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BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
On Sunday, the congregation met in the Ericht room of Rattray Hall due to Rattray Arts Festival using the main hall.
After the initial welcome and the reading of Psalm 104, vv 1-4, Iain Craig led the congregation in worship.
The songs included ‘Behold Him’ and ‘By Faith’, which were followed by ‘River of Fire’.
Pastor Derek Johnston then gave the notices before reading Genesis ch 1, vv 1-2 and 3, and then leading the congregation in prayer.
The song ‘The Goodness of God’ was then sung.
Mr Johnston then spoke about the Genesis passage.
He began by talking about famous works of art before posing the question of who the greatest artist of all time is.
He said it was a tough question because people have different personal tastes and preferences.
In addition there are many different forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, literature, music and poetry.
However, Mr Johnston went on to say: “But there is one artist that stands above them all, God.
“In Genesis we read about how God purposefully made the whole cosmos from nothing in six days.
“The account is very ordered, detailing the Great Artist’s method and process.
“Initially the Earth was formless and empty but we see in the first three days God giving the Earth form; making light, the skies, seas and land.
“In the next three days we see God filling that which he gave form to; making the sun and moon, fish, birds and animals and people.
“When we consider what God has done, his imagination, his genius, his power and wisdom, we see that he is to be more than just admired, he is to be worshipped.
“Even more so when we consider the gracious restoration work he is achieving for us in Christ despite our waywardness.
The New Testament – in 2 Corinthians ch 5, vv 17 – tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone the new has come.”
The service concluded with the singing of the Isaac Watt hymn, ‘I Sing the Mighty Power of God’.
Sunday’s service is in Rattray Hall and all are welcome to attend.
• See the website www.bechurch.co. uk for more information in relation to church services and activities.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Morning worship at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday was conducted by Rev Benjamin Abeledo.
After his welcome and intimations, the minister said that the Call to Worship was taken from Psalm 103, ‘Bless the Lord O My Soul’.
Between the hymns ‘The Lord is King’ and ‘As the Deer Pants for the Water’, prayers were said.
Scripture readings from Psalm 6, vv
1-10 and Matthew ch 11, vv 25-30, were read by Margaret Conroy.
These were followed by the hymn ‘Great is thy Faithfulness’.
Mr Abeledo then commenced his sermon, which was titled ‘Worn Out’.
He referred to Spring 1812, when Napoleon controlled most of Europe – from Spain to Russia – but England controlled the seas.
However, Napoleon also wanted to control India. It was under British rule and the only way he could do this was to take it by land by gaining control of Russia.
More than 600,000 men marched toward Russia but only 30,000 survived because, when passing through Poland, the troops became subject to lice and fleas and the water in the wells was contaminated.
Soon after the troops began to collapse and die, they had caught typhus.
Napoleons’s Waterloo came to an end, not because of the Russian army or Russian winter, but because they had caught lice.
Referring to Psalm 6, the minister told of how David was having a sleepless night.
He was said to be troubled, distressed, weak and worn out and was on the verge of surrender.
He then asked if any of the congregation was tired, exhausted and worn out.
Mr Abeledo made reference to the Covid issue, which he said was exhausting, wearying and trying.
He said many people were affected mentally, emotionally and spiritually and now, two-and-a-half years later, many are ready to crumble.
He asked: “What do you do when you are simply worn out?”
“In Mark ch 6, vvv 31-32, Jesus said to His disciples: Come ye yourselves into a dark place and rest a while.”
The minister then expanded on the following points:
• The sources of reduced strength – the demands of service, the debility of sickness, the harm of sin, the devastation of sorrow and the attacks of Satan;
• The signs of declining strength – praying becomes silenced, performance and actions become spiritless and people’s vocations become secretive;
• The simplicity of renewed strength – the promise of rest, the provision of rest and the peace of rest.
Mr Abeledo concluded by telling a story about an exploring party in Africa who employed a group of native carriers to go with them.
Because they were in a hurry to reach their goal the natives were pushed relentlessly for several days.
Eventually the natives sat down and refused to move.
When asked what the problem was, one of the natives said: “We are waiting for our souls to catch up with our bodies”.
Mr Abeledo said: “A lot of Christians who have run away from God in their hurry and rush for worldly things need to stop and catch up on spiritual things.”
Following prayers, the service concluded with the hymn ‘In Heavenly Love Abiding’.
Music by organist Martha Easton included ‘Jesu Joy of my Soul’ by JS Bach and ‘Andante con Moto’ by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Helpers are required for the Doors Open weekend, which takes place over September 17 and 18.
Volunteers are asked to add their name to the list in the church’s Lower Hall.
Members of the Bible Study group are maintaining contact with each other through an email prayer letter.
Anyone wishing to join is asked to contact David Howat via david@ thehowats.net.
Anyone wishing to donate towards the church flowers is asked to put a contribution inside an envelope in the offering plate.
These will be passed on to Yvonne Taylor, who will purchase and arrange the flower display.
In order to update its audio-visual systems in the sanctuary and the halls, the church is launching a special financial appeal.
More details on how contributions can be made will be available in the near future.
• See the website www. blairgowrieparishchurch.org.uk/ sermons for more information on church activities.
RIVERSIDE METHODISTS
Sunday services are from 11am at Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow Cafe.
• See www.riversidemethodist-church. co.uk for more information.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
Sunday services start from 9.30am in St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie, 11.15am in St Anne’s in Coupar Angus and 11.15am at St Ninian’s in Alyth.
• See www.abcsaints.co.uk.