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.
Rev Kevin has another story from the Book of Mark, one of the Gospels in the New Testament in the Bible.
The disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry, which sometimes means only the Twelve Apostles Most of the attention in the gospels is given to a specific group of disciples called by Jesus on the top of a mountain and commissioned by him as the Twelve Apostles.
These men are:
Simon, called Peter
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter
James (called the son of Zebedee by Mark and Matthew)
John (Mark and Matthew identify him as the brother of James, son of Zebedee)
Philip
Bartholomew, named Nathanael in John
Matthew (whom the Matthew evangelist identifies as a publican), named Levi in Luke and Mark
Thomas
James, the son of Alphaeus
Simon, called a zealot in Mark, Matthew, and Luke
Judas Iscariot
Jude
Thaddaeus, called Thaddaeus by Mark, Lebbaeus Thaddaeus by Matthew, and Judas, brother of James by Luke
Paul became an apostle after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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!!!
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 