STAYING CONNECTED
These are unprecedented, challenging and worrying times, but not outside the sovereignty of a God we can trust nor the scope of neighbours we can love. We've created this section on our website to collate various pieces of information and resources for this time. We trust it will be useful to you.
LISTEN TO SERVICES VIA PHONE
We have created a facility for those without internet access to listen to our weekly services: 013 1510 6310 calls are charged at the caller's normal rate - hopefully for free.
We have created a facility for those without internet access to listen to our weekly services: 013 1510 6310 calls are charged at the caller's normal rate - hopefully for free.
SUNDAY MORNING @ 11:00 - Church AT home
| col_2_v6-15_churchathome.pdf |
Church at Home Transcript 31/5/2020
visit our youtube channel for previous videos
Please make use of the pdf resource as you and your household join in the island wide call to prayer.
| a_call_to_pray_document.pdf |
COVID-19In this moment...
A prayer for a church apart when it is usually assembled Sole King and Head of the church, in this our annual week of General Assembly, we bow before you, a church strangely apart. This year there will be no opening night, sharing of bread and wine in silent communion, rousing singing at the Wednesday night rally, catching up with familiar faces in the coffee queue. We are experiencing a twenty first century disruption to our Presbyterian ways, caused by threat to public health, rather than theological principle. And yet, this year, we find ourselves curiously more drawn together than ever, not in one place, for one week, but as one people, to witness as one, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, in shared circumstances across the whole island. We look again to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for in you, and for you, all things were created, even life in lockdown and vaccines for viruses. You reign in heaven and earth, unpanicked in the face of pandemic. In these uncertain times, still shaken governments north, south, east and west, bow envious of the power of your kingdom, which doesn’t falter and cannot fail. You hold all things together, even when they feel like they might be falling apart. And you are the head of this body, the church - this church, our church, as we like to call it, even though we know it is really yours. Yours to lead, guide, direct, correct in this moment, because, glorious firstborn from among the dead, in everything you have the supremacy. Amen Sunday 31 May | Enjoying God • As congregations gather online for worship today, pray for the outgoing Moderator, Dr William Henry as he leads his final service for the wider church. Pray that this would be a significant moment as the church reflects on his theme, ‘Enjoying God’. • Pray for the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben and the Deputy Clerk, Rev Jim Stothers as they prepare themselves for meetings of the Standing Commission of the General Assembly during this week. Pray that even though the full General Assembly cannot meet, God would guide this Commission in its work. Monday 1 June | New Moderator • Pray for the Moderator-Designate, David Bruce, his wife Zoe and their family, as David is installed as Moderator this evening. Pray that the service will prove to be an uplifting moment for him and the wider church as he takes on this new role for the year. • Pray for Global Mission Workers, and PCI’s Global Mission Partner churches who will have hoped and planned to send delegates to the General Assembly this week. As they may be watching the opening night event online, pray for an increasing sense of fellowship and belonging across the Presbyterian family. Tuesday 2 June | Standing Commission of the General Assembly • The Standing Commission of the General Assembly will meet today and tomorrow. Pray for its work in determining ways forward on some essential items of business, and for wisdom in considering how the church may manage its work through the current restrictions. • Pray for David Bruce as he responds to invitations to represent the church’s views on a wide variety of issues in the media this week. Pray for PCI’s Press Officer, Mark Smith as he prepares press releases, and offers advice to those asked for comment on behalf of the church. Wednesday 3 June | Standing Commission of the General Assembly • The meetings of the Standing Commission of the General Assembly continue today. Pray for Conveners of PCI Councils and Committees who may be speaking to reports, that they be given clarity in presenting their work for decision, and that these decisions would honour God, and assist the church in fulfilling its calling in the world. • Pray for those responsible for the management of the finances of the church, both treasurers in congregations and PCI’s Financial Secretary, Clive Knox and the Committees he supports. Pray that the financial capacity of the church to continue its work would not be curtailed during the current crisis. Thursday 4 June | PCI Care Homes • Pray for the vital work of the Council for Social Witness, and specifically its work in Residential Homes which may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Give thanks for the dedicated and skilled work of staff in PCI’s care homes, and for their dedicated Christian witness. • Pray for the work of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness, in seeking to support and resource the work of local churches throughout Ireland. When conferences and other meetings cannot take place, give thanks for the new and imaginative ways the Council is seeking to do its work. Friday 5 June | Global and Irish mission • Pray for the work of the Council for Global Mission, and specifically in its current support for Global Mission Workers, some of whom have returned to Ireland while others remain in their overseas locations. Pray for the safety of overseas staff, far from home. • Pray for the work of the Council for Mission in Ireland acting in support of the Home Mission, Irish Mission, Chaplaincy and other aspects of the Church’s outward face at home. Pray that the important work of reimagining PCI’s mission in light of current events will bear fruit in coming years. Saturday 6 June | Online worship • As the first of the new Moderator’s online worship services will be available tomorrow morning, pray for the team working on these services each week, including the technical people, musicians, readers and other participants. Pray that God would be honoured through these services each week. • Thank God that He is Lord of his Church – that nothing can change this, and that even though there has been much to disrupt what we do, he remains in control of everything. Pray that his people would be given the gift of faith to “be sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see”. (Hebrews 11:1) |
OVERSEAS MISSIONPrayer Points for the Orme's
All change…? When we sent our last prayer letter in February, we were watching the unfolding virus drama in China and on a cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama. We had no idea of how it would develop over the next days and weeks. At the end of February Anna’s school, along with schools across the country, was asked to close until spring break. The borders in Japan were gradually tightened until only Japanese citizens and a very few visa holders were allowed to enter the country and the Tokyo Olympics were eventually postponed until 2021. But so far, the disruption to daily life here in northern Japan has been minimal in comparison to what many of you are living through. Work carried on, most meetings could continue with only particularly large gatherings or those involving children been kept off school being stopped. OMF Japan has postponed our biannual field conference and we met for an online “team day” last Tuesday. I am unable to travel to the offices for IT work, but most of my IT work is now ensuring most of our staff and support missionaries can work from home. Yet, as we watch the numbers grow on the news, the severe response we have seen many of you enduring has yet to come in Japan. We are praying for you, for your families and churches. Please pray for us too, as things unfold we may need to join you in figuring out how to worship and gather, how to minister to our neighbours and community and how to share the good news in new ways. Home Assignment Plans Please particularly pray for our home assignment plans. We are due to return to Northern Ireland from August for a year of home assignment. We are still making plans to do so. Almost all of our practical needs have been met even without our doing very much – we are very grateful for a proactive church family! But our plans for a car on HA have fallen through, NI is difficult to work in without a car, so please pray with us that we will find one! But more than that please pray for a lot of wisdom and guidance as we book flights and plan to travel in the current global situation! Pastor Micah and Noriko Our pastor celebrated his wedding last week with a much smaller (but just as joyful!) celebration than first planned. Please pray for Micah, Noriko and Rei (Noriko’s daughter) as they start their new life together. Please continue to pray for the church to support them well. Pray for Japan - Easter Next Sunday (12th) is Easter Sunday - the day that we celebrate Jesus resurrection as he overcame sin and death to bring eternal life to all who trust in him. In the midst of all this uncertainty and fear we have hope and are secure in Christ! Pray that the uncertainty and fear of COVID-19 would bring opportunity to share about the hope we have in Christ. Pray that this Easter, many will find new hope and peace in the Lord. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. - Psalm 46:10-11 Prayer Points for Wilson & Irene Tuesday 29th April we said goodbye to my mother. My brother William was able to be with her and I was able to speak to her by phone just before she died. We had said goodbye to her at least 3 times in the previous 4 months, but each time she would defy the medics and rally to live another month! The Lord knew I would not be able to return home in June, as we had planned, and I believe that He orchestrated my trip home in January. I spent a week with her in her own home and she was well enough to visit her sisters for lunch and Coleman’s for coffee. The day after I returned to the Philippines she was admitted to hospital and never returned home. We were able to watch her funeral by zoom which helped to bring closure in our lives. These are peculiar days filled with both danger and opportunity. The danger of the corona virus is everywhere. Nowhere in the world has escaped. Yet it has also provided incredible opportunities to share the gospel online, via social media and through conversations we ordinarily do not take the time to do. God is still at work in our world and because of the virus, talking about death is not so unusual. Environmentally, without air traffic and reduced carbon monoxide emissions, we are able to see blues skies in Manila, mountains in the Visayas and the air is so much cleaner. Let us pray that we will value these things and preserve them after the covid19 crisis has passed. This is the last week of classes at KTS. We hope to have a zoom worship service to mark the end of the semester. The remainder of May will be spent marking assignments and preparing for summer classes, also via zoom, which will begin in June. Wilson will teach a class on contextualization in mission and the other 3 classes will be taught by other faculty colleagues. The library is finished. All that remains is for the books and shelves to be returned to their beautiful new home. This was a major operation and we are so grateful for Jun, the janitor at KTS who did the lion’s share of the work. This marks another milestone in what is an ongoing project in the facelift of the seminary. On 20th April Irene was inducted as director of OMF in the Philippines. Her primary responsibilities will be to lead the centre through a time of transition, so she has assumed the title, Director of Transition (…the dot). Three significant changes have taken place in the past 20 years creating the need for a new paradigm in mission: 1.Mission is no longer from the West to the rest, it is everyone to everywhere: 2.The increased education and wealth in the Philippines has created a fast growing middle class. This has resulted in a loosening of the traditional religious anchors in cities. It is also associated with the growth of the evangelical church which is estimated somewhere between 7% and 14%. 3.The diversity of the OMF team: twenty years ago the team was predominantly white and western. Today we have British, Filipino, Chinese Canadians, Fil-Australian, Chinese American, Fil-Canadian and several mixed marriages. This diversity brings a richness of ideas and creativity, but it also brings communication and cultural challenges. Pray for Irene as she tries to unite the team under a common vision, utilizing the vast array of gifting and talent. The Message remains unchanged, only the method of communication has to change. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for God’s work in the Philippines, In these uncertain days may He keep us as the apple of His eye and hide us in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8) Prayer Points for Beverlea
Coronavirus/ COVID-19, social distancing, and self-isolation are things on everyone’s minds at the moment but I am thankful that we can continue to trust in the Lord. I am writing this from my new ‘office’, i.e., the dining room table in my home. Like many of us now in the UK working from home, we are having to adjust to the new ‘normal’. Most of the OMF UK National Office team are now working from home, with only a few people manning the office. For team members working in the finance team or in office services, their roles don’t lend themselves well to home working and so need to go into the office regularly. Please pray for: • The UK team as we work remotely and for those who may struggle with the isolation. • Wisdom for the UK Leadership Team – Christine, Jeff, Mike, Paul, Peter and myself – as we meet virtually each week to review the changing situation • Our members as they travel to/ from home assignment. Some members have deferred the start of their home assignment for several months or even until next year. Others remain in the UK as they are unable to return to their fields of ministry at this point. Pray for wisdom for them to know when to travel. • With pretty much all travel and face-to-face meetings cancelled, we are using technology a lot more to keep in touch. Pray that the technology will cope with the additional pressures on it. In my last newsletter, I gave thanks that our recruitment for office team members was complete. However, Esther didn’t complete her probation and so we will need to look for a permanent replacement at some point in the next six months. We are grateful to have Alex back in the office to cover for six months. Alex came in as a temp at the end of last year for 2 months. As he is waiting for a job to start later in the year, he is available to take on the finance role to give us some breathing space to work out our next steps. Please do also remember Penhurst Retreat Centre at this time. We have had to close the centre and have ‘furloughed’ many of the staff there. Please pray for wisdom for the Chair of Trustees (Tim) and the other trustees, such as myself, as we make decisions regarding the future of the centre. Thank you for your prayers. Praying that you will stay safe during this period of uncertainty. Working in partnership Love Beverlea Prayer Points for Natania & Simon The staff at Yokkaichi Christ Church school met on Monday of this week and took the decision to close the school completely until the end of this month initially, due to the coronavirus situation. At the moment they are looking at reopening the school after the Golden Week holiday, (Sat 2 to Wed 6 May). The staff are currently coming into school Tuesday - Friday from 9am - 5pm to prepare the content of lessons and then make videos of these lessons for both the kids and the adult classes. Should it not be possible to reopen the school in May or should some adults feel nervous about returning or about letting their kids return in May, these video lessons will be on the school's home page so that they can be used at home. At the moment Natania and the other members of staff are very busy preparing these lessons. However, Natania is really enjoying it! She likens it to preparing drama for a whole month of holiday Bible club! Natania and the other staff will receive their usual salary for April. Should closure extend beyond early May, they will have to work at some point during the summer to provide catch up classes. Natania and Simon are fine at the moment. Simon's school seems to be operating as normal for the time being. Natania sees this closure as a blessing in disguise as it provides her and her colleagues with time to work, plan and pray together as a team - time which is not always available to them during the normal working week. Natania and her colleagues very much value and appreciate your prayers at this time. |
Pastoral Care
We are heartened to see so many reaching out to help others in these difficult times. Elders have been contacting members of the congregation by phone where possible, and have been organising help and assistance for those in need. We know the same is true of many of you - the unseen network of love and support is at work as always. Please continue to take whatever opportunity is available to you to help others in a way that is safe and that adheres to government guidelines.
Most 1st Antrim people know (or know someone who knows!) how to get in contact with the minister; don't hesitate in keeping him up to date with pastoral care issues.
We are heartened to see so many reaching out to help others in these difficult times. Elders have been contacting members of the congregation by phone where possible, and have been organising help and assistance for those in need. We know the same is true of many of you - the unseen network of love and support is at work as always. Please continue to take whatever opportunity is available to you to help others in a way that is safe and that adheres to government guidelines.
Most 1st Antrim people know (or know someone who knows!) how to get in contact with the minister; don't hesitate in keeping him up to date with pastoral care issues.
Announcements
WITH REGRET
We deeply regret to report the death of Mr Samuel Scott, our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle. Particularly sad as his wife Ruby passed away only a few weeks ago.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Sarah Magowan, our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death on 5th May of Mrs Elizabeth (Beth) West. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Robina (Ruby) Scott. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Margaret Dennison. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death on 28 March of Henry (Moore) Scott, formerly of Swanston Road North, Newtownabbey. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family circle.
CHURCH OFFICE NUMBER
If you need to get in touch with the Church Office, please use the following number:
079 288 092 80
You can send text messages or WhatsApp messages to this number as well.
WHATSAPP GROUP
We are hoping to set up a closed WhatsApp group to send out information to the church family. The group will be set up on the basis that only Admins will be allowed to post items. If you wish to be part of this group, please text your name to the church mobile phone number.
Please be aware that by sharing your mobile number you are giving permission for your number to be visible to those on this whatsapp group. This group is intended only for those who are part of our Church family.
It is our intention to use this group to advise the congregation of services and events, for example during lockdown, of a Zoom meeting.
LISTEN TO SERVICES VIA PHONE
We have created a facility for those without internet access to listen to our weekly services. Please share this with those who might benefit from it. They should phone 013 1510 6310 to listen to our weekly service. This is a UK number and therefore calls are charged at the caller's normal rate - hopefully for free.
ZOOM EVENTS
Every Sunday at 12noon. Access code and password will be sent to the church WhatsApp group or upon email request.
ANTRIM FOODBANK
Please remember to pray for the Antrim foodbank, they have given out a lot more food in the last month and urgently need a lot of donations. If you would like to donate money towards the foodbank, please contact the church office and we will give you ways to do this.
We deeply regret to report the death of Mr Samuel Scott, our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle. Particularly sad as his wife Ruby passed away only a few weeks ago.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Sarah Magowan, our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death on 5th May of Mrs Elizabeth (Beth) West. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Robina (Ruby) Scott. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death of Mrs Margaret Dennison. Our deepest sympathy and prayerful support is extended to the family circle.
We regret to report the death on 28 March of Henry (Moore) Scott, formerly of Swanston Road North, Newtownabbey. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family circle.
CHURCH OFFICE NUMBER
If you need to get in touch with the Church Office, please use the following number:
079 288 092 80
You can send text messages or WhatsApp messages to this number as well.
WHATSAPP GROUP
We are hoping to set up a closed WhatsApp group to send out information to the church family. The group will be set up on the basis that only Admins will be allowed to post items. If you wish to be part of this group, please text your name to the church mobile phone number.
Please be aware that by sharing your mobile number you are giving permission for your number to be visible to those on this whatsapp group. This group is intended only for those who are part of our Church family.
It is our intention to use this group to advise the congregation of services and events, for example during lockdown, of a Zoom meeting.
LISTEN TO SERVICES VIA PHONE
We have created a facility for those without internet access to listen to our weekly services. Please share this with those who might benefit from it. They should phone 013 1510 6310 to listen to our weekly service. This is a UK number and therefore calls are charged at the caller's normal rate - hopefully for free.
ZOOM EVENTS
Every Sunday at 12noon. Access code and password will be sent to the church WhatsApp group or upon email request.
ANTRIM FOODBANK
Please remember to pray for the Antrim foodbank, they have given out a lot more food in the last month and urgently need a lot of donations. If you would like to donate money towards the foodbank, please contact the church office and we will give you ways to do this.
Help us to keep in touch with you
Giving
You may be wondering about your weekly Sunday offering; it's something you feel is important... and we do too! However, please let it drop down the list of your concerns at the moment. If you wish to maintain some sort of routine then keep setting aside an amount each week. There will be an opportunity in time to gather it all together. However, if you'd like to avail of alternative means of giving to First Antrim please contact us via the website, or phone the office, and we'll provide the information you need.
You may be wondering about your weekly Sunday offering; it's something you feel is important... and we do too! However, please let it drop down the list of your concerns at the moment. If you wish to maintain some sort of routine then keep setting aside an amount each week. There will be an opportunity in time to gather it all together. However, if you'd like to avail of alternative means of giving to First Antrim please contact us via the website, or phone the office, and we'll provide the information you need.
We have a number of people who are willing to do grocery shopping or collect prescriptions if you need to stay at home. We may also be able to help in other ways. So if you need help, please either send an email or ring
079 288 092 80.
079 288 092 80.
LINKS
RESOURCES
Parents & Kids
This section will evolve over time.
This section will evolve over time.
Listen to the SPARKLE. POP. RAMPAGE. Album here: https://rendcokids.lnk.to/sparklepopr... Subscribe to Rend Co Kids:https://rendcokids.lnk.to/subscribe
30 Day Kids devotional from CEF.
| covid_30-day-devotional.pdf |
SCRIPTURE UNION NORTHERN IRELAND
Young People
Resources for supporting young people at home:
For youth leaders, parents, SU leaders, mentors and those who lead and engage with young people, here are some suggested resources which can be used at home or via online video calling. We hope this may help you to continue to support those you lead in the coming weeks and months (web-links below).
Video Bible Talks:
https://videobibletalks.com/
Precept Lightning Studies:
https://www.precept.org.uk/…/ls-002-youth-lightning-studie…/
SU Ireland NUA:
www.suni.co.uk/nua
Download the ‘Voke’ app for more guidance!
Out of the Question:
www.outofthequestion.net
Stuff You Can Use:
https://stuffyoucanuse.org/games/
Speak Life:
https://speaklife.org.uk/videos/
Fervr:
www.fervr.net
Walk with me:
https://www.walkwithmejourneys.org/
For youth leaders, parents, SU leaders, mentors and those who lead and engage with young people, here are some suggested resources which can be used at home or via online video calling. We hope this may help you to continue to support those you lead in the coming weeks and months (web-links below).
Video Bible Talks:
https://videobibletalks.com/
Precept Lightning Studies:
https://www.precept.org.uk/…/ls-002-youth-lightning-studie…/
SU Ireland NUA:
www.suni.co.uk/nua
Download the ‘Voke’ app for more guidance!
Out of the Question:
www.outofthequestion.net
Stuff You Can Use:
https://stuffyoucanuse.org/games/
Speak Life:
https://speaklife.org.uk/videos/
Fervr:
www.fervr.net
Walk with me:
https://www.walkwithmejourneys.org/
Keep in touch via the Elevation Instagram and listen to our Lockdown ListenUp Spotify...
https://open.spotify.com/user/2k689jnllk1dnno47qwvr2nxv?si=78s5PFXQQdajjrl0UPCNIQ
All Ages
The Bible Project
An amazing series of animations that opens up and explains the bible. A fantastic learning resource for all ages.
https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject
There are some really helpful free resources produced by Crossway at:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/free-resources-for-your-stay-at-home-during-covid-19/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=7b5e3b7cb5-20200321+-+Women+-+Verse+Cards&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0275bcaa4b-7b5e3b7cb5-283597485#cards
https://open.spotify.com/user/2k689jnllk1dnno47qwvr2nxv?si=78s5PFXQQdajjrl0UPCNIQ
All Ages
The Bible Project
An amazing series of animations that opens up and explains the bible. A fantastic learning resource for all ages.
https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject
There are some really helpful free resources produced by Crossway at:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/free-resources-for-your-stay-at-home-during-covid-19/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=7b5e3b7cb5-20200321+-+Women+-+Verse+Cards&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0275bcaa4b-7b5e3b7cb5-283597485#cards
Live service from PCI Moderator
WELCOME TO FIRST ANTRIM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFirst Antrim is made up of a mix of imperfect people following a perfect Saviour - Jesus Christ. We recognise that ‘life to the full’ can only be found in Jesus.
Together, we work to be His followers and to share this full life, by making more followers. Everybody is welcome to First Antrim. Please take some time to browse through the site and familiarise yourself with all that is going on. VERSE OF the Week :2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
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