Thursday

Saint Patrick - The Church at Saul






A frequently asked question regarding St. Patrick is 

"Where in Northern Ireland will you find a church to commemorate St. Patrick?"

The answer is "lots of places"


 I want to take you to County Down where there is a small place called Saul and there you will find not one of the Cathedral's named after the Irish Patron Saint but a beautiful small church.



As you approach the church up the long narrow driveway






you will see the sign introducing you to St. Patrick's Memorial Church, which is open to the public daily and has a service each Sunday.







It tells us that St. Patrick built the first Christian church in Ireland on this same site in 432 AD







The church is small and beautifully made from light coloured stone.   
Simple & elegant with a very tall round tower.








The adjacent small graveyard is also well looked after and just a few steps away from the arched front doorway to the church.










Even the front of this church is simple and elegant with it's arched doorway and brickwork framing the door and then as you lift your eyes up there is a small stained glass window.








As you look to the front of the church after entering you will not be disappointed because the interior is also elegant and simple and this was a welcoming place to walk into and stand and gaze around, which we did for quite some time.



There are three sections at the front but also there is the wooden stand just off centre which






holds the book of Sunday Service readings and if you look closely you may be able to see that it was open at the readings for the Sunday after Trinity which would fall within the week from 25th September to 1st October.
We were there on 25th September (our oldest son's birthday - it was his choice of where we would visit that day)

The Psalm for the day was Psalm 78 and the reading listed was from Ezekiel 18.









The left section at the front comprised of a simple wooden pulpit.








The right section at the front was the area where the Bible would be read.










In the centre at the front was the altar table and another beautiful simple stained glass window.  This time arched and depicting St. Patrick.








Also in the church there is some information about the church.








Looking from the front back towards the entrance we saw the quaint compact organ for the weekly church services.


The stonework inside and outside made this little church just perfect.







As you can see from the side view of the outside the church is not very long and the windows are narrow yet with the sun shining in through these windows there was plenty of light inside.







It is on this side wall that we find the foundation stone of the new church built in 1933 on the old original site - a beautiful commemoration to St. Patrick.







Other Posts related to St. Patrick can be found on our






Sunday

Reading Through The Bible - ZEPHANIAH








Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








ZEPHANIAH  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -  PROPHECY

36th book of the OT 
36th book of the Bible



It starts with a declaration that this is the Word of the Lord which came through Zephaniah as we see in chapter 1 v 1





What is it?

The Book of Zephaniah is one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament which means it is Prophecy.
It is the 9th out of the 12 minor prophets.




How Long is it?

It has 3 chapters.



When was it Written?

It is was written between 635 & 625 BC

Because ch. 1 v 1 gives us a good deal of detail about Zephaniah the historians can be more sure of the timescale for this book.

"The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah."



Who Wrote it?

Zephaniah

The name Zephaniah means "Treasured by God"


The first verse of this book tells us who Zephaniah was

"....... Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah ........."


"Teach Sunday School" tells us the following

"Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah, the king of Judah from 640 to 609 BC"


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Zephaniah was probably a contemporary of HabakkukNahum, and Jeremiah."
"The punishment that he foretells plays out in the books of KingsChronicles and Jeremiah."

  



Who was it Written to?


The people of Judah.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Like the book of Joel, Zephaniah takes a “bad news first” approach: he begins with the coming destruction of Jerusalem, discusses the downfall and restoration of the outside nations, and finishes with the promise that Judah and Israel will be restored.





Why was it Written? 

It was written as a warning about the Day of the Lord 


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Zephaniah preached his message during the rule of King Josiah, who had initiated religious reform in all of Judah and some surrounding territories. At this time, the nation as a whole was obeying God’s laws and turning from idols (2 Chr 34:33). Since the land was obeying God, one might ask, “Whom was Zephaniah warning, then?”

His warnings seem to better resonate with the next generation of Judah. After Josiah dies in battle, his sons take the throne for 22 years. They disobey the Lord, they stir up trouble with Babylon, and they disregard the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 36:27–2937:1–2). Plus, the priests and citizens defile God’s temple (2 Chr 36:14). 
In light of this, Zephaniah’s message makes sense. "




What is notable about this book? 

Zephaniah mentions the "Day of the Lord" more than any other Old Testament Prophet. 







How does it end?


Although the main emphasis throughout is of warning of what will happen in the Day of the Lord in chapter 3 we do see some exhortation that God is not wrecking only vengeance but that He loves His people especially in verse 17

 




What format does this book take? 



The Overview Bible  tells us the following 

  1. Desolation and discipline on Judah (Zep 1)
  2. Desolation on the surrounding nations (Zep 2)
  3. The Lord’s remnant from the nations (Zep 3:1–11)
  4. The Lord’s remnant from Israel (Zep 3:12–20)


You can also see my Pastor's  Bible Study video on Zephaniah











OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 












Reading Through The Bible - TITUS







Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








TITUS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

17th book of the NT 
56th book of the Bible



It starts with a greeting of blessing in ch.1 v 4






I love the blessings pronounced in God's Word and they are still blessings to us as well.




What is it?

The Book of Titus is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 3 chapters.




When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 62 to 64 AD



Who Wrote it?

The Apostle PAUL

It is one of his several letters to people and churches included in the New Testament.


It laid out teaching about Jesus 



 

and advice for all Christians 



going on to explain that salvation is not obtained by us but is given through God's mercy



 




Who was it Written to?


It was written to Titus as we see in chapter 1 v 4 

 "To Titus, a true son in our common faith:"


Titus was a younger man known and respected by the Apostle Paul and given responsibility for leading the church at Crete.




Why was it Written? 

It was written as instruction to Titus as he lead the church at Crete


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul advises Titus on how to lead orderly, counter-cultural churches on the island of Crete."

and


"Teach Sunday School" tells us the following

"Titus was a young pastor being put in charge of the churches at Crete.  Paul wrote to encourage him and addressed some of the same problems with leading a church as he addressed with Timothy, his young disciple."




How does it end?



With a reminder of the Hope all Christians have




and

with greetings to Titus from others with Paul, and to others in Crete and a short blessing in

 chapter 3 v 15

   " All who are with me greet you. 
Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen."










OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE