No.22 15th November 2024
Hi,
Hope this finds you well.
There is nothing like a glaring error to make people realise how easy it would be if they were in charge of the words appearing on the screen each week.😊
So, a mistake having been made with spelling of a name last Sunday things are not made any easier this weekend as we welcome Rev Jonathan de Groot. Which is a long way round of letting you know that Scott is on holiday this week and we are looking forward to having Jonathan (who is the minister at Christ Church Glasgow in Anniesland) preaching God's Word to us. If you want to get a step ahead read Acts ch27.
Talking of getting a step ahead, Advent and Christmas details are below too - preparation of all sorts is needed - can you get involved?
We have been talking about how we can invite people along to church events recently, or just talking about our faith in general. At the prayer meeting we heard a great story of someone speaking to a friend and simply saying, 'Why don't you come to church?...I'll pick you up' And they did! And kept coming!
Enjoy the Mag.
MB
Sunday 17th November, 10.30am
Scripture - Acts ch27
Rev Jonathan de Groot
Sunday evening
Home Groups this week
Wednesday 20th - 7.15pm
PULSE prayer meeting
God uses even US!
Next weekend we finish our look at How to Talk About Jesus book. Each week as we have reflected on Sam Chan's book there has been a range of 'take away' points people have been able to share. Some of it has been surrounding how we as Mearns Free church might be in a position to host various events or ministries in a way that people can hear about Jesus. Other comments have been focussed on us as individuals and our own responsibility to speak about Jesus, but in a way which makes sense and is relevant.
At the end of the day, it is rare for people, when they are talking about how they came to faith, that they will talk of how they dreamt about John 3:16 having never heard it before - or that their alphabet spaghetti had the name and time of the local church Sunday services across the plate one Sat evening.
In my experience very few have ever said, 'I just decided to read the Bible,'
More often than not it will be more along the lines of
'A friend said to me 'Would I like to come to church?' - I didn't really know what to think, but since it was my friend..., or
'My brother got me involved in this church five aside team and each year they had a night when they would have a meal and someone would speak...' or
'My friend's mum asked if I wanted to go on an SU weekend away...', or
'I was having a rotten time and a colleague who always sat beside me at lunch said they were going to pray for me, but I could speak to God... and we got chatting...' or
'Mum and Dad always took me to church, but my youth leader told me one night how they became a Christian, and I thought...'
God uses normal, far from perfect, 'already believers' to draw them to Him. Sure, the Holy Spirit sometimes does remarkable things, but He also works (in fact, nothing happens unless He is in it) in and through the very unremarkable. Of course, by 'unremarkable' we mean people who are spiritually blind being able to see, spiritually dead being made alive and enemies of God being welcomed into to His family and fully accepted as right with Him.
Dates for the Christmas Diary
Like Christmas, our next family outreach is coming soon!
To kick-off the Advent season we are planning an afternoon event for families.
We will be using the Brick by Brick Nativity Story as the basis for the day. See a intro
here.
The details for the event are above. Please share this with those you can. Flyers will be available to hand out too.
As always we are looking for people to help on the day and in advance. On the day we will provide lunch for the team after church and then get set up in time for people arriving at 2.30pm.
We are also looking for some resources.
We are looking to borrow
lego, duplo, small sized hammers, tinsel, nativity dress up items and non-breakable toddler friendly Christmas decorations.
Also if anyone has any of the following they would like rid of we would happily use them: plain white paper plates, shiny wrapping paper, small/medium nails and wood offcuts.
If you can help in any of the following ways please speak to Pauline or Sandra.
In advance
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Craft preparation e.g. cutting out, organising resources, making samples
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Baking
-
Purchasing resources
On the day
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Catering - serving drinks and snacks
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Welcoming on the door
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Car parking
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Manning craft and activity stations
Pauline
Oops
So, apologies to Alastair who, last Sunday, had his name spelt wrongly (or, as was helpfully pointed out, was pretty much, just given a completely different name) in large and bold type last Sunday. He has been asked to be referred to as 'Dr Al' from now on in order to simplify things
For this Sunday Dr Al doesn't need to worry as we have another elder leading worship at the morning service.
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free
Ever wondered...
Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal 2024
Margaret took a one of boxes going out from Blythswood. Alongside these gifts for all ages and stages there is also a New Testament in their own language for the adults and a children's Bible story book too.
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
I saw this remarkable image online this week and I imagined a Bible being ideal in giving some much needed healthy, living giving 'oxygen' in comparison to the rather toxic and deathly content there can be in Social Media.. it's not all bad but if it is all someone (and often it is for young people in particular) is getting drowned in, the outcome is not good.
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.
MFC Directory
- photo opportunity
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?'
the magazine has mentioned this book before - it's so good on so many levels...not just content, but how Wilson explains God's character...and how it is in nice bite sized chunks. From 18 - 80yrs
INCOMPARABLE - Andrew Wilson
"There is no greater pursuit, no greater journey, and no greater joy than discovering the extraordinary character of God.
Incomparable explores sixty names and descriptions of our creator. Each chapter is filled with profound Biblical insights and revelations that will inspire and enrich your faith. Selah moments allow for a time of reflection and worship. And practical applications connect each truth with your daily life. Throughout, Incomparable unfolds the greatest wonder our minds and hearts will ever contemplate.
Immerse yourself in His character. Delve into the depths of His presence. And experience a God that is truly beyond compare."
“Reading this is like sucking in lungfuls of mountain air. There is a craving for beauty, vastness and wonder that shallow books cannot satisfy. What people gasp for is God, the real God, the God of the Bible, Andrew does not domesticate Him, trivialise Him or dumb Him down. Buy and read. Then read it again.”
Joel Virgo, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel, Brighton
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. 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
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
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