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.
Dear Heavenly Father, many parents today find themselves having to home-school their children, who have never had proper teaching experience and have no teaching qualification. They will feel rather unsure of what they ought to do and how to go about it. This frightening time of darkness in our world causes friends to be separated, routines simply brushed away and new ways of working for us all.
Give them the courage and the wisdom to set about the task of preparing my home-school environment, and guide them in what they should teach their children. Lord, we pray that they may have an aptitude for teaching them and that You would give the children willing, receptive minds and the ability to learn as well and understand what is being taught. Amen.
Welcome to this time of worship. While we may not be gathered in the same worship space, we are held together in Christ. Even though you may be at home, our Lord promises that where two or three are gathered in his name, he too is present.
Know that while we may not be worshiping in the same space, the peace of Christ is with us.
Make your worship space at home comfortable. We invite you to light a candle as you are able to serve as a reminder of God’s presence with each of us.
“And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, til it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
This Sunday (10 January), as restrictions continue across Scotland, Christians across the country will join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown and the phased easing of restrictions, 14 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.
“I’m delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically,” Dr Fair said.
“But reading about what prayer is and how to do it is only the start of it. After that it’s time to actually pray.
“And what better than to join with brothers and sisters from across the nation at 7pm on Sunday to pray our way through this ongoing crisis. I commend it to you and look forward to being with you, in Spirit, on Sunday evening.”
As we journey into the year to come, we find ourselves once more in a desert place and in that place there are many who are deeply uncertain as to what the year will bring.
“At this time, there are many who feel locked out of the pattern that has previously shaped their lives and the absence of that pattern can be profoundly unsettling.
“Yet even in the most uncertain of times, there are moments of discovery, and rediscovery, where we are shaped by a new pattern.
“As this takes place, we are renewed and affirmed as those who are made in the image of God.
“The Gospel of Mark opens by taking us to a desert place and in that desert place there takes place a renewal signified in baptism which marks the beginning of new life.
“Indeed, Jesus Christ himself comes to the waters of the River Jordan to be baptised.
“As he does so, he hears the words of affirmation: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ (Mark 1: 4-11) In our own desert place, may we find renewal, affirmation and the living presence of God.”
We pray:
Living God, Be with us in the desert place And renew us as those who are made in your image. Hear us as we call to you And answer our cry. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, Be with us in the desert place And meet us in the place of suffering. Hear us as we call to you And bring healing to the broken. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, Be with us in the desert place And come beside those who are sorrowing. Hear us as we call to you And have compassion upon us. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, Be with us in the desert place And lead us to the places of discovery and rediscovery. Hear us as we call to you And reshape the pattern of our lives. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, Be with us in the desert place And may we know that Christ is with us. Hear us as we call to you And lead us to the place where we hear your word of affirmation. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 