Welcome

I hope this finds you well and that you've had a good week.

This verse has played upon my mind constantly this week.
“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11. 

Yet we feel pressured. The Presbytery plan has deadlines and in a practical way that is right. We don't want to be "left hanging" as the youngsters may say.
We hear the phrase "In God's time - not ours" and we should first listen to God to see what he wants and again it is often difficult to discern what He wants and what we would like.

Mike mentioned last week "the honeymoon period is over" and now we enter a new phase. Some may feel it's not moving as fast as they would like or not in the direction they want. But it's not what WE want and we have to ask what GOD wants for us. To be perfectly honest it can be frustrating and a feeling of hopelessness may creep in.
We all know the saying "The best things in life are worth waiting for, fighting for, believing in, and just never letting go."
Prayer can be so uplifting and it can strengthen us particularly when we pray together as a group of us did last Thursday evening.

We need to talk to God - to pray.
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16

It is sometimes easier to drift away, to give up; but we have something worth fighting for - our Maxwell family. We love and care for each other - I firmly believe this. We love God and we would like HIS church at Maxwell to not only survive but to prosper.

We are all playing a part, answering a call for help in various aspects of church life. We may have little or no previous experience but we are willing to do things that will glorify the God we believe in and this will strengthen us and our church family.
We don't do it on our own but through God who works through us.
 I hope you enjoy the magazine

Denise 

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Mike's Word of the Week

God is Faithful

Minister's Absence Cover

Our locum minister, Mike, is on holiday from 6 May - 19 May (incl.)
Rev Alasdair McMillan (from Cathcart Trinity Church) is covering pastoral emergencies
in Mike's absence.
Contact details are 0141 391 9103 or 07745 313778.

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Mike's Holiday

I am on holiday for two weeks and Rev Alister Bull will lead our services on the 12th and 19th of May.
I return on the 20th of May but Rev Dave Sutherland (Interim Moderator) and I are doing a pulpit swap on the 26th of May, Dave will be at Maxwell to meet you and I will be leading the service at Dave's church which is Hillington Park.
I look forward to being back with you for our communion service on the 2nd of June.

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MUSICAL NOTES

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that your Sunday music group very           
much enjoys leading the congregation with the songs and hymns.  We love to hear the congregation in full voice – and you don’t let us down.
However – it would be great if we could add to our numbers.
At this time I would love to be able to  welcome another two people to join the singing group. I know you will enjoy it.  This will enable us to set up a wee bit of a rota so that folk can have a holiday now and then.  Please think about it and let me know if you can help us.
Looking further ahead – watch out for some exciting musical news about Christmas –  Ok I know we still have the summer to look forward to but -  yes, we do plan ahead!!
 
Ian G

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Inspiration Orchestra                            

Ian White, Christian singer/songwriter and known  to many for his albums of Psalms, works with the Inspiration Orchestra, a project aimed at enabling disabled people to play beautiful music. 

Ian organised the festival which ran last year for the first time and was a huge success.

Please check out the website and plan a time in the day to come along and enjoy what's on offer at Pitmeadow Farm while supporting this fantastic project.

Leaflets available at the church on Sunday.

 

 

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Planters

Isobel and the gardening group are going to replant the pots at the end of May . If anybody has any spare geranium plants then please speak to Isobel.

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Food Hygiene Coordinator/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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Communion         

We are looking for people who are willing to assist in the serving
of communion.
Having a bank of people to call upon would be the ideal.
If you are able to help with this ministry

Please contact the office@maxwellmearns.org

 

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Heating in the Church

We have been adjusting the heating to provide an adequate level of warmth on Sundays and at other times when we know the church is in use.
If the settings are over ridden then this can affect the programme start and stop times.
As a result there have been times when the heating has remained on for 2-3 days. This is having an impact on our electricity costs.
It would be appreciated if any changes are required, that you speak to Allan L. or Sandy L.

Thank you

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Advance Notice for Session/Board Meeting

The next Session and Congregational Board meeting will be
Monday 10 June in the West Room at 7.30 pm

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Tea / Coffee Rota

12 May - Shona L, Karen M, Anne M.
19 May - Sheila + Allan R, Lorna McN
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 16th May 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 plenty of chat with tea/coffee and sweet treats.
Norman will be entertaining us with some of his stories and there will be
                                       the final quiz of the year with a special prize!
                                       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:

Rev. Dave Sutherland
May Walker