Welcome

We are now halfway through Mike's term as our locum and thanks to a number of events we are getting to know each other more deeply.
We had our initial Fellowship Lunch in January and of course our Golden Anniversary last month and the team involved with these did a fantastic job.
Now we need to look outward and try to grow as a congregation.

It is with a huge leap of faith that we are going to run a holiday club for Primary age children sometime in July.
Many times I have heard in passing we need "younger folk" or "children" if we want to grow as a church family.
Some of us may feel we are past that stage but there are many roles involved in a holiday club. For those involved in Holiday Clubs of the past your knowledge would be very useful as would your involvement in any way at all. We will all need to have updated safeguarding training so please register an interest by contacting the office.
There is a small intimation below.

We will need to pray about all these new avenues amongst other things and there will be a Prayer Meeting next Thursday evening.
There are quite a few intimations asking for your involvement as well as the ongoing parts of Church life that need our participation - clearing litter from the Broomburn Steps, decorating the manse so it is ready for letting, provision of flowers for Sunday's, help with the tea and coffee rota, a food hygiene coordinator for future fellowship lunches and help for the audio/visual team to mention just a few.
It seems a massive task but all things are possible with God in charge.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help. We will all be stepping out of the boat but we will not be doing this alone.
Enjoy the magazine.

Denise 

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Mike's Word of the Week

   
These are not always the words we like to read in Scripture. None of us like facing trials of many kinds. All of us would prefer an easy life. But James 1:2 to 3 says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Unfortunately, being in the Kingdom of God doesn’t guarantee us an easy walk. It’s through the hardships, when we’re under pressure, that we are refined like gold.
 
Sometimes, we may feel like saying to God: Can you turn down the heat a bit! But God wants us to shine. The refining and honing are painful processes, but if we face up to them, we’ll see all the dross come to the surface. In other words, what’s really in our hearts? I’ve been shocked at my own reactions to things when the pressure comes on and it's not always a pretty sight or sound. I’m constantly reminded that my mouth speaks what's in my heart. At the point of refining I need to ask the Lord for His forgiveness, and for Him to renew a right spirit within me. We can only stand these trials when we’re trusting in our Lord, and not wavering.
In James 1:6 is says: "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt."     
 
Let’s take courage that God wants the best for us and He wants us to shine for Him. He wants to give us the crown of life. But shining means refining! Take heart that He won’t allow us to go through more than we can bear, even if it feels like the elastic can’t stretch any further at times. God wants to bless us, and as we persevere under trials, walk in His righteousness, and keep ourselves from being polluted by the world, we’ll shine like stars in this dark world.   
 
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank You that You care so much for me that You send trials so I’m refined like gold, It’s not easy Lord, but with Your help, with and keeping my eyes fixed on You and not the trials, I’m able to walk through this to the other side. In this process Lord, help me to have the right attitude towards You, myself and others. In Jesus name I pray…Amen.

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Maxwell Mearns Castle Church Prayer Meeting

Our first Church Prayer Meeting will be held on Thursday 25th at 7.30 in the West Room
and every two weeks thereafter.

This is a time of praying in silence or spoken together. Prayer is of the greatest importance in Church life. Let us join together in this most precious act. All are welcome.    

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Holiday Club

We are planning on running a holiday club this summer for primary aged children.

To do this we need volunteers, not necessarily to lead up front, but to get involved with the kids,  - teaching, arts and crafts, games, snacks, security etc.

Please really consider getting involved as hopefully this will be a catalyst for our children’s ministry.

As ever, it will be great fun and a challenge to us all.

We need to have names asap as all who work with children have to go through Safeguarding.

This is a real leap of Faith

Please give names into 
office@maxwellmearns.org
 

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Communion

 

 

 

 

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Food Hygiene Co-Ordinator/s

We are looking for one or two people to be Coordinator/s for Food Hygiene.
There will be a great deal of support from Church of Scotland and Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
This will include good practices and training for everyone who handles food.

Please contact office@maxwellmearns.org

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Tea / Coffee Rota

21 April - Mary G. Margaret C. Janette F.
28 April - Mary G. Janette F. Norman and Jackie

There are 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
Thursday 25 April at 2pm. in the West Room. 
It's a great way to get to know members of our Church family and to strengthen relationships.

We will have some of Norman's stories and a quiz.
Everyone welcome
 

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: