St Pauls and St Barnabas

Embracing New Rhythms: Cultivating Habits of Worship in the New Year Embracing New Rhythms: Cultivating Habits of Worship in the New Year As the new year unfolds, it presents a time of reflection and anticipation. The community at St. Paul's & St. Barnabas is encouraged to create new habits and rhythms of worship, aligning their lives more closely with God's word. C.S. Lewis aptly reminds everyone, "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." This resonates deeply as the congregation embarks on a journey of faith anew in this new year. To support this journey, here are several resources to foster a regular rhythm of scripture engagement and worship: Crossway ESV Podcasts Crossway ESV Podcasts offer an accessible way for anyone to engage with the Bible. Whether commuting, exercising, or relaxing, these pod...

Into the New Year at St Pauls & St Barnabas Into the New Year at St Pauls & St Barnabas After all that anticipation, it is hard to believe that Christmas 2023 has come and gone, presents have been bought and opened, turkeys have been cooked and eaten, friendships have been renewed, and families have been caught up with! Hopefully, amid all that busyness and stress, we were able to find space to gather in worship or reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:15-16 CSB We celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December each year because of our Gospel hope that from the manger to the Cross, Jesus came with a purpose - to make it possible for all who believe in his name, repent of their sin, and turn to him might live by Grace in ...

Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas Reflecting on the True Essence of Christmas In a poignant sermon at St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas Church, the congregation was invited to contemplate the true essence of Christmas, as portrayed in Romans Chapter 16, verses 25 to 27. The minister encouraged everyone to look beyond the commercialised façade of the festive season, focusing instead on the deeper, more intricate realities faced by many during this time. The heart of the sermon was the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a beacon amidst the festive activities, calling for a renewal of faith and a commitment to obedience, culminating in the glorification of God. This transformative power of the Gospel was highlighted, underscoring its importance not just during Christmas but as a central force in daily life. The minister highlighted the contrast between the typical festive imagery of society and the actual experiences of many during the holiday period, includin...

A Joyful Sunday at St Pauls & St Barnabas A Joyful Sunday at St Pauls & St Barnabas Last Sunday was a day filled with warmth, worship, and community spirit at St Pauls & St Barnabas. It was a day when the church family came together to celebrate and reflect, marking a special moment in our Advent journey. Morning Service with the Sunday School The day began with an inspiring Family Carols service in the morning. The Sunday School took the lead in guiding us through worship and prayers, showcasing the tremendous work they have accomplished over the past months. We were also reminded of the profound ministry of John the Baptist, a timely reflection as we prepare for Christmas. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who participated and to the Sunday leadership for their dedication and hard work in organising the service and their year-round commitment. Community C...

Advent: The Dawn of Something Beautiful Advent: The Dawn of Something Beautiful In the spirit of Advent, our latest sermon, "The Dawn of Something Beautiful," invites us to reflect on the profound and transformative arrival of Christ. Drawing from the scriptures, the sermon echoes the anticipation and hope that characterizes this sacred season. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1 This verse encapsulates the central theme of our discussion - the divine and eternal nature of Christ, whose advent brings light and life to the world. The sermon delves into the symbolism of light in the darkness, mirroring the hope that Christ's birth brings during the longest nights of the year. We are reminded of the importance of preparing our hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus, much like John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. This pr...

  What's Happening This Christmas at SPB Church! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate the season than by joining us at SPB Church for our Christmas celebrations? This year, we have a host of engaging and uplifting activities planned for our church family and the wider community. From family carols to community carols by candlelight, we have something for everyone to enjoy. We're excited to share with you our schedule for the festive season! Sunday 17th December 2023 - A Day Filled with Song and Fellowship Our Christmas celebrations kick off on Sunday, 17th December 2023. We start the day with Family Carols at 10:30 am. Let's gather together as a church family and raise our voices in joyful song to celebrate the birth of our Savior. After the service, please stay with us for some refreshments. It's a wonderful opportunity to build fellowship and share the joy of the season with your fellow church members. In the evening, we invite yo...

Reflecting on a Joyous Morning and Looking Forward to Next Sunday Reflecting on a Joyous Morning at St Pauls & St Barnabas What a delightful morning we had at St Pauls & St Barnabas with the incredible team from Play it By Ear ! They led an amazing Nativity Pantomime that was not only energetic and fun but also beautifully reminded us all of the transformative power of Jesus' arrival. The excitement continued with our Sunday School's Christmas Party - a joyous time for all! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and participated in today's festivities. Your presence and enthusiasm brought so much joy and spirit to our church family. “For to us a child is born, to...

  Hope Dawns: A Podcast Exploration of Mark 1:1-8 Hope Dawns: A Podcast Exploration of Mark 1:1-8 In a recent podcast, our minister, Rev. Andrew Irwin, offered an insightful exploration of Mark 1:1-8, a passage rich with themes of hope and anticipation that are particularly resonant during the Advent season. The podcast delves into the unique characteristics of Mark’s Gospel, known for its rapid and urgent narrative style. This approach underscores the immediacy and importance of the message of Jesus Christ. Rev. Irwin skillfully unpacks the text, revealing how Mark portrays Jesus not as the Messiah expected by the world, but as the true Savior offering a different kind of hope and kingdom. Highlights from the podcast include: An analysis of the urgency in Mark's narrative, emphasizing the swift delivery of Jesus' message. Insights into the identity of Jesus as the Messi...

The driveway to my house is tiny; getting the car in or out requires a lot of focus and manoeuvring.  All the aids that come with the vehicle help this process, as I can use the Wing mirror and the front mirror to judge the space around the car and the direction of my slow reverse.  One of the great aids in that process has been my reversing sensors, which, through their delicate beeps, let me know how close I might be to removing some of my paintwork from the side of the car.  Those tools are helpful every day in helping me navigate my driving away and some of the everyday situations that I might find myself driving through. Over the last few weeks, a challenging issue has arisen.  My parking sensors have started to play up; it is not that they do not come on (that would be okay); it is that as soon as they start, they sound out that flat beep, which means you are technically up against something. Suddenly, the driveway becomes a very different scenario because my e...

Christmas Nativity Panto at St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas A Festive Celebration: St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas Hosts Christmas Nativity Panto with Play it by Ear Belfast, Northern Ireland: As the festive season approaches, St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas Church in Belfast is gearing up to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through an exciting and unique event. On Sunday, the 10th of December from 10:30 AM , the church is set to host a Christmas Nativity Panto, in collaboration with the renowned drama group, Play it by Ear. A Blend of Tradition and Creativity This event promises to be a heartwarming blend of traditional nativity storytelling and the creative flair of pantomime. Play it by Ear, a Christian drama company formed by Chris and Ross, will lead this special event. Known for their dynamic approach to faith-based drama, they have a reputation for engaging audiences across Ireland and the UK with their interactive and thought-provoking perfor...