No. 192 26th April 2024
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Sunday
28th April 2024
10.30am Morning Service with Rev. Michael Gargrave
Scripture Reading: Acts 11: 19 - 30 Reader Donald McNicol |
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Welcome
We have been fortunate to have seen the sunshine this week and we are almost at the end of April.
Our new Interim Moderator, Dave Sutherland, and Session Clerk, Chris Dunn, were at the Session/Board meeting on Wednesday where they got to know us a little. It felt as if we are starting again but it must be in God's plan for Maxwell - as it says
"For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11
Again there are plenty of opportunities to help with things in and around the church. We all have something to offer. We are all called to serve and we can all help in our own ways.
We are part of the body of Maxwell Mearns Castle Church - one body with many parts.
"God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be. There would not be a body if it were all only one part. As it is there are many parts but only one body " 1Cor 12: 19-20
All of you are Christ's body and each one is a part of it.
We all need each other as the family of Maxwell and now we need to grow.
I hope you find the magazine informative and that you can do your part.
Denise
Mike's Word of the Week
For God has said “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you”.
Se we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear”.
Hebrews 13:5
For the first seven and half years of my life, I was an only child. My sister was born when I was seven and half. This meant I had lots of time with my Dad which I loved. My mum was a nurse and she worked nightshift a lot, and that meant I spent evenings with Dad, which led to me having a quite an unorthodox lifestyle for a five or six year old. I would go out with Dad in the evenings and would get to my bed at 9 or 10 at night. If we passed a fire engine going on a call, he would look at me and ask ‘shall we?’ And then we would follow the fire engine to the fire and I loved that.
Despite my close relationship I had with my Dad, for some reason I didn’t fully trust him and this came out when he was teaching me to ride my first two wheeler bike, or when he tried to teach me to swim. He would patiently try to teach me and keep telling me: It will be okay, I’m here, to assure me he was with me, but my fear was such that I didn’t actually believe that he would catch me, or stop me from drowning. I would take what he taught me and then learn to swim on my own, and I slowly gained confidence to ride my bike. I always regretted that I couldn’t trust him and that I hurt him in the process.
I don’t know why, to this day, that It will be okay, I’m here, wasn’t enough for me. When I came to faith in just before I turned 30, I still had problems believing my heavenly Father was with me and so I prayed and prayed. I had a faith experience in 1990 while on holiday in New York, and I finally learned to trust God. When I found myself in difficult or challenging situations, to believe in simple words from Father God; It’s going to be okay was so reassuring. I learned that God didn’t necessarily change my situation or erase the circumstances that have caused me to be worried in the first place. BUT God did something so much more, He brought a deep peace and security to my heart and mind.
This reminds us, just like in today’s Scripture that He will never let us down. He will never leave us. We may still have to climb the mountain or scale the rock, but what new courage and energy we can experience to know no matter what…He is my helper and I don’t need to be afraid.
Prayer – Father God, what peace it brings to my heart to know that You will never leave me, that you will never let me down. Thank you, Lord that I don’t walk through the challenges of life alone, that if I only listen for Your voice, I will find You right by my side, speaking Your words of assurance and truth to my heart. In Jesus name: Amen
Holiday Club
We are planning on running a holiday club this summer for primary aged children.
To do this we need volunteers, not necessarily to lead up front, but to get involved with the kids, - teaching, arts and crafts, games, snacks, security etc.
Please really consider getting involved as hopefully this will be a catalyst for our children’s ministry.
As ever, it will be great fun and a challenge to us all.
We need to have names asap as all who work with children have to go through Safeguarding.
This is a real leap of Faith
We are having a quick meeting after this Sunday's service to gauge interest. A few folk have already said they would help where they are able. That's great .
Names please to the office at the link below or pop by after the service.
office@maxwellmearns.org
Prayer Of Approach
We are looking for people who would be interested in praying the Prayer of Approach in Sunday Services.
This is an excellent opportunity for people who already have experience and especially those with none. Guidance and training is available.
Anyone that is interested would they please contact Mike, or Norman.
Audio Visual
Each Sunday a few of us are up in the balcony making sure you can hear the Minister and band, operating the computer to show the slides and recording the service to upload to our website and YouTube. We really could do with a few more helpers so we can get some kind of rota organised and provide cover when people are ill or on holiday. Thanks go to Isobel, Allan and Bruce who have managed to get to grips with the technology.
Anyone joining is given training and will just watch for a few weeks to see how it is done before being let loose with the equipment, at that point they will be guided by someone and not left on their own until they feel ready.
If you are interested please speak to Stuart
Blythswood Care
As a church we have supported Blythswood Care through the annual Christmas shoebox appeal.
We are fortunate to have the use of the room next to the garage where we can store donations and work on filling boxes so they are ready for collection later in the year.
Folk often ask what is needed and we find the best way to help is to work on the idea of adding one item to our shopping bags and we love bargains. The items we mostly use are shampoo / shower gel / toothpaste / but we can use almost anything.
If you are having a spring clean we can also use any items that are not needed but are useful or a wee extra for someone. Some ladies meet in groups, knit hats, gloves and scarves and even make jewellery for the boxes.
If you have anything we can use we would be very grateful.
We do not know where this year's boxes are going but Blythswood have been asked to provide more boxes for Ukraine and we may be sending our boxes out there.
There is a box at the back of the Church for donations with a list of suggestions for fillers - should you wish for inspiration.
A group of us meet every so often and fill boxes ready for this year's appeal.
If you would like any more information please speak to Lesley or Denise.
Tea / Coffee Rota
28 April - Mary G. Janette F. Norman and Jackie
5 May - Sheona K, Shona L, Ruth B.
There are spaces on the rota so please consider putting your name down for the rota as the more folk help, the less frequently you will be called upon.
We are really trying to become greener and it really helps if people bring their own cups/mugs.
Thank you
Shona L. and Lorna McN.
Castle Cafe
The next meeting of the Castle Cafe will take place on
Thursday 2 May at 2pm
It's a great way to get to know members of our Church family and to strengthen relationships.
We will have some of Norman's stories and Mike will be our speaker.
Everyone welcome.
Maxwell Mearns Castle Church Prayer Meeting
The inaugural prayer meeting was held last Thursday and was well attended.
The next meeting will be held on May 9th at 7.30pm.
This is a time of praying in silence or spoken together. Prayer is of the greatest importance in Church life. Let us join together in this most precious act. All are welcome.
Be joyful in hope
Patient in affliction
Faithful in prayer.
Romans 12 verse 12
Communion
We are looking for people who are willing to assist in the serving of communion. Having a bank of people to call upon would be the ideal.
If you are able to help in this ministry please speak to Norman or Mike.
Alternatively
Bible Study
A group of us are studying Acts to complement the Minister's preaching schedule.
We are next meeting on
Tuesday 7th May at 17 Castlehill Drive from 1.30 to 3.15.
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments provided.
Further information from:
Gloria
Maxwell Pray Now Group
Pray Now is a WhatsApp group for Maxwell members |
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This group sends out occasional requests for prayer. In particular those which might be regarding things more acute or immediate. At present there are 17 of us who, when we receive a request for prayer, stop what we are doing and pray for whatever has been asked.
Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group? If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask Denise and she will add your number to the list.
If you have a matter that you would like to be prayed about in this way, you can contact Denise and she will organise for news to be sent out.
Getting To Church
Should anyone require a lift to Maxwell Mearns Castle Church or to the Castle Cafe, then please do let us know. If you are willing and able to offer a lift please speak to Norman or Denise or
Please email:
office@maxwellmearns.org
Safeguarding At Maxwell Mearns
Safeguarding – Ensuring a Safe Church for All
If you suspect or witness harm or abuse, or it is reported to you, you must immediately report it to one of the Safeguarding Coordinators:
May Walker