Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Genesis 35 and 36 at evening worship on Sunday 14th December 2025 in First Ards.

As Jacob’s long story draws to a close, God speaks into the mess of chapter 34 and calls him back to Bethel, a return not just to a place, but to the promises of God. This chapter is full of grace: idols are buried, worship is renewed, old names are reaffirmed and, even in the midst of deep sorrow and lingering sin, God’s covenant purposes hold firm. The line of promise might not look impressive next to Esau’s kings, but it’s through Jacob’s flawed family that the King of grace will one day come.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 7:36-50 at morning worship on Sunday 7th 2025 in First Ards.

At a dinner in a Pharisee’s home, a woman with a sinful past breaks into the room and pours out tearful, costly love at Jesus’ feet, an act that exposes both her need and Simon’s blindness to his own. Jesus tells a simple story that reveals the truth: forgiven people love much and those who think they need little forgiveness love little. In the end, the woman receives assurance and peace and Simon is left to face the question that rests on every heart at the table: how will we see our sin and how will we respond to the Saviour who freely forgives?

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Genesis 34 at evening worship on Sunday 30th November 2025 in First Ards.

Genesis 34 shows the fallout of Jacob stopping short of obedience. Dinah is grievously wronged, her brothers answer sin with deceit and bloodshed, Jacob retreats into fear and the whole disaster exposes what happens when God’s people live in compromise instead of at Bethel. It’s a dark chapter, but it drives us to the God who steps back in at the start of chapter 35, the righteous Judge who will put every wrong right and the gentle Shepherd who gathers the wounded and the wandering back under His care.

Note: This sermon includes adult themes, including sexual abuse. Please use discernment if listening with children and please take care if this subject matter os difficult for you.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 7:18-35 at morning worship on Sunday 30th November 2025 in First Ards.

John the Baptist, once so sure about Jesus, sits in prison confused and asks a question we all recognise “Are you really the One?” Jesus answers with evidence, broken lives healed, good news preached, and gently says, “Blessed is the one who isn’t tripped up by me.” Then he turns to the crowd, honours John, and exposes the heart that’s determined to resist no matter what tune God plays. Luke leaves us with a simple choice: either bring your honest doubts to Jesus, or fold your arms and refuse Him. Only one of those paths leads to life.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Genesis 33 at evening worship on Sunday 23rd November 2025 in First Ards.

Jacob limps into a new day after wrestling with God and Genesis 33 shows what grace looks like when it’s lived out in real relationships. The brother he feared meets him with unexpected mercy, Jacob responds with humility and yet the old instincts still surface, a reminder that God’s work in us is real but often uneven. Even so, the chapter ends with Jacob safe in the land because God keeps His promises, holding His people steady as they learn to walk in His grace.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Like 7:11-17 at morning worship on Sunday 23rd November in First Ards.

Jesus walks into a tiny nowhere town and straight into a funeral, a widow burying her only son, her last bit of security and hope. He sees her, feels deep compassion, stops the whole procession with a touch and, with a word, brings her son back to life. Jesus isn’t just moved by our tears, He has authority even over death itself and the only sane response is not to admire Him from a distance, but to trust Him as the Lord of life who will one day speak our names too.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Genesis 21 at evening worship on Sunday 16th November 2025 in First Ards.

Jacob’s story is as messy as ever, running from Laban, dreading Esau and realising his biggest problem isn’t his brother at all, it’s himself. Before any reunion can happen, God meets him alone in the dark, wrestles him to the ground and blesses him with a limp. It’s a chapter that shows us how God sometimes breaks our strength to rebuild our trust and how real change often starts where our self-reliance finally gives way to grace.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Trevor Gribben, moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, preaches Joshua 3 at the Moderator’s Rally on Sunday 9th November 2025 in Movilla Presbyterian Church.

As Israel prepares to cross the Jordan, God gives them four simple, life-shaping instructions: look to the Lord and follow Him, because that’s how you’ll know the way; consecrate yourselves, because God is about to do amazing things; listen to His words, because His voice leads with power and purpose; and trust that the Lord of all the earth goes ahead of you.