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.

Today’s Lent Prayer- Prayer for friends

by Bellshill Central, posted in Lent 2024

Prayer for Friends
“God, please be especially close to (specific friend or friends) today. Help them to know You, love You and serve You. Help them resist any temptations they may face today, and bring them through any struggles they may currently be dealing with, including any hidden struggles I know nothing about. Please help me to be a positive influence and encouragement in their life as I draw near to You and inspire and encourage them to do the same.”

What’s on at BCPC – all welcome

by Bellshill Central, posted in Weekly Church News

Sunday worship on Sunday 17th March will be held at Bellshill Central Parish Church, 346 Main Street, Bellshill,  ML4 1BA

We meet at 11am for our morning service led by Mr Ian Douglas, with activities for young folks available via our Creche and Young Church. 

Frazer from Potts Funeral Directors will pop by to say thank you for the Easter Egg donations, so far collected. He will come back on 24th March to collect everything that has been donated. 

The service will be lived streamed via http://www.facebook.com/bellshillchurch  then edited and uploaded to our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/bellshillchurch 

POTTS EASTER EGG APPEAL

We are once again one of the donation/collection points for the appeal and so far have over 100 eggs from our own congregation. Anyone in the local community can drop off eggs anytime we are open. They will be very gratefully received and passed on to Frazer at Potts on Palm Sunday. 

The Spring edition of the Church magazine is available to download online https://bellshillcentral.church/2024/02/25/bcpc-spring-chronicle-2024/  

During February and March we’re hosting Hope for Autism, with their interactive Dungeons and Dragons sessions. Each Wednesday in the hall from 10.45am to 12noon. Primarily for young adults aged 18+. Please share the details to all who might be interested. 

The Guild meet on 11th March at 1.30pm when Colin Toal is the speaker, thinking about Lanarkshire Carers.

KIRK SESSION AND BOARD are called to meet on Tuesday 19th March at 7:30pm with our new interim moderator.

HOLY WEEK –
Wednesday at 7.30pm Film Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), 
Thursday at 7.30pm Service of Communion with Rev Margaret.
Good Friday – the Church is open for Prayer and Reflection from 11am – 1pm, in the evening we are invited to attend either St Andrews Church (7pm) or the Salvation Army with the Amsterdam Staff Band  (7pm).

Easter Sunday – 9am Garden service led by the Church Prayer group, followed by a shared breakfast in the Hall.  11am All Age Service with communion led by the Revd Jim Zambonini.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND AN INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO ALL

  • Saturday 23rd March. DAFFODIL TEA will take place in the Church Halls between 1ppm-3pm, and will include delicious cakes and treats, and a Yellow Themed tombola.  June’s world famous Lemon Curd will be making a re-appearance.  If you have any empty curd/chutney jars left over from Christmas, or any jars, that can repurposes/recycled please pass to June Cook. Donations of any Yellow items for our Tombola are required. Items can be anything, as long as they are yellow! For example, yellow washing gloves (!), Yellow wrapped biscuits (Custard Creams perhaps), yellow candles, yellow spring treats etc. The list is endless.  If you can help with donations of home baking please see Jane Aitken to see where you can help. 
  • Sunday 24th March we will have Hot Cross buns served along with tea and coffee, and the opportunity to purchase leftovers from the Daffodil tea. 

150TH ANNIVERSARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

  • We continue our celebrations on Friday 17th May when we are hosting a concert for the Church Family, Wider Church family and our local community – with the wonderful ladies choir Arietta conducted by Janet Young. The programme will include popular music and songs from stage, show and films. More details to follow but please save the date so you can come along. 
  • We have been very lucky to book the incoming Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the soon to be “Right” Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson. He will take part in worship on Sunday 20th October 2024. Shaw is known to many here at Bellshill Central Parish Church, and is a “local” lad from Holytown. Please mark that special date in your diaries. 

Please direct any Pastoral or other enquiries to our Session Clerk, Mr Stanley Cook via 01698 747144 or by emailing hello@bellshillcentral.church or you can also send a message to the church Facebook page, and it will be forwarded on.  Our part time locum minister, Rev Margaret ES Rose, can be contacted on minister@bellshillcentral.church

We collect for Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre each time we meet, for non-perishable items to be used in their community fridge project. Please drop items off in the main vestibule.

Regular Activities are:

Mondays

1.30pm The Guild. 

7.30pm via Zoom Church prayer group

Tuesdays

9.30am Baby Sensory 

6pm Rainbows 

Wednesday

2pm Carpet Bowls 

7pm Church Choir

Thursday

6pm Brownies

7.45pm Guides resumes

Saturdays

9.30am Yoga By Gillian (look up the page on Facebook)

If you would like to join our Rainbows, Brownies or Guides please register online viahttps://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-a-child/   

Bellshill Central Parish Church is here for you. We are your church of Scotland presence in the town centre, Orbiston and Mossend and surrounding area. 

Today’s Lent Prayers – International Womans Day

by Bellshill Central, posted in Lent 2024, Prayer items

1. Thanking the Almighty for Women’s Development

Dear God,
We thank you for the unprecedented development in the field of education for girls and women all over the world. We would also like to give you thanks as very few women today face death or complications in childbirth.

It is indeed your blessings that we can find women of such great courage and initiative around us. Thanks to you and women’s efforts that they are not only emerging as entrepreneurs but also having a greater say over the way money are being utilized within their houses.

Lord of love and hope, we also know how many girls and women still have to face challenges in society today so that they get an equal say in their household decision-making or community.

We pray to you that life changes for all these women and they live with men, girls, and boys together as equals. Amen.

2. Prayer for Love and Faithfulness

Heavenly Father,
We celebrate your love and faithfulness. We thank you for the revolutionary transformation in the lives of millions of women, girls, and their families living in different parts of the planet. We pray on this special day that you shower your blessings on all the women on the earth. Please bring wisdom into every woman’s life through your words. Amen.

3. Prayer for Praise and Honour

Dear Lord.
Let us come together on this auspicious day to pray for all the women on this beautiful planet! Let each man understand the worth and value of the woman in their lives. May each woman realize how precious they are and how much joy they bring in the lives of their families. Bless them, dear God, so that they are always hale and hearty. Amen.

4. Prayer to Give Greater Strength to Oppressed Women

Heavenly Father,
We would like to pray for all those women who are constantly living in fear of their fathers, spouses, and all such forces, which control their lives. Please help them to be powered by self-realization through your faith and everlasting love. Amen.

5. Prayer for Positivity and Joy

O God,
We pray that you lighten the life of all women on the earth with freedom of expression, good health, independence, joy, and self-actualization. May you bring new hope to the lives of all oppressed women and give them a better life! Amen.