News & Updates

Notices - Sunday 31st October

Creche: 11.00 in upstairs hall for children up to age 2.

Volunteers today: Fiona, Catherine, Ruby.
Volunteers 7th November: Annette, Kathleen, Mary.

 

Tweenies: 11:00-11.50 in downstairs hall for children aged 3-7.

Sunday School: 11.00-11.50 in hall for children of P1 to S2.
Laxdale Sunday School: 12.30 in Laxdale Mission House.

All children welcome – No need to book in advance.

 

Monday 1st November 10.00-12.00
Toddler Group in M.A. Hall.

 

Monday 1st November 7.30pm
Monthly Prayer Meeting on Zoom.

 

Tuesday 2nd November 11.00am
Prayer link with Muriel in Cambodia.

 

Tuesday 2nd November 7.30pm
Youth Club in M.A. Hall.

 

Wednesday 3rd November 7.30pm
English Prayer Meeting

In Seminary and on Zoom led by Mr Scott Macleod.

 

Thursday 4th November 7.30pm
Gaelic Prayer Meeting
In Seminary led by Rev James Maciver.

 

Saturday 6th November 10.00am
ETS Course in M.A. Hall.

Saturday 6th November 11.00am

Ladies walking group meet at the Castle Museum Car Park.

Services next Sunday – 7th November

11am English Service (Church):  Mr Scott Macleod

11am Gaelic Service (Seminary): Rev James Maciver

6.30pm English Service (Church): Rev James Maciver   



Communion

As a congregation, we have looked forward to partaking of the Lord’s Supper again, after such a long time without it due to the pandemic. Hence the Kirk Session is delighted to announce that the Lord’s Supper will be dispensed, God willing, at the morning service on 9th January 2022. Services associated with the communion will be from Saturday 8th January, till the evening of the 9th, as was the case with the communions held in June and December each year prior to the pandemic.

The Kirk Session will be opened after the midweek meeting on Wednesday 5th and the Session will also meet on the evenings of Thursday 6th and Friday 7th at 7.30pm, and after the service on Saturday 8th to meet with any who wish to take communion for the first time. Please contact the minister or your local elder at any time should you wish to discuss this or have any questions relating to taking communion for the first time.

The Session earnestly hope and pray that the prolonged period without a communion, along with the grievous providence of the pandemic itself, will have caused us all to think deeply about our relationship to God, as well as our privileges in the gospel, one of the most special being the Lord’s Supper. A more detailed intimation about the communion will be given nearer the time, but the Session was keen to make the announcement of it at this point, so that we may all give thanks and pray for God’s blessing in anticipation.

 

Induction of Rev. Colin Macleod

The induction of Rev. Colin Macleod to the pastoral charge of Back Free Church of Scotland will be held on Friday 5th November.  Representatives of the Presbytery will meet in the church hall at 7.00pm and the induction service in the main church will commence at 7.30pm.  Rev. Calum M. Smith, Moderator of the Presbytery, will preach and preside.

The service will be available live on YouTube (Channel name – Back Free Church). The link can also be easily accessed on the Back Free Church website – www.backfreechurch.org.

Please pray for Mr Macleod, his wife Aileen and their family, Lauren, Michael, and Jennifer as they adjust to this new phase in their experience.  Pray also that the new ministry in Back will be richly blessed by God to the whole congregation and to the wider community in the days ahead.  

 

Binding Brokenness: Bible-based trauma healing

We invite you to join our small group to bring healing to wounds of the heart from trauma and loss. The group is led by trained facilitators. Together we will make a confidential and safe place for participants to:

  • Discover what the Bible says about suffering
  • Learn about trauma and its effects
  • Explore any trauma or loss you may be carrying
  • Release some of the emotional pain you may be carrying
  • Help you get unstuck, reconnected, and ready to move on with life
  • Build resilience for the future

If you suffer from hopelessness, ongoing sadness or exhaustion, unexplained anger, flashbacks, being overwhelmed, feelings of isolation or unprocessed grief, whatever the source, this small group may be for you.

Dates of meetings: Tuesdays 2.00pm-4.00pm, weekly from 2nd November to 14th December.

Location: The Shed, 11 Francis Street. Cost: Voluntary donation of £5 for materials.

Booking is essential.

For more information or to book, please contact:

Joanna George at [email protected]

Mairianne Campbell at [email protected]

 

Platform 67

Following an excellent mission meeting last Wednesday evening with Martin Dudgeon of Platform 67, anyone wishing to donate to their work should leave their contribution in an envelope marked ‘Platform 67’ in the collection plate in the church or the Seminary. If donating by cheque, please make it payable to Stornoway Free Church.


Praying for One Another in the Free Church

This week please remember:

Kiltearn – Minister: Gavino Fioretti                                                     

Pray that God would work in the hearts and lives of the young people in Evanton. As a congregation, we’ve been encouraged in different aspects, through challenging days, and a spirit of harmony exists.  

Esk Valley – Minister: Tom Muir                                   

Pray that our two mission-focus evenings would both engage and equip our people to see how they can participate in the work of the gospel. Pray that a few non-Christian friends of members who are “interested” would be welcomed into the church family and come to know Jesus as Lord.

Hope Church Coatbridge - Minister: Ivor Macdonald

Pray for plans to provide fellowship for two groups of people in our church – teenagers and young adults. Pray for the impact of our use in the autumn of Passion for Life’s training resources in personal evangelism.