Sunday 7 November 2021

Family Service

We have a Family Service on Sunday – A Time to Remember – at 10.00am in the Melrose Church Hall. Face masks must be worn unless exempt, 1 metre distancing between families.


Sunday Worship

Rev Sara Embleton will be leading worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church. The theme of the service is ‘Blessings’. I will be sharing the Melrose Service with her as we have a baptism. 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.


Remembrance

There will be an Act of Remembrance at the war memorial in Bowden on Thursday 11 November, gathering at 10.45am.

The traditional Remembrance Sunday parade in Melrose is planned to go ahead, subject to Scottish Borders Council permission, on Sunday 14 November. We gather at the war memorial at 10.45am, continuing our worship in the church thereafter.

Acts of Remembrance will be held at the war memorials in Gattonside at 9.30am, Newstead at 2.00 pm and Darnick at 3.00 p.m.


Tea and Coffee after the Melrose Service

We are serving tea and coffee after worship in Melrose once again. Thanks to those who have volunteered to help out. If you would like to go on the rota please contact Helen in the office. We need 2 people each week.


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.


The Gospel of Mark compares and contrasts the offering of a ‘poor widow’ with that of those who give out of their riches. To the outward appearance, the ‘two small copper coins’ barely register in the coffers of the treasury, especially when compared to the offerings of others. In so doing, the Gospel invites us to see beyond the outward appearance and to understand that the offering of the ‘poor widow’ is the giving of ‘all she had’. Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance and sees the depth of the widow’s self-giving. (Mark 12: 41-44) In the week past and in the week to come, we have an unprecedented opportunity to compare and contrast as the richest and the poorest nations gather together. The representatives of each nation bring to the table their respective contributions and, in due course, there will be much discussion on the achievements of the gathering. All that is discussed and agreed takes place in the presence of God. The One who sees beyond the outward appearance and looks on the heart is the One who knows the needs of all peoples and of all Creation. We turn to the One who gives life to all…”


We pray:

Lord our God,

You are the One who looks on the heart

And sees the hidden depths of each person:

As we come into Your presence,

See our hearts and the depths of who we are

And accept us as those who are made in Your image.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.


Lord our God,

You are the One who looks on the heart

And sees the hidden depths of each person:

As we offer all that we are in Your service,

Sift our hearts that we might know You

As we are known by You.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.


Lord our God,

You are the One who looks on the heart

And sees the hidden depths of each person:

As we hear the cry of those who journey in our midst,

Still our hearts that we might listen to their voice

And understand their concerns.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.


Lord our God,

You are the One who looks on the heart

And sees the hidden depths of each person:

As we welcome the gifts that others offer,

Speak to our hearts of the potential embodied in each person

And of our shared desire to care for Creation.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.


Lord our God,

You are the One who looks on the heart

And sees the hidden depths of each person:

As we consider how majestic is Your name in all the earth,

Strengthen our hearts and deepen our resolve

To address the challenges of our time and so bring glory to Your name.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.