No.112     6th November

Hi, 
Hope this finds you well. 
There is lots going on, and things to take part in - thanks to everyone who gets involved in rotas throughout the month, and for doing those 'one-off' jobs too.
The thing about serving in this way is that it is a long term commitment - did you know it is three years since we started meeting in Belmont School (It was Remembrance Sunday the first time we met in the hall) and we should give thanks to God for his goodness to us over this period.

Tomorrow is busy - hope to you see you at the Afternoon Cafe!

Enjoy the Mag
MB

Please support this event TOMORROW - Saturday!

REMEMBER - It's for everyone!!
Apart from just having a good time together with friends and introducing them to where we enjoy church each Sunday, there are a range of stalls, games and activities.
Bring friends and family - children, grandchildren, your great aunt twice removed on your mother's side?
We are fundraising for the Preshal Trust and Iain McCallum will give a short presentation.

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Sunday 8th November

Sunday Morning - 10.30am
Rev Scott Hamilton
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Psalm 50

⚠️ Fire Evacuation Procedure - Sunday morning presentation ⚠️
On Sunday morning we will run a brief video before the start of the service again to raise awareness of our fire evacuation procedure in the event of a fire alarm. We are also ensuring that those on duty as Fire Wardens are familiar with their duties. We are intending to run a fire drill also in the next few months to test out these procedures.
If you have questions about this speak with Alastair Mc.
To view the procedure notes click here.

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Sunday Evening - 7pm

Refreshments at 6.30pm
Come along and enjoy the fellowship with each other and those at Newton Mearns Baptist Church and continue the studies in 2 Corinthians.

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Our weekly prayer meeting  on Wednesdays is at 7.15pm
Throughout November we meet in the Robertsons'

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Letter from the Other Manse

Scott Kirkland’s two-week study leave is a challenge to me, but not in the way that you might think.
It’s a pleasure and a joy to shoulder the responsibilities of serving the church as a minister in whatever capacity I can. It’s the very thing for which I have studied, trained, and relied on God. However, I still have lots to learn, and that’s what challenges me.
Scott’s study leave might give us all a moment to pause and to ask ourselves, “am I growing as a Christian?”, or “how can I continue to develop an appetite to learn more about our God and His Word?”
Our growth takes place as Christ’s Word transforms us, in our own quiet times, and as we gather together on a Sunday to hear the Word preached to us. Our growth takes place in our home groups, at YABS, Hizkidz, Youth, Primetime, and every other context in which we open the pages of the Bible and hear God’s voice.
However, outside of these important rhythms, there is a world of literature and wisdom from many a Godly author on a whole range of subjects and Biblical texts. I love hearing stories of men and women across our own church family meeting up to talk through books they have read and how the rich gospel truths apply to their lives. My challenge is to make sure I’m taking the time out of my week to read and grow as I go and tell.
So, what are you going to read next? There are a number of people in the church who would love to point you towards articles, websites, and books that we’ve all found helpful.

Let’s pray for Scott and Anita as they embark on Scott’s study leave, that he finds the time refreshing and helpful. Let’s also pray for us all, that we too would never think that we are “past” the point of learning. Pray that we would collectively be ever hungry to learn more and to grow, not so that we become puffed up with knowledge, but so that we would enjoy Christ and the many, many gospel blessings He shares with His people.

See you on Sunday (D.V.)
SH

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Thanks again...and again
...and again!

For the last couple of weeks we have had photos to emphasise that running 'church' at Belmont involves a lot of people serving in different ways. Here is another...
For instance, most weeks Charles and others in the AV team are running cables the length and breadth of the hall, plugging in, wiring up and switching on the AV and music equipment. And there is a video which shows that he does it all with great joy - and some style!! You can watch the whole wonderful 'show' here.

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It’s been remarkable to see the increase of young adults since I started attending Mearns Free Church in July 2024. It is an answered prayer for many of us, and something to reflect on and turn to God in thanksgiving. As a result of this increase, the Young Adults Bible Study (YABS) has been established, giving us further opportunities to learn together and grow in our faith, building relationships that (we pray) will ultimately serve God and the growth of His church.

Importantly, this cannot happen in isolation. Whilst YABS is deeply beneficial to many of us, we recognise how much we need the wisdom, experience and encouragement of the wider church family that has been so influential throughout our lives. Personally, I have benefited immensely from the fellowship with people outside the YABS group and would be at a significant spiritual detriment were this fellowship to decline. We do not want this group to be our sole focus, but rather as an additional opportunity to help us grow closer to God, encourage one another in our faith and increasingly reflect Christ in our lives as we navigate our early adult years. The relationships we build within YABS should complement, rather than replace, the wider fellowship of the church.

Please continue to pray for us as a group, that we would grow in our understanding of God's Word, encourage one another in our walk with Christ and bear fruit not only in our own lives but also in the wider church. We would also encourage everyone to continue to make time for fellowship with those of us in the group, as we greatly value the relationships we have built across MFC beyond our involvement in YABS.

Finally, we would love to welcome any other young adults who might be interested in joining us. YABS is open to all young adults, whether you're a professing Christian or still exploring the Christian faith and have questions of your own. If you have a family member or someone close to you who might benefit from a community of young adults who enjoy eating pasta in bulk, discussing biblical concepts and wrestling with difficult theological passages, they would be more than welcome. Please get in touch with Scott Hamilton for further information!
See you on Sunday,
Daniel W

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Ladybird Book of Mearns

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There are prayer points for this Day of Prayer - you can read them here.

Online Prayer Meeting: Wednesday 18th November 

Everyone is invited to join a central prayer time led by Free Church Moderator Rev Calum Iain 
Macleod on Wednesday, 18th November at 12.30 pm. There will be a time of devotion followed by a 
time of corporate prayer. Please note, there are unlimited spaces on the online Teams call, so do join 
us to pray!
Microsoft details (explaining how to use the link to join the prayer meeting online)are here.

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BOXES

The Annual Box Check has started.
Weekdays from 10am to 3.30 in the garage at Maxwell Mearns Castle Church
Can you help?  Denise will  welcome you and clear guidance is given on what to do.
All welcome  - just knock firmly on the shutters at the garage. Refreshments are provided.
Not sure what's involved? Speak with Margaret Boyd or Pamela Merriman if you want to know more about the Box Checking.
And if you need to see the joy it can bring to those receiving the Shoeboxes read the stories from Blythswood here.

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On Saturday 7th Nov at 7pm in Abbeygreen,  Lesmahagow, there is an evening of Praise and Preaching with Sinclair Ferguson - look at last week's magazine for the details. 
If you are not able to manage you could make up for it by watching part of a series Dr Ferguson gave on the Sermon on the Mount. This particular link is to talk on 'The Cure to Anxiety'.
The link for the 12 part series is the Ligonier webpage here.

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If you read it everyday...

There are a wide range of ways to help make daily Bible reading part of you (and your family's routine). We will mention some here over the next few weeks as we head towards 2027. 
Below is an example of a new book...but first of all why not get into the habit by reading through Advent with this free e-book:
ADVENT REFLECTIONS:
There are a number of devotionals you can use to make sure you don't lose sight of the Bible's account of the Incarnation amidst all the other busyness of the Season. 
John Piper's The Dawning of Indestructible Joy DAILY READINGS FOR ADVENT is a free download. A bible reading with a short comment on the text. You can download it here and read it on your phone or tablet. 
 

NEW YEAR, NEW HABIT - NEW BOOK

The Lord is My Light : Trevin Wax: Amazon.co.uk: Books
The Lord Is My Light invites you to anchor every day in the steady rhythm of prayer and Bible reading. Each daily liturgy arranges passages of God’s Word to highlight the themes and connections within Scripture, surrounding them with confessions and prayers voiced by believers across the centuries. Through the seasons of the church year, this pattern will help you declare your faith, confess your sin, praise your King, and intercede for others—never losing sight of the One who is our light and salvation. Whether prayed alone or with others, these pages will help you cultivate holy habits of attention and devotion until your heart beats in rhythm with the prayers of our forefathers and mothers in the faith.​

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David Merriman was speaking at Cafe Connect this week - his topic was his favourite hymn.
We had a game of Famous Hymn 'Catchphrase'. Use each image to guide you to the titles of the five hymns - David spoke on the bottom right one.
Answers below. Get all five without looking at the answers? Speak with David for your prize.


 

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HYMN CATCHPHRASE - answers

• Be Thou my vision
• Morning has broken
• The day thou gavest Lord is ended
• All things bright and beautiful
• O Love that wilt not let me go

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The parliamentary Committee considering the Conversion Practices Bill is seeking views on how the draft legislation could be improved.

The Christian Institute is among campaigners urging people to take part in the committee’s Call for Evidence, saying it’s an “important opportunity for Christians to make their voices heard” before the government decides whether to take the Bill forward.

The Bill has been heavily criticised by Christian groups who fear it could put ordinary conversations about faith, sexuality and gender at risk of criminalisation.

The legislation would create a new criminal offence relating to “conversion practices”. The Christian Institute warns that the offence is so broadly framed that it could capture conversations and conduct that are neither abusive nor harmful, including parents taking a cautious approach to their child’s desire to “transition”, or church leaders providing pastoral support to congregants.

Earlier this month, the Affinity network of churches and the Good Faith Partnership wrote a joint letter with the Christian Institute to the Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson over her claims that the Bill, which was published in June, won’t threaten freedom of religion, expression or parental rights. They said the draft legislation contains no clear guarantees that this would be the case.

Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute is urging Christians to get involved with the Call for Evidence because he fears the Bill would create "a speech crime with serious risks for ordinary conversations within families and churches.

"Parents must be free to guide their children according to their beliefs. Christians must be free to pray with someone who asks for prayer, offer pastoral support and explain what the Bible teaches about sex and relationships. None of these things should put someone at risk of a criminal investigation simply because another person dislikes what has been said.

"We are urging Christians to respond to the Committee's call for evidence. MPs and Peers need to hear from people who understand how these proposals could affect everyday family life, church ministry and religious freedom. The more clearly the practical problems are explained, the harder they will be to ignore.

"The proposals would have a huge chilling effect. We recognise the government wants to ensure people are protected from abuse but you don’t help victims of abuse by making innocent people victims of injustice.”

The deadline for submissions to the Call for Evidence is 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026.

The Committee's report on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill is due to be published in January 2027.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS  HERE and the link for details how you can respond and stand with the Christian Institute in this is here.

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Govan Free Church

Food Bank

It's always great to be able to take some groceries with us down to the FoodBank - 
Things like sugar, coffee, teabags, pasta can be split into smaller bags for families so don't worry about bringing large bags.
Speak with Sue A, Mary R or Martin B for more info.

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CAN YOU HELP?!

If you are on Facebook or Instagram please engage with the Mearns Free pages.
One of the ways we would like to raise the profile of Mearns Free is by using social media. Facebook is an open goal in terms of being able to put the church activities on people's radars... if you can like or forward the posts and reels that would make a difference.

 

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COFFEE CUPS!

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 own along that would be great,  and the team will almost certainly speak about you behind your back less than they currently do!

 

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