Belvoir Parish: Recent Episodes
Belvoir Parish Church
Brian Cruise speaks, from Proverbs and Isaiah, about change and the imagery of eagles in the bible.
Brian Cruise begins our series on Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. He talks about God's generosity, grace and love.
Andrew Brannigan concludes our series on Generosity. This week he speaks from Luke 12 about why we need to be generous with our treasure.
Andrew Brannigan continues our series on generosity. This week he speaks about Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well and how we can be generous with that we say.
Sorry about the delayed upload.
It's Pentecost - the day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the start of this thing we call the church. Brian Cruise speaks about that
Brian Cruise is with us again, and he speaks about some of the incidents in Jesus' life recorded by Matthew and, specifically, about incidents where people were unhappy because they were more interested in what seemed right than what was right. He reflects on what this means for us, as followers of God, today.
Continuing on the theme of Followers of Jesus, Normal Jardine speaks on Mary and Martha
Rev Adrian Greene from Ibiza speaks about John, what it cost John to follow Jesus, what was revealed to John and what it means for us today.
Brian Cruise speaks about Mary Magdalene who had seven demons cast out of her and who experienced the grief of Jesus' death and the restoration of his resurection.
Brian Cruise speaks from Philippians and Luke (and some other bits of the bible) about gentleness.
Ken Higgins speaks from Ephesians and Matthew about how we are to imitate Jesus by showing kindness
Brian Cruise speaks about the calling of Philip and Nathanael and how, regardless of circumstances, we need to keep following Jesus.
It's Adrian and Janice McCartney's last Sunday with us as they begin their retirement. Today, the music, the readings, the prayers and the sermon were all woven together into one thing, so we have included all of that. We are thinking about Mary's reactions to God's interventions in her life during Jesus' early life and what they mean for us now.
It's Adrian McCartney's last official day as rector of Belvoir Parish (unofficially, we aren't letting him retire for another week). It's also the last day of 2023 and the last Sunday before epiphany and the start of a new liturgical season. Adrian talks about standing on the shoulders of giants and taking our place in the human pyramid which is the family of God.
It's the end of Christmas Eve and the beginning of Christmas day. Adrian McCartney tries to unfold a corner of the mystery of the incarnation.
It's the second week of advent and it's Adrian McCartney's last sermon on the book of Revelation.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We're aware that the sound quality isn't quite what it should be and we're very sorry.
Adrian McCartney continues to speak about the book of Revelation. This week he gives us a fresh perspective on judgement.
This remembrance Sunday, Michael Wardlow talks about what it means to remember, and especially to remember what Jesus has done for us.
Adrian McCartney continues our series on how the Bible speaks. This week he talks about how Luke's gospel reveals God the son.
It's the end of summer and the start of something new. Adrian McCartney speaks from Isaiah on setting our sights on something new instead of settling for what we have.
Brian Cruise is with us again to finish our series on the ten commandments.
This week: lying: the lies we tell about others, the lies we tell about ourselves and the lies we believe about ourselves.
Michael Wardlow continues our series on the ten commandments. He takes a look at what the commandments mean to us today, why stealing was taken so seriously in that society and why stealing isn't just taking property.
Brian Cruise continues our series on the ten commandments. This week, you shall not murder. What does that mean for those of us who are unlikely to ever deliberately murder? Taking Jesus' words from the sermon on the mount, and Paul's words about the fruit of the spirit, Brian reflects on anger and forgiveness.
Brian Cruise continues our series on the ten commandments. He speaks about the fifth commandment and, along the way, shares some interesting thoughts about the difference between the word of God and our cultural baggage.
It's the last Sunday before the end of the school term and we thought this would be a good chance to say thank you to God and to each other. Noel McIlvenny uses some Starburst (or are they Opel Fruits) to encourage us, just like Paul encouraged the Christians in Colossae, to always be thankful.
Brian Cruise speaks on fathers' day about the prodigal son and how we need to move away from rules-based Christianity and love each other, and our children, like God love us.
Adrian teaches on the new community that was created after Pentecost and its implications for us today.
Jonny Watson talks about what the risen Jesus had to say about the Holy Spirit and how the spirit empowers us today.
Laura Green (guest) teaches on John 4 and the example of Jesus risking connection with the outsider.
Adrian McCartney speaks about how God became one of us, and what it means for the church to be boots on the ground.
Michael Wardlow talks about the cross, and what it might have meant when Jesus said it is finished.
Adrian McCartney continues talking about the idea of the church as a table, and asks who we haven't invited to the table yet.
Adrian continues looking at the values of Belvoir Parish using the metaphor of The Dinner Table.
Adrian continues to explore the theme of The Dinner Table. How do we understand the times we live in?
Adrian McCartney continues our series on Paul's letter to the Philippians. This week, he speaks about Philippians chapter 3 and considers the value and meaning of citizenship in the Roman world, and what it means for us to be citizens of Christ's kingdom.
Adrian continues the series on Phillipians looking at what it might mean to have the same mindset as Jesus.
Adrian McCartney talks about the story that Jesus told about the man with two sons, and how the Father waits for us.
Following our Nativitiktok, where our children told us the story of the nativity, Chris Bennett reflects on what it is to see life, faith and Christmas through a child's eyes. He focused on joy, trust and clarity and how Jesus makes impossible things possible.
Chris Bennett takes us further into advent, speaking about John the Baptist, waiting, disappointment, growling at God.
Jonny and Lisette Watson take us into Sarah's experience of waiting for a child and our experiences of waiting. We head towards advent, waiting for Jesus.
Adrian uses the metaphor of a Dinner Table to paint a picture of what is next for Belvoir Parish (and the whole church).
Louise Ferguson from the Larder at St Christopher's in East Belfast gives a challenging, thought-provoking talk on God's heart for the poor and marginalised. She draws on the experiences of the Larder, Millet's the gleaners and Leviticus 19:9-10.
With a bit of help from CS Lewis and Rembrandt, Adrian McCartney takes us inside the story of the prodigal son.
Adrian continues the series on training for Spiritual fitness looking at how we can explore the bible.
Adrian McCartney speaks about 1 Timothy 4:8, the athlete Laura Muir (who had to train to be ready at just the right time) and the Queen's sundial (which is no longer as useful as it used to be) to talk about how we should train to be fit for the future.
Adrian McCartney talks about how God has made the world with days, years and seasons and has made it good. There are seasons to wait and seasons to act. There are difficult seasons and easier seasons. That is the natural rhythm of our good world made by a good God.
Adrian McCartney is back from his holidays and talks about how Paul began following Jesus long after the other apostles, and still had lots to do after that. He uses the example of a second run of potatoes to remind us that it is never too late to start, and it is never too late to start again.
Michael Wardlow continues our summer series by talking about our spiritual diet, using the example of King Josiah.
Jonny Watson continues our summer series. This week, he talks about going for a walk, and focuses on the walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus that Luke records in his gospel, and talks about our own walks with God, and God's walks with us. He introduces us to the daily examen, as practised by St Ignatius.
Chris Bennett continues to talk about our summer activities. This week, he tells us about his three barbecues and the spiritual lessons that each one illustrates.
Adrian McCartney talks about how summer can give you an opportunity to take a break from anxiety. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:6-8 NIV
Adrian McCartney continues our summer series by talking about how we might allow ourselves to be transformed by God on our metaphorical and literal journeys.
Michael Wardlow begins our Summer series by talking about how our rules and theology must reflect our understanding of an unchanging God to our changing society, even as our understanding can change and as we have multiple viewpoints.
Adrian McCartney preaches at our last service before the summer and gives thanks for the last 12 months. He talks about how, when Jesus fed the 5000, the boy brought his gifts to Jesus, Jesus gave thanks, and the gifts were multiplied.
Adrian McCartney marks Father's Day by speaking about the prodigal's father, inspired by Jesus's parable in Luke 15 and what it says about God's attitude towards people.
Adrian McCartney speaks about the trinity and what it means, empowered by the spirit, to live like Daniel and to show people what God is like.
Chris Bennett talks about three Ps: a panicked curate, a platinum jubilee and, of course, Pentecost, all of which are, or mark, the start of something, and how there are times when, in the power of God's spirit, we have to step up to what God has made us to be, in the knowledge that God is with us and in us.
Adrian McCartney continues our family meeting, talking about how to resource the future and how Daniel thrived through sacrifice in Babylon
Adrian McCartney has a family meeting to talk about how we resource the future. The background is exile, and the prophecies of Jeremiah. He says that our choice is to merely survive until we can go home, or to thrive in the place God has put us.
Adrian McCartney continues our series on exile and asks, "How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" He considers how we might respond to living in a strange land.
Adrian McCartney begins to speak about exile and what it meant for the Israelites to go from a homogenous culture to a culture that was totally alien to them, and the importance of having people who understood the times.
Michael Wardlow speaks from 1 Corinthians 15 about why the resurrection is of first importance.
Chris Bennett talks about resurrection. He illustrates it by talking about how our church building had a sort of resurrection moment after being destroyed by a bomb in 1992. We are now a church with see-through walls which shines the light of the risen and transfigured Christ.
It's Easter Sunday, the church is full and we're all feeling a bit excited as Adrian and Janice McCartney talk about the unexpected and remind us of the unexpectedly empty tomb on that first Easter Sunday.
Chris Bennett marks Palm Sunday with tales of the unexpected: God in a manger, God on a baby donkey and God on a cross.
Adrian McCartney gives his rector's report for 2021-22. Inspired by Ezra and Nehemiah, he talks abut what we have been doing and our dreams for the future, acknowledging that we are standing on the shoulders of the giants who precede us.
Adrian McCartney continues of series on Sabbath for lent 2022. It's Mothering Sunday, so he touches on knitting the jumper bigger. He speaks from Matthew 12 about whether it is lawful to do good on the sabbath, and from the rest of the bible about the Israelites who were chosen by God to show God to the world, even though they were a stubborn people, and how the sabbath reminded them of God, their community and where they came from, and what the modern echoes of that are.
Chris Bennett talks about Samson's marriage as a guide to what not to do. He looks at how resentment and our perception that we have a right to get even can cause situations to escalate. He also notes that here in Belfast we literally live in the shadow of Samson, and that Samson moves. Even the biggest, most intractable feud can be moved by God's power, and we have to surrender our hurt and resentment to God's love, justice and control.
Eric Hudson continues our lent series on sabbath, using some of Adrian McCartney's thoughts. Eric talks about liberation, freedom, partnership with God, respect, equality, and a whole lot more.
Adrian McCartney begins lent by speaking, from Exodus 20, about Sabbath as a time to celebrate our freedom and tell the story of how God freed us.
Elaine Pentland speaks about the transfiguration, what it shows us about who Jesus is and how we find our place in the overarching story.
Michael Wardlow continues our series on Luke. He gives us an overview of Luke's writing, and that of the other gospel writers, before focusing on Peter's confession of Christ, recorded in Luke 9, Mark 8 and Matthew 16.
Chris Bennett continues our look at how Jesus interacted with people as recorded by Luke. Today, Chris tells the parable of the deckchairs (or is it the Dock chairs) to bring us into the only miracle, apart from the resurrection, recorded in all four gospels, the feeding of the five thousand and how God takes the small things we can offer to do incredible things.
With some technical problems, Adrian McCartney talks about imagining, based on the woman who touched the tassels of Jesus' clothing in Luke chapter 8
Adrian McCartney continues our series on faith found in unexpected places in Jesus' interactions with people in Luke's gospel. This week, he talks about the notorious sinful woman who showed faith, love and hospitality towards Jesus. Adrian challenges us to understand our own flaws, and to bless Jesus with our invitation and love.
Adrian McCartney continues speaking about the people Jesus interacted with. This week, the centurion in Capernaum, who unexpectedly showed faith and compassion.
Adrian McCartney begins our series looking at how Jesus interacts with people in Luke's gospel. This week, it's Levi, also known as Matthew, the tax collector who became a disciple and a gospel writer. Levi responded to Jesus's invitation, but Jesus also responded to Levi's invitation.
Adrian McCartney brings us into Christmas and talks about how Jesus' birth fulfils promises stretching back to Abraham and totally confounds our expectations.
Chris Bennett follows on from our Not-tivity play to talk about what Christmas isn't and who Jesus isn't, and reminds us that sometimes we have to say no.
Adrian McCartney continues advent, speaking about the voice in the wilderness, and the importance of being faithful in the small things
Adrian McCartney talks about the promise of advent, running through the bible, and through history, through good times and bad times.
Adrian McCartney speaks, from Philippians 4, about being content in all circumstances, even when we feel more like Basil Fawlty, or worse.
Chris Bennett marks remembrance Sunday, speaking from Philippians chapter 3 about the importance of remembering, the things we remember, the things we forget.
Adrian McCartney continues speaking on Philippians, speaking from Philippians chapter 3 about how the grace, mercy and love of God are enough without the other things we try to add.
Michael Wardlow continues our series on Philippians. He recaps Philippians 1 and 2, sets it in his context, and focuses on Philippians 2:12-16, speaking about how Paul encourages the Philippian church to live authentically, and asking what God might be saying to us today.
Chris Bennett coins a new word, humblewards, as he uses his ladder to talk about Christ's example of humility, from Philippians chapter 2.
Stu Armstrong speaks on resilient faith from Phillipians 2, including spilled milk, Obi Wan Kenobi and, most importantly, Jesus, as we give thanks for another harvest.
Adrian McCartney begins a new series from Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi. Today he speaks on confidence in God, in particular the confidence that he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
Chris Bennett asks What sort of church are we? and answers that we are having fun, a bit of a disaster, and centred on God.
Chris Bennett talks about all we have been doing over the last 18 months including references to Star Wars, Dr Who, the remains of an Austen 7 and Abram's story in Genesis.
Adrian McCartney completes our values series, speaking from Colossians and Philippians about the centrality of Christ.
Adrian McCartney uses the example of kintsugi, the Japanese art of using gold to repair broken things, to explore the brokenness in us as individuals and as the Church. He talks about David, Peter, Paul, Mary, Esther many others who were used by God in their brokenness, and who were repaired by God. And he talks about Jesus' scars and how we mustn't be afraid of showing our scars, and our scarred God.
Adrian McCartney speaks from Luke 2 about recalibrating and growing into what God wants us to be.
Jonny Watson continues our series in the book of Acts, by speaking on A New Perspective from Acts 15, about the importance of unity and diversity in the church, the grace of God, and the dangers of legalism, factionalism and sectarianism.
Adrian McCartney talks about "a new pair of glasses," or what happens when we see something in a new way, as the early church did, as recorded in Acts chapter 13.
Listen to Michael Wardlow speaking at our morning service on the topic of "The God who Embraces."
Chris Bennett talks about terrible experiences, including thinking he was drowning when he was seven, Olympic athletes suffering mental and physical injuries on the way to medals, the Titanic disaster and the reform of maritime safety laws, the second world war and a renewed commitment to peace, Joseph's years in slavery in Egypt and his role in famine relief, the stoning of Stephen, and, of course, our redemption through the cross. Chris points out how, through God's love, the terrible things that happen are turned into something beautiful.
Jonny Watson continues our series on Acts. He speaks, from Acts Chapter 6, about church growth, the challenges that can bring, and the call for the church to always be a united, inclusive, welcoming, beloved community where people can belong and can grow in God.
Adrian McCartney continues our series on Acts, and new things, speaking about a new heart, based on Acts chapter 4. He touches on ideas of remembrance, commissioning, generosity, unity, welcome, acceptance and broken boundaries.
Chris Bennet continues our series on the book of Acts, speaking on Acts 4. He introduces us to the idea of the Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal, and encourages us to pray Big, Hairy Audacious Prayers.
Michael Wardlow battles with technical problems, and preaches on Acts 2, continuing our series based on the book of Acts.
Listen to Adrian begin a new series for the summer, in Acts 1:1-8. We're going to meet the people building a new community in a changing situation. What could we learn from their courage, attitudes, and faith?
Chris Bennett speaks, from the book of Acts, about Paul and Silas's arrival in Philippi, the transformation of Lydia and how God gradually transforms our lives.
Adrian McCartney speaks, from Acts 13, about how the early church had to change, and how we may have to change today.
Adrian McCartney speaks, from the Book of Acts, on the Church, belonging, and God, Father, Son and Spirit.
Adrian McCartney speaks from Acts 9 about the conversion of Saul and how his life was transformed by the living Jesus
Adrian McCartney speaks at our last ever "Scattered Together" pre-recorded, online service and reflects on the last 14-15 months. He is speaking from Acts 7-8 about the challenges the early church faced when they had to scatter from Jerusalem.
Adrian McCartney speaks on the work of the Holy Spirit, from Ezekiel and Numbers, with Acts in the background.
A full church service, recorded specially for the internet, by Belvoir Parish Church for the Sunday after Ascension. Michael Wardlow speaks about the Ascension. The service is led by Chris Bennett and Adrian McCartney, with music by the Hudsons with Chris Bennett, and prayers led by Noelle Gault.
A full service recorded in the church building, with music by Michelle Hudson, Sandi Thompson, and Paul and Ruth Jardine. Adrian McCartney speaks about Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus after his resurrection.
A full service, with music by the Hudsons and the Jardines. Adrian McCartney speaks about Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus after his resurection.
A full service, recorded in the Church building, with a socially-distanced, masked congregation. Adrian McCartney leads, John Kee, Geoffrey Cherry and Amy Patton provide the music, and Chris Bennett speaks about the road to Emmaus.
Adrian McCartney speaks about Fear and Joy, a phrase Matthew uses in his account of Jesus' resurrection.
Adrian McCartney speaks about faith and doubt, based on the story of Thomas in John Chapter 20
Adrian McCartney, with some help from Gemma Hunt, Sammy Greig and Pete Greig, finishes the prayer course, which we have been following through lent, by speaking about that first Easter Sunday, as we celebrate this Easter Sunday.
Michael Wardlow finishes our lent series, inspired by Pete Greig's book "God on Mute", speaking about Holy Saturday and the subject of silence.
Adrian McCartney continues our lent course, inspired by Pete Greig's book "God on Mute" with some help from Pete Greig and Gemma Hunt. This week, Good Friday and the question we all ask sometimes - "why?"
Chris Bennett uses the example of an oversized jumper to talk about how God sees what we can grow to be. Along the way, he talks about Gideon, David and Goliath, Jesus' disciples, and Zacchaeus, with a bit of help from Viktor Frankl.
Michael Wardlow continues our Lent series, inspired by Pete Greig's book "God on Mute", speaking about Jesus in Gethsemane from Mark 14.
Adrian McCartney begins our Lent series, based on Pete Greig's book "God on Mute." Using Psalm 55 and Matthew 14, Adrian talks about having somewhere safe to talk about difficult prayer and unanswered prayer.
Adrian McCartney takes us into spring, and into lent, speaking from Ecclesiastes and Elijah in the wilderness from the book of Kings.
Adrian concludes our series on Belonging... Ken and Elizabeth bring us some news that's perfect for Valentines Day... Amy introduces a new song... and Chris starts flipping (out). And, as always, a weekly dose of inspiration, prayer, worship and community
Adrian McCartney continues our "Belonging" series, talking about who we are, and what we can do, in our everyday lives.
Adrian McCartney continues our "belonging" series, speaking, from John 15, on discipleship.
Adrian McCartney continues our Belonging series, talking about family, from Ephesians and Romans
Inspired by Henri Nouwen, Rachael Mackarel brings us to Epiphany, using her experiences with people with disabilities, thier families, friends and carers, to take a fresh look at the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
A service of lessons and carols, recorded in the church building, with a small, socially-distanced congregation on 20 December 2020.
Recorded at our Blue Christmas service on 16th December 2020. A moment of peace and stillness amidst the festivities.
Adrian McCartney speaks, with a little help from his friends, about Mary, Joseph and Zechariah, how they found peace, and the peace that their sons brought to the world. This is part three of our advent series.
Adrian McCartney begins an advent like no other (at least in our lifetimes) by speaking about light from John chapter 1
Adrian McCartney speaks on learning, growth, development and the Holy Spirit, from Nehemiah chapter 11
Do you ever find yourself getting angry?
Adrian has a tale to tell and explores the anger we find in Psalm 137.
Adrian McCartney speaks about Nehemiah chapter five and what it means to be society, all in this together.
On our very first Sunday Night at Belvoir, Adrian picks up from Scattered Together and continues our thinking on Nehemiah and The Big Risk.
Sometimes, we have to take risks. Adrian McCartney speaks about the risks that Nehemiah, and the people of Jerusalem took. Based on Nehemiah chapter 4. Taken from our "Scattered Together" online service on 4 October 2020.
What does it mean to meet the challenges of this strange new world - to take seriously the call to thrive and grow, and also to take seriously the highest standards of safety for everyone involved in our parish life? Today we'll explore a little more of how we're seeking to meet this moment... and how taking it seriously doesn't mean there can't be all sorts of life, colour, laughter, joy, worship and prayer along the way.
Sundays 11AM
belvoirparish.co.uk/live
What will the start of September look like in this strange new world? It's the question swirling around in all the different areas of our lives - education, business, commerce, leisure - and church. And this morning we want to look towards this new season with prayer, with faith, and with some new ideas and ways of thinking. It's all about Bubbles and Oaks.
Scattered Together continues Sundays at 11am.
Join us at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together.
Keep up to date with our plans by liking us on Facebook.
Journey with us around the 4 Corners of Belfast and into the past, the present and the future... Our Scattered Together service with a special guest letter to a Post-Lockdown Church from Father Martin Magill. Sundays 11AM belvoirparish.co.uk/live
belvoir #belvoirparish #family #scatteredtogether #churchonline
This week we return to Scattered Together where we will be returning to another reflection from a returning thinker. Just in case you think I am returning too often to the return word...the theme for the service is "RETURN". Correctly, we often think of our need to return to God. The Psalm writer had another perspective, "Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see!" Psalm 80.
belvoirparish.co.uk/live
Sundays 11am
belvoirparish #family #scatteredtogether #churchonline
Everyone loves a trip out. We love to see something different. Our relationship with God should be something similar, an adventure, a getting up and going. "Come, follow me" is the call. So, let's gather together, sitting in our kitchens and living rooms, but internally, in the faith dimension, we are on the move. Get your spiritual walking shoes on and be ready.
We're sending letters to the future...! No you haven't stumbled across a Doctor Who episode, but our 'Letters to a Post-Lockdown Church' series at Belvoir. How can we inspire and challenge the church of tomorrow with the insights of today - and especially, the lessons learnt over these last few months?
Reflections on the past, to inspire the present, to shape the future... the latest in our series of Letters to a Post-Lockdown Church is from Adrian McCartney. Welcome to Scattered Together - this week featuring some staycation snaps, ruby-themed revels and a takeover bid by Conor
We're sending letters to the future...! No you haven't stumbled across a Doctor Who episode, but our 'Letters to a Post-Lockdown Church' series at Belvoir. How can we inspire and challenge the church of tomorrow with the insights of today - and especially, the lessons learnt over these last few months?
Join us Sundays at 11am!
belvoirparish.co.uk/live
This week at Scattered Together we are going to “saunter” into the summer holidays. Why don’t you “saunter” along to our online service and join with a few other travelers who are hoping to “saunter” along, scattered but, strangely, together? Clearly there is something going on in that last sentence…made you look? All will become clear at Scattered Together as we consider our second letter to a post-lockdown church.
Join us Sunday at 11 at belvoirparish.co.uk/live.
As we see restrictions easing all around us we invited a number of church members to reflect backwards and hope forwards. This week, Helen Long will be sharing some of her experiences of shielding and some of the signs of hope that came through those long weeks. I am pretty sure there will be some beautiful images and profound thoughts. Why not start your summer gently and humbly in the presence of God scattered together.
Join us Sunday at 11am to hear the next letter. belvoirparish.co.uk/live
scatteredtogether #belvoirparish #family #onlinechurch
It's the last weekend of June, school is over, holidays are ahead....but it has never been like this before. This Sunday we review the last term and tentatively turn our attention to the three primary colours that could brighten up our July and August - reflect, recreate, recover. Hopefully we are learning to appreciate the “now” experience.
Join us Sundays at 11am at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, worship, and pray together.
belvoirparish #onlinechurch #scattered
For many the aim of evangelism is to get people into church. But what about if the aim of evangelism is to get us out of church? There we may find all those people who find it difficult to move from being outsiders to being insiders. But if we have moved from being insiders to being outsiders the problem is solved. Come along and let your imagination have a few spiritual moments.
Join us on Sundays at 11am to watch, chat, worship, and pray together. belvoirparish.co.uk/live
Service Notes Kids' Activity Fathers' Day
Don't forget Zoom after the service. Email catherine@belvoirparish.co.uk for access.
11-14s Zoom after the service. Email olivia@belvoirparish.co.uk for access.
Church Family Celebration Weekend 26th-29th June
A weekend of celebrating the end of school, sunday club and celebrating families and church family and marking 100 Daily Candles.
Talent Show Off - Sunday Club party - The 100th Candle - Special Scattered Together service - Worship and Prayer - Launch of summer plans
The Big Belvoir Talent Show (off) Show off your talent in the Big Belvoir Talent Show. Whether it is a new skill you have learned over lockdown or something you were born with. Telling jokes, baking cakes, dancing, singing or keepie uppies we want you to show us what you’ve got. It isn’t a competition and there will be no nasty judges – just a celebration of you and you talent. Enter at https://www.belvoirparish.co.uk/talentshow/
Mid-Summer Cycling Madness 24 Hours - 250 Miles. Fundraiser by Stephen McKinty for ICMC. Link is https://www.givey.com/midsummercyclingmadness to donate.
Larder Food Support Please continue to support the Larder by leaving donations in the brown bin at the front doors of the church. Follow the Larder on Facebook for regular updates.
Our second week looking at “new”s in the Acts of the Apostles. “The believers were scattered” in chapter 8, but did they learn anything new or try anything new? Might we learn something new from our present experiences. Today’s theme is “What if...”
Join us on Sundays at 11am for Scattered Together. Watch, chat, worship, and pray together. belvoirparish.co.uk/live
Service Notes Children's Activities Sermon Activities
"Philip and the Ethiopian" Craft
ICMC Fundraiser 24 Hours - 250 Miles 🚴🚴🚴
Support Stephen McKinty and others in their Mid-Summer Cycling Madness to raise funds for India Christian Mission Centre.
See details here
Breakfast Club | Father's Day Next Week - A special Father's Day Breakfast Club to celebrate fathers, grandas, father figures and spiritual fathers. Create a "seat of honour" for the man in your house and make him breakfast and we can join together on zoom to share and celebrate before the Scattered Together service.
Bible Reading Acts 8: 4-17 (NIVUK)
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Simon the sorcerer
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practised sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptised. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
We begin a new series looking at new ideas that were the result of the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This week we begin with a look at one of the most dramatic new heart “transplants” in the Bible - Saul becomes Paul! Join us for Scattered Together, but, more importantly, let’s join together in a search for God’s new starts in the summer months of 2020.
Join us on Sundays at 11am for Scattered Together. Watch, chat, worship, and pray together. belvoirparish.co.uk/live
Service Notes Zoom After the Service
Sunday Club - email catherine@belvoirparish.co.uk
11-14s - email olivia@belvoirparish.co.uk
Today's Reading Acts 9:1-19 The Message (MSG) The Blinding of Saul 9 1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.
3-4 He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?”
5-6 He said, “Who are you, Master?”
“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.”
7-9 His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.
10 There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.”
“Yes, Master?” he answered.
11-12 “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.”
13-14 Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”
15-16 But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job.”
17-19 So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.
Scattered Together: Pentecost Sunday! Pentecost simply means fifty - fifty days after the Resurrection. But the word for power (of the Holy Spirit) in the new Testament is "dynamis", from which we get words like dynamic, dynamo, and DYNAMITE. That is why we have our explosion of the creative arts (art, crafts, foods, stories, music etc) on this weekend every year. Scattered Together this week will be a celebration of all that has been going on and a centring of our hearts and minds on that explosive event, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Get a comfortable seat, hit the play button, and hang on!
Join us next week at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together. Sunday 11am for Scattered Together. Virtual Breakfast Club from 10.30am.
Throughout the week you can stay connected with Huddle groups, the Daily Candle videos, and more. Find all the information on the Latest News page and on our Facebook page.
Last week we were left with a cliff hanger – Jesus is leaving! What on earth will happen next? This Sunday We are three days after the Ascension and waiting is again the order of the day. We consider “The Next Step”. What in heaven could happen next? Grab a seat in front of a screen and join us. Seat belts are not provided, so hang on tight. It is another roller coaster.
Join us next week at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together. Sunday 11am for Scattered Together. Virtual Breakfast Club from 10.30am.
Throughout the week you can stay connected with Huddle groups, the Daily Candle videos, and more. Find all the information on the Latest News page and on our Facebook page.
“Anything can happen in the next half hour” were the oft repeated words of a much-loved children’s TV programme. What happens next? That’s our theme today in Scattered Together. Jesus' friends were being prepared for the Ascension (forty days after the already life-changing resurrection). Pentecost is two weeks away! “What happens next” was on their minds as it is on ours. Let’s explore this while scattered together. See you there. Adrian. Join us next week at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together. Sunday 11am for Scattered Together. Virtual Breakfast Club from 10.30am. Throughout the week you can stay connected with Huddle groups, the Daily Candle videos, and more. Find all the information on the Latest News page and on our Facebook page.
Service Notes Kids' Activities Jesus Said Ascension
Big Sing We would love you to join in with us and record a video of you singing/playing Days of Elijah for Pentecost Sunday (31st May). Find all the instructions at belvoirparish.co.uk/bigsing
Reading Luke 24:36-49 Jesus Appears to the Disciples 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
This week in Scattered Together we are looking at another resurrection encounter. This is a strange one - it has two groups of people seeing the same thing yet seeing entirely different things!!! Roman soldiers and women from Jesus’s group of followers. They present options to us that we may struggle over. I think this may also be a new record for numbers of people taking part. It should be an interesting service. Plus zoom afterwards for the children. See you there.
Join us next Sunday at 11am at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together. Throughout the week you can stay connected with Huddle groups, the Daily Candle videos, and more. Find all the information on the Latest News page and on our Facebook page.
One of our church family offered a revised song lyric (which so far, we have not been able to include in our worship) : “As we are scattered Jesus is here, One with each other Jesus is here”. This is completely true in every possibility of where Jesus could be right now. So, welcome to Scattered Together. Wherever you are you are also here, and wherever Jesus is He is also here.
Today we are continuing our consideration of the Resurrection Faith. Based on the story of Thomas, the disciple, the theme is “An Inquiring Faith”. Thomas had the courage to inquire and the courage to believe. Jonny W will be unfolding the story for us. So, sit back physically, but sit up psychologically, stand up expectantly, and be ready to move spiritually.
Join us next week at belvoirparish.co.uk/live to watch, chat, and pray together.
This week on Scattered Together we start a new series of Faith. We loved being able to meet online as a church family; sharing songs, teaching, and prayers. We're continuing to meet during the week in a number of different ways. Keep an eye on Facebook and the News section of the website to stay connected.
We're gathering online for Scattered Together. Including songs, prayers, reading, and message from Adrian featuring Flannelgraph.
What's Flannelgraph I hear you say? You'll have to watch to find out!
Go to http://www.belvoirparish.co.uk/sermons to watch the video.
Scattered Together on Easter Sunday includes hymns, prayers, a message from Adrian, and a scavenger hunt! For the first time, we also have Sunday Club Scattered with Julie for our younger family members.