Helper of the helpless,
so much of our lives lie shattered and tattered;
our minds wander through the wreckage of the last few brutal months,
our hearts are heavy through the havoc wrought by suffering,
the deficit of distance is felt in even our closest relationships,
just making ends meet seems to matter more than it has for a long time,
our souls are shredded by the strain and stress of uncertainty.
O, restore us, we plead.
Restore our souls,
LORD our Shepherd.
Restore us, LORD God Almighty, 
make your face shine on us, 
that we may be saved.
Restore our fortunes, LORD, 
like streams in the Negev.
Restore our withered hands,
sightless eyes,
troubled minds,
by today’s touch of the Master,
on the broken body of the church he loves.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation,
and grant a willing spirit to sustain us.
Let us rejoice like Jacob,
and be glad like Israel,
when you restore us as your people.
God of all grace, 
who called us to your eternal glory in Christ, 
after we have suffered this little while, 
restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast.
For Jesus’ sake.
Amen.

Let’s Pray For - Summer refreshment Pray that we would know God’s refreshment in what will be an unusual summer as interruption to holidays, spending time with others and many of the normal ways in which we find renewal remain. Pray for congregational life this summer, asking that we might know God’s renewal after the stresses of the upheavals of the last few months and the efforts required to adjust to new ways of ministry.

Jigsaw ​ Janice 1:44 Jean 3:11 Derek 4:10 Frances 5:11 Wilfred 5:26 Play the "Dominican College from the other side" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1fbc30b6a046

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
​Psalm 19 v 1 

Recently I discovered there is a worldwide organisation named "The Cloud Appreciation Society". It was founded in 2005 and has around 50,000 members. It has nothing to do with "tech cloud" but with the marvellous ever changing cloud scenes in our skies from sunrise to sunset. As we all know, clouds appear in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. They add beauty and interest to our skies, appreciated by artists, writers and photographers etc. who are members of this organisation.

Sometimes we have a negative attitude to clouds, a sign of approaching rain or storm, but in general, we all enjoy the majestic wonders of our cloud filled skies. Truly marvellous! They are an expression of God's glory. There is another type of cloud we speak about, it is the one "hanging over us", we are conscious of it in life's difficulties and problems. Since the end of 2019 a dark cloud has been hanging over us, it appeared first in China. We heard about it in our news bulletins, it was the coronavirus, now known as Coved-19. Initially, it sounded far away. It didn't concern us too much, until we heard the word lockdown. Bells began ringing, this is more serious than we thought! Soon we heard that Covid-19 was making its way westward, country by country, and many were dying of the disease. It was declared a pandemic.

As cases started to occur in our country, we soon found ourselves in lockdown. Restrictions are in the process of being lifted, but the cloud still remains as the thought of a resurgence exists. It is hard to take our minds off this cloud, however we can discover help in the Bible, as we remind ourselves how important a cloud was to the Israelites. On their journey in the wilderness, God went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them, Exodus Ch 13 v  21. There was an occasion we read in Exodus ch 14 vs 19,20 when the pillar of cloud went behind them and created darkness. It became a shield to protect them from the pursuing Egyptian enemy. When Moses ascended to meet and speak with God on Mt Sinai, a cloud descended hiding the glory and presence of  God.  

To the Israelites, a cloud became a symbol of God's leading, protection and presence, this presence we will not see until Jesus returns to earth "on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory" Matthew ch 24 v 30

However, we can feel His presence and experience, His guidance and protection. We do not know when this pandemic will end, nor do we know when Jesus will return. He calls us to be ready for that day.
Wilma

Let’s Pray For - Local and global mission Pray for every day opportunities to share how Christian faith makes a difference, the hope found in Christ and the love of God, asking for increasing openness to the good news in many lives. Pray for Tearfund and Christian Aid as they seek to support communities most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, asking that God would use their ministry to bring relief to those who need it most.

Jigsaw Janice 1:53 Lynne 2:49 Jean 4:08 ​Eric 5:46 ​Wilfred 6:19 Play the "Dominican College" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=10b6bcfd13b0 ​

Let’s Pray The latest prayer guide for this week is available to download let’s-pray_a4_ttr_28-06-20.pdf File Size: 408 kb File Type: pdf Download File

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalms 91:4 (NIV 1984)

Jigsaw The Friday Jigsaw is always a little bit more difficult so the times take a little bit longer Janice 28:19 Derek 50:47 The Friday Jigsaw was featured on the Jigsaw website so a couple of thousand people tried it out. The worldwide fastest time was 7:18, And before you ask, I have no idea how you could possibly do it in that time. ​Here is a simpler puzzle for a Monday. Only 40 pieces but those sunset colours are a little tricky. ​ Play the "Portrush Harbour" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=29c2c9d8343c

How grateful we should be for our Emergency Services!
Last Saturday morning from our home we heard the familiar sound of an approaching emergency vehicle as it neared Portstewart. It was in fact the Coastguard en route to the Strand where a paddleboarder was in trouble. At the same time Portrush Lifeboat, together with a smaller craft, were making their way to the incident. Thankfully, all went well.
That afternoon, NI Fire and Rescue Services were assigned to a gorse fire at Ballintoy. Two Fire Appliances made their way to the location as we were travelling in the area.
This is, of course, only a small representation of the work that is carried out day by day, but is an illustration of the vigilance and speed required by the responders. Those on duty must be alert and ready to act, often putting their own lives at risk in the service of others.
We often refer to our situation with the current pandemic as ‘being in a storm’ or we refer to our troubles as ‘the storms of life.’
In Mark Ch 4 we read of Jesus being asleep in a boat when the storm arose on the Lake and His disciples feared for their lives. NIV Bible records that ‘He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’
We have One who is always at our side, ready to assist in any difficulty or emergency we may face. In 1 Peter 5:7 we read, ‘Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you.’
Our Song today is ‘God will take care of you.’
Frances

Keswick (47 min Audio) The latest Kes Talk Podcast is out now! This is an Evening Celebration sermon from 1999 by Sri Lankan preacher Ajith Fernando. He introduces us to Jesus’ presence & power from John 9, & applies this to the urgent call God gives to us to serve Him Go to: https://www.buzzsprout.com/960415/4300058-7-the-light-of-the-world-ajith-fernando-1999

Spotify Many of you will be familiar with the free music service available on the internet called Spotify. The free version is supported by ads and you can pay a monthly subscription to remove the ads. The free version works better on a desktop computer than a mobile device, but it is an incredible resource for Christian Music and church podcasts. There are all sorts of playlists available which others have put together. The blog is not sponsored by Spotify but I have found it a great source of positive Christian, biblically based encouragement during Lockdown. Check it out here. https://www.spotify.com/uk/​ Here is a playlist of some great worship songs https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4o5ClNUxxw53jma3rzxonI?si=KQu5zC9DSe2s3ZyaejqIYg Here is a link to a playlist of Getty Hymns https://open.spotify.com/user/kqh059m4dt4luu9pqknjiapia/playlist/1v6qWvKil9jmxvFui8EFjy?si=EYssVUvwSuadRO-uSWjBMA

Boxing Day I didn’t realise yesterday, so I’ll tell you today. In six months time it will be Boxing Day! What the world will look like in 6 months, nobody knows, but we serve a God who is Emmanuel, God with us every day of our lives

Jigsaw Janice 3:18 Frances 5:35 Wilfred 7:46 Eric 7:48 Derek 8:12 ​A 90 piece challenge for the weekend. This puzzle incorporates the church car-park and the surrounding houses on a beautiful sun setting evening. No rotating pieces but all the houses look the same. Have fun over the weekend. Play the "Overhead" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=275fc08208eb

Listening to the Lord in Lockdown Joe Campbell, an elder in First Holywood congregation, reflects on what he is learning about listening to the Lord in #lockdown,  including a list of six things of which we can be mindful during a #pandemic Read the article here. https://bit.ly/3ebHDmL

SAT-7 (15 minute Video) Rita El-Mounayer, Chief Executive Officer of SAT-7 was due to be the keynote speaker at the 'Faith & Freedom in the Middle East' conference in April. In this video she speaks about the work of SAT-7 which is a PCI mission partner and broadcasts Christian programmes by Satellite Television in the the Middle East and North Africa. It broadcasts in Arabic, Turkish and Farsi to the 500 million people of the region, enabling the Church in the region – isolated, often small and facing many restrictions – to make known the love of Christ, to teach and encourage believers, and share a positive Christian vision for life and society.

Farming Blog In the latest PCI Farming Life blog Rev Trevor Boyd writes of times when we have been between ‘two worlds’. A time when farmers were moving from hay to silage, for example, and how for all of us today we are currently between a pre-Covid and post-Covid world. https://bit.ly/3dkMZdV

When we pray, we can learn to pause more and listen to the Spirit’s voice if we are to participate in His life and purposes. An unknown poet wrote:

In every life there’s a pause,
That is better than onward rush.
Better than hewing or the mightiest doing,
‘It’s the standing still at sovereign will.

The radiance on Moses’ face did not result from a few hurried moments spent in the Divine presence. It was the outcome of being in God’s presence for 40 days. (Exodus 34)

He’s Not Heavy... On Monday I showed you how to weigh a Koala. Wilma sent me this verse. “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.“ Daniel 5:27 (NIV)

Jigsaw The top of the leaderboard is getting tight! Janice 3:36 Jean 3:37 Lynne 5:17 Frances 5:25 ​ Play the "Arcadia Portrush" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=103acecd30d3

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Let’s Pray Each week Let’s Pray provides us with a prayer, this week a prayer for creativity as normal gives way to new.

Creator God,
you have made all things out of nothing;
out of emptiness and darkness,
fashioned every form of life,
and birthed light for each new day.
In this moment –
the ways we have always done things
seem inadequate and redundant;
we know things have to be different,
but our well-worn routines shackle our thinking;
our range of vision for alternatives
is limited by our struggle to imagine other possibilities. Help us in this twilight zone,
between what was and what is to come.
Give us a sense of your presence with us in the storm, speaking to us above howling wind and tossing wave, calling us to take courage,
not to fear,
inviting us to take those first faltering steps,
in answer to your call out of the familiar,
to exercise fresh faith in you.
Draw our eyes to Jesus,
and fix them there.
Reach out your hand and catch us,
in those times when our faith shrinks,
and our doubts grow.
Expand our thinking,
enlarge our courage,
enable wise choices,
extend your grace,
engage us heart, mind and soul,
equip us for what lies ahead.
For you are making all things new,
and we want to be renewed as your people,
after the image of Christ.
In whose name we pray.
Amen

‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.’ 
1 Timothy 2.1–2 (ESV)

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Hairdressers Isn’t it great that we have a date for hairdressers to reopen?

Jigsaw Times for yesterday. Janice 3:15 ​Lynne 4:15 William 4:27 Frances 4:59 Wilfred 5:49 Today is Jigsaw number 40. How many of them have you attempted? To celebrate we return to the first puzzle but it was only 24 pieces so today you can try it again with 40 pieces. Play the "Burnside Sunset" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3902aac3e9e5

Where Is It? So where would you find this flower pot.

" Thus far has the Lord helped us "  1st Samuel ch 7 v 12​

Recently memorials and statues have been in our news bulletins and have caused much controversy. This topic directed my thoughts to a non-controversial memorial. It is the American Monument on the Oa Peninsula in the island of Islay, and can be seen from our coastline on a clear day.

It is a memorial erected by the American Red Cross to those lost in two shipping disasters during the first world war. In 1918 the ship Tuscania was carrying American soldiers when it was torpedoed by German U-boats close to the Oa peninsula, around 260 lives were lost. The other ship, the Otranto was carrying American troops to Glasgow when it collided with another vessel in a fierce storm off the west coast of Islay, 400 lives were lost.
A few years ago the Royal Ramblers were on an island hopping trip to walk on several Scottish islands, Arran, Gigha, Islay and Jura. When on Islay, one sunny evening we decided to walk to the American monument. There was a clear blue sky and only a few light clouds. We had superb views of Rathlin Island, the North Antrim Coast and the hills of Donegal. We were well on our way to the monument when suddenly we saw a very dark ominous cloud approaching, then a squall followed by a cloudburst. Two of us decided to press on with great speed to achieve our aim of reaching the monument, and we did so. We had no wet weather gear on us so got drenched! The others found shelter behind a large rock.
In recalling this walk I was reminded of verses in Philippians ch 3 about pressing on towards the goal. Paul writes in v 13 and 14 "forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus"  Paul is not thinking about any earthly prize. His ultimate aspiration is not found in this life but in the the award of everlasting glory in heaven where Christ dwells. 
According to Hebrews ch 12 v 1 and 2 we are called  "to run with perseverance the race marked out for us" and to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus".
During lockdown life has not been easy, and for many dark clouds and storms have occured, bringing added difficulties and suffering. On our evening walk a rainbow appeared in the sky, a reminder of God's covenant promise and a symbol of hope, it has appeared on many windows and doors during lockdown. In Christ alone our hope is found!
Memorials are mentioned in the Old Testament, one such is recorded in Joshua ch 4. God asked Joshua to set up 12 stones taken from the river Jordan as a memorial to the miraculous crossing of the river by the Israelites. They represented the 12 tribes and were placed at Gilgal, so that future generations would know that "the hand of the Lord is powerful". In Samuel ch 7 v 12 we read about another memorial. It was a stone placed by Samuel between Mizpah and Shen after the defeat of the Philistines by the Israelites. He named it Ebenezer which means "stone of help" saying "thus far has the Lord helped us". After lockdown may we all be able to make this statement.
Wilma

Malawi #LetsPray for the people of Malawi as they re-run presidential elections today, asking God that the election process be conducted fairly and peacefully, with people being disciplined in social-distancing so as to minimise the spread of #COVID19  BBC News Report here. Malawi

Wind rush Generation To mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival in Britain of Empire Windrush, (2 years ago) Dr R. David Muir, senior lecturer in Public Theology and Community Engagement, University of Roehampton, talked immigration scandal, overcoming prejudice, the next generation, and hope for an even brighter future with Evangelical Alliance Read the interview here  https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/caribbean-communities-contribution-to-the-uk?utm_source=twitter

John Wesley Mitch from Crown Jesus posted this quote Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’‬ ‪John Wesley‬

Stand In Faith (25 minute Video) Has lockdown made it feel like your whole world is turning upside down and you just need to DO SOMETHING?  It might feel odd, but sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply stand on God's Word. Watch Pastor Phil Pringle's inspiring message: https://player.lightcast.com/yYTNykDM

Gideon (25 minute Audio) The loss of time with loved ones, the cancelled plans... have you found yourself doubting God's love for you with all the chaos happening this year? In this episode of Bible Biogs, we look at the story of Gideon. How was his faith unbelievably tested? https://player.lightcast.com/ycTOwIzM

New Homeschool Resource Available Lion Storyteller Bible author Bob Hartman tells the story of Jesus’ special friends – the first disciples (Luke 5.1–11). Watch the video and download the accompanying resources, suitable for children aged 5–11.  explore-the-bible/homeschool

Happy Anniversary Happy Wedding Anniversary to Davis & Margaret Clarke who celebrated 56 years together on Monday (22nd June 2020)

Have You Ever Wondered ... How you would weigh a Koala? (Sometimes I find things that have no relevance to anything but just have to be shared.)

Jigsaw ​ Times for yesterday Janice 3:05 Frances 3:36 Derek 4:07 Wilfred 5:06 Try today’s puzzle. ​ Play the "Promenade Fishing" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0cf0292c49ca ​

The Blog I’ve been talking to many of you about the Burnside Blog and I am surprised by how much it has become part of our daily routines and I thank you for welcoming me into your lives in this way. From my perspective the blog sort of happened by accident but of course God had a plan in bringing it into existence. The Blog is here to provide some hope in place of the despair that is all around us during Covid-19. I am making a few small changes this week to hopefully increase the usefulness of the Blog. Where possible I am going to give a guide to how long a video or a podcast lasts, and I will try and write descriptions which explain why a particular article may be relevant to our lives. Some of the articles are picked because they have some local point of interest. For example Keswick features because of the Keswick at Portstewart Convention, Evangelical Alliance features because of the local connection with Peter Lynas, New Horizon is also local and of course we are all connected to PCI.

Let’s Pray The latest prayer guide is now available for the incoming week, download it here. let’s-pray_a4_ttr_21-06-20.pdf File Size: 410 kb File Type: pdf Download File

"Little did we know, when we were crafting the last verse of this new hymn, how relevant the lyric would be to the times we are living in:

'My final breath shall be forever Jesus
When shadows lengthen before my eyes;
My Lord and Friend, companion through the valley
When dearest ones are left behind,
His hand will lead me to the light.'

Not only are so many of us facing the prospect of battling this awful virus that has claimed so many lives already. But loved ones, relatives and friends are literally having to "be left behind" as the ill are taken into hospital, because of the dangers of passing on the virus. How important, then, to be reminded that Christ is there to 'lead us to the light' - whether that is the light of eventual recovery, or (and this is the reality) the light of His eternal presence.

Perhaps we are not keen to be reminded of the awfulness of the times in which we live in a song! But to know that we are completely held in His loving arms, and guided by His all-powerful hand, is so vital for every single one of us right now."

QUIZ: Fathers in the Bible Sunday was Father’s Day, Fathers in the Bible are sometimes fantastic role models – but sometimes not so much. Can you identify these biblical fathers and their children?  ​ .Quiz biblesociety.org.uk

Last week I referred to the Burnside Church Website where we have the opportunity to watch Sunday Services online and also keep up to date with current events during the week. It’s lovely to have friends contributing, and frequently we see those who are now living at a distance. The wonders of modern technology!  
As you may be aware, we are usually presented with two challenges each day, a Jigsaw and a ‘Where is it?’  The Jigsaw actually tests us in two ways…. the ability to complete it (especially when the pieces may have to be rotated) and also the length of time taken.
Based on thoughts I had about a Jigsaw being made up of many parts but eventually becoming one complete item, I widened this idea and wondered where we find similar examples of parts making up the whole.
Illustrations which came to mind were: The Books of the Bible, a Choir of singers, a Congregation of worshippers.
In 1st Corinthians Ch 12 we read of the body being a unit. Verse 27 states: ‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’  As individuals, God has given us particular talents. Let’s use them in His Service .
The Song I have chosen introduces four singers….. but, that’s not quite correct, is it?  It’s all about the technology I mentioned at the start! But we will listen to a Lead, a Bass, a Tenor and an Alto as they sing (or more correctly, he sings) ‘Praise the Lord.’
Frances