Worship at
St Columba's Lisburn

Welcome to worship at St Columba's Lisburn! We are still unable to gather in person so enjoy our online service. We pray that you and your families are well.

Sunday Services at St Columba's Lisburn won't be "in person" for a few more weeks. So I thought I'd share some thoughts on Psalm 84. It speaks of a person who yearns to be gathered for worship. Perhaps we feel like that, at the moment? We look forward to our return, but for now, we trust God for all that we need just now.

"Come and see" is such an open and graceful invitation. It's Philip's reply to what sounds like a gruff rebuttal by Nathaniel. He hears what sounds like the misguided enthusiasm of a new convert. Rather than descend into a fruitless argument, Philip invites Nathaniel to meet Jesus for himself. This defuses the debate between these men, and besides, Jesus proves perfectly well able to speak for himself. This a model for anyone who would ever want to tell others about Jesus.

The first of our Winter Lockdown Services. Its been a frosty week and bleak news regarding the uplift in Covid infection rates. There are many dark moments referenced in Scripture. One in particular is the siege of Jerusalem, in 587BC. During the siege, the prophet Jeremiah has tough truths to speak, so daunting and costly that he suffers for speaking out. But he also speaks some amazing promises for a happier peaceful future. God is faithful. "Putting his money where his mouth is", he buys a field from a cousin, despite the ground being held under enemy occupation...He is persuaded that good times will, in God's time, return. It's that message I wish to assert today: GOOD TIMES WILL, IN GOD'S TIME, RETURN. Music on the video is graciously provided by EMU music, who have waived copyright. The first song is TAKE HEART and the second is NEVER ALONE. Both are a gentle but confident assertion that God, in Jesus, since the incarnation, is at our side, and for our good.

This the second of 2 online services from St Columba's Lisburn, recorded when we were unable to meet as a congregation. Sermon is based on 2 Peter 3 and the return of Jesus Christ

"Is the LORD with us?" The urgent cry from the thirsty Israelites in Sinai. Perhaps its an equally urgent cry for many today, facing uncertainties in life

The Bible text in Matt begins with Peter asking Jesus how often a person should forgive another for their apparently persistent offences. (One wonders what was going on among the disciples at this point to provoke such conversation...?) Peter suggests 7 as his top limit, Jesus counters with 70 x 7, which is his way of saying "there are no limits", and drives the point home with a parable about 2 men who owed money. One owed a fortune, the other a couple of month's wages. Rodney explores what forgiving looks like, for us in the here and now, in as practical way as this text may be applied in daily life.

Sermon this week is based on The parable of the workers in the vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16. Have you ever exclaimed "I don't deserve THIS!" What was your tone of voice? Horror and disgust?...Or Surprise and joy? Same words. Polar opposites in emotion. Something like that happens in this parable.