22nd September 2023, Weekly Update

1. Sunday 24 Sep

Services are at 9.30 am and 10.30 am (also livestreamed). The passage is Mark 14:1-11 and the theme Do What You Can. Chapter 6 of Sleeping Giant looks at this same passage.

I am delighted with the way this book is striking a chord with lots of people and is prompting many conversations.  A number of people in the last month have said to me, ‘Wouldn’t it be good if we could do X, or Y or Z?’

The Holy Spirit is stirring people’s imaginations and helping them identify possibilities. That thrills me. It also ties in with this week’s sermon, Do What You Can.

If God is prompting you, if you have an idea don’t ignore it. Maybe, though, you aren’t sure. Maybe it’s more you can do on your own. Don’t let that put you off. Talk to me or one of the elders about it. Chat to your friends. Maybe there are other people who’d be keen to talk more about it. Together, maybe there’s something you could do.

2)    Prayer Discussion: Prayer Room, 11.45 Sunday 24.

One of the things some people have said to me is, ‘I sense that God is wanting St Andrew Blackadder to pray more.’  That led to a few people deciding to invite the congregation to talk about it this Sunday after the 10.30 service. Is this something God has been speaking to you about? Do you have some ideas, or are you able to offer some time to widen and deepen the prayer life of the congregation? If so, please come to this meeting.

3)    Hebridean Revival Video

In Sleeping Giant Tommy MacNeil often refers to the Hebridean Revival that took place in his community in 1949. Curiosity prompted a couple of people to find videos on YouTube that tell what happened – and they suggested I share the link with you.  This one is 12 minutes long, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLgDijZNiTU.  You’ll discover there are other longer ones that offer more detail if you want to know more.

4)    Harvest Sunday 1 Oct

Harvest is next Sunday. As part of this service you are encouraged to share. Two particular ways are by 1) bringing non-perishable for East Lothian Foodbank – this week Lucy messaged me to say they are particularly low on long-life fruit juice and jam – and 2) making a financial contribution to Tearfund’s Church Community Transformation Fund.

5)     Coffee Morning, Saturday 23 Sep, Church Hall, 10 am – 12 Noon.

A few months ago Inna, who lives in North Berwick, returned to Kharkiv in Ukraine to see her mother who was very ill there. While at hospital in Dnipro with her mother, she was very impressed by the amazing work being done by the medical staff there despite big problems due to the hospital building having suffered the effects of a bomb exploding across the road. Windows of the hospital had been blown out and boarded up, walls were cracked, equipment was damaged but still the medics are working tirelessly to treat both injured soldiers and the public. Inna has arranged this Coffee Morning to raise funds to buy equipment for the hospital, and especially to buy hospital beds as many are damaged or broken.

6)     Probus 27 September, 10 am

The Winter programme begins this Wednesday, with coffee at 9.45 am and the meeting beginning at 10.30 am. The talk by Aileen Orr will be about Wojtek the Polish/Scottish bear. The meeting will be in Church Hall. Further details are available from Rex Homer (see Church Directory).

7)    Presbytery Conference

The Presbytery wants to energise and inspire congregations. To this end it has arranged a conference on Worship in Longniddry church on Saturday 30 Sept.  More details below.

8)    Prayer Gatherings

Every Monday in Room 1 between 10 and 11 am.

Every Wednesday on Zoom between for 30 minutes starting at 7 pm.

Please contact the office for log in details.

 

Neil

Rev Dr Neil Dougall