Today is Monday, and this is the week of the year when many traditionally complain that they can’t get out of their houses, while many others of us put on a raincoat and go and stand around the triangle. This year the roads are not closed but everything else is. We are entering week 8 of lockdown and David Thompson in Tides today provides us with some encouragement if we are feeling weary. Of course not everyone is weary with Lockdown, some people are coping well, but these words are still a great comfort.
David writes
The coronavirus is such a big thing to us, but not something by which God feels at all overwhelmed. He sits on high reigning over all the earth. He can bring about change at will. Every night he brings the stars out to shine. And he reminds us that he hasn’t lost track of our situation. Even though he is the everlasting God he cares about us and our personal circumstances. We might be tired and wearied by it all, but he isn’t. He promises strength for each day, power in our weakness. So let’s refresh our hope in the LORD, renew our strength, run again with perseverance.
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, … 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-30
What is our response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, this hymn written as a response says we should Fear The Lord. Perhaps this is not the message that our modern world wants to hear, but it is timely advice.
As churches across Ireland remain closed today, due to the current Coronavirus emergency, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr William Henry, begins a short four-part series of sermons entitled ‘Hope beyond lockdown’.
Recorded in his home congregation, Maze Presbyterian earlier this week, Dr Henry said, “I’ve entitled this series ‘Hope beyond Lockdown’ as I will be focusing on things that are important to all of us a church. They are the things that we miss because we are in a period of lockdown and are the aspects of church that we should be desiring to get back to. Indeed, it is the hope of these experiences that creates the desire to be church together.”
The Talks Library is now online. You can find a great selection of Convention talks from previous years - for free. Enjoy! These are the talks from the Convention in Keswick.
https://keswickministries.org/talks-library/
Ben and Hannah Dunnett produce gifts and cards in modern eye catching designs. Each design is created around a verse or even a passage of scripture. Check out their range of products.
https://www.benandhannahdunnett.com/new-arrivals/
Churches in PCI, continue to provide a wide range of online resources to their congregations – including services on a Sunday. To visit an even increasing list visit the website https://bit.ly/2zNRMqo
The coronavirus has created more people vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers—and the world is unpreparedness to protect them. A fascinating article on how the Coronavirus Pandemic has impacted human trafficking.
https://buff.ly/3aQiNpZ
For those of you who are missing the PW Annual conference, outgoing PW President Karen Craig reflects on her year in office and incoming President Heather Clements (you may remember Heather speaking at our last morning service in Burnside) looks forward to what lies ahead.
https://bit.ly/35yKvXp
Well done to everyone who guessed that the bench was at , half way along the path from The Crescent to The Strand. You can see it in context here.
Today I am combining the Jigsaw with the Where Is it?
All you have to do is complete the Jigsaw and tell me where the mystery person is.
(Clue - It is not in Portstewart but you should still recognise the building)
Apologies for the shocking nature of the photo.
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3ce1f8e6f34c