Remembrance Sunday
We meet for Remembrance Sunday Worship in Bowden Kirk at 9.30am.
In Melrose the traditional Remembrance Sunday parade is planned to go ahead, subject to Scottish Borders Council permission. We gather at the war memorial at 10.45am, continuing our worship in the church thereafter. This is an ecumenical service and I will be joined by Rev Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The church service will be 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 for Remembrance Sunday will be posted on Facebook and Instagram on Saturday evening. You can also listen by phoning 01896 808551.
There will be collections for The Earl Haig Fund (Poppy Scotland) in both churches.
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.
Messy Church
We are holding a Christmas Messy Church on Sunday 12 December at 3.00pm in Melrose Church. It will have to be a slightly different way of doing things….but hopefully a busy, fun way of celebrating Christmas. The planning meeting is on Friday 26 November at 4.00pm in Melrose Church Hall if you would like to come along and get involved.
The Guild
A lot has been on hold and changed over the last 18 months, not least the Guild. We had a meeting of the committee last week and agreed to hold a Christmas Afternoon Tea and Carols for Guild members and friends at 2.30pm on Thursday 9 December in Melrose Church Hall. Masks and social distancing are a given but we hope it will be an enjoyable time of fellowship.
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.
Holiday
I will be on holiday from 19-26 November. Rev Sara Embleton will be conducting worship next Sunday.
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
We will be Celebrating the Lord’s Supper in both churches on Sunday 28 November, the first Sunday in Advent.
Prayer
This Sunday Christians across the country – and further afield – will once again join together in prayer and reflection at 7pm.
In a time of Remembrance, we turn to the One who offers ‘refuge and strength’ in time of trouble and whose presence stills the storm and calms our fears. (Psalm 46: 1) In a time of loss, we find no human words adequate to express the depth of that loss and we often find ourselves seemingly detached from the onward rush of time. In silence, and as memory casts its eye across the span of time, we hear the voice of the One who calls to us: ‘Be still, and know that I am God’.”
We pray:
Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of remembrance.
Hear our cry as memory, and stories told,
Carry us to places of loss and sorrow.
Meet us in this time,
To still the storm and calm our fears.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of loss.
Hear our cry, though it seems long lost,
In the cruel winds that blow.
May the measure of our loss
Be the measure of Your grace.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of sorrow.
Hear our cry, and the cry of all who mourn,
As it gives voice to hidden grief.
May it rise from the depths of the earth
And be embraced in the heights of heaven.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of remembrance.
Hear our cry,
And still our hearts,
That we may we hear the voice that speaks:
Be still, and know that I am God.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
