news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
January 2008

From the Manse......... A Happy New Year !

Although there is really no break in time and, though the days in the calendar follow each other in order, it seems that no sooner have we passed from 31st of December to the 1st of January, than we get a sense of freshness and newness. Here is a new year lying before us, like a field of un-trodden snow. We can almost feel as if we have been given a new lease of life; a time to make new plans and to form new aspirations and hopes. Sadly, as I write, dark clouds of insurrection and disunity rumble over Kenya and Pakistan as they also do in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Man's inhumanity to man' still 'makes countless thousands mourn!' The American poet Henry Longfellow wrote, "The United States of America had now become the ship of state, launched on July 4th 1776 and dedicated to the radical proposition that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights. " That hope of political unity and a land of the free is creaking and perhaps needs an urgent return to dock for a refit! Yet,in spite of the wars and rumours of wars around us, I never fail to see hope and prosperity in the world. Especially so in the emblem of the World Council of Churches (a sailing boat on stormy waters with the word 'Oikumene' meaning 'whole inhabited world' on its sail). Still on this theme, a contemporary of Longfellow - Fisher Ames - wrote: "Monarchy is like a splendid ship, with all sails set, it moves majestically on, then it hits a rock and sinks for ever. Democracy is like a raft. It never sinks but, damn it, your feet are always in the water!" Perhaps our politicians, of every hue, would do well to take these words on board during 2008 ! So, whatever lies ahead of us this year, even if the going gets rough, like our Lord's disciples on that stormy crossing we ought, all the more, to place our hopes, aspirations and trust solely in Him who calmed the waters and said

"You of little faith...Why are you so afraid?"

May God bless you and yours in the Year of our Lord 2008.

Duncan

Ben Stein - More than Amusing

The following extract was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this Happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' (She said the same thing when interviewed after 9-11) .

In light of recent events...terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Life & Work

The payment for the year 2008 is due by the end of January. Please pay £ 16.00 to Mrs Milligan.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 15th or 22nd January (dates not issued at time of print).

Finance

The treasurer requests assistance with his duties, in the form of a small committee. Any interested Congregational Board member can give their name to the clerk.

Guild

Tuesday, 8th January:- Travels with Lachy

Tuesday, 22nd January:- Scots Night

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. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.