Stephanie Wilson continues The Familiar Stranger series with a powerful message that speaks to the reality of suffering in the human experience. She reminds us that suffering isn’t evidence of God’s absence but the very place where God meets us—the Holy Spirit groaning with us, comforting us in our pain, and bringing new life through our struggles. This healing presence leads to profound redemption, where scars become means of grace, wounds expand our capacity for love, and our hope in Jesus assures us that suffering is never the final word in our story. This recording also includes a Remembrance Sunday Prayer, some notices on upcoming gatherings plus a special honouring of Ian & Libby Ryans as they step down from 8 years of leading our Farmbox ministry. Chapters/Timestamps: [00:30] Worship & Prayer [01:41] Remembrance Sunday Prayer [03:51] Honouring Ian & Libby Ryans (Farmbox) [09:20] Notice: Dinners [10:22] Notice: Carols by Candlelight [10:57] Notice: Dinners (updated) [12:34] Sermon *** Give & Support Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city. ~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~

We often seek explanations before we are willing to experience God yet this is a reversal of the scriptural pattern where experience often precedes understanding. David Armstrong explores the story of Nicodemus, a high-ranking Pharisee, and his encounters with Jesus across three key scenes: a secret night visit, a public festival, and the solemn act of a burial. Nicodemus’s story invites us to let go of our need for certainty and step into the mystery of faith—to move beyond belief into the wonder of being born again by the Spirit? *** Give & Support Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city. ~ You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated ~

Anton Deik — a Palestinian Christian and scholar — shares his family’s story and invites us to see the human, ethical, and theological realities of life in Israel-Palestine. He challenges us to reckon with the injustices endured by the Palestinian people and to reflect on what faith, justice, and peace look like in the name of Christ. Anton Deik is Associate Director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College. Originally from Bethlehem, he has served in ministry and education across East Asia, England, Palestine, and Bolivia. Anton is married to Sara Améstegui (from Bolivia) and together they are parents to Nour Sofia. His background includes serving as Director of Online Education at Bethlehem Bible College, working with Operation Mobilization onboard MV Logos Hope, and leading research projects in computer science with Birzeit University and the Palestinian government. About: Story Sunday creates space for sharing stories and exploring the intersection of faith and spirituality with lived experience. Links: Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice - https://www.bipj.info Across the Divide Podcast - https://www.peacecatalyst.org/across-the-divide-podcast Telos Group - https://www.telosgroup.org

The Familiar Stranger: Part 6 — The Curious Case of Simon the Sorcerer In this teaching John Herron helps us explore the cautionary tale of Simon the Sorcerer from Acts 8—a striking story of power, money, and misdirected spirituality. Through Simon’s attempt to buy the Holy Spirit, we confront the allure of spiritual shortcuts and self-promotion, contrasting them with the slow, transformative work of grace. As followers of Jesus we are invited into an unmasking journey of healing and authenticity, asking: where do we seek validation, and what is the true measure of our wealth? The Holy Spirit offers not a shortcut, but a path to the genuine power of transformation and growth. *** Give & Support Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city. You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Redeemer Central is a registered charity in the UK: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785

The Familiar Stranger: Part 5 — Dove Many associate the Holy Spirit with fire, wind, or powerful displays, but what if the truest image is quieter. Stephanie Wilson invites us to rediscover the Spirit not as a force to wield, but as a gentle presence that rests. Tracing the image of the dove through scripture—from Genesis to Jesus’ baptism—we uncover a Spirit that brings order out of chaos, offers new life, and affirms our identity as beloved children of God. It is a call to move from striving to resting, from performance to peace and an invitation to allow the Spirit to hover over our chaos, whispering, “Let there be light,” and reminding us of our royal identity in the Father’s house. *** Give & Support Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city. You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ~ Redeemer Central is a registered charity in Northern Ireland: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785

Subversive Tables - Vision for a Community of Great Grace What does community look like in the church? In the 1st century Roman world, the dinner table was more than a place to eat—it was a stage for empire. Banquets celebrated Caesar, reinforced social hierarchies, and excluded anyone who didn’t belong. Around those tables, uniformity and status ruled. But in Luke 14, Jesus turns that entire system on its head. In this teaching, David Armstrong explores how Jesus reimagines the table—not as a site of exclusion, but of radical welcome. Here, the poor, the stranger, and the outsider are not just guests—they’re family. This sermon invites us to see how the practice of Jesus’ table shapes a new kind of community: one marked by humility, generosity, and grace. In a world fractured by division and self-interest, we are called to keep our tables open, our gardens growing, and our wine pouring—living as witnesses to a different kind of kingdom and a different kind of King. *** Give & Support Redeemer Central is a diverse and vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community, and seeking the peace and common good of our city. You can support our ongoing work by giving financially at redeemercentral.com/give. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ~ Redeemer Central is a registered charity in Northern Ireland: NI100831 · Company No. NI623785

The Familiar Stranger: Part 4 — Water The Bible’s story of the Spirit often comes with the image of water—rivers flowing into deserts, living streams making the Dead Sea fresh. David Armstrong unpacks the invitation Jesus gives when he brings holy disruption to the Feast of Tabernacles: “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink.” The Spirit not only quenches our thirst but makes us springs of living water for the world. Where the river flows, everything will live.

The Familiar Stranger: Part 3 — Breathe John Herron explores how the Holy Spirit, as God’s breath, transforms our lives. From Genesis to Pentecost, this divine “ruach” shapes chaos into order, brings life to the lifeless, and turns fear into courage. The Spirit makes Jesus’ promises personal, connecting head to heart and filling us with God’s love. Rather than starting our days with screens, we’re invited to begin with a simple prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.”

The Familiar Stranger: Part 2 — The Advocate Jesus said it was better for Him to leave so that the Advocate could come. But who is this Advocate? In a culture that longs for experience more than explanation, we discover the Holy Spirit as a person—not a vague life force—who comforts, guides, and empowers. In this sermon David Armstrong traces the Spirit’s story through Scripture and invites us to live as little temples, filled with His presence and power.

The Familiar Stranger: Part 1 — Rumour & Reality Many of us know about the Holy Spirit, yet live as if He’s little more than a rumour—caught between promise and experience. In this opening message of our new series, David Armstrong explores the Spirit as the familiar stranger: present but often unnoticed, closer than we think, inviting us into a faith that closes the gap between rumour and reality, moving from theory into encounter.

The Bible is not a single book but a library — written over centuries, in multiple languages, by many authors, and in a wide range of literary genres. It’s no surprise, then, that understanding it can be challenging. Jesus himself often corrected harmful misreadings of Scripture, showing that when we misunderstand it, the impact can be damaging to both our souls and our society. But when we approach Scripture with clarity and care, its truth can transform and enrich our lives. In part 3 of our practicing scripture series, David Armstrong explores the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of study — the patient, thoughtful work of seeking to understand what the Bible says, what it meant to its original audience, and what it means for us today. Though study can feel dry or academic, when done with the desire to know and love God, it becomes a vital part of our spiritual formation.

In part 2 Stephanie Wilson teaches how we meditate on scripture. The digital age teaches us to read quickly and move on, but the library of Scripture was created for slow, prayerful reflection so that God’s thoughts inhabit our minds completely.

Scripture is far more than an ancient text—it’s a sacred story and a portal into God’s reality, with the power to shape and transform our lives. In this sermon David Armstrong explores why reading the Bible is essential for those who follow Jesus, the Rabbi who modelled a life deeply immersed in Scripture. The Scriptures are not just for information but for spiritual formation. As we slow down, pray, and approach the text with hearts open to God’s presence, the Spirit invites us into a living encounter with Christ—an encounter that shapes who we are and roots us firmly in the Story of God.

The library we call “the Bible” can connect us to God and change who we are, but distraction, hurry, and confusion can hinder our experience with these ancient texts. This is the first of a six-week series helping us rediscover how to engage Scripture as an apprentice to Jesus. In this first part David Armstrong explores the complexities of interpreting the Bible in a modern world where it often seems to conflict with science, morality, and lived experience. Rather than abandoning Scripture or reading it literally without nuance, we are invited to rediscover the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, this Jesus-centred approach helps us reconcile difficult passages, prevents us from misusing Scripture as a weapon and instead embrace the Bible as a divinely inspired narrative that points us to Jesus. Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw

The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this opening message of a new mini-series, John Herron finishes our journey through Job by looking at the dramatic epilogue in Chapters 38-42.

The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this second part Stephanie Wilson looks at the conversations between Job and his friends (ch.3-42) and how we can learn to sit with doubt, lament honestly, and find God’s presence even in the midst of pain and suffering that we don’t understand.

The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this opening message of a new mini-series, John Herron begins our journey through Job by looking at the dramatic prologue in Chapters 1 & 2.

The resurrection is not a happy ending. “Resurrection is not an invitation to escape the world; it is an invitation to change it.” — Desmond Tutu

David Armstrong explores the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival, marking the moment when Jesus’ project went public. Jesus’ entry into the city on a donkey, fulfilling a 500-year-old prophecy, was a form of guerrilla theatre, a deliberate subversion of power and an act that mocked the dominant displays of the Roman Empire. Jesus’ humble procession was antithetical to Pontius Pilate’s imperial display, challenging us to reflect on our own expectations of Jesus and inviting us to choose allegiance to a kingdom of love, not force. “Two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30. . . One was a peasant procession, the other an imperial procession. From the east, Jesus rode a donkey down the Mouth of Olives, cheered by his followers. . . On the opposite side of the city, from the west, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Idumea, Judea, and Samaria, entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial calvary and soldiers. Jesus’s procession proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the power of empire.” — John Dominic Crossan & Marcus Borg

In Part 4 of our series The Big Questions, Stephanie Wilson brings a hopeful theological reflection on the difficult question’ What about Hell?’, exploring various views of the church before looking most significantly at what Jesus said and how we might think, not only about what happens once this life is over, but how we live today as his followers.