Enjoy the mag.
MB
Sunday Morning Service - 3rd April
New City Catechism -Q.47: What is the church?
God chooses and preserves for himself a community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. God sends out this community to proclaim the gospel and prefigure Christ’s kingdom by the quality of their life together and their love for one another.
Call To Worship: Isaiah 52
Praise: Build your Church
Praise: Great is the Darkness
Prayer of adoration and confession
Talk with kids and song: We are the Church
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Reading: Acts 11:19-31
Praise: O Church Arise
Sermon
Praise: The Church's One Foundation
More information about the New City catechism and a link to the free App is here.
From the Manse
Dear Congregation,
This magazine is our 100th issue! Quite amazing.
It was decided during the pandemic it would be a good to start an online magazine so that we could communicate and have some chance to keep in touch. One hundred issues later, I think it has proven to be a great idea (pandemic and one day post-pandemic!).
Many thanks to all who contribute to the magazine each week. Special thanks are due to Martin Boyd who creates, collates and presents the magazine each week.
Most weeks we have printed a very limited number of hard copies (it is to be an online magazine) for those who have no online access. A huge thanks to our youth, Calum and Lewis Veitch who have walked miles through the pandemic delivering these hard copies and chatting to those who receive them. Great job boys – that is a ministry in itself!
More on The Presbytery Plan:
I think it is important I keep you abreast of what the elders are doing in regard to The Plan.
We entered into conversation with a small, lively evangelical congregation on the other side of Glasgow believing a linkage could be good for them, agreeable to us and satisfy the Presbytery Plan. The elders of the other congregation were keen.
However, after further discussion and prayer, amongst our own elders, we felt that the Church of Scotland planning system created too many uncertainties about the present and the future. We decided not to proceed with this course of action.
It is Presbytery’s desire we relate to congregations in our geographical “zone” and create with some, a “cluster”.
Our elders have decided it would be wise to hear what the implications of The Plan is to Maxwell in a local cluster. That cluster would most likely include Newton Mearns, Mearns Kirk, Eaglesham, Broom and ourselves. However, these congregations all need to agree to be part of this cluster by 15th April.
Our aim will be to listen. And, our aim will be to contribute as positively as we believe we can. However, for us to do that, we need to continue seeking the Lord’s will for Maxwell Mearns Castle Church.
Should we come to a point where we believe there is a way forward to be agreed, we will call a congregational meeting. May aim is to communicate in such a way that there will be no surprises along the way.
What is the way forward?
The Presbytery want creative thinking. Might that creative thinking for Maxwell be a way forward currently unspecified and unstated?
I believe this is a bigger moment for our congregation than when we built our sanctuary and halls back in 1974. This moment has the potential to define our mission and ministry for the coming years.
The exciting thing is, that if we catch the wind of the Lord’s Spirit on this matter, it will be a great thing!
The growing pain many of us we feel at this time might just be labour pains! Maybe the Lord will bring our congregation to a new birth for God’s glory and the extending of His Kingdom locally.
PRAYER
Please pray with the elders.
A number of you are praying about this in your own devotions.
I would also love us to pray with one another as a congregation. Unity is precious amongst the people of God (Psalm 133). See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!...
At this time, I have set up two prayer meetings specifically about this issue.
I will lead both and I will welcome comments or questions during that time also.
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Prayer In Sanctuary: 5th April 2pm-3pm (you need not stay the whole hour and silent prayer is welcome)
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Prayer In Sanctuary: 12th April 7.30pm – 8.30pm (you may attend both meetings)
On a different matter…
Recording Names: Hand Sanitizer: Masks:
For the purpose of “track and trace” we are no longer recording those in worship or at smaller meetings. At this time, we will continue to supply hand-sanitizer for entry and exit to the buildings.
From 4th April, you will no longer be obligated to wear a mask in worship or on the church premises more generally. Many of you will rejoice in this. We look forward to welcoming back those who have been staying away from worship because of mask wearing.
However, the removal of masks will make some concerned. We need to acknowledge this and respect one another with our differing attitudes to this matter. You have the freedom of choice from 4th April.
We are not reserving areas in the church for any particular group of people. We are all at liberty to sit where we feel most comfortable. However, the chairs on the band-side and nearest the wall are separated by an aisle from the rest of the congregation. This might be a preferable location for those concerned about the removal of masks.
S.A.M Minutes and Accounts
The draft minutes of the S.A.M are on the Home Page of our website. The full annual accounts for 2021 are also there. If you were at the S.A.M, please review the minutes and communicate any changes you believe necessary to the office. Doing this now makes approval next year a credible exercise.
Gentle and Lowly – On Order
The batch of Gentle and Lowly books we had have all now been sold. In response to requests, I have ordered more. Please take advantage of these extra books, still at £8.
I don’t know when they will arrive but certainly by Sunday 10th April. It would be good if you reserved one by giving your name to Stewart Anderson. You do not need to do that if you emailed in a request already.
With warmest regards and prayers,
Scott
Easter Services – Parish Grouping
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Maundy Thursday: 7pm Eaglesham: Shared Communion Service
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Friday Walk of Witness: 11.30am Mearns Kirk Carpark to Newton Mearns Parish. Outdoor worship at Newton Mearns.
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Good Friday Evening: 7pm Broom: Shared Evening Service
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Sunday Dawn Service: 6.30am Broom Carpark to Trig point for outdoor worship (Breakfast at Broom afterwards.)
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Sunday Evening Gathering: 7pm “Easter in the Light” at Maxwell Mearns Castle Church (See below)
Do you remember Christmas in the Dark?...well now we have Easter in the Light!
Everyone is welcome to a concert we are holding in the sanctuary at Maxwell on Easter Sunday night. Taking a lead with the music will be our very own Maxwell band . We will have the privilege of listening to a few of our talented soloists as well as us all joining in with some community praise.
This musical evening will give us time to reflect on the cross and resurrection through biblical narrative, dramatic reading and personal testimony. It is also an outreach opportunity as we consider again the evidence for the resurrection and see why Easter is indeed the greatest day in history!
We will have tea & coffee and Easter treats at the interval so lots to look forward to
Please think and pray about friends and family you could invite along. Hope to see you there!
Hong Konger Night
Hong Konger Night On Education
Recently, a number of new residents to the G77 area from Hong Kong took up the invitation to come and hear how the education system works in Scotland.
We were grateful to Andy Sinclair (recently retired as Head Teacher of Barrhead) and Susan Little (Principle Teacher in Carolside) who together explained how education works from pre-school through High School. Andy and Susan kindly answered questions and then remained afterward to answer questions brought to them over tea on a one-to-one. (Many thanks to Jamie and Ken Taggart for providing the tea and coffee and chatting themselves to our guests.)
The evening began at 7.30pm. It was great to see all our guests linger with one another and with Andy and Susan. We eventually managed to close the premises towards 10pm!
Please pray for the evening to have been of practical help to those who came. But also, that we have taken some baby-steps here in loving our neighbours towards His Kingdom.
On behalf of the G77 Hong Konger Group, Andy and Susan were presented with huge Easter Eggs (which they kept out of the picture!)
We shall have a similar evening on 29th April. The topic that evening will be something like "Understanding the Healthcare System in Scotland". We are really looking forward to that evening and developing some of the friendships which have begun.
Scott and Anita
Immanuel Mantra
Since it is the 100th magazine, it is time to start looking back at some of the best things which have been in the magazine. (and also I'm running out of new ideas of course) This one min video is a firm favourite of mine and I've sent to lots people for various reasons. Who could you send the link to.??https://vimeo.com/59326626. Click here to watch.
The Immanuel Mantra
1. I'm a complete Idiot
2. My Future is Incredibly Bright
3. Anyone can get in on this!
Enjoy
MB
Broomburn Steps
Our church building is built alongside a fifteenth century fortified tower house built by Lord Maxwell.
Consequently it is located on top of a rock outcrop and access for worship has always been required via the Broomburn steps from Broomburn Drive. The steps lie within the boundary of the Church ownership and consequently we are responsible for their maintenance and upkeep.
Every week one of our team members sweeps the steps and pathways at the top and bottom of the steps and picks up any adjacent rubbish. The task isn’t particularly onerous and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The time spent is dependent on the seasons (nesting birds are particularly messy, and leaf fall in the autumn) and school timetables (increased rubbish during term time!).
Our team currently comprises five folk – a married couple and three individuals – the majority of whom have been carrying out this task for over ten years. Over half the team are in their eighties and we could certainly do with reducing the average age! It is inevitable that some will retire in the future for various reasons and consequently the more additional volunteers we get the better. The ideal size of team is probably around eight individuals, who would provide cover during holidays, illness etc. This would result in folk being required every eight weeks. However, the more the merrier!
The associated benefits are:
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Satisfaction in creating a clear path to worship on Sunday
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Increased fitness due to exercise in the fresh air
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Providing an opportunity to appreciate the woodland environment around our Church buildings
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Facilitating conversations with dog walkers and passers-by
Please consider adding your name to the list so we can continue this valuable ministry to the community.
Get in touch if you want to be involved or need more information.
Stewart Martin
wstewartmartin@hotmail.com
Coffee al fresco
Proving themselves to be worth their weight in Tunnock Tea Cakes, Rachel and Grace took the coffee stall outside last week and we were able to have refreshments in the sunshine - they have been really faithful in doing this job - thanks guys!
(There are actually a number of young folk around who each week who are serving us in different ways (some go unnoticed by the majority- see Scott's note above) - and I hope they know how much they are appreciated.)
Review of Stated Annual Meeting Minutes 20th March.
You will find the draft minutes of the Stated Annual Meeting held on 20th March on the Home Page of our church website.
These are posted so all may see what was presented.
Additionally, for those present, please ensure the minute are correct.
Suggested changes should be sent to the office as soon as possible.
You will also find a link to our full and audited accounts for 2021.
Ladybird Book of Maxwell
Stefan and Martina
Many of you know Stefan from his time at Maxwell when he was training at Cornhill Bible College.
Stefan and Martina have been in Japan for the last few years working with Navigators (student ministry).
That time is coming to an end in the Summer and they are returning to Germany for the next phase of ministry...what ever that may be. Let's keep them in prayer.
If you look closely in the picture there are two small boys camouflaged. That's Martina with Lasse and Jonas.
Pulse is still meeting on Zoom.
Wednesdays 7.15-8.30pm
Look out for the email each week with the code to join in - if you don't get that email then drop a note to Sue at maxwellmearns@hotmail.com
Praise Gathering - register today!
Many people in Maxwell have been involved in Praise Gathering over the years, and lots more have enjoyed attending the concerts.
Registration for the Praise Gathering 2022 Choir is now OPEN,
Secretary, Dave McLaren writes... We are already hearing of people who have invited friends to sing with them, so we are opening registration to everyone from today. We would therefore encourage you to secure your place as soon as possible.
Full details, including the rehearsal schedule for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and via live stream are given on the registration pages, which can be accessed by clicking here.
No longer will we take singing together for granted and we look forward to being back together again very soon.
Getting involved is easy - follow the link to book in.
Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group? Perhaps the start of the year is a good time to join in.
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.
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.
Hizkidz - crèche
On Sunday the West Room on the mid floor will be available for parents/grandparents and younger children to use.
The livestream of the service will (hopefully!) be playing on the TV and there are toys available too.
Speak to Pauline on Sunday who can show you which room to go into when the children leave for Hizkidz.
Please note our Sunday morning services* are live streamed and subsequently available on YouTube.
Filming is only from the rear in the balcony. If attending in person you may wish to select your seats bearing in mind that rows at the rear in the Sanctuary are not in view of the camera.
(* occasionally other services)