No.42 18th April 2025
Hi,
Happy Easter!
I really enjoyed the Passion Play on Monday. I was struck again about who the key players are in the Gospel account.
In some ways I often think, Yes, Jesus conquers death! Jesus is King. In fact, this is what God does, clearly showing His sovereign power.
We see this omnipotence displayed throughout the Bible...most celebrated is the crossing of the Red Sea...the sea parts, a wall of water on the right and left as Israel walk through on dry land into freedom . But the remarkable thing is not just the power on show.
..it is the grace and kindness being displayed - those being rescued are not the best of the best, the influencers, the 'in crowd'.
"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples..." Deut 7:7
In fact, they were fickle in their relationship with God and even rebellious at times. And again in God's grace, it wasn't that they had been like that but were about to get their act in gear once they were out of Egypt..
.He saves them despite knowing what sort of people they would be.
Fast forward to the disciples...doubters, deniers, fearful, not listening to Jesus' teaching... these are the ones Jesus appears to at the resurrection - the ones God will use as the church to announce to the world that Jesus is King, that He is alive and that we can be forgiven and made acceptable to God..
even though he knows they (and we) will still be very much a work in progress...
This is what we can celebrate this Easter.
"Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,
who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people."
Psalm 113:5–8
Enjoy the mag.
MB
EASTER SUNDAY ACTIVITIES...
Sunday 6:30am,
Start your Easter celebrations with the
Easter Walk and Breakfast....(eggs of various varieties!)
Please wear sturdy shoes as our route is a muddy track that a has a slight incline. We will walk together for about 15 to 20minutes ( 1 km) until we reach a clearing in the woods where we will have a short act of worship celebrating the resurrection and Jesus victory over death. After returning by the same route to the carpark everyone is welcome back to Sandra and John's house for a tasty Easter breakfast 🐣 ( address given at event). Hope to see everyone bright and early ☀️ If you wish to attend the sunrise service but not able to take part in the walk please speak to Margo.
Morning service - 10.30am
Rev Scott Kirkland
(nb. Services are not being live streamed but will be recorded and on YouTube shortly after the service.)
Sunday Evening - 7.00pm
Wednesday - 7.15pm
@M&M McNicol's
Letter from the Manse
Dear Congregation,
You may be reading this letter as we are preparing to gather for worship with our Baptist friends at NMBC premises on Good Friday (Friday 18th April, 7pm).
We shall share in leading the Communion element of the service.
Our additional worship services and gatherings over Easter Sunday are noted above.
If you were able to be with us for the drama at Belmont last Monday night, I trust that like me, you found yourselves refocussing on Jesus, his death and resurrection. It was not just thought provoking but "soul-provoking" to hear the events of that first Easter told through the experience of Mary Magdalene, the Centurion and Peter.
The message of the cross and resurrection of Jesus holds out the constant offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all who trust in Jesus. But I found the retelling of the cross and resurrection of Jesus provokes renewed faith and recommitment.
As I heard again the denials of Peter, I found myself wanting to recommit my own life to God, asking for His help to take away any wavering in my mind or wandering in my walk before Him. In hearing the Easter story again, I found myself being moved once more by the God who has been so “merciful and gracious”, “slow to anger and abounding in love” to me (Psalm 103.8).
The cross and resurrection of Jesus accomplishes reconciliation and renewal for all brought to believe in Him. We shall hear more of this over the weekend.
It is this good news which prompts believers all over the world to confess afresh…
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
Under Pontius Pilate, He was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
We may have visitors in church with us this weekend. Please make sure no-one leaves our premises without being greeted warmly in the name of our Risen Saviour.
May I ask that you look out for Jim and Natalie Pierson visiting us from my former congregation on the island of Grand Bahama, Lucaya Presbyterian Church. Both Natalie and Jim have been hugely significant to the life of that congregation for something like twenty five years. During my own ministry there, Jim and Natalie were involved in most aspects of church life. Natalie was especially responsible for the young people’s work and Jim continues as one of the elders.
Jim and Natalie have been significant in the life of the Kirkland family. However, they have actually impacted our Mearns church family also!
Several years ago when our daughter Priscilla visited Grand Bahama with one of the young ladies from our Mearns congregation, that young woman took unwell and needed hospital treatment on Grand Bahama. When I heard that Jim and Natalie were taking charge of the situation I was immediately put at ease. I knew God had given our girls two caring, diligent and very able believers to look after them in their moment of crisis! I thank God for putting Jim and Natalie into our lives. Please look out for them and give them a warm welcome.
From Monday 21st April - I will be on holiday for a week. If we have any pastoral emergencies, please do contact our Session Clerk, Alastair McLellan in the first instance.
Next Sunday on 27th April, we really do look forward to having the Rev Kenny McLeod leading in worship. Kenny is minister at Dowanvale Free Church in Partick. Please encourage Kenny in his ministry.
May you be encouraged this Easter by the love of God in Christ our Saviour.
He is Risen!
With Warmest Regards
Scott
PASSION PLAY
Thanks to all those who came along to watch the Passion Play on Monday.
There is still an opportunity to contribute to the costs of bringing
The Lamps team to Glasgow. You can use the QR codes on the posters still up on the Belmont Gymn wall.
Or, CLICK
HERE TO DONATE
There was a good number at the first monthly prayer meeting on Saturday.
The next 2 meetings are on Saturdays 10th May and 14th June.
and the we plan to continue on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
Speak with to Martin S for more details.
Sunday Evenings - April - June
JOINT SERVICES
and
The joint evening services with Newton Mearns Baptist Church continue through until the summer as do the Home Groups.
EVENING SERVICES (@7.00pm) looking at selected Psalms
HOME GROUPS are studying Daniel
27th April - NMBC 1
4th May - Home Group 1
11th May - NMBC 2
18th May - Home Group 2
25th May - NMBC 3
1st June - Home Group 3
8th June - NMBC 4
15th June - Home Group 4
22nd June - NMBC 5
29th June - Home Group 5
If you would like to be involved in a Home Group speak to Scott.
Can you Help!
Would you like to be on the rota to help at the Creche?
There are a few babies and pre-schoolers each week in the creche on a Sunday.
Christina looks after the creche during the service - but needs an extra pair of hands.
Speak to Christina or Margaret Boyd for more information.
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church
Welcome!
Congratulations to Ian and Val
and Welcome! to Grandson
Jack Dugald Forgie
Born 28th March to Emily and Calum.
Date for Diary!
Mearns Free Church have an Instagram, Facebook and YouTube presence
We would really like people to LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to the church accounts.
Look out for more details in coming weeks about how you can raise the online profile of the church.
WHAT IS THE GROUND OF YOUR ASSURANCE??
This week a great reminder of where our hope lies... we know what we need to have faith in Christ - but there is a danger we turn that into 'how much faith' or the 'quality' or 'intensity' of my faith.
That can only lead to worrying about if we have enough faith - and all of a sudden our eyes are off the amazing work of Jesus on the Cross and how his death is an acceptable atoning sacrifice to God.
Don Carson takes us to the night before Passover in this short clip to make sure we don't make that mistake.
Watch it
here.
someone comments about the video...
'Struggled with security in my salvation since I was 7 years old!!! You have no idea how I’ve hurt. For 50 years I’ve doubted and cried out for him to save me from my sins but always thought he wouldn’t unless I believed enough and never doubted! Thank you Thank you Thank you.'
Some Ministry Opportunities at MFC
We have some opportunities you may want to consider serving in.
i. We
transport sound equipment from a local garage to Belmont (usually pick up on Fridays at 5.15, deliver at 5.30). You may have help to load and unload the car.
We currently transport 11 items which fit in a Octavia estate or a Karoq when both have their back seats down. The idea might be to create a rota. The planning of that we can work out with you.
ii. We have
joint services with Newton Mearns Baptist Church fortnightly. We could do with extra assistance in ministering to one another. On these evenings could you...
a. Assist with the AV? (Simply moving slides forward on the computer or on the sound desk.)
b. Help make and serve teas and coffees?
c. Welcome people at the door and general stewarding (especially if the need of emergency exit arose)?
iii.
Baking Rota
On a Sunday morning alongside a hot beverage, a warm handshake from John McNicol (with the potential of some unregulated financial advice) we also like to have something sweet - can you help by being on the baking rota...we need 4 or 5 others to make sure it's not a burden at all. Speak to Margaret Boyd about this.
DATE FOR DIARY
Being Human taster event with Peter Lynas
– navigating culture through a Christian lens .
Newton Mearns Baptist Church
| Thursday 15 May | 7 p.m.
A recent survey we did with our members showed that Christians in Scotland are seeking guidance on how to engage with today’s major cultural issues.
With that in mind, we invite you to stay for the Being Human taster event, where Peter Lynas, UK Director at the Evangelical Alliance and co-lead of the Being Human project, will introduce a framework to help us understand and respond to these issues from God's perspective. On the night, we’ll explore examples such as assisted dying and gender/sexuality, with space for discussion and a Q&A session.
This event is open to your wider church community – leaders, students, professionals, creatives – everyone is welcome. If you’re unable to attend, we’d really appreciate you sharing this event with your church and other leaders you know. This is open to all churches who are interested.
To help with sharing, I have attached a promotional poster for you to share. The QR code on the poster links to the registration page, but I’ve also included the direct link here for convenience. https://forms.office.com/e/YbhWcLCpMu
We at newgrowth are hosting a conference on 'Mental Health and the Church' with Steve Midgely (BCUK) and Corey Brock (St Columba's) on Saturday 3rd May at St Columba's Free Church in Edinburgh.
Full details here.
LARGE PRINT -
SONG WORDS
If you find viewing the song-words on the screen in Sunday worship a problem, we currently print a limited number of large-print song sheets for specific people.
We don't want to print unnecessary copies so please speak with the door team and we will begin to make these available for you each week.
Mearns Free Church has a What's App Group for Prayer -The "PRAY NOW" Group
Purpose: A platform to share information regarding a sudden and crucial need for prayer.
How to connect: Speak to Margaret Boyd if you would like to be added to this group or email Margaret at: mandmboyd@hotmail.co.uk
What tech do I need?: You need to have a Smart Phone with WhatsApp to get set up.
Emailing The Minister
Please be careful when emailing Scott that you are using the correct current email address minister@mearnsfree.org. A number of emails continue to be sent to accounts no longer in use. Please be doubly careful when sending from a device that is not your normal communication device (like a phone) or if you use “reply to all”.
Email Addresses For Mearns Free Church
Please make sure you change your email address list now we are part of the Free Church.
Tom Brown (Office): office@mearnsfree.org
Scott Kirkland (Minister): minister@mearnsfree.org
Sandy McDougall (Treasurer): finance@mearnsfree.org
Pauline Forster (Children and families worker): children@mearnsfree.org