Rev. Craig Lynn preaches 2 Samuel 9 at evening worship on Sunday 11th May 2025 in First Ards.

In this account from 2 Samuel 9, we see King David reach out in kindness to a forgotten, broken man named Mephibosheth. It’s a picture of grace: covenantal, undeserved and deeply personal. David’s mercy mirrors the greater mercy of God, who seeks out sinners, not for what they offer, but for the sake of His Son. Just as Mephibosheth is lifted from Lo-Debar and seated at the king’s table “like one of the king’s sons,” so too are we, through Christ, welcomed into the household of God. The kindness of God is still seeking, still welcoming and still transforming lives today.

Ricky Ferguson (ruling elder in Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church in the presbytery of North Belfast and Ireland Team Leader for Wycliffe Bible Translators) preaches Isaiah 55 and shares about the work and witness of Wycliffe, one of our mission partners, at morning worship on Sunday 11th May 2025 in First Ards.

What happens when people hear the Word of God in their own language? Lives are changed. Hearts are opened. Nations are reached. In this message, we reflect on Isaiah 55:10–11 and hear powerful stories from the work of Bible translation with Wycliffe, including how one word in one language unlocked the gospel in a whole new way. God’s Word doesn’t return empty. It accomplishes His purpose. And as we partner together, through giving, praying and going, we can be part of that great purpose: that everyone might hear the voice of Jesus in a language they understand.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 5:1-11 at morning worship on Sunday 4th May 2025 in First Ards.

Peter thought he knew what he was doing, until Jesus stepped into his boat. This isn’t just a story about fish. It’s about a call that confronts, convicts and transforms. Jesus interrupts Peter’s ordinary day with a command that makes no sense, “let down the nets” and Peter obeys. The result? A miraculous catch, but more than that, a man undone by holiness. Peter falls at Jesus’ knees, not in pride but repentance. And Jesus lifts him. “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” It’s a call not to part-time religion but full-time surrender. Peter leaves everything. Will you?

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches 1 Peter 1:3-9 at Easter morning worship on 20th April 2025 in First Ards.

Peter doesn’t begin with problems, he begins with praise. Jesus is alive and that changes everything. His resurrection gives us new birth into a living hope, an inheritance that can’t perish, spoil, or fade. That hope holds in suffering. Even when faith feels fragile, God keeps us. Our future is secure, not because we’re strong, but because Christ is risen. So take heart: we don’t follow a memory, we follow a living Saviour. And because He lives, we live too.

Rev. David Moore preaches Mark 15:25-39 at our fourth and final joint Holy Week service on Good Friday 18th April 2025 in First Ards.

On that Friday, Jesus was crucified. Mocked, rejected and alone, He hung on a cross between criminals. But this was no ordinary death, this was the moment sin was judged, wrath was spent and salvation was won. As darkness fell, Jesus bore the weight of the world’s sin and cried out in abandonment. And when He died, the temple curtain tore, the way to God thrown open. A Roman centurion looked up and saw what many missed, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” Do you see it too?

Rev. David Moore preaches Mark 14:17-26 and 32-36 at our third joint Holy Week service on Thursday 17th April 2025 in First Ards.

On the night before the cross, Jesus gives His disciples a powerful promise and prays a profound prayer. The promise? His body and blood, broken and poured out, are the guarantee of God’s covenant love, the gift of forgiveness and life. The prayer? “Not my will, but yours be done.” At the darkest hour, Jesus walks the hardest road for us. Trust the promise. Follow the prayer.

Rev. David Moore preaches Mark 12:1-12 and 14:1-11 at our second joint Holy Week service on Wednesday 16th April in First Ards.

As Holy Week continues, Jesus is rejected by the religious leaders and betrayed by Judas; but in the middle of it all, He’s honoured by a woman who pours out costly perfume in love. While others plot, she worships. It’s a challenge to us. Are we rejecting, betraying or truly honouring Jesus with our best?

Rev. David Moore preaches Mark 11:12-19 at our first joint Holy Week service on Tuesday 15th April in First Ards.

Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree and overturns tables in the temple. Both are signs of judgment, not on outsiders, but on empty religion. It’s a call to repent, to return to our first love and to let Jesus bring the change we need.