Hi,
Hope this finds you well.
There is the usual range of information and news in the magazine this month.
There is the info you need to start to book your places for Sunday mornings in November. You can take up Pauline's challenge.
You can even start to get your Christmas cards organised.
With the news that restrictions might be imposed for a while to come life can seem a bit flat. I wonder what lifts your spirits? Maybe it's a new season of your favourite TV show. Or perhaps you get excited by the Nasa spacecraft making contact with an asteroid? Maybe it's a goal scored from the halfway line? But these things come and go and in the end the excitement and relevance will pass. This week I read a line in a prayer which gave me a lift of a different kind. '
Because of your empty tomb and occupied throne...'. Now there is something which actually affects every single person in the world. Jesus has been declared to be the Son of God with power and He is reigning. His resurrection means this world will be renewed, and those trusting in Him will have every tear wiped away as we reign with Him in His perfect Kingdom. In fact that short statement is bursting with truths which can keep you going through whatever sort of day you are having.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8 You can read the whole prayer below.
In Scott's absence we are looking forward to George Johnston being with us this weekend and it's good to welcome him back amongst us. If you are watching from home that's great but there are still a small number of seats available - if you haven't been along yet book asap.
Enjoy the mag!
Magazine No.29 (23rd October)
Booking for November
It is fair to say that you probably go to places which are far less well protected against infection than Maxwell is on a Sunday morning. It's really well organised and if you can you should book up - it would be great to see more and more people getting back to church. In fact you should book a place for ALL the Sundays in November - we will make sure everyone gets a chance to get along at some point if it's over subscribed.
You can book your space and you will be advised later if you have been successful.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maxwell-mearns-castle-church-sunday-morning-worship-tickets-117847381691
Timely reminder
The clocks change this week for maybe the last time ever!
We read this online recently - interesting stuff.
Spring forward, fall back. So on Sunday we fall back. In the grip of Covid restrictions with day-to-day life reduced and many of us working from home to save lives and reduce pressure on the NHS, time has started to lose meaning.
When you wake up on Sunday, you might not even realise it’s Sunday. Or the weekend. On Monday morning, when you stumble into your kitchen and see the oven clock reads 08:00, you can go back to bed for another hour because it’s actually 07:00. The oven clock hasn’t updated and you’re now early for work. Except you’re not, because you can work from bed. Result.
Sadly the clocks falling back an hour takes us (artificially) one hour further away from the end of lockdown!
But, soon enough, we may be able to stop the confusion of time zones and stop complaining, as the clocks may stop changing once and for all. In March 2019, the European Parliament voted to scrap the twice-a-year change from either March or October 2021. Then member states will have to choose whether to remain on permanent summer time or permanent winter time.
Now that the UK has left the European Union, it is free to continue using daylight saving time if it wants, though this might cause problems with Ireland, where Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could end up in different timezones, despite being right next to one another.
Changing your clocks is one thing, but if you want an historical account about putting the time backwards read how the sun went backwards in 2 Kings 20:9-11 and Isaiah 38:8
HEAVENWARD
A few weeks ago the magazine mentioned the online prayers by Scotty Smith called 'Heavenward' - you sign up and an email arrives with a prayer for that day. It's free.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/
At PULSE this week Martin Smith (no relation!) read out one of the prayers and it's worth sharing again here:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another on to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Heb. 10:23-25
Lord Jesus,
Two things stand out in this remarkable passage. We’re called to a lifestyle of hope and encouraging each other. Help us to do both with fierce joy and unrelenting tenacity.
Because of your empty tomb and occupied throne, we can live with unshakable hope in a very “shaky” world. Indeed, we live by faith in you—not by trusting in pollsters, politicians, and possessions—and other forms of “
chariots and horses” (
Psalm 20:7).
And because the Day of all things new is “drawing near” (
Rev. 21:1-5), we don’t have to worry about tomorrow today. We can live this October Wednesday with a core of peace and a heart of kindness.
So help us be regular and robust in bringing encouragement to each other. Encouragement is always important, but never more so than today. For ours is a day of COVID-fatigue and unprecedented divisiveness, mounting stress and multi-cause duress.
Jesus, we purpose to rest in your love, trust in your sovereignty, and love to your glory. So very Amen we pray, in your grace-full and faithful name.
“The Word One To One”
It was good to have Mark Campbell with us last week to share with us the difference using the One to One material was making in people's lives. The Kirk Session has been encouraging us to build into our lives a desire to share the Gospel in a simple way with friends and family. To this end, we are being encouraged to use “The Word One To One” material.
Let’s all try and find one person to open John’s Gospel with. Remember to share online by zoom or by some other platform, you can download the exact same booklet. Simply go to our website; www.maxwellmearns.org and press the “Church Life” tab > then press the “Reaching Out” tab and scroll to the bottom of the page. You see all 11 booklets listed and available for download.
Speak to Margo McN if you would like to see a copy of a booklet.
Scott's Leave Of Absence
Scott is on leave of absence until 16th November.
In his absence Stuart Crawford and Joe Kavanagh have kindly agreed to assist with funerals should this be necessary. If you have need to arrange a funeral please contact directly;
Rev Stuart Crawford 19th -31st Oct (Tel. 0141 239 2140 or 07912534280)
Rev Joe Kavanagh 1st – 15th Nov (Tel. 0141 384 2218 or 07508047388)
Psalm Walks
Hello
Last Sunday I mentioned 'Psalm Walks' which have been included in our Hizkidz bags. They are not just for kids, they can be used by anyone! Psalm 3 and 24 are here for you.
1st Maxwell Mearns Rainbows, Brownies and Guides have been taking part in a photo hide and seek game with our 'mascots' - Olivia the Rainbow, Sammy the Owl and Betty the duck. Can you work out where the pictures (below) were taken and then go and take a picture (or have a picture taken) of yourself in that location? Or just tick them off when you find them!
The photos are sort of grouped in areas but I have map clues available if you get stuck! Enjoy! A prize may well be available if you complete all 30!
Pauline Forster
Christmas Cards
If you are buying Christmas cards you might want to consider supporting the Lodging House Mission. order form
The Lodging House Mission has over 100 years experience in helping disadvantaged people get their lives back on the right track.
They are a Christian organisation with a mission to provide care and support to those in need regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. With more and more men and women becoming homeless due to the current economic downturn, they have a dedicated team of Support Workers and Volunteers who work together towards one common goal - making a positive difference in people's lives.
Did you know Maxwell has a You Tube channel.
Please subscribe to our Youtube channel as we will soon be moving more content onto that platform.
It's totally free, and there is no annoying follow up (except here on the magazine if we don't get enough subscribers.)
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