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BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Sunday’s service began with a reading of Psalm 115, vv 1-3.
Pastor Derek Johnston said: “Iain then led the singing of the well-loved hymn, ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness,’ followed by the popular contemporary song ‘I Will Sing Of The Goodness Of God’.
“We then read Acts ch 3, vv 11-26, before we spent some time praying.”
Mr Johnston then spoke on the passage which records an early sermon of the apostle Peter.
He told those gathered: “Following the miraculous healing of a man who had been lame from birth people crowded around him astonished at what he and the apostle John had done.
“It would have been very easy for them to claim credit for the miracle but they explained it was not them but Jesus who had done this – the same Jesus who people in this crowd had so wickedly called to be crucified only weeks before.
“Peter told them, however, that through their actions God was achieving his plan to save the world.
“He also told them that if they repented and turned to God their sins would be forgiven.
“We saw how this offer of forgiveness still applies to us but it is dependent upon us turning from sin to Christ in faith.
“The depth of God’s grace towards this crowd who had treated Jesus so unjustly tells us that none of us are beyond God’s gracious offer ourselves.”
The service closed with Iain leading the singing of ‘To God Be The Glory’.
Derek said: “We are looking forward to meeting again this Sunday.”
For details regarding attending services, see the website www.bechurch. co.uk.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Rev Benjamin Abeledo welcomed the congregation to worship at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday.
He gave a particularly warm welcome to Samuel Michalak and his family.
Samuel was presented with the Queen’s Badge – the highest honour in the Boys’ Brigade – by Bruce Dow, his former captain in Blairgowrie.
Both Captain Dow and Mr Abeledo praised the diligence shown by Samuel in achieving his personal goals and his commitment to the local community.
Mr Abeledo presented Samuel with a copy of the Bible and, in a short prayer, gave thanks for the commitment of all in the BB movement locally and nationally.
Church organist Lex Dunlop was welcomed back to the church and accompanied the introductory hymn ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’ with customary gusto.
Captain Dow read the scripture reading from Romans ch 5, vv 1-11.
This was followed by the hymn ‘Your Hand O God Has Guided’.
Mr Abeledo introduced his sermon on ‘Endurance: the Resilient Virtue’ with a consideration of the important role and
example of “winners” and suggested that seeing things through to a conclusion is not always easy.
There is a constant need for resilience and Mr Abeledo gave the example of an airline pilot who clung on for dear life having been ejected from his craft through an open door.
The captain survived – just –showing great courage to cling on to a hanging rope ladder.
Mr Abeledo said that Christians, too, must display the moral courage shown in the Armed Forces – respect, discipline, strength and loyalty.
Prayer was also said to be an essential component of endurance.
Locally, this resilience was shown in the 17th century by the Covenantors, including Donald Cargill, who faced cruelty, persecution and martyrdom for their faith.
Endurance in the face of difficulties and challenges in life requires people to believe that some events are inevitable and sometimes unfair.
Mr Abeledo said: “The pearl inside the oyster is the product of pain,” which he said meant life can be hard but people can often develop resilience through such struggle. He continued: “We must also adjust to the obstacles we face.
“We should see such potential stumbling blocks as a challenge to give us confidence and not perceive them as negative.
“We also must accept that challenges
may not always be quickly addressed – we must ride out the storm with perseverance and true grit. Waiting itself is often the biggest challenge.
“Finally we must accept that the presence of God is a necessary component in our time of resilience.
“As in training for a job or an event, it is crucial that we get there in the end, even if we have to crawl over the finishing line – getting there is so crucial.
“God promises the crown of life to those who fight on and show resilience, just like the airline pilot who clung on till the plane could land.”
The service closed with the hymn ‘One More Step Along the World I Go’ followed by the benediction.
There will be a Communion Service on Sunday, July 4, and additional early children’s services will be held on Sunday July 11 and 25 . More details are available on Blairgowrie Parish Church website.
Members of the church’s Knitting Group have been very active of late, with Perth Prison Visitor Centre benefiting from the items made locally.
Anyone wishing to donate flowers for a Sunday service is asked to get in touch with Yvonne Taylor.
To book a place at a service 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: “Summer can be a time of beautiful weather, which we have been enjoying on and off, but British summers can also produce some terrific thunderstorms and quite frightening conditions.
“I was told of one such story recently in which a family had taken a hire boat out on Lake Windermere on a warm bright sunny day. They had stopped at one of the stops for an afternoon tea and had just set off back after seeing a few clouds gathering in the sky.
“Unfortunately for them and others out on the lake, this turned into a serious storm and soon the rain was lashing down and the dad who was driving the boat was struggling to see the way ahead.
“Thankfully, they returned to the base safe and sound but for a while were concerned for their health and safety as the storm appeared out of nowhere and there was no support, warning, or any helpful instructions from the hire company.
“The disciples encountered a similar kind of situation – as seen in Mark ch 4, vv 35-41, when having a rest from ministry they left the crowds behind to go to the other side of the lake.
“Although the water is called many things – including the Sea of Galilee and Lake Gennesaret – due to its geographical location, the water can go from being a calm tranquil place to having gale force storms.
“This is because the winds blow down the Mediterranean and then get trapped in the area above the water because it is surrounded by mountains thus making the conditions very changeable.
“Because of His busy schedule Jesus falls asleep in the boat and a squall develops.
“It must have been severe as most of the disciples are seasoned fishermen and would have been used to stormy conditions out on the water.
“They became so alarmed they wake Jesus, and He rises in the boat and commands the wind and the waves to be still.
“Jesus questions the disciples and asks them, ‘why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?’ They are terrified and ask each other, who is this even the wind and the waves obey Him?
“Clearly, the disciples have not fully realised the power of Jesus and the full extent of His authority and divinity.
“The storm must have been particularly bad to alarm a bunch of seasoned fishermen and perhaps even more alarming was the fact that Jesus slept like a baby through it all.”
Rev Wooller continued: “The account teaches us a valuable lesson – that, throughout all the storms of life, Jesus is with us and at times it may seem like He is sleeping and not in control.
“But, as we learn from this reading, that is not the case.
“Jesus challenges the disciples on why they do not have faith and trust in Him.
“Throughout all things, we are to trust and have faith in Christ.
“I appreciate that this is easier to say than accept but it is true. Over the course of the pandemic, the storm has seemed like it was never going to end.
“However, the storm is beginning to ease, and Jesus is still with us. Let us always remember that Jesus has promised to be with us, even to the end of the age.”
For information and updates from the Riverside Methodist Church, see the website www.riverside-methodistchurch.co.uk.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
Services are taking place each Sunday as usual under lockdown rules in all the churches 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 to reserve places 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.