It’s good to be back
Services resume
ABBEY/BENDOCHY CHURCH
The Easter Service at both churches was conducted by Rev Andy Graham, who welcomed the congregation and then announced: “The Lord is Risen”.
Mr Graham read the lesson from John ch 20, vv 1-18, which describes the events as Mary attended Jesus’ tomb early on the third day following His execution.
In his sermon, Mr Graham contrasted the events between the beginning and end of the week.
On Palm Sunday Jesus had entered Jerusalem to great acclaim but, by the end of the week, He was executed as a common criminal, His followers completely downhearted, and His disciples fearful of arrest through their association with Him.
Other people were leaving Jerusalem to return home, some believing and some doubting that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for.
The elation just a week before had all seemingly come to nothing.
Mary had been present on Friday at the execution and now, on Sunday, she went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body but found the tomb open and His body missing, perhaps having been stolen by the Pharisees.
Imagine her initial distress, but then imagine her relief and elation as it was revealed to her, and to her alone, that Jesus had risen, as had been foretold.
She alerted the disciples and shared this new meaning, this new beginning that, because Jesus lives, her sins, and those of others had been forgiven.
This is the Easter message that resonates with people today that, through the death and resurrection of His son, God offers forgiveness to all people everywhere, irrespective of their background and nationality.
This message of hope was said to be important as people continue to face uncertainty over the continuing pandemic and the great distress it has brought to so many people.
In his closing prayer, Mr Graham sought God’s support for all those whose lives have been touched by Covid in any way but, in particular, through illness and the loss of loved ones.
The next service at Bendochy will be on Sunday, April 18.
The Abbey Church Kirk Session will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 7, from 7pm.
The Bible study will resume via Zoom on Wednesday, April 14, from 7pm.
Anyone interested in attending online should contact Mr Graham by sending an email to andrew.graham@churchofscotland.org.uk.
Daily reflections are posted on the website www.bandcachurch.org.uk.
BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
The congregation met in person on Easter Sunday morning and also broadcasted the service live online for those unable to attend.
In-person services will continue each week, subject to Scottish Government Covid-19 restrictions.
For more details, see the website www. bechurch.co.uk.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Morning worship at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Easter Sunday was over-subscribed, with unsuccessful applications being held over to the next service.
The new bunting which blocked many pews presented a colourful welcome for the congregation and there was a great feeling throughout the service, with parishioners glad to be able to worship together again.
Rev Benjamin Abeledo said his sermon was titled ‘What If . . .’
He asked what if Christ had not Risen? Mr Abeledo went on to say such a question poses a profound challenge to the Easter story as, if He didn’t, the Christian faith means nothing nor is effectual to the needs of mankind or the Christian community.
The sermon built on the sermons given on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which are both available on the church website.
The Bible reading by Ruth Brand was from 1 Corinthians ch 15, vv 12-24.
Hymns included ‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today,’ ‘Blest Be the Everlasting God,’ ‘O Lord My God, and ‘When I in Awesome Wonder’.
The service closed with prayers of intercession, the hymn ‘Thine Be the Glory’ and the benediction.
In his Easter message on the church website, which Mr Abeledo headlined ‘Easter: A Message of Joy,’ he said that of all the feelings and passions of Easter, he wanted to focus our hearts on two.
He said: “I want to take you back to that distant Sunday morning, the first day of the week. Two people rose early, their sandalled feet covered in dust and strained by running.
“They went to the tomb, and met there an angel, who broke open their whole world, saying ‘He is not here: He is Risen.’
“Feel the intensity of their emotion. St Matthew tells us what they did, and what they felt. They ran. They ran, with fear and great joy. And we can see them running, with fear, with the hasty, gulping breath of fear, and with gurgling joy, with the outstretched hands and billowing cloak and squealing yelps of joy.
“Fear and great joy: at the heart of the Resurrection, and at the extremes of our hearts today. So much to fear, so many reasons to be afraid.
“Fear for ourselves, that we’ll experience crushing disappointment, that our faith will turn to dust, that our hopes will be illusions and our critical friends be proved correct.
“Fear for those we love. Fear that however much we love and however much we care we shall still have to face the awful moment of parting, of letting go, of aching loss and separation. Fear that we can’t protect our loved ones from the horror of death. And fear about issues way beyond our control. So much to fear.
“And yet also great joy.
“The joy of a spring lamb finding its rickety feet in a meadow. The joy of a baby discovering how to swallow. The joy of the song, when we have the words, and God has the tune.
“The joy of the harvest, when all is fresh and mellow. The joy of friendship, of those we have known and loved through thick and thin. The joy of forgiveness, when bitterness and failure don’t get the last word.
“The joy of creation, when we hear birds chirrup on a spring morning. The joy of being part of a team, when you believe in what you are doing and where you are going.
“Great, great joy.
“The moment when the angel’s words break open our lives and we start to run with fear and great joy run with us throughout our lives together, as constant reminders of the cost and promise of following Jesus.
“Fear and joy, at the centre of our longings, at the heart of our desires.
“But there is a secret that we only glimpse at in this life. A secret that was first revealed to those two early risers on the first day of the week, while all creation breathed in the aroma of anticipation.
“It is the secret of Easter. A secret that I pray we will realise in the course of the year to come. And the secret is this: Joy wins. Let the people of God rejoice. He is Risen! This changes everything!’’
All sermons can be accessed via the website www.blairgowrieparishchurch.org.uk/sermons.
CARGILL BURRELTON CHURCH
Easter Sunday worship was led by Rev Stevie Thomson, with Lynne Mitchell as organist.
The chancel was decorated with floral artwork from primary school pupils, and Susan and Catherine Christie had decorated shrubs in the church grounds with painted eggs.
Elders on duty were Ian Bentley, David Martin and Sheena McNaughton.
Those wishing to attend morning worship should contact Sheena McNaughton in advance on 01828 627773.
KINCLAVEN CHURCH
There was a good attendance at Kinclaven Church for the first in-person Sunday service of the year.
The service for Easter Sunday was conducted by Rev Harry Mowbray, who welcomed everyone and remarked on how nice it was to be worshipping together again.
In his intimations Mr Mowbray reported that letters of thanks had been received from CHAS and Cash For Kids, who each received a donation of £150 raised through retiring offerings during December.
He also expressed thanks to those who had looked after the church during lockdown and prepared it for opening, the treasurer for preparing the annual accounts and Liz Ridsdale for decorating the cross with daffodils. This adorned the altar during the service.
The Scripture readings were from Isaiah ch 25, vv 6-9, and John ch 20, vv 1-18. They were read by Jackie Armsworth.
The service next Sunday will be taken by Mr Mowbray. All welcome.
RIVERSIDE METHODISTS
The Easter Sunday message was delivered by Rev Nik Wooller.
After wishing everyone a happy Easter, she said: “Many years ago now, I had a friend who worked nights for a security firm.
“I remember him telling me about a colleague who used to say ‘expect the unexpected’.
“Perhaps that was a good phrase to use if you were helping guard a multibillion-pound gas plant that supplied a quarter of gas to households in the UK, but do you ever recall Jesus saying this to the disciples before He died?
“Our resurrection account this year is taken from John ch 20, vv 1-18. It begins with Mary Magdalene going to the tomb where Jesus was laid, presumably to anoint the body and do the final preparations for burial.
“Remember they had taken the body down late in the day from the cross and placed it in the tomb donated by a rich nobleman named Joseph, but they had not been able to complete their work because the Sabbath would have been beginning.
“In John’s account only Mary is mentioned but in the other gospels other women are mentioned too.
“The women are shocked to discover the huge stone missing from the entrance so Mary races back to inform the disciples while the other women investigate further.
“Notice the hurt and pain in her voice as she announces the news to Peter and
the other disciple.
“Given their response it is clear they had nothing to do with the disappearance and so they race down to the scene.
“One disciple arrives before Peter and looks in but, as soon as Peter arrives, goes straight into the tomb to discover it is empty with the strips of cloth laying, with the head piece separate from the body.
“A thief would not have left the tomb in such an organised fashion. The other disciple joins him, and we get the line ‘he saw and believed.’
“The disciples depart but Mary is left pondering and crying at the tomb.
“She looks into the tomb and notices two angels inside and they enquire of her as to why she is crying.
“Next comes the crux of the passage when a man appears behind her and again asks the question: ‘Why are you crying?’
“Mary, thinking He was the gardener, explains again but it is only when Jesus calls her name that she realises that she is looking at Jesus and everything falls into place.
“That moment, that realisation, that Jesus is alive is so poignant and precious.
“Mary then goes to the disciples and explains what has happened.
“The narrative has moved from the pit of despair to bewilderment and the most unexpected turnaround.
“We do not worship a God of repeats, reheats or renewals, but a God of new life and resurrection.
“This spring, as we emerge from the pandemic, remember we serve a risen Saviour who is in the world today and He lives.
“The old has gone and the new has come. Hallelujah!”
For more information and updates from the Riverside Methodist Church, see the website www. riverside-methodist-church.co.uk.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
St Catharine’s (9.30am), St Ninian’s (11.15am) and St Anne’s (11.15am) will now be open every week.
Because of Covid-19 social distancing rules, it is essential that worshippers reserve a place.
For St Catharine’s ring 01738 710440 or email sarah@ thegammells.com.
For St Ninian’s, ring 01828 640591, St Anne’s ring 01828 640452 and for St Michael’s call 01250 886320.