Please note there will be no Blog next week, returning on Monday 4th November 2024
More details about the Advent Devotional Book in the video below and at the bottom of Blog
Each week day this Blog contains prayer topics, articles, a short devotional video and a Jigsaw
There are also links below to the previous Blogs this week, so that you and catch up on any that you have missed.
Read Monday’s Blog Here
Read Tuesday’s Blog Here
Read Wednesday’s Blog Here
Read Thursday’s Blog Here
Beside The Burn
A short devotional video (Above) to watch each day.
Or listen to via the Podcast software on your phone https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/burnside
At the moment we are reminding ourselves of some of the things we have been learning from God’s word this year.
Let’s Pray For Council for Social Witness (CSW) Please pray for Jonathan McGookin, CSW’s recently appointed Training Manager. Remember Jonathan as he goes out to all of the CSW Services to facilitate training sessions for staff. Give thanks for thisappointment which enables CSW to equip staff with quality training to provide the best service possible to residents and tenants. Pray that Jonathan settles into his post and forms strong relationships with both managers and staff within our services.
EducationPlease pray for the Stormont Education Committee as they continue their mini-inquiry on RSE in Northern Ireland Schools. Pray that they will take into consideration any representations made by PCI and that these will positively influence the Committee ensuring that young people receive excellent RSE teaching.
General CouncilPray for the conveners and staff members responsible for following up on the decisions taken at the recent meetings of the General Assembly committees and panels. Pray especially for those carrying a heavy administrative workload as they ensure that decisions taken are implemented.
Training in MinistryThe Ministerial Studies and Development Committee oversees the training pathways of trainee ministers, and their congregational placements. Pray for the committee and for its convener, Rev Eddie Chestnutt. Pray too, for Prof David Leach, the Professor of Ministry. Ask God to give wisdom in all of the decisions about the training of students
Word For Today
You may well have the printed copy of the Word For Today but you can also read it at the link below.
https://www.ucbireland.ie/word-for-today/todays-word-for-today/
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Please note that there could be some additional articles or videos after the Jigsaw.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Details of the book this year are below
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Jigsaw
Best Times For Yesterday’s Puzzle:
Jean 3:28
Eddie 3:37
Derek 4:18
Play the "THIRLMERE Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=127005a0e2b9
This year we will be using the book “Sing In Exhaltation” by Jonathan Laundry Cruse to guide us through the Advent Season. There will be a supporting podcast each day on the Church Blog.
On Sunday there will be a sheet to sign so that we can order the books in time for December.
Buying the books in bulk will result in significant discounts so please consider also buying for friends and family as a meaningful gift this year.
The books are £7 each but if we order multiple copies the price reduces (£5 each for 10) (£4 each for 25) (£2 each for 50) (£1 each for 100)
You can read a sample here Sing In Exhultation
From the 10 of Those Website:
Carol singing is as indispensable to the festive season as decking the halls and swapping gifts. This little book contains 25 advent devotions, each unpacking a verse from a well-known carol, uncovering riches in the familiar words we love to sing each December.
Beginning with Scripture’s first hint of Jesus’ coming, and sweeping through to lyrics rejoicing in the hope of His return, these daily devotions not only give us a deeper appreciation for each carol, but a deeper appreciation for Christ this Christmas.
Selected Commendations:
"Each year, the carols of Christmas sound in our ears, even as their words fill our mouths. Yet, the great aim of these carols is left undone if that is where they remain; their message is meant to fill our hearts. Jonathan Cruse’s Christmas’ devotional, Sing in Exultation!, promotes this great end with brief and encouraging explanations, searching questions, and poignant prayers. Be prepared to have your understanding of famous Christmas carols expanded and your worship of Whom they sing enflamed."
Jason Helopoulos, pastor, University Reformed Church, Lansing, Michigan
"The Apostle Paul encourages us to sing in the Spirit with understanding. In this short book, Jonathan helps us to do just that, as he explains the meaning behind the words of our favorite (and now too familiar) Advent hymns and Christmas carols. This book will help you tune your heart (and mind) to the melody (and mystery) of the gospel, expressed so beautifully in the songs we sing each Advent and Christmas season."
Jonny Gibson, associate professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
"A rare treat: a devotional that is both rich in content and manageable for daily use! Christmas is a time for singing. This little work will help individuals and families see the good news woven into our favourite carols is both biblical and heart-warming. A wonderful way to sing your way through Advent."
Jonty Rhodes, Minister, Christ Church Central, Leeds
"Christmas carols aren't just picturesque; they contain deep Christian teaching. In this little book, Jonathan Landry Cruse organizes twenty-five carol excerpts into an Advent calendar of reflections, each ornamented with Scripture and prayer. Let this be your guide through the month of December, as you treasure up the mystery of the incarnation and ponder it in your heart."
Josh Bauder, Composer