Blog Posts

Friday 8th January 2021

8/1/2021

Church Building Closure
I am sure many of you have already heard the news that Church Buildings will be closed on Sunday for the next 4 weeks because of the rapid spread of Coronavirus. You can still join us on Burnside At Home or listen via the Local Rate Telephone Line - 028 9344 7199
This situation will be kept under review.

Beside The Burn
We have completed our studies on the 12 Days Of Christmas, today we will look at an encounter with Jesus from Luke 5. Today the Paralysed Man lowered through the roof.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for the Vaccine programme as it rolls out in the residential and nursing sector and to the vulnerable groups in our congregations and communities. Give thanks for the unsung heroes in all our congregations and Council for Social Witness – those who keep in touch by phone, video calls, write letters, drop in gifts of goodies and actively pray.

Schools
Pray that a consultation proposing changes to Special Educational Needs provision in Northern Ireland would find ways to ensure that all children have an opportunity to realise their full potential.

Bible Biogs - Ep 32. Nehemiah (30 minute Audio)
• Why was he so trustworthy even to a pagan king? • What drove him to lead a superfast rebuilding of a ruined holy city? • How did his servant heart transform life for others?
Find out more here -
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21333/300587

Queen’s Speech
This is an interesting article looking at how the Queen expresses her faith in her annual Christmas Message.

https://gracetruth.blog/2020/12/26/the-queen-gives-us-a-model-of-how-to-talk-about-faith-publicly/?fbclid=IwAR19SogxlnitUvMzDcnZLScJYIloJwHZEs_zs3ZJ_LxcFeFVeloU821sx-Q

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:19
Derek 3:24

The puzzle is always a little more difficult on a Friday
The colours are all quite similar in this sunset.
Play the "Sunset Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0c1dee5b347d

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Thursday 7th January 2021

7/1/2021

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Beside The Burn
We have completed our studies on the 12 Days Of Christmas, today and tomorrow we will look at two encounters with Jesus from Luke 5. Today the man with Leprosy and tomorrow the Paralysed Man lowered through the roof.

Let’s Pray For International Meeting Point
Give thanks for the generous gifts that enabled the Meeting Point to provide food vouchers to those in need, instead of providing a Christmas dinner this year.

International Meeting Point (Op Shop)
The shop has been very busy recently with many families finding Christmas particularly hard. Give thanks for the daily opportunities to pray and witness with customers. Give thanks too for Frances and volunteers who work in the shop, and for all who donate items.

Incarnation (40 minute Audio)
'Veiled in flesh the God head see, Hail the incarnate deity!’
We all know the words, but what do they mean? Paul Hammond sits down with Dr. Sharon Prentis to discuss the mystery of how Jesus was both fully God and fully Man!
https://t.co/j4WGcBlPMG

Keswick Convention
The link below will allow you to listen to or watch talks from the Keswick Convention in years past.
https://keswickministries.org/talks-library/

Emily Owen (30 minute video)
How do you trust God when faced with life-changing hearing loss and surgery? Watch the powerful testimony of author and speaker Emily Owen about how God supported her through five brain surgeries, 2 spinal surgeries and 20 other operations to remove beneign tumours.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/239634

Hope
The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity—hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory—because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.
—J.I. Packer

Heroes Of The Faith - CS Lewis
Any time spent in the company of CS Lewis is well spent.
Read J.John’s thoughts on CS Lewis
https://canonjjohn.com/2021/01/02/heroes-of-the-faith-c-s-lewis/
Listen to the Podcast
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/847bb348-6ae7-45fc-9ea9-305cf2d0a7e6

Mike Reeves
The loss of the fear of God is what ushered in our modern age of anxiety, but the fear of God is the very antidote to our fretfulness.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 2:15
Derek 3:20

Play the "White Rocks Thursday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=34bcebb27988

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Wednesday 6th January 2021

6/1/2021

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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. Today we come to the end of the 12 Days Of Christmas, so as a special treat as well as the bible study we have this unique version of the song with John Denver and a few friends.

Let’s Pray For Stephen and Angelina Cowan (Global mission workers)
Pray for Angelina Cowan and her daughter Annissa who will be returning to Kenya this weekend and reuniting with Stephen. Pray for safe and trouble-free travel for Angelina as she returns to Tuum and Annissa as she returns to boarding school.

Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA)
Pray for PCEA’s congregations (over 1,000 in Kenya and a small number in Tanzania and Uganda). Pray that the church will continue to grow.

J.John (28 minute video)
Join J.John for the first of a three-part series on Faith, Hope and Love.

Christian Unions Ireland
1st – 8th January
– Stranmillis had their events week HUMAN in lockdown on 10th – 12th November, during which they had a week of online events and evening events in person focused on what it means to be human, and sharing the hope of the gospel into this theme. Pray for all the students who brought their friends– that their friends would above all come to know the tangible hope that exists in Jesus
– Pray for the follow up of CU’s carol services – that students would continue to engage in conversations with friends and family following perhaps the biggest outreach event of the year.

European Mission Fellowship
Prayer Guide for January & Newsletter

emf_prayer_2021_01_pd.pdf
File Size:	470 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

emf_2021_01_news.pdf
File Size:	621 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Setting Goals For 2021
The start of a new year is a perfect time to reevaluate your habits and routines. Here are 3 Questions to ask for setting God-Centered goals for 2021.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-questions-god-centered-goals/

Presbyterian Church In Ireland Blog
You may have missed some of the contributions to the PCI Blog over the past year. Here is a link to allow you to browse some of the articles
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog.aspx

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw

Jean 3:02
Derek 3:15

Another puzzle of Mussenden.
Play the "Mussenden Wednesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=33bdc9386bdb

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Tuesday 5th January 2021

4/1/2021

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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. Day 11

All the studies on the 12 Days Of Christmas so far are available at this link
https://burnsidechurch.weebly.com/blog-bstb/12-days-of-christmas-beside-the-burn

Let’s Pray For David Boyd (Irish mission worker in Dublin)
Give thanks and pray for the International Café which now runs events online. Pray for David as he does a Bible study with one of the girls who attended the events. Pray too for the 3D Groups as they meet online and as they prepare for mission after the pandemic.

Hazel Reid (Deaconess in First Broughshane)
Pray for God’s guidance and encouragement for Hazel. Pray for her as she adapts to her ministry due to the restrictions and seeks opportunities to share her faith.

Wilma’s Thoughts On Tuesday
For one week only Wilma is providing her thoughts.
She sent me the following page from a 1997 edition of the Wider World.
Wilma introduced it by saying,
“In the Moderator’s Sermon on Sunday (Sunday 27th December 2020) he mentioned his Christmas Card and the meaning in it. I recalled the following which you might wish to include in your blog. A one off!”

Abide With Me
A recording by Keith and Kristyn Getty from their recent Evensong recording.

New City Catechism
After a break for a couple of weeks we return with Question 11.

What Does God Require in the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Commandments?
Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else, nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit.

Nicodemus (30 minute Audio)
Why did he arrange a private night-time meeting with Jesus?
What is the fundamental question that Jesus answers?
What remarkable impact did Jesus have on Nicodemus?
Find out in this episode of Bible Biogs, now on UCB Player!
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21333/314007

Christian Institute Review of The Year (10minute video)
The Christian Institute has been working hard to promote biblical Christianity in the public square and to defend Christian freedom in 2020. This is a review of issues that made the headlines in this challenging year.

Bible Biogs - Ep 48. Paul (30 minute audio)
• How did a convinced persecutor of Christians become a history-shaping Christian himself? • Why did his lengthy trips by land and sea change the world forever? • What drove him to explain his transformed life with everyone he met?
Find out in this episode of Bible Biogs!
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21333/319360

Getty Family
This article appeared in the Belfast Telegraph over the weekend.

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 2:03
Derek 3:50

Another photo of one of the vintage Citroens that stopped on the Strand a couple of years ago. They had driven all the way from France and were touring Ireland.

Play the "Citroen Tuesday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=1b62b5593a56

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Monday 4th January 2021

4/1/2021

1 Comment

Let’s Pray For Peter and Valerie Lockwood (Global mission workers)
Pray for Peter as he serves as Programme Advisor with United Mission to Nepal (UMN). Pray for UMN’s community development work - all its programmes were redesigned due to the pandemic. Pray too for good health for the Lockwood family.

United Mission to Nepal (UMN)
Pray for the stability of UMN’s continuing hospital and programme work and for the successful renewal of all the necessary agreements with the government of Nepal.

New Year, New Life
On Sunday we looked at the transformation of Levi, here is the service in case you missed it.

GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
New Scottish Hymns Band

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.
Here is one for New Year.

Free Book On Revival
Sign up for the monthly Renewal Ministries newsletter and get a free download of Ray Ortland’s book on revival, "When God Comes To Church."
https://renewalministries.com/newsletter/

European Mission Fellowship (1 Minute Video)
Many of you will know Phil Dunn from his frequent visits to Burnside, in this video he sends a thank you message to all who have supported the Mission during this year.

Thank you to supporters from European Mission Fellowship on Vimeo.

Living With It
Rev David Thompson, Secretary of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness, reflects on life as we enter the new year and highlights some particular support for congregations for the months that lie ahead.
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Blog/December/Living-with-it.aspx

Jigsaw
Try out our Jigsaw puzzle for today.

Play the "Barmouth Monday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=312d5be29bd1

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Sunday 3rd January 2021 BTB

3/1/2021

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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 Moderator
This week will (DV) include many new beginnings, including a minister’s installation, a General Council meeting planning for the year ahead and interviews for a vacant post. Thank God that the work of the Church goes on.

First Sunday of a new year
Today as we worship on the first Sunday of a new year, ask God to help us to do so with anticipation that he goes with us and before us into the future.

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Saturday 2nd January 2021

2/1/2021

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A shorter than usual blog today for the weekend.

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 members of staff, both those who work centrally for PCI and those who work in our congregations, that the period immediately after Christmas might be a time for rest and renewal in body, mind and spirit.

Council for Training in Ministry
The two panels of Union College Management Committee meet on Monday 4 January -
the Teaching and Learning Panel, and the Finance Property and Administration Panel. Give thanks for those who serve on these, and pray that the Lord would use them in the teaching and oversight of the College.

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Friday 1st January 2021

1/1/2021

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Blessed New Year
At the start of a New Year I pray that you may know God’s blessing for the year ahead. We do not know what 2021 has in store but we do know with confidence that God will be with us, just as he has been with us during the year that has passed. Just because we have entered a new year does not mean that everything from 2020 has been left behind, there are still many challenges ahead but we have a faithful God who is sovereign.

Below is a poem, “God Knows” which is more commonly known as “The Gate Of The Year” which was quoted by King George VI in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire. The poem was given to him by his daughter the young Princess Elizabeth aged 13.

THE GATE OF THE YEAR
‘God Knows'

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart be still:
What need our little life
Our human life to know,
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low,
God hideth His intention.

God knows. His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision,
Are clear to God. Our fears
Are premature; In Him,
All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill

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 Social Witness
Pray for all those who have worked over Christmas in the Health & Care Sector, that they may find rest and respite in the comings days. Give thanks that the true love and spirit of Christmas has shown in our homes and units in so many ways in a Christmas Season that was like no other.

Government
Pray for political leaders in Dublin, Belfast and London, for good relationships across the islands and as they continue to manage the Covid-19 crisis. Pray for wisdom and decision-making that promotes the common good.

Church Leaders’ New Year Message
As 2021 begins, many people will be hopeful for a brighter and safer future. The pandemic of 2020 brought grief, anxiety and uncertainty, as well as economic loss and disruption of livelihoods. Many aspects of life that we had taken for granted, like visiting loved ones in nursing homes, or popping in to a see a friend, suddenly changed...
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/10328/church-leaders-new-year-message?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=churchofireland

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
New Scottish Hymns Band

FOMO
This may not be the Christmas present we’d expect. But it’s the present we most need. And it all begins with the arrival of this baby.
Read more from Sam Albert here -
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-christmas-is-the-antidote-to-fomo/

Jigsaw
The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw
Jean 2:59

Another Larger puzzle for the Weekend.
Play the "Harbour Hill Friday" puzzle!
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3735267810a9

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Thursday 31st December 2020

31/12/2020

1 Comment

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

1 Comment

Wednesday 30th December 2020

30/12/2020

1 Comment

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