Shaun Libby

Posts by Shaun Libby for News & Updates:

Notices - Sunday 25th March

Election of Office Bearers

Voting forms are still available. Communicant members are asked to take one envelope which contains a voting form. The form has details of how to complete it. Please return envelopes by placing them in the plate or giving them to those on the door no later than tonight. Elders are encouraged to take envelopes to any communicant members who are housebound or unable to get to the services. Thank you.

Click the link below for the rest of the notices.

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Midweek Bible Study Notes - Session 4

Wednesday 4th April

BIBLE STUDY

Wisdom from James

 

This Bible study is based on the Letter of James and is intended for group discussion after an initial talk by the minister. The questions set out in each session of the study are intended to stimulate discussion and need not be kept to rigidly but all the questions arise from what is written in this Letter.

 

 

 

Session 4

How Should I Assess a Person’s Value?

 

 

Passage for Study

James 2: 1-13

 

Outline of Talk:

  • In these verses James refers to “partiality” or “favouritism” and how it is a sin. He also shows how destructive it is when it is active in any congregation. You will need to discuss what sort of attitude lies behind favouritism and in what ways it shows itself practically.

 

  • In verse 4 James tells us that showing favouritism involves being judgmental. This is different to making distinctions between people and assessing their gifts etc. What James is dealing with is taking this to the level of looking up to some and down on others simply because of outward appearance or possessions.

 

  • In countering the tendency we all have to show favouritism or partiality, James gives us something which contrasts with our human evaluation. He says that it is often the case that God has chosen those who are poor materially but are rich in faith, and in contrast that many who are rich materially are actually enemies of God and of his church (verse 6-7).

 

  • James then introduces again (previously in 1:25) a reference to the law of God. This time, however, he describes it as the “royal law” as well as by “the law of liberty.” You will need to think about what is significant about both these descriptions in relation to the sin of favouritism.

 

  • Finally, the passage ends with references to “mercy” and to mercy “triumphing over judgment.” This brings home to us the fact that God does not treat us as we deserve but in fact tempers his judgment with mercy. This relates to how we are to behave in attitude and practice towards all kinds of people not just those we might regard as our “favourites.”

 

Questions for Discussion Session:

 

  1. If you were a visitor to the church James describes in verses 1-4 what would you be seeing? What would your reaction be? How does it compare to what you see in your own congregation (be honest!)?



  2. Why do you think they honoured those who were well off and looked down on those who were poor? (“sin” is not a good enough answer – you need to be more specific!)



  3. How does the title James gives to Jesus in verse 1 help us to be impartial in our dealings with people?




  4. What sort of problems will “partiality” or “favouritism” lead to in a congregation?




  5. In verse 8 James summarises the “royal law.” Why do you think he does this? How does he show in verses 9-11 that favouritism is not a “small” sin of little consequence?




  6. Why do you think the law is called “the law of liberty” in verse 12? (Clue – God frees us from sin and requires a consequent behaviour from us). What does this have to do with favouritism?




  7. How does the fact that you need a “judgment with mercy” (see verse 13) help you to avoid the sin of favouritism?
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Island Study Conference 2018

Service Details - Sunday 18th March

11am English Service (Church)
Rev James Maciver


Psalms:
Psalm 138: 1-5 (Sing Psalms) p179
Psalm 80: 14-19 (Scottish Psalter) p334
Psalm 139(a): 13-18 (Sing Psalms) p181
Psalm 126 (whole) (Scottish Psalter) p419


Reading: 1 Chronicles 4: 1-14
Sermon Text: 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10
Sermon Title: A Grain of Gold amongst theGravel


11am Gaelic Service (Seminary)
Rev Kenneth I Macleod

Sailm: Salm 34: 1-6, Salm 86: 1-4, Salm 100: 1-3
Leughadh: John 12: 1-26
Ceann Teagasg: John 12: 25-26
Tiotal: The Following Servant



6.30pm English Service (Church)
Rev James Maciver


Psalms:
Psalm 92a: 1-7 (Sing Psalms) p122
Psalm 92a: 8-15 (Sing Psalms) p122
Psalm 79: 9-13 (Scottish Psalter) p332
Psalm 119: 43-48 (Scottish Psalter) p403


Reading: Romans 13
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2: 13-17
Sermon Title: Study 13, First Peter – Christians as Good Citizens

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Rotas - Sunday 18th March

Rotas This Week

CRECHE Chrisell, Elaine, Karen
TWEENIES ChrissAnne, Annice, Naomi
TEAS Alan and Grace

 

Rotas Next Week


CRECHE Maighread, Dolly, Annemarie
TWEENIES Elaine, Kay, Donna Mackinnon
TEAS Elaine and Ian M

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Notices - Sunday 18th March

Election of Office Bearers
Voting forms are available today. Communicant members are asked to take one envelope which contains a voting form. The form has details of how to complete it. Please return envelopes by placing them in the plate or giving them to those on the door no later than Sunday 25th March. Elders are encouraged to take envelopes to any communicant members who are housebound or unable to get to the services. Thank you.

Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 18th March'...

Service Details - Sunday 11th March

11am English Service (Church)

Rev Kenneth I Macleod

Psalms:

Psalm 107: 1-9 (Sing Psalms) p143

Psalm 16: 6-end (Sing Psalms) p17

Psalm 37: 34-end (Scottish Psalter) p255

Psalm 72: 16-end (Scottish Psalter) p314

Reading: Genesis 24: 52- Genesis 25: 11

Sermon Text: Genesis 25: 7-8

Sermon Title: The Death of Abraham

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Rotas - Sunday 11th March

Rotas This Week

 

CRECHE Kate, Mary, Mairianne

TWEENIES Elizabeth, Karen, Elaine

TEAS Erica and Katie Ann

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Notices - Sunday 11th March

Notices for Sunday the 11th of March

 

Special Collection

A special collection will be taken at all services today for Day One (formerly Lord's Day Observance Society).  

Collection points will be in place at each exit and at the two doors leading from upstairs.

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Midweek Bible Study Notes - Session 3

BIBLE STUDY

Wisdom from James

 

This Bible study is based on the Letter of James and is intended for group discussion after an initial talk by the minister. The questions set out in each session of the study are intended to stimulate discussion and need not be kept to rigidly but all the questions arise from what is written in this Letter.

 

 Session 3

Is my Religion “Pure and Undefiled”?

 

 

 

Passage for Study:

James 1: 18-27

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