No.5 21st June, 2024
Hi,
There are a number of things in the magazine picking up on what it is to be God's people meeting in a local fellowship - and we will think about this again on Sunday when we look at the church as a body.
It's a remarkable image which Paul gives in 1 Corinthians ch12 - we can easily be too used to this truth being impressed on us - worth reading before coming along to church on Sunday.
Hope that you can also come along to Dean Park for the picnic - details below.
This weekend, as we have mentioned in the magazine before, some of our own folks are in the 400 strong Praise Gathering choir - Elizabeth, Christine and Ian would love you to be there.
Still tickets available if you want to get along.
Enjoy the mag. It's packed this week.
M
Sunday 23rd June, 10.30am
All Age Service with Hizkidz
Scripture - 1 Corinthians
LARGE PRINT
If you would prefer to have a large print copy of the song words which appear on the screen on a Sunday morning let the door team know.
We don't want to print copies which aren't used so just the team know and we can organise that for you.
If you require a lift to get to church email office@nmnewchurch.org
Songs for Sunday
Its a special all age service this week - might be one or two new songs...Click to watch and listen before coming along!
Come on, Come in
Lift up Your Voices
We are the Church
All the Glory (this was last week's new one)
Together Is Where We Belong
Last week's mag had a couple of great photos showing a busy church - this Sunday morning we will read about the church described as a Body from 1 Corinthians 12.
And as a nice God-incidence, this week I was sent in this article on that topic from someone who wasn't aware of our Bible reading for this week...just felt it was appropriate - thanks Martin S for doing that...
As in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:5
Every so often, someone may ask you, “Do you belong here?”
It’s usually asked in relation to a country club, a gym, or something similar. They’re wondering, “Is this a place that identifies you as being on its lists? Do people here know you and accept you, and would they miss you if you were absent?”
Paul often uses the illustration of the body to describe the church. We don’t have to stretch our imagination to make sense of it. We all have a body that is made up of a variety of parts, and each part has a unique function. Not all parts are seen, but all of them are important. If one part is not working or is missing, it makes a difference to all the rest. The effectiveness of someone’s entire body depends on its control by the head. This holds true as well in the body of Christ, each local church: the spiritual body functions properly only when it works together under Jesus’ headship. When that happens, we function with…
• unity, because we’re not living in isolation from each other.
• plurality, because we’re made up of different bits and pieces.
• diversity, because the functions of the body are necessarily varied.
• harmony, which we enjoy when things are working in cohesion.
• identity, showing that each of us cannot ultimately be ourselves when we are by ourselves.
In other words, when as an individual you understand the nature of the body of Christ, you better understand who you are and where you fit. As a member of the body of Christ, you do belong somewhere. When God’s grace has transformed us, we should find that it matters increasingly to us that we have been called into relationship with one another—into community. We’re diverse in the gifts that have been given; none of us can make up the body individually but only together. Each of us belongs to one another. We gather as church, then, in order to give of ourselves both to each other and, ultimately, to our Lord. We contribute to the body by our presence, our songs, our prayers, and our fellowship. As Isaac Watts wrote:
My tongue repeats her vows,
“Peace to this sacred house!”
For there my friends and kindred dwell.
Church is not a place for you merely to show up at and attend. It is a body. It is your kin—your family. You need your church; and your church needs you.
The more committed to your church you are, the more blessed by it you will be; for few things in life are better than when God puts His people together, because together is exactly where we belong.
Truth For Life daily devotionals by Alistair Begg
Letter from the Manse
Dear Congregation,
The elders of Mearns Free Church met for the first time last week for a normal meeting. Your elected elders are;
David Merriman, Alastair McLellan, Andrew Little, Charles Amery Behr, Jack Geddes, John McNicol, Murray McNicol and Sandy McDougall.
I believe you have elders of faith, biblical wisdom and integrity. It will be my honour to chair these new meetings.
As chairman, I will continue to extend invitations to former elders of MMCC to be present as attendees of the congregation. We are delighted that Debbie, Margo, Sheila and Sue have been present. We value their contribution.
As I think many of you realize, the last eighteen months have been very busy for the elders. However, we believe that with those on the Finance Committee, this may continue until at least the end of the year. There are still technical matters to work through with a new OSCR registration, a new bank account and also simply finding our feet in a new denomination.
I have been asked to join the Presbytery Personnel Committee and it has been a delight to participate already in the interviews of two young men heading into ministry.
The Kirk Session nominated John McNicol to be our first Presbytery elder. John has kindly agreed. Let me explain what John is doing.
We believe the bible teaches that elders are responsible for overseeing congregational (and denominational) life. As a result, there is no hierarchy given to individuals. “Ruling elders” (we call them “elders”) and “teaching elders” (we call them “ministers”) are of equal status in the church. Therefore, it has been historically important to ensure that at least an equal number of elders to that of ministers are appointed to the Presbytery or the General Assembly. Even in our own elders’ meetings (Kirk Session), though I chair the meeting as the minister, I do not get to vote (except in the event of a tied vote, then I have the casting vote). John will serve at Presbytery on our behalf for the next year with equal authority to every other minister and elder present; whatever their title or experience in The Free Church.
It is not only the technical matters still needing to be addressed that will keep the elders busy over the coming months.
Those who participated in our “Starter for 10” meeting submitted over 100 suggestions on how we might use our gifts to become a healthy gospel church in The Mearns.
The elders do not normally meet in July. However, we will meet in July to begin assessing these suggestions. Please pray for this process as we go forward.
As I reflect on us going forward let me share a conversation I had with someone recently. This person said to me, “you realize that the sense of unity and enthusiasm to serve that you are enjoying in NMNC/MFC is just a ‘honeymoon effect’?” I said this analysis may well be correct. However, rather than seeing this in some way as a negative thing, I replied, “but what kind of start to a new marriage relationship would it be if there was not a honeymoon effect!”
Of course, I understood the underlying point that was being made. As we move through the first flush of honeymoon commitment and enthusiasm, the key question will be, how each of us serve the Lord, one another and our community. Will it be with whole-heartedness in all the ups/downs and vitally in the mundane of normal church life?
In worship this coming Sunday we shall look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-20. This is a well-known passage. But it addresses this very question. If each believer in a local church belongs to “the body” where Christ is the head, like a human body, each member of the body has a vital role to play if the body is to function healthily. That is, you and I have to live healthily our part in the life of the body.
If the analogy is correct that our first six months together have been like a “honeymoon period”, then it has been a lovely honeymoon with happy memories. I thank God for that and I know many of you do also. However, if the honeymoon is coming to an end, what now? My prayer is that as God’s word speaks to us this Sunday (every Sunday) we will commit to serving the Lord whole-heartedly, one another and the community of Newton Mearns.
Can I invite you to pray for your part in the “long-haul”? Perhaps only in these coming days of congregational life will we see the Lord really at work in us and through us! Let’s get to our knees in prayer, our eyes lifted up and our hands and feet serving our glorious Saviour! You in?
Warmest regards,
Scott
Hizkidz Holidays!!
The school summer holidays and our regular Hizkidz leaders and helpers are in need of a break!
We are looking for people who would be willing to run one off summer sessions during the Sunday service for our children as well as people who would be willing to take a turn in looking after our tiniest tots in creche. Full instructions, equipment and teaching materials will be provided. Please speak to Pauline or Susan Little if you can help on any of the dates:
Sunday 30th June, Sunday 6th July, Sunday 13th July, Sunday 20th July, Sunday 27th July and Sunday 3rd August.
Thanks
Pauline and Susan
It was 25 years ago...
We are congratulating those celebrating Silver Wedding Anniversaries this year...
This week it is the turn of John and Sandra, and Graham and Catherine.
?Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." Proverbs 18:22
There is a story behind the photos of John and Sandra as things weren't as straightforward as they might have been. The polite thing to do is at least pretend to be surprised about this.
You'll notice that they are not marrying in Maxwell for instance even though they both were members there. That was because the roof had been damaged in a storm so, ignoring this clear sign from the Heavens, they pressed on with their planned nuptials and were married in Broom Church.
Above shows a stunning Sandra and an apathetic John cutting the cake - keen eyes will have noticed that this amazing cake shows MMCC, and happy couple hareing off in a sports car, or maybe having a shot on the dodgems.
Here is Graham and Catherine, who celebrate 25 years in July. Catherine has the wow factor and Graham has done really well to look so smart especially since he had been in such a rush in order to get away early from double Maths and out of his school uniform.
Join Us this Sunday...
Family Picnic at Dean Castle!
We’re excited to invite you to an all-age family picnic lunch after the Sunday school service, at Dean Castle Country Park.
Date: Sunday, June 23, 2024
Time: After Sunday Service, From 1pm
What to Expect:
SUNSHINE! The weather is supposed to be fantastic!
Fun games for all ages (maybe some prizes?)
Beautiful picnic spots
What to Bring:
Your own picnic food and drinks for lunch
Blankets/chairs to sit on
Alongside the castle the park has toilets, a lovely cafe and a large adventure playground.
You can find out more here
Join us for a delightful day of fellowship and fun in the great outdoors. We look forward to seeing you there!
SU Holidays
Jacob is involved in an SU holiday in Arran this year - 6-13th July
Click
here to read more about what is happening and a helpful list of things to inform our prayers!
Live Stream Issue
Unfortunately over the last two Sundays we were unable to Live Stream the Sunday morning worship service on YouTube.
However, with quick thinking on the first Sunday, the AV team recorded the service so that it could be posted on YouTube soon afterward. The last two weeks are now uploaded to our website later as normal.
We are grateful that Eilidh took on the challenge of resolving this issue and as a result, we look forward to being back online "live", this Sunday!
Scott
If you have friends/relatives who can't manage out they can simply search on YouTube for Mearns Free Church
Last week we had copies of the latest edition of UFM Worldwide's magazine
- you can read, amongst other things, about language learning in the Middle East, youth ministry in Kenya, a martyr in Kurdistan and the spiritual situation in Georgia.
Download a copy and/or sign up to receive it directly by email here.
Hope for Addiction UK are looking for someone to join us as a front-line Women's Ministry Worker.
Interested, or know of someone who might be? Please click on HERE for more details
Hustings Event - June 24th
Eastwood Ecumenical Peace and Justice Forum have organised an election hustings event at 7.30pm on Monday June 24th at Eastwood House - in Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Rd.
East Renfrewshire constituency candidates from the five main political parties will be present.
Come along to hear what they say and to put your own questions to them.
GET INFORMED
The Christian Institute has suggested we all ask our electoral candidates or their canvassers these questions to find out where they stand on issues of concern for Christians
There is more info on the attachment linked here, .
More info available at: the.ci/election
WHAT DO THE PARTY'S SAY...
about Conversion Therapy
Let Us Pray have gathered the manifesto comments about this issue - read about it here.
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church
Mearns Free Church
Community Week
5th - 9th August
The Paris 2024 Olympics marks 100 years since Eric Liddell famously won the 400 metres in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Join us for a week of activities for all ages as we explore more about the life and faith of a Scottish sporting legend whose heart lay in China.
All activities will take place at Belmont House School, home of Mearns Free Church, and are free to attend.
FULL MONDAY TO FRIDAY PROGRAMME CAN BE SEEN HERE.
Safeguarding in Mearns Free Church
One of our priorities now that we are in the Free Church is to ensure that we comply with the Free Church’s safeguarding policy and processes. Our safeguarding team is here to help everyone to do what is required; our safeguarding team comprises Sue Anderson (Safeguarding Coordinator) and Ian Forgie (Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator) assisted by Marlene Smith, Sue Amery-Behr and Alastair McLellan.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
We are in part 5 of a new series looking at aspects of the Gospel. Don Carson has a short booklet based on this exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 from the plenary address at The Gospel Coalition's inaugural public conference in 2007
You can buy it here.
I shall try to bring things to clarity by focusing on eight summarizing words (six of which were first suggested by John Stott), five clarifying sentences, and one evocative summary.
1. The Gospel Is Christological; It Is Christ-Centered
2. The Gospel is Theological
3. The Gospel Is Biblical
4. The Gospel Is Apostolic
Apostolic Paul cheerfully insists that there were more than 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Nevertheless he repeatedly draws attention to the apostles: Jesus “appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve” (15:5); “he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me” (15:8), “the least of the apostles” (15:9). Listen carefully to the sequence of pronouns in 15:11: “Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed” (15:11). The sequence of pronouns, I, they, we, you, becomes a powerful way of connecting the witness and teaching of the apostles with the faith of all subsequent Christians.
The gospel is apostolic.
Continued next week..."The Gospel Is Historical"
B.Y.O.C. please
CAN YOU HELP?
it makes such a difference if people bring their own cups rather than using the disposable ones each week - can you help?
Wednesdays 7.15-8.15pm.
Look out for details this week on email/whatsapp
If you need a lift please email office@nmnewchurch.org.
Mearns Free Church has a What's App Group for Prayer
Here are some details on what it is about... read to the bottom and then find out how you can be involved...
Purpose: A platform to share information regarding a sudden need of prayer
Speak to Margaret Boyd if you would like to be added to this group or email your details to mandmboyd@hotmail.co.uk
You need WhatsApp on your phone to get set up.