Notices - Sunday 10th April
Creche: 11.00am in upper hall for children up to age 2.
Volunteers today: Christine Ann, Maighread, Donna Mackinnon.
Volunteers 17th April: Fiona, Catherine, Ruby.
Holiday Tweenies: 11.00 in the main hall for children aged 3-7.
Volunteers today: Elizabeth, Kay, Lily, Christina.
Volunteers 17th April: ChrissAnne, Karen, Joanne, Kate.
Sunday School is now on holiday until 24th April.
Monday 11th April 7.00pm – Deacons’ Court Meeting on Zoom.
Wednesday 13th April 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary and on Zoom led by Rev D. A. Macdonald.
Thursday 14th April 7.30pm - Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Mr Joe Macphee.
Friday Ladies Bible Study is on holiday until 22nd April.
Saturday 16th April 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Sunday – 17th April
11.00am English Service (Church): Mr Scott Macleod
11.00am Gaelic Service (Seminary): Mr Murdo Martin
6.30pm English Service (Church): Rev Paul Amed
The Minister is on Annual Leave until 19th April.
Please contact your district elder should you have any pastoral needs during this period.
Call to Rev Calum Murdo Smith
Following the congregational meeting on Wednesday 23rd March, at which Rev Calum Murdo Smith, (minister at North Uist, Grimsay and Berneray Free Church) was elected as prospective Assistant Minister, a request was sent to the Presbytery to arrange a meeting to sign a Call to Mr Smith.
The Presbytery met on Tuesday 29th March and appointed Wednesday 20th April as the date for signing the Call. This meeting will be in the church, Kenneth Street, at 7.30pm. It is important that as many people as possible attend in person to sign the Call so that the Presbytery can ascertain the level of support for calling Mr Smith.
If you are unable to be present, you can sign a form known as a ‘mandate’ authorising one of the elders to add your name to the Call. Separate mandate forms are used for communicant members and for regular hearers who are not communicants. For all who are housebound, or just not likely to attend the meeting, your district elder will contact you and encourage for you to sign the relevant Mandate Form. Please contact your district elder if you wish to sign a mandate form or are unsure about any of these matters. The deadline for completing mandates is Friday 15th April.
Please pray for Mr Smith and for the congregation in North Uist, as well as for ourselves, that God will make His will clear.
Death
Mr Iain Campbell: As a congregation we were really sorry to hear of the passing of Iain Campbell, Keith Street. We extend our sincere sympathies to his widow Amanda; his children David and wife Arianne, Morag and husband Steven and Calum and wife Anna, and grandson Oscar. We also extend sincere sympathies to Iain’s mother Annie, his brother David and sister Isobel with her husband Kent and their family, Anna, Rachel, and Alasdair.
We also extend sympathies to those who mourn a nephew and brother in law and all cousins and extended family.
WfM Ladies Annual Event – Friday 20th May in Cabarfeidh Hotel
Booking forms are available now from Lizzie (07900 586 930) or Donna (07810 386 774) or by email to [email protected]. This is a booking only event and bookings need to be in by 30th April. We have reduced the numbers to 150 maximum for safety and comfort. Donations of baking, jams, marmalades, crafts, rhubarb, and plants would be gratefully accepted to sell at the event. All money raised will go to this year’s projects.
Christian Institute Week of Prayer – 10th to 16th April
Sunday – Those in Authority: “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:2
Monday – Online Safety Bill: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15b
Tuesday – Sanctity of Life: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.” Psalm 139: 14
Wednesday – Family Freedom: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Thursday – Society: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7
Friday – Transgender Ideology: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
Saturday – Gospel Freedom: “pray… that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:3
Blythswood Care Appeal
The Blythswood Ukraine Crisis Appeal will remain open, and contributions can be made by calling 01349 830777 or at any time online at:
www.blythswood.org/donate-to-ukraine-appeal
Alternatively, you can put your contribution in an envelope clearly marked ‘Ukraine Appeal’ and place it in the collection plates at the church or the Seminary. If paying by cheque please make it payable to ‘Stornoway Free Church’.
End to the mandatory wearing of face coverings
Many of you will be aware by now that the wearing of face-coverings is no longer mandatory in places of worship.
For many, this relaxation will be a welcome milestone in the return to normality after over two years of difficult restrictions. For others, there will be an understandable element of unease and the fear that by not wearing a face-covering they will be more exposed to the risk of becoming infected with Covid.
The decision on whether or not wear a face covering at church services is for each person to decide for themselves and everyone is encouraged to do what they feel most comfortable with.
The current socially distanced seating arrangements in the church and Seminary will continue for a while longer, and hand sanitising gel will be available at all entry and exit points.
