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.
Our extremely popular Organist Entertains series continues tonight with EPISODE 21 our milestone video! Once more of your very own requests brought to you from the Church of Scotland in Bellshill – the Central Church. Join us at 8pm here on the website, YouTube or Facebook.
You never need to worry about wondering if your favourite hymn or song has made it into the series. We will always include your song when we can.
Bellshill’s Maestro at the Organ
Alan presents another video from one of the finest organs in Lanarkshire to be found at Bellshill Central Parish Church. There are some lovely hymns introduced then played for you. The hymn words appear on the screen for those wanting to sing along.
If you watch via the YouTube channel you can take part in our live chat.
NB: this week you get your usual videos Sunday 26th and Sunday 2nd August. Alan is taking a break this week. Instead, on Wednesday 29th July we’ll have a songs of praise (a re run of our first Big Sing from 2015).
Christians are encouraged to come together in prayer at 7pm this evening.
“In the midst of the life we share, God creates, through Christ and by the Spirit, a community in which we are affirmed as children of God.”
Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, said he is delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically.https://www.youtube.com/embed/JjWlBGgFzeE
We pray:
We praise you, living God And cry: ‘Abba’, Father! For you are the One who creates life And loves all that your hand has made. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, living Christ And confess that Jesus is Lord! For you are the crucified and risen One Through whom we have peace with God. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Spirit of the living God And thank you that we are adopted as children of God. For you are the One who shares in all our struggles And inspires in us hope. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit And worship and glorify your name. We cry: ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.’ Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Kevin our minister continues his new sermon series on the Letters to the Church in the New Testament in the book of Revelation. If you are watching live then the service begins at 10.45am and is available anytime thereafter to watch at your leisure on catch-up.
If you wish, please follow the order of service below and join in with the prayers and responses. The words for each hymn will appear on the screen.
Choir O Sing a new song to the Lord
Call to worship June
Lord Jesus we come to you this morning not as individuals but as your whole people to worship you. Help us to be aware of each other as an unbroken circle stretching right round this church. May we in spirit join hands, look to you the centre of our circle and feel your love pulsing through us to reach out to our neighbours about us. Help us to worship you today not selfishly and individually, but with a deep awareness of each other.
Opening Hymn Sing to God new songs of worship
Prayer Lynne Swan
Glorious and gracious God, you are with us, and call us into your presence. We lift our hearts in response to your love; we raise our songs in praise of your goodness; we offer our adoration in response to your holiness. Summon us, voice of God with words of challenge and power calling us to courageous discipleship and urgent witness. Speak, Lord your servant is listening. Speak to us, breath of God, with forgiveness for the many occasions we have hidden behind weakness belittling your power and denying your presence. Speak, Lord your servant is listening.
Lords Prayer Betty & Jim
Reading Lyle
Hymn King of Kings Majesty
Kevin’s Message Pergamos
Prayers for Others Hugh and Nicky
Let us pray
When we hear the voices of self-doubt, telling us we are worthless, that we are weak and can do nothing and change is beyond our grasp:
God, who has made us in your image give us the power of your Spirit to learn and grow, and to work with you towards a new creation.
When the vulnerable are exploited, And the trust if the innocent betrayed. When the strong seem invincible And the weak have nowhere to turn:
God, who sides with the poor give us the power of your Spirit to resist evil and to work with you towards a new creation.
In a world crying out for peace, Where conflicts seem hardened into steel Where war and poverty uproot families and homes, And those seeking refuge are treated as criminals:
God, who made the world to be one,give us the power of your Spirit to struggle for justice, and to work with you towards a new creation.
In a church that is afraid of difference, And sets up barriers against the outside, Where people are fearful of change, Clinging to outworn ways:
God, who calls us to be your people, give us the power of your Spirit to witness for you, and to work with you towards a new creation.
AMEN
Choir I want Jesus to walk with me
Poem Jillian
Come Holy Spirit, and show us what is true. in a world of great wealth where many go hungry and fortunes are won and lost by trading in money, come, Holy Spirit, and show us what is true.
In a world of great knowledge where many die in ignorance and every piece of information has a price in the market place, come, Holy Spirit, and show us what is true.
In a world of easy communication, where words leap between continents and we expect to see a picture to illustrate each item of the news come, Holy Spirit, and show us what is true.
In a Church which speaks a thousand accents, divided over doctrine, creed and ministry, more anxious for itself than for the Gospel, come, Holy Spirit, and show us what is true.
In a Church touched by the flame of Pentecost, moved to generous sacrifice and costly love, interpreting the will of God with new insight come, Holy Spirit, and show us what is true.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 