16th September 2022, Weekly Update

1. Sunday 18 Sept – Gift Day

This had been planned as our Gift Day, a day when we give thanks to God for all he has given us, and we express our thanks in an additional offering that goes to support the projects described in the leaflet that’s been circulated.

During this time of mourning for our late Queen some events have been cancelled and others postponed. Having reflected on this I decided it was appropriate to continue with Gift Day. One of the notes being sounded at the moment is that of thanks. We are grateful for our Queen, for the stability she provided during her long reign, for her faithfulness to her calling, for the servant nature of her leadership and for the example she has been to so many. If anything, her death has made Gift Day even more appropriate. Our giving is one way off expressing thanks for her.  As she devoted herself to serving others, by our gifts we follow her example and do what we can to help others.

We worship at 9.30 am and 10.30 am.  The work installing new cameras and controls in the building is nearing completion. I anticipate that this will be the final Sunday when we are only able to offer an audio recording on the YouTube channel. It will be available sometime on Sunday afternoon.

2.

Monday 19 September – The Queen’s Funeral

The church office will be closed.

The church building will be open between 12 noon and 4 pm, to provide a space for the community. Following the Queen’s funeral, everyone is welcome to use the building for quiet and reflection.

3.

Sunday 25 September – Growing Young Discussion

The discussion planned for last Sunday (11 Sept) will take place next Sunday (25 Sept).

The 9.30 am service will be the usual format.  Neil will preach a sermon, but not deal with the next chapter of A Place for God. This is the service for you if you want to mull a passage of scripture, if discussion groups are not your thing, or if none of the five Growing Young topics that will be explored resonate with you.

At the 10.30 am service, when Junior Church begins, everyone else will choose one of the five topics. These are: Mission Trips, Supporting Parents, Worship Outside the Church, Social Media, and Groups in the High School.  Discussions will run for 15 minutes before everyone gathers again for prayer and a hymn.

Between now and next Sunday, please could you

1. Decide which service is best for you to attend next Sunday?
2. If you are coming to the 10.30 am, look at the details on the attached sheet, and ask God to help you work out which is the group where you could contribute most.

4.

Mrs Gillian Bird

Gillian died peacefully at home on Wednesday 14 September. She was not long out of hospital and her prayer was that she would be able to die at home. We thank God for answering that prayer, we admire the determination evident in it (which characterised her whole life), and we assure Ian of our prayers and sympathy. There were be a service of thanksgiving for her life in St Andrew Blackadder Church on Friday 23 September at 11 am.

5.

Blythswood Shoeboxes: could you pack a box?

Covered shoeboxes are available at both church doors. Each box contains a leaflet which gives you all the information you need about what to put in them and how to pack them. Please could you return your packed box to the church office between Sunday 16 and Sunday 23 October.  There are usually a considerable number of boxes which creates a logistical challenge. This is eased if all the boxes are returned during this one week.

7.

Warhammer Club: could you help?

Andrew is starting a Warhammer club as a way to connect with and develop relationships with young people in the community.  He is looking for volunteers to help run it. Warhammer is a board game with millions of dedicated fans. Warhammer is a game of strategy played with models which are moved around a board. Another part of the hobby is making and painting these models and creating pieces of terrain that the game takes place in.

If you enjoy painting, model making, or strategic board gaming, this club would be the perfect place to explore those interests whilst also getting to know young people and helping with the youth work of St Andrew Blackadder Church.

The club will run every Tuesday from 15.30-18.00 in St Andrew Blackadder Church. No prior knowledge of Warhammer is necessary. If you’re interested in helping out, or just want to some more information, contact Andrew at andrew@standrewblackadder.org.uk

8.

Prayer Gathering

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

Please contact the office for log in details.

 

Neil

Rev Dr Neil Dougall