Author: Alan Mathew

Advent Reflection – Love

by Alan Mathew, posted in Advent Reflections

From light comes life.
Deep in expectant earth, a seed stretches.
Through the fire-start of imagination, an idea takes root.
In a passionate flash, love glows with infant intensity.
Safe in the womb, a child senses its season turning and stirs.
It is Advent, something coming, vulnerable in its unstoppable desire…
God, unquenchable light, may they grow – the seed, the love, the idea, the child.

Let your light shine. Let your spirit soar. Throw open your mind. Hand over your heart. Here it comes – love. It shines in the darkness. It sings in the shadows. It will not cower and cannot be contained.
It was the hope of the saints, the call of the prophets. It was the fire in the belly of the Baptist and the courage of Mother Mary.
Lamp in the window, beacon on the hill, star in the night sky. Love, you lead us home.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light a candle for love.
We light a candle for love. May it light the way.

A Story to Challenge and inspire

Fourth Sunday
Celebrating Jesus, the light who came into the world, many of us fill our homes at Christmas with light and laughter, family and friends. But for millions who are fleeing from conflict, a joyful home is a distant memory at best. As we celebrate the light of the world, we remember those surrounded by darkness, and pray that our candle will light the way.

Sunday 18th December 2016 at 10:45am 

by Alan Mathew, posted in Sunday Worship

4th Sunday of Advent

Morning Worship at 10.45am

Lessons and Carols with the Choir
Order of Service

Please note: the order of service today will proceed largely unannounced. You are asked to stand, if you are able, to join in the congregational carols.

Welcome & Intimations

INTROIT​​ “Love came down at Christmas” (Grey 316)

Call to worship

HYMN 211 ​​Hark! the herald angels sing

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Lighting of the 4th Advent Candle – the Candle of Love

As we light our candle please remain seated to sing our Candle Song

Like a candle flame, flickering small, in our darkness
Uncreated light, shines through infant eyes.
God is with us Alleluia, come to save us Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR​​ “The Angel Gabriel” (Grey 285)

BIBLE READING:​St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
St Luke 2: 1-7 (Read by Betty Patrick)

Offering announced and uplifted

CHOIR​​ “Jesus is born” (Grey 311)

Offering brought forward and dedicated

HYMN 345 ​​It came upon the mid-night clear

CHOIR​​ “Child in the manger” (J. Hodgson)

BIBLE READING:​St John unfolds the great mystery of the
​​​Incarnation. St John 1: 1-(read by Susan McGleish)

CHOIR​​ Love came down at Christmas (G. Gray)

History and Reflection on
“Love Came down at Christmas”

HYMN 503 ​​O Little town of Bethlehem

Prayers of Intercession
(led by Bill Cameron and Stanley Cook)
SUNG CHOIR RESPONSE
“Peace Child”

CHOIR​​ “Look away to Bethlehem” (L. Sturdy)

HYMN 491​​ O come, all ye faithful
(Verses 1-3)

Benediction & Sung 3-fold Amen

Congregational Sung Blessing (please be seated)

Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
love was born at Christmas,
star and angels gave the sign.

ORGAN MUSIC​ In dulci jubilo BWV 751​​ JS Bach

Weekly news review 

by Alan Mathew, posted in Weekly Church News

Services on Sunday 18 December takes place at 10.45am and 7pm at Bellshill Central Church, 346 Main Street. This is the 4th Sunday of Advent. The Choir will lead the 10.45am service with Christmas lessons and Carols. At 7pm a Candle Light service will take place, where members of the church will share “What Christmas means to them” with seasonal favourite carols. Fiona MacDonald will sing 2 solo items. Activities for children and young adults are available in our Young Church groups that meets during the morning service. All are warmly welcome to our service of worship. We’re a warm and welcoming church family at the heart of Bellshill. We would love to see you join us.    

Approximately £400 was raised for Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre at our annual SING A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS which took place on THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER. Mossend Primary School Choir, our Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Church Choir and the super Fiona MacDonald all took part. A massive thank you to those who came along and supported us, and to those who worked so hard behind the scenes and on the night also.  

 

Our church guild next meets on Monday 9th January at 1.30pm All ladies and gents are welcome to come along to a warm and welcoming group, full of fellowship. Full event details for the year are available online.  

 

Church choir next meets on Wed 14th Dec for Practise at 7.30pm, Thurs 15th Dec for Practise at 7.30pm, and Sunday 18th Dec for Practise at 9.45am. All are welcome to come along and join us. We are currently working towards our involvement in Christmas Services and the Sing a Song for Christmas Concert.

 

Christmas at Central!

· Sunday 18th December – 10.45am – 4th Sunday of Advent with the Choir.

· Sunday 18th December – 7pm – Carols by Candlelight. The Church will be candle lit and you are invited. Bring your torch along or simply use your camera phone as a torch to add to the atmosphere.

· Saturday 24th December – 7.30pm (please note correct time) – Christmas Eve – All Age Nativity Service.

· Sunday 25th December – 10.30am (please note the earlier time) – Christmas Day – All age service. 

 

Advance Notice of Joint services with St Andrew’s UF Church are:

Sunday 1st January 2017 at 11 o’clock in Bellshill Central Parish Church and Sunday 8th January 2017 in St Andrew’s UF Church.

 

Our Church YouTube channel is now live! We are now uploading our worship services online and please visit and worship with us. We are especially pleased to see people worshipping with us when they can, using their PC or tablet or mobile device. Please like our videos and send us a message. Whether you worship with us in person or online you are part of our church family. 

 

Check out our Facebook site http://www.facebook.com/bellshillcentralchurch – like us on Facebook to keep up to date with other info and news. Our website is at http://www.bellshillcentral.wordpress.com

Advent reflection – Joy

by Alan Mathew, posted in Advent Reflections

From light comes life.
Deep in expectant earth, a seed stretches.
Through the re-start of imagination, an idea takes root.
In a passionate ash, love glows with infant intensity.
Safe in the womb, a child senses its season turning and stirs.
It is Advent, something coming, vulnerable in its unstoppable desire…
God, unquenchable light, may they grow – the seed, the love, the idea, the child.

Uncontainable, irrepressible, bubbling up in an explosion of energy.
What the weary long for, what our children often embody, what makes the Divine smile – joy.
It cannot be paid for, but is a priceless treasure.
As we hope for your arrival, as we pray for peace in your living, as we wait
and watch and wonder how you might reveal yourself to us, God give us joy in your Advent.

Joy is not a commodity that can be bought or sold, but lives deep in the human spirit. Help us to hear that
truth and believe it. Let go of what
our consumer culture says will bring us happiness – money, success, a scramble to the top that leaves us
at. If we have robbed others of what they need in our clamour and quest
for more than our fair share, forgive us. Help us hear the call of John the Baptist to turn around and begin again. God of love, we were made in joy.
May we live that way.
We light a candle for joy. May it light the way.