Welcome Saints, to this our eighteenth online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.  

Please note both churches that Sam resides over, Greencastle and Mossley, are in preparation for reopening their buildings on Sunday 26th July 2020.
When this happens please be aware of the new service times:
Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon

ALSO 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 

Listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,’
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Jeremiah 1:5

⁵ ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’

1 Samuel 13:14

¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’

—-

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 for ‘details on how to give’ during Covid-19

Recent reflections by Colin McDowell – Mossley Society Steward and Media Team

DAY ONE in the Big Brother House and the housemates are familiarising themselves with their new environment.

Lockdown to many of you, probably felt a bit like being stuck in the Big Brother House but without the housemates. For me it wasn’t much different from my normal routine, I woke up, got ready, went to work and came home. Just my normal day to day activity apart from the weekends, when I missed the company of my friends and of course Church. 

Isn’t it quite amazing how quickly we can adapt to changes in our lives and our routines when we know that Lockdown had the sole purpose to “Protect the NHS, Protect ourselves and protect others”? Now I’m not saying its easy and its probably been harder for some, but we are hopefully coming through this slowly and things are looking a lot better than they did 3 months ago.

They say every cloud has a silver lining and for me the most positive thing has been that I have been able to be in contact with my friends more than I normally would have been, all be it not in person. Whats app, Texts, Phone calls and Zoom has been a lifeline to me and many others.

With Zoom I had Wed night Bible Study,  Sunday night Band meeting and Saturday night quiz time. Zoom has made it possible to keep in contact and with the restrictions easing over the last few weeks, personal contact is now starting to make me feel more human.

A few weeks ago i was introduced to a man called Charlie Makesy (thank you Evelyn)

It all started with a book I received in the post and to be honest when I opened it I didn’t know what to make of it, it looked like a children’s book with strange drawings and writing. The title is “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.”  It’s kind of hard to describe the book, it’s just a beautiful, simple, feel good book of encouragement. 

While I was reading it, I had this feeling that there was something more about the man Charlie than just another Author of a book. Being someone I had never heard of before, or knew anything about I was intrigued. So I Googled him to find out more. That set off a chain of events that i can only describe as moving, inspirational, encouraging and up-lifting.

He is an artist with a special talent… paintings, drawings, sculptures and some of his pieces are so beautiful and moving that he seems to be able to capture Gods love, compassion and grace in a way words can’t.

I soon discovered Charlie is a member of the Holy Trinity Church in Brompton, the church that through their Pastor Nicky Gumbel, developed the Alpha course. I was able to find some videos on youtube of Charlie as a guest speaker so obviously I had to take a look. I’ve never had such an instant respect for someone so quickly in my life before, I was just blown away.

He’s  probably not your average run of the mill speaker, but there was just something about what he was saying that resonated so much with me, and its fair to say he’s not a big fan of church, or institutional religion or the expectations that others put you under to be the perfect Christian.

His love for God came gradually, and for me it spoke to me about my own journey.  If I were to clean up my life before I came to know this God that I assumed could never love someone like me, we would have never met.

My own journey is more like learning everyday, failing most days, but getting back up and trying again.

The honesty of Charlie is probably what struck me most. His description of himself, ‘inappropriate’, ‘out of his depth’ and ‘flawed’. All the feelings that I have had myself. After I listened however, I came away with this overwhelming feeling of joy and love and normality. I’m normal, I’m human and Gods love for me is unconditional.

So I hope and pray that we never beat ourselves up for not coming ‘up to the mark’. A lot of the time these are expectations that others put on us.

If you get a chance to listen, you will find Charlie Makesy HERE on Youtube.

John 3:17 

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

As of Monday 4^th April the following easing of Covid mitigations comes into place for Methodist Churches in Northern Ireland:

Expect the Church Sanctuary to be well ventilated, with seating spaced out allowing for families and individuals.

1. At all times government advice should continue to be followed with regard to self-isolation related to Covid-19. Further, those who have (or think they might have) any of the symptoms of Covid-19, or are just generally feeling unwell, should be encouraged not to attend services, meetings or activities.

2. Church buildings and halls should continue to be as well ventilated as possible and hand sanitiser should continue to be available.

3. Social distancing is no longer required in church buildings and halls, though where possible an area of seating should be set aside, where 1 or 2 metre social distancing is maintained, for those who wish to avail of it. It may continue to be preferable to space out chairs in halls and rooms where this is possible.

4. It is recommended that, face coverings should no longer be required in church buildings or halls (including when singing), with those who prefer to continue to use face coverings clearly being free to do so.

5. Restrictions relating to Communion are no longer required, though some of the advice in the previously provided guidelines may continue to prove useful. Sensible precautions should continue to be taken both when preparing and distributing the elements. 

6. Restrictions relating to Baptisms are no longer required, though some of the advice in the previously provided guidelines may continue to prove useful.

7. Restrictions relating to catering on church premises are no longer required, though it is recommended that sensible precautions should continue to be taken.

8. Home Groups and other church meetings may take place in private homes, with sensible social distancing and good ventilation as appropriate.

9. Pastoral Visiting in private homes may continue to move towards a more normal pattern of in-person visitation, though wisdom should be exercised with regard to sensible precautions.

The service will continue to be made available to those who still feel they cannot attend, via Website and Telephone access

Matthew 18:20

 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Welcome Saints, to this our seventeenth online Sunday Service of Worship. Just click on the window below to begin listening.  

Please note that both our churches, Greencastle and Mossley are in preparation for reopening both their buildings on Sunday 26th July 2020.
When this happens please be aware of the new service times:
Mossley @ 10:30am and Greencastle @ 12 noon

Listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

Matthew 13:1-9

The parable of the sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.’

¹⁸ ‘Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ when anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.’

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. ⁹ For we are fellow workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Matthew 9:37

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

—–

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 for ‘details on how to give’ during Covid-19

Welcome Saints, to this our sixteenth online Sunday Service of Worship. This Sunday Sam gives us an insight into when the services in our church buildings will resume again, and what to expect.
Just click on the window below to begin listening.  

Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

Zechariah 9:9-12

The coming of Zion’s king

⁹ Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
¹⁰ I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
    and the war-horses from Jerusalem,
    and the battle-bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
    His rule will extend from sea to sea
    and from the River^[a] to the ends of the earth.
¹¹ As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
¹² Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
    even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

1 Corinthians 12:26

²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Genesis 49:10-11

¹⁰ The sceptre will not depart from Judah,
    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,^[a]
until he to whom it belongs^[b] shall come
    and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
¹¹ He will tether his donkey to a vine,
    his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
    his robes in the blood of grapes.

—–

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

Details on how to give during Covid-19

Welcome, to this our fifteenth online Sunday Service of Worship during this Covid-19 period. Just click on the window below to begin listening. 
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

PLEASE BE AWARE that Sam is on leave for two weeks returning Monday 29th of June. The services will be brought to you by Mossley Methodists’ Society Steward, Colin McDowell.
If you have any Pastoral emergencies, then please contact your Society Stewards. For Greencastle Methodist: Carole Lambe and for Mossley Methodist: Colin McDowell.

Matthew 10:40-42

⁴⁰ ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.’

John 14:23

²³ Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Mark 9:41

⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Matthew 25:40

⁴⁰ ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 10:16-17

¹⁶ ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.

Matthew 10:38

³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 25:35-40

³⁵ “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,..

… ⁴⁰ “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

---

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

Details on how to give during Covid-19

Welcome, to this our fourteenth online Sunday Service of Worship during this Covid-19 period. Just click on the window below to begin listening. 
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

PLEASE BE AWARE that Sam is on leave for two weeks returning Monday 29th of June. The services will be brought to you by Mossley Methodists’ Society Steward, Colin McDowell.
If you have any Pastoral emergencies, then please contact your Society Stewards. For Greencastle Methodist: Carole Lambe and for Mossley Methodist: Colin McDowell.

Philippians 3:5-14

⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

---

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

Details on how to give during Covid-19

Welcome Saints, to this our thirteenth online Sunday Service of Worship during this Covid-19 period. Just click on the window below to begin listening. 
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

PLEASE BE AWARE that Sam will be on leave for the next two weeks starting Monday 15th of June. The services will be brought to you by Mossley Methodists’ Society Steward, Colin McDowell.
If you have any Pastoral emergencies, then please contact your Society Stewards. For Greencastle Methodist: Carole Lambe and for Mossley Methodist: Colin McDowell.

Matthew 9:35-38

The workers are few

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’

Matthew 10:1-8

Jesus sends out the Twelve

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” ⁸ Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

John 10:11

¹¹ ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Numbers 27:17

¹⁷ to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.’

Matthew 28:16-20

The great commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

—

WORSHIP SONG: For All The People
Written by and courtesy of Noel Richards

—

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

Details on how to give during Covid-19

Welcome Saints, to this our twelfth online Sunday Service of Worship. This Sunday is known as TRINITY SUNDAY. Just click on the window below to begin listening.  
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

Psalm 8

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?^[c]

⁵ You have made them^[d] a little lower than the angels^[e]
    and crowned them^[f] with glory and honour.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their^[g] feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Matthew 21:16

¹⁶ ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him.

‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read,

‘“From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?’

Psalm 19:1

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

1 Peter 1:10-12

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, ¹¹ trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

—–

WORSHIP SONG: Such Love
Written by and courtesy of Graham Kendrick

—–

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

Welcome Saints, to this our eleventh online Sunday Service of Worship. This Sunday is known as PENTECOST SUNDAY. Just click on the window below to begin listening.  
Also listed below, to aid you in your worship, you will find the relevant NIV bible verses to follow.

Acts 2

The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’

Peter addresses the crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ ‘“In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
²¹ And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.”^[c]

²² ‘Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,^[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 2:38

Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

Romans 12:1

A living sacrifice

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.

—–

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