No.78      14th February, 2026

Hi, 
Hope this finds you well. 

In looking at Mark's gospel over the last few weeks it's clear that Jesus doesn't just tell people what they want to hear, ie. he's a Saviour but he's not a people pleaser. Whether it's his own disciples, his enemies trying to catch him out, or people coming to him with their own ideas on how to get into God's Kingdom Jesus is ready to risk upsetting them in order for them to know the truth. For Jesus' followers, who hold the Bible to be authoritative, we need to do the same - but to do so with the same kindness Jesus showed.  Below (in the Cafe Connect advert) there is a link to a song which mentions the King of Kindness - whether a 'winner' or 'loser', from every station and orientation', and no matter what your postcode, as Scott K reminded us last Sunday, we need this King and his welcome.

Talking about Welcomes next Sunday (22nd) is our Meet the Church Sunday.
A perfect time to invite someone to church, and stay for lunch - Scott H has more about the 22nd and the 321 course in his letter, 

Ramadan starts this week - please consider praying for our Muslim neighbours - to help focus there is a prayer calendar that can be downloaded - the details are below.

There is an increasing range of activities and events in the magazine this week - take time to read through and click on the links where relevant. For instance we have bookmarks to take home which are at the back of the church for the Free Church Engage 2026 prayer focus.

Enjoy the Mag,
MB

PS -it's Valentines Day when this magazine comes out so if you didn't get a card you at least have two letters sent with love (I am assured) from Scott K and Scott H 🥰

---

Sunday 15th February

Morning service - 10.30am
Rev Scott Hamilton
Mark ch10:32-45

HOME GROUPS THIS SUNDAY EVENING AND THROUGH THE WEEK.

---

  
 The Wednesday mid week prayer meeting
meets in the Robertsons’  this month, in Beech Avenue.
7.15-8.15pm

---

Next Sunday - 22nd February

Details below in Scott H's letter.

---

GET READY FOR MARCH
We are planning to run the 321 evangelistic course - starting on 1st March.
321 is a four-week course that invites you to see life the way Jesus does.
Inspired by Jesus’ vision of reality, 321 is designed to help you think about God, the world and yourself through immersive videos and thoughtful illustrations.
It’s great for someone new to Christian things - no prior knowledge is needed and you’ll be helped to think through some of the big questions of life in a simple and easy to understand way.
Here is a taster VIDEO - more details to follow.

---

Letter from the Manse

Dear Church Family,
For a number of years, I have had the annual delight of being invited to preach at Cartsbridge Evangelical Church. This year, they have asked me to bring a message on the opening line of the Apostles' Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” Please do pray God would be glorified in this sermon. I will speak on Acts 17.

I have asked myself a question this week. How can I secure a godly walk with the Lord and even grow in sanctification? What I have realized is that this will not necessarily emerge from preparing sermons for others.  Rather, as a man, husband, dad, grandfather, friend and so on, I realised afresh how needy I am personally of God's Word. I truly cannot "… live on bread alone but (do need) every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8.4, Matthew 4.4).
This is not a new insight. Over my forty years as a Christian, my "daily devotions" have taken many forms. Currently, my routine involves reading a one-page devotional by a contemporary American Presbyterian minister whom I respect greatly. His wisdom is precious and that wisdom has been drawn from his serious reflection on the Scriptures. Each daily entry concludes with a footnote; "for further study". The writer then suggests a longer passage from the Scriptures which I will invariably read.

However, thinking about this method of daily devotions I have growing concern. If we only read (or listen to) the reflections of others who themselves have dug deeply in the Word of God, do we deprive ourselves what God wants to give us, hearing directly from the mouth of God Himself? Secondly, am I at increasing risk of never being able to handle the Word of God myself if I only rely on what others say (could some be even wrong in their application – how would I know)?

A Contemporary Pre-Reformation Church?
I fear we are becoming—or perhaps have already become—a twenty-first-century Protestant version of the pre-Reformation church.

In the excellent podcast Things Unseen, Sinclair Ferguson recently noted the irony of our age: despite having more English Bible translations than ever before, statistics show we are a generation that knows the Bible the least. His conclusion was sobering: Christians today have forgotten that the Bible is the "mouth of God."

Ask yourself this question, why are his podcasts so good? The answer is at least this, he steeped himself in the Word of God all his Christian days. And, ask yourself another question; how does he understand the things of this present age? He focusses on our contemporary world through the lens of God's Word. That ability does not happen overnight and takes a bit of prayerful effort.

The Danger of "Spoon-Feeding"
In my daily devotions, after good biblical wisdom is shared from a short text of Scripture, I am invited at the foot of the page to read a longer bible passage "for further study". Herein lies the problem. This footnote implies that I have already undertaken some "study". However, I haven't really studied at all. Rather, all that has happened is that I have been "spoon-feed" an application of God's Word. I have not wrestled in any way with God's Word nor directly applied it to God, the world or myself. I have let my colleague sweat over God's Word for me.  

The authors of devotionals like the one I am reading, and the podcasts (like the one Sinclair Ferguson contributes to) would be horrified to think their work is part of the problem. I am increasingly convinced that is exactly what we are making them to be.
We allowing their insights from God's Word to become a substitute for hearing from God's Word ourselves.
This is akin to the pre-Reformation church, where the people of God relied on others to bring them the Word of God (the clergy).
Now I can hear some of you say of yourself, "But Scott I’m not a good reader." To that, I say "ok, you might not be, but you are omitting two crucial realities". The first is that God only ever asks us to steward gifts he has given us and in the measure He has given them to us. You can read a little and slowly? Then read a little and slowly! Secondly, you forget the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit. It is He who take's God's Word, actually teaches us and enables us to be begin putting it into practice.
Do not neglect the wisdom of others whether in podcasts, sermons on YouTube, Spotify and daily devotionals. But never view them as a valid substitute for your time spent directly in the Word of God. It is the Word of God that is God's most significant "means of grace" to you.

The Legacy of the Ploughboy
William Tyndale was not burned at the stake for simply telling people what the Bible said. He and numerous other Reformers suffered and died to put the Bible into the hands of ordinary people in their own language.
Tyndale famously vowed to make the Bible so accessible in English that even the "boy that driveth the plough" would know the Word of God better than educated clergymen who never spent time studying the actual Scriptures. The uneducated field-hand could have "meaning-full" access to God himself.
I have recognised in my daily devotions it is reading and reflecting on the more substantial text of Scripture labelled, "for further study" that I am most nourished as I listen to and reflect that which is coming from "the mouth of God".
"How can a (young) man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." Psalm 119:9
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."  Proverbs 2:6
"For Further Study…the bible!"
Warmest Regards

---

The congregations of Crow Road and Dowanvale are co-operating to organise a Musical Evening in Crow Road on Thursday 26th February at 7:30 pm. As well as providing a platform for our talented musicians and singers to demonstrate their skills, there will be an opportunity for all to participate in congregational singing. It will also serve as a means of fundraising for our young people to attend the annual Youth Conference.
The church is located at 29 Crow Road, Glasgow, G11 7RT

---

Engage 2026 is a national prayer initiative calling believers to be praying for 10 people in their lives to come to know Jesus.
This is an initiative amongst other things, aimed at shaping good habits of prayer with expectation that sustains faithful gospel witness.  (see full details on Free Church Engage webpage here)
Look out for bookmarks at Church so you can write down the names of ten people you want to pray for. Please let me know of any encouraging updates as you begin to pray. Here is an encouragement from Mission Director, David Meredith here.

You can find a longer discussion in the "Healthy Gospel Podcast" from the Free Church with Rhiannon MacKintosh and the Moderator Alastair MacLeod. Watch here.
With over 10,000 members in the Free Church we can together be praying for over 100,000 people. In the smaller context of Mearns Free Church, with about 140 members, we could be praying regularly for over one thousand people. Would that not be fantastic? Which of these people we are praying might the Lord bring to faith?

---

Assisted Suicide Bill

The Free Church are engaged in opposing this bill.
The Stage 3 vote on the assisted suicide bill in the Scottish Parliament is expected late February - mid March. While some MSPs have expressed serious concerns, many who voted for the bill at Stage 1 are still planning to support it.
Care Not Killing Scotland has provided a simple online tool enabling individuals to contact their MSP directly and express opposition. The coming weeks are a key window to make those concerns heard. The tool can be accessed at www.carenotkilling.scot
Please use this tool to contact your MSP.
If you have questions you can contact the Free Church Public Engagement Coordinator, Stephen Allison (stephen.allison@freechurch.org).

---

Letter from the Other Manse

Hello church family!
This Sunday, you’ll hear me mention a few things to which I’d love to draw our attention.

The first is Meet the Church, taking place next Sunday morning during and after our service (on the 22nd). This is an initiative from the outreach team which has two aims.
If you’ve been around the church family for a long time, or for not such a long time, it’s the perfect chance to speak to someone that we haven’t spoken to before. We’ll all have our names displayed on a small sticker we’ll all wear. It’ll make introductions just a little easier and help us to remember a few names that might have slipped our minds and memories.

Perhaps more importantly, it’s the perfect chance to invite someone along to church that Sunday who you’ve thought about inviting, or who isn’t regularly attending another church. If you’ve been in conversation with people about what it is we believe as Christians, or if family members have not been at church for a while, why not invite them along to the morning of Sunday the 22nd? It will be a shorter service, with a bit of a lighter touch to it, before as many of us as possible will stick around for lunch afterwards. There will be time and space to chat to one another, a great way for guests to see that we are disciples of Jesus because of our love for one another, and how our faith shapes all of our lives for God’s glory.

The second thing to mention is that we’re running our 321 course beginning on the first of March.
Over the four Sunday afternoons in March, we’ll cover some of the basics of Christianity, but at a really relaxed and introductory level. Glen Scrivener and his colleagues present Jesus in a way that generates discussion and asks guests to consider the claims of our King for themselves. If you’re captured by the vision of introducing your friends and family to Jesus, why not have a look online at some of the material and think who you might like to invite along to the course? The first one will be held at Belmont in the afternoon, but the plan will be to try and host it at someone’s house in the subsequent weeks.
Please be praying! As we move towards Easter, as we think about the good news of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life, what a joy it is to sow gospel seeds as winter turns to spring.

Blessings, 
Scott H

---

An appropriate tweet for our Bible passage this Sunday perhaps? - Mark 10:32-45
"Jesus took the Twelve and began again to go over what to expect next. “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”
[THE MESSAGE]

---

SU P5-P7 weekend away
Last weekend 24 young people from across East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire went to Gowanbank for the weekend. Our theme for the weekend was Lego and the Lego movie (worth a watch if you haven't seen it). We explored the stories of David being chosen despite not being seen as special and Gideon being scared but still being used by God as well as some Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and finishing with digging into what we understand about and how we respond to Jesus sacrifice and resurrection. 


Some of the young people who came along didn't know anyone before coming and some only knew one other person but you wouldn't have known that. The young people were amazing - made friends easily and threw themselves into the activities, discussions and even washing the dishes!

As well as exploring the Bible we also did archery, Lego building, crafts, Lego stop motion animation, silent disco, wide game, master builder challenges, campfire and watched the Lego movie. Quite an action packed 43 hours!!
Thank you for supporting us in prayer. 
Pauline

Of course having the right team is key and the backroom staff are vital too...


Sandra was leading the 'Kitchen Team'..aka 'Sarah'. 

Great food in large quantities doesn't just happen...and the photo above shows its consequences!!
Sarah refused to comment about the weekend as she is currently speaking to her lawyers, but having said that, this photo doesn't quite convey how joyful she was in serving. We look forward to her being back at church this Sunday...in the kitchen again...serving coffee with her Dad this time. Thanks Sarah!

---

THANK YOU to those who have been bringing items for the Food Bank
There will be a bag at the back of the hall where you can donate foodstuffs for taking to the Food Bank.Typically cans of soup, or pasta etc are popular. Bags of rice and dry pasta. Sugar, coffee and tea bags are opened and split into smaller bags so if you see deals on larger quantities that can still be used.
Speak with Sue A or Martin B for more details.

---

TUESDAYS 2- 3.30pm in Newton Mearns Baptist

A great opportunnity to meet friends, and enjoy some tea, coffee and home baking.
This week it was good to have some new faces along.


We took a few moments to look at the Bible story  about Mephibosheth...a great Bible account about David, a King of Kindness inviting someone who could have been viewed as an enemy into the palace to sit at the table along with the family. A great picture of the Gospel.
Stuart Towend's song puts this idea of grace to the unlikely and undeserving into the song VAGABONDS.
"Come to the feast, there is room at the table.
Come let us meet in this place.
With the King of all kindness who welcomes us in,
With the wonder of love, and the power of grace"
Watch and listen to it here. HERE.

---

Olympic Update...

Sweeping up after the service last week put an idea in Liam's head and with some confidence he headed over to Italy this week...
"Can I get a wee shot - I've got my own broom" he was heard to say just before being led away by the local Carabinieri.


Free Church governance can be tricky sometimes.
David Merriman insisted that being senior elder he was to be at the front, whereas (as Alastair was quick to point out) historically it was always the Session Clerk who took this spot. 

NEXT WEEK - 'Chisholm taking part in Luge' photo caption competition

---

Could you explain the Gospel?

How are you getting on learning the Gospel story using the Two Ways To Live images.
Since the start of the year the young people have been working through the 2 Ways to Live Gospel outline to see how they can share the Gospel and we are following their progress...this week...
IMAGE 5
 Last week (you can see image 4 above) we thought about Jesus giving his life on the cross for our salvation. Not just any life - a perfect life which he lived obediently under His Father and had always said 'yes' to God...unlike each of us as we saw in image 2.
Look at the image: But Jesus perfect life meant he was also unique when it came to the consequences of sin, which ultimately is death. His perfect life meant that death could not hold him - he rose from the dead, and proved not just that he WAS the righteous Son of God but giving real HOPE to any who would trust in Him as their Saviour and Lord, because we know Jesus atoning death has been accepted by God when he raised Him from the dead, and received him back into Heaven to be at his right hand.

• God raised Jesus to life again as the ruler and judge of the world.
• Jesus has conquered death, now brings forgiveness and new life, and will return in glory.

​Well, where does that leave us? It leaves us with a clear choice between two ways to live.
  (If you want to read more about this image and the rest of the  2 Ways to Live course  take a look here)

---

This week's focus for the prayer (using the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as a framework for prayer) is about lawful oaths and vows. It reminds us that we need to take seriously how we relate to a Holy God... this line from the prayer reminds us that our own culture (in business and politics) is full of things being said to look good, or what we know will be popular in the moment...integrity can often take second place...
"Steer us, Lord, from playing "games"—audible or mental—with the words of our oaths. Father, help us to make our commitments true to the plain and common meaning of the words we use."
Read the prayer here.

---

What helps you to pray for others?the convenience of a phone or tablet, reading prayer requests at a click of a button, and minimising your environment footprint? or do you prefer the feel of a physical booklet in your hands, to focus your reading and share with others?Whichever you prefer, this year's digital and printed guides are packed full with stories, information and prayer points to help you pray throughout Ramadan. Click below to place your order and be ready to pray this February, together with thousands of Christians around the world:
Click here to order digital and printed booklets.   It is only £1 for a pdf download

30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World is designed to inspire and equip you to pray for Muslim peoples around the world as an act of love – understanding their concerns and asking God to help and reveal Himself to them. Join hundreds of thousands of believers for this annual prayer event for Muslims, that has been running around the world for over 30 years.

The 2026 guide focuses on Muslim peoples from whom there are now radiant believers, sharing the Gospel with their own or nearby Muslim people groups. We rejoice that bringing the good news to Muslims is not just something done by foreigners; it is now local believers from Muslim backgrounds themselves who are key to transformation in their own countries. They are co-labourers with God. And you are invited to co-labour with them, as you join with them in prayer.

---

Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church

  

---

Thank you to all the families who supported this ministry recently. 
The GCM team were very grateful. Feedback from all the folks who attended was really positive.  One of the benefits this year, I think, was the contribution from Mackenzie and Liam, as younger adults giving up their time.  All teams mentioned how busy the evening was, the challenge of providing enough food (sometimes running out) and the good feeling when GCM had managed to source a bed for the night for some of the most needy people. 
This is such a worthwhile organisation, and it would be good to support them again next year.
Sue A-B

---

Our Easter family funday will be on 
Saturday 28th March, 11-2pm
and is an ideal opportunity to bring together friends and families within our community.
You can see on the flyer a selection of what will be going on.
If you would be able to help with this event please get in touch with Fiona Waugh on 07795361752.

We would also be grateful for any donations towards various stalls and competitions:

• Nearly New Toy Stall - please speak to Susan Little if you have toys in good condition you wish to donate.
• Home Baking - all donations will be greatly appreciated and we will give you a date nearer the time for donations to be handed in.
• Various Prizes - any unwanted gifts you may have received but will not use eg. toiletries, chocolates, sweets etc There will be a bag at the hall entrance on Sundays for any donations.

 

---

---

Walk through the Old Testament
Scott K's letter is encouraging us to get into the Bible for ourselves -is that something you think is too hard?  Especially the Old Testament? Having a broad overview of what the whole story of the Bible is so important in understanding and enjoying what  you are reading and in this talk Don Carson walks through the Old Testament (letting you see where the names and places fit together but also how it is ONE story of God's plan of salvation for us, through Jesus) in a clear and concise way. It's about 40 mins - why not do it in 2 sittings, (and then listen to it again) and he even suggests taking some notes... Watch it here.  It's not entitled 'The most captivating walk through the Old Testament' for nothing!

---

‘Left to Their Own Devices’
- A Care for the Family Meeting

Parenting support event to Glasgow on the 19 May,
Newton Mearns Baptist Church at 7.30pm.
great event for parents of children aged 8+

---