central parish – Bellshill Central Church

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 Sunday services continue each week at 11am at 346 Main Street, where we encourage you to #comeasyouare to worship and experience the warmth and love of a Christian family on a journey of faith together.

This coming Sunday, 24th February 2019, our minister Kevin de Beer continues his new sermon series based on his book Fifteen Minutes to Read. This week’s theme is “MOSES AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. Kevin conducts an act of Adult Dedication as part of our worship.

The bible readings are Exodus 20 vs 1-7 and Matthew 19 vs 16-30. Our hymns include two biblical hymns Gods law is perfect and gives life & I have brought you out of Egypt. Other hymns are Be stilland know that I am God and I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. Multimedia duty this week by Hugh Ainsley.

Sunday school children meets each Sunday morning. Children from P1 to S6 are welcome to come along to church, and either gathers in the front pews or in the hall. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome, perhaps some hot chocolate and fun activities.

All welcome. #comeasyouare ** Please do come and take part in our worship our doors are always open and a warm welcome awaits you. The service is live streamed as usual via our YouTube channel just visit our website to take part.

ORGANISATIONS MEET AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES (beginning week commencing Wednesday 20th February)

Wednesday at 7.00pm the church bowls club meets. Experienced player or not, you would be welcome to come along.
Wednesday mornings the Music Makers and Shakers Classes continue at 10.00am and 11.00am. Please check out their own website for more details. They meet each week in our Church Hall. https://musicmakersandshakers.class4kids.co.uk/info/659
Thursdays – the Brownies and Guides meet. The Brownies meet at 6.15pm an the Guides meet at 7.45pm. All existing girls are welcomed back. Any new girls need to register via the website.
The Church Choir meets for weekly practise on Friday (22nd) at 7.15pm in the Church. We have Easter and Holy week to prepare for, so are starting early! New members welcome. Love of Music and Singing – we’ll supply the rest! **PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING WEEKS PRACTISE IS ON WEDNESDAY 27Th FEBRUARY. **
The Friday night club meets at 7.30pm (22nd February). They meet fortnightly in the church hall, and have activities for ALL AGES and interests. Crafting, table games, table tennis, toys for the youngsters, Wi-Fi enabled hall. Copious amounts of tea/coffee and goodies! A warm welcome to all.
Monday afternoon (Monday 25th February) The Church Guild meets — Open to both ladies and gents — at 1.30pm. This week is a speaker from the sailors society, the Rev Becky Haldane ring. Devotions by Helen Clark. Vote of thanks by Peggy Walker.
Rainbows continue on Tuesdays at 6.00pm in the church hall. All existing girls are welcomed back. Any new girls need to register via the website.

ADVANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 1st March is World Day of Prayer. Services at 3pm at the Salvation army and 7.30pm in Burnhead Church, Uddingston.
Sunday 3rd March – Baptism service and tea after church.
Sunday 10th March – at 11.00am is our next Communion service. All who love the Lord are invited to share in this simple meal. Retiring offering for Scottish Autism.

Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm, the Kirk session and Church board meet for their monthly meetings. Remember these meetings are open to all church members.
Saturday 30th March – DAFFODIL TEA – more details to follow!
Sunday 14th April straight after church, Palm Sunday with Hot Cross Bun Lunch after the Service. No Charge. A special thank you to all our loyal and generous church members
Monday 15th April – 7.00pm Special service at Bellshill Central to start Holy Week, with a combined choir presenting portions of STAINER’S CRUCIFIXION with readers telling the Holy week story. ALL WELCOME.
Sunday 21st April – Easter Sunday. 9.00am Early Morning Service outdoors in the Church Garden followed by Breakfast in the Church Hall. 11.00am All Age Family Service with Communion.
Sunday 12th May at 3pm – Start of Christian Aid week with a BIG SING for all – held at Bellshill Central Parish Church – raising funds for CHRISTIAN AID

CHURCH WEBSITE

Our church website has a new address – http://www.bellshillcentral.church – Please update your bookmarks and browsers – and have a look at all the activities that take place. Please visit the updates which happen regularly, including News Items, details of our worship services, and the Church tour. There are links to our #YouTube channel, #Facebook and #Twitter pages where even more information and insights can be found. Nip online to look at what’s happening.

PRAYER & COMMUNITY

Please visit our Prayer page on our website (look for the prayer button at the top) – there is an online prayer request form which will send your prayer direct to our minister, Rev Kevin. Prayer Requests – Our church has provided a Prayer Book which is situated in the main vestibule for anyone to pop in a note of concern or anxiety they would like prayer for. We are a Parish Church and are here for you in times of joy and sadness. Kevin is available to the local community to offer spiritual support or to simply offer prayer. If there is something that you think your local church could be doing to offer services and/or support to our local community please get in touch via the Minister, Session Clerk, Facebook or website – Our church email address is bellshillcentral@gmail.com

ONLINE MINISTRY

Check out Kevin’s very own YouTube Channel where he reaches out to our local community sharing insight, thought and reflection, with his current journey called #21words. A link to his channel is available from our website, or simply look up Kevin de Beer. Subscribe and continue to follow his inspirational messages. Kevin’s latest video blogs include themes of Now, Nowhere or is it Now Here, Named, and Affirmed. Some videos have had nearly 300 views – help spread the news of Kevin’s online ministry far and wide.

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS AVAILABLE FOR USE

LOOKING TO HIRE A HALL OR ROOM? We have spaces on most Monday & Tuesday evening’s, Friday mornings and afternoons, most Saturday’s all day, and Sunday afternoon and evening. Competitive hourly rates for this central location with parking directly opposite.

We have installed Wi-Fi which means we can offer facilities for online events taking place in the church and halls. Visual display screens are fitted in our sanctuary and are ideal for conferences and presentations. Portable visual equipment can be made available for use in the Halls and Vestry. Please ask.

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES

Should you be unable to attend worship but would like to share in the recorded services, you can do so LIVE each Sunday from 11:00am via the Church’s website and also our Facebook and our YouTube channel are updated regularly. You can find out more information on Sunday Services, Weekly activities and catch up with our services from our uploaded videos. We are LIVE on the Internet most Sunday mornings, and occasionally with other events we hold.

Bellshill Central Church is fortunate to have many beautiful stained glass windows.

The four corner windows were gifted in memory of the Blackie Family, benefactors of the Church for many years and were dedicated on 14 October 1973. These were designed by the renowned Gordon Webster with the leadwork being undertaken by Neil Hutchison.

The pictures displayed in the windows help you focus on the stories which lie behind and which, in fact, tell the whole story of the Bible. You are welcome to visit the Church, look at the windows and then read in one of the Pew Bibles the whole story depicted in each window.

The New Jerusalem

Fourth window on the east or left side as you enter from the main door

This window is quite complex and takes its theme from the Book of Revelations (page 313 onward in the New Testament section of the Pew Bible). The themes depicted are repeated in various forms throughout Revelations and it is worth spending some time reading the book for yourself.

The window is split into six panes and here are some suggestions for the verses which relate to each pane:

Top two panes
The new Jerusalem which will come down out of heaven from my God; or I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God – Chapter 3 v 12, Chapter 21 v 1

Right side top and centre
There in heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it. The Greek letters alpha and omega are represented. Alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω) are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and a title of Christ and God in the Book of Revelation – Chapter 4 v 2

Bottom two panes
All around the throne there was a rainbow – Chapter 4 v 3

Top right side
He had 7 stars in his right hand – Chapter 1 v 16

Top right side
Don’t be afraid, I am the first and the last. I am the living one! I was dead but now I am alive for ever and ever. Chapter 1 v 17

Two Centre Panes
From the throne came flashes of lightning. In front of the throne seven lighted torches were burning – Chapter 4 v 5

Bottom two panes
Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal Chapter 4 v 6

Bottom right side
Surrounding the throne on each of its sides were four living creatures. The first one looked like a lion – Chapter 4 v 7

Bottom Left side
The second looked like a bull – Chapter 4 v 7

Bottom Left side
The third had a face like a human face – Chapter 4 v 7

Bottom right side
The fourth looked like an eagle in flight – Chapter 4 v 7

Top Left and Centre
I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth – Chapter 7 v 1

What Is New Jerusalem?

The Bible’s answer

“New Jerusalem,” an expression that appears twice in the Bible, is a symbolic city that represents the group of Jesus’ followers who go to heaven to rule with him in God’s Kingdom. (Revelation 3:12; 21:2) The Bible shows that this group can also be called the bride of Christ.

Keys to identifying New Jerusalem

New Jerusalem is in heaven. Each time the Bible mentions New Jerusalem, it is said to come down from heaven, where angels guard the city’s gates. (Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 10, 12) Also, the city’s great size proves that it could not be on earth. It is a cube measuring “12,000 stadia,” or “furlongs,” around. * (Revelation 21:16; King James Version) Its sides would thus be almost 560 kilometres (350 mi) high, extending into space.

New Jerusalem is made up of a group of Jesus’ followers, the bride of Christ. New Jerusalem is called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:9, 10) In this symbolic description, the Lamb refers to Jesus Christ. (John 1:29; Revelation 5:12) “The Lamb’s wife,” Christ’s bride, represents Christians who will be united with Jesus in heaven. The Bible likens the relationship between Jesus and these Christians to that of a husband and wife. (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-25) In addition, the foundation stones of New Jerusalem are inscribed with “the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14) This detail helps to confirm the identity of New Jerusalem, since Christians who are called to life in heaven are “built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.”—Ephesians 2:20.

New Jerusalem is part of a government. Ancient Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, the place where King David, his son Solomon, and their descendants ruled “on Jehovah’s throne.” (1 Chronicles 29:23) Jerusalem, called “the holy city,” thus represented God’s rulership in the family line of David. (Nehemiah 11:1) New Jerusalem, also called “the holy city,” is made up of those who join Jesus in heaven “to rule as kings over the earth.”—Revelation 5:9, 10; 21:2.

New Jerusalem brings blessings to people on earth. New Jerusalem is depicted as “coming down out of heaven from God,” showing that God uses it to affect matters outside of heaven. (Revelation 21:2) This expression links New Jerusalem with God’s Kingdom, which God uses to accomplish his will “as in heaven, also on earth.” (Matthew 6:10) God’s purpose for people on earth includes these blessings:

Removal of sin. “A river of water of life” flows from New Jerusalem and supports “trees of life” that are “for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1, 2) This physical and spiritual healing will remove sin and enable people to gain perfect life, as God originally intended.—Romans 8:21.

Good relations between God and humankind. Sin has alienated humans from God. (Isaiah 59:2) The removal of sin will allow for the complete fulfillment of this prophecy: “The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.”—Revelation 21:3.

The end of suffering and death. By means of his Kingdom, God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:4.

Tag: central parish

Weekly news and announcements – week commencing 20th February