Message from the Minister; Rev. Hugh Adamson

Mure Manse

22nd September 2007

Dear Friends,

 

It is good to be back in your midst particularly at this time as the different organisations within the congregation start a new session. As summer slips into autumn however it would be amiss of me not to thank the happy team who over the summer have kept our grounds and gardens looking so well. We have a large amount of ground around the church and it is a tribute to the enthusiasm of our volunteers that our grounds look so attractive.

 

Our Communion Sunday is 14th October with services both morning and evening. We rejoice in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, 21st. Looking ahead to Remembrance Sunday, this year we welcome one of the team of Naval Chaplains from Faslane to our evening service.

I made this arrangement just at the time naval personnel were being held captive in Iran. We have never had someone from the Navy and it will be interesting to hear from them this year.

 

Other organisations are beginning their work. The Prayer Group with its inspiring and comforting task of intercession meets fortnightly but can be contacted at any time. The Guild and Friendly Hour are beginning.

The social life of the church continues with the visit of the singer songwriter Bruce Davies on October 26th.

 

The church continues to provide a sanctuary for different types of group. AA still meets on a Tuesday. A line-dancing group uses the Sawers Hall. Irvine Flower Club meets monthly in our large hall. ‘Movers & Shakers’ a new support group intended for those suffering from a particular type of eating disorder will find a home with us. This is part of the church's calling.

 

John Buchan, best known as a writer of adventure stories like The Thirty-nine Steps was a convinced Christian and believed that ‘civilisation must have a Christian basis and must ultimately rest on the Christian Church, fallible though it is.’ However weak we are we know the answer to life is found in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who full of grace and truth

is the Light of the World.

 

God bless you all,

Hugh M Adamson

 

The Session Pen 

For Home and Family

 

May the love of God our father

Be in all our homes today:

May the love of the Lord Jesus

Keep our hearts and minds always:

May his loving Holy Spirit

Guide and bless the ones I love,

Father, mother, brothers, sisters,

Keep them safely in his love.

     From Infant Prayer.

 

Lord , I've discovered it's never a secret

When you live in a home

For you simply cannot be hid.

The neighbours soon know you are there

Even strangers learn of your presence.

When you are the Great First in a home

There is a radiance that speaks of joy

There is gentleness, kindness

Laughter and love.

There is commotion mixed with contentment

There are problems mixed with prayer.

Lord, your own Word says it so vividly:

`It was known that he was in the house.'

  Ruth Harms Calkin

 

Bless our home, Father,

That we cherish the bread before there is none,

Discover each other before we leave,

And enjoy each other for what we are,

While we have time.

Prayer from Hawaii

 

God Bless You All

Jim Anderson

 

 

Irvine Christian Aid

 

We are having a Coffee Morning on Saturday October 6th in the Old Parish Church Hall from 10am—12 noon.

 

There will be Cake ‘n’ Candy, Toiletries and Fancy Goods (Handicrafts) stalls. Donations for any of the stalls will be gratefully received.

 

Tickets priced £1 are available from May Richmond.

 

 

Diane Green, the new Christian Aid Co-ordinator and a colleague are

holding a meeting in the Fullarton Centre on Wednesday 30th October from 10.30 am—12 noon to talk about the latest news on Christian Aid.

 

Coffee will be served and all collectors, helpers and anyone interested in the work of Christian Aid is welcome to come along.

 

May Richmond

 

Session Clerk