Little Things mean a Lot.’
This may be a sentence we use often in our conversations but not everyone may be familiar with the fact that this was the title of a popular song published in 1953.  
Basically, the lyrics of the song point out that happiness does not come from occasional grand achievements, but from the little things that fill our daily lives.
For example, Verse 2 is as follows:

‘Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you’re far away
Little things mean a lot’

When was the last time you got a thank you note or an unexpected phone-call which brightened your day?  Did that ‘little thing’ mean a lot to you? Might it be possible that the ‘little things’ in reality turn out to be the ‘big things?’
As we note in Matthew 19:14 NIV, Jesus welcomes the children.  He said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.’
In the Parable of ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’ we note that Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples, pointed out that there was a boy present who had five small barley loaves and two small fish, but he added, ‘How far will they go among so many?’
We know the end of the story…everyone well fed and twelve baskets of bread left over!
We learn in James 3:4 NIV that ‘a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.’
And in that very familiar Hymn, ‘Jesus loves Me,’ we read ‘Little ones to Him belong.’
Our Song this week?  It can only be: ‘The Little Things’
Frances.

Let’s Pray for Those still shielding  Give thanks for the patience and perseverance of those who have had to shield and exercise greatest caution and restraint during lockdown due to underlying health conditions. Pray that as some shielding restrictions are relaxed, a greater freedom and confidence will be enjoyed by those gradually beginning to edge back to a more normal rhythm of life. ​

Amos (59 Minute Audio) If you would like to learn more about the prophet Amos listen to Michael McKelvey—associate professor of Old Testament at RTS Jackson, and author of the commentary on the book of Amos in the ESV Expository Commentary Volume 7, speak about Salvation in the book of Amos​ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/michael-mckelvey-on-teaching-amos/ Here are some other resources on Amos: Sermon series on Amos by Phillip Jensen Does God Care? The Message of Amos by Mark Dever Sermon series on Amos from University Reformed Church Sermon series on Amos by Hugh Palmer

These Three Remain Lessons we are learning about being the good news, Joanne Smith, minister of Caledon & Minterburn reflects on what her churches have been learning about experiencing and expressing the good news of the gospel in their witness during Covid-19 Read The Article Here https://bit.ly/3iI4UiG

How To Consume The News The COVID-19 pandemic and protests of racial injustice, and the media whirlwinds surrounding both, have heightened an emerging tension for Christians. We need knowledge and information to act rightly and wisely, yet excessive news consumption often creates anxiety, division, quarrelsomeness, and frustration. Read the article here https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/wisely-consume-news/

Jigsaw Times for Thursdays puzzle Janice 2:12 Derek 5:33​ Do remember that the Friday puzzle is larger than the puzzles during the week, so it should take longer to complete. Even Janice takes a little bit longer at the weekend. ​ Play the "Sunset Flight" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2661e1c9cbce ​

Lord of changing seasons,
we thank you for summer.
This year, like everything else, our summer feels different:
our holiday plans have been disrupted,
our church life feels like it is winding up not down,
school holidays feel like an extension of lockdown,
rather than a welcome change of rhythm and routine.
Often, we treat summer like an escape from reality,
but this year we need it to offer rest on an unfinished journey. We come to you as reeds bruised by a stormy spring,
knowing that you desire to lift us up, not break us.
The smoldering wick of our spirit burns low,
but you want to fan it back into flame,
not see it snuffed out.
Shine again upon our lives like summer sun.
Calm our troubled souls like summer breeze.
Help us to relax into the carefreeness of long summer days
So renew us in mind.
Refresh us in body.
Restore us in spirit.
Recreate us again this summer,
that we might better bear again the likeness of your Son,
and find our rest in him.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

Let’s Pray for Ongoing Witness Give thanks for the many ways congregations and their members have been able to show and share God’s love throughout the period of lockdown. Pray that God would enable the building of ongoing relationships with those with whom churches and their members have made new points of contact, asking that gospel opportunities will follow. ​

Jigsaw Times for the Tuesday Jigsaw Janice 1:31 Wilfred 2:50 Jean 3:06 Derek 4:36 ​Play the "Coastline" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2ff75ab91a28

Good news!   ​ As I write, hairdressers are opening, appointments are being made. Spirits are lifting! During lockdown the topic of hair has been often in our conversations. Many were getting impatient at not being able to access an appointment. Some resorted to DIY trimming, spouses, family members and friends having a go, with quite good results. During this period hairstyles have changed some for the better others less so. Colours have also changed, some virtually overnight! Obviously the biggest change is longer hair which gets out of control and difficult to manage. Dogs have needed clipping and may have had difficulty getting such. This was not a problem for Dougal, who was looking smart after his clipping and I am sure he was happy too.

In Biblical times long hair was one of the characteristics of the Nazarite vow. Numbers ch 6. The word Nazarite comes from Hebrew meaning to "separate" or to "consecrate". Such a vow could be for a short period or for life as in the case of Samson. He was set apart from his birth for the deliverance of the Israelites from their Philistine enemies. In dealing with them he demonstrated many great feats, as recorded in the book of Judges. The secret of his strength was his Nazarite vow, symbolized by his unshorn hair. The source of his strength was the Spirit of God Judges ch 13 v 25 and ch 14 v 6 and 19.

As a result of his love affair with a Philistine woman named Delilah, he succumbed to her pressure to disclose the secret of his strength, which had a catastrophic outcome. She arranged for his hair to be shorn by the Philistines who gouged out his eyes and put him to work in a prison. Samson had been robbed of his special consecration to the Lord. We read in ch 16 v 19 "his strength left him" and in v 20 "he did not know that the Lord had left him"  
What a tragic statement!  
But there was a way back. In prison his hair began to grow. When the Philistines called on him to entertain them as they offered sacrifices to their god Dagon, he prayed to the Lord for strength. As a result of his great strength and actions, their temple was destroyed and thousands killed including Samson.

There is a way back to God from the dark paths of sin
There is a door that is open and you may go in
At Calvary's cross is where you begin 
When you come as a sinner to Jesus

I learnt this chorus over 70 years ago at Portstewart CSSM .
Wilma

Lessons About Social Media Lessons we are learning about engaging in the digital space:  PR consultant Rebecca McConnell offers some guidance & encouragement to churches as they continue to develop their #digitalministry during the coronavirus pandemic. Read The Article Here https://t.co/oAvIsT5vdY

Churches Are Now Accessable The modifications churches made for the #COVID19 crisis could continue to serve people who need them long after the pandemic has passed. Read the article here. https://t.co/6UrVXvWFm8

Jigsaw The times for Monday’s Jigsaw are Janice 1:33 Jean 3:09 Frances 3:59 Wilfred 4:32 Derek 5:02 Eric 5:26 A huge entry of times today. I also was told this week that the Jigsaw keeps some people up until well after midnight. Play the "Portstewart Edgewater" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0ecb3eafed06