No.72   2nd January 2026

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Below we have highlighted some options for helping you read the Bible and pray regularly through year - it's not easy, and there is no silver bullet for managing this...in fact some of you may, like me, have started and then not completed various plans.  With that in mind I've given some examples or different ways to try and form good habits, but it would also be really for others to share what they have been reading, or what devotionals they have found most helpful. In fact, as we start the new year, having more people contributing in general to the magazine would be wecomed. And as Chisholm has pointed out a few times in 2025, that would mean he has to endure much less from me! Fair point.

Enjoy the Magazine

MB

---

Sunday 4th

Morning service - 10.30am
Rev Scott Kirkland
Hebrews ch10

---

  

The Wednesday mid week prayer meeting will start again on 14th January.

---

New arrival...

Congratulations to Scott and Anita on being grandparents again!
Their daughter Sarah gave birth to Maliah (pronounced Maleeah) 
And congratuations to parents, Calum and Sarah. Thank God for this safe birth.
T

---

From the other Manse

I read recently on a Bible app that the most frequently looked up Bible verse of the year 2025 by users was Isaiah 41:10. 
The Lord says to His people, 
Fear not, for I am with you; 
be not dismayed, for I am your God; 
I will strengthen you, I will help you, 
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
 
I can understand why so many have engaged with this verse over this past year. Circumstances have been fearful for so many of us. There is much in our world that would leave us feeling dismayed. The Lord knows the hearts of His people back in the days of Isaiah the prophet and in our day as followers of Christ.   

The verse means that there will be moments when we will again feel afraid and discouraged. That could be for a wide variety of reasons in a fallen world, but Isaiah probably has in mind the spiritual struggles we all face in our hearts. We feel beleaguered, we face doubts, and we are aware of the ways in which our own sins and the sins of others devastate a community of believers.  

Yet the Lord has five reasons why we should not fear, nor be dismayed.  

The first reason is that He is with us. Despite our sins, He makes a covenant with us that He will be with us, that He is our God (the second reason), and that He will be our people. Our sins and our struggles should never be confused with God’s absence. He has committed Himself to being with us as our God. He is utterly incapable of abandoning those who are truly His, in this world or in eternity.  

The third and fourth reasons are that He will strengthen us and help us. There is real care and there is real provision for us as believers during moments of minor or immense trouble. So many of us will be able to tell story after story of His goodness, whilst others will find it more complicated to see how God could possibly be at work, and yet all of us can look at the atonement which is ours though the cross of Christ Jesus. 

We can all look at God’s Spirit working and moving in and amongst His people. All of us can look to and read His promises in His Word that He will create, guard, and keep a people forever. All of us can turn to one another in a church community and see the blessing it is to love and nurture one another during moments of trial and temptation. Help is available for the believer, perhaps not always as we would like it to be from our own perspective, but always as the Lord knows we need. He has given us ample reason to trust in Him, ample reason for us to think that He is thoroughly invested in our salvation and guiding us there day by day. 

The final reason is that He upholds us with His righteous right hand. His powerful, authoritative decree is that you and I are now righteous, thanks to God’s intervention. You and I have no reason to fear nor be dismayed because, were the Lord Jesus to return tomorrow, He would gather you and I up to be with Him and the Father forever. There would be no price left to pay. There would be no part of His salvation that we hadn’t yet earned or accessed. He has paid it all.   

So, as you live a life for God’s glory, living and speaking for Jesus, fighting sin in the strength of God’s Spirit, apply Isaiah 41:10 generously to every situation you are in. In real moments of fear and dismay, allow these truths to wash over you this week. Allow them to bring calm to combat your lurking fears. See them reshape your discouragement into encouragement. 

Scott H

---

Secret Santa

This photo of our senior elder is a good reminder that if you are on a Secret Santa list it's key that you put some clear suggestions in for those who might have you to buy for to avoid disappointment. This new bag was not what was hoped for  - completely the wrong colour!

---

Looking Back

CHRISTMAS EVE

Looking back to our Holiday Club focus from the Summer 'A Tale of Two Kings', Captain Colin and Princess Cathy enjoyed festively greeting families last week -  together they discovered more about the King's birth and the real reason why we celebrate. 

HOGMANAY

We danced and quizzed the night away on Hogmanay! A brilliant night of fun.
Thanks to everyone who stayed and reset the hall for church on Sunday too. 

If you are looking to enjoy another Ceilidh then see below for SU Scotland's event coming soon...

---

Daily Devotionals

There's no shortage of ways to dig into the Bible day by day and week by week and grow faith and knowledge - whether taking up reading or audio options.
It would be great if people could share what they are currently using to do this (and why they like them) and others in Mearns Free could  be encouraged along. Do get in touch and tell us. 
And don't be put off that you might start a few days late - it's too important to worry about that...better late than never!
MB

Here are some examples:

Truth for Life - Alastair Begg is a well known Pastor and as you read the set Bible passage and read his comment each day you certainly feel that he understands Christians well, and wants to scratch where the typical itches are. Each day includes prompts to apply what you’ve read, a related Bible text to enjoy, and a plan for reading through the whole of the Scriptures in a year. The hardback cover and ribbon marker make this a wonderful gift. (Read more/order here.)

Reading Between the Lines - Glen Scrivener. 
There is an Old Testament and New Testament volume.
"I love this book! Glen has a knack for looking at familiar biblical texts from unfamiliar angles, and he's done it again here. Pithy yet profound, easy to read yet deeply challenging, Reading Between the Lines uncovers a multitude of surprising ways in which the Scriptures speak about Jesus." 
Read more and watch video here

Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith
It's easy to lose heart in a world where many things can and do go wrong.
Journey through a year with David Powlison, learning to "take heart" by meditating on his favorite Scripture passages, hymns, and biblical themes, exploring the ways God meets us with daily grace right where we live.
Take Heart is a yearlong devotional journey into the process of biblical change, where truth becomes clearer and our ears hear and our eyes see what God tells us about himself.  Here is a sample from 1st Jan.
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! —Psalm 40:17

“Weakness” is a comprehensive description of our human condition.
We are perishable. We are mortal. We face a multitude of afflictions in our lives. And we are sinful, bent from the heart toward pride, self-righteousness, fear of man, and a multitude of desires and fears that beset us. The mercies of God meet us in this comprehensive condition of weakness.

To admit weakness is so countercultural to people who want to say, “We are STRONG!” and “You can do it!” On the contrary, we are fundamentally weak. That weakness is a most unusual door into all the ways God enables us to be strong. Being unafraid to be publicly weak was true of King David. The end of Psalm 40 has always resonated deeply with me. This psalm contains a great deal of fruitful ministry and joyful worship, yet David summarizes himself this way: “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.”

David’s strength grew out of his comprehensive sense of weakness, and his confidence in God’s strength. My deepest hope for you is that in both your personal life and your ministry to others, you would be unafraid to be publicly weak as the doorway to the strength of God himself."

AUDIO

The magazine has mentioned John Lennox's short, daily podcasts - 5 mins or so long. 
This is the link here via Spotify or go to the webpage here.

---

SU Scotland News
and prayer points from this term across East Renfrewshire

Come and join us for an SU Scotland ceilidh and quiz Night on Friday 16th January. Details are in the image above.
This will be a family friendly event with ceilidh dancing, a Scottish quiz and entertainment.
We will be raising money to support the work of SU Scotland in the region of Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. 
Light refreshments will be provided. £5 per ticket or £20 for a family ticket. Please pre-order these using this link  . Money will be payable on the night. 

SU regional primary weekend

There are still spaces remaining for the Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde weekend for P5-P7 pupils. Pauline and Lynne Hamilton are leading this weekend and it should be filled with fun activities, good food and exploring the Bible together. Book here. 

SU Holidays - Easter, Summer and October
Bookings are underway for 2026 SU Holidays. The early bird rate expires on 31st December so if you can, get booked in soon! What a great Christmas present for kids and grandchildren! There are also new camper discount for those who haven't been to an event that's longer than 3 days before - enter the code NEWCAMPER26 at checkout and there is a refer a friend scheme too. Browse all the holidays available here or pick up a flyer at church on Sunday. 

---

  Ladybird Book of Mearns Free

  

---

---

starts again - Tue 27th January

The Cafe is a really popular weekly meeting for lots of older people in the church - why not join us if you haven't been before.
We are starting the Cafe again later in January (27th) and if you need more information (or need transport) speak with Elizabeth S.