The Pointer February 2021
Rector The Rt Rev Darren McCartney 028 4175 3497 suffragan1@gmail.com
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore A passage that often comes to my mind is John 20. It contains words spoken by Jesus to Thomas. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” These are the words Jesus uses to describe those who in the future would put their trust in him. These words are spoken of you as well, who believe in him. He calls you blessed. I wonder have you ever given thought to these words. Again, and again as I study Holy Scripture I am dumbfounded at God’s grace towards humanity. Holy Scripture leaves the reader in no doubt that the Lord Almighty is a Holy God. God does not simply crumple up and set light to what he has created in response to our disobedience. Rather we see his love and grace towards that which he made and the promise of restoration. Again, and again, we learn of those who had a relationship with the Almighty. Again, and again, we see their shortcomings, their many mistakes, we see them warts and all. Yet the Almighty is always there. We see his great patience. Jesus refers to those who sought to believe on him and yet had not seen him as blessed. I want you to take encouragement from his words spoken of you who believe in him. I want to thank you for seeking to make him the King of your lives, I want to thank you for not giving up when times may seem tough and the road ahead difficult. I want to remind you of the need to rest in him and his love for you, even now if your back is up against the wall. I want to encourage you to look to Jesus the author of your faith who made himself nothing for you and for me. He gave his everything for us, that the major problem we have
with sin may be conquered! He says that he will never leave us. What a promise! He doesn’t promise us that the road ahead will be smooth and without its bumps but he is there! Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I give thanks to God as I remember your service and support within the life of his Church. I know that many of you give sacrificially and for this I want to thank you. May God’s name be glorified, may our witness continue, even when we are separated and may we remain faithful to his call on our lives. +Darren
Ash Wednesday Eucharist 17th February 2021 10.30 am The service will be live streamed to both Facebook pages and then posted afterwards on YouTube.
Clonallon and Warrenpoint Facebook https://www.facebook.com/warrenpointcoi/
Sunday Services live streamed at 10.00 am. Compline at 9.00 pm daily.
Kilbroney Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ KilbroneyParishChurchRostrevor/
Sunday Services live streamed at 11.30 am. Compline at 8.30 pm daily.
Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney