No.117 19th August

Hi,
It's been another week where the divisions that exist across the country were highlighted...political battle lines and picket lines were drawn as people make it clear who they are with or against. Sometimes it's obvious what we are for or against...people will listen to our conversations, watch our actions and reactions and be able to work out what makes us tick. I was thinking of the story of the guy in Larkhall who decided to do an experiment to see what the response would be if he wore a Celtic strip. After a week of being faced with terrible verbal and physical attacks he wondered what would happen if he left his house!!
Last week I quoted from the book I've been reading over the summer, Paul: A Biography...it's a tour de force by Tom Wright. Paul was up front and centre with what made him tick - his life and his message said one thing: loyalty to Jesus, the true King. Which side Christians were on should be clearly defined for all to see. 'This new community was not, then, defined by genealogy. It was defined by the Lord himself...a new kind of 'family' had come into existence. It's focus of identity was Jesus; it's manner of life was shaped by Jesus; its characteristic mark was believing allegiance to Jesus.'
What are we known for primarily at work, with neighbours, family and friends? Or would they look completely bemused if they heard we went to church?

Lots in the mag this week - sometimes the same news items pop up over the weeks as there are a number of events happening in Aug and Sept and it's good that they don't slip off the radar - and you could use the mag to prompt your prayers for these events too.

Enjoy the mag.

From the Manse

Dear Congregation, scott and anita

This will be my last letter for a few weeks as Anita and I will be on holiday for a few weeks from Monday 22nd – September 12th.

We will be with you this Sunday. We are then looking forward to visiting Anita’s family in Pittsburgh. We are delighted that this will include her mum who we have not seen in over four years.
It is a bit of an odd time of year for us to go on holiday as everyone else is returning to school, work and church. However, the timing has worked out this way because it was the only period we could have our girls join us with their husbands. They will be with us for a week. We are looking forward to some lovely Clan Kirkland/Brennan/Whyte/Tong time together!
Anita’s family are heavily involved in a Chinese Church in their suburb of Pittsburgh. This is where we shall worship. They have a Chinese service (and pastor) and an English-speaking service (and pastor). I have been invited to preach at the English-speaking service on our first Sunday (28th). I would value your prayers for this opportunity.

In my absence here at Maxwell, we have some great preachers coming over the next few weeks. Two young lads and David Swan from Junction 42 who many of you know.

Should someone need a minister for a funeral while I am away, Joe Kavanagh has kindly agreed to assist. Though I really hope this will not be necessary, you can contact him by telephone:
0141 384 2218 or Mobile 07508047388
Or by email; jkavanagh@churchofscotland.org.uk

Mearns House:

This Sunday afternoon (21st of August) we shall lead worship again at Mearns House. All are welcome to join with us. We shall gather outside at 2.20pm so that we can go in together for a 2.30 start. The service is just till 3pm. There are several residents who really appreciate this ministry amongst them.

Home Groups:

Because of my holidays, the manse house group will meet this Sunday (21st). However, the remaining groups will begin again next Sunday, 28th and then on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th. (Anita’s group will meet as planned on Monday 29th.) We shall meet fortnightly as usual. We shall resume our studies in 1st Corinthians at be on Study 5 of the booklet.

Look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday,
With Warmest Regards

Scott

What's the best future you could imagine?

There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won’t disappoint us?
Come along on 3 Sunday afternoons to discuss
where we can find hope today.
What does Christianity have to say about...
HOPE? PEACE? PURPOSE?

Watch the Trailer here and send on to a friend...who can you bring along to these three Sunday afternoon events?

18th Sept | 25th Sept | 2nd Oct
3.30pm till 5pm
TO REGISTER: email maxwellexplore@gmail.com

Ladybird Book of Maxwell

Local churches are coming together to host 'Praise in the Park' Family Fun Day at Rouken Glen Park on Saturday 27th August!

Hello all
I hope you don’t mind this appeal to you for support for a charitable cause.
I have the opportunity to help raise funds for a local charity in my home town of Glasgow.

The Glasgow City Mission are involved in:

helping people in Glasgow affected by homelessness and poverty
providing overnight accommodation for people who would otherwise sleep rough
helping children and parents in Govan district in Glasgow to fulfil their potential

The charity has organised a fund raising event that will take place on Saturday 17 September 2022.
My challenge is to complete a road cycle circuit of the Isle of Arran, comprising a journey of 57 miles (92 km). I’m training hard but this will be a fair test at my age and condition, and in uncertain Scottish weather!

I realise that home budgets are under pressure at the moment with rising costs of living, so any contribution at all that you can make, even the smallest amount, will make a huge difference to those that the charity can help.

A link to my JustGiving page is below, along with a link to the charity website, with details of the event and the work of the charity.
I hope you might consider supporting if you can and many thanks for taking the time to read my appeal.
Thanks and regards,

Click here for Just Giving page.
Glasgow City Mission web page is here.

Ken Taggart

Evangelism Conference 2022

Insights from C S Lewis into Gospel Outreach today.

Saturday 8th October - Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh

Glen Scrivener - Rico Tice - Randy Newman
Given the quality of speakers it may be well worth the trip to Edinburgh! Anita and I have already booked our tickets, as have a few others from the church.
If you would like to go you will have to book yourself in - there is a cost (£20 early bird -£25)
We may be able to share transport or go together on train /bus.
Scott
More info and booking here.

God Forgives and Is Still Fair

Bathsheba receiving David's letter - Rembrandt

The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die. (2 Samuel 12:13–14)
This is outrageous. Uriah is dead. Bathsheba is raped. The baby will die. And Nathan says, “The Lord has put away your sin.”

Just like that? David committed adultery. He ordered murder. He lied. He “despised the word of the Lord.” He “scorned God.” And the Lord “put away [his] sin.”

What kind of a righteous judge is God? You don’t just pass over rape and murder and lying. Righteous judges don’t do that.

Here is what Paul said in Romans 3:25–26:

God put [Christ] forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In other words, the outrage that we feel when God seems to simply pass over David’s sin would be good outrage if God were simply sweeping David’s sin under the rug. He is not.

God sees from the time of David down the centuries to the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, who would die in David’s place, so that David’s faith in God’s mercy and God’s future redeeming work unites David with Christ. And in God’s all-knowing mind, David’s sins are counted as Christ’s sins and Christ’s righteousness is counted as his righteousness, and God justly passes over David’s sin.

The death of the Son of God is outrageous enough, and the glory of God that it upholds is great enough, that God is vindicated in passing over David’s adultery and murder and lying.

And so God maintains his perfect righteousness and justice while at the same time showing mercy to those who have faith in Jesus, no matter how many or how monstrous their sins. This is good news.

From John Piper's Daily Devotional.
(You can sign up for this free devotional to land in your inbox each day.)

An inspiring night at the musicals featuring singers from London's West End.
At NMBC. FRIDAY 30th SEPTEMBER, 7.30pm

Amazing performers will bring you songs from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and The Greatest Showman.
The singers will give an insight into life in the West End, their careers and their Faith.

£6 per ticket, group tickets for 4 people for the price of 3 available too.

Vacancy

The Mission wish to appoint a full-time Administrator to join our dynamic team in our Head Office in Glasgow city centre.
Click HERE for full details.
Jack Geddes
www.glasgowcitymission.com

Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group?

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.