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Advent Sermons || Hope in the Waiting || Micah 5:1-5

Hope in the Waiting | SPB Church Blog Hope in the Waiting Advent is a season of anticipation, a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Jesus. This past Sunday, Rev Andrew Irwin unpacked Micah 5:1-5, a passage filled with promises of hope, peace, and restoration. It reminds us of how God works through the humble and unexpected to accomplish His purposes. In the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem, we see a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who stands in the strength of the Lord and brings peace that transforms lives. In his sermon, Andrew drew comparisons between the longing of God’s people in Micah’s day and our own lives today. For centuries, they waited for God to send a saviour, enduring times of uncertainty and hardship. Similarly, we often find ourselves in seasons of waiting, longing for peace, justice, and restoration in a world that feels broken. Yet, just as God’s promise was fulfilled in Jesus, we can trust in His...
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Advent Sermons || 2|| Hope For the Nations || Genesis 12:1-3

Discovering Hope | Genesis 12 Discovering Hope | Genesis 12 Posted on: December 14, 2024 Series: Discovering Hope in Jesus This Advent, we are reflecting on the theme of hope, as seen in God’s redemptive plan from the very beginning. In this second sermon of our series, Andrew Irwin unpacks Genesis 12:1-9, where God calls Abraham and promises to bless him so that he will be a blessing to all nations. This is a foundational moment in Scripture, pointing us to the ultimate hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hope for the Nations Last week, we saw the devastating effects of sin in Genesis 3 and caught a glimpse of hope in God’s promise of redemption. This week, we move forward to Abraham, a man called by God not because of his qualifications, but because of God’s purposes. In Genesis 12, God speaks to Abraham, calling him to leave his country and go to an unkn...
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Advent Sermons || 1 || The Promise of Hope || Genesis 3:1-15

Discovering Hope | Genesis 3 SPB Discovering Hope | Genesis 3 Posted on: December 14, 2024 Series: Discovering Hope in Jesus As we journey through Advent, St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas invites you to discover hope afresh. In this first sermon of our new series, Andrew Irwin unpacks Genesis 3, diving into the tragedy of the fall and the enduring hope of redemption that echoes through Scripture. It’s a call to rediscover the joy of Christmas and to fix our eyes on Jesus, the light of the world. Where Are We Discovering Hope? In Genesis 3, we find a world shattered by sin, as Adam and Eve’s disobedience fractures the perfect shalom of Eden. The devastating effects of sin ripple through creation, leaving humanity longing for something more—a restoration, a Redeemer, a hope beyond the brokenness. In this passage, we see the beginning of God’s red...
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Come and Discover Hope in Jesus: An Advent & Christmas Journey

  As December arrives, the world embraces the festive season—decorating homes, singing carols, and sharing gifts. Yet amidst all the joy, it’s easy to overlook the deeper story that this season holds. Advent invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts to receive the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. It’s a season of anticipation, where we remember God’s promises and find renewed hope in their fulfillment. This year at St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas, our Advent and Christmas sermon series is titled,   “Come and Discover Hope in Jesus.”   Over six services, we will journey through Scripture, beginning in the Old Testament, to see how God’s promises bring hope even in the darkest moments. We will explore the unfolding of His redemptive plan, culminating in the joy of Christmas Day and the forward-looking hope for the New Year. What to Expect Each Sunday from 10:30AM , we will look at a key passage from the Bible, tracing the story of God’s faithfulness and the hope...
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Sunday Sermons at SPB || The Power of Prayer || Matthew 6:5-13 || Simon Henry

The Power of Prayer – A Reflection for Advent This past Sunday, we were delighted to welcome Simon Henry, National Youth Officer for the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD), to SPB. Simon shared a powerful and timely message about prayer, drawn from Matthew 6:5-13. As we enter the Advent season—a time of preparation, reflection, and anticipation—his words served as a reminder of the profound privilege and power of prayer in our lives. Why Pray? Simon reminded us that prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we connect with our Creator, who desires to hear from us—our worries, our celebrations, and even the things we struggle to put into words. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6, we are called to pray with sincerity, avoiding empty repetition, and to approach God with the confidence that He knows our needs before we even ask. Prayer is not only about bringing requests t...
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Wintercoats Project at SPB || Thankful to God and Thankful for You

Winter Coat Project: A Day of Warmth and Community The Winter Coat Project at St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas was a beautiful reminder of the power of generosity and community. The culmination of weeks of preparation, prayer, and effort, it was a day filled with warmth—both literally and figuratively! The day began early, with our volunteers arriving first thing in the morning to set up the hall and sort through the generous donations. Coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and other winter essentials were organised, ensuring that everyone who came through our doors would find exactly what they needed. Even before we officially opened, the need was clear, and we made the decision to welcome visitors early. From 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the hall was buzzing with activity. Our volunteers worked tirelessly to help individuals and families s...
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Rekindle the Flame: Reflections on 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Rekindle the Flame: Reflections on 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Rekindle the Flame: Reflections on 2 Timothy 1:1-7 In Paul’s final letter, written from the depths of a Roman prison, we find a message that transcends time and space. Addressed to his dear friend and spiritual son Timothy, the opening verses of 2 Timothy are both tender and profound. These are not just the words of an ageing apostle but a heartfelt charge to a younger minister and, by extension, to every believer today. They echo through the ages, challenging us to evaluate the source of our identity, the strength of our faith, and the legacy we will leave behind. Paul begins by reminding Timothy of his roots. He reflects on Timothy’s sincere faith, nurtured by the godly influence of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. This multi-generational faith underscores the importance of spiritual...
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