Notices - Sunday 2nd February 2025
Creche: 11.00am in the upper hall for children up to age 3.
Volunteers Today: Elaine, Chris, Annmarie and Helena.
Volunteers 9th February: Christine Ann, Maighread, Donna and Carol Ann.
Tweenies in the main hall for children aged 3 to 5.
Volunteers today: Johan, Alison and Marissa.
Volunteers 9th February: Elizabeth, Evelyn and Aileen.
Sunday School arrive in church at 11.00 with family, then leave through the side door nearest the hall after children’s address.
Please note that there is no Bible Class today.
Everyone is welcome to the M A Hall after the morning service for a time of fellowship. Tea and coffee will be served by Doonie and Liz.
Monday 3rd February from 1.00pm to 3.00pm – The Toddler Group will meet in the M A Hall.
Monday 3rd February at 7.30pm – Monthly Prayer Meeting on Zoom.
Tuesday 4th February at 11.00am – Prayer and Update with Muriel.
Tuesday 4th February at 7.30pm – WfM meeting in the M A Hall.
Jonathan Maciver will give a presentation on the Gambia Project. All ladies are welcome.
Tuesday 4th January at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting at Laxdale Mission House.
Wednesday 5th February at 7.30pm – Bible Study in the M A Hall led by Rev Calum M Smith.
We will continue our study called ‘These Truths Alone’ – Why the Reformation Solas are essential for our faith today. This week we will study the chapter titled ‘By Grace Alone.’
If you would like a study book, please speak to Calum Murdo or Lizzie.
Thursday 6th February at 7.30pm – Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Mr Murdo Martin.
Thursday 6th February – Explorers meet in M.A. Hall:
P1 - P3 6.00pm - 7.00pm P4 – P7 7.00pm - 8.15pm
Friday 7th February 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 8th February at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Lord’s Day – 9th February.
11.00am – Gaelic Service (Seminary) conducted by Rev James Macdonald.
11.00am – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Rory Stott.
6.30pm – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Rory Stott.
Sunday School Memory Verse
Today’s Bible memory verse for Pr1 - Pr7 is from the book of Proverbs. Please help us to learn it and have a go yourself at learning it with us.
Proverbs 3: 6
In all you ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
55+ Fellowship
The next meeting of the 55+ Fellowship will take place on Friday 14th February in the M A Hall from 2.30pm to 4pm. This time we will have a "ceilidh" with "Kenny I" who will share with us some of his memories of Communion Weekends over the years....and anything else that comes to his mind!!
The singing will be led by James Murray.
Please remember that on Friday the church car park will be closed to the public and open for the 55+ Fellowship only. This should make parking much easier for those attending.
If you have not managed to come along yet, please feel free to join us for fellowship, refreshments and good company. You will be made very welcome.
If you require transportation to or from the event, please contact Duncan on one of the following numbers: 01851 860418 or 07787 973802
Annual Special Collection for Bethesda
The annual special for Bethesda will be taken at all services next Sunday, 9th February. Collection points will be available at all exits.
Contributions can also be made by cheque and should be made payable to ‘Stornoway Free Church’ and placed in an envelope clearly marked ‘Bethesda’.
Death
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Christabel Macrae, formerly of Murdoch Place. We remember all the family, friends and neighbours at this time and ask that the Lord would comfort them with His peace, the peace that passes all understanding.
Vacancy Committee Update
We look forward to having visiting ministers supply our pulpit in the coming weeks.
For the sake of clarity, these ministers are not "preaching with a view to a call." They have been invited to supply the pulpit to provide the congregation an opportunity to hear a variety of preachers. Please be assured that the vacancy committee will make it clear to the congregation when ministers are invited to preach with a view to a call. This usually happens with a second invitation being extended to ministers to provide an opportunity for them to spend some more time amongst us.
On the weekend of a minister is preaching with a view to a call he will meet with the vacancy committee, preach both morning and evening, and participate in an evening fellowship in the hall to allow the congregation to meet with them informally.
Thank you for your patience with the vacancy process.
Please continue to pray for the committee and for the Lord to guide us as a congregation according to his will.
February Communion Services
The Lord’s Supper is due to be observed at the morning services on Sunday 16th February 2025. The visiting ministers expected are Rev Roddy John Campbell, retired, for the Gaelic services, and Rev David Macleod, North Harris, for the English services.
The Kirk Session will be opened on Wednesday 12th in the Seminary after the service that evening. Thereafter the Session will meet in the Kenneth Street Session Room after each of the services on Friday and Saturday, apart from Saturday morning when it will meet in the Seminary Session room.
As always, any who wish to take communion for the first time are invited to meet with the Session at any of the occasions above. The ministers and elders are also most willing to speak at any point over the next couple of weeks with anyone who has thoughts of taking communion for the first time.
The 8.00 morning prayer meetings will be led by elders. A more detailed outline of services and times will be made available next week.
Please pray that God’s blessing will be evident throughout these services and that as a congregation we will be encouraged and uplifted. Pray also for the ministers expected.
Interim Moderator: Rev Colin Macleod – 820317 [email protected]
Assistant Minister: Rev Calum M Smith – 701503 [email protected]
Safeguarding Officer: Mr Donald Macleod – [email protected]
Scottish Charity Number: SC011447
Intimations for non-congregational events
Interdenominational Gaelic Service
Everyone is warmly invited to an interdenominational Gaelic Service being held on Friday 7th February at 7.30pm in the Clan McQuarrie Community Centre, Borve.
The service will be conducted by Rev John Macleod, retired.
Tea and coffee will be served after the service. All donations will go towards Crossroads Lewis.
Providence Christian School Open Day
Providence Christian School are holding a School Open Day at the Cearns Community Centre on Wednesday 5th February from 10am -12 noon.
All who are interested in the school are encouraged to come along to meet staff and pupils and find out more about PCS.
Enrolment is also now open for the August 2025 intake!
Islands Study Conference
The Island Study Conference will take place between 7th and 9th February 2025. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the first meeting in Harris back in the early eighties.
This year's speakers will be familiar names to our communities, Rev Dr Sinclair Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries) who is returning to the Islands after last speaking at the conference in 2015 and Former Royal Army Chaplin Rev Colin Macleod, minister of Back Free Church.
All the lectures over the weekend are free to attend and do not require booking, however, if you are planning to come as a day visitor and require any meals, please arrange using the email address below.
Please note, accommodation at the Harris Hotel is now fully booked.
If you require any further details, you can contact the Conference team on [email protected]
