Easter Sunday was very unusual, normally a time when we welcome lots of visitors into our church, this year empty. In a way it was great to see our town so empty over Easter after all the fears that holiday makers would seek a day out at the coast. Below there is a photo which Shelia’s Sweet Shop on the Promenade posted of the difference between Easter Sunday evening last year and this year.
Here is a little friendly advice - make sure you don’t ever pretend that you have watched the online service. My mum has been enjoying “seeing” me each week and has been telling me how much she enjoys the online services. On Sunday evening she asked me if I had got any Easter Eggs this year, (Good job she hadn’t told me that she had watched the Easter Sunday Service, she was going to watch it after then phone call) I’m thinking of including little details in the services now just to check if she is watching.
Easter Sunday Service here -
https://burnsidechurch.weebly.com/burnside-sermons/worship-for-sunday-12th-april-2020-easter-sunday
The Story Of Easter
Third in the series of Children’s animations - the Sacrifice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL8R158Ujp4
Scripture Union Holiday Club
SU Holiday Clubs are not able to take place this Easter but if you have any children who would like some activities during the Easter holiday, SU have produced videos to provide a Holiday Club at Home. Below is the link to Session One and there are more to follow.
https://scriptureunion.ie/su-plus/easter-kids-session-one
Where Is God In A Coronavirus World?
A few days ago I told you about a new book by Prof. John Lennox, below is an interview on YouTube which he gave about the new book.
https://youtu.be/I7secq-6YqA
The Challenges Of Social Distancing
There are lots of challenges incorporated into social distancing and staying at home. The other day I was thinking, if you were allowed to do one thing, that you currently aren’t allowed to do, what would you choose? Only one thing, what would be most important to you. The first week of lockdown I was making a pastoral call (on the phone) and I was asked, “What are you going to do when you need a hair cut?” Since then I have given this a lot of thought, (perhaps more thought than it deserves). Martin Lewis (money saving expert) this week had an article about how to cut your own hair, along with links to YouTube videos. Here is the link to the article, just in case any of you are in a similar dilemma. Keep an eye on the online services to see how desperate I become.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/team-blog/2020/04/diy-haircut-tips/
(Do not try this at home - but if you do I would love to see the results!)
Girls’ Brigade
Girls’ Brigade have produced a comprehensive booklet of resources for girls.
https://gbni.co.uk/getattachment/What-We-Do/resources4home/Resources4Home.pdf.aspx?lang=en-GB
Portstewart
I know some of you are stuck at home and not getting out, and some of you are far away from Portstewart and longing to go for a walk. I’ll end with a few pictures I took on my walk on Saturday. It was a lovely day and very very quiet. Stay safe everyone!