No.79      21st February, 2026

Hi, 
Hope this finds you well. 

It's strange (or maybe not) how each week the magazine contains things which match up so well. 
This week I'm struck by the fact that we have the final image in the Two Ways to Live series emphasising Christians as those who have said 'Jesus is Lord of my life'. As Christians we are following the One who has real authority in heaven AND ON EARTH! (Matt ch28)...so it's interesting that this is also the week where Scott's prayer, using the Westminister Confession of Faith, recognises that each of us have responsibility to behave properly in society because God has put these governments and rulers in place for us to obey. And in the same week,  in Scott K's letter, there is a note about MFC's AGM and our finance committee - so even though the church will often not agree with the way a government behaves (and will pray for them) the church is also to an extent under the authority of the State and needs to do things decently and in order.

There is lots going you can read about below - what can you take part in?

Enjoy the Mag,
MB

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Sunday 22nd February

Morning service - 10.30am


Evening Service

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

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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.

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Letter from the Manse

Dear Church Family,

I want to highlight several events coming soon.

This Sunday (22nd) is "Meet The Church" Sunday. The service will be slightly shorter than usual (one hour) and we will not have Communion as we normally would on the last Sunday of the month. By making some small changes to our gathering we hope this will give you opportunity to invite a friend, family member or neighbour to church. We shall have a sandwich lunch available also. We hope everyone (yip, everyone) will wear a name badge. This will be arranged as you arrive. This is your chance to speak to that person who you were too embarrassed to approach because you did not know their name!

321 Course: On the afternoon of Sunday 1st March, we hope to commence a 4-week Course on Christianity called "321". The course is to help "discover life according to Jesus". Please get in touch to sign up as soon as possible. See below for more details.

2025 Annual General Meeting: Put in the diary Friday, 20th March at 7-8pm, we will gather for our Annual General Meeting. We shall present the 2025 accounts, report on the past year’s activity, look ahead and spend time in prayer. (The Trust will also say a word at the end about its financial position also.)
Importantly, we need to elect six Finance Committee members. These people will also be our OSCR Trustees for 2026/27. Our current committee members (listed below) have expressed a willingness to serve for another year if we would like them to do so. However, we invite further nominations of any members of the congregation that you think possess the requisite gifts and prayerful maturity required for this role. The existing Finance Committee members who will be nominated are: Catherine MacKay, Daniel Clarke, Lawrence Renn, Lorna Hamilton, Margo McNicol, and Tom Brown. Please send additional nominations to me at minister@mearnsfree.org in good time before 20th March. We shall hold an election at the AGM and the six nominees with the highest number of votes (each one must also have a majority at the meeting) will be elected to the committee.

As our Finance Committee (and OSCR Trustees) the Committee oversees the stewarding of Mearns Free Church finance and all matters pertaining to the physical side of congregational life at Belmont (including responsibility for health and safety compliance). The Finance Committee tends to meet bi-monthly.

Please ensure you come along to the AGM.

Warmest Regards

Scott

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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

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Olympic Update

To be honest no-one was particularly surprised that, after seeing Liam's efforts with the curling in Italy, David would want to have a go too - although obviously, wanting to take it slightly easier with more manageable equipment.

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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?

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Centre for Rural Ministries Conference
Saturday 7th March - Lochgilphead
We will have a small involvement in this conference as we are trying to support the rural ministry of Lochgilphead.
Scott Kirkland will be attending and possibly some elders.
We can try and travel together. Please book in using this link and let Scott K know if you are planning to attend and want to travel together.

Here is an outline of the conference:
The Centre for Rural Ministry
This promises to be an interesting and enjoyable day filled with fellowship, teaching, and discussion. Lunch is included, but please let us know ASAP if you have any dietary requirements. Rev. Rodger Crooks will open the Word for us, and then we will consider the Quiet Revival and Evangelism. After our lunch break, we will move into Seminar Groups, covering a wide range of topics. With a 9:30 for 10 start, we will finish around 3/3:30. We would love for you to join us! 

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Letter from the Other Manse

Hello church family,
God’s mission is to bring all of His people into the Kingdom of Christ Jesus and take us to the New Creation.
It’s an unstoppable mission where Jesus will call all of His sheep to Him. Wonderfully (in every sense of the word!), Jesus then commissions His apostles and disciples to go and make more disciples of all nations.

We make more followers of Jesus as followers of Jesus. We are disciple-making disciples.
Has Jesus’ great commission been a success? Well, if you’re a member of Mearns Free Church, you’re sitting here right now reading as a beloved child of God, thousands of miles away from where Jesus initially issued His commission, thousands of years later. His salvation plan is on track, surviving countless attempts to silence our Saviour. Geography and age are no obstacle to God calling sinners home, redeeming them from their sin, reconciling them to the God who made them, and regenerating them to become participants in that very same commission.
Every time we share the gospel with someone, we’re partnering with Jesus, buying into His vision of an innumerable people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, all worshipping the Lamb for eternity, the very thing we were created and designed to do. God understands that, in this broken world, His people are round pegs in square holes, never truly belonging here. He will one day restore us to the blueprints for which we were designed, to perfectly know our God and enjoy Him forever, in a brand-new world. It’s such good news that we would be remiss to keep it to ourselves.

I’ve been sharing this very same gospel over the past week. It’s been a joy to be in Edinburgh, sharing the gospel with students at Edinburgh Napier University campus.
At lunchtimes and in the evenings, we’ve looked at whether God can still be good amidst the suffering. We’ve looked at whether we can ever be truly accepted for who we are. We’ve looked at whether love always comes with conditions. We’ve looked at whether or not death has the final say. I’ve had conversations about hell, the reliability of the Bible, those tribes who live on islands that haven’t heard the gospel, and plenty more besides. Every time, we’ve opened some of Luke’s gospel and heard Jesus answer these questions directly. Each of His answers is good news, so much better than any philosophy or salvation that the world could concoct.

It’s got me really excited for Meet the Church this coming Sunday and the 321 course that is to come, that many more of these conversations take place. Jesus hasn’t returned yet, which means there are still lost sheep out there that will still return to Him before He comes back. We groan with creation as we wait, but we do so with joy knowing that each day He hasn’t returned is a day where more and more were added to His Kingdom, forgiven forever. Could we meet some of these individuals over the weeks to come?

I’m looking forward to partnering with you over the months ahead, as we participate together in Jesus’ mission to make disciples of Mearns, Glasgow, and beyond!

Blessings, 
Scott H

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Thanks to Mary R for sending in this post highlighting the associated dangers that go with many of our Apps which sit in our hands each day...Tony Reinke wrote something of this in his book '12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You'. (click here)

“The sad truth is that many of us are addicted to our phones because we crave immediate approval and affirmation. The fear we feel in our hearts when we are engaged online is the impulse that drives our "highly selective self-representations." We want to be loved and accepted by others, so we wash away our scars and defects. When we put this scrubbed-down representation of ourselves online, we tabulate the human approval in a commodity index of likes and shares. We post an image, then watch the immediate response. We refresh. We watch the stats climb-or stall. We gauge the immediate responses from friends, family members, and strangers. Did what we posted gain the immediate approval of others? We know within minutes. Even the promise of religious approval and the affirmations of other Christians is a gravitational pull that draws us toward our phones.”

“The question....What is the best use of my smartphone in the flourishing of my life? To that end, my aim is to avoid both extremes: the utopian optimism of the technophiliac and the dystopian pessimistic of the technophobe.”

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THANK YOU to those who have been bringing items for the Food Bank at Govan Free Church.
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.

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TUESDAYS 2 - 3.30pm in Newton Mearns Baptist

A great opportunnity to meet friends, and enjoy some tea, coffee and home baking.


It was great to have some new folk along this week and a high turnout.. Perhaps this was due to the David bringing the Cafe Connect message (alongside showing some of the wooden toys he had made) or maybe it was that Priscilla had made the meringues this week...we will leave you to work out which...but everyone said they were delicious!!

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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 6
Look at the image:  What is a good way of describing a Christian?  Surely not just 'I go to church' or 'I was baptised when I was a baby'... in the Bible it is those who having recognised their sin and their need to trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross  - they now have lives which demonstrate that Jesus is their Lord God and Saviour, and by faith they are following Him....it changes behaviour, lifestyle, choices, motivations, outlook...everything. 

• There are only two ways to live. Our way - reject God as ruler, live our own way, damaged by our rebellion, facing death and judgment
• God’s new way - submit to Jesus as our ruler, rely on Jesus’ death and resurrection, forgiven by God, receive a new life that lasts forever. ​

  (If you want to read more about this image and the rest of the  2 Ways to Live course  take a look here)

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This week's focus for the prayer (using the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as a framework for prayer) some might say is an unusual one.
It involves the our responsiblility as individuals and as a church in our society, and it prays too for those who have responsibility for maintaining government and rule.
This is an extract and you can read the whole prayer here.
"Lord these rulers have huge responsibility in and for society. We recognize the duty you have placed upon us to pray for those who govern society. We ask that you would assist us in maintaining respectful hearts. Assist us to be diligent in our civic duties: help us to pay every tax determined as fitting and to obey all lawful commands with integrity. We recognize our need to be subject to their authority, not out of fear, but because our consciences are directed by your Word." We see clearly that our obligation to obey does not vanish even when leaders fall into religious or moral error. 

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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.

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Ladybird Book of Mearns Free Church

 

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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.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GIFT BAGS WE COULD HAVE - we would like to be able to put the prizes in nice bags. 




 

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What is the Ground of Our Assurance
At the prayer meeting on Wednesday reference was made to a 'story' which Don Carson told which basically asked where we have our trust that we will be saved...is it if we have generated enough faith within ourselves (what about those 'off days' we have!?!) or is it in something else...What is The Ground of Our Assurance?  The text is below - if you want to watch the 3 min video it is here.

Picture two Jews, by the name of Smith and Brown. Remarkably Jewish names.

The day before the first Passover they’re having a little discussion in the land of Goshen, and Smith says to Brown, “Boy, are you a little nervous about what’s going to happen tonight?”

Brown says, “Well, God told us what to do through his servant Moses. You don’t have to be nervous. Haven’t you slaughtered the lamb and dobbed the two door posts with blood—put blood on the lintel? Haven’t you done that? You’re all ready and packed to go? You’re going to eat your whole Passover meal with your family?”

“Of course I’ve done that. I’m not stupid. But, it’s still pretty scary when you think of all the things that have happened around here recently. You know, flies and river turning to blood. It’s pretty awful. And now there’s a threat of the first-born being killed, you know. It’s all right for you. You’ve got three sons. I’ve only got one. And I love my Charlie, and the Angel of Death is passing through tonight. I know what God says; I put the blood there. But it’s pretty scary, I’ll be glad when this night is over.”

And the other one responds, “Bring it on. I trust the promises of God.”

That night, the angel of death swept through the land. Which one lost his son?

And the answer of course is: neither.

Because death doesn’t pass over them on the ground of the intensity, or the clarity, of the faith exercised. But on the ground of the blood of the lamb. That’s what silences the accuser.

The blood silences the accuser of the brothers as he accuses us before God. He silences our consciences when he accuses us directly. How many times do we writhe in agony asking if God can ever love us enough, if God can ever care for us enough after we have done such stupid, sinful, rebellious things after being Christians for 40 years?

What are you going to say, “Oh, God, I tried hard, you know. I did my best. It was a bad moment”?

No, no, no.

I have no other argument! I need no other plea! It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me!

We overcome him by the blood of the lamb. There is the ground of all human assurance before God. There is the ground of our faith. Not guaranteeing intensity of faith—so fickle are we.

It’s not the intensity of our faith but the object of our faith that saves. They overcome him on the ground of the blood of the lamb.

D. A. Carson, “How Long, O Lord? Steadying Our Soul in the Midst of the Storm,” Bethlehem 2016 Conference for Pastors and Church Leaders (Minneapolis), January 26, 2016:

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‘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+

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