Newsletter - Sunday 12th November 2023

Dear Friends of Burnside,


This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and we will begin our service of worship with an Act Of Remembrance. We also continue our short series on the church, this time - The World Says “The Church Is Dying” But Jesus Says “I Am The Resurrection And The Life”, turning to John 11:1-44.


Weekly Newsletter
This Newsletter is also available on the church website each week. www.burnsidepci.co.uk


Shoebox Appeal
Thank you to everyone who has been involved with the Shoebox appeal this year. Janice and Francis for organising and everyone who filled boxes. 


Remembrance Service On Promenade
There will be a short Act Of Remembrance at the War Memorial on the Promenade conducted by Richard on Saturday starting at 10:50am. Everyone is invited to attend.


Communion 
Our November Communion Season is approaching and here are the dates and times.
7:00pm Wednesday 15th November 2023 - Communion Preparation Service and admitting new members.
11:00am Sunday 19th November 2023 - Communion Service  
7:00pm Sunday 19th November 2023 - Communion Thanksgiving Service
If anyone would like to join the church by transfer or by professing faith please let me know.
Please note with our new elders now ordained the district lists are being amended.


PW
2:00pm This Monday 13th November 2023 with Neville McCormick from the Barnabas Fund. I had the privilege of meeting with Neville recently and hearing about this fascinating work which supports persecuted Christians financially. Many people when they turn to Christ, are living in countries where they are shunned by their families and they can no longer gain employment. Barnabas Fund enables them to develop new sources of income and get out of debt. All ladies are very welcome.


Friendship Hour
2:00pm Tuesday 21st November 2023. John Gilmour will be sharing “Remembrance” - Non-Combatants at War. The story of Brigadier John Alexander Sinton, VC OBE, FRS, DL. Everyone Welcome. 


Christmas Meal
The PW and Friendship Hour will be joining together for Christmas dinner at the Lodge Hotel, 12:30pm Tuesday 12th December 2023. Cost is £20 and menu options can be obtained from Anne Freeman or Helen Murphy. Everyone is welcome to attend even if you don’t normally attend either organisation.


Blood Donation Session
Wednesday 6th December 2023
In:  Burnside Presbyterian Church Hall - Portstewart
Session hours:  12.30pm – 4pm & 5pm – 7.30pm


Girls’ Brigade
GB continues this Tuesday.
Explorers (3-7 year olds) 6pm-7pm
Company section (8 - 18year olds) 7pm- 8.15pm


Bowling Club
7:15pm Monday & Thursday. New members will be very welcome.


Prayer Meeting
Continues this Wednesday at 9:30am in Minor Hall


Community Cafe - Drop-In
The Drop-In continues on Thursday 10:30am - 12noon. Do invite others to come and join us. Free tea/Coffee scones and biscuits.


Committee Update
Some information after the Committee Meeting this week.
Treasurer
We are delighted that Lynne McGowan has been appointed as the Congregational Treasurer and we want to thank Francis Kerr for 11 years of service in the post.
Offering 
From Sunday 19th November we will be returning to passing the offering plates along the pews as we did pre-Covid. Obviously many people now give through Standing Orders and we ask you to simply pass the plate along the pew.
Finances
Thank you for prayerfully considering the finances of our church during the past couple of months and we can report that at the present increased rate we should be able to meet all of our obligations at the end of the year.
United Appeal
There is still an opportunity to give towards the United Appeal of the Presbyterian Church (Envelopes are available in the vestibule) Our target this year is £5262 and so far £4545 has been received.
Property
The refurbishment of the two circular stained glass windows is almost complete, there are five panels that require further work and will be fitted  mid-December.
In response to suggestions from the congregation, Committee have decided in the New Year to complete the work on the entrance steps by including the rest of the paved area on either side of the new paving stones.
Defibrillator Training
In the new year we will be providing training on the use of the Defibrillator. Training will take 2 hours and we will have a date soon and would like representatives from as many organisations as possible.
Title Deeds
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday, 10th December 2023, immediately after the close of public worship when the appointment of new congregational trustees for church property will be made by members of the congregation duly qualified to vote.
The current holding trustee is the  Education Board of the Presbytery of Coleraine And Limavady. Education Boards will soon cease to act as holding trustees for congregational property and a new company “The Presbyterian Church In Ireland Holding Trustee Company” has been formed and by a decision of the congregation we can move our title deeds to the new company.


PCI Calendar
The PCI Calendar is available for order (See Richard) Featuring verses of Scripture and scenes from around the church Cost is £5


The Burnside Blog
The Blog continues every weekday, there will be a short devotional Podcast/Video some topics for prayer, articles to read, music to listen to and Jigsaws to puzzle you.


Gospel Concert
A Gospel Concert will be held in Largy Community Hall on Friday 24th November at 7.30 p.m. Guests include Drumachose music group, Jennifer Lapsley, William Sayers, Brian Rankin, Eva McClements and the Makariuk family. Compere: Ken McCaughey. Admission: £10 (adults) and £5 (children). Everyone welcome. 


Podcast
The daily devotional is also available as a Podcast and you can subscribe for free using your podcast software on your phone or tablet.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/burnside
 
Livestream Of Service
If you aren’t able to join with us on Sunday you can watch the Livestream at anytime throughout the week.


https://burnsidechurch.weebly.com/sermons/sunday-12th-november-2023


I pray that you may know the Lord’s blessing this week.


Richard