Church News
Blairgowrie Parish Church
Morning worship on Sunday was conducted by the Rev. Bill Ewart and commenced with the choir singing the introit, How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place, followed by the minister’s welcome and intimations.
The hymn, All My Hope On God Is Founded, was followed by prayers of approach and confession and the minister’s First Word.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Reformation we recall the remarkable life of Martin Luther who became a monk after surviving a horrendous electrical storm. In the process leading up to the Reformation there were big social changes. Luther studied the mechanism of forgiveness concluding that it was achieved throughout faith and if we try and live according to the two greatest commandments all would be well.
The hymn, God Is Love: His the Care, was followed by scripture readings by Wilma Gibb from Psalm 90 v 1-6 and 13-17, Of God and humanity, and St Matthew ch 22 v 34-46, The great commandment. Between the readings the choir sang the anthem, Everytime I Feel the Spirit, A Spiritual.
The hymn, There’s a Wideness In God’s Mercy, was followed by Mr Ewart’s sermon.
The Pharisees tempted Jesus, unsuccessfully, over the two greatest commandments as Jesus was well versed in the religious laws and was aware of the sayings of the prophets. Martin Luther studied the approach to salvation concluding that we can’t earn it. We show love because God first loved us and whoever loves God must also love his brother. Love grows in us and flows out from us. Christian duty is to explain to others what love is all about. Luther’s conclusion was that we live by faith and try and live like Jesus.
The hymn, How Deep the Father’s Love For Us, was followed by the uplifting of the offering and prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
The service concluded with the hymn, For My Sake and the Gospel’s Go, and the benediction.
Musical contributions by organist Lex Dunlop included Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Ernst Eberlin; Prelude on an Old Irish Church Melody by Sir Charles Stanford; and Tuba Tune in D Major by CS Lang.
The Guild will hold a coffee morning in the church hall on Saturday from 10am to noon. The theme is Made in the Parish. All who can knit, sew, sculpt, paint or are creative in any craft are asked to offer items for sale in aid of Guild projects.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated during morning worship in church on Sunday morning, and again at 2.30pm. There will also be a celebration on Thursday next week at 3.30pm in the hall.
There will be a praise service this Sunday at 7pm. There will be a Messy Church in Rattray Hall, Balmoral Road, on Sunday, November 19, from 9.30am. The next jump for joy will be in the church hall on Saturday, November 25, from 10-11.30am. The next early service will be on Sunday, November 26, at 9.30am.
Margaret Drummond, editor of the church magazine, has requested that items for the Christmas issue should be with her by November 17 at the latest. News of any big anniversaries or family occasions would also be welcome, as would photographs.
There will be only one Trussell Trust foodbank collection at Tesco in Blairgowrie this year. It will be from Thursday to Saturday, November 30 to December 2, and as many volunteers as possible are required to make this event run smoothly and stock up the foodbank for the winter.
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 - Officer-bearers and Elders.
Crèche duty - Elspeth Campbell and Molly Duncan.
Tea rota - Martha Easton, Wilma Gibb, Corrin Mackenzie.
All are welcome to join in for the service and for a cup of tea or coffee afterwards.
Riverside Methodists
On Sunday this week, November 5, the service will take place at 11am at the usual location at Wellmeadow Café on Blairgowrie’s Gas Brae. The preacher will be Judy Jarvis.
All are welcome to join in 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, November 6, 10 – 11.30am. All welcome. Further information can be found on the www.riverside-methodist-church.co.uk.
Scottish Episcopal Churches
On Sunday the congregation welcomed the family and friends of Charlotte Hare who was baptised during a joint service at St Anne’s, Coupar Angus, attended by members of all the local churches.
Through her baptism Charlotte is now a member of God’s worldwide church.
Sunday’s Gospel reading reminded those gathered of Christ’s summary of the law: love God and love your neighbour as yourself.
All are welcome on Mondays to the Parent Toddler Group held in St Anne’s church hall, Coupar Angus, from 9.30-11.30am.
Copies of the calendar produced by EPACTS, matching local photos by amateur photographers to Bible verses, can now be ordered from an EPACTS rep.
The deadline for sending in material for the winter edition of Saints Alive, the combined magazine, is November 12.
During Advent the congregation will be using ‘Lighted Windows’, a book of reflections by Margaret Silf, as a basis for a weekly discussion group. Please contact Lis Burke for a copy of the book.
The first discussion will be on Wednesday, November 29.
Next Sunday the congregation will celebrate the Eucharist at 9.30 am in St Catharine’s, Blairgowrie, and at 11am in St Anne’s, Coupar Angus and St Ninian’s, Alyth.
Rector, Very Rev. Kenny Rathband, can be contacted via the church office on 01250 874583.
For more details see www.abcsaints.org.uk or find search on Facebook for ‘ABC Saints’.