Worship Sun 9 Aug: 'That sinking feeling'

WELCOME/
Hello!
Welcome to online worship with Upper Clyde Parish....
As regular blog visitors and online worshippers might know, I've been away on annual leave for a few weeks, and while holiday was lovely, it really is good to be back.  It's great to gather from our many different places and join in worshipping the One who is most worthy of our praise, and who calls us from wherever we are to be his community of faith, a family joined together, not necessarily by ties of blood, but through God's Spirit.

In our time of worship, we’ll be reflecting on how that faith journey involves – for one particular follower of Jesus – getting his feet a little bit wet as Jesus’ call to follow leaves him, quite literally, all at sea...

Before we move into worship, just one major matter to flag up:
And that’s the ongoing preparations for the opening of the church for gathered – socially distanced – worship... (and ‘socially-distanced’ worship feels like such a contradictory phrase)... but these are the times we’re currently living in.
Preparations are ongoing, and we hope to be able to open the church building once again from the 1st Sunday in September. Now, this is subject to all our preparations being in place and that what we've done is not only compliant with Government regulations, but also meets with presbytery approval.
We're very nearly - hopefully - there: we just need to get all our signage in place and have a visit from the electrician to do a thorough safety check... thereafter, we should be good to go.
Once presbytery has given its approval,  more concrete information will be forthcoming which we hope to get out to those in the parish by a combination of ways – both online and otherwise – so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

The only other matter to bring to your attention is the link for family-friendly, all-age resources to go along with our worship service. The ALL-AGE RESOURCE LINK IS HERE.

I hope you enjoy this time of worship and that it encourages and refreshes, and recharges you in your faith journey.
You'll find our YouTube channel WORSHIP LINK HERE

As you go into this coming week, may you know God's blessing each and every day.

Church news, info, updates: wk beg 20 July thru 5 August

Minister on leave Mon 20 July - Wed 5 Aug inclusive 

[available from c. lunchtime Thurs 6th Aug]

Arrangements during this time...

Contact details:
For urgent pastoral cover, please contact:
from Mon 20th - Sat 25th July, the 
and from Sun 26th July - Wed 5th Aug, the 
For all other enquiries, please contact our Session Clerk, Miss Heather Watt on 

Worship for 26 July and 2 August:
While I’m taking on annual leave, why not pay a 'visit' to worship with some of our other online parishes in the Church of Scotland...
These first two links feature daughters of Upper Clyde Parish - and sisters -
the Rev. Dr Jean Kirkwood, Minister of Townhill and Kingseat Parish,
and the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson, Transitional Minister in the newly created Shetland Parish.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR TOWNHILL
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SHETLAND
Both links will take you to the YouTube channels of each parish and into the 'playlist' section.
Look for the service with the date of worship you need - and scroll your mouse over it: you should see 'play all' - click on that, and you'll find a similar set up to our own, with clips that will play one after the other...

For live, streamed worship, you could visit:
Dunfermline Abbey, with the Rev. MaryAnn Rennie.
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's a 10.30am start, but if you're late, you can watch it anytime thereafter.

Within our Presbytery, watch Lanark Greyfriars, and Lanark St Nicholas as they share in worship -
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's an 11am start, but you also have the opportunity to watch again if you miss it.

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Update on opening of church:
If you look to your right, you'll see the 'featured post' - if you click onto that, you'll get a long update on where we are in the process of moving toward getting our church building open once again for worship together. So, please do go and have a wee look.
And keep an eye out for further updates as they come.

We're still a little way off opening the doors just yet, so please do bear with us...

Worship, Sunday 19 July: Weeds and wheat

Welcome/
Hello and welcome to online worship with Upper Clyde Parish.
I hope this last week has been a good one for you.
As ever, it’s great to be able to praise and thank and bless:
the One who called into being the universe and everything within,
the One who is the Word of God,
the One who illuminates the word of God in scripture.

We have a special guest preacher with us for our worship time, the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson,
now in Shetland, but no stranger to us in the parish, given she grew up here. It's lovely to
welcome her and to hear her preach God's word.

Before clicking on our worship link below, please do check the notices underneath the link first.
WORSHIP LINK HERE

Notices/
There are several church notices to... well, to notice!
Update on opening of church:
If you look to your right, you'll see the 'featured post' - if you click onto that, you'll get a long update on where we are in the process of moving toward getting our church building open once again for worship together. So, please do go and have a wee look.
And keep an eye out for further updates as they come.
But again, we're still a little way off opening the doors just yet, so please do bear with us...

All-age worship resources: 
For those of you who live in a household of all-ages, do CLICK ON THIS LINK which will take you across to all-age, family-friendly resources that you can use and which pick up on our Bible passage and worship theme for today.

Minister on leave Mon 26 July - Wed 5 Aug inclusive [available from c. lunchtime Thurs 6th Aug]
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be taking a rather overdue break.
Contact details are as follows:
For urgent pastoral cover, please contact:
from Mon 20th - Sat 25th July, the Rev. Louise Mackay on 01555 661936
and from Sun 26th July - Wed 5th Aug, the Rev. George Shand on 01899 309400
For all other enquiries, please contact our Session Clerk, Miss Heather Watt on 01899 850211

Worship for 26 July and 2 August:
While I’m taking on annual leave, why not pay a 'visit' to worship with some of our other online parishes in the Church of Scotland...
These first two links feature daughters of Upper Clyde Parish - and sisters -
the Rev. Dr Jean Kirkwood, Minister of Townhill and Kingseat Parish,
and the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson, Transitional Minister in the newly created Shetland Parish.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR TOWNHILL
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SHETLAND
Both links will take you to the YouTube channels of each parish and into the 'playlist' section.
Look for the service with the date of worship you need - and scroll your mouse over it: you should see 'play all' - click on that, and you'll find a similar set up to our own, with clips that will play one after the other...

For live, streamed worship, you could visit:
Dunfermline Abbey, with the Rev. MaryAnn Rennie.
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's a 10.30am start, but if you're late, you can watch it anytime thereafter.

Within our Presbytery, watch Lanark Greyfriars, and Lanark St Nicholas as they share in worship -
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's an 11am start, but you also have the opportunity to watch again if you miss it.

Update: Re. opening of the church building

Reopening of church building news:

The following concerns the announcement about the possibility of 

opening church buildings from the 15th of July:

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and because of its highly contagious nature
before we can open the church building, there are a number of tasks to be done to
ensure that when we do gather together once again, that it is as safe as possible to do so.
Currently, where we're at is here:

• completed a Risk Assessment exercise and filled out corresponding RA form;
• filled out a major checklist covering all aspects of safety measures for opening the building, 
• procured items needed to to ensure safety and comply with Gov't regulations -
  [sanitiser stations, sanitiser gel, sanitiser spray, supply of face masks, aprons, gloves, etc]
• implemented a strategy for best practice when gathering
• written a water safety management plan [this re. ensuring a legionella-free building after closure for a long period of time]
• written a strategy plan in the case of someone becoming ill during worship in church - due to COVID-19
• drawn up a diagram to indicate one-way flow system/ seating arrangements
• all paperwork now approved by the Session
• paperwork has been sent to Presbytery for approval re. opening

Next on the to do list is:

• the installation of our new sanitiser stations, 
• putting information posters up so that everyone coming to the building knows the new procedures and what we all must do to comply with regulations,
• placing distancing stickers outside the entrance and exits to the building
• placing arrows inside to show the one-way flow system
• tagging seating to indicate where to sit to ensure physical distancing
• run all water taps for no less than 20 minutes to ensure no stagnant water in system

All the forms, checklists, procedural plans have now been gone over by the Kirk Session for a final check and all has been approved. 

Paperwork has now been sent to  off to Presbytery -

this works as a double-check process to make sure nothing has been missed.

Only when Presbytery is satisfied that we have complied with both Government and Church of Scotland regulations, will we be given permission to re-open the church building for worship and for funeral services.

So, while technically we'll be able to open the church building on 15 July,
as per the Scottish Gov't announcement... ensuring all measures are in place for maximum saftey takes a little time... 
In good conscience, we would rather take things a little more slowly and surely rather than to put anyone at risk by not being absolutely thorough.
With your safety in mind, it will be a good few weeks yet, before we can open the building.

Given the procedural business, as well as the fact that the minister is taking long overdue leave at the end of July and early August, in the best possible circumstances, the Session and I would hope to open on the first Sunday in September. I can't make a firm promise on that, but it is what we're hoping to do.
Also, when we do open for gathered public worship, there will be certain things that all of us must and must not do, and to be aware of. We'll be drafting up a bullet-point list for clarity, so that everyone knows best practice.
If some of you are anxious about coming to the church building for worship, online worship will continue to be available for the foreseeable future, which you can access from the safety of home.

As I said:

• we want to make absolutely sure that we can worship together as safely as we possibly can.
• We’ll keep you posted with updates.

So do bear with the Session, and me, as we get this rather substantial undertaking sorted and thanks for being patient in the meantime.

A dedicated page has been created above in the tabs at the top of the page - this will keep you up to date with information as we have it.
You can also LINK TO IT HERE to have a look

Considering the matter of opening the building for private prayer:
the Session felt that for both the congregation and wider community, that it might be seen to be more helpful in preparing the building for use for funerals....

We could now open the church building for private prayer – but we won't.
Why not? 
Because if you came here to pray we'd have to:
*make you wash or sanitise your hands at the door
*instruct you to wear a mask
*ask you if you had COVID symptoms, underlying health problems or got a flu jab
     (and turn you away if the answer to any of these was yes),
*tell you which seat you could sit in,
*warn you not to sing,
*make sure you left by a different door,
*then clean and sanitise every surface you touched.

Alternatively...
*you could sit on an armchair at home with a cup of tea,... 
*walk in the hills and watch the birds go by, 
*or sit along the Clyde, or the Daer, or Duneaton water... 
and talk to God just as easily.
You don't need special words, a special place, special objects or special people to talk to God.
God loves you and He is listening. 
So just do it.

Worship/ Sunday 12 July: 'Seeds'

Hello everyone, welcome to worship once again - for me, it feels as if the time is fairly flying by.
Our theme for worship is 'seeds' - we'll be thinking about the Parable of the Sower, with a quick
check in with the prophet Isaiah. Both readings are not quite your 'everyday garden variety' kind of reading, but do concern gardening!
Hope you've all managed a good week, and especially in light of the further easing of lockdown,
enjoying a little more freedom and a little time with family and friends.
One big church notice which concerns the announcement this week concerning the opening of church buildings for worship. You'll find it just below our online worship link along with some pictures below that of the new church window in the vestibule.
May your worship time be fruitful, refreshing, and help to reassure you of God's great love for you.
CLICK HERE FOR WORSHIP

Church notices/

Reopening of church building news:

The following concerns the announcement about the possibility of 

opening church buildings from the 15th of July:

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and because of its highly contagious nature
before we can open the church building, there are a number of tasks to be done to
ensure that when we do gather together once again, that it is as safe as possible to do so.
Currently, where we're at is here:

• completed a Risk Assessment exercise and filled out corresponding RA form;
• filled out a major checklist covering all aspects of safety measures for opening the building, 
• procured items needed to to ensure safety and comply with Gov't regulations -
  [sanitiser stations, sanitiser gel, sanitiser spray, supply of face masks, aprons, gloves, etc]
• implemented a strategy for best practice when gathering
• written a water safety management plan [this re. ensuring a legionella-free building after closure for a long period of time]
• written a strategy plan in the case of someone becoming ill during worship in church - due to COVID-19
• drawn up a diagram to indicate one-way flow system/ seating arrangements

Next on the to do list is:

• the installation of our new sanitiser stations, 
• putting information posters up so that everyone coming to the building knows the new procedures and what we all must do to comply with regulations,
• placing distancing stickers outside the entrance and exits to the building
• placing arrows inside to show the one-way flow system
• tagging seating to indicate where to sit to ensure physical distancing
• run all water taps for no less than 20 minutes to ensure no stagnant water in system

All the forms, checklists, procedural plans are now being gone over by the Kirk Session for a final
check and then approval. Once this is done, they will be sent off to Presbytery -
this works as a double-check process to make sure nothing has been missed.
Only when Presbytery is satisfied that we have complied with both Government and Church of Scotland regulations, will we be given permission to re-open the church building for worship and
for funeral services.

So, while technically we'll be able to open the church building on 15 July,
as per the Scottish Gov't announcement... ensuring all measures are in place for maximum saftey
takes a little time... In good conscience, we would rather take things a little more slowly and surely
rather than to put anyone at risk by not being absolutely thorough.
With your safety in mind, it will be a good few weeks yet, before we can open the building.

Given the procedural business, as well as the fact that I'm taking long overdue leave at the end
of July and early August, in the best possible circumstances, the Session and I would hope to
open on the first Sunday in September. I can't make a firm promise on that, but it is what we're
hoping to do.
Also, when we do open for gathered public worship, there will be certain things that all of us
must and must not do, and to be aware of. We'll be drafting up a bullet-point list for clarity,
so that everyone knows best practice.
If some of you are anxious about coming to the church building for worship, online worship will
continue to be available for the foreseeable future, which you can access from the safety of home.

As I said:

• we want to make absolutely sure that we can worship together as safely as we possibly can.
• We’ll keep you posted with updates.

So do bear with the Session, and me, as we get this rather substantial undertaking sorted
and thanks for being patient in the meantime.

A dedicated page has been created above in the tabs at the top of the page - this will keep you up to date with information as we have it.
You can also LINK TO IT HERE to have a look

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Church window:
Thinking about the church building – I mentioned the other week that Fiona Foley has now installed the vestibule window – a huge improvement on the big white wooden board, and also an improvement on the previous window design... here’s a picture or two that I took on Tuesday, just so you can see what she’s done and she’s made a lovely job of it indeed.

Look! No more nasty white wooden board
on the lower tower window!

From inside

From outside

Minister's impending annual leave:
Just a little advance warning that I’ll be taking some very overdue leave as of Monday the 20th of July for a couple of weeks. Details for pastoral cover and for getting in contact will be posted here next week.

And, finally... All-age, family-friendly worship resources for today's service can be found:
AT THIS LINK

Worship: Sunday 5 July - Lay down your burdens

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship at Upper Clyde Parish, where today  we’ll by laying our burdens down... as we listen to, and reflect on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew:
‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’
So, whether you’ve been with us a long time, or you’re with us for the first time –
you are welcome here as we gather in our different places and unite in the One who calls us his people.

Before we move more fully into our time of worship, just a reminder that if you have
smaller people in the house, there’s a link to some worship-friendly all-age resources
that may be of help to make worship more accessible for them.

Over the month of June, we were exploring prayer.
As we move into a new month, we’re going to be spending a little time in Mathew’s gospel.
And, in this particular time of worship, we’ll be looking at those well-known words from
Chapter eleven – Jesus’ invitation to ... rest:
to rest in him and to give to him all the burdens you’re carrying.
It's a great invitation at any time, but especially in a time where anxiety and stress are a
little more heightened than usual.
I hope you enjoy this time of worship, and that you leave refreshed and re-energised
for the days ahead...

If you CLICK THIS WORSHIP LINK you'll be taken across to our YouTube channel for worship
Meanwhile, downloadable resources for all-age, family-friendly worship can be found by:
CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Just one note - which is to say that a statement from Session concerning opening the church building
will be coming over the course of this week - so will be posted in time for Sunday worship next.

Worship/ Sunday 28 June: Prayer of Intercession

Hi everyone - welcome to worship!
It's great that we can join in this time together, where we stop from all the busyness and quiet, and other bits and pieces of life, and take some time to praise the One who calls us His people and calls us to worship.
Hope you are all doing well and hanging on in there in these strange times.

Over this last month we've been thinking about prayer, particularly the prayer we find within public worship. Today brings us to the end of our series, and we finish by reflecting on the prayer of
intercession - also referred to as prayers of concern, or petition - where we prayer for the world, for
others... and also, ourselves.
You can find the WORSHIP LINK HERE that will take you across to our YouTube channel for the service, while below, there are several notices, including a link directing you to a site that gives examples of how to use the Psalms to help your personal prayer when praying for others and yourself. I hope you enjoy our time of worship and come away refreshed, and with something to take with you into the week ahead.

NOTICES/
A lovely piece of news first:
Our vestibule window, which had come out second-best with a football a wee while ago, has now been given a new lease of life! The big wooden board was taken down on Wednesday afternoon, and in its place, our brand new window was installed - simple, sympathetic, and elegant.. Huge thanks to our resident stained glass artist and church member, Fiona Foley for her generous gift of time and talent - it's so fab to see out into the daylight and an improvement not only on the old wooden board, but of the previous opaque window... now our welcome team will be able to see who's coming into the building. Job well done indeed. Will get a picture up by next Sunday...

Speaking of coming into the building:
TO OPEN OR NOT TO OPEN... for private prayer?
You may have heard discussion in the news about the easing of regulations around lockdown, including the possibility for church buildings to open - for private prayer only. This is very different
to opening the building for public worship, as we would normally do on Sunday mornings.
At the moment, the Kirk Session is considering what we might do.
While opening the church building for private and personal prayer is not really something we'd normally do, nor is it really a part of our Presbyterian tradition, nevertheless, given the strange circumstances we find ourselves in, perhaps people in the church and wider community might find it a helpful thing to offer.
So... we are discussing this.
And as we do, we're also discussing how this might be done to ensure all are safe, undertaking a risk assessment, filling out a safety checklist, and working out best practice for using the building - should we decide to open for private prayer, in the first instance... and then, later, when we are allowed to hold services of public worship once again.
Once we've considered all of this, filled out the paperwork, installed sanitiser stations, etc., our report goes to Presbytery - who either would give us permission to open, or not...
This will take several weeks to organise and put in place.
Do bear with us.

PRAYER HELPS:
Having reflected on prayer over this month, as we think about praying for others, we know that at times, we can get a little stuck on what and how to pray. There's a really useful wee site that gives some helpful examples for finding ways into prayers of intercession by way of making use of the psalms. For access just click on THIS LINK to take you there. When praying for the world, and for others outside our own immediate sphere, it's good to link into the news - USE THIS LINK to take you to a page that gives some tips in making use of the papers/ online media when praying more widely.

WAYS INTO PRAYER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:
There's a great wee resource from BRF to help the younger members of the community think about prayer, and suggestions for ways into prayer - you can access it BY THIS LINK
It might also come in handy over the course of our time in worship.

DONATING ONLINE:
Thanks to those of you who've already made use of the donations online link over this last week.
We're delighted to have got a working solution for those of you who had been expressing a desire to make their offering in this way, due to lockdown.
For those of you who missed last week, there is now a dedicated 'online giving' page up in the tabs above the blog post... and also, the LINK HERE to save you scrolling back up.

Worship/ Sun 21 June - Thanksgiving

Welcome/
Hello, and welcome to our blog, and to online worship - the link for that is a little further below.
I hope you're all keeping safe and well, and have been able to catch up with family and friends
a little more, given the gentle easing of our COVID-19 lockdown.

Over June, we're exploring prayer - the types usually found within a service of worship.
So, we began with the prayer of adoration, moved on to confession, and today we'll be
reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving... giving thanks to God... and thinking about gratitude.
We have two readings from the psalms, one of which is read by Ursula Baillie... the other is more
of a 'dramatic' reading via a YouTube clip...
The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE and below, you'll find a couple of church notices - so you might just want to have a quick read of them before going over to our YouTube channel for worship.

NOTICES/
A couple of notices before we move across to the service however.
First: church opening.
You may have heard in the news or via the First Minister, that churches may consider opening
for personal prayer - this is not at all to be confused with gathering together for corporate worship.
Now, given this is something we've not offered before, as it tends not to be part of Church of Scotland tradition (we gather together for community prayer in the building... we are at home, or on the hills, or anywhere for personal prayer) the Session will be discussing this matter to see if it might be
something that we can offer even while we can't yet gather together.
Our main objective is to make sure that whatever we may or may not do, that everyone's safety is
paramount. Before any decisions are taken, we need to put together an action plan, undertake suitable risk assessments and suchlike. So, bear with us, and we'll keep you up to date.
At the moment, however, we are not permitted to open the building... so, this is just flagging up
something that may happen as lockdown eases.
As to gathered worship and communal prayer, that will be a wee while off yet, and even when we can gather, worship will
feel quite different. Again, once the Session puts a plan together, and once we are permitted, we will keep you posted as to what we're able to offer.
So, it's slow-going yet, but we are looking ahead, and we aren't rushing in without making sure safety procedures are in place first.

Online donations made easy -
Thank you to those of you who give via direct debit, or who are gathering a collection of envelopes, or who have popped cheques in the mail - all for the ongoing work and upkeep of the church.
It's very much appreciated. For those of you who'd like to donate, and usually do so via the offering plate, did you know that you can now donate online?
If you go to the Church of Scotland website [THIS IS THE LINK] at 'step one' just click on 'donate to a congregation' and type in 'Upper Clyde' and you can give that way - and thanks in advance!
And a big thank you, too, for the many other ways you have been and continue to use your gifts and skills to help others.

Community support groups -
On the right hand side bar of our blog, you'll see a section of links to organisations that are there to
lend a hand in a variety of ways. If you are finding this time of lockdown a particular struggle, check out the links for help whether it's via a listening ear with the Samaritans, or you're needing help with food through the work of the food bank - and the minister is able to write referrals for the food bank, so do get in touch with her [01864 502139 or minister.upperclyde@gmail.com] and let her know. Nikki is also available for a chat, should you need a friendly listening ear

Mid-week reflection: 'What if...?'

Over the time we've been in lockdown due to COVID-19, and particularly as time has gone on,

there have been quite a few comments across social media along the lines of:

'can we get a do-over for this year?, and 'okay, let's just cancel 2020.'

It's been a strange kind of year, where it's been very easy to focus on 

what we can't do,

where we can't go,

who we can't see.

For some, 2020 has been a bit of  write-off.

But a couple of weeks ago, I found this short reflection that took an alternative view and asked:

'What if 2020 isn't cancelled?'

Personally, I like the more positive - albeit tough in places - way of approaching this year.

Let me know what you think.

Hope you've been having a good week so far.

Worship/ Sun 14 June: 'Confession is good for the soul'

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Hello and welcome as we gather to worship the One whose loving kindness lasts forever,
and whose mercy is wider than all of creation.

I hope that your week has been a good one, as we continue on in our time of lockdown.
Given the slight easing of regulations, I also hope you've managed to catch up for a socially
distanced visit - whether in your garden or elsewhere.
As ever, if there's any way I can be of help, don't hesitate to get in touch, and I'll be happy to assist as I can.

We are still some way off, I suspect, to be in a position where we can gather safely together for
worship in the parish church. However, conversations within the Church of Scotland are happening
as we look ahead and make preparations for the time when we can, once again, open the doors
to the building. Lanark Presbytery will be meeting online on Tuesday night, and a further conversation will take place at an online meeting on Thursday regarding the way forward.
I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'll keep on with providing worship online via our blog and
YouTube site.

Over the course of June, we're exploring prayer - and in particular, the types of prayer we encounter within our time of worship. Last week, we began with the prayer of adoration. This week, we move on to the prayer of confession, and there's truth in the old saying that 'confession is good for the soul.'

So, let's worship God. Head across to our YouTube channel by clicking on...THIS LINK FOR WORSHIP

Worship/ Sun 7 June - Adoration

Hello and welcome to worship on this Trinity Sunday - a day in the church year where we ponder
the indescribable God. But why the picture of John Wayne dressed as a Centurion? Ahhh, you'll discover across on our YouTube channel when you head over for worship...!

As we continue in lockdown, although we're scattered, we are united in that we are God's people -
one of the hymns in our hymn book states that: 'the church is wherever God's people are praising'... so, whether gathered, or scattered, we remain the church, Christ's body here on earth.

Over the month of June, we'll be exploring the subject of prayer - and in particular, the types of prayer we find within the context of worship. Today, even as we're reminded of God as One, yet Three... and as Three and yet, One... we'll be reflecting on the first prayer we encounter within worship - the prayer of adoration. How do you praise an almost indescribable God? Well... click on the worship link below and let's see where our explorations in worship take us.

The usual pastoral note:
I hope you're doing well in the midst of lockdown and that by now, you've found a routine to keep you going, along with other ways of getting through this waiting time.
Don't forget that I can make referrals to the food bank, so if you, or someone you know, may need use of that service, do please get in touch and I will be happy to get the process rolling.
Also, if you, or someone you know, would like a listening ear or just a friendly chat, don't hesitate to call and I will be only to glad to help as I can.

Very few notices this week, so without any further ado, see you over at our YouTube channel for worship - CLICK THIS LINK to take you there.

Sunday Pentecost worship with the Moderator

On Sunday the 31st of May, we celebrate Pentecost - the 'birthday' of the church.
This week, along with all the Church of Scotland parishes throughout Scotland, England, and internationally, we've been invited by the Moderator to join together in worship at 10am - although scattered, yet we are one in the Spirit of God. The service itself is recorded - and you may see a familiar face from Shetland who grew up here in the parish...
To access the service, click on ... THE LINK HERE

Given the very slight easing of the lockdown rules in Scotland, should you wish an outdoor socially distanced visit with the Minister, do let me know! I'd be able to do one per day, given the rules, but would be very happy to bring my thermos of tea and catch up safely for a chat should you wish.

Otherwise, the usual notices: if you know of someone who could do with some help by way of a referral to the Food Bank, or just a listening ear, give me a call and let me know.
Hope you're enjoying this glorious weather and the slight easing of restrictions - and have caught up with family... I know there's no hugs as yet, and I know some of you are missing cuddles from grandchildren and family members, but at some point, hopefully, we will get to a place where that can safely happen again.

In the meantime, do pass on any hymn requests you have, and I'll either put them within weekly worship, or add to a list for a Songs of Praise style service in early July.

This notices is going up earlier than Sunday just so you can be aware of the 10am start this week.
Until next week, take care
Nikki

Worship/ Sun 24 May: Jesus at prayer

Hello, and welcome to online worship. 
Our time of worship explores John 17:1-11, where we find Jesus at prayer -
and we get to overhear his conversation with God...
If you've ever wondered who and what Jesus prays for, you may just find out today!

As we've been doing over this last wee while, you'll find the service in a format of 'rolling' clips
on our YouTube channel. Just click on the worship link and you'll be taken across there to our
worship playlist for the 24th May.
All you need to do is click the box at the bottom right hand of the small viewing screen to
enlarge the picture, then sit back, and enjoy a time of worship.
Thanks go to Ursula Baillie this week for doing our reading.
Before you click on the link, there are some church notices below, and a link for some all-age,
family-friendly worship activities to access.

WORSHIP LINK HERE

Church notices/
Pastoral/
First, I hope you're all well, and that you've been managing this long spell of staying safe at home.
If there's any practical or pastoral assistance that you, or someone you know, might find helpful,
as ever, don't hesitate to get in touch - 01864 502139. And, don't forget, I'm authorised to do
food bank referrals as needed.

Worship with the Moderator/ 
This coming Sunday marks the end of the season of Easter - it's Pentecost Sunday.
And, in a change from our now regular pattern of online worship, we, along with all
the parishes within the Church of Scotland, have been invited to join in sharing online
worship with our new Moderator. PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME IS 10.am for the live stream. By Saturday evening, I'll have the link posted up here on
the blog, along with any particular church notices to be aware of.

Minister's time off/
Because it's a rare opportunity for me to not have to prepare for worship this week, I'll be
trying to take a little time out for myself this week, so I can do a little work on my book.
While I'll obviously still be in the manse due to lockdown, I'm aiming to be off duty Mon-Fri unless any pressing matter comes up, and you need to be in contact.

Looking ahead at worship/
Over the course of Sundays in June, we'll be picking up on the subject of prayer, considering the
types of prayer we find in public worship.
Also - if you have any particular hymns you'd like to hear and sing along to, do let me know and
I'll try to accommodate your wish! I'm hoping that we might try for an online Songs of Praise
service - probably at the beginning of July. So, get in touch and nominate your favourites for
inclusion!

And finally...

All-age, family-friendly resources/
Age accessible prayers and activities to complement today's time of worship can be found at
this ALL-AGE LINK HERE 

Hope you enjoy worship, and that you have a good week.
May you feel God's presence close by,
Nikki...

Mid-week reflection: 'Love is...'

In Sunday's worship, there was a short clip entitled 'Love is'
The full text, which didn't all make it to the clip, is below.
A lovely piece from the Rev. Roddy Hamilton, which I shamelessly borrowed!

'...Love Is…'

Love is… hugs

Love is… a pick me up

Love is… when two become one

Love is… friendship

Love is… sharing the last piece of pizza

Love is… hard to explain

Love is… unbelievable

Love is… unpredictable

Love is… giving away your last rolo

Love is… endless

Love is… protection

Love is… a rollercoaster

Love is… a smile

Love is… a heartbeat

Love is… patient

Love is… kind

Love is… a never ending story

Love is… eternal

Love is… a circle of friends

Love is… a circle of eternity

Love is… a circle called God

Love is… all you need

Worship/ Sun 17 May: 'Love is...'

WELCOME and CHURCH NOTICES/
Hello and welcome!
Our worship is online once again over on our YouTube channel.
Don't forget to have a quick look at our notices before you click on the link...
WORSHIP LINK HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
'Heart and Soul'/ General Assembly:
This time of year is normally when the Church of Scotland holds its General Assembly.
As we know, ‘normally’ is not quite where we’re at right now, with lockdown, so the Assembly has been cancelled, however, one event that happens on the Sunday of Assembly is a big gathering in Princes St called ‘Heart and Soul’ – and it’s a great event. Now, while that won’t be happening in Princes St, technology has stepped in and this afternoon, there’ll be an online version of it - on livestream. Just click this LINK FOR THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND website and you'll find yourself at the right web page... all you have to do then is click on the live link to join in.
It begins at 2pm, and there'll be music, some good conversation and the chance to have a look around at what the Church of Scotland is doing in the many presbyteries and parishes around Scotland.

Worship - music:
A wee note about worship: I’d planned this year on having two Songs of Praise services – one for spring and one for autumn. So, those plans have come a little unstuck, but I was wondering... it doesn’t have to stop you nominating some of your favourite hymns – we could have a go of it online, I think – or, at the very least, I could include them in our online services over the next wee while. So, do get in touch with me by phone or email, and let me know what hymns or other praise songs you’d like. Also, for those of you who do readings, and, who have a mobile phone, I’m wondering if we could do some recording of readings by you, so that it’s not just my voice throughout worship. You’ll hear a little later that we have managed to have a go at that this week. So do let me know if you’d be willing to record a reading. Thanks in advance.

Pastoral matters:
From the pastoral side of things, again, just the usual thank you for all you’re doing while we’re in lockdown: I know that some of you have been supporting community groups like the foodbank, some donated to Christian Aid last week during Christian Aid week, some of you are saving your stamps for Crossreach...
There are those of you doing the work of prayer, others who are ringing around and checking in on folk. In the many ways you’re doing it, thank you for showing your love and your compassion for friends and neighbours both near and far – practising love in action.
The usual request from me: if you know of anyone who might need a referral for the foodbank, or who might just like a listening ear, do let me know.

All-age, family-friendly worship resources:

What Is Love?  all age 
You will need: highlighter pens, copies of 1 Corinthians 13
(you can readily copy the text from https://www.biblegateway.com/ ... print off)

Two different ways of doing this:
as a family, or each child individually...
make sure everyone has a copy of 1 Corinthians 13 and a highlighter pen.
Look through the passage and find all the things that love is or does (all the attributes of love)
and when you find something about love highlight it with the highlighter pen. 
Compare your findings as a way into the story today.

Crafts
Heart Badges  age 3-5
You will need: red card cut into heart shapes, coloured pens, coloured pencils,
self-stick stickers, sticky tape, safety pins, clear self-adhesive plastic.
Give each child a heart shape and ask them to decorate it using the materials provided.
Make the heart shape into a badge with the children by helping them to cover their heart
with self-stick clear plastic, which also helps to keep their design in place, and by attaching
a safety pin to the back of the badge with sticky tape.
The children can then wear their heart badges.

Talk with the children about love and how a heart is often used as a symbol for love.
Talk about the people who love them and how they know that they are loved.
How do people show they love them?
Talk about God’s love and how they might show God’s love to others.

Love Biscuits  age 6-8 
You will need: a supply of small heart-shaped biscuits, tubes of coloured icing, paper plates,
doilies, felt pens, cling-film, stick on parcel bows.
Give each child four heart-shaped biscuits and ask them to pipe with the icing the letter ‘L’ on one,
‘O’ on another, ‘V’ on another and ‘E’ on the last one. While the icing on their biscuits is setting
ask them to decorate the border of their paper plate.
Give each child a doily and ask them to place it on their plate.
Now they can arrange their biscuits on the plate to spell out ‘LOVE’ and then wrap the whole
plate in cling film. A decorative bow can then be added to the top of their cling-film.

Talk with the children about love and the people they love.
Discuss the different ways we can show someone we love them.
Talk with the children about who they might like to give their ‘Love’ biscuits and why they
chose that person or those people.

A Gift Of Love  age 9-12
You will need: red card, a box, pencils, scissors, coloured felt-tip pens, PVA glue,
glue spreaders, heart shaped stickers, tissue paper, either small red scented tea-lights
or small packs of love hearts.
Give each child a box and ask them to decorate it.
On the lid use decorative writing using 'Love is...'
(e.g. you could use bubble writing which is then coloured in using the words ‘Love is...’)

Now explain that they are going to complete that phrase by using words from the passage
(for example: patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful, bears all things, never ends and so on)
and write one of their different endings to the phrase on each face of the box again in decorative
writing. They can then decorate the other spaces on the box using patterns or stickers.
The box can then be filled with a little tissue paper and either a scented tea-light or some
‘Love Heart’ sweets and be given to someone they love.

Talk with the children about love and how we can show love to others.
With this age-group it would be interesting to ask them to read some of the verses aloud but
replace the word love with their name and then discuss with them what that should mean for
them and how they should behave and show God’s love to others.

Growing Love all age
You will need: white paper towel, plastic disposable plates, pens (not felt tips, they will run!),
cress seeds, water.
Give each child a sheet of paper towel and ask them to draw a heart shape in the centre of the sheet.
Ask the children to place the sheet on the plastic plate and then using some of the water dampen
the paper. Giving the children cress seeds ask them to sprinkle them carefully within the heart
shape only. Explain that if the paper is kept damp the cress seeds will grow in a heart shape and
when grown the cress can then be cut and shared with others in the family.
Talk with the children about love and how a heart is often used as a symbol for love.
Discuss different ways we can show God’s love and ask them to think about how God’s love can
be grown. Talk about how the seeds they have sown could be seen as seeds of love and how
these seeds of love will grow and how that love can then be shared with others allowing
God’s love to grow even more.

Online installation of the Moderator today

Due to this year's General Assembly being cancelled due to COVID-19, the installation of our
new Moderator will still happen, but in socially distanced, online way...
The service will be live-streamed from 11.30am.
Should you wish to watch it, you can see it by clicking on
THIS LINK
which will take you there.

Mid week prayer: Come my way...

Our prayer today comes from the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev. Colin Sinclair.
This will be his last recorded prayer as Moderator.
On Saturday, the Rev. Martin Fair will become the new Moderator for the Church of Scotland, on what would have been the opening day of General Assembly... but which has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

Don't forget: this week is Christian Aid Week.
If you'd like to support their excellent work, please do CLICK THIS LINK which will take you to their giving page.

A little light humour: newsletter typos

In the midst of lockdown, we all need a little something to lighten the mood.
So, courtesy of friend, Doreen from Vermont and Leadhills: church typos!

The following were all spotted in various church magazines, newsletters, pew sheets. Enjoy!
[my particular favourite is the one on sermon titles]

-----------------------------------------------

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.   

Scouts   are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.
Proceeds will be used to cripple children. 

The sermon this morning:  'Jesus Walks on the Water.'
The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' 
   
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale.
It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.
Bring your husbands. 
   
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.   
   
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious
pleasure to the congregation.   
   
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.   
   
Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir.
They need all the help they can get.   
   
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days. 
   
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.
Music will follow.   
   
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?'
Come early and listen to our choir practice. 
   
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members
and to the deterioration of some older ones. 
   
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. 
   
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. 
 
Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
   
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind.
They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. 
   
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.
Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. 
   
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their
electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.   
   
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM .
Please use the back door. 
   
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM.
The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Please use large double door at the side entrance.

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday:
'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'

Worship/ Sun 10 May: Christian Aid Week

     

Welcome/

Hello and welcome to worship at UCPC. It's great that we can gather, even as we're scattered,
and continue as a community, and as followers of Jesus, to worship. As one of our readings for
today reminds us, we are the church, for we are 'living stones' and with that in mind, picking up
on our other reading, 'do not let your hearts be troubled' - wherever we are, so, too, is God.

I hope that despite the current lockdown that you’re safe and well - and if not, then may
you know the comfort of the One who is the way, the truth, and the life.
As we've done over the last couple of weeks, our service of worship today is via our YouTube
channel, through the playlist for 'worship 10 May' and done in a rolling format of clips.
But before you click on the link [below] that which will take you to the playlist, just a couple
of notices:

For those of you with younger people in the house, we have some all-age-friendly worship
resources that you can use – just click on THIS LINK and you can download at your leisure.

Also:
this is Christian Aid Sunday, you’ll find a link to the Christian Aid donations page:
If you’re feeling as if your stuck at home and not easily able to lend a helping hand, this is one
way that you can be of immense help in peoples’ lives.
To support the good work of Christian Aid, just click on THIS LINK, which will take you directly to their donate page.

On a pastoral note: if you know of anyone who could do with a listening ear and might appreciate
a phone call – please, do let me know. Also, I am able to do food bank referrals, so again, if you
know of someone who might need a hand in that way, encourage them to get in touch with me -
01864 502139 or to send an email using the 'contact us' space on the side bar of the blog.
Also on the side bar, you'll find a 'links' section that may be helpful, such as Clydesdale Food Bank,
and the Samaritans.

And, with all those notices, so, let's worship God - HERE'S THE YOUTUBE LINK for our
worship today... or whenever you choose to watch. See you over there...

Sunday worship/ 3 May: Good Shepherd Sunday

Welcome to worship on this 'Good Shepherd' Sunday.
I hope that you are all keeping well, and safe, and that you've settled into this time of lockdown.
Don't forget: if you'd like a listening ear or just to have a friendly chat, do get in touch with me, Nikki at the manse on:
01864 502139
And, if you know of others who might appreciate a call, please do let me know, and I'll follow that up.

As with last week, our worship will be over on our YouTube channel, in the form of 'rolling' clips. So once you've clicked on THIS LINK, which will take you to our rolling playlist for 3 May, all you need to do is click on the box at the bottom right hand of the small viewing box - this will change it into full screen mode for easier viewing. The clips will follow on automatically one after the other through to the end.

But before you click on that link, for those of you with younger people in the house, you'll find another LINK HERE which will take you to some all-age-friendly worship resources - There's age-appropriate stories, prayers, activities, and reflections...
I suggest you head there first, download what you need, and then head across to the Parish YouTube space for a time of worship.

Also, I'd like to acknowledge the great work that the Clydesdale Food Bank have been doing during this difficult time - they are amazing.
If you'd like to support their excellent work please click ON THIS LINK which will take you to their website and to their donations page. They have been so supportive of some of our own neighbours within this parish, and I, for one, am very grateful for all they do.
And a reminder:
in my capacity as Minister, I'm authorised to make referrals to Clydesdale Food Bank. If you are in need of the service, please do get in touch -
and, if you know someone who could do with the help, please pass my contact info. on to them.
Also, if you happen to be passing by the front door of the manse on your daily exercise, or essential travel, and you have items you'd like to donate to the food bank, feel free to drop them at my front door and I can organise a pick up when they next come through this way.

I hope you enjoy our parish worship this week - it was a little windy in the backyard this week, so there are some 'shuggly' bits on occasion! This week a microphone arrived... next week a special mobile phone friendly tripod - which should help make videos a little less shuggly!

Have a good week, and may you know God's blessing ...

Rev. Nikki