Kinlochleven Church - the next service is on Sunday, 19 May at 10.00 am led by the Rev. Malcolm Kinnear.
Duror Church - the next service is on Sunday 26 May at 10.30 am led by the Rev. Marion Kinnear.
Nether Lochaber Church - the next service is on Sunday 19 May at 11.30 am led by the Rev. Malcolm Kinnear including he sacrament of Communion during the service.
St. Munda's Church - the next service is on Sunday 19 May at 10.30 am in the Shinty Pavilion led by the Rev. Marion Kinnear.
South Lochaber Parish : Bible Study - Tuesday 28 May at 10.45 am in Jeremy's home - led by Tony.
Kinlochleven : Bible Study - Tuesday 21 May at 7.00 pm, led by Rev. Malcolm Kinnear.
Sunday 12 May 2024 Kinlochleven & South Lochaber Churches - available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/tnuednz3nFc
Opening Verse ‘He sat down on the right hand of God’ (Hebrews 10:12)
Hymn
Jesus, the Son of God who once for us his life resigned, Now lives in heaven our great High Priest and never-dying friend.
Through life, through death, let us to him with constancy adhere, Faith shall supply new strength and hope shall banish every fear.
Prayer God of and power your Son Jesus Christ went up to heaven and reigns in glory with you. May we know his saving and keeping power, and have joy and peace through his risen life, Amen.
Bible Reading Luke 24:46-53 Jesus told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Message The 12th May is the anniversary of the formation of the Cameronian Regiment, in 1689, in the village of Douglas in Lanarkshire. When we passed through that village last year I saw notices about the regiment. It was formed with the express aim of defending the Reformation faith. That part of Scotland was at the heart of the Covenanting movement. The regiment took its name from Richard Cameron, ‘the lion of the covenant’, a field preacher who like many, was killed for his stance. The regiment was run on church principles. The first muster was on the 14th May. Every member carried a Bible. Each company had its elder. The first chaplain was Alexander Shields. Whenever the regiment held worship the preacher did not begin the sermon until the officers had given the shout of ‘All Clear!’ The Battalion continued as The Scottish Rifles until not that long ago.
This Sunday is ‘Ascension Sunday’ when we recall Jesus preparing his church as a mighty army before being raised to heaven, our exalted head and king. For 40 days following the resurrection Jesus tutored and prepared the disciples. He told them to wait until power was given to them, and then go out as witnesses, to proclaim his message.
The ascension of Jesus was not an end to his work but rather the continuation of it. He equips the church and gives gifts, supremely the gift of the Spirit and the power, skills and insights needed to be soldiers of Christ. Christ lays an obligation on us as his followers. He claims the devotion of our hearts. We are to be witnesses, which means we know his power to save, and help to share the message of what Christ has done in his life, death and resurrection. The Christian task is a costly endeavour. Our challenge is somewhat different to that of covenanting times, but we have a massive task to stand up for gospel truth and values in a world that embraces other ideas. We are the ‘church militant’, soldiers of Christ striving in the fight against darkness and sin, until that day when Christ calls us to our heavenly home, and we join the ‘church triumphant’. Christ’s victorious reign has been inaugurated.
The Christian task begins at home. We are first called to be witnesses where we are. God has placed us here. The church will always have a local character because each age and place is different. But the message of Christ’s transforming friendship stays the same. He is the lover of our souls. Whatever our part is in the church, any authority we have is not from a status but through a heart pledged in love for one another. The love of Christ and the hand of God should be resting on our soul. We learn to view the Christian task as an obligation, because of what God in Christ has done for us. These are thoughts and values we should hold to.
Prayer Loving God we thank you that there is no fear in love. May our lives find their highest purpose as ambassadors of Christ, who is the faithful witness. We pray in his name Amen.