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.
This week’s E-NEWS is now available to download for this Sunday’s service (Palm Sunday). It’s full of useful information, such as the call to worship, words to our hymns, prayer pointers and looking ahead to the following week (Easter Sunday)
Remember to make your Palm Branches at home and wave during the service. Take a picture and let us see too!
The our live stream will commence at 10.45am this Sunday, including some sing along songs to join in with, and the service itself will show at 11am. The words of the hymns appear on the screen as well, hopefully making things easier.
If there are any birthdays coming up please let us know, it is our custom to celebrate birthdays in church, so it would be good to see this continue via our online services.
Beginning on 1st April, the start of a new month, we begin a new bible reading series. Each day we will post one of the great Psalms of the Old Testament.
During this current time, there’s never been a better activity to do each day. Reading your bible as the old Sunday School song goes should be done every day. How many of us have let this practice slip? So, from 1st April a Psalm will be posted every day. Sometimes from the Good News bible, some from the King James, and some in more modern language. We’ll try and have a picture as a focus on the meaning of the psalm too. Keep an eye out on your inboxes, look at our Website for “A Psalm a Day”, our Facebook page and Twitter account to keep up with the daily series.
The book of Psalms (also known as the Psalter) is a collection of 150 poems, prayers, hymns and meditations. It consists of five collections of Psalms (1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150) which have evidently been gathered together at different times because there are a few duplicates. All the psalms are addressed to God, whether they are giving thanks for what he has done or begging for help in a time of crisis. The psalms give us an insight into the life and spirituality of God’s people and have been used continually in both Jewish and Christian worship. Because the psalms are so personal and portray such genuine human emotion, they remain as powerful today as they always were.
Sunday 5th April from 10.45am and online worship from 11am for Palm Sunday (Feedback is that folks are finding our online services remarkably comforting) To take part visit out Watch Live page from around 10.45am. The accompanying ENEWS will be available from that page too.
Task for the week ahead
Make some Palm Branches from items around the house and wave as we shout “Hosanna” Next week’s Eduring our online worship!
Some ideas for Palm Branches could be…
Take pictures and send via our WhatsApp group, to the Facebook page or by email to bellshillcentral@gmail.com
Right folks, we had planned on some real palm leaves for Sunday comings real service so we have a task ahead of us – oldies and youngies!!! Make some palm branches at home – any colour, any size, from what have lying around – here is a video which looks easy to follow.
Last Sunday, thousands of Christians across Scotland answered the call to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following positive feedback from last week’s prayer initiative, a further letter has been signed by 14 Christian organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland.
The letter states: “We pray in solidarity with those across Britain and Ireland and in solidarity with those across the world who face the challenge that the Covid-19 pandemic brings.”
Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “When so much is not normal how lovely it can be to come together at 7pm each Sunday and have a few moments in which we can pray together. Let me encourage you to keep hope alive and join with us in prayer.”
Joint prayer from Christians in Scotland:
We turn to you, our Father, for we need your help. Lord Jesus, as you have promised, be with us, whatever lies ahead, Strengthen us, Holy Spirit, as we face this together.
We pray for our world and our country, as coronavirus threatens our lives and our livelihood, leaving many in lockdown, while key workers continue, despite the risk.
We pray for government leaders at Westminster and Holyrood, responding to medical and scientific advice, making tough decisions for the wellbeing of all.
We pray for all who serve on the frontline in the NHS and in social care; facing increasing numbers, overstretched resources and distressing human need.
Bless those who are ill, those who are alone and afraid, those exhausted looking after their family, those worried for the vulnerable, those fearful for their finances, those shut in to their fears.
Thank you for those who have returned from retirement to help, or joined the volunteer army. Thank you for those working: to manufacture needed resources, to find a vaccine, to keep in contact with the isolated, to encourage others at this time.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Give us faith, hope and love and hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
