This week we are using advent prayers and reflections written by some of the great heroes of the Christian faith. The language may be archaic in places, but take the time to allow the words, thoughts and meanings to sink in as you reflect on the importance of advent.
Sunday 10th December
O blessed Love of God, that all may taste and see how good thou art, once more I pray: Love through me – even me. (Amy Carmichael 1867-1951)
Monday 11th December
Wherever in the world I am, in whatsoever estate, I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate; and a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait. (Anna Laetitia Waring 1820-1910)
Tuesday 12th December
Let your love so warm our souls, O Lord, that we may gladly surrender ourselves with all that we are and have to you. Let your love fall as fire from heaven upon the altar of our hearts; teach us to guard it carefully by continual devotion and quietness of mind, and to cherish with anxious care every spark of its holy flame, with which your good Spirit would quicken us. (Gerhard Tersteegen 1697-1769)
Wednesday 13th December
Whatever you, Lord, ordain is right: Here shall my stand be taken; through sorrow, need, or death be mine, yet I am not forsaken. My Father’s care is round me there; you hold me that I shall not fall; and so to you I leave it all. (Samuel Rodigast 1649-1708)
Thursday 14th December
Ah, Lord, dost thou not see my heart? Alas, how little love! I pray thee, do not lose thy part; drop softness from above. Oh, keep it tender, keep it soft, that I may know to raise, and quickly fir the lowest string, unto a tune of praise. (John Mason 1646-1694)
Friday 15th December
Lord, my heart is before you, I try, but I myself can do nothing; do what I cannot. Admit me into the inner room of your love. (Anselm of Canterbury 1033-1109)
Saturday 9th December
Come down, O love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardour glowing. O comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing. (Bianco da Siena 1350-1399)
There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday 17th December immediately after Sunday worship.
The purpose of this meeting will be to appoint new property trustees. The Presbytery Education Board are the current property trustees. These boards are being wound up which means the congregation must appoint new trustees. There are two options.
Appoint trustees from within the congregation. The disadvantage to this option is that these trustees must be kept up to date. People will step down from the role, but there will also be circumstances when trustees die in post. The congregation will then have to keep the trustees up to date and each change will require legal assistance.
Appoint the new Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustee Company. The advantage of this option is that the trustees will always be in place and the congregation will not have to keep appointing new trustees.
What do property trustees do?
Property trustees act on behalf of the congregation when buying or selling land or buildings. Trustees can only act at the instruction of the congregational committee. Trustees cannot make decisions for themselves. Having trustees, as we have done, that are not members of the congregation is not a way of forfeiting ownership or decision making by the congregation.
What will happen at the congregational meeting.
At the congregational meeting the congregation will be asked to approve the appointing of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustee Company as trustees. If the congregation chooses not to do this we will then have an election to elect trustees from among the congregation.
Thank God for the results from our congregational meeting: Helen, Samantha & Julie all received the overwhelming support of the congregation and so will now undergo a period of training before a conferral with Presbytery. Please continue to pray for each of the three new elders elect. Click on the picture below to find out more.
Monday 4th December
As we enter the Christmas period it is good to remember that for some this is a time of great sadness and difficulty. People are on their own, they miss loved ones who have died through the year. For some children it is a time when they become acutely aware that their family is very different to everyone else’s. Pray fro those for whom Christmas is difficult.
Tuesday 5th December
Presbytery will meet tonight. A busy agenda will include nominations for an incoming moderator, discussions around how ministry will be re-configured. We will also seek permission to offer Michelle a full-time position as Youth and Family Worker. Ballywillan will also present their vacancy papers to Presbytery. Please pray for what will be a busy meeting.
Wednesday 6th December
Little Treasurers’, our mums and tots’ group, has been incredibly successful this session. Thank God for the opportunity to provide a safe space for families and an opportunity for parents to meet and talk. Pray for Julia and her team of leaders as they model an example of family worship each Wednesday morning. Click on the picture below to find out more.
Thursday 7th December
We continue to have a few of our members in hospital. Please pray for families who worry about the health of loved ones. Pray especially for those who have been in hospital for a lengthy period. Pray for God’s healing and strengthening.
Friday 8th December
Our tech team, headed up by Alistair Nichol & David Porter continue to provide an invaluable service Sunday by Sunday. Thank God for Alistair and David, but also thank God for the different young people who do so much to help and improve our audio-visual output each Sunday.
Saturday 9th December
Ronnie Hyndman continues to faithfully care for our buildings. Thank God for all that Ronnie does and pray that he would know God’s blessing and presence as he serves the church.
I am delighted to be able to announce that all three of our prospective new elders, Helen Davies, Samantha McPeak, and Julie Watters received well in excess of the required two thirds of the votes cast in today’s congregational meeting.
Thank you to everyone who prayerfully took part in both the initial election and today’s meeting. The next stage for Helen, Samantha and Julie is that they will undergo 6 weeks training and an interview with presbytery. Please do continue to pray for each of our prospective new elders as they continue with this process.
The PCI Family Holiday takes place in the week immediately following the Easter weekend each year. It offers something for everyone. Families who come along can expect a time to relax, a range of activities and the opportunity to make new friends. Over the years, many families have found the holiday to be a place in which they can spend time away together and enjoy fellowship, support and encouragement.
It offers something for everyone. Families who come along can expect a time to relax, a range of activities to enjoy together and the opportunity to make new friends.
Accommodation is provided in Castlewellan Castle in a variety of rooms suitable for families of all sizes and all meals are included.
“We’re just home from Family Holiday and it was brilliant!” “We spent four days with new friends, listening to God’s Word and praising him together.”
You can also find out more about the Family Holiday by contacting the Congregational Life and Witness department by telephone +44 (0)28 9041 7246 or email clw@presbyterianireland.org
The Family Holiday 2024 will take place from Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 April 2024.
Funding for this holiday is available the Presbyterian Children’s society.
The Youth Fellowship meets tonight. This is an important opportunity for our young people to spend time reading and discussing the word of God to discover how it applies to their lives. Please pray for our young people, pray that they would mature in their relationship with God.
Monday 27th November
Several of the ladies in our congregation meet each Monday for coffee. Pray for all the relationships within our church. Pray that we would become a family, brothers, and sisters in the Lord.
Tuesday 28th November
The congregational committee meet tonight. Give thanks to God for our committee and pray for them as they seek to be good stewards of our buildings and finances.
Wednesday 29th November
Poverty continues to be a blight on our society. An increasing number of holiday homes within Portstewart create a pressure on housing for families living in the area. A higher-than-average proportion of pupils in the primary school require free school meals. Pray that we as a church would learn how to best respond to the needs in our community.
Thursday 30th November
This evening is the last night of our bible study on the life of Elijah. Thank God for the opportunities we have to read his word together, and to talk about what that means and how it applies to our lives. Pray that we as a church would be able to find ways of creating opportunities for others in our community to read the word of God.
Friday 1st December
Treasure Hunters continues Sunday by Sunday. Give thanks to God for Wendy Porter and her team of helpers who provide a valuable environment for children to hear the stories of the bible, some for the first time. Pray that God would use these stories to reveal himself to our children and their families.
Saturday 2nd December
Michelle continues to run our youth clubs on a Saturday night. Pray for Michelle as she connects with the young people but also that she would be able to build relationships with their families.
This morning we welcome Christine Craig, a ministry student, to our church. Pray for Christine, not only as she leads worship but as she studies and prepares for ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Pray also for Thomas Black who continues his placement with us and takes part in today’s service.
Monday 20th November
This morning Michelle will be taking the nursery – primary 4 assembly in the school. Pray for Michelle, the children, teachers and all who work in the school. Pray that the current planned industrial action can be resolved and that children will not be adversely impacted.
Tuesday 21st November
Kirk Session is meeting tonight. Pray for our Kirk Session as they seek to give leadership and provide pastoral care within our congregation. Thank God for each elder and continue to pray for Helen, Samantha, and Julie as they prepare for the congregational meeting and vote on Sunday.
Wednesday 22nd November
We continue to be blessed with more children being born in our congregation. Thank God for Allistair and Samantha Nicholl’s baby daughter Esme Poppy who was born on the 5th of November. Pray for Esme, Samantha, Alistair, and Riley. Ask God’s blessing and protection over them.
Thursday 23rd November
Our community coffee time continues today between 2 and 4 pm. Pray for all who make this happen and for the people who come in and use it. Ask God that this would be a time when new friendships are formed.
Friday 24th November
Stuart and Joe continue to visit those who are sick and bereaved as well as routine pastoral visits. Pray for Stuart and Joe. Pray that their visiting would bring comfort and encouragement. Above all pray that God would be honoured and glorified through those visits.
Saturday 25th November
Another busy church week ends with the Blaze and Chill youth clubs. Pray for the children and young people who come along to both these clubs. Pray that among the fun and games they would see something of the love and grace of God.
Thomas Black is a candidate for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Thomas will be joining us for a short placement as part of his application process. Please pray for Thomas.
Thank you for taking the time to pray with us this week.
Sunday 12th November
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 kjv) This morning we give thanks to God for the sacrifices of so many in the defence of freedom and justice. Pray for the families of all those who mourn the loss of loved ones because of man’s inhumanity to man.
Monday 13th November
This afternoon our after schools’ clubs meet in Portstewart Primary School. Pray for this important work among the children attending the local primary school. Pray for the school, teaching and non-teaching staff. Pray also for the children and their families that they would know how much they are loved and valued by us as a church, but also by God their creator and Jesus their saviour.
Tuesday 14th November
PW meets tonight. Give thanks to God for this important ministry among the ladies of our congregation. Thank God for all the women who do so much to ensure the life and witness of this church is maintained.
Wednesday 15th November
Last week our GB packed over 20 shoeboxes. Thank God for all the boxes that will be sent not just from this congregation but from across to the church to families who have little in comparison to us. Thank God for the real expressions of joy on so many children’s faces when these gifts are handed out.
Thursday 16th November
Our world continues to tumble further and further into turmoil. Pray for the many places where suffering seems to reign, and misery dictates how people live their lives. Thank God for his sovereignty and the promise that he will bring all suffering to an end. Pray for that day to come.
Friday 17th November
Stuart is convenor for Ballywillan while they are vacant. Pray for Ballywillan, and the many other vacant congregations across our denomination. Pray for especially for those congregations who are enduring or facing long vacancies.
Saturday 18th November
Joe Fell continues to faithfully visit in our congregation. Thank God for Joe, pray for him as he ministers among us. Pray also as he does this while facing illness within his own family.
Each Sunday morning we publish a prayer diary which is designed to help us pray more regularly throughout the week. We would be delighted for as many people as possible to join us in prayer.
Sunday 5th November
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 nlt) Take time this morning as we come to the Lord’s table to remember what he has done for each of us, as individuals and a collective.
Monday 6th November
As the weather turns colder and people begin to make decisions as to whether they can afford to heat their homes, pray that our society would become fairer. Pray for our local economy remembering Jeremiah’s words to the exiles, that if Babylon prospers, they will prosper.
Tuesday 7th November
This evening there is a special meeting of Presbytery to discuss how the Presbyterian Church in Ireland responds to the fact it cannot provide ministry in the way it always has to many of our congregations. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity in these discussions. Pray also for those congregations who have been vacant for a long time and have little prospect of calling a minister of their own.
Wednesday 8th November
At the time of writing the events in Gazza and Israel show little signs of improving with more and more civilians caught up in the fighting on both sides of the war. It’s hard to believe this is a land where Jesus demonstrated so much love and compassion. Pray for all who have been caught up in the fighting, pray for the day when God finally beats the swords into ploughshares, breaks the shield and burns the spear.
Thursday 9th November
Robin Gawne, our treasurer, has been reporting an improving picture for the church finances, however the church still operates at a significant deficit. Pray for our finances, pray that God would provide not just for the church to keep going, but for the means that we would be able to continue to reach our community for Christ.
Friday 10th November
Thomas Black is a candidate for the ministry from 1st Coleraine. Thomas will be joining us for a four-week placement on Sunday as part of his application process. Pray for Thomas, pray that he would know God’s blessing and presence, but also that he would know God’s leading as he continues to explore God’s call on his life.
Saturday 11th November
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns fell silent. Thank God for the ending of wars, pray for those who still suffer the effects of war, and pray for those who have been caught up in war.
