No.21 8th November 2024
Hi,
Hope this finds you well.
This weekend we are looking forward to Rev Duncan Murchison joining us on Sunday morning. Scott and Anita are on holiday but Scott has sent in a letter below outlining the next few weeks services.
There is plenty of planning that goes on week by week of course for each Sunday but also in the background for Advent and Christmas services. Look out for more details being announced.
The busyness of the hall last Saturday and Sunday was good to see - not for the busyness in itself but because of the activities it involved - our prayer must be that God's people are being blessed as they serve and worship together and that others also get to be welcomed into a community where they can discover Jesus as Lord for themselves.
If you are reading this on Friday as the magazine arrives in your inbox, there is still time to consider attending the Generation Vision Day event on Sat 9th at 10:00AM at Hope City Church Edinburgh - a day filled with inspirational teaching, connecting with others and hearing about what God is doing around Scotland. This event is all about mission, evangelism and church planting! - details are in last week's magazine and you can get in touch with Margo and Catherine (who have asked if they can appear in the Mearns Free Ladybird book this week) about heading through.
Lastly, we are talking about the Sam Chan book again this weekend - reading Christian books can be a great way to grow in faith, be encouraged, scratch the itch of some difficult Christian passage or truth. Christmas is coming, so I've added another suggestion below.
Enjoy the Mag.
MB
Sunday 10th November, 10.30am
Scripture - Galatians ch1
Rev Duncan Murchison –formerly minister at a FC plant in Helensburgh
Sunday evening 7.15pm
Book discussion
see below for details
Wednesday 13th - 7.15pm
PULSE prayer meeting
From the Manse
Dear Congregation,
I will be on holiday for two weeks from 6th November.
We look forward to Rev Duncan Murchison – formerly minister at the FC plant in Helensburgh, filling our pulpit this coming Sunday.
As the nearest Sunday to 11th November, the service will include an Act of Remembrance.
On Sunday 17th November we shall welcome back to our pulpit, Rev Jonathan De Groot – Christ Church Anniesland.
In my absence please refer any pastoral emergencies to Alastair McLellan our Session Clerk or one of the elders.
With warm regards and much prayer,
Scott
How to Talk About Jesus
– book discussions
We’ve now held two of the four planned discussions on the “How To Talk About Jesus” book by Sam Chan.
We’ll meet again this Sunday, 10th November from 7.15pm to 8.15pm to discuss the next two chapters or tips which are Tip 5 (‘Tell A Better Story’) and Tip 6 (‘Tell Them Stories About Jesus’) on pages 63 to 101 of the book.
We’ve had some great conversations so far and there is no need to do any “study” in advance, other than reading the chapters. There is also the optional opportunity to stay for some tea or coffee and home baking (the end of which coincides with the Youth pick up time of 9pm).
We hope to see you this Sunday evening. Even if you’ve never been before or haven’t done all the pre-reading, you’re welcome to come along and join in the discussions.
Lorna
Date for the Christmas Diary
Hope of Jesus at the heart of society?
This Tuesday at the Tron
We are living in a time of fast-moving cultural change. But Jesus Christ remains the only true hope for society.
There is an urgent need for Christians to pray, take effective action and engage our communities and wider society.
If you want to see the hope of Jesus at the heart of society, then don't miss this special event
Glasgow' Tron Church on Tuesday 12 November - 6.30 for 7pm.
with Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern and Christian Legal Centre.
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encouragement to help you stand firm for Jesus in these times of fast-moving cultural change
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material to help you pray and take effective action
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news on important legal cases involving Christian freedoms
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the latest updates on urgent issues in public policy (including education and the protection of life)
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ideas for how you can make a difference where God has placed you
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opportunity to ask questions and access additional resources
Doors open at 6.30pm with refreshments for a 7pm start.
Don't miss out. Book your ticket today and encourage others to come with you.
To register for this free event and for all the info click
here.
Coffee Morning
Thanks to all who helped and contributed in whatever way to a really enjoyable event last Saturday.
It was great to be able to hear from Glasgow City Mission and support their work too.
Did you get your cake tub back? Speak to Margaret B.
Speaking of helping at the Coffee Morning - the question of
'How many church members does it take to put a length of paper across a table?' was very much to the fore last Friday evening. Scott was able to explain it from a 'I've never actually done it before, and normally just ask others to do it' point of view, and also suggested that if it does go wrong then it was worth looking at Genesis ch2 and ch3 for further reflection.
Small nod to an Election held on other side of Atlantic earlier this week.
National Day of Prayer
Wednesday 27th November
Each year, we set aside a day to pray for our nation and the work of our denomination in sharing the gospel. We would be delighted if you were able to join us.
Each congregation is encouraged to arrange time for prayer in a way that is suitable for their own situation. To help guide our prayers on the day we will prepare some prayer points.
In addition we invite everyone to also join a prayer time on Microsoft Teams.
More details to follow! This
page has more news.
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free
MFC Directory
Did you get your photo taken last week?
Big thanks to Graham who was his usual laissez-faire 'this will do' attitude in getting photos taken for the directory. He actually was able to make some of us look okay...he has a gift. Points for knowing who is getting their photo taken here.
The Comms team is about to start preparing a church directory that will include relevant contact details for those members and non-members who wish to be included. The details will include names, home address, email addresses, phone numbers (mobile and home), but any of these items can be omitted as you prefer.
Your data privacy is important, so our first step will be to seek your permission to proceed.
The default position is that your details will be excluded, so if you wish to be kept out of the directory you don’t need to do anything.
After you give us your permission we’ll send you a copy of your contact details as we currently know them. You will then be able to update the details, fill in any blanks, and let us know if you want your children included with your entry.
We will offer the option of a photo to be included with your entry - Photos are not obligatory, but they do help put a face to a name.
Our intention is to have the directory complete by end December, and
available for issue in January to all who have signed up.
The format of the directory will be a PDF file that you can view on your phone/tablet/PC, but for those more comfortable with a paper copy we will make that available instead.
You can instruct us to delete or amend your contact details at any time, and any such changes will be effective in the following release of the directory (probably annually).
If you have any questions about this, please email office@mearnsfree.org, or collar Lorna or Tom on Sunday morning and they’ll be happy to clarify.
Tom
Book Review
It's the time when people are asking 'Any ideas for a Christmas present?'
We will have one or two up here each week - some will be new and others old but gold.
This is another new one
One with My Lord:
The Life-Changing Reality of Being in Christ by Sam Allberry.
Review...
Followers of Jesus refer to themselves primarily as “Christians,” but the New Testament frequently used a more meaningful term: “in Christ.” Disconnected from this deeper understanding of the gospel, believers today can miss out on the significance of unity with the Lord and its power to enrich every area of their lives. In One with My Lord, Sam Allberry examines the doctrine of union with Christ through a rich study of New Testament scriptures. Each chapter is short enough to be read as a devotional, giving believers a fresh lens to view the gospel daily as they pursue holiness, resist sin, build community, and worship God. In a time when people are searching for a place to belong, One with My Lord reminds believers that they have a perfect home in Christ.
Available here with 10ofthose or Amazon
Free Church’s
Safeguarding & Training
The Safeguarding Team is now following up those who have applied but who don’t yet have PVGs in place. We will be in touch with those in that position. We are here to help those who need assistance with the online parts of the application process – the ‘self-declaration form’ and the final form in the process that needs to be completed for Disclosure Scotland.
Please be aware that 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
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
Blythswood
Shoe Box Appeal 2024
As in previous years Denise is opening the garage at Maxwell for checking Blythswood Boxes.
Checking boxes started this week - can you get along to help at all?
Times of opening will be from 9.30am until 3.30pm
Youth SU Weekend Away
March 28th-30th 2025
It feels a long way off, but actually bookings are now being received for a Youth weekend away at Gowanbank with SU (S1-S6).
We want all our youth group to go to this weekend and any friends they might be able to invite.
Our Finance Committee has agreed to subsidise the £92 cost by 50% and that would include friends.
Have you got any young people in your household in S1-S6. Please be active encouraging them to book up. You can find more information here. Please let Cathy Renn know if you are booking.
We shall not run our own MFC Youth Weekend away in February as we previous have. Rather we shall use this SU opportunity instead.
Scott
We would like to invite you to consider joining a new prayer initiative.
You can join as a group of 3 or you can join as an individual to be matched up with 2 others. Groups will be male/female/mixed according to preference.
It is a great opportunity to form closer, prayerful relationships within our church family.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.
Please speak to Sue Amery-Behr or Catherine MacKay if you would like to find out more.
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.
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