CENTRAL Belfast

As we closed out our In-House Weekend, Dave Dickinson was sharing from Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, asking us the question, 'What do we do in the wait?'Dave challenged us (through Paul's writing) to be a people who Imitate, Do Good & be a People of Peace.2 Thessalonians 3:6-16

This weekend we gathered for our fourth In-House Weekend – a weekend of food, story, teaching, worship & ministry. On Saturday morning, John Dickinson was with us, speaking from the life of Moses as challenged us to think about what our Priority should be as leaders; that People should be our focus; and that our Presence of God through us should be our distinguishing feature in the world.Exodus 32 & 33

On Sunday, we launched a new series, unpacking the theme of belonging to the church. Jamie McMillan kicked us off as we looked at how the church is to be colony of Heaven here on earth.Philippians 3:10-11; 17-21 

On Sunday, we marked a significant moment in the life of Central as we were commissioned as congregation within the life of PCI. Dave Dickinson, our Senior Leader, shared with us as we thought about what kind of church we are seeking to be. As he shared two prophetic words that were given to him over the last 6 years, Dave unpacked that we are to be a Well & a River; a well where the city can come and meet Jesus, and a river that flows out into the city, bringing the hope of Jesus everywhere it goes.Psalm 46:4-7 & Revelation 22:1-3

On Sunday, we rounded off our 'Who We Are' series as we unpacked the value of Witness. Dave Dickinson was sharing with us and challenged us to think about how witnessing to others about our faith in Jesus requires us to Experience & Tell.John 9:1-17;24-34 & Acts 20:17-35

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson walked us through our second value here at Central as we thought about the theme of worship. We are a worshipping people. We were made to worship. Dave reminded us of the Apostle Paul's challenge to the church in Rome as we explored how Worship is about Heart & Hope.Romans 12:1-2; 15:13

On Sunday we looked at the first of our core values here at Central as Jamie McMillan unpacked the theme of Community. We looked at one of the most famous parables in all of Scripture as Jamie spoke from the story of the Good Samaritan. He highlighted that this parable has much to teach us about community and specifically, Our Need for Community & The Uniqueness of Christian Community.Luke 10:25-37

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson launched a new series, as we dive into our values here at Central. Before we explore these individual values, we looked at the 'how' of these values. We unpacked 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2 as we looked a the Apostle Paul's call to be people of Reconciliation & Ambassadors. 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson rounded off our character study of Jacob. As we look at the astounding events if Genesis 35 and wrestle with its implications, Dave highlighted two main themes: Commitment & FaithfulnessGenesis 35

On Sunday, we continued out character study of the life of Jacob, as we made our way through that incredible reconciliation between Jacob and his brother, Esau – whom Jacob had stolen from and deceived all those year earlier. Dave Dickinson was sharing with us and he highlighted three main themes in this text – Change, Reconciliation & Humanity.Genesis 33

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our series in Jacob as we looked at that infamous moment when Jacob wrestles with God. Dave highlighted that this pivotal moment in Jacob's life tells of two key themes – Blessing & Presence.Genesis 32:22-32

On Sunday, John Dickinson continued our Jacob series as we unpacked a large part of Jacob's story. John took us on a whistle-stop tour through the several parts of Jacob's life. We see that Jacob finds his family, acquires a fortune and then flees. In all of this, John reminded us that God worked out His plans in Jacob's broken life and He can work out His plans in ours too.Genesis 29:1-15

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan continued our series looking at the life of Jacob. This week, we looked when Jacob fled his home. Jamie highlighted three keys aspects of the story: Reluctance, Revelation & Response.Genesis 27-41-45; 28:10-22

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan kicked off a brand new, 6-part series looking a the life of Jacob. This week, we looked at how Esau sells his birthright.Genesis 25:19-34

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our series in Ephesians, as we looked at what Paul has to say to Households: husbands, wives, children & slaves. Dave highlighted two key theme: Transforming Relationship & Life-Giving Authority.Ephesians 5:21-6:9

On Sunday, John Dickinson continued our More series as we entered the fifth chapter of Ephesians. John unpacked the big theme of formation that Paul speaks of in this part of the letter and called us to be Children of Light; a people of an alternative Kingdom while we live here on Earth; a Kingdom that is marked by love and thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:1-20

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our More series. This week, we looked at the new life that we are offered in Jesus. This passage is marked by a Person and Patterns as we seek to live lives that are holy and Christlike - lives marked by compassion, kindness and forgiveness. Ephesians 4:17-31

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan continued our walk through the book of Ephesians as we looked at the theme of vocation and calling. Unpacking Paul's incredible challenge to "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received", Jamie reminded us that we all have a specific role to play in the Kingdom of God; that vocation and calling is about knowing what it is we are gifted in and coming alive in that area of our lives.Ephesians 4:1-16

On Sunday, Jess McCarroll continued our More series as we unpack the passage that hosts one of the most famous verses in Ephesians; That God is able to immeasurably, abundantly more than we can ever think or imagine. Jess highlighted two key themes: Power & Love Ephesians 3:14-21

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our More series on Ephesians, as we worked our way through the first part of chapter 3. This week's focus was on the theme of the Mystery, the Carrier & Clarity.Ephesians 3:1-13

On Sunday, we continued our walk through the book of Ephesians as Dave Dickinson unpacked the second half of Ephesians 2. We looked at the theme of New Humanity, and how there is now no barrier to who can receive salvation in Jesus. Dave unpacked the Portrait, Peacemaker & Promise.Ephesians 2:11-22

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our walk through the book of Ephesians as we entered chapter 2. This week's theme was 'Alive in Christ'. Dave focus on the Depths & Heights of the life we have in Christ.Ephesians 2:1-10

On Sunday, Helen Warnock continued our series 'More', as we walk through the Book of Ephesians. This week, we looked at the theme of Wonder and how there is Hope, Riches & Power in life with Jesus.Ephesians 1:15-23

On Sunday, John Dickinson continued our new series 'More', as we walk through the letter to the Ephesians. We looked at the theme of Blessing & Inheritance and how our lives should be all about Jesus. How does our position in Christ change how we live?Ephesians 1:3-14

On Sunday, we launched a new series called More. This is a walk through Paul's Letter to the church in Ephesians. Jamie McMillan launched this series as we looked at the context for this letter. It is found in Acts 19, where we read of the riot that was the catalyst for the church.Acts 19

Following Easter, we dropped back into the final part of our I AM series, as Dave Dickinson unpacked Jesus' proclamation that He is the True Vine. This statement of Jesus is all about Abiding & Fruitfulness.John 15:1-11

On Easter Sunday, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. Jamie McMillan was with us as he unpacked Romans 6:1-13 and how Jesus' resurrection was The Great Reversal, The End of History & Everything Upside-down.Romans 6:1-13

On Good Friday, John Dickinson was with us, and unpacked the role that Joseph of Aremethia played in Jesus' crucifixion. John highlighted that Joseph lived a Cross-shaped life that looked like Courage, Compassion & Commitment.John 19

On Sunday, we marked Palm Sunday as we entered the Easter season. Dave Dickinson unpacked John's account of Jesus arriving into Jerusalem ahead of a week that would change the course of history. Dave highlighted that this story is about the Crowd & the King.John 12:12-19

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson led us through the penultimate part of our I Am series, as we looked at one of Jesus' most recognisable statements, "I am the way, the truth and the life". Dave walked us through the three parts of this statement and its significance for us as we follow Jesus.Jesus Way + Jesus Truth = Jesus Life John 14:1-11

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson moved us into part five of our I Am series as we looked at Jesus' proclamation that He is the Resurrection and the Life – all following the death His friend Lazarus. Jesus then goes on to miraculously bring Lazarus back from the dead. Dave highlighted that this statement is about a Sign & a Promise.John 11:17-44

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan continued our I Am series, as we continued on from last week as Jesus unpacked His statement that not only is He the Gate, but the Good Shepherd. Jamie reminded us that He is the Good Shepherd because of His incredible, sacrificial love. To accept Him is to recognise our need for Him.John 10:11-18

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson moved us into part three of our I Am series, as Jesus declares, "I am the gate". Dave unpacked that within this self-declaration, there is A Leadership Contest, A Warning & An Invitation.John 10:1-10

On Sunday, we continue our I Am series, as we looked at the second self-proclamation of Jesus, "I am the light of the world". Dave Dickinson unpacked the significance of this statement and how the light helps us to see things as they are & to see God as He truly is.John 8:12-20

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson launched a new series called 'I Am', unpacking the seven I Am statement of Jesus; or Jesus in His own words. We kicked off with "I am the bread of life."We looked at the Context, Content & Calling of this declaration and how Jesus offers us the life that we deeply desire.John 6:22-51

On Sunday, we were delighted to welcome Jonny Campbell as he closed out our series in the Ten Commandments. Jonny unpacked the final command 'Do not covet...', challenging us to lives that of joyful contentment. This life, which we see in Jesus, is one marked by Gratitude, Generosity & God-given Purpose.Exodus 20:17

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan walked us through the penultimate commandment 'Do not bear false testimony', as we looked at the place of lies and truth within the way of Jesus. Jamie tackled three main questions –1. Why should we be a people who value the truth?2. What does it mean to be a people who value the truth? 3. How are we going to become a truthful people?Exodus 20:16

On Sunday, Helen Warnock continued our Ten Words series as we looked at the eight commandment, 'You shall not steal'. Helen unpacked the Command & the Invitation that this commandment is. Both of which are viewed through the lens of God's radical generosity towards us.Exodus 20:14

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson relaunched us back into our series on the Ten Commandments, after taking a break before Christmas. We were exploring the seventh commandment, 'You shall not commit adultery'. Dave highlighted that this commandment is both Outward Facing & Inner Searching. This Commandment is a call to faithfulness as God has been faithful to us through Jesus.Exodus 20:14

On Sunday, Jess McCarroll closed out our Psalms for the Season series, as she unpacked Psalm 84 and the longing that the Psalmist writes with, as he longs to be with the Lord. This Psalm is a call to cultivate our hearts towards the things of God.Psalm 84

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan continued our Psalms series by unpacking Psalm 40. Jamie highlighted David's Rescue, Reflection, Response & Relapse. Through it all, God remains faithful through the trials of life.Psalm 40.

On Sunday, Jamie McMillan kicked off our annual Psalms for the Season series that we walk through every January. We looked at Psalm 103 and Jamie unpacked three main themes as we start 2025 – The Benefits of God's Love, The Necessity of God's Love & Being Children of God.Psalm 103.

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson finished our Arrival series as he spoke into the in-between that we go through between Christmas and the New Year. As we move out of Christmas and 2024, and more into a new season at the beginning of 2025, Dave highlighted that we need Perspective and Promise as we sit in-between seasons.Psalm 8 & Philippians 2:5-11

On Christmas Eve, we met to worship and hear from God's Word as Jamie McMillan continued our Arrival series. In the penultimate session, we looked at the birth of Jesus and its significance for our lives.Luke 2:1-7

On Sunday, we continued our Christmas series, as we looked at Mary's part in the Christmas story. Dave Dickinson was sharing with us, and he unpacked two main themes - The Thrill of Hope & The Call of Faith.Luke 1:26–38

On Sunday, Lydia Neish continued our Arrival series as we joined with our kids for our All-Age Carols. We looked at the part that John the Baptist plays in the Christmas Story and how he would eventually prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. Lydia highlighted that there is a preparing and a pointing.Luke 3:2-17

On Sunday, we were delighted to have Jonny Campbell sharing with us in part two of our Arrival series. As we prepare for the arrival of Jesus in this advent series, we were looking at Christmas through Old Testament Eyes. Jonny highlighted that the Christmas story, as Isaiah sees it, is a Eucatastrophe, that holds both Mystery & Treasure.Isaiah 11:1-10

On Sunday, John Dickinson launched our Christmas series, 'Arrival', as we make our way through the Christmas narrative. He unpacked Isaiah vision of the coming of the Lord, and highlighted that this vision acts as two things - A Tractor Beam & Decommissioning.Isaiah 2:1-5

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson continued our Ten Words series on the Ten Commandments, as we unpacked commandment six, 'Do not murder'. Dave unpacked there main points; The Crime & The Gift, The Principle & The Loan and The Hate & The Heart.Exodus 20:13

On Sunday, Dave Dickinson led us through part four of our series,'Ten Words', unpacking the Ten Commandments. This week - Sabbath. Dave reminded us that Sabbath is about Imitation & Invitation.Exodus 20:8-11

On Sunday, we unpacked the third commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God". Dave Dickinson led us through this command and reminded us that it is a command about Person, Presence & Power.Exodus 20:7