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BLAIRGOWRIE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Sunday’s service was opened by Pastor Derek Johnston, who welcomed everyone, read Psalm 145, vv 1-7, and then prayed.
Iain Craig then led the singing of ‘There Is A Higher Throne’ and ‘When I Fear My Faith Will Fail’.
After the notices a new hymn written in memory of the Queen, ‘Tears and Celebration’ was sung.
Guest speaker, Mr G V Margate, was then introduced.
Mr Margate is a minister-in-training at Grace Church in Edinburgh.
He shared how he is a Filipino who grew up in Spain.
He became a Christian at the age of 14 after attending a party and is now studying at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
The passage from 1 John ch 2, vv 1-6, was then read before further prayer and ‘The Servant King’ was sung.
Mr Margate went on to speak on ‘True Obedience’ from 1 John.
He pointed out that 1.6 billion people in the world would identify as being Christian, but fewer actually believe in Jesus.
He asked the question of how people know their faith is a true faith.
The passage in 1 John ch 2 presents a moral test to help people see whether their faith is real or not.
Mr Margate said a person who genuinely believes will be obedient to God.
Referring to the passage he drew out three key principles concerning obedience.
First, he said that knowing Jesus comes before obedience.
He explained: “Knowing God through faith in Christ is a non-negotiable requirement in order to obey God.
“Therefore, we should strive to know
God more”.
Mr Margate’s next point was that love is obedience.
He said: “Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love others.
“We come to love God more through reading the scriptures more.”
A third point followed, namely that what was described as “Christ-likeness” comes in obedience.
Mr Margate concluded by saying
that knowing God leads to loving God, which leads to obedience, which leads to “Christ-likeness”.
The service closed with prayer and the singing of ‘In Christ Alone.’
Sunday’s service is in Rattray Hall and all are welcome to attend.
• See the website www.bechurch.co.uk for more information.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Rev Benjamin Abeledo welcomed all present and those worshipping online to a special Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in memory of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
A book of condolences was available for worshippers to record their thoughts and memories.
The opening hymn, ‘All People That on Earth Do Dwell’ was followed a prayer of adoration and confession and the Lord’s Prayer.
Throughout the service, historical excerpts from the late Queen’s speeches were read by Keith Redwood, Elinor Smith and Paul Blackwood.
These highlighted the Queen’s thoughts over her 70-year reign and provided appropriate poignant memories of the events and personalities since 1952.
Following the hymn ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven,’ Ruth Brand made two readings from Psalm 27 and Matthew ch 5, vv 1-14.
After more historical excerpts from the late Queen’s speeches, the congregation sang the hymns ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and ‘Now Thank We All Our God’.
In his sermon, titled ‘Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’, Rev Abeledo paid tribute to the sacrifice and devotion to duty paid over a period of more than 70 years.
He said the late monarch was seen by all as a “rock”, but she too had a “rock” as
she followed God through times and circumstances when it must have been very difficult to remain politically and culturally neutral.
The minister then analysed the conduct of her reign and proposed how people, as British Christians, might react to her death.
He said: “We should be appreciative and grateful for her time as monarch for she reigned during difficult times – the end of Empire, the legacy of the Second World War, through the long years of uncertainty and political, cultural and ethical challenges.
“She fulfilled her Coronation vows and kept the faith.
“We should also acknowledge that her work ethic came not through privilege but through her own diligence, commitment and skills.
“She may have been small of stature, but God gave her great strength to reign in a challenging world.
“Finally, we should appreciate the constant assurance she gave us; she was a fixed point in our lives for few of us have known another monarch.
“She represented something which has now gone.”
At this point, Rev Abeledo paid personal tribute to the contact he had previously had with Her Majesty during his time in the Armed Forces.
He continued: “Monarchs pass away but God remains eternal forever.
“He is a greater ruler than even our late beloved Queen Elizabeth.”
After the prayer of thanksgiving and intercession, the service concluded with the hymn ‘Now Thank We All our God’, the benediction and the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’.
Organist Martha Easton played ‘O Rest in the Lord’ by Mendelssohn as a prelude and Handel’s ‘Largo’ as a postlude.
A congregational vote on whether the parish church in Blairgowrie should adopt a new unitary constitution is to be held on September 25.
Only church members present are allowed to vote, with no proxy votes permitted.
There will be a Harvest Thanksgiving on September 25.
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.
• See the website www. blairgowrieparishchurch.org.uk for more information.
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.