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BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Worship began on Sunday with the singing a capella of ‘All People That on Earth do Dwell’.
Isaiah ch 35 was then read, notices concerning the coming week were shared and some time was spent praying.
Pastor Derek Johnston said: “Susanne then read Acts ch 3, vv 1-10, as we continued our sermon series looking at the growth of the early church.
“I spoke on this particular passage, which gives the account of the apostles Peter and John meeting a man who had been unable to walk since birth.
“The man used to sit in Jerusalem and ask people going into the temple to show mercy by giving him money.
“Peter, while not ignoring his very real material need, saw that what he really needed was God’s mercy.
“Peter told him: ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’
“The man was instantly healed and began leaping about and praising God.
“It was a tremendous display of the healing power of God, but the key purpose of the miracle was to authenticate the message Peter and John were preaching.
“This message, recorded in the New Testament, teaches that regardless of who we are we can experience the mercy of God to heal our spiritual disease, sin, through faith in Christ.
“It is a powerful message as it can transform lives and one that is entrusted to the church today to share.”
The service closed with the song ‘Therefore the Redeemed of the Lord Shall Return’.
Mr Johnston concluded: “We plan to meet this week at the same time and same place.
“Anyone who would like to come along can see our website for details.”
For details regarding attending services, see the website www.bechurch. co.uk.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Rev Benjamin Abeledo conducted morning worship on Sunday and reminded the congregation that communal singing is now permitted, albeit with a mask on.
He gave a particularly warm welcome to any fathers in the congregation.
The first hymn was ‘How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place’ and the lesson from Mark ch 4, vv 28-35, on ‘Jesus Calming the Storm’, was read by Keith Redwood.
This was followed by the hymn ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’.
Mr Abeledo’s sermon highlighted the dangers and threats from within people’s lives, or a raging storm outside.
As in the current pandemic, people’s inner storms cannot be cured themselves.
Mr Abeledo said the power of God’s love and sovereignty is needed to tackle issues and challenges.
The minister continued: “He can calm the storm and bring peace, hope and comfort.
“We must never move away from Him and must appreciate that the danger lies within us, within the boat – ie our lives – not outside.
“We all go through frightening times when we think that no one cares – we must trust in the Lord, no matter how challenging this is.
“Appreciating this is part and parcel of our growing and learning process.
“We must also appreciate that we are not in control and that we, like the disciples in the boat, have to be tested so that our faith may grow.
“We need to face storms in our lives if our faith is to grow.
“Jesus does care – He needs us to keep faith and trust in Him. He will see us through the storm.”
Following a prayer, the service appropriately concluded with the singing of the hymn ‘Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?’
The organist was Martha Easton, who accompanied the hymns and also played two voluntaries – ‘Pastorale’ by William Russell and ‘Marche Romaine’ by Charles Gounod.
Anyone wishing to donate flowers for a Sunday service is asked to get in touch with Yvonne Taylor.
There is still a limit of 60 people when it comes to the number of people who can attend services.
To book a place in advance, call 01250 874715, 07716 510605 or send an email to pamela@thehowats.net.
Alternatively, see the website www. ticketsource.co.uk/ blairgowrieparishchurch.
RIVERSIDE METHODISTS
Sunday’s message was delivered by Rev Nik Wooller.
She said: “I suspect that many people have suffered from ‘bad news’ over the last week.
“Yet again the chances of life getting back to ‘normal’ seem to be slipping further away as cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 rise again steadily across the nation.
“Meanwhile, around the world millions of people are suffering—hungry, in danger, lacking adequate housing, food, or safe drinking water, living in areas of conflict and natural disaster, and facing coronavirus without adequate medical facilities or enough vaccines.
“Have we forgotten that we’re all in this same boat on the stormy sea of life?
“As the waves of anger, despair, and doubt begin to swamp us, can you hear 21st century disciples crying: ‘Jesus! Is it nothing to you that we are going down? Why are you asleep out there somewhere in the cosmos that we call heaven? Do something!’
“In our gospel lesson, this week. Jesus rebuked the storm and the wind, saying: ‘Peace! Be still!’ And it was so.
“But Jesus also reprimanded his disciples, saying: ‘Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?’
“What do you suppose Jesus would say to us today? Perhaps: ‘Why aren’t you doing something, my people? Don’t you have any faith? Even faith the size of a mustard seed? Why are you wringing your hands in relative comfort, or putting your hands over your ears and hollering ‘la, la, la?’”
Rev Wooller continued: “We have to stop this right now. We have to do something, too. And it’s hard Holy work.
“We have to practice stewardship of relationship, and we need to start small before we can even begin to tackle the big issues.
“What if we look at the people near to us – really look –and say these simple words: ‘I see you.’ What if we really looked at those around us, make it a spiritual practice even? What if we look at those with whom we disagree, those with whom we have seemingly nothing in common, those who are invisible to us on a daily basis? Can we begin to realise what a grace-filled gift it is to truly see another person, to truly hear that person? Might we be able to see the light of Christ in one another and to look on this entire world through the lens of love?
“We are in a storm right now. It may feel like it is beginning to die down, and then another wave hits, it may feel like our life’s boat is being swamped.
“This world still seems, to many, a frightening time to be alive in a broken and battered creation, suffering from disease and climate change.
“The gospel for us is this: We are not alone. Jesus is right here with us – even if it appears that he is snoring in the stern, trusting us to handle the rudder and trim the sails. Yes, the Lord is with you, and me, and everybody in this beautiful, broken world.
“So, take heart, and as Paul said to the Corinthians whom he loved so dearly and who tried him so sorely: ‘I speak as
to children – open wide your hearts also.’”
Rev Wooller added: “We can do this hard thing. We can see one another, hear one another, and love one another by the grace of God.
“Yes, we must speak the truth to power and to one another, we must not allow evil to go unchallenged, but we must do so in love and with compassion and kindness.
“Only by building relationships can we stand together, only by loving God ourselves and our neighbours can we live gracefully.
“Perhaps one of the most important things we can tell others is this: don’t be afraid.
“Open your heart. Know that truly God is in this place and goes with you into the world.”
For information and updates from the Riverside Methodist Church, see online at www.riverside-methodist-church. co.uk.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
Sunday was a special day in the life of the east Perthshire group of Scottish Episcopal Churches because new Rector, Rev Kim Lafferty, was welcomed to the parishes.
Restrictions in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak meant her welcome took place in all four churches, rather than just one service being held as normal.
The institution itself, taking the form of a eucharist, was held at St Michael’s in Ballintuim and saw Bishop Right Rev Ian Paton lead the service, assisted by Canon Alasdair Coles, who has acted as Interim Priest in Charge and Synod Clerk.
Members of the congregation were able to sing, wearing masks, which helped the occasion to be the joyful event it should be.
Rev Lafferty asked for one particular hymn to be sung. It was ‘I the Lord of Sea and Sky’, a statement of dedication and commitment.
Other hymns included ‘Be Still for the Presence of the Lord,’ ‘All My Hope on God is Founded’ and ‘Lord of all Hopefulness.’
The organist in Ballintuim, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus was Austin Wilkie while, in Alyth, it was Luke Newman.
Organ voluntaries were played at the start and at the end.
Rev Lafferty was supported by members of her family who live in Scotland.
In the afternoon there were services of welcome at St Ninian’s in Alyth, St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie and St Anne’s in Coupar Angus.
These were much shorter services based loosely on the format of evening prayer and were led by Canon Coles.
Covid-19 restrictions meant members of the churches Rev Lafferty ministered to in Bolton were unable to come to Scotland to support her and, because of the broadband quality, live streaming the services was not possible. However, a video recording was made. Originally from Fort William, Rev Lafferty trained as a nurse and worked in Glencoe, Bristol and in the Manchester area where she ended her nursing career as a community rehabilitation nurse.
While still a nurse, Rev Lafferty gained a Diploma in Biblical Studies at the Faith Mission Bible College in Edinburgh but then studied for two years at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, where she gained a Diploma in Theology and Pastoral Studies before ordination.
She then worked in the Manchester Diocese of the Church of England, latterly as Tem Vicar for St Stephen’s Church in Kearsley.
Rev Lafferty is passionate about God and Jesus, a fact that became obvious in her comments at the institution.
She loves dogs, reading, working with children and getting to know new people.
A spokesperson for the local churches said: “We are very pleased she has come to join us and we wish her every happiness in her work and living in east Perthshire.”
Services are taking place as usual under lockdown rules in all the churches each Sunday at the following times:
St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie (9.30am), St Ninian’s in Alyth (11.15am) and St Anne’s in Coupar Angus (11.15am).
It is essential that worshippers reserve a place at services in advance.
For St Catharine’s ring 01738 710440 or email sarah@thegammells.com, for St Ninian’s call 01828 640591 and for St Anne’s call 01828 650732.