welcome to
DINGWALL &
STRATHPEFFER
free church
God calls us to delight in Christ and to share His Hope.
www.deep-river.co.uk
Sunday 23rd January 2011
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all
things were created through him and for him. Col. 1:16 (ESV)
Led by God, we join together in joyful and reverent worship, seeking unity and
maturity in Christ, preparing every believer to share and show God’s Hope as
revealed in His Word.
Welcome! We meet for worship today in Dingwall at 11.00 am and 6 pm. Bible
teaching in the morning is part of a new study on Advancing God’s Kingdom. Tea
and coffee is served after the morning service.
Children leave for Sunday School and Bible Class after the second singing. A crèche
is also available in the hall.
Mini Marvels toddler group has moved from Tuesdays to Fridays at 10.30 am.
Details from Erin Maston, Anna Stirling or Ishbel MacArthur.
Our local Women for Mission group have again produced a Missionary Calendar to
encourage prayer and regular contact with missionary families. Please ask Sandra
MacDonald for a copy.
Prayer Requests: Next Sunday evening (30th January) we plan to set aside some
time for specific prayer for our individual and congregational needs and for matters
that God has placed on our hearts including mission. We would welcome your
prayer requests. Forms are available at the tea-bar, or use any piece of paper. These
can be placed in the offering plate, or placed on the communion table, or emailed
to the minister.
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Praise Group: We plan to hold a Praise Practice twice each month. The group will
meet next at the Manse, Firthview, for an hour this Tuesday 25th January from 7 pm
to 8 pm. Please come along if you enjoy singing and are interested in helping to
develop our congregational praise. A booklet with some songs is available today.
Women’s Bible Study: a Bible study on The Sermon on the Mount is held at Rhoda
MacDonald’s home, 1 Eastbank (862473) at 10.30 am this Tuesday 25th January
(postponed due to icy conditions last week).
Prayer and Bible study is held in the church hall this Wednesday at 7.30 pm.
Road to Recovery: A support group is available in the church hall for folk living
with addiction. The group meets every Thursday from 7.30 pm.
The Faith Mission hold their annual Ross-shire Rallies next weekend, speaker Mr
John Townend, General Director of the Faith Mission. Events are held on Friday 28th
in Maryburgh Free Church at 7.30 pm, then on Saturday 29th at Fortrose Free
Church at 7.30 pm, and finally next Sunday in Balintore Seaboard Hall at 5.00 pm.
Roots is on at Inches Church this Friday – a bus leaves the church at 6.30 pm. All in
secondary school are welcome.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
OMF Brora Conference: From Friday 4th to Sunday 6th February. Bible Readings
from Rev Hector Morrison. Conference places are available with accommodation at
the Marine Hotel. Day visitors are also welcome on the Saturday. Contact the OMF
office for further details (0141 959 4180, scotland@omf.org.uk).
Youth Camps: Brochures with booking information for the Free Church youth
camps are now available. Early booking is advisable.
Groups for Girls and for Boys: Naomi Nakahashi is running a new group for girls
twice a month on Friday afternoons. The next session is at 2.30 pm on Friday 4th
February. Fun activities and Bible Study are planned. A group for boys should also
start soon afterwards.
Women for Mission: Women are welcome to the Church hall on Tuesday 8 th
February, when Karen MacNaughton will give an update on the situation that they
have left in North Africa. Call Wendy (864440) if a lift is required. There will be the
usual Sales Table.
Prayer letters: Look out for recent prayer news from OMF (Billions magazine), Andy
Robertson (UCCF Relay worker at Aberdeen) and from the Nakahashis in Japan.
Please see the rotas for TEAS and for CHURCH CLEANING at the tea-bar. Help is still
required for church cleaning.
Future Home Groups will be held on Wednesday 23rd February and Wednesday 30th
March. Home groups are a good way to grow in faith and confidence as we study
the Bible and get to know one another in a small group.
HTC: Can you spare a few hours to help out at HTC? Volunteers are required to
cover reception on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays for an hour anytime between 12
and 2.30 to let the receptionist off for lunch. 780000 or visit HTC for more info.
SAFEGUARDING
Murdo Mackay has resumed his role as our local coordinator for Child Protection
and Safeguarding. Murdo MacArthur will assist him until a deputy coordinator is
appointed. Any matter of concern, referral or question regarding safeguarding of
children or adults at risk should be directed to Murdo Mackay. (01349 864067).
SERVING ONE ANOTHER
Welcome Team: Murdo MacArthur, Michael Forbes, David MacKenzie & Joan Lees.
Nursing Homes: Fodderty Lodge, Jan 30th, Peter MacIntosh.
Crèche: 23rd - Christine MacAskill & Joan Tripp. 30th - Kathleen Sutherland & Jessie
MacIntosh.
To Contact the Minister – Rev Angus MacRae: Free Church Manse, Firth View,
Dingwall.
01349 862183. (Email: minister@deep-river.co.uk).
Website: Sermons and newsletters are available at www.deep-river.co.uk.
FOR PRAYER
Road to Recovery: Pray for attendances to pick up again. Give thanks for some
really positive meetings. The need for this ministry is as great as ever. Pray for a
stable core group who will be able to help each other.
Pray for the local Youth Kafe, for their work among young folk, for sufficient
volunteers and particularly as they make various funding applications.
Pray for Rev Ross Macaskill, Irene and family, as they prepare for his induction at
Garrabost Church of Scotland on 4th February.
Remember David and Olwen Ford who have recently returned home after seven
years in Latin America, mainly at Medellín Seminary, Colombia. Pray too for
Catriona MacDonald who is going to Peru to teach English at Colegio San Andrés.
OMF: Pray for a good conference in Brora next month. Many workers from
politically difficult countries are meeting together just now for a conference in
Thailand. Remember Sandra MacDonald’s work among the Thai people in Scotland.
Pray for the Raes - for effective ministry as they prepare to come on home
assignment in June. Pray for suitable accommodation and schooling arrangements
in Scotland. Phil Steed is still off work and we pray for his healing. Remember the
Scottish Council and fellowship members as each work out their responsibilities
before God at this time of change in OMF.
The Nakahashis will soon have been 8 years in Kinomoto, Japan, and the work
there is very hard. Pray that God would give much grace and wisdom and his
constant leading.
Morning Praise
23:1-6 (p. 229)
Before the throne of God above
113:1-9* (p. 151)
Version of Psalm 130
* = Sing Psalms version.
Evening Praise
Crown Him with many crowns
63:4-10* (p. 80)
73:23-26 (p. 316)
= piano accompaniment.
Before the Throne of God Above
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.
My name is written on his hands,
my name is hidden in his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
no power can force me to depart,
no power can force me to depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
and tells me of the guilt within,
I look to heaven, and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God, the just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.
Behold him there! The risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with himself, I cannot die,
my soul is purchased by his blood;
my life is safe with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Saviour and my God,
with Christ, my Saviour and my God.
CHARITIE L BANCROFT 1841-1923
CCL Licence No. 1203197
Tune: Before the Throne (extended) DLM
Unison Prayer – Confession of Sin
God of all grace, we come in need of your mercy and cleansing.
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
and yet we constantly fail to follow his example.
We have refused to walk in the way of love.
We have refused to offer ourselves like Christ,
who gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
We have lived as though we were a people still in darkness
rather than live as the children of your light.
We confess this sin and humble ourselves before you.
Thank you for your faithfulness to forgive and to cleanse.
We trust you and thank you for your grace and mercy.
Give us your Spirit and the power to live as your holy people,
pleasing you in all things.
Help us to continually offer our thanks for your faithfulness and love. Amen.
Emma Turl’s version of Psalm 130
From the depths of shame and
sorrow,
from my guilt and my despair,
LORD, I cry to you for mercy—
be attentive to my prayer.
All my joy is in your presence,
all my hope is in your word;
more than watchmen wait for
morning
waits my soul for you, O LORD!
If our sins you still remembered,
how could anyone draw near?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so we come with reverent fear.
All my joy…
With the LORD is love unfailing—
let his people hope in him!
With our God is full redemption,
full atonement for our sin.
All my joy…
Emma Turl © author
CCL Licence No. 1203197
Tune: Here is Love, 8787D
Dingwall & Strathpeffer Free Church is a Designated Scottish Charity: SC011143