Our church buildings are currently closed due to coronavirus restrictions. As you are aware we are transitioning to a new website which is not quite ready yet so our Sunday Service will be posted on both Facebook and Instagram at 6.00pm on Saturday evening. You can also listen by phoning 01896 808551. The theme for the service is ‘That you may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.’
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Bowden-and-Melrose-Parish-Church-432876940395760
Instagram – bowdenandmelrose
Lent
Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday and so Lent begins on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. You should have received your Church Newsletter which contains a daily reading guide for Lent. I will be posting a recording of the reading and a short reflection each day on Facebook and Instagram….and on the website as soon as possible…
Messy Church
Messy Church activities for Lent have been posted on our Facebook page, Please use and share!
Moderator’s Service
As in previous weeks the Moderator, Rt Rev Martin Fair, has curated a service. You may wish to join church folk from around Scotland in worship. The YouTube link goes live at 3am on Sunday morning. https://youtu.be/_JpLZQD69BY
Television and Radio
There are other worship opportunities on Sunday. On BBC 1 Scotland at 11.30am Reflections from the Quay will be presented by Rev Aftab Gohar, Abbotsgrange Parish Church, Grangemouth, and Rev Sarah Shaw, Christ Church, Falkirk. Music by Donald Shaw and Hector Shaw. Songs of Praise is at 1.15pm. New Every Sunday is on at 7.30am on Radio Scotland and Sunday Worship at 8.10am on Radio 4. Both will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds.
Prayer
This Sunday Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm in response to the pandemic.
As we journey into the future, we do so in the company of the One who transforms our present and who invites us to share in the promise of the coming Kingdom of God.
Living God,
Speak to us in the place where we are today
And make your presence known.
Speak to us the words of affirmation
That we may know that we are loved by you.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Speak to us in the place where we are today;
Even in the face of darkness.
Speak into the uncertainty of our times
And reassure us that you hold the future.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Speak to us in the place where we are today
And bring hope for days to come.
Speak words of comfort and of healing
And words of compassion for those who mourn.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Speak to us in the place where we are today,
That we might speak a word for our times.
Speak into the future that lies before us
And grant us grace as we seek to live out that future.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Speak to us in the place where we are today,
That we might hear again your voice.
Speak to us on the highest heights, and in the deepest depths,
And may we know, and be known by, the One whom you love.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Everlasting God,
Creator of the ends of the earth,
We are those who wait
And who ask that your promise will be fulfilled.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Everlasting God,
Creator of the ends of the earth,
We are those who wait
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Offering
Our buildings may be closed but the work of the church continues. Thank you for your ongoing support. Many of our members now make their offering by standing order and we would encourage you to do so! Please contact Helen to set this up – bowden.melrosepc@btinternet.com Alternatively you can send or deliver your offering to the church, or you can make an online offering to Bowden and Melrose Church via the Church of Scotland website. https://cos.churchofscotland.org.uk/donate/?cong=040271
