news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
August 2009

from the manse

The author of the Book of Hebrews, towards the end of the Bible, speaks of the kind of faith that every community needs in times of trial. Examples of this faith are found from amongst the roll call of Old Testament saints. Such was the story of the call of Abraham ( Genesis 12). His was a classic example of faith and belief in God. For starters, Abraham was required to leave behind all the things that gave him security, such as a home, friends and neighbours. He was to leave behind the Pagan world of his ancestors, with all its vices and sinful living, and set out for a destination that God would show him.

To anyone who has experienced military life, it was not unlike the concept of being posted. The packing up of belongings, the goodbyes, the making of new friends and neighbours and setting up home in a foreign community. (No, not Forres!). Perhaps Abraham's faith is a model for believers in every age. More than ever we are called to leave behind and give up the sinfulness that abounds. We often appear to live according to a 'do what you like' morality and an 'anything goes' hedonism, which seems to be 'de rigueur' in our society. Even a Minister of Word and Sacrament can, it appears, turn in the face of Christianity and so challenge our moral code, and those of other World faiths such as Judaism and Islam, which incidentally uphold a similar moral code as us in this regard! (There may be a moratorium on the subject, but you get my drift!) Our faith has survived, and it will continue to know times of testing, but Abraham has left us an example of how to remain steadfast at such times and 'to hold fast to that which is good'(1Thess 5. 21) We may well, 'walk by faith as strangers here, but Christ shall call us home' (Church Hymnary 3rd Ed no 530, paraphrasing 1 Peter 1; 3-5)

May God bless you and keep you. Yours aye, Duncan.

parish register

No item this month

the search summer mission

Monday to Friday there were morning sessions for 5 - 12 year olds. following the SU holiday club materials, Landlubbers. Numbers ranged from 13 to 24. parents were welcome at any ttime and specifically invited to the last 30 minutes on Friday. Here are 2 photos showing the pirates in a drama and reconstruction of a text in the search for Christ, the treasure. There were other activities, and a Family service on Sunday attended by children and parents.

Burghead Church cleaning

Once again the number on the cleaning rota has fallen, resulting in a heavy burden for some. If you can help in any way, please contact Mrs Sheila Farquhar.

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. There are vacant slots. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 25th August. Please ensure that no bags are left until the day or the night before the collection.

Who's Who in the Bible by Brian Millar

The Apostles (meaning people sent away [to preach]) Who were they, and what became of them?

The twelve apostles, who formed the inner core of Jesus' large following during his public ministry, are listed four times in the New Testament: Matthew 10:2 - 4, Mark3:14 - 19, Luke 6: 13 - 19, and Acts 1: 12 - 14. We know little from the scriptures, but traditions are preserved about them, telling how they served Jesus and later provided leadership to the first generation of Christian believers. Indeed their first act, following the ascension of Jesus, was to name Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot so that the sacred number of 12 - corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel - could be restored. Except for the suicide of Judas Iscariot and the execution of James the son of Zebedee, recorded in Acts 12:2, the end of every apostle is touched with legend. Peter may have been crucified upside down in Rome as the fourth-century church historian Eusebius records, but the tradition that Andrew died on an X-shaped cross is so late as to be unlikely. Equally dubious are the traditions that Bartholomew was flayed alive in Armenia, that Philip was martyred in Asia Minor, and that Thomas died for his faith in India.

Can you name the 12? Here is a table which collects the evidence from the New Testament with the names listed in the order given. Asterisks (*) refer to notes below.

NOTES: *A: James, son of Alphaeus. Levi (alias Matthew) also was 'son of Alphaeus'. Was there only one Alphaeus?
*An: Andrew was Peter's brother. He introduced Peter to Jesus whom he recognised as the Messiah(Mk 13:3), and he brought to Jesus a boy with 5 small loaves and 2 small fish (Jo 6:8). He also tried to bring some Greeks to Jesus (Jo 12:22)
*J evidently Thaddeaus and Judas, son of James are the same person.
*M Matthias, appointed to replace Judas Iscariot.
*Z James, son of Zebedee. John was his brother.
*Zt Simon the Zealot, not Simon Peter.