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Worship was held in person and online on Sunday.
Pastor Derek Johnstone said: “Our worship service began with the contemporary hymn, ‘Only A Holy God’.
“With the Olympics in Tokyo under way we then heard about two great Olympic role models, one being the former British rower Debbie Flood, who is a Christian.
“Although she won silver medals in Athens and Beijing she has a remarkable perspective on life saying that, as a Christian, she knew that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, God loves us as we are.
“We also heard about the US athlete Sydney McLaughlin who is the current world record holder for the women’s 400m hurdles and will be running for gold this week.
“She is only 21 but has already shown spiritual wisdom beyond her years, saying: ‘Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal’.
“After a time of prayer we read Acts ch 4, vv 32-37, before singing ‘Tell Me The Old, Old Story’.
“The passage presents an attractive picture of the early church. We saw how the unity, love, hope and compassion enjoyed by the early church is something the church of today can enjoy through focussing on Christ and building our lives on the gospel.
“Not only would that be a blessing to those who already believe and come to church, but it would also make church a more attractive place to those who know nothing of Jesus.
“We closed by praying and then singing the rousing song, ‘O Praise The Name’.”
The service on Sunday this week starts at 11.15am.
For details regarding future services, see the website www.bechurch.co.uk.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
There was welcome news at the start of morning worship at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday when David Howat, who was conducting the service, said that one-metre spacing will be in operation
and booking for pew places can be done for four weeks ahead.
There will also be more “at the door” spaces available before each Sunday service.
All toilets are now open for use before and after the service.
Following his welcome, Mr Howat said that over the last four weeks the congregation has been looking at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – where Paul spoke of grace and peace which comes from God, a result of his love for people and that we must reflect that love.
The hymn, ‘Let Us Build A House Where Love Can Dwell’ was then sung.
Following prayer, the scripture from Ephesians ch 6, vv 10-20, was read by Jim Gibb.
Mr Howat then spoke of how Paul’s letter was written to all churches and is timeless in its guidance.
This was followed by the hymn ‘Soldiers Of Christ Arise’.
Commencing his sermon, titled ‘The Whole Armour Of God’, Mr Howat said that Paul is taking people on a journey to Christian living.
He explained: “He said that there are journeys for everyone but, because of the blood of Christ, we are one people, yet as individuals we each have been given different gifts to be used to build up the church.
“Love should be at the centre of all our relationships, and we should be as Christlike as we can.
“We must love others as Jesus loves us. “The hymn, ‘Soldiers Of Christ Arise’, does not refer to a political fight but a spiritual one.
“In the scripture reading we have an effective summary and a challenge – we have to be prepared as for battle and for action.
“It is perhaps not a call to arms but a call to defend ourselves from slipping back into the old ways, the ways of the world.
“It speaks of armour, but this is the armour of defence.
“We must accept that there are forces tempting us to sin and we must look at
the protective armour we have.
“The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes in readiness to proclaim the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. These are all considered as items of defence.
“In this passage we have three imperatives – build up your strength in union with the Lord, put on the full armour of God and to stand and not give way.
“Jesus told us to love our enemies. The world sees this as a sign of weakness, but it is seen as a sign of strength.
“Faith is always there to protect us from anything life throws at us, the faith of an ever-caring God.”
The service concluded with the hymn ‘We Sing A Love That Sets All People Free.’
Family services are to be held during the summer months.
For more information, and to book places, contact Susan Whiteford at messychurchblair@outlook.com.
To book a place in advance at Sunday morning services, call 01250 874715, 07716 510605 or send an email to pamela@thehowats.net.
Alternatively, see the website www. ticketsource.co.uk/ blairgowrieparishchurch.
Anyone attending a service can bring their own cushion, Bible and hymn book but they must take them home with them.
RIVERSIDE METHODISTS
Sunday’s message was delivered by Rev Nik Wooller.
She said: “In response to his people’s plea for help in the wilderness, God gave them food enough for each day and said, in effect : ‘Trust me for tomorrow!’
“As the Psalmist says: ‘They ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.’
“God fed and protected them, but he also required them to be obedient and faithful, in a two-way deal.
“When the crowds asked Jesus for a miraculous sign, He gave them a similar answer, that in response they are to
believe in Him, the bread from heaven.
“That was an answer that raised even more questions!”
Rev Wooller continued: “It is good to ask challenging questions as we try to understand what God’s work for us may be.
“God can deal with our complaints against him and he hears our questions.
“But perhaps, as is always the case with Jesus’ teaching, we will never get a straight answer, to make sure that we are stretched by working it out for ourselves.
“Our natural instinct is that, before we are willing to do the work God wants, we need to ask more questions.
“But perhaps God needs us to just make the first move, to step forward, not knowing where we are going but trusting him to guide our next step, to know where our next meal will come from.
“The living bread of which Jesus speaks is a gift that will do much more than just feed our bodies for the day.
“It will sustain us for life, in all its challenges and interactions.
“Just as a shared meal includes conversation, laughter, relationships and intimacy, so the sharing of our lives with others can meet many needs.
“During lockdown, a keen West Country gardener wanted to help those who could only get out for their daily walk.
“She operated a bring-and-buy stall at the roadside outside her house, encouraging many to take healthy exercise in their own gardens while raising thousands for local cancer charities.
“The socially-distanced conversations about plants also fed the souls of the lonely. There is more to being fed than eating bread.
“As we do the work of God by believing in the one whom he has sent, our lives will reflect the quality of the ‘living bread’ that we have shared.
“It is still a two-way deal as we respond to what we have received by sharing it.”
Rev Wooller concluded: “As Paul explained to the Ephesians, each of us has been given the gift that is right and sufficient for doing God’s work.
“Are we engaging with the task, even as we question what it is?”
For information and updates from the Riverside Methodist Church, see online at www.riverside-methodist-church. co.uk.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
Services take place 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 telephone 01738 710440 or email sarah@thegammells. com. For St Ninian’s call 01828 640591 and for St Anne’s call 01828 650732.