EInF

Oil Tankers
Colin Jenkins, port missionary in Cork shares the following -
"The map below shows the current position of oil tankers, mostly filled with oil. They are “stranded” around the world because there is no way to unload, since onshore warehouses are full, pipelines are full, and without flow, due to the low demand for oil. Although oil is now worth zero, keeping it in this condition costs about $ 30,000 a day per vessel. There is no one who buys oil if airplanes do not fly, if vehicles do not travel in cities.
Never in contemporary history has there been such a drastic reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels. The oil is standing on the surface of the oceans (in the tanks of the ships), in the deposits that are on land and in the pipelines. There is no clearer index to understand the magnitude of the paralysis and the problems that modern capitalism faces, since the ballast of the dollar is this, stopped, floating in the oceans." reposted from Emre Murat Varlık.
There is no comment made except to realise that these crews will be under tremendous pressure at this time and we should pray that port missionaries like Colin will be able to make contact with them and provide them with Hope.
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Baking Update
On Friday I posted a picture of the Wheaten Bread that I had carefully crafted. Little did I expect to be interrogated on the beach on Saturday as I walked to the Barmouth. I’ll not name any names, but I was gently asked what packet I had used to make the wheaten, and when I insisted that I had made it myself from various ingredients, I was then asked what the ingredients were. I had to stand on the beach and recite all the ingredients that went into the bread. It almost seemed as though the person didn’t believe that I had baked the bread myself. 😀

I’ve inspired at least one blog reader to consider giving up the Jigsaws and to start baking instead. If you are interested, below is the video from YouTube that I followed. It would seem that you can learn to do almost anything from YouTube. A couple of weeks ago our dishwasher stopped working and of course we couldn’t get anyone in to fix it, so I followed a YouTube video, managed to dismantle it, identify and order a replacement for the faulty part and then a few days later, remarkably I was able to fit it and put the dishwasher back together again.​

Here is a video showing you how to bake wheaten bread.
(This is not how I saw my ministry developing in May 2020!)

Jigsaw
Times for Friday
Jean 9:25
Derek 13:22​
Although there may only be two times submitted, you are not on your own, some days the puzzle has been completed over 40 times.

Friday night should have been the Firework display for the NW200 so here is an old Portstewart Firework display for the puzzle today. Where do you even begin a jigsaw with colours like this?

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2f8487acfd62
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Where Is It?
Well done, many of you guessed correctly on Friday,
​Liz nailed it, “I think it's in a little alcove on the Convent walk.”

Edgar also guessed correctly - “Bansky drawing is in recess in wall on cliff walk below the convent”
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Where Is It?
I finish with the familiar question - Where Is It?
Another NW200 themed question today, where would you find this sign and this gate.

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1 Comment
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