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.
The organist entertains seeks to help keep you connected with your Church, the building, it’s surroundings and the sounds of the organ.
JOIN US THIS WEDNESDAY AT 8PM FOR A COMPLETE INDULGENCE INTO Burns and Scotland
This is Episode 87 in the organist entertains series which yet again proves to be a super edition of your hymns and requests, and the words appear on the screen.
Please have your CH4 books ready if you would like to follow the music, but don’t worry the words for the hymns and songs will appear on the screen.
the dual screens make a return so this week you see 2 hands and 2 feet
Hymns used with permission and with the following CCLI Licences Church Copyright Licence 876673; Music Reproduction Licence 876680 Church Video Licence 2258718; PPL Church Licence 1593113 CLA Church Licence 1002856; PRS for Music Church Licence 1448921 Streaming Licence 1638311
We are pleased to invite you to join our worship in person or online at Bellshill Central Parish Church for Sunday 30th January 2022 Our worship starts at 11am (GMT) and live stream should commence around 10:45am (GMT)
Our worship this week continues Kevin’s new Sermon Series, using his book “Let us Chat: God, Creation, Humanity and more” The theme is God is Free – and our readings come from 1 John and Isaiah. book is available to purchase here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-chat-Creation-Humanity-more/dp/1521188394 should you wish to read along
If you are joining us in person there are certain covid precautions in place
Facemasks are mandatory (unless you are medically exempt)
Only alternate pews may be used (signs are on pews not to be used.)
Physical distancing is mandatory – 1m between households. Signs are on pews re this requirement.
If you are exempt then we need to ask you to maintain a 2m distance from people not in your household for your own safety and protection
Track and trace information is taken on entry, and retained for 21 days
Cleansing stations are available on entry and exit and you are required to use the hand cleaning gels
If you are coming there is no need to pre-book there is plenty of room. However, if you let us know in advance we can add your name to the list to speed things up at the front door! 😊
This week’s church news is also available on the OOS link above.
A REMINDER OF WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY We produced daily videos (except Sunday) available via https://bellshillcentral.church/week-of-prayer-2022/ With grateful thanks to everyone who took part, especially those from other churches in our area.
If you need to be in touch with Rev Kevin de Beer please call 01698 841176 or email kdebeer@churchofscotland.org.uk He is available to chat, pray, arrange baptisms, weddings, funerals etc.
The Faith Impact Forum has been in touch with members of our partner church, the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, Ukraine (Egyházkerület Kárpátaljai Református). Like all of us they are watching with concern as armed forces mass at the Russian border and the threat of conflict grows.
Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, and Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, convener of the Faith Impact Forum are asking all of us to join them in praying for those who are frightened and at risk in Ukraine.
A prayer for Ukraine:
The news can be difficult to listen to and to read. When that news relates to faces we know And to voices familiar to us, It becomes all the harder to hear. Lord God, We ask you to hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them, we pray; From violence, From political gamesmanship, from being used and abused. Give, we pray, the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage too, to dare to care – generously. Lord in your mercy, Take from us all, The tendencies in us That seek to lord it over others: Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us how to live in love And dignity And respect – following your example. In your name and for your sake, Amen
Ahead of some restrictions easing across Scotland this week, Christians across the country – and further afield – join together in prayer and reflection in response to the pandemic.
“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.
“As we return to many restrictions being eased, we call to mind those for whom the restrictions of recent times have been profound and life-changing. We pray that those who are anxious and nervous about change will find reassurance. And in exercising our own personal choices, let us be mindful of the needs and concerns of our neighbours.
“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.”
“Where do we find ourselves today? Does the light of the day still shine and does the way ahead seem clear and certain? Or, does darkness fall and the way ahead seem uncertain and hidden in the shadows? In whatever situation we find ourselves, the Psalms speak to us and the Psalms speak for us. They speak to us, and for us, in every situation of life.
“Perhaps there is nowhere that this is more evident than in the 23rd Psalm. The resonance of the ancient, yet immediately present, words of the Psalmist can be sensed; such that even now we can hear those words speaking into the depths of who we are: ‘The Lord is my Shepherd… Even though I walk through the darkest valley… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.’ (Psalm 23)
“To read and to hear the words evokes a response in the very depths of our being. We are addressed by God and the Psalm offers to us words of response: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley… I fear no evil.’ ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me… and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord.’ Wherever we find ourselves today, the Lord speaks to us and graciously offers us words of response.”
We pray:
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us to the place of Your presence And speak to us Your word that brings life. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us to the place of still waters And restore our troubled souls. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us on the paths of righteousness And deliver us from evil. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us through the valley of shadows And bring us to the place of safety. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us to the place where the table is renewed And the cup overflows for all. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord And faithful Shepherd, Lead us to the place where goodness and mercy abide And to the house of the Lord forever. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Catch up with todays mid week church. A fun chat as we think about being members of the Body of Christ. #bellshillchurch #thisischurch #community #connections #prayers #worship #comeasyouare #faithfamily
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 