Church News
Sunday’s service began with the reading of Psalm 10, vv 4 and 31-34.
After the opening prayer ‘Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven’ and ‘As The Deer Pants For The Water’ were sung.
Communion then followed, during which Ephesians ch 2, vv 1-10, was read to remind the Church of God’s grace and mercy and why communion is taken.
Following communion, ‘His Mercy Is More’ was sung.
The notices were given before the Bible passage, Ephesians ch 6, vv 10-18, was read.
After further prayer and the singing of ‘Lord I Come To You’, pastor Derek Johnston spoke on the passage from Ephesians.
Focusing on verses 11-13, he began by talking about how, in a time of war, it is important to know about the enemy and not to underestimate them.
He said: “The Bible tells us the Christian is in a spiritual struggle but our enemy is not people but the devil and malevolent forces in the unseen spiritual realm.
“As Charles Baudelaire once said: ‘The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist’.
“But the Bible is clear that he does exist. He despises God and despises mankind because we are made in God’s image.
“He hates the church because the church seeks to honour God and share the message of Jesus.
“But although the devil opposes God he is not the opposite of God. He is not an evil mirror image of God. God is the creator, the devil is created.
“God is omnipotent, the devil’s power is limited. He is neither omniscient nor omnipresent. So he is no match for God. He is already defeated through Christ’s work on the cross and, as Revelation shows, his future condemnation is certain.
“Therefore, although the believer should be aware of the enemy and his schemes we don’t need to be anxious or fearful. Neither do we need to be superstitious.
“God will look after us. We just need to be faithful.”
The service ended with the singing of ‘Yet Not I’ and closing prayer.
Sunday’s service is in Rattray Hall Community Hub and all are welcome to attend.
• See the website www.bechurch.co.uk for more information.
BLAIRGOWRIE PARISH CHURCH
Rev Brian Dingwall extended a warm welcome to everyone at Blairgowrie Parish Church on Sunday.
Afterwards, the congregation sang the hymn ‘Blest Be The Everlasting God’.
Opening prayers and the Lord’s Prayer were then followed by the hymn ‘All My Hope On God Is Founded’.
Connie Irvine read from Psalm 17, vv 1–9, and Romans ch 8, vv 31–39.
Rev Dingwall then delivered his sermon, which was titled: ‘The Cosmic We’.
He said: “Today’s reading from Romans 8 started with verse 31, ‘In view of this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?’
“This continuation of matters mentioned earlier in Paul’s letter to the Romans prompts us to question: Who are the ‘we’ and the ‘us’ that God’s love is directed towards?
“In the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian faith which starts: ‘We believe in one God…,’ the ‘we’ refers to those of us who follow Christ.
“However, translation of the Greek word used in Paul’s letter points to a wider understanding of ‘we’ and ‘us’ that goes beyond just the children of God who follow Christ.
“It even goes wider than ‘all of humanity’ to include all of God’s creation.
“This cosmic ‘we’ was used by Paul to address those early Christians in Rome whose faith placed them in danger.
“It reassured them that no risk or trial such as ‘hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death’ can ever separate us from God.
“Humanity is only part of what God loves and redeems; the love of Christ Jesus is the hope for all of creation.
“As we approach a time of Remembrance this week, we can be reassured that all whom we have loved and lost – including, but not just those who were given in war – are part of this creation, destined for God’s love.”
The hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision, O Lord Of My Heart’ was followed by the congregation’s recital of the Apostles’ Creed, which starts: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth ...”.
After prayers and dedication of the offering, the hymn ‘Ye Gates, Lift Up Your Heads On High’ was sung before Rev Dingwall invited all to join in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Further prayer preceded the singing of the final hymn, ‘He is Lord, He is Lord’ before the benediction brought the service to a close.
Organist Lex Dunlop played a prelude of ‘Fantasia in C Minor’ by Bach, an offertory interlude of ‘Petit Offertoire’ by Cesar Franck, and a postlude of ‘Trumpet Tune” by Chris Tomlin.
On Sunday, November 13, a Service of Remembrance will be held at 10.45am, after which a soup lunch will be served in the church.
A second serving will be available after the Wellmeadow service.
Proceeds raised are to be donated to the charity Poppyscotland.
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 www.blairgowrieparishchurch. org.uk for more information.
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
On Wednesday, November 2, St Catharine’s Church in Blairgowrie celebrated All Souls.
This is when the Church, as an institution and also individuals, remember loved ones in all churches who have died in the previous year together with relatives, friends and those who perhaps have no-one to remember them, giving thanks for their lives and what they have meant.
The service was led by the Rector, Rev Kim Laferty, and involved the lighting of candles as people’s names were read out.
She said the service is designed to keep memories alive and is a considerable source of comfort.
Sunday services have now reverted back to their normal times.
Services start from 9.30am at St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie, 11.15am at St Anne’s in Coupar Angus and 11.15am at St Ninian’s in Alyth.
• See www.abcsaints.co.uk for more information in relation to the churches.