news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
March 2009

From the Manse

It is at this time of the year that even the most unionist amongst us become fiercely partisan! Why ? "Do you not know? Have you not heard?" The six nations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales along with France and Italy vie with each other on the International Rugby pitch! It is the annual occasion when the prophecy of Jesus in Luke 21.10 seems starkly evident, "nation will rise against nation" well for at least 80 minutes or so!

This season there is interest and support from our own community in the selection of Murray Low to play for Scotland! His proud Mum and Dad live in Burghead and his Grandparents live at Findhorn. Congratulations to Murray who was brought on in the second half, adding his not inconsiderable weight and might to the scrum (for non rugby types that's the pushing and shoving bit that usually ends up in a melee of tangled bodies and the odd bloody nose !) Each team member strives relentlessly to score for their country and yet, at the end of the game, these often gentle giants will greet each other, and the losing side sportingly applauds the victors as they leave the field. Somehow John Bunyan's hymn 'Who would true valour see' comes to my mind. It speaks of the pilgrim being 'relentless' in his or her travel through life, fighting against all the odds for 'he knows he at the end shall life inherit'.

While we often regard this time of Lent as a time of repentance, the Bible and especially the New Testament, emphasises its positive aspects. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia meaning renewal, a change of heart, a transformation leading to new life. Just as we see new life and renewal in our gardens and in the lambing fields, may you be relentless in your search for and commitment to God, so that at the end of the game, you also may be cheered and applauded as a worthy winner!

May God bless you and yours - Duncan

Parish Register

We extend our condolences to members of the family.

27th January Mr G I Mackenzie, Young Street, Burghead

EVENT

Music for Mission supporting home for AIDS orphans in Kenya : Hopeman Baptist Church on Saturday 7th March at 7.00pm with David and Helen Runcie

Guild

Wednesday, 4th March - Crossreach Counselling with Sandra Innes
Friday, 6th March - World Day of Prayer 2.30pm at Spynie Church
17th March - AGM: All members please attend if possible
31st March - Moray Male Voice Gospel Choir with John Buchanan 7.30pm in the Church

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.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 17th March.
Please ensure that no bags are left until the day or the night before the collection.

Who's Who in the Bible

The second son of Adam and Eve bore a name that matched his shortened life. Unlike his father and elder brother, Cain, who were farmers, Abel became a keeper of sheep. In time the brothers brought offerings to God, Cain's being some of his crops and Abel's being the fat portions of the firstborn lambs. In ancient times these were considered the very best kind of sacrifice. Somehow it became clear to the brothers that God had accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's.

Cain was enraged and, luring his brother into the fields, he struck and killed him. Thus Abel, the first to offer an animal sacrifice, also became the first victim of violence in a religious controversy.

Brother against Brother - the conflict is as ancient as humanity.

In the Bible it is often conflict between an elder and a younger brother, with the younger coming out ahead. It was the younger Abel who surpassed the elder Cain in offering a sacrifice pleasing to God. Cain seemed to recoup by killing Abel, but he was promptly driven away by the Lord and forced to yield his his dominance to a still younger brother Seth.