For posterity’s sake, Sam asked that this image be taken. Hopefully wearing masks and social distancing in our church buildings will soon become a distant memory. It certainly is very odd to see our call to worship set out like this.
Before pressing the shutter-release button I quipped “everyone smile, say cheese”, which since ‘forever’ we have been used to doing this for the camera. The lovely thing is that if you look hard, people with smiling eyes can clearly be seen behind their masks.
The storm of Covid (as much as we attempt normality) still rages. Everyday brings its new challenges for communities and individuals. The leadership team at Mossley, and I am sure throughout the MCI, would hope that this new attendance (of course if able to do so) would not only make every individual feel safe but also allow them to find ‘the calm’, centred in the eye of the storm. Above all that church attendance is still a place to find blessing in meeting with God and enjoying fellowship with his people.
Welcome Saints, to our online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020, reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING (updated 20/08/20)
Listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Psalm 119:33-40
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.[a] 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.[b] 38 Fulfil your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a]may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Genesis 50:20
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Welcome Saints, to this our twenty-forth online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING (updated 20/08/20)
Listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus predicts his death
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 ‘Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’
John 1: 29
John testifies about Jesus
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
1 Timothy 6:7
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Welcome Saints, to this our twenty-third online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING (updated 20/08/20)
Listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Romans 12:1-8
A living sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble service in the body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Isaiah 43:3
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
Psalm 24:3
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Welcome Saints, to this our twenty-second online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Matthew 15:21-28
The faith of a Canaanite woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’
24 He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’
25 The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.
26 He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’
27 ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’
28 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Psalm 103:12
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Matthew 28:19
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Welcome Saints, to this our twenty-first online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Romans 10:5-15
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’[a]6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 ‘or “Who will descend into the deep?”’[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’[e]12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’[g]
James 2:19
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.
Romans 4:25
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Welcome Saints, to this our twentieth online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Romans 9:1-5
Paul’s anguish over Israel
9 I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit – 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, for ever praised![a]Amen.
Exodus 32:32
32 But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 3:13-14
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’[a]14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Romans 11:11-12
Ingrafted branches
11 Again I ask: did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
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For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Recent reflections by Evelyn Humphreys – Mossley Congregational Representative and Media Team
I have been thinking back over the weeks of the pandemic and turning over in my head the personal journey it has been, what it has meant and what will it mean for my future.
Although we have all been in lockdown as a collective, whilst within our own enclosures, each of us will have had a unique experience, whether having shared a house, or in my case been in complete isolation working from home.
Some, as we know, have found it incredibly hard, particularly not seeing people, struggling to add structure to fill their days. Parents home schooling, finding new appreciation for their childrens teachers. While others worked longer and harder hours to keep the ‘machine’ moving for the rest of us. These Key-workers instilled a National Pride into all of us, and we must forever remember to be indebted.
I don’t believe that God caused this to happen, why would a God of love cause so much pain? But without a doubt I have seen His hand working through it, from the front line resolve and beyond.
From my perspective I have been fortunate to observe and experience so many positive outcomes. Even in the times (and there were more than I care to remember) where I was hit by incredible anxiety. Im so thankful that my friends, my family and my faith got me through. In daily walks and Zoom conversations, I have witnessed families enjoying time with each other, that in the fast lives of pre-lockdown would have been few and far between.
On one of my daily walks, which Im so grateful we were allowed, my attention was caught by the laughter from a front garden, I turned and smiled to see a father kicking a ball about with his young teenaged daughter. An image I’ll carry forever. The brilliant weather and Thursday Clap for Carers allowed us to get to know our neighbours, sitting out front in the sunshine, chatting over fences and freshly lawned gardens.
Gardens! … along with paint-freshened houses, have never looked so good. A result of everyone searching for projects to fill their days at home. And when that was accomplished, the lockdown-nation tried their hand at baking! Personally I believe the standard of entrees for Channel 4s Great British Bake Off next year will be on another level. Myself and my next door neighbour began our own little ‘Ballyduff Bake-Off’, and aided each other in the on-going quest for self-raising flour! The best part …was giving it all away!
Personally for me, the gift of time has certainly been a blessing. Time to rest and sleep longer. Frazzled batteries getting a much needed recharge. Talking it through with some people however, they really struggled with the enforced brakes and sudden halt.. so used to racing against time to be somewhere, to move on to the next job, the next thing.
Suddenly we were given time that allowed relationships to deepen. Time to pop a ‘head round a door’ (socially distanced of course) or help those who are unable to help themselves. The greatest gift you could give, your time on a telephone call.
In this time I also found new and exciting glimpses of God, by embracing the quiet in the ‘secret place’ of His presence.
Anyone who knows me or maybe even has joined me for a ramble, will know how much I love and find refreshment in nature. Where I live I’m incredibly blessed to have my choices of greenway getaways, Three Mile Water Conservation Park on one side, and on the other, for when I’m feeling a little more energetic, Carnmoney Hill.
As lockdown moved on, Spring exploded, due to the wonderful weather (plus the bees I’m told) nature seemed to accelerate. Little woodland flowers quietly bursting out of their buds early and goslings and ducklings rolling out of their shells just after Easter. It’s been a delight witnessing them grow from fluffy greenish puff balls over the weeks. The harmony and serenity of nature really speaks loudly to my soul. So much happening, always moving forward, battered by the elements but finding a way to explode into colour, spreading their wings and blossoming.
We read in Psalm 19:
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
…surly verse three tells us that God speaks and reveals Himself in the quiet?
Hill walking in the Mournes, I have found, that the elements can really dictate the whole experience. Sometimes the tougher the weather, and the thicker low level cloud, can add to the ‘buzz’ of achievement (and relief) as you arrive back safely to your parked car.
One day, on a path which I had followed countless times, a group of us found ourselves fighting against heavy winds, toppling gusts, and struggling to be heard in gasps for breath. As we travelled between two peaks, a silence engulfed us, and it was deafening. We read in 1 Kings 19 when Elijah was fearful and downcast hiding in a cave on Mount Horeb…
11The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’
Maybe we need to take an example from nature, Gods creation, and turn down the noise and embrace the quiet. In looking for our Father there we will be sure to find him in technicolour, and ultimately hear His voice.
All photos taken By Evelyn Humphreys on Carnmoney Hill: Spring/Summer Covid-19 Lockdown 2020
Welcome Saints, to this our nineteenth online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.
Both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, as of Sunday 26th July 2020 have reopened their churches for morning worship. Please be aware of the new service times: Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon
In compliance with NI Executive and the Methodist Church in Ireland you will find a list of requirements for your safety in the link below: CHURCH RE-OPENING
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.
Sermon Audio Video conducted by Rev Sam Campbell of Mossley Methodist Church
Genesis 29:15-30
15 Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak[a] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’
19 Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’ 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.’
22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.
25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’
26 Laban replied, ‘It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.’
28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
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For details on where this sermon can be listened to via a telephone landline (expressly for parishioners who do not have internet access to this website). Click HERE
Follow this link if you feel there is someone who would benefit from accessing this service via their telephone. Calls at a local rate.
Recent reflections by Elaine Gowdy – Mossley Youth Pastor
So where do I begin? Lockdown in a house with a seven year old and a husband has had its challenges, but the positives have outweighed them all.
It’s nearly hard to cast my mind back to those early days at the end of March, but when I do, believe it or not, I have fond memories.
The ‘Gowdy Fast Paced’ way of life stopped abruptly …and I was thankful.
All the dates in our diaries were wiped out. All Georgia’s clubs and sports were paused. I didn’t have to make any apologies for double booking a coffee date, or say sorry for cancelling a catch-up because I was just too mentally and physically exhausted.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love my social life! I thrive on all my different wee pockets of friends and I enjoy hearing work stories over a coffee, sharing parenting fails over a nice meal, and I especially enjoy being a shoulder that my friends can lean on. But due to my lack of ability to say the word NO, I often find myself dashing from one place to the next frantically and filling up weeknights in my diary all too easily. So forgive me when I say that relief washed over me when lockdown was announced.
Now I should say, that I was also feeling anxious and afraid of the uncertainty that COVID-19 was bringing with it, but there was something about being in our own little ‘bubble’, in our house, that helped.
Every morning we got up. Simon went to work …in the living room. Georgia and I went to school …in the kitchen. Then we had lunch together. We worked some more. Then we had dinner together. Took our daily walk, and then home for bed.
The next day, we’d get up and do exactly the same thing. Talk about Groundhog Day, but what a beautiful Groundhog Day it was!
The verse that God kept bringing before me was
Psalm 46v10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
So this was what it was like for my life, to become ‘still’. I was enjoying it. While most definitely seeing, feeling and knowing God.
In the mist of the fear and panic I could see heroes being born in the NHS, I could see brave key workers keeping everything ticking over for us, families connecting like never before and friendships deepening on Zoom, (once I figured out how to use it!)
God was in the midst.
Simon, Georgia and I never had one argument the whole time, it was pure bliss being together 24/7 …Ok, you know that bit is a total lie! Lol!
There was definitely some shouting, some huffs and maybe even a door or two that was slammed, but on the whole all of that was overshadowed by the feeling of togetherness that we suddenly found in each other. Us three against the world.
We quickly adapted to our new routine and way of life, and we weren’t complaining.
I’ve written a lot about the positive aspects but I can’t end this blog without sharing how much I’ve grieved over COVID-19 deaths. So much pain and suffering globally was difficult to view on TV, and after a few weeks we actually had to stop watching the news.
I’ve prayed a lot over lockdown, I’ve prayed hard for this virus to just disappear, for people to get better quickly, and the world to just go back to normal. But you and I know that it doesn’t work like that. Instead we need to keep living each day we’re given, continuing to pray for those who have contracted the virus and to be continually thankful for all the frontline staff and key workers who have given so selflessly.
We are being eased out of lockdown and would you believe that I have a few dates in my diary already? Old habits die hard.
What I have been taught during this time though, is the importance of ‘being still’.
Be still and know that I am God. How will I do it past un-locking? I’m not sure, but I’m most definitely going to try.
Mossley Methodist Church 