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.
Each January, Christians around the world join together in prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year’s theme, drawn from Ephesians 4:4, reminds us that “there is one body and one Spirit… one hope of your calling.”
At Bellshill Central Parish Church, we will be sharing a daily reflection on our website throughout the week, based on the official 2026 materials prepared by Christians in Armenia. These reflections invite us to pray, reflect, and grow together in faith, hope, and love.
We warmly invite you to join us each day as we pray for deeper unity in Christ and a renewed witness to God’s love in our world. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)
Our morning service, for all, is led by our minister the Revd Margaret ES Rose, and begins at 11am. The service includes the Sacrament of Baptism of baby Cora Dornan.
Activities for children are available for all ages of children in Young Church (Crèche and Sunday School). All ages are welcome.
We’d be delighted to see you join us in person at 346 Main Street, for our 11am service.
On Sunday mornings, we’re the Church of Scotland in Bellshill.
As we welcome this new year, we give thanks to God for His goodness and grace throughout the past year. The turning of the year is a time for reflection and renewal—a chance to look back with gratitude and forward with hope.
We also pause to remember those we have lost during the past year through bereavement. Their absence is deeply felt, and we hold their families and loved ones in our prayers.
May God’s comfort and peace surround all who mourn, reminding us of His promise:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3.
As we step into 2026, let us embrace the opportunities ahead with faith and courage.
Whatever challenges we face, we trust in the words of Isaiah:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10.
May this year be filled with hope, peace, and joy for you and your loved ones.
From all of us at Bellshill Central Parish Church, we wish you a blessed and happy New Year!
Prayer for the New Year
Heavenly Father, We thank You for guiding us through the past year and for the blessings we have received. As we enter this new year, fill our hearts with hope, peace, and love. Comfort those who mourn and strengthen those who face challenges. Help us to walk in faith, trusting Your promises every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Leader: The Word has become flesh and dwells among us. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
People: We gather to rejoice in God’s gift of love, still bright in our hearts after Christmas Day.
Leader: Come, let us celebrate the Child who brings peace, the Saviour who brings hope, the Lord who brings life.
People: With grateful hearts and joyful voices, we come to worship the God who is with us— yesterday, today, and always.
All: Glory to God in the highest! Let heaven and earth rejoice, for Christ is born and Christ is here.
Prayer of Approach
God of light and life, we come before you still carrying the glow of Christmas joy. In the quiet after celebration, you meet us with peace that lingers and hope that does not fade.
As we gather in your presence, open our hearts to the wonder of the Word made flesh. Let the story of Christ’s birth shape our living, guide our choices, and renew our trust in your unfailing love.
Draw us close, O God, that we may hear your voice, receive your grace, and offer our worship with gratitude and joy. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Matthew 2:13-23 The Escape to Egypt
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”[a]
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”[b]
The Return to Nazareth
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Psalm 148 – A Reflective Paraphrase
Praise rises from every corner of creation. From the highest heavens to the quietest places of earth, let all that exists turn its face toward God.
Sun and moon, steady in your courses— shine with gratitude. Stars scattered across the night— glimmer with praise. Skies above, vast and sheltering— hold your breath in wonder.
Let all things praise the One who spoke, and it was so; who commanded, and all things found their place.
Mountains lifting their heads to the sky, hills rolling gently across the land, oceans deep and mysterious, creatures great and small— praise the Lord.
Storm winds that obey His whisper, fire and frost, rain and snow, trees that root and rise, birds that soar and sing— praise the Lord.
People of every land and language, leaders and labourers, young and old, those who rejoice and those who seek hope— lift your hearts in praise.
For God’s name alone is holy, God’s glory stretches beyond the heavens, and God draws near to His people with strength, mercy, and love.
Let everything that has breath and everything that simply is offer praise to the Lord.
Responsive Reading – Psalm of Christmas Light
Leader: The Lord is our light and our salvation; the brightness of Christ still shines among us.
People: We walk in the glow of God’s love, and we rejoice in the hope Christ brings.
Leader: Though the world may grow weary, God’s faithfulness remains steadfast.
People: The Child of Bethlehem is our strength, our peace, and our joy.
Leader: Come, let us lift our hearts in praise, for God’s mercy is new every morning.
All: Glory be to God, whose light no darkness can overcome.
Intercession Fathering, Mothering God, We pray for all children who have never known or who have lost the loving care and protection of their parents… For all children whose days begin and end in fear and uncertainty… For all children who have no one to care for their comfort and wellbeing… For all children unsheltered and uncomforted… For all children alone and afraid….
And we pray too for all those who have lost someone they love through actions driven by the fear and violence of others.
Fathering, Mothering God – keep them all in Your sight, hear their cries and right their wrongs, now and in eternity. Amen
Benediction
May the peace of the Christ‑child rest upon you, the joy of the angels surround you, and the light of God guide your steps as you go into the days ahead.
And may the blessing of God Almighty— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 