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.
Thank you and bless you, we hope you feel part of the Central Church family by participating in this service of online worship – wherever and whenever you take part.
Attached for your information is this weekends ENEWS. Remember also that the service is available by dialling 01698 533211. It is updated each Sunday morning and is then available for the rest of the week. If you know someone who cant access the service online this is a great way for them to worship.
All songs and hymns are published using our various CCLI licences which are:
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
Please visit our website
www.bellshillcentral.church for all we are doing online to spread the wonderful news of the Gospel in Bellshill and beyond
On Easter Sunday (4 April), the day of Jesus’ Resurrection, 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 day of Resurrection begins ‘while it was still dark’ and takes us to the place where the Lord has been buried and sealed away.
“The journey through the week past began with ‘Hosanna!’ and ended in ‘Crucify!’ In the darkness of that morning, it is Mary Magdalene who first senses that the journey, seemingly ended on the Cross, has yet further to unfold. Mary remains at the tomb, consumed by sorrow and tears, until she finds herself in the company of a person whom she does not recognise. Into the depth of her sorrow, a voice speaks and calls her by her name: ‘Mary!’ It is as if the voice speaks into the very depths of her heart and her eyes are opened. In that moment there is the recognition that she stands in the presence of the risen Lord and in time Mary will bear witness: ‘I have seen the Lord’. (John 20: 1-18)
“On this day of resurrection, the risen Lord speaks to all who have journeyed in dark places and who have known sorrow and tears. He speaks into the depths of our heart and calls us by our name.
“In response, we join with the people of God and proclaim: ‘Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!’”
We pray:
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In Your great mercy You give us new birth into a living hope Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, receive our praise and our thanks forever! Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In Your great mercy You have journeyed with us through the darkness And You bring us now to the day of light. Lead us through the darkness and into the abiding light of Your presence. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In Your great mercy You journey with those who have known sorrow and tears. In Your compassion, journey with them still And bring to them healing and the hope of the life everlasting. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In Your great mercy You speak into the depths of our hearts And You call us by our name. Call us by our name that we might proclaim: Christ is risen. Alleluia! Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In Your great mercy You give us new birth into a living hope Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, receive our praise and our thanks forever! Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
This Holy Saturday, we invite you to meditate on the words and music of John Stainer’s Crucifixion. Presented by the augmented Bellshill Central Church Choir, with Rev Kevin de Beer, Hugh Ainsley and Jim Grier reading the narrative. Organist is Alan Mathew.
Modelled on the great passion settings of J.S. Bach, Stainer’s Crucifixion is amongst the most popular of all English choral works and vividly portrays the events of the Passion of Christ. Scored for tenor and bass soloists, organ and mixed choir, the piece combines recitatives, solos, and masterful choruses that range from the graphic mob shouts of Crucify Him to the ethereally beautiful meditation at the work’s centrepiece God so loved the world‘.
This was first performed at Bellshill Central Parish Church on Monday 15th April 2019. We re-streamed it for Holy Week 2020, and thought is appropriate to share once more.
We remember our friends in the choir who are now singing in the Lord’s Heavenly Choir – Betty Patrick, Bill Cameron and Betty Mackie – Soli Deo Gloria
