Skip to main content

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 fulfilled in Christ. Here’s a glimpse of what lies ahead:

Week 1: The Promise of Hope (Genesis 3:1-15) – Even in humanity’s darkest moment, God’s promise of redemption shines through.

Week 2: Hope for the Nations (Genesis 12:1-3) – God’s covenant with Abraham reveals His plan to bring blessing and salvation to all nations.

Week 3: Hope in the Waiting (Micah 5:2-5a) – God’s people waited for the promised ruler from Bethlehem, a shepherd who would bring peace.

Week 4: Hope in the Impossible (Isaiah 7:10-16) – The sign of Immanuel, “God with us,” points to the miraculous birth of Jesus, the hope of the world.

Christmas Day: The Fulfillment of Hope (Luke 2:8-14) – The angelic proclamation to the shepherds announces the fulfilment of God’s promises and the joy of salvation.

Post-Christmas Sunday: Living in the Hope of Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5, Revelation 21:1-5) – The hope secured by Jesus’ resurrection points us to the restoration of all things in the new creation.


WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO JOIN US FOR WORSHIP, AND AFTER THE SERVICE FOR REFRESHMENTS.


Special Events


Community Carol Service

Join us for a festive evening of carols and readings at our Community Carol Service on Sunday, 22nd December, at 7:00 pm. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring family, friends, and neighbours to experience the joy of the season and celebrate the message of hope.

Wednesday Gatherings

Each Wednesday at 7:30 pm, we gather for a time of prayer and Bible study. These evenings provide an opportunity to connect with others, grow in faith, and lift our hearts to God in prayer.


You’re Invited!


Whether you’ve been part of our church community for years or are simply curious about the deeper meaning of Christmas, you are warmly invited to join us. Our services take place every Sunday at 10:30am, and we’ll gather on Christmas Day at 10:30am to celebrate the birth of Christ together.


This Advent and Christmas, let’s come together to reflect on God’s faithfulness, rejoice in His promises, and discover a hope that transforms our lives. Everyone is welcome to come and discover hope in Jesus. We look forward to seeing you!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Opportunities To Gather and Grow || SPB NOTES || Coming up to Winter 2024

As we enter a season full of opportunities to gather and grow, I want to encourage everyone to participate in the life of our church. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Gathering is a vital part of our faith, and these events are designed to strengthen our fellowship, prayer life, and outreach efforts. Each event, whether it’s our community prayer meeting, the winter coat project, or the Advent services, is a chance for us to come together as the body of Christ, using the unique gifts God has given us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 highlights that we are all members of one body, and every part is needed to function as God intended. When we gather, pray, and support the church’s work, we not only bless each other but our entire community. I encourage you to engage deeply in these events and find where you can serve. Whether it’s helping ...

This Is the Hour – Join Us for Holy Week 2025 at St Paul’s & St Barnabas

This Is the Hour – Join Us for Holy Week 2025 at St Paul’s & St Barnabas, Belfast As we journey toward Easter this year at St Paul’s & St Barnabas in North Belfast, we invite you to take part in our Holy Week services under the theme “This Is the Hour.” This powerful phrase comes from John’s Gospel, where Jesus speaks of the appointed time—the hour—for which He came into the world. From Gethsemane to glory, Jesus moves with divine purpose toward the cross and the empty tomb. We are invited to walk with Him in that hour: to sit in the sorrow of betrayal, to receive the grace of service, to stand at the foot of the cross, and to rejoice at the dawn of resurrection. Our Holy Week reflections will follow the Gospel of John, focusing each evening on a key moment in Jesus’ journey. All services begin at 7:30 pm , and we warmly welcome you to come just as you are. Tuesday 15th April – 6:30pm Easter Community Prayer Walk Meeting at Salv...

Sermon || True Worship – John 12:1–8 || SPB Belfast

True Worship – John 12:1–8 | SPB Belfast True Worship – John 12:1–8 As we journey through Holy Week, we find ourselves in Bethany, just six days before the Passover, where Jesus is gathered with friends for a meal. Among them is Lazarus—recently raised from the dead—a quiet but powerful reminder of Jesus’ divine authority over life and death. In this setting, Mary responds not with words, but with worship. She breaks open a jar of costly perfume, pours it over Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. This extravagant act becomes a defining picture of what true worship looks like. In Sunday’s sermon, Rev. Andrew Irwin helped us explore the richness of this moment. Mary’s worship is more than emotion; it is the overflow of a heart transformed by grace. She had seen the power of Jesus firsthand when her brother Lazarus walked out of the tomb. Her act of worship ...