Ballymena Parish

16/06/2026

Looking forward to seeing you at 7 this evening 🌸

The things that happen over a cuppa after church! Please meet the beginning of the newly formed Kilconriola & Ballyclug Young Women's group. We now invite any women from the parish who would like to be a part of this new initiative to come along to St Patrick's Church hall @ 7pm on Tuesday 16th June. Feel free to bring a friend!

16/06/2026

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." — James 1:17

In a world that constantly encourages us to focus on what we lack, Matt Maher's song Praise the Giver redirects our hearts to the One from whom all blessings flow. The song reminds us that while God's gifts are abundant and worthy of gratitude, our worship belongs first and foremost to the Giver Himself.
It is easy to become so focused on God's blessings that we lose sight of God's presence. We thank Him for answered prayers, provision, relationships, opportunities, and countless daily mercies. Yet the greatest gift God has given us is Himself. His love, faithfulness, grace, and presence sustain us through every season of life.
When blessings are plentiful, we praise Him. When circumstances are difficult and blessings seem harder to recognize, we can still praise Him because His character never changes. The gifts may vary from season to season, but the Giver remains constant. His goodness is not measured by our circumstances but revealed through His unchanging nature.
As we cultivate hearts of gratitude, we move beyond simply appreciating what God gives and learn to delight in who He is. True worship flourishes when our affection is fixed not merely on the gifts in God's hands but on the heart of the Father who lovingly provides them.
Today, take a moment to thank God for His blessings. Then go a step further and worship Him simply for being who He is—faithful, loving, holy, merciful, and worthy of all praise.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for every good and perfect gift You have given. Thank You for Your provision, Your care, and Your countless blessings that surround my life each day. But above all, thank You for Yourself. Thank You for Your steadfast love, Your faithfulness, and Your presence that never leaves me. Help me not to become so focused on Your gifts that I forget to worship the Giver. Teach me to praise You in times of abundance and in times of need, trusting that Your goodness never changes. May my heart find its greatest joy not in what You give, but in knowing You more deeply each day.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Watch + share the lyric video for “Praise The Giver”! Check out m...

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." — John 19:30

The words "It is finished" are among the most powerful ever spoken. In a single declaration, Jesus announced that the work He came to accomplish was complete. The debt of sin was paid. The sacrifice was made. The victory was secured.
Matt Maher's song The Finished Work reminds us that our hope is not found in what we can do for God, but in what Christ has already done for us. We often live as though we must earn God's approval through our efforts, achievements, or spiritual performance. Yet the cross tells a different story. Jesus did not say, "I am finished." He said, "It is finished." The work of redemption was completed once and for all.
Because of the finished work of Christ, we no longer have to carry the burden of proving ourselves worthy. We can rest in His grace. Our failures do not have the final word, and our fears do not define our future. The cross stands as an eternal reminder that God's love has already reached us, forgiven us, and made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
Today, whatever challenge you face, remember that Jesus has already won the ultimate victory. The same Saviour who finished the work of salvation continues His work in your life. You can walk forward in faith, confidence, and peace, knowing that His grace is sufficient and His promises are secure.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank You that my salvation is not based on my strength, my efforts, or my perfection, but on His perfect sacrifice. When I am tempted to strive, remind me to rest in Your grace. When I feel condemned, help me remember that Christ has paid the price in full. Fill my heart with gratitude, confidence, and peace as I trust in what You have already accomplished through Your Son. Teach me to live each day in the freedom, hope, and victory that come from the cross.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Official lyric video for Finished Work by Matt Maher. Listen to F...

14/06/2026

📝 EXAM PRAYER PLANNER 📝

Exams are nearly over, not long to go now!
We are celebrating with those sitting the Junior Cycle as they finish up their exams this week, and we are praying for those who finish next week 🙏

God is with you, as you revise, as you sit exams, take breaks, He is with you. Rest in Him when you can, and He will give you strength to finish well! 🙌

13/06/2026

Great turn out at the Family Fun Night with 140 in attendance. Thanks to everyone who came and all those who helped a great team effort. Special thanks to William Allen meats for the sausages. Mo McDowell Coaching for the 3v3 inflatable pitches, Roddy from Rascals Castles, Connor and Jason with the PSNI gaming bus and Glitterbug🤗

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14

God Who Fights for Us turns our attention to a truth we often forget in the middle of struggle: God is not distant from His people’s battles—He is present within them. Not as a passive observer, but as the One who defends, strengthens, and ultimately delivers.
So much of life tempts us to believe we are alone in what we face. We feel the pressure to win every internal war, fix every broken situation, or hold everything together by sheer effort. But Scripture paints a different picture: the Lord goes before His people, fights on their behalf, and upholds them when their strength runs out.
This does not mean life becomes free of conflict or difficulty. Rather, it means we are never left to face it in our own power. God’s faithfulness does not always remove the battle immediately, but it does ensure that the battle is never ours alone. In Christ, victory is not something we achieve—it is something we receive and walk in by faith.
To trust the God who fights for us is to lay down the illusion of control and pick up the steady confidence that He is both willing and able to carry us through.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You that You fight for Your people. When I feel weak, overwhelmed, or uncertain, remind me that I am not alone in what I face. Teach me to rest in Your strength instead of striving in my own. Strengthen my faith to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your victory. Let my heart find peace in You, the God who goes before me and stands beside me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Official Music Video for The God Who Fights For Us by Sovereign Gra...