Author: Bellshill Central

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.

Pancake Day 2022: Everything you need to know about Shrove Tuesday

March 1, 2022 by Bellshill Central, posted in Other News

Important announcement: It is Pancake Day on Tuesday 1 March!

It’s a day where people make lots of pancakes with all sorts of toppings and play all sorts of pancake-related games.

But why does everyone get so excited about it?

Why do we have a day where everyone eats the same thing… and why is that thing pancakes?

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday.

It happens on a different day every year to mark the start of the Christian festival of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday is the beginning of the 40 days leading into Easter, which will be observed on Sunday 17 April in 2022.

Lent is traditionally a time of fasting and sacrifice, and often Christian children give things up – such as chocolate.

Why do we eat pancakes?

The tradition comes from families using up all ingredients in their cupboards so that they can start Lent the next day.

The ingredients – eggs, flour and milk – used to be very common things for people to give up for Lent, so it made sense to use them all up.

These days it’s probably the toppings that we’re likely to give up – such as chocolate or sweets!

What is Lent?

Lent is a period of 40 days where Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God and whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity.

A lot of people use Lent as a way of testing their willpower – often giving up things like chocolate or other sweet treats before Easter.

Millions of people do this as a sign of sacrifice, and Christians do it to represent Jesus Christ’s sacrifice when he went into the desert to pray and fast for the 40 days before later dying on the cross.

According to the Bible, Jesus then came back to life on Easter Sunday. This is the most important day in the Christian calendar.

What do you like on your pancakes?

What is YOUR dream pancake? From lemon and sugar, to chocolate, or maybe even…bacon?

Perhaps you’d like a savoury pancake with cheese or pizza toppings or maybe you go all-in with loads of different ice creams and sauces?

A Prayer for Ukraine

February 28, 2022 by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

A prayer for Ukraine by The Church of Scotland Faith Impact Forum:-

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

Sunday prayers at 7pm

February 27, 2022 by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

Join us in prayers this evening. We pray to God giving thanks, coming before Him, praying for ourselves and others. We pray for the Ukraine.

For what is beyond, not invented or made up
Let us offer God our thanks and praise.

For thoughts and ways that are not ours,
Let us offer God our prayers and reflections.

For the love that loves first and shows us what love is
Let us offer God our fellowship and service.

For the light that shines from the face of Jesus Christ and enlightens every
human being.
All: Let us offer God our joy and worship.

Holy, holy, holy, God,
to You we come
rejoicing in who You are.
You are light and in You there is no darkness at all,
You are faithful and true and there is nothing false about You,
You have shown us how much You love us in Jesus Christ,
who became one of us and for our salvation.

Freely, gladly we bring ourselves to You.
Holy Spirit help us,
that with all that is within us,
we may bless Your holy name.

Living God, joyfully we find in Jesus what it means to be fully human.
You give us hope that one day we shall be like Him.
May all His sisters and brothers know fullness of life and God’s glory be seen.