No.15 27th September, 2024
Hi,
If you normally get a puzzle magazine out over the weekend, or buy a newspaper to enjoy the crossword, then I suggest you forgo all these brain teasers and instead read Scott's Letter From the Manse, as it explains how Communion will work this weekend.
We are just getting into a really busy period of church activities as we start October. There are details of these in the Magazine and listen out for more details on Sunday mornings.
Acts ch2:42 outlines not just what became normal or regular Christian practice when they met together - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." ie this wasn't just Luke telling us that there was a series of notices on the www.jerusalemchurch.il webpage - The verse says they were 'devoted' to these things. I'll leave you to consider how you could interpret the word 'devoted' but it would take a bit of linguistic gymnastics to imagine something other than this was really important to them.
Meeting together and benefitting from all these things God has given to us on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, Home Groups or at the Sunday evening services will build our own faith and can encourage others in theirs too.
As usual there are also details of various services and events across the city and country which you can make yourself aware of but please do make sure Mearns Free events are in your thinking and praying...and diary!!
Enjoy the Mag.
MB
Sunday 29th September, 10.30am
Scripture - Genesis 1:26,27
Rev Scott Kirkland
Wednesday 11th - 7.15pm
PULSE prayer meeting
LARGE PRINT - SONG WORDS
If you find viewing the song-words on the screen in Sunday worship a problem, we currently print a limited number of large-print song sheets for specific people.
We don't want to print unnecessary copies so please speak with the door team and we will begin to make these available for you each week.
Each Sunday we try to steam the morning service to those watching at home. Recently, for reasons outwith our control, the wifi connection has prevented that from happening.
The services have been recorded and are available just after church, so please do encourage any who would normally watch 'live' to find the service and watch afterwards. We are trying to get to the bottom of the problem.
There is a team of clever folk who set up the cameras, do all the plugging in and get all the tech sorted out each week for streaming online and for the screen in the hall (and then do it all in reverse to clear up!) and if you see them busying away on a Sunday do stop and say thanks because there is a lot going on in the background for which we are grateful.
Letter from the Manse
Dear Congregation,
Many thanks for all the food you donated last week what an amazing abundance. These have now been delivered to the Lodging House Mission.
Book Discussions: Please take note of the dates below for our book discussion, "How to Talk About Jesus". Please speak to Stewart Anderson about getting your copy. If we need to order more books, let Stewart know as we want to do this quickly.
CMJ: Please also put in your diary Sunday 7pm-8pm, 13th October, Belmont.
We shall have guests from CMJ (The Church's Ministry Among Jewish People). We were blessed by their presence when we invited them to be with as part of MMCC. Aaron Eime will be with us. Aaron has served CMJ in Israel for twenty six years. In 2024 he took up the post of General Director CMJ, UK. It would be great if we all came to hear first-hand of this ministry, and especially during such challenging times in the Middle East.
Did any good thing come out of the COVID restrictions?
One aspect of our church life that the elders are responsible for is the timing of, and arranging for the sacrament of communion.
Because of COVID, we changed the way we shared in Communion. Rather than pass the bread and wine along the rows, we began to invite you forward to receive the elements from tables at the front.
Some of you told me how beneficial you found this change. You found the act of consciously leaving your seat to go forward to share in the sacrament, a visible statement of your faith to others and yourself! You also said how you thought going forward together signaled better the corporate aspect of Communion.
However, from our discussions at the “Starter for 10”, it was suggested that we revert to passing the elements along the rows. If you find this of benefit please let us know and why. The elders have agreed to try this at our September, October and November communions. We shall celebrate communion this Sunday and we shall do so by passing the elements along the rows. (NMBC has kindly let us borrow their communion glasses for this purpose.) This change has prompted me to write a short article you can find here.
Regarding the procedure:
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The plate of bread will be passed along the rows, from the back row forward. Participants will be invited to take the bread and then eat it as each person decides timely.
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The distribution of the wine will follow the same pattern. The trays will be passed along each row. Participants will be invited to drink the wine when appropriate for them.
Here is a significant change:
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After receiving the wine, each person will be asked to hold their empty glass until the trays are passed along the row for a second time. The empty glass should be placed in the tray. We do not want glasses placed on the floor at any time.
After the November Communion, we shall review the change and decide how to proceed.
We invite you to speak to your elder (or me) about the change, we want to include your thoughts in our review.
With warmest regards,
Scott
We are looking forward to hearing from Rev Aaron Eime at our service in October.
This is a great service to bring Christian friends along to and hear from Aaron, who is the new General Director of CJM, as he opens God's Word to help us understand the Jewish roots of the Church's faith
"How To Talk About Jesus" -
...for Reading and Practicing
Sam Chan has written a very helpful and practical book called "How to Talk About Jesus".
We are eager to read this book as a congregation. It would be great if over time, as a congregation we increasingly became comfortable simply speaking about Jesus to our family, friends and neighbours.
Stewart Anderson will have the books at the back of the church (£12).
Sunday Evenings. We shall hold four evenings at Belmont to discuss the book.We hope this will help us understand the book's theme very clearly, but also, encourage one another on how we might put the book into practice in these coming days as Mearns Free Church.
Sundays 6th Oct, 27th Oct ,10th Nov, 24th Nov
at 7.15pm-8.15pm
There will be refreshments served at each of these evening events.
More details will be distributed about each evening closer to the day.
Outreach Core Team
New Bank Account
Mearns Free Church now has a bank account (with Charities Aid Foundation Bank “CAF Bank”).
We would like to move all regular givings and donations to Mearns Free Church to this new account. The sort code is the same but the account name and number are different. We would invite you to please swap your existing Standing Order by taking the steps below:
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Create a new Standing Order for Mearns Free Church (use the bank details from the box below)
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Delete your old Standing Order.
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Our Treasurer, Sandy McDougall, will be distributing new Gift Aid Declaration forms for givings to Mearns Free Church after worship on Sunday
Bank: CAF Bank
Sort Code: 83-91-46
Account: 00401660
Name: Mearns Free Church
As ever, please contact Sandy if you have any questions.
Hizkidz and YOU!
4: Rain, Rain Go Away
Bible passage: Genesis chapter 6-9
Big Truth: God sent a flood to judge all the wickedness on earth.
Memory Verse: Rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. Genesis 7:12
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free
LIFTS TO CHURCH
If you require a regular lift to church, please let us know by emailing the office: office@mearnsfree.org
If you are able to offer to be on the rota for giving a lift please speak with Sandy McDougal.
Scottish Thanksgiving Evening | Friday 4 October l 7.30pm
Trinity Possil & Henry Drummond Church, Glasgow G22 6SR
Andrew Millar our main mission speaker will share about the mission work he and his wife Rachel are doing in the west of Ireland.
Catherine, associate mission partner currently in Scotland, involved in supporting the Spanish church in its engagement with people from a different faith background, will share an update.
Rev. Richard Buckley will share a Bible epilogue.
With refreshments. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact: scotland@ufm.org.uk
SAVE THE DATE - Scottish Prayer Day
Sat 9 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm
11 Newton Place
Glasgow G3 7PR
Join us for a day of focused prayer for mission partners serving around the world.
Refreshments provided.
All welcome.
BOOKS
Karen Keeley, Evelyn Footes daughter has books that anyone is welcome to have if they would like. Take a look and speak to Scott.
Covenant Church are pleased to host the Searchlight Theatre Company, performing
Friday, 11 October 2024. 7:30pm - 9:30pm Morton Hall, Newmilns
CLICK
HERE
Set in Paris, during the Olympic Games of 1924, we see the struggles Eric Liddell faces around him in staying true to his principles. When given the chance to become the fastest man in the world, will his convictions buckle? Should he stay true to his beliefs? And can he bring home a medal for King and country?
All tickets £5
The show lasts a little over one hour, and will be followed by refreshments and a Q&A with the actors.
For more information, email EL@covenantchurch.scot
One Saturday a month, from September through to April, three lectures are delivered by visiting speakers.
These lectures, which are also available to access online, are specially designed to stretch the Christian mind and deepen an understanding of God’s word. The course content covers Biblical Studies, Practical Theology, Christian Discipleship and Christian Doctrine.
These are for people in the pews and from all denominations. You can see a short video about them here.
Fuller details can be found
here.
Scott
Safeguarding in Mearns Free Church
Our safeguarding team is here to help ensure Mearns Free Church is a safe place for all. However, this ambition must be embraced by all of us if it is to be successful.
Let's get our PVGs in place, get ourselves trained and put safe practice into place week by week.
Free Church’s Safeguarding Training
Our Safeguarding Team (including Sue Anderson, Ian Forgie, Marlene Smith and Sue Amery-Behr) have so far processed the safeguarding paperwork for 63 folk in our congregation;
Disclosure Scotland have issued PVG certificates for just over half so far and we expect their task to be completed soon.
All who have applied for PVG certification need also to engage in the Free Church’s safeguarding training. This is currently provided online from the comfort of your own homes, and takes a couple of hours.
The next training session for congregations is Thursday 31st October at 19.30.
You can sign up for the training sessions through this link to the registration page: Safeguarding Training Booking – Free Church of Scotland
Office Bearers can sign up for their training on Tuesday 24th September.
Thank you for embracing safeguarding.
Doing so is essential to ensure that Mearns Free Church is a safe environment for all who worship with us and for all who engage in our ministries to children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Alastair McLellan
Mearns Free Church has a What's App Group for Prayer
Purpose: A platform to share information regarding a sudden and crucial need for prayer.
How to connect: Speak to Margaret Boyd if you would like to be added to this group or email Margaret at: mandmboyd@hotmail.co.uk
What tech do I need?: You need to have a Smart Phone with WhatsApp to get set up.
Email Addresses For Mearns Free Church
Please make sure you change your email address list now we are part of the Free Church.
Tom Brown (Office): office@mearnsfree.org
Scott Kirkland (Minister): minister@mearnsfree.org
Sandy McDougall (Treasurer): finance@mearnsfree.org
Pauline Forster (Children and families worker): children@mearnsfree.org