Church News
Blairgowrie Parish Church
The first morning service of the New Year commenced with the choir’s introit, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, after which Associate Minister the Reverend Bill Ewart gave his welcome and intimations.
Between the hymns, Angels from the Realms of Glory and Longing for Light, We Wait for Darkness, the Minister gave his children’s address.
He said that he had been thinking about New Years’ resolutions and that he had wanted to give up eating chocolate, however he had received so many gifts of beautiful chocolates that he had broken his resolution already. Therefore promises were broken which can make you feel downhearted but Jesus forgives us.
When the angel appeared to Mary he said that she was to name her son Jesus who would save and forgive us.
Jesus gives us time to enable us to be all that we can be. When we open our hearts to him he will find us and can change our lives so that we see the world in a different light. It changes our priorities. We do not need to be afraid as he assures us of his forgiveness and love and gives strength to overcome obstacles.
Allan Mackay read the scripture readings from Isaiah ch 60 vv 1-6 and Matthew ch 2 vv 1-12 which was followed by the hymn, Lord of life, We Come to You.
Commencing his sermon, Mr Ewart said that this was the twelfth night, the time when the wise men went to worship Jesus, and how they chose not to return to Herod to tell him of their finding of Jesus. He was most unhappy when he learned that Jesus had been taken to Egypt and was so angry that he ordered that all baby boys under the age of three were to be killed.
The Minister then proceeded to reflect on Herod’s assessment of himself and justifications for his actions.
After this Herod’s health failed and people plotted to kill him.
Continuing with the words of Herod, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews?’ Mr Ewart said that if Jesus is your King he will use up the throne of your heart. Many rid themselves of Jesus but others let him in to be their King. There is no middle way, he takes up your hearts.
The hymn, Christ’s is the World in Which We Move, was then sung and the offering as uplifted.
The service concluded with the hymn, Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning and the Benediction.
Musical offerings by organist Lex Dunlop were chorale preludes To Us Is Born A Little Child by Flor Peeters and In Peace And Joy I Now Depart (The Nunc Dimittis) and In Thee is Gladness (Prelude For the first Sunday of the year), both by Bach.
This Sunday, Souper Sunday, there will be a soup lunch following morning worship in aid of the Church of Scotland’s HIV/Aids initiative.
Ushers this Sunday - Beadle, Jim Gibb, Myrtle Petrie, Alex Easton, John Dow, Alisdair Drummond, Connie Irvine and Ross Davidson.
Creche - Margaret McKay and Ethel Dow. Tea Rota - Martha Easton, Wilma Gibb and Corinne McKenzie.
The next Messy Church will be held in Rattray Hall on Sunday, January 21, from 9.30am.
The next Jump for Joy will be held in the church hall on Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 11.30am.
The next early morning service will be on Sunday, January 28, at 9.30am.
Riverside Methodists
Coffee mornings are held on the first Monday of the month at the Wellmeadow Café.
The next coffee morning is on Monday, February 5, from 10am to 11.30am. All welcome.
Further information can be found on the website at www.riverside-methodist-church.co.uk.
Scottish Episcopal Churches
Sunday was the first Sunday in the season of Epiphany, when we reflect on Christ’s manifestation to the whole world.
There were celebrations of the Eucharist in Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, and Alyth, during which the congregation heard how Christ was baptised by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.
Sunday, January 14, is the second Sunday after Epiphany.
There will be celebrations of the Eucharist at St Catharine’s, Blairgowrie at 9.30am, and at St Anne’s in Coupar Angus and St Ninian’s in Alyth at 11am. All welcome.
The parent toddler group held in St Anne’s church hall in Coupar Angus will restart on Thursday, January 11, and from then on will take place on Thursdays rather than Mondays.
There will be a fundraising ceilidh for Mary’s Meals on Friday, January 12.
The Annual Congregational Meeting at St Ninian’s, Alyth will take place on Sunday, January 14, after the morning service.
The meditation group re-starts on Tuesday, January, 16.
Members of the congregations will hold a church service in the Balhousie Care Home in Coupar Angus on Wednesday, January 17 at 2pm.
The Rector, Very Rev. Kenny Rathband, can be contacted via the church office on 01250 874583.
For more details see www.abcsaints.org.uk or search on Facebook for ABC Saints.