Newsletter - Sunday 3rd December 2023

Dear Friends of Burnside,


This week is the first Sunday of Advent. We invite you to be Fixated on Jesus as we begin a journey through the first half of Hebrews. This week we begin with Hebrews 1:1-4. Join us at 11:00am and the each day on the website for an Advent Devotional.


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


Christmas Services
Sunday 3rd December - 11:00am Advent Week 1 - Fixated
Sunday 10th December - 11:00am Advent Week 2 - Fixated
Sunday 17th December - 11:00am Advent Week 3 - Fixated
                            7:00pm Carol Service
Sunday 24th December - 11:00am Christmas Eve Service
Monday 25th December 10:00am Christmas Morning Servivce
Sunday 31st December 11:00am New Year’s Eve Service


Choir Practices
Choir practices begin this Sunday after the morning service in preparation for Christmas. If you would like to sing in the choir then please wait behind.


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
This week 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.


Christian Unions Ireland
The North West Prayer Supporters Group will meet on Sunday evening at 8:15pm in the Minor Hall. Come along to hear about and pray for the Students Christian Unions in the North West. Everyone Welcome.


Advent Blog Series
This year starting on the 1st December and throughout Advent we are going to read the first half of the book of Hebrews using Tim Chester’s book “Fixated” as our guide. (We will explore the second half of Hebrews during Lent guided by Tim’s other book “Forgiven”) Daily videos will be on the church Blog.
Buy on Amazon (£7.79)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fixated-Advent-Meditations-Book-Hebrews/dp/1913278956
Or Buy From “Ten Of Those” (£4.99) ebook also available.
https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781913278953/fixated-paperback


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 
We have now returned to passing the offering plates along the pews as we did pre-Covid. Obviously many people now give through Standing Orders (which is much more convenient for banking) and we ask you to simply pass the plate along the pew.
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.


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.


COUNTERPOINT CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT                                                  Friday 1st December at 7.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Coleraine.
Special Guests: Joanna Higgins (soprano), Cheryl McCay (Cello),                    Julie McClelland (Piano) Tim Cairns (Flute), Adrian Millar (Trumpet) & Andrew Harrison (Organ). Suggested subscription £10 payable at the door.


Barnabas Aid
Neville from Barnabas Aid was speaking at the PW this month and if you would like to bring dried food to provide Hope and Aid for Suffering Christians, contributions can be left in the vestibule. You can bring Rice, Salt, Sugar, Lentils, Chickpeas etc. Nothing in tins and nothing containing liquid, oil or animal products. More details in the vestibule.


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 Services
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-3rd-december-2023


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


Richard