No.70 12th December
Hi, hope this finds you well and warm.
How's your singing voice? Some are not as good as others of course....no, I'm not going to start naming people(but you can message me.) There is a second reflection this week on what we are doing when we sing together in church. Throughout the New Testament the teaching is clear that 'Worship' is not something which happens in a certain place at a certain time...eg only on a Sunday morning before getting back to 'normal' life.
(There are those who might even think they worship during the bit before and after the bible reading and sermon??!)
It's a whole life activity and I was reminded of this with an newsletter that came through earlier this week...at this time of year there are a number of Christmas / End of year type of letters sent out from those involved in various ministries and I received one from a friend who works amongst students for Navigators in Germany. Her introduction had these words...
“The transforming power of the Gospel is holistic.
This sentence has been with me for about six months now.
Yes, I am saved.
Yes, Jesus has accomplished everything.
Yes, I have new hope and spiritual life.
And yet I realize that the gospel wants to have an even deeper impact. It wants to shape my whole life.
What does that mean in practical terms?
It touches all my relationships and roles—as a wife, mother, homemaker, employee, friend, neighbour, and acquaintance. In all these areas change can become visible: being courageously honest, acknowledging limits, admitting mistakes, seeking forgiveness, daring to have conversations, not accepting injustice, and remaining faithful in the small things.
The gospel changes not only my heart, but my everyday life. Holistically. Step by step. I am in the process of discovering and experiencing this further. A very worthwhile process."
Make sure you take note of all the events coming up soon and going right up to Hogmanay! - the wreath making last week was a great start to our activites - take a look below at the photos.
Enjoy the Mag.
MB
Saturday
Saturday 13th ....9am - 10am
at the Smiths, Eaglesham
All welcome !
Sunday 14th December
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Morning service - 10.30am
Luke 2:1-21
SUNDAY EVENING
If you are inviting people to the Missing Peace event you can use the image above to do that.
Speak with Scott H, Debbie or Elizabeth S for more info about this evening.
Wednesday
Remember the mid week prayer meeting is now on a break until the new year.
Pitch Perfect and Tone Deaf
We sing a lot at church over Advent - carols, old and new, are part of our services...last week the magazine had an article from Tim Challies encouraging us never to see singing at church as the 'filler' before the sermon.
This is 'part 2' of this theme from Tim as we consider singing in church and why we should be lifting our voices together...
God commands us to sing. Yet while some of God’s people are gifted singers, the plain fact is that others are not. In any congregation, it’s likely that some have near-perfect pitch while others are functionally tone-deaf. Those who struggle to sing may be self-conscious, tempted to stay quiet or to do no more than mumble along. Should they? Not at all, for singing is a matter of the heart before it is a matter of pitch or tone.
In Ephesians 5:18-19 Paul writes, “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” What matters far more than the sound that comes out of the mouth is the posture of the heart. There is more beauty in an off-pitch voice that is the outpouring of a submissive heart than in a perfectly pitched voice that is the outpouring of a rebellious heart.
Though few Christians have voices that are truly professional, every Christian has a voice that can be confessional—that confesses and publicly professes the great truths of the Christian faith. Jonathan Leeman says rightly that “the most beautiful instrument in any Christian service is the sound of the congregation singing.”
(www.challies.com)
December diary...
This week at Cafe Connect there will be a special Christmas vibe, including Jaan and John Martindale bringing some musical treats to supplement the ones on the tables!
If you haven't been before come along, and feel free to invite a friend along too.
We meet as usual up the Baptist Church building, 2pm - 3.30pm
For more details speak with Elizabeth S.
From The Manse
Dear Congregation,
This coming Sunday as we enter what some call the third Sunday in advent we open up God's word to discover more about the peace the Lord has for us in this world.
Our theme for Sunday night's gathering (Sunday 14th) is related, "The Missing Peace". Please join with us on Sunday evening at 7pm. If possible bring friends and family for an engaging evening of Christmas music and friendship. We will gift books on this subject by Sam Chan to all who come. Scott Hamilton will bring a short Christmas encouragement.
In addition to our normal Sunday morning services in December, remember we shall have additional opportunity to join with one another at Belmont for our 7pm Christmas Eve service and 10.30am Christmas Day service at Belmont.
You can see above throughout the magazine even more Christmas activities over the coming two weeks.
Let's also pray for Scott Hamilton this Sunday morning as he leads worship at Stirling Free Church.
Warmest Regards,
Scott K
Margaret Brown sent in a link to hear the song we listened to while gathering last Sunday.
This is a great version of this well known song, set with different lyrics to focus on Jesus incarnation.
A Christmas Hallelujah Cassandra Star her sister Callahan
Listen
here
.Ladybird Book of Mearns Free
Each week Scott K has been using the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as a framework for prayer - helping us to pray through the great truths contained there... you can read the others by looking back at previous magazines.
This week's prayer focusses on Repentance. One of 'evidences' of someone having faith is not their perfection but for repentance to be part of their daily Christian walk : "Lord, we praise you for showing us our need for repentance at the beginning of our Christian walk, revealing both our general sinfulness and our specific, particular sins. We ask you to continue leading us day by day to repent of that same sinfulness and our daily specific sins."
Scott shows how this will impact not just our relationship with God, but with others too.
Read the whole prayer here.
Wreath Making
'This afternoon was great - hope they do it every year!'
'That was just one of many positive comments after last Saturday's Wreath Making afternoon.
There was a lot of work for the team to organise each aspect of the day but it was certainly met with enthusiasm...all the places were taken up and as you can see the busy work being done ended with a range of super Wreaths being made.
There was also Mulled Wine and Coffee with treats, and a short Christmas talk from Scott H.
As you can see there was a real lack of males involved - I'm sure that will be changed next year!
Thanks again to everyone who got involved.
Val was always on hand and had her 'helpers' Liz, Fiona, Sheila going round the table with help and advice through the afternoon.
Not everyone's wreath came out as well as others...Liz was keen to point out that it's the taking part that counts!
and if you are looking for more opportunities to be creative...
Love creating and crafting? The Joyfully Made Team will be back at Gowanbank in January for another Creative Retreat Weekend.
Take some time away to connect with yourself, others and God through a weekend of creativity, worship, prayer and community.
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th January 2026
Doors open 6pm Friday, depart after lunch on Sunday
Early Bird Offer: £165 per person until 1st November 2025
includes accommodation, food and refreshments and materials for craft sessions
Book online here
This week we have another short video from John Lennox - no apologies for that - this week he tackles the question we are often asked (and which is alluded to in the tweet of the week above) ie where did we come from...and then the question becomes 'Who made God?' It's right that we take time to have good answers to those who ask questions like this... watch here.
Concert Date for your Diary
Singer Songwriter Christy Campbell has an
online Christmas Concert coming up...
Use the link/QR code and tune in that evening!
Concert Date for your Diary 3
All the details for Praise Gathering are here.
Partner with
An Invitation to Partner with Glasgow City Mission again in 2026Church Volunteering Week (Evening Drop-In)
GCM’s vision is to work alongside the local church to extend Jesus’ model of the Kingdom of God—living out love, truth, mercy, and forgiveness. They are asking us to partner with them again this year for the evening Drop IN.
The Drop-In is a warm, safe space where guests receive a hot meal, share meaningful conversations, and begin to build trust with staff and volunteers. We are looking for two volunteers per evening, from 6pm–8.30pm, Monday 2nd February.Thank you to those who volunteered last year. If you would like to be involved this year, please contact Sue Amery-Behr on amerybehr@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Property Acquisition Fund
The recent Finance Committee meeting considered the amount we have pledged so far towards the Property Acquisition Fund in our NMNC Trust, and is pleased to report that we have now reached a level where we can invite those pledging to start actioning their commitments.
Sandy McDougall, our Treasurer, will be in contact individually with those who have made pledges to confirm bank details and run through any questions we may have.
There is still time for anyone considering helping financially with this important step in the development of Mearns Free, and so please speak to Sandy or any member of the Finance Committee if you would like to discuss further.
We had a Christmas update from Terry at Hope for Addiction....
for more information their website has lots of details - click
here.
Happy Christmas!
As we approach Christmas and the close of another year, all of us at Hope for Addiction UK would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for all the ways in which you encourage and enable us to come alongside those battling addiction.
Several Highlights From 2025...
• Moving into our new premises
• The launch of our Wednesday Road to Recovery Cafe
• Our growing online community where people are getting clean and connected
• Ongoing training and support for our addiction ministry partners in Liverpool and Musselburgh
• 2 churches in Aberdeen are in the process of being trained, equipped & resourced for addiction ministry
• 2 churches in Hamilton and Glasgow are on the cusp of beginning that process
• We are in conversation with 8 other churches who have expressed an interest in setting up an addiction ministry
• The completion of our Day Programme material: "A Biblical Theology of Recovery: Ten Sessions Exploring the Story of the Bible as It Is Applied to Addictions"
• November brought an incredible opportunity! We headed to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) conference, where we exhibited and shared the heart and mission of Hope for Addiction UK. The response was fantastic—so many meaningful conversations, new connections, and a real sense of momentum. We left feeling inspired and full of anticipation for what lies ahead, especially as we seek to train and equip local churches for addiction ministry.
Bring Hope This Christmas...
We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of our Hope Partners who have supported us throughout 2025. Your kindness is helping transform lives, and we couldn’t do this work without you. If you’d like to join us in making a real difference, you can give through the Stewardship link above or simply email us at info@hopeforaddiction.uk. Together, we can bring hope to those who feel like there is none.
Our Road to Recovery meetings still meet over the festive period and we look forward to gathering together for our New Year's Day meal. This is a fantastic opportunity for our service users and their families to enjoy a delicious two-course meal, take part in a quiz, and hear a short, hope-filled talk from God's Word—all within a safe, supportive, substance-free environment. We’re praying it will be a significant afternoon of joy, connection, and fresh hope as we welcome in 2026!
With every blessing for 2026,
From all of us at Hope for Addiction UK.
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 Kirkland 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