HCehaudrcehr hNerwes
Sunday’s service was a special service of thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The service began with the singing of one of the Queen’s favourite hymns, ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’ which was followed by ‘Holy, Holy, Lift Up His Name’.
There was then a short quiz about the Queen’s life.
Pastor Derek Johnston concluded this by saying: “Although we mourn the death of the Queen, and may be reminded of loved ones we’ve lost ourselves, we are given great comfort in the Bible.
“The passage in 1 Thessalonians ch 4, vv 13 and 14, reminds us of the certain hope we have in Christ’s resurrection that death is not the end.”
After the singing of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd,’ Proverbs ch 31, vv 10-31, was read.
Prayers were then said, thanking God for the life and reign of the Queen while also praying for God to bless King Charles III and his reign.
The song ‘The Servant King’ was then sung.
Mr Johnston then spoke about Proverbs ch 31, vv 30.
He said: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting – but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
The pastor continued: “Charm and beauty are often the qualities by which many women are judged in this world.
“However, what we read in the Bible is that the greatest quality a woman can have is a love for God.
“Queen Elizabeth II had both charm and beauty but her love for God was her greatest quality, out of which her other good qualities came.
“She knew she served a greater monarch than herself - Jesus.”
Further consideration was given to her faith, her life of service and her care and compassion.
Encouragement was given to follow her example as such a life honours God.
The service closed with the singing of ‘O Worship The King’.
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.
Prior to the start of the service, session clerk Clifford Cooke made several important announcements.
Among them was a reminder than the service on Sunday, September 18, will commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr Cooke also gave notice of the congregational vote, to be held on September 25, on whether the parish church in Blairgowrie should adopt a new unitary constitution.
Only church members present are allowed to vote, with no proxy votes permitted.
Rev Abeledo began the service with a prayer of thanksgiving and remembrance for the late Queen.
He then welcomed members of the Guild and the family of the late Jean McFadden, who generously donated a lectern in the national Guild tartan to the church.
The introductory hymn ‘Oh, Come and Let Us to the Lord’ was followed by a
prayer of adoration and confession and the Lord’s Prayer from Guild member Colleen Joslin.
A detailed update on Guild activities by Margaret Conroy provided information on the role and local events organised by the local Guild.
She encouraged all members and nonmembers to commit to a life of service under the banner: ‘Wee Seeds, Big Trees.’
Over 135 years , the Guild has faithfully carried out project work throughout Scotland and raised millions of pounds.
Current projects aim to help people with eating disorders through the charity BEAT, vulnerable children in Uganda through Star Child and Scottish children in need of fostering or adoption through Homes For Good.
The local Guild organises a host of fundraising schemes and events to provide appropriate finance and also enjoys speakers and fellowship events.
A warm welcome is assured for anyone wishing to come along to the Guild, which meets on alternate Mondays in the church hall.
Mrs Conroy paid particular thanks to two former members who died recently – Ethel Dow, whose family has given generously towards Guild funds, and to Jean McFadden, whose family have provided funding for the lectern.
After the dedication of the lectern, Mr Abeledo led the congregation in singing the hymn ‘Take My Life and Let It Be’.
Guild leader Mary Macdonald read Bible passages from Acts ch 2 and Psalm 25.
The hymn ‘Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You’ preceded the minister’s short sermon, which was titled ‘A Place to Belong’.
Mr Abeledo emphasised the
importance of using key ingredients to achieve desired results or outcomes.
He said this holds true in almost all aspects of life, from home cooking to organisational planning.
Acts ch 2 features the key ingredients for the success of the early church, a time which saw more than 3000 people come to faith in a single day.
These ingredients were rooted in adhering to the key teachings of the Bible, in life-transforming acts of worship on a very regular basis, in developing and maintaining caring relationships with everyone, in using prayer as a tool of communication and in serving others, just as the Guild does so faithfully.
Mr Abeledo said that if the Christians in Acts can do so, without the modern aids of internet and phone communication, then it should be within our powers to do so 2000 years later.
After the Guild prayer of dedication and a prayer for others led by Mrs Macdonald, the congregation sang the hymn ‘For My Sake and the Gospel’s Go’.
The service ended with the benediction and the singing of ‘God Save the King’.
Organist Martha Easton played the introit ‘He Giveth His Beloved Sleep’ by Franz Alt at the start of the service and played ‘Ode to Joy’ by Beethoven at the end.
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.
The church and the hall will be open from 10am until 4pm on September 17 and from 1pm to 4pm the following day.
The next Messy Church events will be on Sunday, September 18, and Sunday,
November 6, in the church hall.
There will be a Harvest Thanksgiving on September 25, while the local Boys’ Brigade battalion will have their enrolment service on October 2.
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 the website www.abcsaints.co.uk for more information on the church’s activities.