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No.69 - 20th August 

Hi,
Hope this finds you well and enjoying the continuing relaxation of Covid regulations.
Some of you who had used the restrictions to avoid cutting the grass, trimming the hedge and emptying the dishwasher (just in case!) will have to think of something fresh...or maybe just repent!

No registration required for Sunday, and we are looking forward to Seoras being in the pulpit (or nearby it) this weekend as Scott and Anita are away.
The Pulse prayer meetings started again 'face to face' this week and will continue as usual on Wednesday at 7.15pm - again no registration required, so please get along if you can.

Some things this week are repeated from last week's mag (Scott's new book suggestion for instance, don't hang about getting a copy - would be good to read it through September together) but there is new stuff too, and with Afghanistan never far from our thoughts I have included a link to what I think is an important article to read.

Enjoy the mag!

MB


pray now

The Pray Now What's App group has been available for some months now - it allows Maxwell folk to be informed of pressing matters for prayer, and means news can be shared quickly and with some confidentiality in order that we pray 'Now'.

If you have a matter that you would like to be prayed about in this way, you can contact Margaret Boyd or Scott and they will organise for news to be sent out.

If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask Margaret and she will add your number to the list.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6



why we pray

Scott flagged up this book last week for us to consider reading together. - "Why We Pray"
Here is a short quote from the author, 
"As a pastor, I had often felt I ought to preach a series on prayer. But I have to confess that I had always been put off doing so because so many of the sermons I have heard about prayer have made me feel rather depressed.
You know the kind of thing: someone will tell you, with fervent emotion, about a great preacher getting up at four o’clock every morning and praying for six hours before breakfast…I’m afraid I just find that sort of thing disheartening. I discovered that as I focused the congregation on God himself, asking the most basic question of all – Why do we pray? – we found immense encouragement in our relationship with the Lord and real help in the chief expression of that relationship, which is prayer."


HAVE YOU ORDERED YOURS YET?  Copies are £6 each - order now from office.
There are only four chapters in just a 102 pages. I believe reading this book will be a great encouragement to our individual and congregational prayer-life.
 It would be great if you could email the office to have your copy on standby (maxwellmearns@hotmail.com). 
For those who want it there will be a reading plan to take you through the book in small bite size chunks over a few weeks.

 

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AV Team

Would you like to serve the Lord by serving through the AV team? Needless to say, training is given and you would not be thrown into any “deep ends”! There are two main foci: one involves the computer (and what is projected for us to see) and one involves the sound desk (what we hear both at home and in church). I believe it is a hugely rewarding ministry and certainly a crucial one.
If you would like to check out if you have the right gifts to be on the team, please contact Scott or Daniel Clarke

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Youth Weekend Away

The youth are going away this weekend as a group to the SU centre called Gowanbank in Darvel. Let’s pray for the preparations and that while there, the Holy Spirit will make the Word alive to all and impact the lives of these young people in a great way. Pray for the leadership team of six and that all would have a great time together.

What more important thing?

Kathleen Nielson’s  has published a number of prayers for children–young children and adult children. This one is from her collection of prayers for parents of teenagers.  As children and teens head back to school, in what are still strange circumstances for them, let's keep them in prayer. So many distractions, so many temptations and so much confusion over what we thought was straightforward. How can they focus on the things that really matter, the most important thing.
May it give you words to pray for the child or children in your life.

O Lord, so many things I’d ask for her—
so many things I do pursue for her—
as now the quieter pace of childhood play lurches ahead with seeming little warning, pulling her and pulling me to keep abreast with this and that assignment, this new friend, or this most urgent thing…

Please let us pause, O Lord.
Help us—both my dear child and me—
help us give careful thought to all our ways and most of all to you who gave your Son
to die for sinners, just as your Word says.
He died and conquered death for us;
he rose. What more important thing could be?

I would not seek an end to many things,
O Lord who made and sees it all;
I would not ask to empty but to shape our days in light of you and in submission to your Word. May Jesus fill my child’s vision,
Lord of all, the Reconciler to himself
of all things everywhere
through his own blood upon that cross.
What more important thing could ever be?

So, for my growing child I pray
that you would make your Son
of first importance, now and always.


Afghanistan

A pastor received a letter from the Taliban: ‘We know who you are, what you do, and where to find you.’

Just one of the chilling lines in this excellent article 'How Afghan Pastors Reflect on God’s Sovereignty' about the situation on Afghanistan. In days when we are often at a loss to understand what could have been done, should have been done, will be done we can still pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Kabul and beyond.
Read full the article - How Afghan Pastors Reflect on God’s Sovereignty here.


Funeral Cover

Scott will be on holiday from 16th August and will return on 30th August. In Scott's absence the Rev Seoras Mackenzie will be available to lead any funerals . Seoras will be living at the manse and can therefore be contacted on the usual manse number, 0141 560 5603. You could also contact Seoras through Sue at our office 0141 639 5169.


Pulse logo

Prayer Meeting – The Pulse: 

Wednesday evening at 7.15-8.30pm.

We hope you can make it!


Ladybird Book of Maxwell




Sunday Morning

Since we are no longer registering for Sunday morning services we're introducing the use of a smartphone to scan our own new “QR code” for track and trace purposes.

The QR code will be displayed at the entrance and inside the sanctuary so as not to have to queue. You can complete the registration inside.
The process is simple. Select the camera app on your phone.
When you hover over the QR code image with the camera app, an invitation pops up on your phone.
Select that invitation and it takes you to a web page where you can input your contact details.
This is a free Government service. The door team will help until we get familiar with this system. 

We shall also be prepared to manually record the presence of those who do not have smartphones with them or feel this would be an easier process for them.


Service of Profession of Faith

We are beginning to plan for a service of  profession of faith (and baptism if required). If this is something you would like to know more about, or have already been thinking and praying about this, please contact Scott or Daniel.


St Andrew's First Aid Course
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Saturday 4th Sept (9am-4pm or earlier) at Maxwell Mearns Castle Church 
Emergency First Aid  (certificated Emergency First Aid)
 
This course is designed for anyone who wishes to gain a basic insight into First Aid. (Bring a pack-lunch)
Course content includes: 
·        Managing an incident
·        Priorities of First Aid
·        CPR 
·        Disorders of the airway
·        Disorders of circulation
·        Control of bleeding
·        Burns and scalds
·        Miscellaneous conditions e.g. injuries to bones and soft tissue, poisons, hypothermia

 
The certificate for successful completion of this course is valid for three years.
There are places available at a cost of £55 per person (payable in advance via bank transfer).
Please contact Fiona Waugh (07795361752) or Sue at the office (0141 639 5169) to book your place. Places are limited (maximum of 12) so please book early.

Fiona Waugh