Blog Archives

Friday 30th October 2020

30/10/2020

Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Give thanks for those working tirelessly to safeguard our children, young people and adults at risk. Give thanks for the technology that makes it easier to keep in touch during this Covid-19 crisis. Pray that the same protections will be in place in the virtual contact, as is afforded in our face-to-face contact.

Public Affairs
As we complete our first week of the new restrictions here in Northern Ireland, pray for all those affected, particularly those in schools, and also for those charged with the responsibility of making and implementing the decisions throughout the island of Ireland.

Frances On Friday
Every Friday, Frances shares a song that means something to her.

While carrying out some research for the Song I have chosen this week, I encountered the following:

‘Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. He is quoted as saying:
‘The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.’

That’s a number I won’t forget. If at any time I am taking part in a Quiz and that question arises, I am confident that I will know the correct answer. How am I so sure? Those digits formed the registration number of the car my husband owned when we first met!

God’s promises never change. They stand as strong and secure as when He first spoke them, and Christians through the ages have clung to them in times of danger, doubt and despair.

In Hebrews 13:5 NIV we read ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’

The Song for this week was written and composed in 1886 by R. Kelso Carter, who at that time was serving as a Professor in Pennsylvania Military Academy. Interestingly, it has been suggested that the rhythmic tone of the Hymn’s music possibly reflects Professor Carter’s Military Academy experience.

We are reminded of our daily dependence on God as we listen to ‘Standing on the Promises of God.’

Frances.

Halloween

Some online resources for children this Halloween.

https://www.ucb.co.uk/bagofhope

Derek The Cleric
Some of you may have come across the Derek The Cleric cartoons. Here is an interview with the creator.

Psalm 150
A new version of Psalm 150 - "Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)"
Written by Matt Boswell & Matt Papa
Recorded live at the Sing! Global Conference 2020
Listen to it here.

Keswick Podcast
Season 2 of the Kes Talks Podcast: This episode brings the first Bible reading John Risbridger gave in 2019. He spoke about Psalm 63, a Psalm filled with longings for God, spoken from within a dry & parched land.
Certainly a message relevant to us today.
http://keswickministries.org/podcasts/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 3:42

Here is a night time photo of Portstewart with far too many pieces.

Play the "Portstewart Fri" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1af900603487

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Thursday 29th October 2020

29/10/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Let’s Pray For Home Mission congregations
There are 74 PCI home mission congregations throughout Ireland. Praise God for what he is doing in these churches. Thank him for those who are faithful to these congregations.

Home Mission ministers
Pray for the ministers who lead these congregations, who often have more than one charge. Pray for wisdom and perseverance as they minister, often in isolated areas.

Keswick Convention Podcast (26 minute audio)
The latest episode of the Keswick Convention Podcast is out now!
@RachelRedeemed talks to musician & worship leader, Olly Knight, whose world was turned upside down in lockdown, & the opportunities that opened up as a result.
https://t.co/lkwae3ryW3

Listen to the story of Olly’s Lockdown Album (2:30 minute video)

Thin Places (1 hour video)
Thin places are often described as places where it appears that heaven and earth almost meet. It is also the name of a UCB documentary, about Christian revival from the 5th century through to the 1900s and explore the rich Christian heritage of the Celtic saints.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/268055

Jigsaw

Play the "Ballycastle Thur" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=02f4b1f5c73f

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Wednesday 28th October 2020

28/10/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Prayer
The Theme Of The Blog on Wednesday is prayer

Let’s Pray For Global mission workers: Flemings
Pray for the Flemings, currently based in Northern Ireland but still serving with United Mission to Nepal and Kathmandu International Study Centre. Pray for good communication despite time differences and distance.

Global mission workers: Lockwoods
Pray for the Lockwoods, serving in Kathmandu with UMN. Pray for safety of staff and smooth functioning of the two UMN hospitals as well as safety for the UMN staff who have recently been able to return from home-working to working in cluster offices.

Belfast City Mission
Below is the report for the last year of the Belfast City Mission. It is a fascinating insight into the life of the Mission and very, very readable. There is a thoughtful article by Rev. Denis Bannerman on our December verse, Romans 12:12 and a tribute to former missionary Rev. David Johnston. This report is well worth taking the time to read and will encourage you in your faith. There are also lots of photographs included to help you pray for the missionaries.

bcm_annual_report_2019_2020.pdf
File Size:	2208 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

SU E3 North Coast Worker
The latest prayer letter from Andrew Neill is available below as is his video update.

e3-north-coast-prayer-points.pdf
File Size:	3385 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Dublin City Mission
The latest update from the Dublin City Mission can be downloaded below.

autumn_2020_dcm_spotlight.pdf
File Size:	583 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 2:27
Derek 3:40

Play the "Portstewart Wheel Wed" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=207809a6d129

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Tuesday 27th October 2020

27/10/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

O For A Closer Walk With God
After the service on Sunday when we were holding Lightly to the things of this world, Betty reminded me of this hymn and especially verse five.

The dearest idol I have known,
whate'er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.

Let’s Pray For Forces chaplaincy
Pray for the staff of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, who have a pivotal role in developing chaplains across all three Services (Royal Navy, Army, Air Force). Military chaplaincy is a vital ministry; please pray for parish ministers considering God’s call to this ministry.

Forces chaplaincy
PCI has 11 ministers currently serving the Forces. Pray for Rev Colin Jones who has recently returned to Chaplaincy service, for strength to cope with the pace of life at the frontline. Pray also for chaplains’ families, as chaplaincy often requires prolonged service away from home.

The New City Catechism On Tuesday
A New Catechism to help us understand the foundations of our faith.

Question 3
How Many Persons Are There in God?
There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/how-many-persons-are-there-in-god/?childrens_mode=false

PCI Refined Podcast – Considering Global Mission
The latest edition of the Podcast is available and it is a challenging episode considering how congregations can become involved in Global mission. Taking part this week is Pamela McCullough whose husband David came along to PW last year to talk about their time as Global Mission Workers in Malawi
As global disciples, we are all called to go deeper and wider in our relationship and involvement in what God is doing in other parts of the world. How do we grow the roots of a relationship overseas and how might we become more involved in appropriate ways?
Pamela McCullagh (Annalong congregation) and Neil Harrison (PCI's Mission Development Officer) joined Rick Hill to consider what has worked in developing global mission involvement for congregations and Global Mission Workers.

I Choose To Worship
I was reminded of this song by Bangor Band, Rend Collective when it featured on Tides on Friday.

Portstewart on Monday

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Janice 2:19

Play the "Elephant Rock Ballintoy Tue" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=18d002e1af3c

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Monday 26th October 2020

26/10/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of ‘Holding Lightly’. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short 5 minutes video.

Hold Lightly
You can listen to the message from Sunday below or the whole service by clicking here.

Let’s Pray For Lebanon
PCI partners with the Near East School of Theology, which trains pastors and church workers
for ministry in the Middle East. Pray for NEST’s work as they continue to minister and rebuild following extensive damage caused to their building by the Beirut explosion.

Jordan
Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary trains and equips students to serve the Church in the Middle East and North Africa. Pray for JETS, for health and protection for staff and students and that they would remain effective in ministry training despite Covid-19 restrictions.

Closing Moderator’s Service
In his closing weekly service of worship for the whole Presbyterian Church in Ireland for a while, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, ends his journey through the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Today, he explores the theme, ‘A praying church’.
Recorded in Belfast in Assembly Building’s Weir Chapel, Dr Bruce looks at Ephesians 6:18-24. In his concluding service, in this particular series, he looks at how Paul encourages the church to pray, and in doing so, shows them how to do it. At the same time, the Moderator explains why it is an essential and nourishing part of the Christian life.

An uncomfortable Christmas (25 minute video)
In two months time it will be Boxing Day, who knows what Christmas will have looked like, but we start early with this video from UCB.
Have you ever felt like your life has been taken over by events outside your control? It’s something that people can feel quite strongly, heading into Christmas, as other people seem to be getting ready to celebrate. Well, if you’re in that place, where events beyond your control have taken over your life, you’re not the only one.
Are you anxious about heading into the Christmas holidays? Christmas can be an uncomfortable season, especially after everything that has happened in 2020. But know this: you're not alone. Listen to this encouraging message from @bernidymet on UCB Player.
https://t.co/sYo5w0kBGZ

Portstewart Storms
Over the weekend we had some high winds and some high tides in Portstewart. Here are some photos and video from Saturday. Notice the car abandoned on the beach, despite the National Trust making several announcements warning people of the incoming tide, and yes that is someone going in for a swim.

Jigsaw
The times for Friday’s Impossible Jigsaw.

Jean 14:13
Derek 24:29

Back to a more manageable Jigsaw for a Monday

Play the "Arcadia Mon" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=14851282cd99

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Friday 30th October 2020

Thursday 29th October 2020

Wednesday 28th October 2020

Tuesday 27th October 2020

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