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.

Christmas Reflection – No Gift so Wonderful

by Bellshill Central, posted in Christmas

This mid-day reflection is from Fiona and Marjory Macdonald. It is the Susie Hare worship song No Gift So Wonderful. It’s delightful melody and thought provoking words need little or no introduction. Just sit and listen. Let the words flow and music float. A wonderfully inspiring Christmas Song, brought to life and presented so meaningfully by Fiona and Marjory.

Susie Hare was born in 1947 in Basingstoke, Hampshire. She was awarded the Hampshire Music Scholarship in 1957 and studied composition at Weymouth Teacher Training College (1965 – 68). As well as working as a music teacher in various Hampshire schools, Susie served as Music Director at St. Mary’s Church, Basingstoke between 1965 and 2005.

Recorded at Bellshill Central Parish Church
Solo – Fiona Macdonald
Piano – Marjory Macdonald
Editing – Alan Mathew

Verse 1

No gift so wonderful
No love so beautiful
In just a humble birth
Heaven came down to earth
And in the still of night
The world was given light
As into sin and shame
The love of heaven came

Chorus

Have we any room for Jesus
Have we any time to spare
If we turned our eyes
Maybe we’d recognise that he is there
Have we any room for Jesus
Have we any time for him
Are we on our own or could we give
A home to Christ the King

Verse 2

No gift so wonderful
No love so beautiful
What are we meant to see
Is it just history
And is he still we find
A baby in our mind
And is the stable scene
All it will ever mean

Advent Journey with Luke – Chapter 24

by Bellshill Central, posted in Advent with Luke

Luke 24 is the twenty-fourth and final chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

This video concludes Luke’s epic portrait of Jesus of Nazareth. The disciples discover the empty tomb and eventually have their entire view of the world turned upside-down as they meet the risen Jesus. Luke shows how Jesus’ kingdom of God mission comes to its climactic moment, and he sets the stage for its continuation in Luke’s second volume, Acts.

Today’s reader is Alan Mathew

CHRISTMAS with the Maestro!

by Bellshill Central, posted in Organist Entertains

Tis the season to be jolly! We are on the cusp of Christmas and here is the final instalment from our very own Maestro in Bellshill. is it really that time of the year? IT IS SOON TO BE CHRISTMAS!

Tonight we have even more of your Christmas Favourites with requests and dedications. Along with other carols not yet featured. All played by Alan Mathew from the Church for Bellshill Town Centre and on one of the BEST organs in Lanarkshire!

Tune in via the player option above from 8pm tonight or directly on YouTube. Or you can “Catch up” anytime that suits afterwards.

Included tonight we have

  • While humble Shepherds
  • It came upon the midnight clear
  • Away in a manger
  • Silver bells
  • Hoy to the world
  • and……. even more…… so tune in to find out!

As always, we thank you for your support. If you’d like to make a donation you can do so online via the donation link via the YouTube info box. Please send your requests to bellshillcentral@gmail.com to have your favourites included in the new year.

Christmas Reflection – In the bleak mid-winter

by Bellshill Central, posted in What we're singing

Fiona Macdonald and her mum Marjory perform this beautiful arrangement of Rossetti’s words and Gustaf Holst’s melody, and we trust that this mid-day reflection meets with your approval and allows the words of this well loved carol to flow.

“In the Bleak Midwinter” is a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, commonly performed as a Christmas carol. The poem was published, under the title “A Christmas Carol“, in the January 1872 issue of Scribner’s Monthly, and was first collected in book form in Goblin Market, The Prince’s Progress and Other Poems (Macmillan, 1875).

In 1906, the composer Gustav Holst composed a setting of Rossetti’s words (titled “Cranham”) in The English Hymnal which is sung throughout the world. An anthem setting by Harold Darke composed in 1909 is also widely performed by choirs, and was named the best Christmas carol in a poll of some of the world’s leading choirmasters and choral experts in 2008.

In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, Rossetti contrasts Christ‘s first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ’s birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watched by beasts of burden. Rossetti achieves another contrast in the fourth verse, this time between the incorporeal angels attendant at Christ’s birth with Mary‘s ability to render Jesus physical affection. The final verse shifts the description to a more introspective thought process.