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.
Welcome to our next online Service of Worship of 2021, from your Church of Scotland presence in Bellshill and Mossend.
Our Minister, Rev Kevin de Beer leads us in Worship, with readings and prayers from members of our Faith community.
Kevin’s theme today focusses on Baptism, and we are so lucky to have Grace share her own journey to Baptism and her Faith journey with God. We are sure that you will be inspired by her story.
The service is available from 10:45am Sunday morning via these links.
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
This Sunday (21 February), as restrictions continue in Scotland, Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again 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.”
This week’s letter accompanying the prayer, which is also available in Gaelic (a copy of which will be available to read here soon), states:
“The beginning of the public ministry of Jesus is recorded in direct and immediate terms in the Gospel of Mark. We begin in Nazareth in Galilee and are then transported to the River Jordan. We see Jesus baptised and then driven out into the wilderness for forty days. The ministry of Jesus then begins as he proclaims: ‘The time has come…The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’ (Mark 1: 9-15) It is as if the account compresses time in order to capture and express the significance of the moment.
“Our experience of the passing of time over recent months is perhaps unlike anything we have ever collectively known. On the one hand, the experience of lockdown and restriction, and the absence of the rhythms of life, has almost dislocated us from the normal experience of the passing of time. On the other hand, the relocation of worship, work and social interaction to digital platforms has rapidly transformed the times in which we live.
“These two things, alongside many others, are happening at one and the same time and we cannot yet tell how they will finally shape future times.
“Although we cannot tell how the future will unfold, what we can do is recognise that the kingdom of God is at hand and, in the light of this, resolve to journey with Jesus towards the place of the Cross. The gift of time, in the light of God’s Kingdom, is an opportunity to live out our response to the Good News of Jesus.”
We pray:
God whose kingdom is near And who knows the times in which we live, May we hear the call of Your Son And turn once more to embrace the Good News He proclaims. In the times in which we live, Grant us grace to do so. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God whose kingdom is near And who knows the times in which we live, Your Son has embraced time And became truly human for us and for our salvation. As we face the hard challenges of these days May we know that we are embraced by Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God whose kingdom is near And who knows the times in which we live, Be with those for whom this day is hard And who long for respite. Be with those who seek to bring healing and comfort And grant them wisdom and compassion to do so. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God whose kingdom is near And who knows the times in which we live, Be with us as we resolve to journey with Your Son In the days that lie before us. Whether in the wilderness, or by the living waters, May we know Your presence ever renewed. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For members of many churches this is the hymn that signals the beginning of Lent, the period of fasting and prayer that leads up to and prepares for Easter. Particularly at the beginning of Lent we remember the example of Jesus who was forty days in the wilderness after his Baptism, working out what his calling was to mean. The hymn, written initially by Smyttan and adapted by Pott (both clergy of the Church of England), follows these thoughts closely.This sombre tune appeared in a Nuremberg publication of 1676 with only the initials MH, which have been variously interpreted as Martin Herbst or the otherwise unknown Martin Heinlein. It is either called ‘Heinlein’ or ‘Aus der Tiefe’ (‘Out of the deep’) from the hymn to which it was originally set.
The organist entertains seeks to help keep you connected with your Church, the building, it’s surroundings and the sounds of the organ. Welcome to another instalment – another one nearer EPISODE 50!
We have more requests and dedication from the Maestro, Alan Mathew, the organist at Bellshill Central Parish Church. With this episode being recorded on Valentine’s Day (14th Feb) there are a few items right at the end on the theme of LOVE.
Tonight’s episode includes the dual cameras this week watching both HANDS & FEET! All your words will appear on the screen.
Here you find the MAESTRO who has presided over some of the most engaging COVID activities in Scotland. Featured in the Motherwell Times, Life and Work and the Church of Scotland Advent Calendar we are proud and humbled by everyone’s support and participation.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 