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BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Sunday’s service began with Iain Craig leading the singing of ‘Come, Now is the Time to Worship’ and ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains Have Gone)’.
After the opening prayer, Pastor Derek Johnston spoke to the children and teenagers about Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games.
He shared memories of how, as a youngster, he went to an annual Highland Games.
There were many different pipe bands playing different tunes and practising for the competition in the main arena.
Mr Johnston said it was bedlam but, at the end of the Games, explained how the bands would gather together as the massed pipes and drums and play the same tune, ‘Hieland Laddie’, for the chieftan.
He said it was amazing hearing them play as one and there are parallels to the Christian life.
Mr Johnston continued: “Although as a church we all have different lives and different experiences, the New Testament tells us that, in Jesus Christ, we are one people.
“It also tells us that in heaven there will be a great multitude – people from every nation, tribe, people and language – who are one, singing the same song of praise to God.”
The song ‘My Soul Will Wait’ was sung before a reading was taken from 1 Corinthians ch 11, vv 17-34.
After a time of prayer, ‘Behold The Lamb’ was sung.
Mr Johnston then spoke on the passage from 1 Corinthians, which centres on the place of the Lord’s Supper in worship.
Also known as Communion or the ‘breaking of bread’, it was explained that it is an act of worship instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper to help people remember His sacrifice on the Cross. It also serves as a reminder of the hope the believer has
that Jesus is coming back.
After the sermon, the Lord’s Supper was observed.
The service closed with the singing of ‘I Stand Amazed’.
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
Rev Benjamin Abeledo welcomed all present, and those worshipping online, to Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday with a Call to Worship based on ‘Discerning God’s Will’ from Romans ch 12.
The congregation responded to his invitation.
The opening hymn was ‘Lord for the Years’, after which the minister said an introductory prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
The congregation enjoyed singing the hymn ‘One More Step’ prior to the first reading from Psalm 37, vv 1-9 and 23-31, read by Jimmy Taylor.
The ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah’ brought an enthusiastic response from the congregation before Jimmy Taylor read from Romans ch 12.
Mr Abeledo’s sermon was based on verse two of the Romans reading and titled ‘Discerning God’s Will’.
He contrasted the daylight path taken by migrating geese with the night-time flight of songbirds, which rely more on instinct.
He then queried how we humans can ascertain God’s will – saying that people don’t know what it is but people do know that it’s there.
Mr Abeledo said that people’s lives should test God’s will and they should examine what this is before following it.
He went on to ask: “How then can we do God’s will? What does the future
hold?”
The minister went on to say: “God speaks to us through the wisdom of Scripture – the news of tomorrow is there.
“Like travellers lost in the night, we have our tools – a compass, map and a torch and we must use these scriptural aids in our Bible; we need to grow in faith , just like a baby develops from drinking milk to consuming solids.
“God also speaks to us through the witness of the spirit; he makes judgements of what is right and true.
“The Bible is our GPS; it provides us with guidance to get where we need to go and provides the confidence and the courage to we need to face life’s challenges.
“We must always heed, not ignore this advice.”
Mr Abeledo continued: “God also speaks to us with sovereignty – he is in control of everything.
“Like a watchful parent who gives a would-be naughty child the eye, he tells us when we are likely to go wrong.
“God did this on many occasions in the bible - with Noah, with Gideon, with Moses, and many others.
“He put plane into their lives. Finally, God speaks to us through other people; he provides us with role models; the church itself gives us all a structure where we can do good for others.
“However, crucially we must be willing to do what we know to be right and to serve Him with a heart full of devotion.”
After the prayer of thanksgiving and intercession, the service closed with ‘All the way my saviour leads me’ followed by the benediction.
Organist Martha Easton played ‘They will be done’ by Truman Walcott as an introit and rounded the service off with the postlude ‘Nobilmente’ by Dom Andrew Moore.
The Craft Group begins its meetings on Wednesday at 10am in the Church Hall.
All will be made very welcome. Sunday, September 11, sees the dedication of the Guild take place and also the dedication of a church lectern in memory of Jean McFadden.
The weekend of September 17 and 18 sees the church and hall open to the public as part of the Open Doors weekend.
Volunteers are still being sought and are asked to add their names to the list in the 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.