Blog Archives

Tuesday 17th August 2021

17/8/2021

Beside The Burn
This week we continue a new series for the summer, “Meals With Jesus!”.
One of the things that we have all missed during the Covid Restrictions is being able to eat together with friends and family. These are always such important occasions when we catch up, encourage one another and learn about each other’s lives. In church we have missed sharing those cups of tea and catching up, so this summer we are going to eat a number of meals with Jesus, continuing this week as Jesus feeds the 5000. We begin the week looking at some Old Testament passages which help us understand the meal.

Let’s Pray For First Bailieborough, Corraneary and Ervey
Give thanks that the congregations are able to meet for services and sing once more. Pray that God would continue to keep them safe as they worship together. Pray for wisdom as they navigate the changes to restrictions and try to resume activities safely.

Healthcare chaplains
Pray for PCI healthcare chaplains as they minister to staff, patients and their families whilst adhering to the guidelines put in place by the different Health Trusts.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Cast Your Bread Upon The Water

New City Catechism
Q. Should Those Who Have Faith in Christ Seek Their Salvation Through Their Own Works, or Anywhere Else?
A. No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/should-those-who-have-faith-in-christ-seek-their-salvation-through-their-own-works-or-anywhere-else/

Psalm 23
This year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place in September, and the Bible Society have been involved in creating a garden based on Psalm 23. You can read and watch a short video about the design of the garden here.
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/psalm-23/the-garden/

Keep up with the latest news and behind-the-scenes action on the road to Chelsea, here.
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/psalm-23/garden-latest/

Read stories of people whose lives have been changed by Psalm 23, here.
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/psalm-23/garden-stories/

Fiction That Can Share Faith
If you are a reader of novels you might be interested in this article about how faith can be shared in the modern novel. The article may be a little heavy going in places but can be gleaned for some suggestions of novels to read.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Eddie 2:50
Frances 3:04

Play the "Portstewart Wheel Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=049a3e04bd00

2 Comments

Monday 16th August 2021

16/8/2021

2 Comments

The Sermon
This is the sermon from two weeks ago about Jesus Feeding The 5000

Let’s Pray For Moderator
Give thanks that the church maintains its focus on outreach to those in spiritual and material
need, and for the maintenance of this healthy, holistic balance.

Fanning the flame of congregational life: Being together
Ask God to continue to bless congregations and their members in restoring in-person relationships as they find ways to be together again in worship, socially or in preparation for restarting activities in September.

Gary & Mary Reid (global mission workers, Kenya)
Pray for Gary, Mary and their youngest son who hope to return to Kenya later this month. Pray that they will be able to travel as planned, and for them as they settle back to life, work / school. Pray for the ongoing work of the Mission in Olkinyei amongst the Maasai people.

Spain
Pray for Grupos Bíblicos Unidos as they continue to train and encourage Christian students and recent graduates to share their faith with their peers on a daily basis.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
A Little Bird Told Me

Facing the Canon (30 minute video)
J.John meets Ian McDowall, a former bodybuilder and nightclub bouncer whose life has been transformed by Jesus.

Jigsaw

Today the view from the new Viewpoint at Magheracross

Play the "Magheracross Viewpoint Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0a9dcb2ac35e

2 Comments

Monday 9th - Friday 13th August 2021

8/8/2021

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Holidays
Richard is on Holiday this week so there will be no new blogs.
You can enjoy New Horizon all week or delve into the Archive (On the right hand side of this page) to explore some of the previous blogs.

New Horizon
It is not long now until you can join us at New Horizon from the comfort of your own home as they Livestream from Monday 9th to Friday 13th August via the New Horizon YouTube Channel. All content will also be available on the website and social media (@newhorizonni).
New Horizon YouTube Channel
New Horizon Website

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Friday 6th August 2021

6/8/2021

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue a brand new series for the summer, “Meals With Jesus!”.
One of the things that we have all missed during the Covid Restrictions is being able to eat together with friends and family. These are always such important occasions when we catch up, encourage one another and learn about each other’s lives. In church we have missed sharing those cups of tea and catching up, so this summer we are going to eat a number of meals with Jesus, continuing this week at the Home of Levi The Tax-Collector.
Each day we look in a little more detail at the passage from Sunday - Luke 5:27-32

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for the protection of all our residents and tenants, staff and families as levels of
coronavirus again rise. Pray that homes and units will not have to close to visitors and that a high level of vigilance will be sustained to ensure maximum protection.

End of life care
Give thanks for the hospice movement, and for medical staff and others who care for terminally ill patients. Pray that politicians and policy makers would prioritise palliative care over attempts to legalise assisted dying in the UK and Ireland.

General Council
Pray for staff who work in local congregations and centrally in Assembly Buildings as they take annual leave over the summer period. Pray that this might be a time of rest and refreshment as they prepare for the coming autumn season.

Council for Training in Ministry
On 1 August, Rev David Leach took up his post as Professor of Ministry and Director of the Institute for Ministry in Union College. Pray for David as he settles in to this strategic post,
overseeing the training of ministry students. Ask God to give him wisdom, energy, clear thinking and a close walk with him.

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

The Keswick Convention
The Keswick Convention has been taking place in July this year, here is a wonderful concert with Andrew Peterson from this year.

Comedy
Bible Society presents Paul Kerensa in an hour of comedy with some serious bits – you can decide which is which. This specially recorded show has jokes, tales, a tour of the Bible, and thought-provoking ponderings on what links the Bible, comedy, and joy. Includes the shark joke.

We Need Good Church Stories
Many times when people are asked about church they have bad stories to share. We need to be ready to share good stories about church.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/good-church-stories/

Holiday Videos
Final Day of some holiday videos.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Eddie 3:14
Francis 3:16

As usual the Friday puzzle is a little more challenging. These boats are on the shore of Lake Windermere.
Play the "Windermere Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3a9a7083ac48

2 Comments

Thursday 5th August 2021

5/8/2021

2 Comments

Let’s Pray For Graham Stockdale (Prison Chaplain – Maghaberry)
Pray for the resumption of a more regular programme of services and activities in the prison, such as the Alpha Course. Give thanks and pray for those who have committed themselves to following Jesus, many of whom continue to struggle with the legacy of their pasts.

Cahir (Co Tipperary) & Fermoy (Co Cork)
Pray for members of Cahir as they make decisions on future outreach ministries to engage in. Pray for the continued efforts of young adults in Fermoy to reach out to young people.

Glen Scrivener
“Reading Between The Lines” a series working through the bible looking at the well known phrases.
Two Are Better Than One

Keswick At Portstewart
While we were in Keswick in The Lake District, Keswick At Portstewart was taking place virtually, some of you may already have watched the broadcasts during Convention Week, but in case you have missed any I will share them on the Burnside Blog over the next few days.
Today I am sharing some of the book reviews.

6 Christian Athletes to watch at Tokyo
Earlier in the week I shared an article about 6 Athletes to watch at Tokyo (link to article below), by now you have probably heard a lot more about Sydney McLaughlin who broke the world record for 400m Hurdles.

She tweeted -
“I think the biggest difference this year is my faith, trusting God and trusting that process, and knowing that he’s in control of everything. As long as I put the hard work in, he’s going to carry me through.”

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christian-athletes-tokyo-olympics/

O Praise The Name
O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord oh Lord our God

What A Beautiful Name

You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ