No.113     13th November

Hi, 
Hope this finds you well. 
This weekend's activities are out of the traps quickly with the Monthly Prayer Meeting tomorrow (Sat morning!) at 9am. 
Actually, Colin and Daniel C have already been busy as there is a team who set up the AV on most Friday nights too...and there are others who keep busy too each week - more of that below.

Enjoy the Mag
MB

 

Saturday 14th November

meeting as usual at the Smiths, in Eaglesham
9am - 10am

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Sunday 15th November

Sunday Morning - 10.30am
Rev Scott Hamilton
Exodus ch1 - 'Invisible Hands' (3)

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Home groups are running this week.
Make sure you get involved in this important part of church life.
Speak with Scott K or Scott H to find a place.

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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

Mearns Free Church, get your calendars ready.
Here are some key dates for you over the month of December, with details of events coming up, events of which we’ll remind you nearer the time, but you might like to pop into your diaries sooner rather than later!
On the evening of Sunday the 13th of December, at 7pm, we’ll be hosting a carol service at Belmont which will run for just under an hour. As always, this will be stuffed full of carols, familiar readings, and a gospel call to consider Christ this Christmas.
On the morning of Sunday the 20th of December, 10:30am as always, our morning worship service will be an all-age service, designed for our youngsters to stay in the service for much longer than usual, with all the usual Christmas songs, carols, and a shorter Christmas message.
On the evening of Sunday the 20th of December, kicking off at 7pm, the Christian drama production company LAMPS are coming to run Christmas by LAMPS light. This will be an evening of spoken word, a mixture of older and newer carols, all inspired by the lessons and carols tradition. Some of us will know and remember them from the time when they came and did the Passion performance with us. It should be an excellent evening.
 
There is more to share with you regarding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but that feels like enough information for now! Please be praying for these events, please be praying for those speaking at these events, and please be praying for friends and family that you would like to come along! Even the stiffest indifference to Christianity is sometimes unlocked at this time of the year as all the festivities kick in. Why not begin to send some messages at some point over this next week with some information regarding something you’d like a friend or a family member to come to?
 
See you on Sunday (D.V.)
SH



This link takes you to the page on the church website which lists the Christmas events Scott has mentioned above. Take a look and please use this to let others know and look out for various images being sent on WhatsApp etc, and for the flyers to pass on to friends and neighbours which will be available in the next couple of weeks. Speak with Margo or Lorna if you have question about these.

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Thanks from
 ​

Dear Friends at Mearns Free Church,

On behalf of everyone at The Preshal Trust, I am writing to send you our deepest gratitude for hosting such a wonderful Afternoon Cafe in aid of our charity.


We are absolutely delighted to share that your amazing efforts raised an incredible £1,346.60! This is a truly outstanding sum — every single penny will go directly toward supporting those who need it most, making a real and lasting difference in so many lives.

Your kindness, hard work, and generosity are such a blessing. Events like yours not only raise vital funds but also bring our community’s together in compassion and hope. We simply could not do what we do without wonderful people like you standing alongside us.

Thank you once again for your incredible support, your prayers, and your friendship. May God bless you and your church family abundantly.

With sincere thanks and appreciation,

Alan Nicholson 
CEO, The Preshal Trust
...
Fiona Waugh wants to add her thanks too, in particular to all those who stepped up to set up tables and chairs and also to man stalls through the afternoon. Thanks too for all those who baked and served those who attended the cafe.

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

For the last couple of magazines we've been keen to show those who are often quietly working away in the background, before and after the services, setting up or clearing away, to make sure 'church' runs smoothly.
This week we thought we would pick out (pick on?) Graham  - he is a guy who goes the 2nd mile when it comes to taking his duties seriously... as this short video proves...

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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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Blythswood Shoebox Appeal

The Shoebox appeal for this year has already seen hundreds of boxes being checked up at Maxwell Mearns Castle Church (the boxes arrive from various churches, groups and individuals) before they are sent out - this year these boxes are heading to Serbia...
I hope you can access this video from Jeremy at Blythswood who is out in Kosovo with some extremely poor people they are working to support with basic essentials. 
For more details on how to get involved in the box checking speak with the Boyds, the Hallidays or the Merrimans.

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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. 
Last week we mentioned 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. 

Here are some more ideas for having a time in the Bible EVERY DAY!.. Can you mention it enough times at the dinner table to make sure it's in your Christmas stocking!?

These devotionals are just some available from Christian bookshops.
You might want to look in at Galilee books at Langside (to see the books in person) or go online to 10ofthose here or look here at these shorter books for one month at a time.
Some will suggest a good portion of Scripture to read which will have you reading the whole bible or perhaps the New Testament in a year. Others have shorter readings and a comment to go with them. 
Take a look at the links for some ideas but certainly make it a focus for 2027 to have daily times in the Bible. 

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Last week we had some famous hymns whose names could be guessed by looking at the images - here are 5 more...answers are below.
Use each image to guide you to the titles of the five hymns...

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Ladybird Book of Mearns

 

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HYMN CATCHPHRASE - answers

• All people that on Earth do dwell
• Abide with Me
• Amazing Grace
• Holy, Holy, Holy
• How great Thou art

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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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This Sunday we are looking at Exodus ch1... in the story of God's salvation we see a people who are powerless, under the rule of the most powerful man in the world, completely at a loss...and to escape will need to defeat a powerful army and cross a sea... this is just one image we have of our own greater salvation into eternal life and freedom through Christ as we are rescued from enslavement.
"Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." 1 Peter 1:18
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son." Colossians 1:13

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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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