Blog Archives

Thursday 31st December 2020

31/12/2020

Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

Let’s Pray For New Year’s Eve
Pray for people throughout Ireland as they reflect on the year that has past. Pray that they will know that God has been with them through all the difficult times of 2020. Pray too that they will put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ for the future.

Mission Ireland
As the new year begins, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to those who do not yet know
the Lord and that they will turn to him. Pray too for encouragement for all involved in mission.

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
New Scottish Hymns Band

The Chosen (54 minute video)
Before Christmas I shared The Chosen Christmas Special on the Blog. As I said there is a whole series and Episode 1 is available to watch for free.

Keswick Convention
Check out the latest Keswick Convention podcast!
@RachelRedeemed talks to author & pastor, Mark Meynell. We have a tee up for what's in store at the Keswick Convention 2021 from the book of Hosea and lots more.
To listen to the full podcast, go to: https://t.co/lkwae3ryW3

Nicky Gumbel and the story of Alpha (57 minute Audio)
The son of German Jewish immigrants, a barrister and now an Anglican Priest and author of the internationally renowned Alpha Course, Nicky Gumbel shares his journey of faith with Canon J.John, in this episode of 'Facing the Canon'.

https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21337/241751

Wrong Side Of History
When you think about it, nearly everyone and everything connected to the first Christmas was on the wrong side of history.
Read more here -
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christmas-wrong-side-history/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 2:29
Derek 3:34

Play the "Harry’s Shack Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=27abc5ee86d1

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Wednesday 30th December 2020

30/12/2020

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Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

Let’s Pray For Global Mission
Give thanks for each PCI global mission worker and for their dedicated service to the Lord
over the past year. Pray they will make good use of opportunities to share their faith in 2021.

Global mission partners
Give thanks for the work and witness of PCI’s global mission partners over the past year. Pray that the leadership team of each partner will know God’s wisdom, guidance and encouragement as they continue to serve him and engage in mission in the coming year.

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
New Scottish Hymns Band

Jesus Changes Everything
How can we follow Jesus so that he's not just a 'supplement' that we add to improve our lives? How do we acknowledge that to follow Jesus is to enter a LIFE-TRANSFORMING relationship? Listen to this inspiring message by Pastor @leonfontaine on UCB Player.
https://t.co/MJhvbWugga

Getty Family Hymn Sing
Did you miss the Getty Christmas Family Hymn sing on Sunday?

Jigsaw

Times for yesterday
Jean 2:51
Derek 3:22

Play the "Mussenden Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=399fbf2c4651

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Tuesday 29th December 2020

29/12/2020

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Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

Let’s Pray For Healthcare Chaplaincy (full-time)
Pray for Rev Norman Harrison (Royal Group of Hospitals), Rev John Gilkinson (City / Nightingale) and Heather McCracken (Belfast Trust) who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic. Pray for protection, strength and stamina as they continue their work.

Healthcare Chaplaincy (part-time)
Pray too for PCI part-time chaplains including Rev Ken Doherty (Mater) and Rev Ivan Neish (Whiteabbey / Nightingale) for protection, strength and stamina.

J.John Interview (30 minute video)
Join J.John as he interviews another inspirational guest. Facing the Canon this week is Paul Cowley, author of Thief, Prisoner, Soldier, Priest

PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN
New Scottish Hymns Band

Considering Grace
If you didn’t manage to watch the conference live, here is the recording, giving more insight into the book.

Considering Grace - Unpacking the Impact Online Conference from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.

Francine Rivers (1 hour video)
Have you read any books by renowned Christian author Francine Rivers? Watch now to hear her story of bringing the Bible to life and sharing her faith through writing.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/221046

Omnipotence Swaddled
We have just left Advent behind, but here is an interesting article about Jesus being swaddled.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/omnipotence-swaddled/

Jigsaw
Times for yesterday’s puzzle.
Jean 2:20
Derek 3:03

Play the "Old Lifeboat Station Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2ec805188a41

1 Comment

Monday 28th December 2020

28/12/2020

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Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

Beside The Burn
You may have missed the start of our new series over the weekend.

Let’s Pray For PCI global mission workers
Steve and Rosie Kennedy were commissioned as global mission workers on 23 December and are due to depart tomorrow for Cluj, Romania (along with their two children) where they will serve with the Tóvidéki congregation of the Hungarian Reformed Church.

Steve and Rosie Kennedy
Pray for the Kennedys as they travel and settle in to life, work and school in Cluj. Pray for the church’s new outreach ministry to English speakers which they will be involved in.

LOVE DIVINE
From New Scottish Hymns Band

When Restrictions Are Over
This is an article from America but many of the insights apply here as well.
At some point in 2021—depending on the coronavirus situation—parents will transition their families from quarantine back into more regular routines (Lord willing). It’s an attractive prospect, given the limitations and frustrations that sequestered life has created.
But along with our eagerness to ditch stay-at-home life, are we blind to its benefits? If all we can say of quarantine is, “Well I’m glad that’s over!” we’ve missed it. Wisdom means lamenting our losses, yes, but also recognizing gains.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-quarantine-rhythms-permanent/

The Hardest Year and the Hope That Never Fails (1 hour audio)
As 2020 finally ends, it feels appropriate to look back on what we’ve learned and ultimately celebrate what God has done, even in the midst of one of the most difficult years ever collectively experienced.
A podcast from The Gospel Coalition.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/gospelbound/the-hardest-year-and-the-hope-that-never-fails/

The Herods
Why was Herod the Great so paranoid? How did his descendants also pose a serious threat to Jesus and his followers? And what can be learned from their bad example about good leadership? Find out more with this episode of Bible Biogs! https://t.co/LhbuNT1l7t

The Bible In 30 Minutes - Crossroads (30 Minute Audio)
What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead? In this episode, Phil examines the days surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Listen now to hear about the greatest rescue in history!
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21335/255460

Best Christian Songs of 2020
A Playlist of the 100 best Christian songs of 2020.
Find it on Spotify (https://t.co/odB9cF56S3)
or Apple Music (https://t.co/1selJ3vfhR).

Jigsaw

Try this puzzle of Portrush

Play the "Portrush Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0eacc7076b98

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Sunday 27th December 2020

27/12/2020

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Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

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Saturday 26th December 2020

26/12/2020

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Beside The Burn
Join us during the “Twelve Days Of Christmas” as we explore a potential meaning behind the strange lyrics of the song, and discover the gifts that God has for those who love him.

Let’s Pray For General Council
Pray for the Council as it responds to changing government legislation and guidelines and as it encourages and guides congregations as they respond to varying levels of restrictions across the country. Pray that the balance may be found between ensuring the safety of congregations and enabling them to participate in worship in the run up to Christmas.

Council for Training in Ministry
Ministry students are on Christmas break until 4 January. The last semester was testing, with some teaching moving online, and some students and staff isolating and testing positive for Covid-19. Pray that students and staff of Union would know the Lord’s refreshing and be prepared for the next semester’s study.

The Bronze Serpent
Today on Beside The Burn we consider Jesus being lifted up on the cross like the bronze Serpent was lifted up by Moses in the Wilderness.
In John 3:9–15, Nicodemus, a “master of Israel,” receives a remedy for his troubled soul from the Master Physician. The Son of God gives this night-disciple an eye to behold the Messiah lifted up on the cross of suffering and death. To do this, Jesus brings in vital imagery of the bronze serpent from Numbers 21:7–9 to reframe Nicodemus’s knowledge of the Torah. In so doing, he makes us lift up our heads as well.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/look-live-christ-true-bronze-serpent/

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Friday 25th December 2020

25/12/2020

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Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas to everyone who reads the Blog each day. Thank you to everyone who has kept in touch through reading and listening and watching bits of the content each day on the Blog. This has been an unexpected way to stick together during the last 9 months may you all know God’s Blessing on this special day.

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!”

Christmas Morning Service
Do remember taht we have an Online Christmas Morning Service this year
Find out more here. (Extra videos to watch are available at this link)

Burnside At Home - Carol Service
Don’t forget we also have a Carol Service from Sunday night.
Find Out more Here

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for residents and tenants of residential / nursing homes and Supported Living Units as they celebrate the birth of Jesus. Give thanks for the dedication of staff who are having to work on Christmas Day, away from their own family.

Christmas
Pray that those feeling the pain of loss, or dealing with trauma, this Christmas would know and be assured of the hope and restoration that Jesus, Light of the World, can bring.

Jasmine Morris
Jasmine was taking part in our Carol Service on Sunday, here is another opportunity to hear her perform, this time with the Youth Orchestra, playing Scenes from Domodossola, an arrangement from a piece by contemporary British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones.

The Cork Nativity (5 minute Video)
A beautiful telling of the Christmas story by residents of Cork.

The Hope Of Christmas
Matt Chandler tells us about the Hope of Christmas despite having been diagnosed with a tumour on his brain at age 34.
Read The Story Here.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/look-forward-better-christmas/

10 Bible Verses About The Incarnation
Here are 10 verses that tell us something about the Incarnation

10-key-bible-verses-on-the-incarnation/

A Christmas Message of Light And Hope (2 minute Video)
A beautiful short video from the Bible Society.

St. Peter’s Brighton (50 minute video)
The Carol service from St. Peter’s Church, Brighton. A few years ago we had a very lively Sunday Morning as we visited this church on holiday.

Mission Africa Carol Service (1:15 hour video)
Below is the Carol Service from Mission Africa with Very Rev. Dr. William Henry preaching.

Jigsaw

Times for yesterday.
jean 2:55
Even on Christmas Day there is a Jigsaw, and because it is the weekend, we have a few extra pieces.

Play the "Snow in Coleraine" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=15c0f22f6d8f

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Thursday 24th December 2020

24/12/2020

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Immigrants to Ireland
Pray for people who have made their home in Ireland in recent times. Pray that they will come into contact with local congregations, find a warm welcome and hear the Good News.

International Meeting Point
Pray for the work and witness of the International Meeting Point in reaching out with the gospel to an increasingly multi-cultural Belfast. Pray especially for those who have been coming along to the Bible studies, that each will come to a deep faith in Christ.

Christmas Unwrapped
Here is a wonderful Christmas Service with J.John, Christmas Unwrapped CBC with David Suchet. (A Christmas event to watch with your friends and family!)

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

Holy Trinity Bromley (45 minute video)
Christmas Carol service from Sunday 13th December 2020

At Home For Christmas
Rev Alistair McCracken, minister of Cloughwater congregation reflects on gospel ministry, bringing hope and celebrating Jesus in the rural story this year.
https://t.co/BcSdMYj0r5

Moderator’s Christmas Message
@pcimoderator writes of what home is - a place of acceptance, love & hospitality. He meets two people, who like Mary & Joseph that first Christmas, the shepherds & the magi, who will be far from home this Christmas:
https://t.co/rWEkpxdTLX

Jigsaw
Another snow themed puzzle for this Christmas week.

Jean 2:35
Derek 2:57

Play the "Snow On The Promenade" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=338545b4345c

1 Comment

Wednesday 23rd December 2020

23/12/2020

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Moderator's Christmas Appeal
Pray that the Moderator’s Christmas Appeal – ‘At home for Christmas?’ which seeks to support people in fragile, vulnerable countries suffering due to Covid-19, will receive generous support.

Refugees
Pray for all around the world who are refugees or internally displaced. Pray that they will receive humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives and that they will have hope in Jesus Christ.

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

Joy Has Dawned Upon the World
"Joy Has Dawned Upon the World w/ Angels We Have Heard on High" - Keith & Kristyn Getty - Recorded LIVE at the Grand Ole Opry House at the Sing! Conference 2019

Songs Of Hope
A Gospel Coalition Concert of Christ-centred songs, spoken word poetry and Scripture to offer hope in a difficult year, featuring among others Shane & Shane and the Gettys.

J.John
Many of you have enjoyed J.John in his Word For the Day, join him as he interviews another inspirational guest. Facing the Canon this week is Andy Economides, the person who introduced J.John to Jesus Christ. I first heard J.John as a student at Queens when he came to speak at a mission.

Kings Cross Church Carol Service (1:20 hour video)
A lively Carol Service from Kings Cross Church.

Heroes of the Faith: Saint Nicholas
I imagine that Saint Nicholas would be very unhappy indeed at discovering that, like some careless performer in a Nativity scene, he had come to block the view of the infant Jesus through the transformation of his memory over the years to that of Santa.
https://t.co/yhIjNl20pN
Listen to the Podcast
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9ce016d2-e697-4141-81c6-8b8b2f0f1718

How Is Christmas Good News For A Weary World
Paul Tripp reflects on how God’s answer to the brokenness of our world is not just a theology or a set of wisdom statements—it’s the gift of his Son.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/how-is-christmas-good-news-for-a-weary-world/

Drive-In Cinema
Last night was the Drive-In Cinema with two screenings of The Star. What a great night with so many families from the community joining us.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Derek 4:01

Another snow picture for Christmas.
Play the "River Bann Frozen" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=337d672a31ff

1 Comment

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

22/12/2020

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Forces Chaplains
Pray for PCI Forces chaplains, members of the Forces and those who are serving overseas
at present. Pray for their safety and health and remember them and their families, who are remaining at home over Christmas.

Prison Chaplains
Pray for all involved in PCI’s prison chaplaincy ministry. Pray that chaplains would have opportunities to share their faith and the good news of Christ’s birth this Christmas.

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

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.

In the Bleak Midwinter
"In the Bleak Midwinter" - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Recorded LIVE at the Grand Ole Opry House for the Sing! Conference 2019

Christmas at home with The Salvation Army 2020
Every year, The Salvation Army holds a carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall. For many people, the carol concert is a high point in the lead up to Christmas. Sadly this year, because of restrictions, the event cannot be held at the Royal Albert Hall, but it is an opportunity for us to bring the concert to you in your own home!
There are some celebrity readers and participants and of course the top brass band and songsters to bring the joy, the message and the meaning of Christmas to you, at home.

NHSCT Christmas Virtual Carol Service - “Nine Venues and Carols”
In the absence of regular opportunities to gather, the Chaplaincy Team across all the sites have worked together with staff to offer this Virtual Christmas Carol Service.

Getty Christmas Playlist
A Spotify Christmas playlist from the Gettys

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1shat9242hda9qVg0p0o11?si=xwtamw9nTWeXBMLtBGSNDg

Facing The Canon
Join J.John as he interviews another inspirational guest. Facing the Canon this week is Alister McGrath, Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University.

This Is My Story (20 minute Audio)
This episode of This Is My Story is with Allen Langham, a former professional Rugby League player who found himself in and out of prison after a string of violent offences. After an encounter with God, he not only found himself back in society, but also back on the Rugby pitch. His book “Taming of a Villain: A Message of Hope” is available now, published by Monarch Books.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21340/270035

Christmas Carols (5 minute video)
Fernando Ortega and @StuartTownend discuss beloved Christmas carols ‘Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,’ ‘In the Bleak Midwinter,’ ‘Joy to the World,’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ https://t.co/tRttxd8Ai1

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Caroline 3.19
Jean. 3.23

Play the "River Bann Frozen" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0b0c2f70cc10

1 Comment

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Thursday 31st December 2020

Wednesday 30th December 2020

Tuesday 29th December 2020

Monday 28th December 2020

Sunday 27th December 2020

Saturday 26th December 2020

Friday 25th December 2020

Thursday 24th December 2020

Wednesday 23rd December 2020

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

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