Ballymena Parish

21/10/2026

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19

What a difference it makes to begin the day remembering what we have in Jesus!

Before the messages arrive, before the jobs pile up, before we start wondering how we will manage it all, we can pause and say: “My God is all I need.”

We have a Father who welcomes us, a Saviour who has given himself for us and the Holy Spirit to help us. We step into this day already loved, already heard and already held.

That is something to rejoice in!

Of course, there will be things we need today. Someone to help. Wisdom for a decision. Strength to keep going. God knows every one of those needs, and he often provides through the kindness of other people. We can ask him freely and receive his gifts gladly.

Paul wrote his words about God’s provision from prison. His circumstances were difficult, yet he had discovered a joy that hardship could not take away: he belonged to Jesus. Whether he had plenty or very little, Christ would give him strength.

And that same Jesus is with us today.

When our patience runs thin, we can ask for his help. When we get something wrong, we can come for forgiveness and a fresh start. When an opportunity comes to encourage someone, we can step forward, trusting him to work through us.

There is so much more to this day than simply getting through it. There is love to share, goodness to notice and reason to give thanks. Perhaps God will use a small act of kindness from us to brighten someone else’s whole day.

So let’s lift our heads and open our hearts. The God who has brought us this far will be faithful as we go forward.

We have Jesus. We have hope. And we have every reason to sing!

Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for all we have in Jesus. Fill us with fresh joy today. Help us to trust your provision, welcome your gifts and share your love generously. Give us strength for each task and grateful hearts that are ready to praise you. Amen.

"My God is All I Need / My God is So Big"Words and Music by Fiona ...

20/10/2026

Mother’s & Tots Pumpkin Party.

We had a party today, where the children had fun making chocolate apples. Dorothy, carved a pumpkin, and read the pumpkin prayer, reminding us that God’s light shines on everything.

20/10/2026

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8

There is something comforting about the words “day after day.”

So much of life is lived in ordinary days. We get up, put the kettle on, attend to what needs doing and perhaps wonder where the time has gone. Some days bring lovely surprises. Others bring worries we would gladly have done without.

Through them all, Jesus reigns.

Before we open our eyes in the morning, he is already Lord. When we turn out the light at night, we can leave our concerns in his care. His faithfulness carries on through every hour in between.

Of course, there are times when we struggle to see that. We look at the news, hear of someone’s suffering or face a difficulty in our own family, and wonder what God is doing.

Yet the cross reminds us how much can be happening beyond what we can see. As Jesus hung there, his followers could scarcely have imagined the joy of resurrection morning. Through his death and resurrection, he was opening the way for us to be forgiven and brought home to God.

The Jesus who loved us enough to give himself for us is the same Jesus who reigns today. We can trust his heart!

His reign reaches into our ordinary lives. He is Lord over the conversation we are dreading, the appointment in our diary and the concern that keeps returning to our minds. We can invite him into each one, asking for wisdom, courage and peace.

Perhaps today we could pause before rushing into the next thing and pray, “Jesus, help me to trust you with this.”

We do not have to carry tomorrow before it comes. There is grace to receive today, a faithful Saviour to follow and a sure hope ahead.

Day after day, Jesus reigns. And day after day, we can place ourselves in his loving hands.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that your love and faithfulness never change. Help us to trust you with the ordinary moments and the unexpected challenges of today. Give us peace in our worries, wisdom in our decisions and joy as we walk with you. Amen.

"Day After Day, Jesus Reigns"Words and Music by James Ferguson and...

19/10/2026

LAUNCH - 21ST NOVEMBER

We can’t wait to gather with children and youth volunteers from across Connor Diocese in Ballymena on 21st November. Join us for a morning of discussion, fellowship and equipping as we welcome guests from Love for Life and the Church of Ireland Children and Families Ministry. We would love to see you there and pray you will be built up and encouraged to reach the next generation for Christ. The morning is free but please register using the link in bio.

19/10/2026

An Appreciation Service for Diocesan Readers in Connor will be held on Wednesday October 21 in St Patrick’s, Ballymena Parish
The service, which gets underway at 7.30pm, is open to Clergy, Readers and anyone else who would like to come along to show their gratitude to those who serve the diocese as Lay Readers.

19/10/2026

19/10/2026

19/10/2026

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. — Job 19:25

Some days, faith comes with a song. Other days, it comes with a sigh and a quiet prayer: “Lord, help me through this.”

The wonderful thing is that our Redeemer lives on both kinds of days.

When Job spoke these words, his life was full of sorrow. He had suffered incredible losses, and he couldn't understand why.
His declaration came from the middle of his pain: “I know that my redeemer lives.”

There was so much Job did not know. Yet here was something he could hold on to.

We, too, face things we can't explain. We pray for someone we love. We wait for news. We miss a familiar voice. We wonder how we will manage what lies ahead.

Into those moments comes the good news of Jesus. He went to the cross for us, bore our sin and rose again. Our Saviour is alive, and his love has not loosened its hold on those who belong to him.

That means we can bring him the things we find difficult to put into words. We can ask for forgiveness when we have failed, strength when we are weary, and comfort when our hearts are sore.

We may still have to wait. We may still shed tears. But we do so with a living Saviour who knows us and walks with us.

And because Jesus lives, even death can't take away the future he has promised his people. One day, we will be with him, and all that now wounds and troubles us will be healed.

For today, we can take the next step, trusting him with what we can't see.

Our Redeemer lives. There is hope for tomorrow, and grace for this very day.

Prayer
Living Lord Jesus, thank you that you have conquered sin and death. When life feels uncertain, help us to rest in your faithful love. Comfort us in sorrow, strengthen us in weakness, and fill our hearts with the hope of belonging to you, today and for ever. Amen.

18/10/2026

Youth Fellowship
Thanks to all those who came and to Gordon Brown for speaking a good night was had by all.🤗