Blog Archives

Tuesday 1st December 2020

1/12/2020

Beside The Burn
Join us during Advent as we realise, “Christmas Is Different - Jesus Is Better”. Each day we delve into the book of Hebrews, fix our eyes on Jesus and realise that He is better than everything else. Better than the worst things of this year, but also better than the best things we have ever experienced. Each day there is a short video based on a passage from Hebrews. By Christmas Day we will have read through the whole book of Hebrews, but more importantly we will have looked to Jesus each day and discovered that “Jesus is Better!”

Let’s Pray For Deaconesses
PCI has 16 deaconesses most of whom serve in congregations. Pray for each deaconess as
they continue to work and seek opportunities to share the gospel and encourage people in their faith, despite Covid-19 restrictions. Pray for wisdom and guidance in all they do.

Deaconesses in healthcare
Pray especially for Heather McCracken (Belfast Health and Social Care Trust)
and Joanne Dunlop (Antrim Area Hospital) for encouragement, stamina, good health and safety.

Advent Devotional (2 Minute Video)
Here is a short devotional meditation from the Bible Society and Movement Day UK, praying for London.

New City Catechism
Every Tuesday we look at another question from the New City Catechism, this week question 8.
What is the Law of God Stated in the Ten Commandments?
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet.
Read more explanations here.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-is-the-law-of-god-stated-in-the-ten-commandments/

Word Of The Day
Canon J. John has been recording a word of the day since the first lockdown began in March. I may be a bit late at discovering this but they are still worth sharing, and all presented in less than a minute.

Essential Services
One of the things that we have been forced to consider over the last week is what is essential. Non-essential shops have been forced to close and so have church buildings. It begs the question is Church essential or non-essential. Obviously the executive have decided non-essential, but Church is essential to us who attend, but surely Church is also essential for society. We pray for our political leaders, we pray for our key-workers, we pray for society and community, we witness to the hope of the Gospel spiritually and practically.
Our challenge this week is to live and witness for Christ in such a way that society views us as essential for daily life. Here is an article from the Newsletter at the weekend.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 3:09

Play the "Portrush Harbour Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1b85a4bc33f3

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Monday 30th November 2020

30/11/2020

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Let’s Pray Derek and Jane French (global mission workers, Spain)

Give thanks for six new people who have joined Bilbao International Church since September. Pray that they will settle in well and feel at home.

Derek and Jane French (global mission workers, Spain)

Andamio (the publishing branch of GBU – student ministry in Spain) has published a new resource for 7-14 year olds to use during December. Pray that through it, many will come to faith in Jesus. Pray too for Derek and Jane as they continue to serve.

Advent Meditation (7 minute video)
Below is a short meditation for Advent based on the Hymn - O Come O Come Emmanuel and a reading from the Prophet Isaiah. Produced by the Bible Society and Movement Day UK.

Fixated
An advent devotional book by Tim Chester looking at the book of Hebrews. I haven’t read this book but you may find it a helpful companion to our own Advent series from Hebrews. The readings will not correspond to our daily videos but you may want some extra information. The paperback is sold out but you can buy the ebook version for half price.
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/27181/fixated#summary

Word Of The Day (1 minute video)
Canon J. John has been recording a word of the day since the first lockdown began in March. I may be a bit late at discovering this but they are still worth sharing, and all presented in less than a minute.

Mess - Can You Add 3 Letters?
From the Bible Society.
Mess. It’s just one word. One syllable that brings to mind a whole load of images….messy ones! And at Christmas time, this one messy syllable word seems to shift into top gear! I remember when I was young, my brother and I would tear through our festive wrapped gifts as if we were competing in an Olympic sport (winter Olympics of course). I think of the post-Christmas dinner-plate pile-up in the kitchen and the décor of celebration wrappers between the sofas (the Malteaser ones!)

It’s fair to say there was a fair bit of mess at the very first Christmas too. As Mary and Joseph trekked down to Bethlehem for a census, there was no room for them to stay. So the young couple welcomed Jesus into the world, with a bunch of animals as his roommates (some scholars claim it was almost as bad as living with students).

But Jesus didn’t just enter the mess of a downstairs room with a feeding trough, he entered the mess of our world too. It was a message that has been posted in versus throughout scripture, one will come to fix up the mess. And if we invite him, he even enters the mess of our lives and offers to fix us.

The Christmas story involves Mess, but it’s not the central story. It’s about the one who was born in the Mess. You see ‘Mess’ is only central to the Christmas story when it’s an abbreviation. There’s 3 letters added to the Mess - i.a.h. and those letter changes everything.

Watch this spoken word piece from Dai Woolridge

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 11:22
Derek 15:18

Play the "White Rocks Mon" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=24f56570f8d7

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Friday 27th November 2020

27/11/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of Holding Lightly To The Things Of This World - Transformed Not Conformed. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short video.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for the residents and tenants in Thompson House, Carlisle House and Gray’s Court, as they work through the Covid-19 crisis. Give thanks for the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to support the residents and tenants in their daily routines and programmes.

At Home for Christmas? Moderator’s Church-wide Call to Prayer –
www.presbyterianireland.org/prayer
Pray for the Moderator’s Appeal, which includes support for the life-saving work of our mission partners Tearfund and Christian aid, in places where Covid-19 has caused genuine devastation.

Service Of Thanksgiving
A service of Thanksgiving for the life of Mrs Georgina (Georgie) Stewart was held in Burnside on Thursday 26th November 2020, with burial afterwards in Portstewart Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the number in attendance was limited to 25 so the service was recorded to allow family and friends to take part.

Frances On Friday
Every Friday, Frances shares a song with a personal reflection.

English is a complex language. Rules of pronunciation and grammar can be difficult. If we examine the words, Pacific Ocean, we find there that the letter ‘C’ has a different sound each time it is used. The first makes the sound as the letter ‘S,’ the second as the ‘C’ in ‘Cat’ and the third as the ‘SH’ in ‘Shop.’

It’s certainly difficult for children and for visitors.

I learned this week that a ‘neologism’ is, in simple terms, the coining or use of words and phrases which may be in the process of becoming routine.

Isolation, contact tracing, social distancing and staying safe have not been mentioned often in past years, but currently such words add anxiety and pressure to an already worrying situation.
They are words which call out, ‘You’re in danger. You must take care.’

However, when reading through my chosen Hymn this week, ‘Lord, Thy Word Abideth,’ I find that it’s very reassuring. Here we have references to what happens ‘when the storms are o’er us and dark clouds before us.’

Then, we are told, God’s word directs and protects us.

Taken from Psalm 119:89 NIV ‘Your Word, Lord, is eternal, it stands firm in the Heavens,’ we find our anxiety lessening and tension easing as worry is replaced by light and joy and comfort.

As we listen to the Hymn and follow its message, may we find the ‘dark clouds lifting,’ to be replaced by God’s ‘word of consolation, message of salvation.’
Frances.

The Getty Family
If you have been missing the Getty family hymn sing, here is a short message from the family for Thanksgiving, followed by “My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness”.

Worship In The Waiting (7 minute audio)
If you’re lacking awe-struck anticipation or hope-filled expectation of our coming Saviour King, Jesus, then listen to Sam Hargreaves’ conversation with Vicky Gibbens on Talking Point. He’s from Engage Worship and shares more about their Advent resources called ‘Worship in the Waiting’.

Spreading The Good News
They did not have internet or smartphones so just how did the early church spread the message of the gospel? Listen to this engaging Bible study about the book of Acts as Phil and David discuss the Apostles and how God began to grow the early church.

https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21335/256721

Jigsaw

Set aside a little more time for the Friday Puzzle of this magnificent horse taken on Downhill Beach.

Play the "Downhill Beach" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=27251fb835dc

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Thursday 26th November 2020

26/11/2020

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Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of Holding Lightly To The Things Of This World - Transformed Not Conformed. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short video.

Let’s Pray For Irish mission workers
Pray for the Irish mission workers in the Republic of Ireland: David Boyd (in Dublin), Tom Dowling (in Kilkenny) and Philip Whelton (in Arklow) as they continue to serve the Lord and share the gospel with others.

Irish mission workers
Pray for the Irish mission workers as they continue to adapt and develop their ministry whilst complying with all Covid-19 guidelines.

MLAs Should Go To Church!
This well argued letter was published in the Newsletter this week.

Thanksgiving & Black Friday
Today, Americans celebrate a national holiday set aside to give thanks for the blessings of the preceding year. But there is more to Thanksgiving than you may realise. Here are nine things about the holiday (and the attitude) of Thanksgiving: And where Black Friday comes from.

Memorial to Chaplains in the Great War
The Forces Chaplaincy Panel and the Presbyterian Historical Society have together produced a very interesting and inspiring booklet, called Memorial to Chaplains in the Great War, recognising the part played by Presbyterian Chaplains during the 1st World War. Copies of the book can be ordered from the Mission office for £3 + postage via email. [email protected] A sample of the book is available to view.

memorial_to_chaplains_in_the_great_war_booklet.pdf
File Size:	3798 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Pre-Lockdown Memories
My ipad shared a memory with me yesterday, that I had forgotten about with everything that has happened this year. At the beginning of March I wandered into Agherton Grange and arrived in the middle of Jean’s Birthday Party. Do you remember a time when we were able to share cake and have photographs taken together? Looking through the rest of my photos, the lovely one with Irene was the last photo I had taken with anyone before the Lockdown restrictions came into force.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:54

Play the "Promenade Thur" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=20dca3f455f6

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Wednesday 25th November 2020

25/11/2020

1 Comment

Beside The Burn
This week we continue our theme from Sunday of Holding Lightly To The Things Of This World - Transformed Not Conformed. Each day we develop the theme a little more in a short video.

Let’s Pray For Naomi Leremore (global mission worker, Kenya)
Thank God for the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) department’s launch of the online version of the teen’s mentorship programme. Pray for those taking part in the pilot group, that they will be blessed and give good, insightful feedback.

Naomi Leremore (global mission worker, Kenya)
Pray for Naomi in her ongoing work with the TEE Department and for the marketing of their new material through the church networks and beyond.

Moderator’s Call To Prayer
Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has called the whole church to prayer during this weekend. He has recorded a video explaining what to do which you can view below and there is also a prayer guide which can be used Friday to Sunday. As all the details were not available in time to include last Sunday, we are going to extend our prayer for the week, from Friday to Friday. If you can take some time each day and pray for the various aspects of this pandemic year.

Weekend of Prayer // 27-29 November 2020 from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.

mod_weekendofprayer_nov2020.pdf
File Size:	108 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

The Christmas Candle
A Christmas Film by well known Christian Author - Max Lucado.
One comment I keep hearing from people these days is, “There is nothing on TV these days.” Revelation Media have made this Christmas film available free to watch for a limited time. It is described as a family movie of hope, prayers, and the miracle that IS Christmas.
I haven’t been able to watch the film yet but I recommend it on the strength of Max’s books which are always thought provoking and biblically based. The cast includes Sylvester McCoy, John Hannah and Susan Boyle.
Click the link below and enter your email address to access the film.
https://bible.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a5608db6bcb167ca214a5c1f6&id=39b17f032f&e=d4e9a76369

Jehovah Witnesses
The following is a brief overview of what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, along with what the Bible really teaches, it is from an article in the back of the ESV Study Bible
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/the-11-beliefs-you-should-know-about-jehovahs-witnesses-when-they-knock-at-the-door/

Facing Coronavirus
Feeling anxious, worried or hopeless? Dr David Jeremiah looks at the scriptures for 6 things that we can do to overcome anxious feelings. Listen to his message to root yourself in a strong understanding of what the Bible really says about worry and anxiety. Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/284209

Sunrise On Monday
Beautiful Sunrise over the Church Carpark on Monday morning.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Derek 2:56

Play the "Portrush Wed" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=284f447962a3

1 Comment

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Tuesday 1st December 2020

Monday 30th November 2020

Friday 27th November 2020

Thursday 26th November 2020

Wednesday 25th November 2020

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