Seaside at the church
Blairgowrie Parish Church Rev Harry Mowbray conducted morning worship at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday.
The service commenced with the choir singing the introit from Hymn 4, ‘How Excellent In All the Earth’, followed by the minister’s welcome and intimations.
The hymn, ‘Let Us With a Gladsome Mind’, was followed by prayers of approach and confession and the minister’s first thought. He said he had recently returned from the Harris in the Western Isles which he found had been very busy with tourists compared with a visit eight years ago. The islanders were having problems with the increasing tourist traffic and felt they were missing out as a result of the strain on facilities. Efforts will be needed to accommodate the additional visitors. The minister felt there must have been a similar situation in Egypt during the time of the Exodus with the very big population and Pharaoh was not prepared to accommodate the increasing population of Israelites. Fortunately God showed faithfulness and care to his people and the antagonism was neutralised by the compassion shown by the midwives and Pharaoh’s daughter.
The hymn, ‘Now Israel May Say, and That Truly’, was followed by scripture readings by Mary Macdonald from Exodus ch 1, v 15-22 and ch 2 v 1-10, The birth of Moses, and St Matthew ch 16, v 13-20, Peter’s declaration about Jesus.
The hymn, ‘You, Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd’, was followed by Mr Mowbray’s sermon in which he discussed the TV programme Who Do Think You Are? and how important it is for us to establish our identity and what defines us. Jesus put this question to His disciples as to who people thought He was and then their own personal views. Peter was convinced but later still showed his human weaknesses by denying Him. The purpose in building churches is to build communities of faith willing to heal and administer, and engage with the needs of the world. People must listen to the messages of today and do their best to engage with the needs of the world. People can take some comfort in the collective unity shown by the people in Spain after the recent atrocities.
The hymn, ‘For My Sake and the Gospel’s Go’, was followed by the uplifting of the offering, and prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and intercession.
The service concluded with the hymn, ‘May the Mind of Christ My Saviour’, and the benediction.
A short service of Holy Communion followed the service.
Musical offerings by organist Lex Dunlop included ‘Andante’ by Samuel Sebastian Wesley; ‘Aria’ by Ian Tracey; and ‘Short Prelude’ and ‘Fugue in B Flat’ by Bach.
Sunday School leader Isobel Harper took part in the recent 24-Hour Relay for Life at Kirriemuir and raised £800 in aid of Cancer Research UK. Her team raised £6000 and there is still time to support her by subscribing on the form in the lower hall.
The next praise service will be in the church hall on Sunday this week at 7pm.
The enrolment of 2nd Blairgowrie BB Company will be held during morning worship on Sunday, September 17.
There will be a Messy Church in Rattray Hall, Balmoral Road, on Sunday, September 17, at 9.30am.
The next early service will be on Sunday, September 24, at 9.30am.
The next jump for joy will be on Saturday, September 30, from 10-11.30am.
An introductory refresher course in safeguarding will be held in the church hall on Thursday this week at 7pm. This is open to all who work with children and or vulnerable adults within the church family. Even those who have been on a course before would benefit from this refresher course.
Bookings can be made with Margaret Conroy on 01250 870569 or email margaret conroy@hotmail.co.uk.
Intimations for the order of service can be phoned to David P Howat on 01250 874715, or sent by email to david@thehowats.net, or left in the plastic pocket in the lower hall of the church by Thursday evening, although later intimations may be included.
Ushers this Sunday - Archie Mitchell beadle, Bob Strachan, Susan Whiteford, Isobelle Howes, Brenda Kerr, Fiona Bain, Ron McLaren. Crèche – Anne Stewart and Marjorie Carnegie.
Riverside Methodists There was no Methodist service in Blairgowrie on Sunday.
Instead the congregation joined the Perth Methodist Church on Scott Street for a welcome service for new shared minister, Rev Nik Wooller, who will have pastoral At a recent Messy Church at Blairgowrie Parish Church the theme was the‘Seaside and Sharing’.
Attractions included an outdoor sand beach with a paddling pool, water tray and water balloon games.
In the hall there was breakfast, ice cream, and cupcakes.
Craft features included making post cards to send to friends, cardboard lighthouses, and decorating cakes, cups and mugs.
In the lower hall there was a parachute game.
A short service of praise and prayer was led by David Howat.
The next Messy Church takes place from 9.30am on Sunday, September 17, in Rattray Hall on Balmoral Road.
oversight of both Perth and Blairgowrie and Rattray.
He will conduct the service in Blairgowrie on Sunday this week. The service will be held in the usual location at the Wellmeadow Café on Blairgowrie’s Gas Brae.
All are welcome to join the congregation for the service and for tea or coffee afterwards
Coffee mornings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Wellmeadow Café. The next coffee morning is on Monday, September 4, 10am to 11.30am. All welcome. Further information can be found on the website at www.riverside-methodist-church. co.uk.
Scottish Episcopal Churches On Sunday the Eucharist was celebrated at 9.30am in St Catharine’s, Blairgowrie, at 10.30am in St Michael’s, Ballintuim and at 11am in St Anne’s, Coupar Angus and St Ninian’s, Alyth.
The congregation was invited to reflect on the different ways they encounter Christ, remembering Peter’s sudden realisation that Jesus was the Messiah.
The recently-started parent and toddler group meets each Monday from 9.30am to 11.30am at St Anne’s church hall in Coupar Angus.
St Anne’s Ecumenical Lunch Club starts again on Tuesday, September 5, at noon in the hall. All are very welcome.
There will be a pasta, pamper and prayer supper on Thursday, September 6. Contact Charmian Paterson for more details.
St Ninian’s Gift Day will take place on Sunday, September 10, and Sunday, September 17, when a plate will be at the back of the Church for donations.
Harvest Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Sunday, October 1, at St Catharine’s and St Anne’s, and on Sunday, October 8, at St Ninian’s.
Sunday this week is the 13th Sunday of Pentecost. There will be services at the usual times. At St Catharine’s, St Anne’s and St Ninian’s this will be a Service of the Word, while the Eucharist will be celebrated at St Michael’s.
Rector, Very Rev Kenny Rathband, can be contacted via the church office on 01250 874583.
For more details see the website at www. abcsaints.org.uk or search for ABC Saints on Facebook.