HCehaudrcehr hNerwes
Sunday’s service began with Pastor Derek Johnston welcoming those gathered.
Psalm 146 was read with the comment that the Psalm reminds people that, in a time of instability and uncertainty, people can trust God as he is unchanging and faithful.
Iain Craig then led the singing of ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness,’ ‘My Soul Will Wait’ and ‘Were I To Cross’.
After a brief prayer Mr Johnston then spoke to the children.
Comparing Christian life to following a recipe to bake a cake, he spoke about the importance of not just reading the Bible but doing what it says.
After the notices were given Mark ch 15, vv 33-39, was read and ‘He Will Hold Me Fast’ was sung.
The guest speaker was Andy Hunter, who is the Scotland and north England director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
Mr Hunter initially spoke on the ongoing work of the FIEC in supporting and helping more than 600 churches across the UK.
He then spoke on the passage from Mark’s gospel, which records the crucifixion of Jesus.
He said that the heart of Jesus’ message is His death.
So central is His death the cross has become the symbol of Christianity.
Mr Hunter said: “If we don’t understand why Jesus died we can’t understand Christianity.
“Yet the cross is the scene of abject suffering and gross injustice, so why do Christians celebrate it?”
He went on to explain: “On the cross ‘The Great Exchange’ took place – Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness.
“In doing so he opened up the way for us to God. The reason God did this for us
is because he loves us.
“As John ch 3, vv 16, famously says: ‘For God so loved the world he gave his only Son…’”
The service closed with the singing of ‘There Is One Gospel’ and prayer.
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
A warm welcome was given to members of Blairgowrie Parish Church by Rev Benjamin Abeledo on Sunday.
This was followed shortly afterwards by the hymn ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’ and prayers.
The hymn, ‘Fight the Good Fight’ was then sung.
Allan Mackay read the scriptures from Psalm 61 and Hebrews ch 12, vv 1-11, which were separated by the singing of the hymn ‘What a Friend We Have In Jesus’.
Commencing his sermon, which was titled ‘Certain Security in an Uncertain World’, Mr Abeledo said that he had
written the sermon prior to current world events emerging.
The minister said that sometimes life is uncertain and chaotic and compared this to Psalm 61, which was written by David in a time of danger.
Mr Abeledo said that it was written at the end of David’s exile.
David returned home with a heavy heart that was full of sorrow as his son Absalom, who had been killed.
However, David played his harp and used music to play through the hard places. He wrote a sweet song in a time of uncertainty.
The minister continued by saying that people know what sorrow is, it is part of life itself and lessons can be learned from this Psalm.
People all have choices in life and they can respond in either a positive or negative way.
David knew that he must pray to God. The cry of a broken man who shouts in anguish to God can be heard.
Mr Abeledo asked: “Have you ever turned your back on God? Faith doesn’t do that. David comes to God his Father
in prayer as God knows every challenge we face. Have you ever been to a place where you feel cut off from God? Then pray, because he is the only one who can sustain you and take you through the shadows.
“David refers to God as being a shield for him which shows his faith and assurance. God fulfils his promise to David as he is there for him.
“We, too, can take comfort knowing that he is there for us too. David closes the psalm with his confidence in the future and we should make this our prayer too. In a very uncertain world God is with us wherever we may be.”
The uplifting of the offering was followed with prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
The service concluded with the hymn, ‘Rock of Ages Cleft For Me’ and the benediction.
Music by organist Lex Dunlop was ‘Chanson de Matin’ by Elgar and ‘Paderborn’ by Paul Bryan.
Bach’s ‘Blessed Jesus, we are here’ was played during the uplifting of the offering.
The duty team on Sunday this week are Jim Gibb (Beadle), Paul Blackburn, Jane Blackburn, Susan Edwards and Marjorie Ferguson.
The Messy Church meets on November 6 from 9.30am in the church hall prior to communion at 11am in the church.
The Remembrance Sunday service is from 10.45am on November 13.
The Social Club meets on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings in the hall for badminton and on Friday mornings for carpet bowls.
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 Mr Howat via david@thehowats. net. • 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
On Sunday, October 23, Rector Rev Kim Lafferty used the teaching of Jesus to speak about prayer and how people deal with it in their lives.
The gospel reading had Jesus comparing the differing attitudes of two people praying in the Temple.
One was a Pharisee, who essentially told God and himself how good he was because he fasted, tithed and did all the religious necessities unlike his neighbour in the Temple.
His neighbour was described as being almost the lowest of the low – a tax collector who basically worked for the Romans and was mired in corruption.
He was said to realise he was a sinner and his prayer is self-deprecating and one asking for mercy.
As Jesus points out, to the chagrin of the religious authorities, it is the tax collector who is forgiven and justified.
Rev Lafferty said it was necessary for people to reflect on these two attitudes for their own prayer lives.
There is a change to the normal pattern of services on Sunday this week, during which there will be only one service.
It will be a joint service at St Ninian’s in Alyth from 10.30am.
The theme will be All Saints. On Wednesday, November 2, All Souls will be celebrated at St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie from 10.30am, during which the congregation will remember those who have died.
From November 6, Sunday services will revert to their normal times.