National Giving Day
All Church of Scotland congregations have been encouraged to participate in a National Giving Day in either September or October 2021 – a time to reflect on God’s presence with us through these challenging times and to offer gifts of thanksgiving back to God. We have designated Sunday 10 October as our giving day. Your gifts will go into our Special Projects Fund. In recent years this has helped fund a holiday for the children of the Al Shurooq School for the Blind in Bethlehem. There will be a retiring offering on Sunday or you can put your gift in an envelope marked ‘National Giving Day’. Thanks.
Tea and Coffee after the Melrose Service
We will be serving tea and coffee after worship once more from Sunday 24 October. If you would like to volunteer for the rota please contact Helen in the office. We need 2 people each week. There are some ‘rules’ that we must follow to keep everyone safe….
If you wish to stay for tea or coffee please access the church hall from the Gattonside porch. Try and observe 1 metre distancing, keep your mask on – you can take it off when you are drinking, sanitise your hands as you pass, put your ‘trace and ptotect’ slip in the box in the hall so we know who has stayed for a drink. You will be served your drink, milk, sugar and a biscuit from the hatch and then you are asked to take a seat. Try and sit with someone you don’t normally get a chance to talk to…. Leave your mug on the table when you have finished. Leave by the Gattonside door. It’s another step forward….
Sunday Worship
We meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church. The 11.00am service is livestreamed on both Facebook and our website www.bowdenandmelrosechurch.org or you can watch the recording thereafter. The hymn sheet is attached so you can sing along…. A podcast based on this service will be posted on Facebook and Instagram on Saturday evening. You can also listen by phoning 01896 808551.
Mid-week Reflection
You can listen to the mid-week reflection for Challenge Poverty Week ‘3,000 Bible verses’ on Instagram or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BowdenandMelroseParishChurch/
Keeping Safe
Whilst most Covid restrictions in Scotland have been lifted the virus is still a threat and care still needs to be taken. Physical distancing is still recommended as is hand sanitising and the wearing of masks at indoor events. Complying with Test and Protect remains in place. The Church of Scotland is advising that we continue to observe 1 metre distancing in the short term. This gives us good capacity in both our buildings – up to 180 in Melrose and 40 in Bowden. Different options for joining in worship are now a part of church life. Please do what is right for you.
Television and Radio
There are other worship opportunities on Sunday. Songs of Praise is on BBC 1 at 1.15pm. 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 Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm.
In the words of the hymn writer:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
We pray:
Living God,
Have mercy on us
And grant to us grace in time of need;
For we are those who struggle
And know our weaknesses all too well.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Have mercy on us
And grant to us grace in time of need;
For we know the struggles of the world
And the pain that so many bear.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Have mercy on us
And grant to us grace in time of need;
For You know us and You love us
And You reach out to us in the place where we are.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Have mercy on us
And grant to us grace in time of need;
For You call us to love our neighbour
And to bear one another’s burdens on the way.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Have mercy on us
And grant to us grace in time of need;
For we make bold to approach the throne of grace
And do so in the assurance that You will hear our cry.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
