No.103    4th Sept

Hi, 
Hope this finds you well.

There are a number of the young people away this weekend at SU's Gowanbank centre...pray for them that it will be a really significant time for each one in their faith as these residential events often are. And if you look below you will see that it doesn't need to be just the young people who get the fun activity weekends, there is one for the guys too at Abernethy...and I can imagine a lot of wives would be keen to see their husbands heading north (or literally anywhere else!) for a couple of days.

Remember the Home Groups are starting this week at various times - speak with Scott K and Scott H to get involved in this important part of church life.

Enjoy the mag,
MB

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Sunday 6th September

Sunday Morning 
Rev Scott Hamilton
Ecclesiastes 11 and 12


Starting THIS WEEK  - new series on 2nd Corinthians. 
Don't miss out -Home Groups are on Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays

 
Meets on Sunday Evenings
Games, friendship and studies in Exodus this session.
Speak with Scott H for more details.

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Our weekly prayer meeting  on Wednesdays is at 7.15pm
Meeting in the McDougalls'  throughout September.

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Cafe Connect will be starting again on Tuesday 15th September. 

It meets in Newton Mearns Baptist Church at 2pm - 3.30pm

If you want to know more about the Cafe (who it's for, what happens each week, if you can help out etc) then speak with Margaret Boyd.
Sandy Halliday would be interested in speaking with you if you can help with using your car to pick up to and from the Cafe on a rota basis.

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Letter from the Manse

Dear Church Family,
I want to thank our Outreach and Events Team for an excellent evening at the Eglinton Arms on Thursday for our “Food For Thought” gathering. It was, I believe, a super evening, and we were delighted to have David Nixon back with us speaking on how Christianity makes peace in a polarised world. Let’s pray that the word of God that David shared will deeply impact all who attended.

We will complete our series on Ecclesiastes this coming Sunday (6th). I will be leading and Scott H will be preaching. We will begin a new mini-series the following Sunday (13th September) focusing on the vital words Jesus spoke to his disciples in the “upper room” (John 14–17).
Though I will be leading worship in church this Sunday morning and then our Manse Home Group on Sunday evening, I will be taking some time off on either side of the weekend (returning Thursday night). In the event of any pastoral needs arising, please contact Scott Hamilton and/or your elder.

The Pulse prayer meeting on Wednesday nights will meet for September at the McDougalls’ home. Did you know that although we meet in a home for prayer, this is a normal congregational meeting and is open to everyone. All are welcome, even if you are not a regular attender. If you have never been, you are doubly welcome. We start at 7:15 PM and finish sharply at 8:15 PM. (If you need the address, please email the office at office@mearnsfree.org.)

With warmest regards,
Scott K

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FROM THE OTHER MANSE

Thursday night saw the repeat of our Food for Thought evening.
This year, we made some logistical tweaks on how the evening ran, trying to streamline the meal and to enable more time for questions and answers at the end of the evening. This, we hoped, would make for an evening where the focus was as much the content of the talk and discussion afterwards as it was the meal itself.
I was struck that political and social polarisation is something that our world finds simultaneously comforting and discomforting. We are increasingly at home with people who are similar to us, people who understand and agree with us, yet we also flinch at the idea that we’re all separating into our own tribes and groups, villainising others and victimising ourselves. It doesn’t seem sustainable and it doesn’t seem loving. Thankfully, David Nixon showed us a better way, a divine way, to understand and respond to our deeply divided society.

There were a good number of those present who wouldn’t yet call themselves persuaded Christians. There were a good number of those present who would know the gospel but haven’t yet trusted in Jesus as both their Saviour and Lord. If they were in any doubt as to the goodness of our God, David Nixon took us to the parable of the good Samaritan, where Jesus Himself is our “Good Samaritan”, who crosses over lines that others are unwilling to cross in order to care for His enemies, i.e. you and me, in our sinful and rebellious state.

We all bear the image of God. That brings a dignity to each of us. We have all fallen dramatically short of God’s glory. That brings a depravity to each of us, one which helps to explain our divisions. We all need God’s mercy. That brings a common cure to the polarisation that we see, that it’s only when we unite around Jesus that true peace, true harmony, can be found. We see a glimpse of that at our church on a Sunday, as the things that should divide us don’t divide us, but we all gather beneath the cross of our Saviour.

Praise God that He is not a God of hate, but a God of harmony. We have a message of reconciliation to share with our world, that our God is deeply dissatisfied with division, and wants to welcome every tribe, tongue, and nation into the new creation.

Blessings, Scott H

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Keep the SU Weekend Away in prayer - this is the area Pauline covers for SU now as a Regional Worker and so a number of our own young people are there along with many from the West of Scotland.

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💓Congratulations to Daniel and Cara💓

The Wenmans celebrated their marriage last Friday - it was great to have a time of distinctively Christian worship as they chose the hymns to be sung, and both Scott's leading and others from Mearns Free taking part in the service.

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Ladybird Book of Mearns Free

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CAN YOU HELP?!

If you are on Facebook please follow the Mearns Free page.

One of the ways we would like to raise the profile of Mearns Free is by using social media.
We have been highlighting our services and the teaching on Ecclesiastes recently on social media, above is an example from Facebook a few weeks ago (we did the same for the Easter day earlier this year and the Community Weekend).
However, we really need YOU (if you use social media) to like, comment or forward etc these posts in order for as many people in the area to notice them. Can you help!?

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Greetings from Abernethy!
We're reaching out to invite the men in your church to join us for an adventure-filled weekend in the heart of the Scottish Highlands... a great weekend to step away from everyday life, go deeper in faith, and embrace the outdoors. 

Rooted for Men | 18 - 20 September 2026 | Abernethy Nethy Bridge
Rooted for Men is a weekend packed with great food, laughter, meaningful conversation, and space to deepen your relationship with God. You can push yourself physically and mentally through a range of adventurous outdoor activities or take things at a gentler pace — whether that’s coasteering, rock climbing, hiking in the mountains or a relaxed stroll to the local coffee shop in Nethy Bridge. The weekend is intentionally designed so you can engage at a level that suits you and find what you came looking for.

Book on with a group of guys from church as a "ready-made" weekend away, without the hassle of planning. Or, come as an individual, and connect with other men who love God, the outdoors, and good food. All men age 18+ are welcome. 

Read more about what is on offer and book your spot here
We're really excited about what we have planned, and hope to see you there. If you have any questions contact the office team at nethybridge@abernethy.org.uk or 01479 821279.

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The unstoppable wave of God's glory

As part of God’s great mission, Habakkuk 2:14 declares: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” This powerful promise reminds us that God’s glory is not confined to one place or people – it is spreading across the nations like an unstoppable wave.

This year, our Week of Prayer theme is O.C.E.A.N – The Unstoppable Wave of God’s Glory. Across five days, we’ll journey together in prayer around the world, asking God to move powerfully among the nations and bring many people to know and worship Him.

Throughout the week, we’ll pray for churches, mission workers, unreached peoples and gospel opportunities across different regions of the world. As we hear stories of what God is doing globally, let’s ask Him to deepen our vision for His mission, strengthen those serving cross-culturally, and raise up more workers for the harvest.
Click here to ask for the details to be sent to you through the week and join with many others praying across the globe. Its' free.

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A lot of us have bought the book suggested for us : 'How Christianity transformed the world' by Sharon James.
We want to avoid the book gathering dust so as a help here is the author talking about these things and I hope it will inspire you to pick it up and follow up this video - and with the timings below you can pick an area that particularly interests you.
"Many today claim Christianity is toxic, bigoted, patriarchal, Western, imperialist, and repressive. However, the biblical teaching that every human being is made in God's image is the foundation for our regard for human dignity and freedom.
In this breakout session from TGCW24, Sharon James explores the profound ways Christians have influenced the world for the better in areas such as justice, philanthropy, health care, education, and the dignity of women." ON THIS VIDEO:
0:00 Prayer and introduction
2:14 The story of Sarah Martin
5:06 The impact of Christianity on human rights and freedom
11:29 Justice and the rule of law
14:39 Protection of life and the sanctity of human dignity
19:44 Relief of human need and philanthropy
23:32 Education and the empowerment of women
28:38 The dignity of women and Christian ethics
34:44 The role of Christianity in modern society
Watch the video here

FOR SOMETHING MUCH SHORTER BUT ON A SIMILAR THEME:
"Name anything only a Christian can do but I can't".
A short extract from a well known debate with John Lennox and Christopher Hitchens.
Watch the video here.

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Women for Mission Conference

Saturday 12th September
When Strivings Cease: Learning to pause in a world of unrest.
The WfM Conference will be held at Smithton Free Church on Saturday 12th September, 9:30am-3:30pm. Our main speakers on the topic of rest are Cathy Steed and Mairi Smith. Throughout the day, we'll hear from our main speakers as well as a Q&A, lunch and craft stalls and a bookstall hosted by Christian Focus Publishing. Booking details are available here.
Alongside the bookstall, we're facilitating a number of craft stalls to sell goods at the event. In previous years, these have August 2026 Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 2LS T: 0131 226 5286 E: offices@freechurch.org included handcrafted decorations, cards, artwork, knitwear and jams - we'd love to have a variety of things on offer. contact@womenformission.org.



Saturday 26th September
Scotland’s most urgent need in 2026 is for the gospel.
That gospel needs to be heard, believed and followed all across our nation. But for the gospel to be heard, it needs to be offered.   
This year’s ETS Conference focuses on the Free Offer of the Gospel – a subject that has been a source of controversy and tension in the history of the Scottish Church and which today remains an urgent priority as we seek to meet the deepest needs of our nation. 
Join us as we explore the rich theological history and discuss the immediate contemporary relevance of this profound and priceless topic.
See details including ticket info here


Thursday 1st October
A Night of Worship and Prayer for Scotland: The Revival 2026
An evening of worship and prayer will take place at the SEC in Glasgow on Thursday 1st October. The Revival 2026 will feature worship led by Michael W. Smith and Celtic Worship, with a message from Nicky Gumbel. Doors open at 6pm, for a 6.30pm start. For more details and how to book your tickets, go to: The Revival 2026 page here or the SEC page here


Thursday 17th December
Celtic Worship
Experience an uplifting night of traditional Scottish folk and contemporary praise as Celtic Worship head to the O2 Academy Glasgow this December alongside the incredible Zerua Music!
Go to Celtic Worship webpage here or see ticket details here. 

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COFFEE AND TREATS AFTER CHURCH

BAKING  - it's great that so many people are on the baking rota - this means that it is around every 7-8 weeks that they are called on. Can you join this group - or know someone in your family who is a great baker, who could make something which you can pass off as your own work? Speak with Margaret Boyd
CUPS - already a lot of people bring their own cup along - this does save on costs for paper cups so if you can bring your along that would be great,  and the team will almost certainly speak about you behind your back less than they currently do!