Welcome

This is the last magazine before the summer break. We all need time to relax and recharge.

Services will still continue weekly and the fortnightly prayer meetings in the West Room will continue through the summer.

It is Mike's last service as locum but he and Mary will still be around as members of Maxwell and we are all delighted

As we break for the summer, everyone is invited to remain behind for sweet treats with their tea and coffee. We are celebrating our Fellowship that has strengthened over the last six months. God has certainly been working amongst us.

Just like any family we are all individuals, all unique and wonderfully made in the image of our heavenly Father. We need reminding of this sometimes. Occasionally we doubt if we can get things done but one of my favourite bible verses is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". It is human to doubt but when we all pull together we are strong and we will survive. Encouraging each other and all pitching in to get things done is a great way to show our love for each other and to those who are looking on maybe wondering why we do what we do.
Whether you are remaining at home or jetting off on holiday' enjoy the summer. I hope we get some dry warm weather and we all are refreshed.

I hope you enjoy the magazine
Denise 

Mike's Word of the Week

Jesus had been using Peter’s fishing boat as a pulpit, moored just off the shore of Lake Galilee so that could teach the crowd that had gathered to hear him. After He’d finished speaking, He instructed Peter to put out into the deep water and cast his nets. Despite having fished all night and caught nothing, and despite a lifetime of experience which told him that you don’t fish in the heat of the day, Peter obeyed Jesus’ command and was astonished to find his nets bursting with so many fish that his and his partners’ boats were in danger of sinking with the weight of the catch.
 
Why did Peter respond to this miracle by saying to Jesus? Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord ? Perhaps he’d already felt an awareness of his own sinfulness as he’d listened to Jesus’ teaching, or perhaps it was simply the impact of the undeserved grace of God overflowing to him in the miraculous catch of fish. Peter saw that Jesus more than a teacher. He was someone whose very words had authority even over nature. He knew that he was in the presence of someone holy and pure, and beside such a one he felt his own sin and imperfection.
 
Jesus didn’t abandon Peter, instead He said: Don’t be afraid, from now on you will be catching men. Over the next three years Peter made mistakes and blunders as he followed the Lord, finally even denying he knew Him, when Jesus was arrested and led away to be tried and executed. That must have seemed an unforgivable sin to Peter, but in John 21 we see a repeat of the miraculous catch of fish and the risen Lord Jesus restoring and re-commissioning him beside Lake Galilee.
 
Over the years there’ve been many times when I’ve failed Jesus, even though I love Him and my heart’s desire is to please Him. I’ve reacted wrongly to a person or situation, or some hidden darkness in my heart has been exposed and I’ve thought, How can you use me Lord when I am like this?

We can even hear the whisper of the evil one that Jesus should wash His hands of us, as hopeless cases. If you find yourself in such a place today, I encourage you to open your heart afresh to the Lord’s restoring mercy and grace, and allow Him to affirm and restore you, and then set out to follow Him.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and love. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I fail You, but I always want to return to Your restoring and affirming love. Please restore me today; in Jesus' name: Amen: 

Woodland Clear up

Norman writes:
We made great headway on Thursday with clearing fire risks and removing old or damaged pallets, tyres and other stuff.
Thanks to Craig M, Martin McG, Alan M, Fraser Y, Alister K, Alan K.  Alina N and family for all their help. We had a skip delivered  and hopefully will get most of the stuff on car park, away.



There was much activity on Friday and these wonderful folk toiled hard even through the rain. Most of the scrap wood and pallets were chopped up to fit in the skip.

Martin insists he was just compacting the wood in the skip!
Hard work can be fun!

Blessings Norman

Blythswood Care

I never cease to be amazed at the kindness of people.
One day this week I came home to find a carrier bag on my doorstep. It was filled with all sorts of things  we use for making up our Blythswood boxes. I have no idea who left these things but many people know I collect items for shoeboxes.

On Friday a group of us made up 68 boxes ready that will be collected later in the year. Many of the items left in the blue box at the back of the church were used. Thank you for your kindness.
Lesley and I are often asked what is needed and it varies but just now we have used up nearly all our facecloths, ladies gloves, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel. We can use almost anything in our boxes and when we are working in November we will welcome anyone who wishes to join us checking boxes sent to us.

Denise

PRAYER GROUP

The prayer group next meets Thursday 4th July at 7.30 in West Room and all are welcome. You may pray aloud or in silence.
"Where two or three gather in my name there am I with them" Matthew 18:20
Norman

Tea and Coffee Rota

30th June - Sheona K. Shona L. Lesley Y. Jackie
7th    July - Gloria and Sandy, Karen M.

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
Shona L and Lorna McN

Maxwell Pray Now Group Pray Now is a WhatsApp group for Maxwell members

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
email: dsutherland@churchofscotland.org.uk

May Walker
email: safeguarding@maxwellmearns.org