Friday 27th November 2020

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.    

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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”.

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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’.

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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

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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