No. 194 10th May 2024
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Sunday
12th May 2024
10.30am Morning Service with Rev. Dr. Alister Bull
Scripture Reading: Philemon - Reader - Andy S. |
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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
Mike's Word of the Week
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
God is Faithful
The faithfulness of God is one aspect of His character that I find particularly reassuring. The world today is full of uncertainty and is constantly changing, yet despite it all Jesus Christ remains the same. He is our rock, the firm foundation on which we can build our lives. His plans and His word stand firm forever and while the world that we live in will eventually pass away, His words will never pass away.
His character doesn’t change. His truth doesn’t change. His purposes don’t change. He’s our covenant keeping God, and He keeps ALL His promises! As long as we’re willing to be His people and obey His commands, He commits Himself for ever to be our God. He will always be there for us, never leaving or forsaking us.
When we understand and have faith in God’s faithfulness to us, we’re freed from the devastating effects of thinking that His faithfulness is dependent on us. He’s not faithful to us because of anything we’ve done well, or badly, and He doesn’t determine His faithfulness on any merit of ours. We could never earn or deserve His faithfulness, yet He chooses to give it to us freely.
God is faithful to us, even when we are not faithful to Him, because it’s a part of who He is; He can’t deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13). We may be thoroughly unfaithful, but God is faithful to Himself. No matter what circumstances or situations we find ourselves in today, whether we’ve been faithful or not to Him, we can trust that God is faithful in the midst of it all. For we know that God absolutely can’t be anything but faithful….because it’s part of who He is.
Prayer – Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that You are completely and utterly faithful – first to Yourself and therefore to me. Thank you that You faithfulness is an unchanging part of who You are, and does not depend on how strong my faith is You is. Today I choose to trust in You faithfulness and ask that You will demonstrate Your faithfulness in my life today. In Jesus name; Amen
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.
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.
MUSICAL NOTES
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that your Sunday music group very
![Scale](/Images/content/2801/1302849.jpg)
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
Inspiration Orchestra ![Inspiration Orchestra Festival](/Images/content/2801/1250756.jpg)
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.
Planters
![Geranium red](/Images/content/2801/1322324.jpg)
![Geranium](/Images/content/2801/1322325.jpg)
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.
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
Communion ![Communi0on Banner](/Images/content/2801/1319486.jpg)
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
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
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
Tea / Coffee Rota
![bring own cup](/Images/content/2801/1218571.jpg)
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
Castle Cafe
![castle cafe](/Images/content/2801/1297427.png)
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
A group of us are studying Acts to complement the Minister's preaching schedule.
We next meet at the Leonards on Tuesday 21st May,
17 Castlehill Drive from 1.30 pm. to 3.00 pm.
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments provided.
Further information from:
Gloria
Maxwell Pray Now Group
Pray Now is a WhatsApp group for Maxwell members |
![pray now](/Images/content/2801/1032574.jpg) |
This group sends out occasional requests for prayer. In particular those which might be regarding things more acute or immediate. At present there are 17 of us who, when we receive a request for prayer, stop what we are doing and pray for whatever has been asked.
Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group? If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask Denise 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 Denise and she will organise for news to be sent out.
Getting To Church
Should anyone require a lift to Maxwell Mearns Castle Church or to the Castle Cafe, then please do let us know. If you are willing and able to offer a lift please speak to Norman or Denise or
Please email:
office@maxwellmearns.org
Safeguarding At Maxwell Mearns
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