It’s a beautiful day in the Scottish Borders…… Today is Earth Day with a focus on recovering from the effects of Covid-19 and repairing the damage we’ve done to our planet. The mid-week reflection posted on Tuesday evening on our website, Facebook and Instagram takes Earth Day as its inspiration.
Sunday worship
On Sunday we meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church. We continue our flower theme, looking at anemones and the verse from Matthew’s Gospel – ‘See how the flowers of the field grow…’ Numbers in the buildings are limited and you may still prefer to keep safe at home – a maximum of 50 in attendance in Melrose, 20 at Bowden, with the requirement for distancing, face masks, hand sanitising, trace and protect, no singing etc.. You can join us live at 11.00am on Sundays on both Facebook and our website www.bowdenandmelrosechurch.org or watch the recording thereafter. A Sunday Worship podcast will be posted on the website, Facebook and Instagram at 6.00pm on Saturday evening. You can also listen by phoning 01896 808551.
Television and Radio
There are other worship opportunities on Sunday. On BBC 1 at 10.45am the Rev Richard Frazer of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh and the Rev Fiona Bennett of Augustinian URC Church, Edinburgh will present this week’s Reflections at the Quay. On BBC Scotland at 12noon there’s a service from Shettleston New Church of Scotland in Glasgow, led by Louis Reddick. Songs of Praise is at 1.15pm on BBC2. New Every Sunday is 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, on the eve of further restrictions lifting in Scotland, Christians across the country – and further afield – will join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm in response to the pandemic.
Lord our God,
We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd,
For he is the One who will guard us and keep us
And lead us safe home.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd,
For he has spoken to us throughout all our days
And still he speaks, even amidst the clamour of the day.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd,
For he has nurtured and provided for us
And lifted us up, even when we have fallen.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd,
For he is the One who has laid down his life for us
In order that we might have life, even in the face of darkness.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God,
We listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd,
For your goodness and mercy still follows us
And you shall lead us safe home, even at the end of our days.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Offering
Despite the restrictions of these days the work of the church goes on. 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
