Hi, 
Hope this finds you well.

Some of you may have scraped the ice off the windscreens this week - it's getting chilly again. It's the time of year when if your spouse tells you to get your coat on they are either a) inviting you to come out with them or b) just alerting you to the fact that they are going out and planning to switch the heating off.
Anyway, there is lots in the magazine this week to warm your hearts (your fingers and feet are your own responsibility) and, notwithstanding the continued restrictions, there is lots to get involved with at Maxwell in the next few months.

Enjoy the mag!

Magazine No.25   (25th Sept)

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From the Manse

Dear Congregation,

Profession of Faith

It was great to be part of a celebration a few weeks ago when six people professed faith and one was baptized. We shall have another profession of faith and baptism on 11th October.
If this is something you have been thinking about and you believe is timely for you, please contact me as soon as possible.

Home Groups

We shall resume our Home Groups in early October. We will enter into the life of Elijah over five studies. We meet fortnightly and there will be groups on Sundays (2 groups), Monday (lunch), Tuesday evenings (2 groups).
If you would like to be included, please let me know - see details below
We have an additional Home Group meeting on Sunday nights. This group is progressing through Mark’s Gospel. If you would like to be part of this group please let me know also.

Over the coming few weeks we shall continue to make known the material known as The Word One to One. This little booklet is a great help to sharing the Gospel with our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.

We are in the process of obtaining physical booklets that we shall make available for use. You will find the materials on our church website here or directly from www.theword121.com.

Covid-19

With the increasing prevalence of Covid-19 in Scotland recently we are all looking at more uncertainty – including  in our congregational life. Worship remains unchanged. I would encourage you to sign up for attending Sunday worship. Thus far we have had space for more worshippers right up to Sunday morning. Sundays in October are now open on Eventbrite for registering your presence.  Click here for full details on registering.

We had begun an exciting trajectory of opening our premises and ministries again. This has not stopped but we are having to slow down. Nevertheless we are still hoping to make announcements soon about the resumption of Hizkidz and Youth work on the premises. Our annual ministry with Blythswood boxes is sadly very uncertain at this time – more on this later.
This is a time for renewed prayer. So much to bring before the Lord regarding our world, country  and congregation.

Bereavement

It is with sadness that we heard of the death of Betty Pollock on Monday (21st September). Betty and Bob are most likely the second longest serving members of Maxwell (as Bob puts it, they began worshipping while there was still the smell of paint!). Betty had been poorly for some time. We grieve with Bob, Gillian and Robert but not without that great hope of resurrection life which is secured for all who die in faith (1 Thessalonians 4.13-14). The funeral will be held on Tuesday 29th September at 1pm. Sadly, in these unusual times only twenty are permitted to attend the funeral. Unfortunately, attendance is by invitation only. However, let’s all be praying with the family at that time.

With warmest regards and prayers,
In Christ
Scott

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Glasgow City Mission

Jack Geddes will be walking 4.2k from Robroyston Park to Cowlairs Park as part of the Glasgow City Mission Heart for Glasgow fundraiser on Sunday 4th October. As he'll be dragged round by his husky Orla he should make good time!

If you feel able to contribute to the work of Glasgow City Mission then please follow the link: http://www.justgiving.com/Jack-Geddes1. 
Thank you.

 

An artist's impression of Jack on the walk...

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Hizkidz

Week 1 of our Hizkidz activity bags contained resources to help us explore Joseph's part of God's story. Included were some discussion, activity and prayer ideas sheets created by 'Together at Home' - a woman who has created high quality resources for churches for free since the beginning of lockdown. To go with these were a paper cup, pack of skittles, multicoloured tissue paper, card, glue and pipe-cleaners! We played hunt the cup (looking for Joseph's golden cup) and then used the craft materials to turn the cups into Joseph and his multicoloured coat. After some chat about how Joseph trusted God and waited for his promises from God to come true we used the skittles to help us to pray. One family made a prayer cube using the card and tissue paper! 

Pauline

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Home Groups - restart!

The Home Groups are starting up again after the Summer.  Would you like to be involved? Of course you would. If you are not a part of a group yet (or maybe you were and things got in the way for a bit) get in touch with Scott and you can be slipped into one of the groups which meet fortnightly.
This time round we are looking at the account of Elijah. Using a study book we will take a look at this fascinating character and see what God is revealing about Himself, how He works amongst his people, and how we can respond to that. 
If you are thinking 'This is not for me - I don't know much and find some Bible passages a bit confusing. I'm scared I might say something silly' then you may actually might be over qualified for these groups...you should see the one that meets at Calum's.
Hope you can get involved.


Here is taster of the booklet we are using this time...
"Elijah burst into Israel’s history at a time of idolatry and evil. Through him it was confronted and exposed by God.
But this man, just like us, also knew weakness and failure. Not so much a mighty man, as a man serving the mighty God. In God’s grace, Elijah persevered, and revealed God’s mighty sovereignty, grace, power, justice, and salvation.
Christians today face the same pressures that Elijah experienced. Elijah’s ups and downs speak to us too."

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