MessyChurch activitytime
At the bread-making are (from left) Andrew Dingwall with his daughters Sophia, Olivia and Cara, Zara King, with helper Linda Durward at the back
A Messy Church in Rattray recently was based on the theme of Joseph.
The activities aimed to show how his jealous brothers decided to get rid of him and how the Ishmaelites paid 20 pieces of silver The Reverend Harry Mowbray extended a warm welcome to the congregation which included family and friends of Brody Harry Colville who was to be baptised.
Worship commenced with the choir’s introit, For Your Gift Of God The Spirit, and after the Minister’s call to worship the hymn, O Lord, Thou Art My God And King was sung.
Prayers of Approach and Confession were said and followed by the Baptismal hymn, Our Children, Lord, In Faith And Prayer, the verses being interspersed with the baptism of Brody, son of Gary and June. A posy was presented to Brody’s mum by Sunday School member Abigail Hood and a bible was presented by district elder, Anna Graham.
The scripture readings from Exodus ch16 vv2-15 and Matthew ch20 vv1-16 were read by Jim Baxter. Between the hymns, Take This Moment, Sign And Space and Look Forward In Faith, Mr Mowbray commenced his sermon.
He wondered if, like him, others had heard the geese calling as they flew overhead, a reminder that autumn has arrived.
Mr Mowbray referred to the signs of God’s faithful love in the constancy of the changing seasons and to the generosity of the world God has given us.
Referring to a recent farming programme on television he spoke of how there is still a sense of wonder during the lambing and calving seasons. It’s a reminder of the wonder of nature. God provides for our needs.
In the reading from Exodus, the people of Israel are on the move and are in the wilderness and subject to God’s mercy.
Their food supplies are running low and they wonder if they would have been better off in slavery, questioning the leadership of Moses.
God, however, has not forgotten them and provides quails and manna for all of them even though they were disobedient. God is patient and generous and the people were saved by the giving of daily bread which helps to take him to Egypt where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer for the Pharaoh.
Mums and dads joined their children in coin-rubbing as a reminder of this part of Joseph’s
our understanding of the Lord’ supper.
God’s presence is in the little things of everyday life and we should give thanks for our daily bread.
In the reading from Matthew we hear the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The landowner hires men to work for him. Some are employed from the start of the day and others from the latter part of the day yet all are given the same wage.
God’s love is not about fair play, but this parable illustrates the generosity of the landowner and of God’s grace. Grace is something given without it being asked for or of us deserving it.
Welcoming Brody and celebrating a new life and Baptism, we also recognise the responsibility it brings. We recognise the world of care and our dependence on each other.
A skein of geese fly in a V formation, but it is the ones at the back who make all the noise. If one of them drops to the ground, others accompany it to care for it. They work together.
On our planet we work together to keep it. We give out of love for our neighbour and, because of God’s love for us, we continue to recognise his love in our lives and share it.
The hymn, Onward! Christian Soldiers was then sung and the service concluded with the benediction.
Musical offerings by organist Lex Dunlop were Intermezzo by Rheinberger, Prelude on Kilmarnock by Robert Fielding and March (From the Third Organ Symphony) by Charles W Widor.
This Saturday is the latest Jump for Joy get together which takes place from 10am to 11.30am.
Ushers this Sunday - Beadle, Kirsty Spittal, Sandra Fleming, Wendy McLaggan, Joy Kearns, Allan McKay, Alex Ferguson and Bruce Dow.
Creche - Margaret Drummond and Margaret Conroy.
Tea Rota - Martha Easton, Wilma Gibb and story.
Other craft-making at the Messy Church involved making models of jails and making masks and bread, which were all features of Joseph’s life.
Corrine McKenzie.
Scottish Episcopal Churches in Alyth, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus On Sunday the Eucharist was celebrated at the usual times of 9.30am in St Catharine’s, Blairgowrie, 10.30am in St Michael’s, Ballintuim and 11am in St Anne’s, Coupar Angus and St Ninian’s, Alyth.
The recently-started parent and toddler group meets each Monday from 9.30am to 11.30am at St Anne’s church hall, Coupar Angus. All are very welcome.
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.
There will be a Harvest Supper on Tuesday, October 3 in St Catharine’s centre.
Entry to this event will be by ticket only as the number of seats is limited.
The Rector, the 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 serach for ABC Saints on Facebook.
On Sunday, October 1, the service will take place at 11am at the usual location at Wellmeadow Café on Blairgowrie’s Gas Brae.
The preacher will be Sue MarshallJennings.
All are welcome to join the congregation for the service and for a cup of 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, October 2, from 10am to 11.30am. All welcome.
Further information can be found on the website at www.riverside-methodist-church. co.uk.