No.59 26th September 2025
Hi, hope this finds you well.
As usual at this time of year there is a growing number of services and events for you to consider attending, supporting and enjoying.
Some of these are actually MFC events and we want to use these as a means of having more fellowship with one another, as well as welcoming and introducing friends and neighbours to our church - you can see that October, November and December has such events...in fact, one even mentions the word 'Christmas' - sorry that I had to resort to language like that. What I won't apologise for is putting two photos of Scott H in the magazine this week - simply put, it's what the public want and it increases readership.
I've been enjoying Collin Hansen's bio of Tim Keller - last week we thought about key Bible verses which have shaped you - but Hansen highlights
key people - who has shaped you and helped you in your Christian life? There is a short clip about one such person in Keller's life I wanted to share from the book below.
The
Coffee Break suggestion is an interesting video from Glen Scrivener which is worth giving time to - not a political comment as such, but certainly touching on the area of politics and how and why each of us may view those in power in certain ways...a timely reminder to be
"quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19)
Enjoy the Mag.
MB
Sunday 28th September
Morning service - 10.30am
Martin Smith
Early Church at Prayer
Bible Reading - Acts 4:23-31
with Newton Mearns Baptist Church
6.30pm (refreshments) for 7pm.
Scott Hamilton
"Letters to the Churches in Revelation"
Bible Reading: Revelation ch2 - the Church in Pergamum
WEDNESDAY Ist OCTOBER
We meet on Wednesdays at 7.15pm for one hour.
For all Wednesdays in October, we meet at the Merriman's
Speak to Scott about being added to the 'Signal' app for getting PULSE messages.
From The Other Manse
Dear Church,
We’re not worthy of knowing our God.
That’s one of the core tenets of the gospel. We were made to be the pinnacle of creation, but in our rebellion against our Maker, we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory.
None of us have any right to approach God and ask Him for anything, nor expect anything from Him.
Another core tenet of the gospel is that God is worthy of our praise. He is good. He has powerfully spoken all things into creation. He has then turned us back to Him, sent His Son to die in our place, and offered us reconciliation and regeneration. He promises us forgiveness and everlasting life.
He truly is worthy of our worship.
Another core tenant of the gospel is that we are now united to Jesus. It has pleased the Father to united us with the Son, meaning that we are now as loved and as accepted as Jesus is. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. We are able to draw near to the throne of grace, where God the Father sits, to ask Him for all we need to live a life that pleases Him, one that reflects the reality of our new life, one that will endure forever.
Christians agree that God and the gospel are worthy of our lives. The question is, are our lives worthy of the gospel?
We looked at the opening chapter of Philippians this past Wednesday evening at our prayer meeting, and heard Paul commanding the church in Philippi to “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). This means that our hearts, heads, and hands are all being shaped and operated by the gospel of Jesus. This means that the gospel is pulling all the strings of our day to day lives.
We might think that means that we become natural evangelists, natural disciples, and the battle against sin becomes easier and easier. However, Paul’s onus lies elsewhere.
In the following verses (1:27 – 30), his encouragement is unity in the face of persecution. His encouragement is that the church would stand firm and strive side-by-side for the faith of the gospel. A manner of life worthy of the gospel means that we labour alongside other believers for what we believe, being spurred on by one another and spurring one another on.
A life worthy of the gospel means that, when difficulties and opposition come our way for what we believe, we don’t drift away from other Christians, but link our spiritual arms together, and press on.
I’m really grateful for what God is doing in the life of the church. He is shaping us to live this way. There is clear evidence that this is already happening across our church family. My prayer is that we keep going. There will be days ahead when standing up for the gospel is difficult, and we will feel spiritually drained and discouraged.
Let’s do all we can to ensure that church, small groups, and meet ups are all to encourage one another to live a manner of life worthy of the gospel, united to one another, and drawing near to one another in times of pressure.
See you Sunday!,
Scott H
💓Congratulations!💓
Engaged!
Many congratulations to Daniel and Cara on the news of their engagement this week.
Jesus - is this the kind of person you ask into your life to be your personal assistant?”
In Tim Keller's biography a bible teacher Barbara Boyd is mentioned as being a huge influence in his life as he learned how to engage with people in sharing the Gospel and what it was to follow Jesus as your Lord. Keller explained:
I remember her second illustration: “If the distance between the Earth and the sun, which is 92 million miles, was the thickness of a piece of paper, the diameter of our galaxy would be a stack of papers 310 miles high. And our galaxy is less than a speck of dust in the part of the universe that we can see. And that part of the universe might just be a speck of dust compared to all the universe. And if Jesus is the Son of God who holds all this together with the word of his power, is this the kind of person you ask into your life to be your personal assistant?”
Then she asked us all to go outside and for one hour say nothing. “Just think about what this means to you.”
She was expanding on Jesus’ message: If you intellectually assent, “Yes, I think Jesus is probably the Son of God; I think he probably died for our sins,” but he is not the center of your life, then you may think you understand, but you really don’t. It’s not just a matter of commitment or lack of discipline, there’s spiritual deadness; you don’t really see it, understand it, get it. Wake yourself up!
Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church
Dates for your Diary
Sunday Morning - 12th October
Commissioning Service
Scott has been with us now for a couple of months but we are looking forward to celebrating his Commissioning - at this morning service we will be joined by Paul Clarke, which is followed by a time of fellowship.
Saturday 15th November, 2-4pm
Keep this date free so you can join us for a Coffee Afternoon to support this great charity with a mission to transform lives through the impact of education, community action and gospel activities.
We will be joined by Paul Algeo who will give a short presentation of what Blythswood are currently involved in.
More information about this event coming soon!
Saturday 6th December, 3-5pm
Christmas Creation
Join us for a Wreath Making Afternoon!
With clear, experienced guidance, you can plan and make your own fresh foliage wreath this Christmas.
Get your creative hat on and have fun making something special for Christmas.
Time to chat, enjoy some treats and hear a short Advent message too.
Alongside the help and guidance all the materials are provided - the cost is £25 and places will be limited. Email Liz to book a spot - liz.geddes68@gmail.com
Sunday Evening 14th December, 7pm
Christmas Musical Evening
Hear the events of the first Christmas explained and celebrated through traditional and modern music and readings.
Followed by Tea/Coffee and Mince Pies.
More details and ways of inviting friends will be in the magazine over the next few weeks, but this is a good time to start thinking about who you could invite.
This Sunday evening at the Joint Service we are looking at another church under pressure - in Pergamum they are courageous in talking about their faith and yet there is false teaching too.
“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness'. As we thought about with the church in Smyrna, it's important that we remember that the church today across the world faces similar issues. Here is a church with trouble from outside AND within and where false teaching is creeping in.
Bible translation training.
Below is a link to Wycliffe Translators - as the church is under pressure (we read about the work of Open Doors last week) there can many churches who just don't have Bible teachers or who don't have access to Bibles in their own language - this can lead to false teaching and a real difficulty in training the church to know and hold onto important Bible doctrines.
Here is just one story -
Zainab startled awake to the sound of strange, loud voices. It was the middle of the night, and Muslim extremists who had been targeting and killing Christians had found her home—had found her. As she pleaded for God’s help, she quietly slipped out the nearest door into the cover of darkness. Seeing nothing between her and the edge of the forest, Zainab ran toward it with everything she had.
By the grace of God, Zainab found safety that night among the trees. Though she’d been caught off guard by the brazen attempt on her life, she wasn’t really surprised. After all, she’s been a target ever since she first encountered Jesus and rejected her Muslim faith. From that day forward, she has faced ridicule and persecution from her community and her family. Even her husband, the man she loved with all her heart, turned against her and divorced her.
Thankfully, through the support of partners like you, Zainab found refuge at our Safe Haven Translation Center, a secure place where believers from numerous volatile countries gather for Bible translation training. With your help, Zainab and other national Bible translators at the center can focus on the mission of making God’s Word accessible to marginalized and forgotten communities in Africa. As a result, countless lives are being eternally transformed.
Read the rest of this story and the help being provided by Wycliffe
here.
​
from last week's magazine...
"Open Doors UK" is a mission organisation seeking to raise awareness and prayerfulness for the plight of many Christians who suffer persecution around the world. We have had communication from Open Doors. They have begun a campaign to raise awareness of a terrible situation of displaced Christians in Nigeria. Here is a 3 minute video which though harrowing, shines a light on the life of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria. You can watch it
here.
"Open Doors" is hoping to also raise this awareness through a petition with a million signatures. You can read the details of the petition here.
PRAYER FOCUS - seminar
Over the next Martin Smith is teaching on the place of Prayer in our lives as a church and individuals.
This ties in well with Seminar on Prayer held by our friends over in Greenview Evangelical, in Shawlands.
see details below:
Many thousands have taken part in the past and been hugely blessed by it. Although a full day, it will be interactive with praise and breaks throughout.
We’d love to have as many as possible attending, so please book a space and come along. It promises to be a transformational day.
There is a charge (which includes a Prayer Manual written by Ian), but if that’s a problem please contact Andy Hunter, as we don’t want that to be a barrier.
To book use the QR Code or click here (where you'll find more info):
MFC 1st Golf Day
MFC 1st golf day took place in Troon on Saturday 20th September. 3 teams battled it out to win the Texas scramble & Captain Liam’s team winning narrowly .
The sun shone , there was little wind & 12 of us enjoyed a good day. Scott showed his golfing prowess driving 230 yards , finishing the hole with a chip & a putt !
We spent together over lunch chatting & hope next year we can get 4 teams .
Speak with Val or Ian F to hear how you can be involved next time!
Two events to consider getting along to in order to find out more and support this longstanding work in Glasgow.
This special evening will explore how food and hospitality are at the heart of Glasgow City Mission’s work. Through stories from staff, volunteers, and guests, you’ll hear how sharing meals creates welcome, dignity, and community.
Join us on Sunday 5 October for our event at St. Georges Tron in Glasgow City Centre.
We're talking about our ministry of hospitality at Glasgow City Mission, where we serve hundreds of meals each week to those affected by homelessness, poverty and addiction.
We believe that sharing food together is the best way to build connection and relationship and we want to share more about our ethos and motivation behind what we do and why we do it.
What to Expect...
You can look forward to a live cooking demonstration, stories of transformation from staff, volunteers, and guests, and the chance to sample some of the dishes we regularly serve at our drop-ins.
As food is prepared and shared, you’ll get to taste some of the hot, nutritious dishes regularly served to our guests at our drop-ins. We’ll also pause to reflect on the deeper meaning of hospitality in the Christian faith, considering how the simple act of sharing food can open space for encounter and hope.
The event starts at 18:30 and will require a ticket to enter as space is limited.
Click HERE for more information and tickets
Did you know it's our 200th birthday next year?!
To celebrate, we have a year's worth of activities planned for 2026, but to get us in the mood, we're hosting a ceilidh in October at Sloan's in the city centre on Wednesday 22 October at 7pm.
More information and tickets by following this link
There has been a huge amount of interest in the life and death of Charlie Kirk, and about far Left and Right politics in general on social media. But what are we actually being told? And are we each being told different things? Glen Scrivener walks through some of the dangers we currently face when we are on social media, and being Glen he very wisely brings things round to trying to understand life through the prism of the Gospel.
There are some thoughtful moments in this 15 min video - well worth a watch
HERE.
Mearns Free Church also 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 or email Margaret (mandmboyd@hotmail.co.uk) if you would like to be added to this WhatsApp group.
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.
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
Scott Hamilton (Associate Minister): associate@mearnsfree.org
Sandy McDougall (Treasurer): finance@mearnsfree.org
Pauline Forster (Children and families worker): children@mearnsfree.org