Welcome

What a busy time we have had of late as a Church Family.
We all came together on on Palm Sunday when we met with Maxwell family members of the past to celebrate 50 years of worship in our current sanctuary. We all pulled together and enjoyed a marvellous lunch in a hall decorated with artefacts and photographs from the past. We caught up with the news and lingered so we could share a word or two. It really was a magnificent day. It would not have been possible without the hard work of so many.
Holy Week followed culminating in Easter Sunday when we celebrated again the joy of our risen Lord. It was great to hear the children's voices as they participated joyfully in the Easter egg hunt.

What next we may wonder?
The disciples must have wondered "What next?" as well. They were going through a new and probably scary time after the joy of seeing Jesus again.

Like all families we have our differences - it's what makes us who we are, and as long as we communicate effectively with each other that's fine. We need to all pull together in the same direction so that our Maxwell family may thrive and continue to grow. Supporting each other by helping with the tea rota, keeping the grounds tidy, stepping up to try something new or just speaking an encouraging word will work wonders for our church family. Communication is the key which is one of the reasons there will be a newsletter for each person to collect this Sunday.
We have had several challenges in our early months where we are learning new skills and although God is our guide we have needed earthly direction as well. You will see that more folk have come on board to help us in our journey. Let us pray for all those who are in positions of leadership. May we support them so we may continue the work of spreading the Good News to all.

Please enjoy the magazine

Denise 

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Funeral Details Bob Cowan

Many of you knew Bob Cowan when he worshipped with us here at Maxwell. 

As you know Bob passed away recently.

Rev Scott Kirkland will conduct the funeral on Thursday 11th April, 2 pm at the Hurlet Crematorium. 
Please pray for Stuart and the family at this time.
 

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Mike's Word of the Week

 
 A week later his disciples were in the house and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe.”
                            (John 20: 25 – 26)
 
In the Scriptures, there are many things that happened suddenly. God’s breakthroughs often come in an unexpected moment that can radically change our lives.
Today’s verse describes one such ‘suddenly’. In fact, the story has several ‘suddenly’ incidents.  
 
Most of the disciples had been together on the first Sunday after Jesus’ death. They had been very afraid, so they had taken refuge behind a locked door, concerned about what actions the religious authorities might take against them. They were, no doubt, a bit confused about what would come next. They were clinging together, sharing their grief. It’s what we most often want to do in times of loss. But they must have had a mixture of feelings, frightened – yes – but hopeful too, because Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus, risen and alive, that very morning. Then ‘suddenly’ Jesus was with them, and everything changed, He spoke peace over them and breathed on them saying: Receive the Holy Spirit ((John 20:22). They were certainly amazed, but so comforted.
 
However, Thomas was not with them on that occasion, and I can’t help but wonder what had kept him away from the gathering on that Sunday evening. Surely, he had heard what Mary Magdalene had told all the disciples earlier in the day (verse 18). She was certain she had seen and spoken with Jesus. Could Thomas have dismissed this as just some wishful thinking, the fantasy of an overwrought woman? Was he so disheartened that he couldn’t even bear to join the others as they tried to make sense of what had happened? Where was he? What could be more important than sharing together, and trying to remember what Jesus had told them about the events around His death of the cross?
 
For whatever reason, Thomas was missing perhaps because he felt depressed and distressed, grieving, fearful, and anxious. Maybe it was all too much for him to fathom. He clearly didn’t really believe what the disciples had said about the visitation. The other disciples were confident that they had seen Jesus and He was alive again (v25). Could Thomas really have thought that their intense grief had somehow effected a corporate hallucination?
Was it some clever trick to confuse them? Thomas wasn’t gullible and he issued a challenge. He would require proper proof it was Jesus, something that no one could refute. But God was listening. God knew why Thomas hadn’t been there the last time, and He loved Thomas so He engineered a breakthrough into Thomas’s life with another suddenly.
 
The following Sunday, Thomas joined by his fellow disciples met again behind closed doors. Then, suddenly Jesus was there. He immediately spoke: Peace to you. I wonder if Jesus looked directly at Thomas and said. Peace to you Thomas. Then Jesus showed Thomas the irrefutable evidence that he had requested, but I wonder if by then it wasn’t really necessary. Thomas had suddenly believed.
 
Thomas had to see evidence to believe that Jesus was risen, He was alive forever and He was Lord. But Jesus wants everyone, not just Thomas to know that He rose; and the witness of Scripture reassures us that He is our risen Lord, who was, and is and always will be, the victor over death. 
 
 
Prayer – Lord God, in today’s troubled world we sometimes fall into doubting You and Your life-changing power. Forgive us when like Thomas we struggle to believe that You are alive and active every day, working Your purposes out, despite what we see happening around us. Thank You for the certainty and confidence we can find in the scriptures and that through the work of the Holy Spirit we can be daily anchored into Your truth. Amen.
          Taken from Seeds of the Kingdom by Ellel Ministries  

 

 

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Prayer Of Approach

We are looking for people who would be interested in praying the Prayer of Approach in Sunday Services.

This is an excellent opportunity for people who already have experience and especially those with none. Guidance and training is available.

Anyone that is interested would they please contact Mike, or Norman.

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Audio Visual

Each Sunday a few of us are up in the balcony making sure you can hear the Minister and band, operating the computer to show the slides and recording the service to upload to our website and YouTube. We really could do with a few more helpers so we can get some kind of rota organised and provide cover when people are ill or on holiday. Thanks go to Isobel, Allan and Bruce who have managed to get to grips with the technology.
Anyone joining is given training and will just watch for a few weeks to see how it is done before being let loose with the equipment, at that point they will be guided by someone and not left on their own until they feel ready.

If you are interested please speak to Stuart

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Blythswood Care

As a church we have supported Blythswood Care through the annual Christmas shoebox appeal.
We are fortunate to have the use of a carpeted room next to the garage where we can store donations and work on filling boxes so they are ready for collection later in the year.

Folk often ask what is needed and we find the best way to help is to work on the idea of adding one item to our shopping bags and we love bargains. The items we mostly use are shampoo / shower gel / toothpaste /  but we can use almost anything. We are making up boxes each month or so and are looking for men's gloves, colouring pencils, felt tips and girl's scarves. If you are having a spring clean we can also use any  items that are not needed but are useful or a wee extra for someone. Some ladies meet in groups, knit hats, gloves and scarves and even make jewellery for the boxes. 
There is a box at the back of the Church for donations with a list of suggestions for fillers. 
A group of us meet monthly and fill boxes ready for this year's appeal.
If you would like any more information please speak to Lesley or Denise.

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Church Flowers

Thank you to everyone who has added their name to the flower rota. 
There are still dates available from June to December if anyone would like
to mark a special occasion.

There are spare vases in the chapel
(at the side of the chancel if you need them)
in addition to the vase on the chancel table.   
Remember - you don't have to be a florist !! 
Just put the flowers in a vase on the table. 
After the service - take them away to give to a friend or neighbour who may need cheering up.  There is some wrapping paper if required in the chapel.

Liz Gillis

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Tea / Coffee Rota

7 April Alison Mills, Anne Mair, Gloria and Sandy
14 April Shona Leishman. Gloria, Janette Ferguson

There are plenty of spaces on the rota so please consider putting your name down for the rota as the more folk help, the less frequently you will be called upon.

We are really trying to become greener and it really helps if people bring their own cups/mugs.

Thank you
Jackie and Norman

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Castle Cafe

The next meeting of the Castle Cafe will take place on
11 April at 2pm. in the West Room. 

Mary MacLennan will be speaking us this week.
You are all welcome to come along for a chat and a catch up.



 

Bible Study

Safeguarding – Ensuring a Safe Church for All 
If you suspect or witness harm or abuse, or it is reported to you, you must immediately report it to one of the Safeguarding Coordinators:

May Walker