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.
Our next section of our Virtual Prayer Walk, takes us to the Orbiston area of Bellshill – including Orbiston Bowling, Bellshill Taekwondo, Philip Court, Strachan Street, Vincent Court, Joe McKay Community Centre.
Please if you are out a walk this week think of this area of our town and the people who live, play, visit or care for people in these streets.
If you are not able to physically walk in this area please take part in a virtual walk.
We invite you to focus your prayers this week………………..
Thank God for the ways he is working in this town
Invite the Holy Spirit to flow across the town
Pray that people in our town would know the love of God
Pray for all who live, visit play, and care for people in this area of our town.
Bellshill Central Parish Church at 346 Main Street continues to be physically closed to all in person face to face meetings, including Sunday morning worship
However, we are continuing to be the church locally in the community of Bellshill and Mossend by being active online, with Kevin’s continuing pastoral work and being a family of faith. Our groups and church members are in daily contact with each other.
How are we doing this?
Our website at www.bellshillcentral.church is continually updated and refreshed. Have a look. Services and other outreach online is available here.
WhatsApp groups for our church family and most vulnerable folks. Our church chat of 50+members keep upto date, sharing important news, moments of humour and prayers. There are also separate WhatsApp groups for our choir and guild.
Online worship is our main focus, with Sunday worship online at 10.45am and midweek Young church on Wednesday at 12noon.
This coming Sunday, the 2nd May, we share in online worship once more. Kevin’s theme is called Dwell, with readings focusing on Psalm 22, 1 John 3 and Acts 9. As usual we will have members “old and young” taking part.
These have growing “viewer” numbers each week reaching out beyond our building in ways we’d never have imagined. www.bellshillcentral.church/watch-live.
Organist Entertains provided by our own organist and maestro, Alan Mathew. The latest episode (number 58) is available tonight at 8pm. Tonight’s episode has dual cameras so you can see the maestros hands and feet! To date we have surpassed 30,000 views! www.bellshillcentral.church/organist-entertains.
LOCKDOWN FUNDRAISING – An organ marathon takes place this Saturday, 1st May, from 9am to 5pm. Our organist, Alan Mathew, is attempting to play as many hymns as possible from Church Hymnary 4th Edition. You are invited to sponsor Alan, make a donation or “buy” a particular hymn. Find our more at www.bellshillcentral.church/hynnathon-2021
Here you will find the donation links, a link to Church Hymnary 4th Edition and the live stream via YouTube so that you can watch, listen and sing along at home!
Next Sunday, we host our monthly coffee catch up Via Zoom after our online service. The codes are available from Alan and the church WhatsApp chat group. If you’re not a member of that group contact us via bellshillcentral@gmail.com
Looking forward our existing activities will continue online and we hope that you can join us when you can. That’s the wonder of online church, you can worship where and when you are able.
Our church railings are once again full of colour. There are Easter pictures, crosses of Daffodils, new hearts of hope and Colourful wreaths. We invite you to make a prayer intention and tie a ribbon. The ribbons are a visible sign of the volume of prayers spoken. Let’s see prayer ribbons fluttering int the breeze.
We are hosting an online prayer group. Just half an hour once per week. At this time in our world when things seem to be out of control time talking to God in prayer is even more important! If you’re interested get in touch. These take place on Mondays at 7pm via zoom. Contact us via email bellshillcentral@gmail.com for the joining codes.
Updated this week…… The virtual prayer walk around the town of Bellshill continues. We will choose three streets and ask you to pray and remember all who live and work there. Look up #bellshillprayerwalk on Facebook and Twitter to follow our journey. The prayer walk will be available on the website also. Check out https://bellshillcentral.church/bellshill-prayer-walk/
As your Church in Bellshill we are looking out beyond our four walls – we are the Church Without Walls! Join us during COVID19. If there’s something you thing we could be doing, organising or focusing on, please tell us!
I just thought I would remind everyone about this week’s Fundraising event taking place online via Hymnathon 2021 – Bellshill Central Church (click the link for full details)
Thanks to those who have already requested a particular hymn or set of hymns. These will be included and played in their entirety.
I just wanted to say that you should take part and donate as you are able to do so. I am aware that there have been some “high value” donations, for which I am truly thankful for, but any donation however small is greatly received and appreciated.
For Bellshill Central folks, you can add your donations to your Fundraising Jar, or pay direct into the bank that you pay your offerings to – just mark the reference as “Hymnathon” that way Zandra and June can allocate to the right place.
If you are not a Bellshill Central member or attender you can simply make a donation via the Church of Scotland online payment option for our congregation – its a simple and safe way to donate. You can find that payment page here – Donate to Bellshill Central Parish Church – Church of Scotland
Please choose your Hymns from CH4 (Church Hymnary 4th Edition) that is the plan for the day – for me to play as many hymns out of that particular book as possible. I may not make it right to the end, so that’s why I am asking for requests. If you are making a request please have it to me by Friday 30th April, so the list is ready for Saturday morning. Here is an online version of CH4 to help you choose – Church Hymnary (4th ed.) | Hymnary.org
The Hymnathon will be available from the main page, and on our YouTube channel. Please tune in, participate in some live chat, and sing along at home!!!
This Sunday (25 April), on the eve of further restrictions lifting in Scotland, Christians across the country – and further afield – will 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 Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has been taking part alongside them.
“There are some things which make sense for a certain period of time but which come to a natural conclusion – such as clapping for carers during the spring lockdown. Prayer isn’t one of them,” Dr Fair said.
“The Apostle Paul encourages us to ‘pray without ceasing’ and Jesus himself offers parables where persistence in prayer is lauded.
“It can be hard to keep going when there’s no end in sight; much easier when the finishing line comes into view. In the case of the pandemic, it still feels as if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
“All the more reason then for God’s people to continue faithfully in prayer. And even better when we can pray across the whole of the Church, unrestricted by denominational divides.
“If Sunday at 7pm is in your diary, keep it there. Thank you. If it hadn’t been, it would be great to have you involved. It matters that we pray.
“The imagery of the ‘shepherd’ is woven into Scripture and offers to us a picture of how God relates to us. When we read the words of Jesus in the Gospel: ‘I am the good shepherd’, they create in our mind’s eye a picture of the One who ‘lays down His life for the sheep’ in order that we might be shielded and guarded.
“The ‘good shepherd’ lays down His life because He knows those whom He cares for. In similar fashion, those who are cared for know who the ‘good shepherd’ is and they listen for His voice. (John 10: 11-18)
“The imagery is nurtured by the words of Psalm 23 which, especially when paraphrased and sung, resonate deeply in the hearts of many:
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want He makes me down to lie In pastures green: he leadeth me The quiet waters by.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill: For thou art with me; and thy rod And staff me comfort still.
Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me: And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be.
“When we strip away all that clouds and confuses us in this life, there remains that which abides forever: the Good Shepherd who will journey with us into the deepest depths and who will lead us safe home.”
We pray:
Lord our God, We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, For he is the One who will guard us and keep us And lead us safe home. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, For he has spoken to us throughout all our days And still he speaks, even amidst the clamour of the day. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, For he has nurtured and provided for us And lifted us up, even when we have fallen. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, For he is the One who has laid down his life for us In order that we might have life, even in the face of darkness. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, For your goodness and mercy still follows us And you shall lead us safe home, even at the end of our days. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 