No.9 16th August 2024
Hi,
Hope this finds you well.
It's been a quieter week for many after the busyness of the Community Week.
I wanted to drop this photo in because it gives an impression of the breadth of what was going on and who was involved. Thanks to all (and if you were on the team and didn't make it into this photo - perhaps having a bad hair day! then thanks to you too!)
But that week is not a one off in terms of being a church in our community who will be salt and light...and we want to make sure we are known as a people of God in the Mearns. What a privilege and what grace! SO, how will we achieve this? - certainly by seeing Gods grace continue to work in us, and by praying for the Lord's help to use the gifts he has given us. But how will we move forward ? We are having a day to consider what sort of church we will be, how we view ourselves and how we appear to the community around - Next Sat (24th) there is an event to think about all these things and YOU are invited. All members of the church are invited to take part. Look at the details in the article below and please come along next Saturday. Speak to one of the elders if you are not sure about what it involves
Enjoy the mag.
Martin
Sunday 18th August, 10.30am
Scripture - Romans ch15
LARGE PRINT
If you would prefer to have a large print copy of the song words which appear on the screen on a Sunday morning let the door team know.
We don't want to print copies which aren't used so just the team know and we can organise that for you.
If you require a lift to get to church email office@mearnsfree.org
"We pray for peace for those who are anxious, hope for those who have been disheartened and for new friendships to be formed for all of those moving into a new year group or a new school. We pray for boldness for our young people, that they will see God glorified in their schools."
Pauline will lead a short 'Back to School with God' reflection with the kids this Sunday morning. Meanwhile, looking back, SU Scotland gave some feedback as it considered the work from over the Summer...
From SU Scotland
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
As we reflect on this well-known verse, used by SU movements globally, we think of all the children and young people who have interacted with the Bible over these last few weeks, some of them for the very first time!
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1236 children and young people on 48 SU Holidays summer events
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Over 1200 children at 31 Community Based Missions across Scotland
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Over 1000 young people at Magnitude Summer Festival
We consider the impact that Holidays, Missions and Magnitude have had on young people and pray that through exploring the Bible, many have - and will - respond to the significance of Jesus.
on Sundays!
The new Hizkidz term is about to begin. We currently operate two groups - under 5s and 5-12s during Sunday morning services. If anyone is interested in joining the team of leaders and helpers then please speak to Pauline.
SU events
Visit the SU website for more details www.suscotland.org.uk and to book
Who we are?
Saturday 24th August
10am to 2:30pm.
Our Church Communications group has engaged the services of Dave Ellis, who runs a company who have great experience working with evangelical churches, to help us in the development of our communications, logo and social media presence. Dave wishes to meet as many of the congregation as possible to help us explore our identity as a new Free Church and how we are perceived by the community around us.
Dave will be with us on Saturday 24th August from 10am to 2:30pm. He will take us through key questions about how we want people coming into contact with us to understand who we are, and what we stand for. He will take what he learns and work on some options and proposals for us to consider.
We would love as many of the congregation to be involved. From our children and youth right through to our most experienced members, please come along on the 24th!
If you cannot make the full event, feel free to drop in when you can, your opinions will be very welcome and greatly appreciated.
Meanwhile if you have any questions please email me at jgeddes0802@gmail.com
Thanks to all,
Jack Geddes
Worth?
I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of the Olympics I watched this month - some really remarkable scenes.
Then a few weeks ago the young people saw their exam results popping up somewhere (I don't think they get a brown envelope in the post anymore) and some have gained places in various higher education courses. Maybe you've had a good summer too. A few wins at work? New car? Great family wedding? Enjoying Scotland playing at the Eur...well, maybe not that.
Celebrating the good things, and even acknowledging when you have done well... I don't have a problem with someone standing on the podium taking the acclaim - they have used their God given abilities and come out top. And yes, enjoy a celebratory meal with the family for getting great results.
For the medal winners it won't be the worth of the medal - apparently a 100 years ago there was a lot more gold in a Parisian 'gold' medal than today. Same with a car or a fancy dress - it's probably not the price tag but how it makes you feel about yourself.
My worth is not in what I own
I was listening to this song this week - came on my playlist a number of times - God using the 'random' algorithms to tell me something... Its a great reminder to get things in perspective. Good weeks, good results, wins, celebrations - or bad weeks, fails and falls and heartaches? Where do we find our worth? Is it in all we can do, may do, should have done - or in what God says about us and has done for us? It takes us to the Cross.
I found it helpful to work through the verses and allow them to speak against the wrong thoughts I have, and to challenge the voices we hear popping up from various sources and circumstances of life which take us away from Gospel thinking.
MB
You can watch a version of the song here. or here
and the lyrics are below...
My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross
My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other
My soul is satisfied in Him alone
As summer flowers, we fade and die
Fame, youth, and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross
I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom's fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other
My soul is satisfied in Him alone
Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed, my ransom paid
At the cross
New Email Addresses For Mearns Free Church
Please make sure you change your email address list.
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Tom Brown (Office): office@mearnsfree.org
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Minister: minister@mearnsfree.org
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Sandy McDougall (Treasurer): finance@mearnsfree.org
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Pauline (Children and families worker): children@mearnsfree.org
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Jacob (Ministry Associate): youth@mearnsfree.org
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church
Concert at NMBC - 18th August
Can you get along to this concert?
The link for FREE tickets is here.
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SATURDAY 14th SEPTEMBER
We have a St Andrews First Aid course entitled "Emergency First Aid" (plus baby and child CPR) booked and have some spaces available.
Click
here to see details of booking.
This is a 4 hour course, starting at 10am and will likely be held at Belmont. We have secured a discounted rate of £83.40 per person.
Contact Pauline if you'd like to book a space.
Safeguarding in Mearns Free Church
One of our priorities now that we are in the Free Church is to ensure that we comply with the Free Church’s safeguarding policy and processes. Our safeguarding team is here to help everyone to do what is required; our safeguarding team comprises Sue Anderson (Safeguarding Coordinator) and Ian Forgie (Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator) assisted by Marlene Smith, Sue Amery-Behr and Alastair McLellan.
B.Y.O.C. please
CAN YOU HELP?
it makes such a difference if people bring their own cups rather than using the disposable ones each week - can you help?
Mearns Free Church has a What's App Group for Prayer
Here are some details on what it is about... read to the bottom and then find out how you can be involved...
Purpose: A platform to share information regarding a sudden need of prayer
Speak to Margaret Boyd if you would like to be added to this group or email your details to mandmboyd@hotmail.co.uk
You need WhatsApp on your phone to get set up.