Author: Bellshill Central

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.

From the Moderator of the General Assembly

by Bellshill Central, posted in Other News, Weekly Church News

Dear friends,

Holy Week 2021

I’m not going to start an argument by insisting that Holy Week is THE most important week in the Christian calendar but, if it’s not, I’m sure we’d all agree it’s pretty high up the list!

With that in mind, and in the light of the continuing restrictions that we’re dealing with, I’ve created a digital resource that runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Day – a journey through Holy Week. It will air across the Church of Scotland’s various channels at 8am each morning or can be viewed later.

Each episode features a short reflection presented by myself, as Moderator of the General Assembly, together with the appropriate daily reading from John’s Gospel, a prayer and a piece of contemplative music. Colleagues from across the Church have contributed these various elements.

As stated, the episodes can be viewed directly from the Church’s platforms or you can visit https://stream1.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/holy-week-2021 to embed them into your own channels, or even download to put on your own website and get specific YouTube links for each day’s video to share with your congregation. You’ll see that there is a transcript booklet too which can be printed off and given to those who might appreciate the content but would be unable to access the material online.

Those without internet access can also call 03333 409 200 and listen to each day’s reflection from 8am. Local call charges apply.

I’m very much aware that many congregations will be running their own Holy Week programmes and so will have no need of this resource. Not a problem. On the other hand, some congregations might find it to be helpful. Others still might use locally-produced material and point to this as an additional option. The key point is this: it is not offered with any other sentiment than ‘if you can use it, please do.’

I’d like to thank all those who have collaborated on this project by way of recording readings and prayers, etc. But I want to give a very particular ‘shout out’ to the small tech team which has done a huge amount of behind the scenes production work. Without that, it wouldn’t have happened.

Finally, through this coming week may we be reminded that though this year has been something of a ‘Friday’, Sunday is coming, and that together, we will join with all those who have gone before us in declaring ‘Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!’

With warmest best wishes,

​

Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair

Moderator

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

#11 Bellshill Prayer Walk

by Bellshill Central, posted in #BellshillPrayerWalk

Our next section of our Virtual Prayer Walk, takes us to Quarryknowe Place, Lawmuir Rd, Community Rd and the Bothwellhaugh Cemetery.

The Scottish Bible Society are making available activities if you are able to walk in the great outdoors. You may wish to use these activities for #bellshillprayerwalk in 2021

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 on 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 you live, visit play, care for people in this area of our town.

Sunday Evening Prayers at 7pm in response to the pandemic

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

This Sunday (21 March), ahead of the anniversary of the first lockdown on Tuesday 23 March, Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm in response to the pandemic.

Hands praying on a table outside on a sunny day

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.

This week’s letter accompanying the prayer, which is also available in Gaelic, states:

“On the anniversary of the first lockdown on 23 March, we will undoubtedly reflect on all that has happened in the past year and acknowledge the profound impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had upon us personally and communally.

“There is not one of us who has not felt the impact of these times in one way or another. Above all else, we shall acknowledge the loss of life and recognise that behind each number recorded there lies a person whose life is known to God and who is mourned by those who have loved them.

“In their passing, we are the poorer. In the remembrance of a life given by God, we are the richer.

“The Letter to the Hebrews records that: ‘In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears’ (Hebrews 5: 7). Jesus is called to take the place of the one who offers prayers on behalf of us all, and does so with ‘cries and tears’ because He Himself has ‘suffered’ (Hebrews 5: 5-10). He shares in the suffering of the world and brings the suffering of the world before God.

“In all our reflections at this time, we remember the One who prayed for us in ‘the days of his flesh’ and who, even now, lives to pray for us once more.”

We pray:

Living God, in whose image we are made,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we recall all we have endured as community and nation
In the year that has passed.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Living God, who knows us in all our suffering,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we reflect across the nation
And remember those who have suffered the deepest loss.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Living God, whose name is Love,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we reach out our hand to those who suffer still
And stand with them in the face of all that is to come.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Living God, who gives good gifts to all Creation,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we give thanks for those who, in hospital and in care home,
Have cared for the dying and the sick.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Living God, who inspires hope,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we acknowledge and give thanks for all who have created the vaccines
That give hope to the peoples of all nations.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Living God, who gives light to the world, even in the face of darkness,
Hear us we ask, through Your Son who prays for us.
Hear us, as we bow in the presence of the One who,
In the days of His flesh, shed tears for us.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.