Notices - Sunday 29th September
Creche: 11.00am in the upper hall for children up to age 3.
Volunteers Today: Catherine, Ruby and Alison.
Volunteers 6th October: Annette, Kathleen, Ann Mackenzie and Tina.
Tweenies in the main hall for children aged 3-5.
Volunteers today: Johan, Kay and Anne.
Volunteers 6th October: ChrissAnne, Anna and Marissa.
Tweenies, Sunday School, and Bible Class arrive in church at 11.00 with family, then leave through the side door nearest the hall after children’s address.
Everyone is welcome to the M. A. Hall after the morning service for a time of fellowship. Tea and coffee will be served by Mary and Chris.
Monday 30th September from 1.00pm to 3.00pm – Toddler Group meets in the M.A. Hall.
Tuesday 1st October at 11.00am – Prayer and Update with Muriel.
Wednesday 2nd October at 7.30pm – Bible Study in the M.A. Hall led by Rev Calum M. Smith. We will be continuing our study titled ‘Six Steps to Talking About Jesus’.
Thursday 3rd October at 7.30pm – Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Rev Callum Macleod.
Thursday 3rd October – Explorers meet in M.A. Hall:
6.00pm - 7.10pm: P1- P3 and 7.15pm - 8.15pm: P4 - P7
Thursday 3rd October from 7.15pm to 8.15pm – Exploring Life’s Big Questions at the M. A. Hall.
This is an opportunity to discuss questions in a relaxed and informal setting. The current study is called ‘Hope Explored’. You are very welcome to come along. Please do invite others, and use the leaflets available at the door as a way of spreading the word.
Friday 4th October from 12.00pm to 3.00pm – Fridays at the Free.
The M.A. Hall will be open for soups, teas and coffees to give people an opportunity to meet with friends.
There will be a kids play area available as well as items from ‘Dove’s Corner’ Baby Bank free of charge. Anyone needing transport please call Calum on 07717 495424
Saturday 5th October at 11.00am – Ladies Walking Group. Meet at the Castle Museum car park.
Saturday 5th October at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Lord’s Day – 6th October
11.00am – Gaelic Service (Seminary) conducted by Mr Rev Callum Macleod.
11.00am – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Calum M. Smith.
6.30pm – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Kenneth I. Macleod.
Sunday School Memory Verses
All children from Pr1 - Pr7 are learning the same memory verses and we would love you to help. Please encourage the children in your family and in our congregation as they commit scripture and metrical psalms to heart. Why don't you learn along with us as a whole congregation?
We will be focussing on the same verse for a couple of weeks; the children will be given the verse in a notebook and it will also be printed in the bulletin.
Sing Psalms 23:3
My wandering steps he brings back to his way,
In straight paths of righteousness making me stay;
And this he has done his great name to display.
Deaths
We were very sorry to hear that Mr Calum Mackenzie, Builnacraig Street, had passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to his widow Catherine, sons Murdo, with wife Deborah, and Roddy with wife Fiona. We also remember the grandchildren, Skye and Summer, Iona and Ruairidh as well as the extended family.
We were also sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Mary Macphail, Laxdale. We remember her family; daughters Sheila, with husband Ruairidh, and Mairi, her son Donald, her grandchildren Kenneth, Mairi, Laura Kathryn, Naomi, Lewis and Alexander. We also remember her seven great grandchildren, her brother Robert and sister-in-law Catherine, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Baptism Service
God willing, we will have a baptism service on the morning of Sunday 3rd November. If there are any parents seeking baptism for their children, please speak to Rev Calum M. Smith or one of the elders, and they will be happy to discuss this with you.
55+ Fellowship
The next meeting of the 55+ Fellowship will be on Friday 11th October, in the M.A. Hall between 2.30pm and 4.00pm. The speaker that day will be Peggy Mackay from the Western Isles Community Care Forum. The Forum was established in 1992 to assist Voluntary Care organisations which represent the interests of carers and users of care services throughout the Western Isles. The singing that day will be led by David Gray (Crossbost).
I have noticed recently that people in the congregation have stopped getting older! They do not seem to be getting to the age of 55 or over. Please prove me wrong by joining us on the 2nd Friday of each month.
If you need transport to or from the venue please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact me on either of the numbers below:
01851 860418 or 07787 973802
I look forward to welcoming you to the 55+ Fellowship.
Duncan Norman (On behalf of the 55+ Fellowship Committee).
Preaching Day Conference: Faithful Men, Able to Teach.
The Free Church Mission Board, in partnership with the Western Isles Presbytery, has organised a preacher's day conference to be held on Thursday
3rd October from 10.00am to 3.30pm at the M.A. Macleod Memorial Hall, Kenneth Street.
The main speaker will be Dr David Strain, minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, along with input from Rev James Maciver and a time of panel discussion, Q and A.
The main focus of the day will be on evangelistic preaching, along with providing the opportunity for sharing good practice, learning from one another, and joining in fellowship together.
An invitation is extended to all minsters, elders, lay-preachers, trainees, or anyone else who wishes to learn more about preaching. If possible, please sign up using this short form:
https://forms.office.com/e/dYX3mVYkwk
(Please note that you are welcome to attend for part of the day and you can still come even if you don't manage to sign up.) Lunch will be provided.
Christian Values in Education (Scotland) – Fundraising Lunch
CVE Scotland are hosting a fundraising lunch for the charity on Saturday 5th October in the M.A. Hall from 12.00pm – 2.00pm. All are welcome.
Schedules of Communion Services: 3rd to 6th October 2024
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Back Free Church |
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Thursday 3rd October |
7.00pm |
Gaelic |
Rev Kenneth Ferguson (Retired) |
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Friday 4th October |
7.30pm |
English |
Rev Ewen Matheson Cross |
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Fellowship in the Manse after the Evening Service |
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Saturday 5th October |
6.30pm |
English |
Rev David Court Edinburgh |
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Lord’s Day 6th October |
11.00am |
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6.00pm |
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Fellowship in the Hall after the Evening Service. |
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North Harris Free Church |
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Friday 4th October |
12.00 |
Gaelic |
Rev Thomas Davis Carloway |
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7.00pm |
English |
Rev David Strain Mississippi |
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Fellowship in the Manse after the Evening Service |
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Saturday 5th October |
7.00pm |
English |
Rev David Strain |
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Fellowship in the Church after the Evening Service. |
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Lord’s Day 6th October |
11.00am |
English |
Rev David Strain |
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6.00pm |
English |
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Fellowship in the Church after the Evening Service. |
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Presbytery Youth Camp – Save the Date
If you are in S3-S6, come and join us at Scaladale 22nd - 25th November 2024. More details will follow…
Blythswood Shoebox Appeal 2024 - Lewis and Harris
Shoeboxes filled with small, practical items such as toiletries, stationery, and clothing, have been distributed in schools, hospitals, orphanages and care homes, and to households in very low income communities. Many have gone to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
The Appeal Centre will be at Woodys, Rigs Road in Stornoway, in one of the units at the back, beside Woodys Main Building.
The Appeal Centre will be open on the following days to receive shoeboxes:
- Thursday 24th October 4.00pm – 6.30pm
- Friday 25th October 4.00pm - 6.30pm
Please do not come to the Appeal Centre before 4.00pm.
- Saturday 26th October 10.00am – 12.00 noon
The APPEAL will CLOSE on Saturday 26th October at 12.00 noon.
Due to the busy nature of the area surrounding the Appeal Centre and in the interests of Health &Safety, we ask that you stringently adhere to the above opening times when dropping off your donations.
Shoeboxes should be taken into the Appeal Centre Unit and placed on a pallet. Volunteer Staff will be available to give advice.
Shoeboxes from schools, churches, organisations, families, or individuals SHOULD NOT be handed into the Blythswood Shop on Kenneth Street. This is to safeguard against double-handling.
Blythswood Shoebox Leaflets are available for collection from the Blythswood Shop, Stornoway, Ness, and Balallan, Nicolson’s Newsagents, some schools, and churches. They are also available online at:
https://blythswood.org/shoeboxappeal/
Further information can be sought from Blythswood Care on Facebook or from the Lewis and Harris Blythswood Support Group.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
HELPING OTHERS LESS FORTUNATE WITH THE BLYTHSWOOD CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL 2024
