Hi, 
Hope this finds you well. What has your week been like? Have you spent it rebuking your family members for using the word 'lucky' instead of providential? I know I have. (And remember 'dead jammy' is just the same!) It was good to hear Scott encouraging us on Sunday to learn, and hold onto, the truth that God is in control - leading and guiding circumstances and always as only a perfect loving Father can. I read this tweet today:  Had the Apostle Paul been around in 2020, he might have written: 'Nothing, not even pandemics and lockdown restrictions - can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord'.

A quieter mag this week but some great news from Scott below.

Enjoy the mag!

Magazine No.24   (18th Sept)

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From the Manse

Dear Congregation,

Communion

This Sunday 20th September we shall celebrate the Lord’s Supper in worship in the sanctuary.

We shall invite all who have publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ to join with us, both present and watching live from home.

In the sanctuary, the elements will be set on two tables, one on either side of the room. Those who wish to receive the elements will be invited to come to the table for their side of the room and take two disposable cups. One will have bread in it and the other non-alcoholic wine. Once back in their seats, all should wait so that we can partake together.

Those who have professed faith publicly and wanting to participate at home should prepare some bread and wine/juice in advance of the service. I will invite those at home to participate with us as we receive the elements in the sanctuary.

I will only encourage those at home and watching live to receive the elements of bread and wine, even though the service will be recorded and may be watched later.

One To One

Over the next several weeks we want to encourage you to consider us to become a congregation who share God’s Word with friends and family, neighbours and colleagues. We shall introduce helpful booklets that will aid us doing this. Some can be obtained for sitting in a cafe, or back garden (or one day someone’s house). We will link you to the same resources that could be used via Zoom. Our church website will help us see what is involved.

We shall hear some who have pioneered the ministry and some in our congregation who have used it.

This is a great opportunity to simply hold out the Word of God and pray that in doing this, the Lord may bring salvation to some and greater sanctification to others.

Watch this space!

Look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday,

With warmest regards.

In Christ

Scott

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Hizkidz in a Bag

No, we are not putting our children in a bag but providing our Maxwell families with Hizkidz resources in a bag!

Every fortnight each of our families will be visited by one of our congregation who will give them a paper bag complete with 2 weeks worth of activity, craft, prayer and discussion ideas and the resources needed to tie in to our theme/Bible passage for those two weeks. Families can then work through activities which suit their family when and where it works for them.

We'll be sharing some of the things our Hizkidz have been up to over the next few weeks and hearing from some of our Hizkidz and delivery team too! Please continue to pray for our Hizkidz as we continue to discipleship in our families. 

Pauline
Children and Family Worker

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Wonder How 50 Worshippers are Selected?

 

As you know, there is a limit of 50 people gathering for worship at church.  Here is how we work it out at Maxwell:

• It is not on a “first come, first serve” basis.
• We are trying to be as fair as possible so we can give all want opportunity to worship a chance.
• We do however have a priority system.
• We are currently giving priority to the three people we know who want to be present and have no internet access. They will not be able to watch live. 
• Priority is also given to those who register for the first time. Priority is then also given to those who could not attend the previous Sunday because it was over-booked (this is modified by how many times they have attended in total.  
• Everyone who serves in some capacity on a Sunday (even the minister) is included in the 50 and so have priority (door team/AV volunteers etc.). Then all others who register. When fifty is reached a list for the following week is initiated with all who have already signed up for that following week. 
• Should someone arrive at worship unaware of the system in place they will not be turned away but it is likely one of the office bearers will leave the premises and returning after worship to conclude duties.

Hope this all makes sense? 
We are indebted to Lorna Hamilton for running the system. Please feel free to contact the office if you have any questions.

Scott

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Worth Watching

If you are looking for something to watch now that the nights are fair drawing in etc etc. then you might want to try The Chosen.
It's an 8 parter (although more episodes are in the pipeline) and it basically is a dramatisation of the Gospels. Now, over the years there have been some really cheesy or unhelpful dramas like this but I have started watching and it's been really good quality. The usual questions can always be asked about whether or not we are putting words in people's mouths or imaging scenarios that aren't in the Bible.  I've put a helpful review below to answer that type of question but in general I think these type of dramas can drive us to the Bible and encourage us to consider the characters who were turned around by Jesus (or turned off by Jesus?).  And surely it is better than watching another CSI Barrhead.   
MB
 All the episodes are on YouTube here: 
Here is the review: