At the end of August, those who prefer to contribute to the funds of the congregation by weekly freewill offering envelopes were given an opportunity to do so. This was a very successful event and the sum contributed amounted to over £30,000. Our most sincere thanks are due to all have contributed to the funds of the congregation over the past few months whether it’s by freewill offering envelope, Standing Order, BACS transfer or by cheque. At a time of reducing income, with all the negative consequences it has for our own congregation and the wider work of the Free Church of Scotland, your generous support is much appreciated as together we endeavour to reach our cities, our towns and our rural communities with the gospel.
At the most recent meeting of the Deacons’ Court it was agreed to repeat the facility for depositing freewill offering envelopes. It was also agreed to use the opportunity to raise funds for the congregation’s Benevolent Fund, and to issue the 2021 freewill offering envelopes.
Read more about 'Freewill Offering Envelopes & Benevolent Fund'...Service Details - Sunday 11 October
11.00am Service: Facebook, YouTube, Sermons Page
Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 'Jesus Healing at the Pool' from John 5:1-9 in this service of worship recorded at home.
6.30pm Service: Facebook Live
Rev James Maciver continues his study on The Search for the Meaning of Life in Ecclesiastes looking at 'A Balanced Approach to Wealth' from Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 in this service of worship streamed live from home.
Read more about 'Service Details - Sunday 11 October'...
MONTHLY PRAYER MEETING: Monday 5th October at 8.00PM
Our monthly prayer meeting, which coincides with the Presbytery Prayer Time, takes place on Monday 5th October at 8pm on Zoom. Please message [email protected] if you require the link.
Passage for Reflection: Psalm 91
Prayer points:
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Uists, pray for all the communities and families affected, many of whom are afraid and anxious.
Pray for those who have tested positive or who are isolating and awaiting results, that they would be upheld.
Pray for the spread of the virus to be contained.
Pray for schools and school children, that a return to home schooling would not cause too much stress.
Pray that as Rev Calum Murdo Smith and Rev Thomas Penman have opportunity to speak the gospel, that the Lord would bless and give peace.
Service Details - Sunday 4 October
11am Service: Facebook Live
Join Rev James Maciver on Facebook live for this worship service as he picks up his study of Ecclesiastes, preaching on 'Sanctified Listening, Speaking and Doing' from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.
6:30pm Service: Facebook, YouTube and our Sermons page
Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 'The Well-Being of the Church' from Psalm 46:4-5 in this worship service recorded at home.
Read more about 'Service Details - Sunday 4 October'...
Rev Kenneth I Macleod shares some thoughts on Psalm 23, The Shepherd's Psalm, in this Pastoral Reflection for October.
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
I have preached frequently from this psalm and make no apology for doing so, as it is not only the best known of all the psalms but remains one of my favourites. It is short, simple, sweet and yet so deep with meaning, encouragement and assurance. There are many themes highlighted in the psalm but probably the three main truths that tie the psalm together beautifully are Provision, Direction and Communion.
Read more about 'The Shepherd's Psalm'...
Our Presbytery has appointed Mondays at 8-9pm as a designated time for prayer.
This week's Bible passage for meditation is Proverbs 22:6.
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)
The Presbytery Youth & Discipleship Support Worker, Mr Gordon Macleod, has highlighted the situation faced by many of our young people who have left our islands to study in our cities. Some of them may be residing amongst the worrying number who have tested positive for Covid-19. For all of them, having to socially isolate in student accommodation, and being among other students they are not yet familiar with, adds an additional worry to what is often a challenging transition for young people.
Prayer points:
Pray for all the young people from our islands who have just left home (or who are soon to leave home) to study in our cities. Being away from the security of home can be a daunting prospect, particularly if it's for the first time, and not being able to build a friends base or support network will make the experience all the more challenging.
Pray that while the majority of churches remain closed and visiting is currently prohibited, that our young people will listen to on-line services, either from their home congregation or by recommending one in the area they have moved to.
Pray that they will be able to settle into a church fellowship and make friends with other Christians.
Pray for their parents. This will be an extremely worrying time for them - keep in touch with those you know to encourage them and to assure them of your interest and prayerful support.
Pray for our young people at the weekly prayer meetings, particularly that they will be given the courage to avoid sinful distractions and maintain a consistent witness to God's grace during their student years.
Pray that God will keep them all in good health and free from Covid-19.
Service Details - Sunday 27 September
11:00am: On Facebook, YouTube and our Sermons page
Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 'Searching for Jesus' from John 6:24 in this worship service recorded at home.6:30pm: On Facebook, YouTube and our Sermons page
Mr Scott Macleod preaches on 'Significance from the Insignificant' from 2 Kings 5:13 in this worship service recorded at home.
Read more about 'Service Details - Sunday 27 September'...Service Details - Sunday 20 September
11am Service: Facebook Live
Join us on Facebook Live for this morning worship service when Rev James Maciver will continue his study on God's Questions, looking at "What is the Place of my Rest?" from Isaiah 66:1-2.6.30pm Service: Facebook, YouTube, Sermons Page
Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 'An Honest Life Well Lived' from Acts 20:18-25 in this worship service recorded at home.
Read more about 'Service Details - Sunday 20 September'...RE-STARTING SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school will be starting again online on Sunday 27th September.
This will initially be for two weeks until the October holidays and then continuing weekly after that. The structure will be a bit different this time, but we hope it will be as enjoyable as the online lessons during lock-down.
First of all, we intend to start using the ‘Go-Teach’ materials again which is the scheme that the teachers follow during “normal” times.
Your child’s individual workbooks can be collected from the MA MacLeod Memorial Hall, on either Saturday 19th September from 11:00am to 12:00 noon or on Monday 21st September from 4pm to 5pm.
Read more about 'RE-STARTING SUNDAY SCHOOL'...
Service Details - Sunday 13 September
11am Service: Facebook, YouTube and our sermons page
Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 'A Very Important Question' from Acts 16:25-31 in this worship service recorded at home.
Order of Service:Call to Worship: Psalm 122 (Sing Psalms)PrayerChildren's TalkThe Lord's PrayerScripture Reading: Acts 16:11-40Sermon: 'A Very Important Question', Acts 16:25-31Praise: Psalm 34:5-10 (Sing Psalms)Benediction
6.30pm Service: Facebook Live
Rev James Maciver continues his study on God's Questions, preaching on "What are you doing here?" from 1 Kings 19:9 and 13 in this worship service streamed live from home.
Order of Service:WelcomePraise: Psalm 96:9-12 (Scottish Psalter, page 360)Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-15PrayerChildren’s address: Bible Animals (6) – the lamb (Exodus 12:1-13)Sermon: 1 Kings 19:9 and 13Sermon Title: God’s Questions (10) – “What are you doing here?”Praise: Psalm 18:27-32 (Sing Psalms, page 21)BenedictionClick here for the Scottish Psalter
Read more about 'Service Details - Sunday 13 September'...
