No.136        6th January

Hi,

Happy New Year - hope this finds you well.

I really enjoyed the Christmas period - there were a number of times when, leaving aside all the usual distractions, and not being caught out by the trap of 'I know this story', I was struck by the incredible truth at the heart of the Nativity account - God has taken on flesh, and knows what it is like to be in this world. He knows family ties, everyday hassles, loss, joy, hunger, full table of food with friends, upset, confrontation etc etc. Knows it not just because God 'knows' everything, but has really experienced it - and he has done it all for people like me and you. We sang Townend's Light of the World a couple of times which summed things up so well.
The Light of the World, now shone as a man, and walked through the valleys he'd carved with His hands.
A servant to those he'd breathed into life. He felt our injustice and shared in our strife.
The Light of the World preached justice for all, defying the proud and defending the poor;
Then humbled Himself to death on a cross, to crush the oppressor and rescue the lost.

It's good to remember all this as we step into a new year. Things won't always be straightforward - we start the year mourning with those who mourn in our fellowship, and we know that this year the issue of the Presbytery Plan will need to be addressed.  You will be able to add your own things which are looming large - some exciting, some daunting...or both!  There is a short article re prayer and the prayer meeting in particular below - the Pulse meeting is changing it's day and time for meeting. You can read the rest below but this short extract reminds us why we can go into 2023 as a church and individuals in a much better frame of mind , even when we feel vulnerable, weak, nervous and in need, if we do so with prayer.
 "There is little else you can do that will remind you of your neediness than prayer. In fact, your prayer life corresponds directly with how needy you really feel. When you carve out time to meet with other believers you are reminded of your great need and great privilege. You have to be reminded by virtue of the fact that you are coming to God through Christ and petitioning for the glory of God in this world! This is a tremendous blessing for us to be reminded of our need even as we call out in need." 

Enjoy the Magazine,

MB
 

  Sunday 8th January 2023

    Rev Howard Hudson
   "What can we be sure of in 2023?”
   Isaiah ch6:1-8

 

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Robin Russell

There will be a service of thanksgiving for Robin Russell on our church premises which Scott will conduct at 12 noon, Friday 13th January. (The family will have a private committal service prior to this service of thanksgiving.)
 

Sandra Goldring

We were sad to hear that Sandra Goldring passed away on Tuesday morning (3rd). Thoughts and prayers are with Sandra’s family and friends at this time.
Scott will notify us of funeral arrangements on his return.

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Scott is on holiday from 3rd January – 10th January. Rev Stuart Crawford of Newton Mearns Parish Church has kindly agreed to assist with any funerals that may arise.
You can contact Stuart on;
Mobile: 07912534280  Manse: 0141 239 2140.
Email: scrawford@churchofscotland.org.uk.

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Greetings?

A friend of mine was preaching last week and pointed out that while Happy New Year is a good greeting for anyone, the Bible doesn't use it, but has it's own 'best' we can wish on anyone : 'Grace and Peace' 
In fact it is used Seventeen times in the New Testament:
"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~Romans 1:7
Then to the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Peter, John and the churches in Revelation.

How do we start our letters or emails ? At this time of year especially we might be writing to people with thanks or best wishes for the coming year. For Paul, Peter and John it was their go-to blessing on people.

What Does “Grace and Peace” Mean?

Here is John Beeson, Pastor and  blogger at The Bee Hive with some helpful thoughts...

"Let’s start with the basics. The phrase “grace and peace” is so frequently repeated that we might miss all that is loaded in those three words. In Greek, grace (charis) refers to grace that brings about joy and delight. It is loving-kindness and favour.
Peace (eirene in Greek) points us to the Hebrew notion of shalom, which refers not just to a lack of conflict, but wholeness, wellness, harmony, and even prosperity.

It’s important to note that both words point back to God himself. Grace is offered by our perfect God who generously grants his unmerited favour upon us. Likewise, while we can achieve some measure of lack of conflict through human means, it is only God who can bring about true shalom.

Note how often the biblical writers mention the first two persons of the Trinity. Fifteen of the seventeen invocations of “grace and peace” mention both God the Father and God the Son.  That’s no mistake. God the Father bestows his favour upon his children. Jesus secures our peace through his reconciling work. Note also that every one of these references occurs within the first seven verses of the letter. For Paul, Peter, and John, the double-barrelled promise of “grace and peace” are what bullets of their letters are shot out of. Every truth that is fired in these letters emerges from grace and truth. This is no mere pleasantry; it is at the very heart of what God is doing in his people.

To state it even more bluntly: “grace and peace to you” is the gospel in five words.

How Can We Offer Grace and Truth?
If Paul, Peter, and John think that they ought to start almost everything they write with the double-barreled promise of grace and truth, shouldn’t we consider doing likewise?

Starting to offer these words as a blessing is a great start. Meaning these words is even more important. Declaring these words with the confidence of Paul, Peter, and John is where we are called.
We can declare grace and peace on brothers and sisters in Christ instead of judgment because we know that Christ has taken their sins upon himself. We can declare “grace and peace to you” because God the Father has already promised it to believers through God the Son. We are invited to see others through this blessing and then treat them as Christ does."

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We continue to be really grateful to those who provide the tea and coffee after the service on a Sunday - a really good time to wait after the service and catch up with one another. 
And a small reminder that we are encouraged to bring our cups if possible to save on cost and to be eco friendly.

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New Day and Time for 2023

Our Prayer Meeting will resume on Wednesday 18th January at 7.15pm.
We shall meet each Wednesday evening and the prayer meeting will last one hour.

Why Should You Go to a Prayer Meeting?

In a short article, Erik Raymond outlines 6 short reasons why we should see the Pulse prayer meeting as important.
Privilege - Community - Edification - Training - Serving - Reminder

Take a moment to read his article here.

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Ladybird Book of Maxwell

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If you read it every day...

i
We had this list in the last mag of 2022..it's not to late to get started...
 

Some Daily devotionals to use in 2023:

Available from various Christian book sellers - try 10of those, Eden, Good book co if you can.
(Also available on Kindle)

TRUTH FOR LIFE - Alastair Begg
Start each day with the Gospel with this one-year devotional & Bible reading plan from renowned Bible teacher, Alistair Begg

BETWEEN THE LINES - Glen Scrivener
"I love this book! Glen has a knack for looking at familiar biblical texts from unfamiliar angles, and he's done it again here. Pithy yet profound, easy to read yet deeply challenging, Reading Between the Lines uncovers a multitude of surprising ways in which the Scriptures speak about Jesus." 

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD- Don Carson
"Focuses on the gospel, the cross and Jesus the saviour, great devotional to deepen your faith in the Lord in everyday life."

GOD'S WISDOM FOR NAVIGATING LIFE  A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs - Timothy and Kathy Keller
“Superb . . . we should be grateful to Keller for his wisdom, scholarship, and humility.”
(Also available focussing on the Psalms)

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Car Parking

Can you help?
If you are able, please can you to start using the school car park again as we did pre-lockdown?
Numbers attending services are encouragingly high and it would be really helpful if those that are able could leave spaces in the main car park who have greater need.