Welcome to Glenburn Methodist Church
Welcome To Glenburn Methodist Church
We are a Church striving to be at the heart of our community bringing the love and peace of Jesus to all.
Due to the guidelines set out by the government, and following instructions from MCI, we unfortunately are unable to gather for worship on Sundays. Worship services are cancelled over the coming weeks, as are all activities that would take place during the week.
You can link to our Facebook page by clicking on the ‘f’ in the top right corner above.
Our postal address is: Glenburn Methodist Church, 6 Glensharragh Gardens, Belfast, BT6 9PE
Please keep an eye out on this web page, especially Sundays, for more from our minister, the Rev. Cheryl Patterson and others. By clicking on the title of the site below and subscribing to it you will find additional information, spiritual support, guidance and encouragement from Cheryl.
Week 3 of our joint bible study is tomorrow night at 8 pm. Join us!
‘A Mid-day, Mid-week Moment’
Deuteronomy 11:18, ‘Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads…’
Some nights I find it hard to get to sleep. When I settle down to go to sleep, sometimes that’s when my mind decides to switch on and start whizzing and whirling through all the activities of past and future, and all the scenarios and conversations that might still need to be played out. I have an app on my phone that is supposed to help with that, and so often, when I cannot get my mind to be still, I will reach for this app and look up their sleep stories. In case you aren’t familiar with this, a sleep story is pretty much someone reading you a short story in a soothing way that is supposed to calm your mind and help you sleep. (Sometimes it works!)
A few nights back I reached for a sleep story and was scrolling through all the options when I found ‘Cinderella’. Well… all the memories came flooding back to me of how much I loved this story as a child. It was (and maybe still is) my favorite fairy tale story. Now, some may attribute my love of shoes to the story of Cinderella, but really I still think that influence belongs to my Nanny Sadie; however, I will agree with the slogan that Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change a girl’s life! (And we all know how often I have tested out that theory with buying new shoes!!)
Anyways, as I thought about Cinderella I could so vividly remember my favourite Ladybird book of the story. I can still see the illustrations so clearly in my mind of not just one spectacular dress, but three, as in this version the Ball went on for three evenings, and Cinderella’s dresses became more spectacular as the days went on. On night one it was a pink ball gown, on night two a beautiful blue gown and on night three a white dress trimmed with glimmering gold. (I will admit that the blue was always my favorite).
The truth is that I spent so long with this book as a child, reading and re-reading it, dreaming about the ball and imagining myself in the story, that several decades later it is still so perfectly retained in my memory. I can even remember the exact place on the shelf where it would have been kept.
This got me thinking about how we remember, and about how certain things influence us in such a way that they stick in our minds. It got me thinking about the books that influence and shape us, and as I thought of that, of course I thought about the Bible. Growing up and hearing bible stories time and time again mean they are etched into my memory, I can recite some of those stories, and as I grew they deepened in meaning as I grew in understanding. I might not remember particular illustrations, like I do with Cinderella, but I am so shaped and formed by the stories of God that it holds, that the story of my life now finds itself embedded into the story of Scripture. I too am a part of God’s story.
As I was thinking through this (and still not sleeping) I was reminded of this verse from Deuteronomy, and those that surround it. Moses is addressing the Israelite people and recalling to them all that God has done. He is setting out God’s law before them and urging them to pay attention and to take to heart the things of God. He tells them to fix them to their heart, to teach them to their children, talking about God’s ways ‘when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.’
These verses illustrate to me a sense of submerging yourself in the words and ways of God, so much so that you cannot escape them. They are to be your life, your breath, your actions and words… and why… because they are words that give us life in all its fullness. They are words that remind us of the greatness of God, and such a reminder gives us hope to believe, and strength to persevere.
Recalling Cinderella a few nights ago caused me to smile and have joy over loved childhood memories, but recalling Scripture holds so much more power for each of us. Cinderella is but a fairy tale. Scripture is God breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 Tim 3:16).
As you think on the Bible, can you see how it has formed and shaped you? Do you find yourself so embedded in it, that you know yourself too to be in the story of God as his son or daughter?
In this season of COVID-19, I find myself recalling scripture and reaching for the Psalms to remind my heart to be steady in a faithful God.
I encourage you to do the same. Make time to read and study and to impress the words of God on your heart and mind. Such a practice builds strength and perseverance, it lifts up your head and restores your heart. Such a practice should not be underestimated.
Spend some time in God’s word today. Be blessed as by his word you are formed and shaped.
Rev Cheryl Patterson
SUNDAY 24th MAY 2020
Sunday Evening
To join us in this evening’s service with Cregagh Methodist led by Rev Cheryl Patterson, click on the title below:
GLENBURN AND CREGAGH EVENING SERVICE
This morning we join in worship with the Connexional Service for Aldersgate Sunday. Then tonight our reflection at 7 pm is led by Rev Cheryl Patterson. To share in this morning’s service click on the title below:
ALDERSGATE SUNDAY CONNEXIONAL SERVICE
Don’t forget our invitation.
‘A Song for Saturday’
A reflection on ‘I cannot tell’ by Mr Oliver Hetherington
I sometimes wonder how a hymn or a song can say so much more than the words alone. But is that not so often the case? Not just for me, but for many, many people and indeed not just in this time but since time immemorial. And we have a very full record of that in the book of Psalms where are recorded the thoughts of not just King David, but others. And they were not intended to be just poetry but to be sung – Psalm 96 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song..”. And we praise Him, not just with words, as Psalm 150 reminds us – “Praise Him with the trumpet, the harp, the lyre, with strings and pipes and cymbals.
Our words alone are not enough to give Him our praise.
I want to mention a hymn which means so much to me because it speaks of my experience on my Christian journey and strengthens my faith. And that hymn was written in Belfast in the late 1800’s by William Young Fullerton, a Baptist preacher and set to the hauntingly beautiful tune, “The Londonderry Air.”
So why does this hymn mean so much to me? Well because the Christian journey is far from simple and straightforward. On the journey there will be many setbacks, or perhaps reasons to say, “Why Lord?” And often the answer doesn’t come straight away. And that has been my experience over the years and, I think, the experience of the author. In a way, he asks questions –
Why did He, whom angels worship, take it upon Himself to set His love on us?
How did he go through the agony of crucifixion. ?
How will He win the nations and satisfy all of our aspirations?
How will all the hearts of men be filled with love?
Each of us could add many questions, perhaps of fears and of doubts. But then in each verse Fullerton, does try to answer the questions. He simply says, “This I know” –
I know that the Saviour of the World has come.
I know He heals the brokenhearted.
I know that all flesh shall see His glory.
I know that human voices will sing, and answer, “At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world is King.”
William Fullerton has many questions, but finally has an answer. Christ is King and all the world will acknowledge that!
I have been on the Christian journey for quite a few years now and I have had many questions, but I thank God that while I do not have all the answers, I have experienced His presence in my life. On some occasions, so real that I cannot doubt it and I have a hope that is sure and steadfast, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
Questions Yes. But all may have the hope, both sure and steadfast, that we will find the answer in His time.
To play the song click on the title below:
SONGS FOR WORSHIP
Here is a new playlist of some worship songs. Some to sings a long with, some to just listen too, some that will speak to your heart. May God bless you as you listen, pray and sing. Click on the title below to hear/see the videos:
Last Sunday we had our World Development & Relief Service in which we heard how God is at work across our world. We can all be involved in this work through our generosity and giving. To be reminded of ways that you can give to support the work of our partners in other countries, click on the title below:
WORLD DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF SERVICE
WALK AND PRAY RESOURCE FROM EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE
Here is a helpful resource to turn your physical exercise into a spiritual exercise too. Prayer walking is such an important and special opportunity for us to intercede on behalf of our community . This resource could help guide you along the way. Even if you are isolated to your home this can be a helpful tool. Why not draw a street map of your local area and imagine yourself walking through the area as you pray
In the absence of physical church gatherings, we have an opportunity to the scattered church. For as long as our church buildings are closed, we can serve those in our communities through prayer in our everyday comings and goings.
We invite you to embark on regular prayer walks during the lockdown. This will be a time when you are attentive to God’s presence in the places you walk, seeing God’s heart for the people and challenges around you and responding to His Spirit as you seek to love your neighbours.
You will join with other Christians around the country when you use this prayer resource to inspire and guide your prayers for people in this time and place.
To read the resource guide click on the title below:
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- We are privileged to have Cheryl Patterson as our minister. Cheryl came to us from Gorey, Co. Wexford where she ministered to a friendly active circuit.
- Prayer is a rewarding and life enhancing conversation with God. But at times it can be difficult. You can feel isolated from others, running out of things to say and getting distracted.
Jesus encouraged his followers to pray regularly and discipline is needed to accomplish that. Daily prayers help by developing a habit.
If you would like us to pray for someone, use the Contact Us button above to let us know.
If you would like us to post a prayer, please use the Contact Us button above to send it to us.
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