As the Church of Scotland in Bellshill we extend a warm welcome to any of our activities. People have been coming to this building to worship God for over a hundred years. While our town has journeyed through many changes over those years, the constancy of the witness of the “Church at 346 Main Street” has remained uninterrupted. The mission of any Church is to reflect through its presence, its music, its fellowship and its beauty the greatness of God, and we seek to do that here in all that we share.
We hope that everyone who enters these doors will find an encouraging, friendly group of people. While we are far from perfect, we are regularly discovering truths that are changing us individually and enriching our lives as a church community. As we worship together, learn from the Bible, and pray for one another, we are strengthened in our commitment to Jesus Christ as well as to each other. If this is your first time here, we welcome you, and invite you to share the joy that we have found.
We gather for weekly worship beginning at 11am. We are now up to 4 hymns, with lovely organ music before and afterwards. We invite you to sit tight and listen to the closing music before you leave!
Our prayers and worship are led by Rev Kevin de Beer
If you can’t gather with us in person then here are the live stream links that you will need.
We will stream via Facebook or YouTube – whatever works! Just click the logos below. One will work!
If you are coming, call Stanley before 10pm Saturday, or email bookings@bellshillcentral.church and Jane will add your details. Or, you can still give your name at the door, but we ask for your name in advance to keep the queues to a minimum.
Enjoy this weekend’s worship, however you take part.
Sunday (7 November), as the COP26 conference continues in Glasgow, Christians across the country – and further afield – will continue to join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm in response to the pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown, 15 Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, have co-signed the letter calling for prayer.
Scottish Christians have been continuing to answer the call to pray at the same time each week, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Lord Wallace, is taking part alongside them.
“We should always be mindful for the wisdom handed down to us from past generations; much of it learned the hard way, from mistakes made and consequences suffered,” Lord Wallace said.
“So, too, we are grateful for the richness that comes to us from living alongside people of other traditions. In our day and generation we must surely allow our minds and hearts to be open so that we can risk getting to know them and learning from them.
“In this pandemic, our responsibility is to come together and offer our prayers for all the many diverse expressions of our Christian faith that enrich life, as we have done for many months now.
“Let us not forget that behind each death there will be grieving family and friends; behind each hospitalisation there will be a suffering patient, an anxious family and a caring and skilled medical team.
“And behind each vaccination, let us recognise, with thanks, the skill of the scientists’ research and those who make distribution and vaccination possible. Let us remember, too, those in countries who still wait anxiously for vaccines to arrive. May our leaders respond imaginatively and generously to that challenge.
“A pattern has been set for us, lived out in Jesus Christ, made possible by the Spirit. May we follow in His way, and be guided by the one over-riding rule of love in all that we say and do.”
“The Gospel of Mark compares and contrasts the offering of a ‘poor widow’ with that of those who give out of their riches. To the outward appearance, the ‘two small copper coins’ barely register in the coffers of the treasury, especially when compared to the offerings of others.
“In so doing, the Gospel invites us to see beyond the outward appearance and to understand that the offering of the ‘poor widow’ is the giving of ‘all she had’. Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance and sees the depth of the widow’s self-giving. (Mark 12: 41-44)
“In the week past and in the week to come, we have an unprecedented opportunity to compare and contrast as the richest and the poorest nations gather together.
“The representatives of each nation bring to the table their respective contributions and, in due course, there will be much discussion on the achievements of the gathering. All that is discussed and agreed takes place in the presence of God.
“The One who sees beyond the outward appearance and looks on the heart is the One who knows the needs of all peoples and of all Creation. We turn to the One who gives life to all…”
We pray:
Lord our God, You are the One who looks on the heart And sees the hidden depths of each person: As we come into Your presence, See our hearts and the depths of who we are And accept us as those who are made in Your image. Lord, in Your mercy Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, You are the One who looks on the heart And sees the hidden depths of each person: As we offer all that we are in Your service, Sift our hearts that we might know You As we are known by You. Lord, in Your mercy Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, You are the One who looks on the heart And sees the hidden depths of each person: As we hear the cry of those who journey in our midst, Still our hearts that we might listen to their voice And understand their concerns. Lord, in Your mercy Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, You are the One who looks on the heart And sees the hidden depths of each person: As we welcome the gifts that others offer, Speak to our hearts of the potential embodied in each person And of our shared desire to care for Creation. Lord, in Your mercy Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, You are the One who looks on the heart And sees the hidden depths of each person: As we consider how majestic is Your name in all the earth, Strengthen our hearts and deepen our resolve To address the challenges of our time and so bring glory to Your name. Lord, in Your mercy Hear our prayer.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 