maxwell magazine logo 2

No.73 - 17th September

Hi,

Hope you have had a good week. Some weeks can be busier than others - perhaps it depends on whether you win a US Tennis Open , or if you were the Foreign Secretary at the start of the week...and then not.  Maybe yours was more mundane that that? Or, on a personal level for you and your family, it may have been deeply significant, for good or for bad...and the world just keeps spinning. At the prayer meeting this week we had a focus on Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8)  - there was someone who knew God was the real King. Of course, he wasn't unaware of the day to day, week to week things we live through (enjoy or endure) but he understood it and worked through it all in the light of knowing that the Lord was on the throne, His purposes were certain, His promises never failing, His love for his people never waning. Solomon could pray, "Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave....". Oh but he didn't sit back and say, 'Oh well God will do His thing'. No, he prayed about being part of all that God was doing.
Here is Jesus' call for us to get the right perspective each day...from The Message, Matthew ch6.
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met

Thinking of those who had a significant few days this week I've included a sermon from New York the Sunday after 9/11 20 years ago -  Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace.”.
I had thought about using the same headline for the piece below on the AV balcony team's recent efforts.

So, it's a full magazine this week...there is a newsletter from Cornhill Trust included at the end and that's a worthwhile ministry to support if you can. Remember, Daniel, Gabor and Stefan all benefited from attending there.
Cornhill advertise a day's teaching event which is worth considering, as is the Walk Thru the Old Testament which Maxwell hosts next month - don't miss out on that.

Enjoy the mag!

MB


Communion This Sunday, 19th September

We shall share in the Lord's Supper this Sunday morning.
If you have publicly declared your faith in the Lord Jesus then we would welcome you to share with us in this sacrament.
For those who for some reason cannot be with us on the church premises, we will endeavour to include all who are with us from 10.30 am. but joining us from home. In these circumstances, it may be best if you can prepare the elements of bread and wine in advance of service commencing. 
Scott


Pulse logo

We have resumed our in-person prayer meeting on a Wednesday night at 7.15pm.
For this short term we shall meet in the Main Hall. We hope you can make it!


Elaine Brown

60b0a464-681e-45df-97df-9a5402

It is with sadness we heard earlier this week of the passing of Elaine Brown into the Lord's presence.
We want to pray and support Douglas, Louise, David and Elaine's mum Marion as we pray also for the extended family and close friends.
The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. These arrangements are likely to include a Church service which all will be welcome to attend.
We do not grieve "...like the rest of mankind who has no hope. We believe Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him".
Scott


Service of Profession of Faith

We are planning 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.


Home or Away?

camera angles

If you have been in church in recent weeks you might have noticed that we have had a variety of ways of displaying words for songs, or Bible passages or adverts.
The reason the majority of these 'views' on the screen are they way they are centres around how we present the services to those who are watching on YouTube.  For instance you can see in the image above that people at home can see the words on the screen alongside viewing people in the church- hopefully, for those not able to get out to the service, this makes them feel more part of what is going on. We recognise that it makes it a bit different for those present in the building but our aim is to get it as good as possible for everyone.
So, please do bear with the AV team- apologies for those at home who lost sound on the hymns last Sunday, and sorry, once again, to those at church who could still hear Sandra's violin. 


 “Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace.”

 

Responding to 9/11

On September 16, 2001, the line to get into Redeemer Presbyterian Church stretched out the door. Not quite five miles north of the World Trade Centers, they could smell the burning buildings and see the posters asking for information about the missing.

Pastor Tim Keller added another service on the spot, asking the musicians if they’d stay and those in line if they’d come back. They did. Normally a church of around 2,800, Redeemer hosted 5,300 worshipers that day.
Keller was preaching his way through Jonah, but stepped out of the series to open John 11:1-44. His sermon was titled “Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace.”
It's reprinted it here.


He will Hold Me Fast

hold fast

We are looking at Psalm 22 this Sunday. A powerful Psalm testifying of God's holding fast those who trust in Him even in the midst of trouble.
We are singing He Will Hold Me Fast this week.  If you want to hear a short 'story behind the song' then click here. 

Here is a great version from Keith and Kristyn Getty  - click here


COP 26 - A Christian Perspective - MMCC

cop 26 logo

Wednesday 22nd September 2021 7.30pm – 9.15pm
At Our Church!


A local Peace and Justice Forum have asked if we would host a meeting on "A Christian Perspective" to COP26.
Although Scott will assist by chairing the meeting, we do not know the speakers. It may be interesting to hear what they have to say on this.
All welcome.

3 Speakers with Q& A sessions.

  • Rev David Coleman (Chaplain, Eco-Congregation Scotland)   "As Christians why should we care?"

  • Adrian Shaw(Eco-Congregation Scotland) "What is COP26 all about?"

  • Sam Ibbott (Climate Change Officer, East Renfrewshire Council) "What can we do in East Renfrewshire?"

Questions can be asked on the night, but we are asked to send questions before 6pm on Tuesday 21st September 2021 to eepeaceandjusticegroup@outlook.com. 

The event will be live-streamed via the Maxwell Mearns Castle Parish Church You Tube Channel. 
It is organised by Eastwood Ecumenical Peace & Justice Forum


A Little Bit Further Along

 

Finding your place at Maxwell...

There is a place in the church and a place in life for expertise and formal training. But there is a much wider place for simple commitment and involvement. The great majority of the help people need as they navigate life’s trials, the great bulk of the counsel people seek as they encounter life’s questions, does not require the input of experts, but merely the attention of someone who knows God and who knows his Word. They do not need someone who has access to the original languages or who exposits Scripture at a post-graduate level. They do not need someone who holds credentials from a Christian counselling organization or who has dedicated a whole lifetime to studying theology. These things are good and have their place, but they are not often truly necessary.


What most people need and long for as they face trials and encounter questions is simply the dedicated attention of someone who is a little bit further along, the listening ear and gentle voice of someone who is a few steps ahead on the path of life, or the path of ministry, or the path of suffering, or the path of parenting. Most are merely seeking someone who will informally mentor them from the perspective of their own successes and failures, their own experiences of good and bad, the godly wisdom they have accumulated along the way.

What’s so wonderful about this ministry is that we can all take it up, for each of us is just a little bit further along than someone else. 

Read this full article by Tim Challies here.


Coffee Club reopening!

 

Further to the note in recent magazines about the reopening of the Coffee Club we are also looking for volunteer drivers to assist in getting guests to and from the halls.  As part of the Covid safeguards we are limiting one guest to each car for the foreseeable future.  If you could make a commitment to drive weekly, fortnightly or even once a month this would be really helpful.  Guests need to be delivered to the hall for 1.30pm and then collected at 3.00pm (so it is a commitment from say 1.00 to 3.30pm each Tuesday you are on duty).  All drivers are most welcome to stay at the coffee club and enjoy the home baking, activities and Maxwell message.
 
If you feel able to help in this way please get in touch with me.
Thanks on behalf of the steering group
Sandy Halliday   Mob:07760712461   Email:sandy@smhalliday.plus.com


Ladybird Book of Maxwell

 

walk thru

Saturday 30th October

WTTB will be coming to Maxwell on 30th October 2021 to walk us through the Old Testament.
Everyone of all age groups are welcome and more information will be provided closer to the time. 

For now just get the date in the diary and block it off. This event is invaluable for everyone to understand the OT timeline, it's message and be taught how to communicate that to our friends and family in a really clear and helpful manner.
Daniel


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.


cornhill
An update from Jonathan Gemmell, Co-Director of Training
on behalf of the Cornhill Scotland Team

After a long summer of planning, praying and preparing it is great to be writing to you at the end of the first week of our new Cornhill year. There is so much to give thanks for, and we have been very aware of God's kindness, faithfulness and care in all of our endeavours. 
 

For me personally, joining the Cornhill Scotland team has been a delight. Sixteen years after sitting behind a Cornhill Scotland desk, to now be standing behind the Cornhill Scotland lectern is testament to God's grace, and hopefully encouraging proof that CTC is fulfilling its role of training people for gospel ministry. Aileen (my wife) is soon to return to work in a new role with the Scottish Government which came about through wonderful providence. And baby Isaac also turned one, is settling into nursery and is loving Scotland (particularly the swings). Thank you for praying for us as we transitioned back to Scotland.
 
The rest of the Cornhill team are all well and in fine fettle. There is lots to do, but the days are fun, and the work is exciting. We have refreshed the timetable, reformatted the way we do our teaching practice classes and are very encouraged by numbers in view of the pandemic. Please do pray for continued strength and energy as well as wisdom and joy as we serve the Lord Jesus.
 
The new first year students are all eager and hungry to learn and are brimming with potential. It was super to see the second year class back together again and excited to continue to develop as Bible teachers. As always, we are very thankful to many local churches who entrust people to us; it is exciting to see some churches sending their very first students to CTC. Please pray for the students that they would really relish this opportunity to study God’s Word and that they would grow in their love for the Lord Jesus and His Church.

Our PTC cohort also enjoyed a residential week away together at the beginning of September. It is very encouraging to see this course continuing to develop with eight new students joining this year. At the residential week there was rich fellowship, great fun, helpful input and an abundance of tray bakes!

Here is a report from Benjamin Read:

“PTC looks so good I wish I was doing it” were the words from my assistant pastor as he handed me the prospectus for 2020/21. “It’s in Glasgow though”.

Hi, I’m Ben and I’m a trainee pastor at Cornerstone Church in Kingston, London. Many people have understandably asked me why I am doing a pastors training course in Scotland, when London is on my doorstep. 
 
The answer is because Cornhill Scotland have identified an urgent need to train a generation of pastors who have a desire to train a future generation of pastors. And since training is the lynchpin of PTC's master-plan, they have established a unique programme of training, that is realistically flexible, incredibly affordable and is at a high level theologically. It is a programme in which day-to-day ministry and theological learning are rigorously integrated. It is a high quality training programme that has been tailored to be as accessible as possible.
 
To kickstart each academic year PTC runs a residential week, in a remote barn, in Ayrshire, where the new students meet the old, fellowship is enjoyed, and teaching begins. This year we spent a day unpicking a dodgy author’s methodology in a popular Christian book, which was simultaneously a joy but also a struggle not to fling across the room! One day was dedicated to introducing the main topic for this next term (ethics) and another afternoon was spent listening to a local pastor slowly and tantalisingly unfold his experience with a church revitalisation project over the past 6 years.
 
This combination of reviewing a wonky “Christian” book to think about prevailing cultural winds, thinking deeply about the importance of technical theological words and hearing about a gritty and down-to-earth experience of a faithful pastor doing the day job in an unspectacular and ordinary church, is a microcosm of what makes PTC so fantastic. The most unexpected joy of these weeks, which I seem to forget until I get there, is the time dedicated to prayer. Every morning we spend a joyful hour or so in prayer for each other and our situations. It is by far the best way to get to know everyone quickly and helps foster the brotherhood of support which continues for the rest of the year. 
 
There’s barely time to mention the endless cakes, exceptional food, table football competitions and hikes to remote locations...
 
Last year was one of the most stretching years theologically for me, and it was a delight. I’m looking forward to learning new things and applying them to my ministry in Kingston again. Perhaps the biggest takeaway lesson is to always ask the “so what?” question when it comes to theological training. How does knowing this help me look after the flock back home? How can this encourage, challenge and spiritually grow people both from the pulpit, in small groups and in personal work? If you were to pray for one thing please would that be it. Pray that God would produce fruit in our lives and ministries as a result of our time together at PTC."

BOOK IN A DAY

book in aday

BOOK IN A DAY is a new initiative for this year.
We are opening up the Cornhill classroom to others who would like to join in for the day as we focus in on one book.

The first of these events is on 21st October, at 25 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 1HW. William Philip will be helping us get a handle on Matthew.

This would be a great opportunity for people thinking about doing Cornhill, Bible teachers wanting to be sharpened in their understanding or others who would like help understanding God’s Word for themselves. Please do come and join us and do bring others. To book follow the link below.
Prices are £20 per person, £10 for students and there are group discounts available as well.   BOOK HERE
 

PRAY... PROD... PARTNER...

Cornhill Scotland is massively dependent on your ongoing support. 

Please would you PRAY for us. Pray we would always keep the main thing the main thing and serve our students well. Please would you PROD people (maybe even yourself). We think Bible teachers are the most precious resource in the world so would you consider sending us students or coming yourself. Cornhill has students who have recently graduated from university, others who have recently retired from work and lots in between. Please PARTNER with us! There is lots to do and many more opportunities we would love to optimise. There is inevitably a cost to this ministry, so would you consider partnering with us either through a one-off gift or regular support? For information on how to give please click on the link below.

As always thank you so much for your continued interest, support and partnership in the Gospel. If there is any way we can serve you or help in your ongoing service of the Lord Jesus, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
 
With warmest good wishes and great thankfulness for your partnership in the Gospel,