spring 2011

Stevenston High Kirk

The Challenge

Spring Edition

2011

Sunday 10.30am Morning Worship Church

Sunday 10.30am Sunday Club & Creche Church Hall

Sunday 7.15pm Evening Fellowship Church Hall

Monday 7pm International Agency* Church Hall

Wednesday 10am Rainbow Club Church Hall

Wednesday 6pm Girl’s Brigade Church Hall

Wednesday 6pm Prayer Meeting Church (SMA)

Thursday 7.15pm The Guild Church Hall

Friday 6pm Seekers (Kids Club) Church Hall

Friday 7.30pm Revival Fellowship The Manse

Saturday 10am Linda Turner School of Dancing* Church Hall

*Outside organisations who use our premises

What’s On each week...

Stevenston High Kirk(Church of Scotland)

Registered Charity No. SC009848

www.highkirk.com

http://www.highkirk.com

http://www.highkirk.com

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DAILY READINGSDAILY READINGSDAILY READINGSDAILY READINGS

DATE MARCH APRIL MAY

1 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Romans 1:8-17 Romans 9:1-29

2 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Romans 1:18-32 Romans 9:30-10:4


4 1 Corinthians 2 Romans 2:17-29 Romans 11:1-24


6 1 Corinthians 4 Romans 3:9-20 Romans 12


8 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Romans 4 Romans 13:8-14

9 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 Romans 5:1-11 Romans 14






15 1 Corinthians 9:11-27 Romans 7:14-25 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

16 1 Corinthians 10-11:1 Romans 8:1-17 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

17 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Romans 8:18-30 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

18 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 John 12:1-11 2 Corinthians 2:5-3:6

19 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 12:12-19 2 Corinthians 3:7--18

20 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a John 12:20-36 2 Corinthians 4

21 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13 John 18:1-14 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

22 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 John 19:16b-27 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

23 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 John 19:28-37 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-9 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1




28 1 Corinthians 16:19-24 John 21:15-25 2 Corinthians 9

29 Acts 19:21-41 Psalm 23 2 Corinthians 10

30 Acts 20:1-6 Isaiah 53 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

31 Romans 1:1-7 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

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MEMBERSHIPMrs Wilma Campbell,

49 McGregor Avenue, Stevenston, has recently joined the High Kirk from St

Margaret’s, Dalry.

DEATHSWILLIE WILSONWilliam Allan Wilson (affectionately known to all as Willie) was born on the 14th of March 1915 in the family home at Boglemart Street. He was the youngest of 4 children; growing up with his brother David, and sisters Marion & Mary.

At the High Kirk Manse on the 3rd of February 1943 he married his close friend and fellow badminton player Mary Kelso. Willie and Mary were then thrilled to see the arrival of their children.

After completing his schooling at the Higher Grade, he went on to do further education at what Willie would call “The Unemployed School”; where he would study until he was able to serve his time as a joiner with Bell’s Explosives. Of course it was the war years, and Willie went on to volunteer for wartime service with the Royal Engineers. Willie was quickly made a Captain and served in India until he was invalided out through a driving accident.

On returning home, he returned to ICI, working his way up to Engineer Manager. After 40 years service with ICI, he then went to work with Irvine Development, where he was the clerk of works.

Willie was always a grafter. A calm, quiet, patient, family man, who took everything in his stride. He was a great storyteller, traveller and a meticulous organiser. He was also a sportsman in his day.

As well as having a special love for his family, he also had a great love for his Church. He loved his Saviour, and served as

a highly respected elder from 1955. Being involved in the Fabric, he was at the heart of all the planning in seeing St Monach’s Aisle come together, and was a member of the Men’s Guild. Willie also did a power of work throughout the church, quietly, and sometimes without recognition. We give thanks to God for an absolute gentleman.

BOBBY THOMPSON

Robert Scott Thompson was born on the 2nd February 1931 in Saltcoats where he grew up attending Saltcoats Public School and Ardrossan Academy.

After leaving school Bobby began working for the Railways as a Clerical Officer. He had worked in Ardrossan followed by time in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and many other places. Although travelling with his work, he spent most of his time at Buchanan House in Glasgow.

As part of his National Service he joined the RAF, once again involved in the clerical side. It was during these days where he excelled in sports, especially football and ice hockey. One memorable year was when Bobby was supposed to have been playing football in Berlin, but instead got caught up helping in the famous Berlin Airlift.

At Stevenston High Kirk on the 10th September 1955, Rev John Miller Scott married Bobby to Mary Lambie McColm. They were then thrilled to see the arrival of their daughters: Jean & Moira.

Bobby was a man of principal and integrity. Although he could be strongly independent and strong-willed, he was a very friendly, sociable and outgoing man. After leaving the Railways through early retirement, he threw himself into various activities. But it wasn’t all work and no play for Bobby, he loved his holidays. He was never one for sitting in the sun, but loved to explore the various countries and continents that he visited.

We will all cherish very special memories our dear friend.

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Church Register 2011

In this issue

A View from the Manse Page 4Events Diary Page 5Girl’s Brigade News Page 6Guild News Page 7Passion Week Page 8Dan’s Fun Corner Page 10High Kirk News Page 12Devotional Thoughts Page 13Mission & Prayer Network Page 15Precious Memories Page 17Frances Ridley Havergal Page 19Letters/Comments Page 20Church Register Page 22Daily Readings Page 23

TheChallengeMagazine

Spring 2011Edition

It was the year 622 BC when the young king Josiah sent his scribe Shaphan to oversee the temple repair project. He was instructed to pay the workers and to purchase any materials required for the ongoing developments. As he enters the temple, Hilkiah the High Priest excitedly reveals to him that he has found the Book of the Law which had been lost (many believe this to have been part of Deuteronomy). As Shaphan runs back with the book, he is aware that he holds something very precious. Josiah orders him to read it aloud in his presence. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changes, as the fear of God grips the heart of the young king. For this valuable scroll reveals God’s character, His powerful works and how men, women and children can know a loving relationship with Him. For generations this book had gone missing. It may have been misplaced or maybe it dropped onto the floor and rolled into a dark corner. However it happened, can you imagine losing something so precious and nobody notices? No mention of searches being made. It had disappeared and nobody seemed to care.

In Jeremiah we read that the people just carried on in their religion, with all their

robes, traditions and temple observance. They had lost a true knowledge of God and had lost their appetite for God’s Word. They forgot His commands, walked according to their own desires and lusts, and the worship of God was replaced by man-made traditions and practices. In these days every level of society was corrupt; marriage, the legal system, politics, religion, etc.Despite the darkness that covered the nation, Josiah stood up, tore his robes in repentance and turned humbly to God. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” What a reformation!

Jeremiah prophesied: “Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”Today, the Church of Scotland stands at a crossroads. What is the way forward? I believe the church must seek after God in prayer, that He would refresh and revive our nation again. Like Josiah, we need to return to the “ancient paths” where we will find rest for our souls.

This year we celebrate 400 years of the King James Bible. It is my prayer that we would see a revival in Scotland again as Christians devote themselves to prayer, reading their Bibles daily, and allowing the Holy Spirit to apply it to their lives as they seek to live for Christ.Your Friend and Minister

Scott Cameron

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What is a generous giver?When we think of generosity, we might look at the size of the gift or the nobility of the cause. We might call someone "generous," for example, who contributes a modest sum to a charitable cause to promote the good of society.

But Jesus measured generosity by a radically new standard: the condition of the giver's heart. The apostle Paul said that even the most lavish donations are empty acts in God's sight if the giver's heart is hardened toward Him (1 Corinthians 13:3). So a truly generous giver is, first of all, a person who has been reconciled to God through faith in Christ, whose perfect life and sacrificial death can generously free any person from sin. Once this gospel works its way deep into that person's heart and mind, the stage is set for a new person to emerge: a generous giver.

Such a person is characterised by several particular attitudes and behaviours:

(1) A generous giver experiences the joy of giving. When he gives, it does not feel like a burden but a pleasure.

(2) A generous giver lives and gives with an eternal perspective. He is unconcerned with how much he owns in this life because his attention is on the age to come.

(3) A generous giver models the proverb, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35b). He not only believes these words of Jesus, but he actually prefers giving over getting, so that he regularly chooses to give more and receive less.

(4) A generous giver recognises that God owns everything. He does not cling to possessions because he does not believe that he truly owns them anyway. His goal is to put God's money where God wants it.

(5) A generous giver offers gifts as an act of worship. His driving motivation is neither self-concern nor love for others, but love for God. The most important truth in his life is God's

saving love in Christ, and he gives to express his thanks and to honour his God.

(reproduced from GenerousChurch.com)

Knowing Your PlaceYou are seated with Christ at God’s right

hand…Nothing is higher than that!

God loves you with an everlasting love…Nothing is deeper than that!

He invites you to drink from the river of His delights…

Nothing is purer than that!He shares His heart with you in

communion…Nothing is dearer than that!

He watches over you with tender mercies…

Nothing is kinder that that!He is with you and will never leave

you…Nothing is nearer than that!

He leads you according to the counsel of His own will…

Nothing is wiser than that!He faithfully feeds you from His word…

Nothing is truer than that!He is in you and joined to your spirit…

Nothing is closer than that!

Roy Lessin (Public Domain)

Submitted byMildred Burns

A View From The Manse

We would like to say a great big Thank You to all our wonderful friends at the High Kirk who have upheld me and my family during our stressful and worrying time. Whenever we felt low mail popped up for us on the email. God has his hand in everything and as Scott said this morning (Sunday 30th January) we have to stop doubting. God’s will and purpose are in full command of everything and we are so grateful for all His Love and Blessings He has given us. The twins are such a joy and we all can’t wait to have them home in Scotland (they will arrive here on the 18th February) where they will be so loved and brought up to know the Lord. We knew the power of prayer and that was what gave us the strength to keep going when everything was against us. If God be with us who can be against us? We are standing on His promises and leave it all in His hands. God Bless you all.

Dorothy and Tom Cochrane & family.

I would like to sincerely thank all my friends and neighbours in the High Kirk, for cards, flowers and phone calls which I received during my illness. Also to our minister Scott for his visits & spiritual comfort.

All appreciated so very much.God bless everyone,Jessie Thomson

A VISITOR FROM LONDONI very much appreciated worshipping once again in the High Kirk. The warmth of the welcome by members as I came in made me feel very much at home; and the sermon by the minister, being so biblically based, has remained in my memory, with the challenge it brought. I serve as a steward in my own church in London and seek to welcome not just our own members but some of the many visitors who come. I hope the warmth of my greeting may come near that of the one I enjoyed with you.

SincerelyJessie

CHRISTMAS PRESENTSOn behalf of North Ayrshire Three Towns Children and Families team, Helen Wilson would like to say a very big Thank You to all members of the High Kirk who responded to the appeal for donations of Christmas presents for children in the area. The really generous response was greatly appreciated and the quality of the presents was also noted. Everyone who donated should be aware that they made a lot of children very happy on Christmas morning.

CHURCH FLOWERSIf you know of any Church members who are ill, in hospital or recently bereaved, please make a note of their name in the pink folder at the Beadle's pew.

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Events DiaryWith ThanksgivingMARCH

1st Word Alive (2) at 2.30pm (Manse)4th World Day of Prayer at 7pm (Ardeer Church)6th Family Service at 10.30am Hayocks Evening Fellowship at 7.15pm (Hayocks Community Hall)8th Lunch Club at 12pm (Church Hall) Word Alive (3) at 2.30pm (Manse)11th Revival Fellowship with Martin Dudgeon at 7.30pm (Manse)13th Communion Service at 10.30am15th Word Alive (4) at 2.30pm (Manse)22nd Word Alive (5) at 2.30pm (Manse)27th Annual Stated Meeting (after the morning service, followed by a lunch) Worship Service at 3pm (3 Towns Nursing)29th Word Alive (6) at 2.30pm (Manse)

APRIL

3rd Family Service at 10.30am May Nicholson & Friends (Hayocks Community Hall)

Minister’s Holidays4th - 11th April

10th Morning Service at 10.30am (with Rev Norman Cruickshank)12th Lunch Club at 12pm (Church Hall) Kirk Session at 7pm (SMA)17th Family Service at 10.30am United Service at 3pm (High Kirk)

Easter Week Events18th - 24th April (see page 8)

23rd Church Open Day from 10am 27th Worship Service at 1.45pm (Thistle Day Care)

MAY

1st Family Service at 10.30am Hayocks Evening Fellowship at 7.15pm (Hayocks Community Hall)3rd Guild Coffee Morning at 10am (Church Hall)8th Dedication Service for Christian Aid at 3pm (St John’s)

Christian Aid Week15th -21st May

10th Guild Coffee Morning at 10am (Church Hall)15th Gospel Night with Rev Arthur Williams at 7.15pm (Church Hall)17th Coffee & Praise at 10am (Church Hall)

The General Assembly (Edinburgh)21st - 27th May

(Our Minister will be away for the week of the General Assembly.)

24th Coffee & Praise at 10am (Church Hall)29th Morning Service (with Rev Norman Cruickshank)31st Coffee & Praise at 10am (Church Hall)

GOSPEL NIGHTWe are having a very special night on

Sunday 15th May at 7.15pm.

Our guest speaker Rev Arthur Williams will be joined by May Nicholson and

friends from the Preshal Trust.

Arthur Williams was pastor of Findlay Memorial Church in Glasgow before

founding the Stauros Foundation.

On Wednesday 1st December Lorraine Barr and the Brigaders organised a Christmas concert in aid of the Summer Trip for the company. We were grateful for the parents and friends who came to be our audience. Mrs Rodgers made the tea and coffee at the end of the evening. We are very grateful for her help.

Officers and Brigaders took part in the bag packing in Asda in Irvine on 11th December. Later in the afternoon we enjoyed the Pantomime, Dick Whittington and his cat.

Because of the severe winter weather the Carol Service in December which was to be held in Edinburgh was cancelled.

The Divisional Competitions were held in St Kentigern on 21st January.

The following girls were our representatives:Explorers: Sophie Brown, Abigail Tuthill, & Hannah Wilson.

Juniors: Jodie Fisher, Christine Kelly.

Brigaders: Tracy Irvine, Charelle McMahon, & Halle Kirkland.

Explorers had to decorate a pebble in the shape of an animal.Juniors had to design rooms in a house.Brigaders had to make a model out of junk.

Explorers gained first place, Juniors were unplaced, and Brigaders gained second.

Congratulations to all competition teams.

Future Dates: 23rd February - Wii evening.Friday 11th March - the Bible competition (the team has still to be decided).Despite so many holidays from school we plan to keep holding company meetings every Wednesday apart from Holy Week.

The Officers and girls would like to thank members and friends in the congregation who have supported us in the past.

National Headquarters is still accepting old jewellery, stamps and old foreign and British coins.

Yours Sincerely

Janet Montgomery (Captain)

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I want to love God more!3rd Stevenston Girl’s Brigade

The story of the well-known hymn writer, Frances Ridley Havergal.

Frances was born at the end of the year 1836. She was the youngest child of two very spiritually-minded people. Her father, Henry Havergal, was the rector of Astley, in Worcestershire. Her mother, Jane, was also an earnest, evangelical Christian. Frances, the youngest of six, was always treated as the pet of the family. She was pretty and fair, and easy to love. She was introduced to the Gospel at an early age, and accepted Christ as her Saviour. In a way it was easier for her than it is for many, being born into such a vital, alive Christian home.

She could speak distinctly – and correctly – by the time she was two years old. This was the first evidence of her command of the

English language that shows so clearly in the words of the hymns she wrote during her lifetime.Quite apart from her beautiful hymns, which include “Take My Life” and “Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak in Living Echoes of Thy tone”, she also wrote some books, which are not so well known.

But the most unforgettable thing about Frances was her all-consuming longing to be able to love God more! She was a believer for many years before her soul caught fire with the burning love of God she had so long sought after. This wonderful love kept her all her older years and enabled her to take whatever came – be it hardship, illness or pain – from God’s hand, without regret. In that way, Frances is similar to Fanny Crosby, who was blinded as a baby when her parents were given the wrong eye medication for her. Fanny also was consumed with her love for God. She could even thank the Lord for her blindness, which (although keeping her from seeing things around her) opened her inner eyes all the more to be able to see God Himself.

PrayerO Lord, please open our inner eyes so that as we pray we may see You as You really are, brimming over with Your wonderful love for each of us, Your children. And may this love lead us to love others as You love them.

Dorothy Rose

OBITUARY - REV R J KYD (Died 1921)A painful sensation was created on Wednesday morning in Stevenston and district when it became known that the death had occurred the previous night, with startling suddenness, of Rev. R. J. Kyd, Minister of Stevenston Parish Church. Although it was well known that the rev. gentleman had been in failing health for some time, the end came quite unexpectedly. Mr Kyd attended a meeting of Irvine Presbytery at Irvine on Tuesday, and was present at the customary luncheon of the Presbytery Dining Club. After the meeting he went to the Manse, as was his wont, with the rev Mr Ranken there, and, after tea, he and Mr Ranken proceeded to the Parish Church and examined the Church’s War Memorial. He returned home about 5.30. On reaching the house he suddenly turned ill, and passed away about ten o’clock the same evening. As recently as Friday last, Rev. Mr Kyd was attending to the work of the parish, having officiated at a wedding that day. He also occupied his own pulpit a fortnight ago, and only last week the intimation was made in our columns of the appointment of the Rev. A. H. Bodin, M. A., Glasgow, as his personal assistant.

The deceased gentleman was ordained as minister of Stevenston Parish on 9th of November, 1886, and previous to coming to Stevenston was assistant to the late Re. D. Stevenson of Dalry Parish. During his long and faithful ministry in Stevenston, Rev. Mr Kyd endeared himself to the community by his kindly disposition, his loyal devotion to his church, and also by his talents as a preacher and lecturer. Regarding his qualities in the last-mentioned capacities, it was a well-known fact that Mr Kyd was regarded as a man of outstanding ability, and his worth, both as a preacher and lecturer, was known and recognized outside the bounds of his parish, and wherever he went he was assured of a large congregation. An evidence

of his influence is found in the fact that when he delivered his last public lecture, some years ago, Stevenston Parish Church was completely filled. Although Mr Kyd took a deep interest in the affairs of the community, he did not obtrude in public affairs, as he regarded the duties of his calling as a Parish Minister his life-work.

Mr Kyd had the joy of seeing many developments of church work during his long period of service, he was mainly instrumental in founding the Mission Church at Ardeer, by enlisting the support of many people who were in a position to help, and he maintained a kindly oversight of the congregation there to the last. During his ministry the excellent suite of halls was erected, while many improvements and alterations were carried out in the church, including the introduction of a pipe organ.

On the occasion of his semi-jubilee in 1911, the Rev. Mr Kyd was presented with new pulpit robes and other gifts, and only last week we recorded another evidence of Mr Kyd’s good qualities, and also those of Mrs Kyd, when we reported the presentation of gifts from the women’s work party. Mr Kyd always impressed everyone privileged to come into contact with him, of his intense zeal for, and devotion to, all phases of church work, and we feel it is not too much to say that he seldom disappointed his congregation in the matter of the high quality of his sermons and addresses.

Mr Kyd, who was a native of Glasgow, is survived by his wife, his family having predeceased him some years ago.

The funeral, which will be of a public nature, will take place on Saturday, a public service being held in the church at 3pm.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday at noon, at which the Rev. D. D. Reese of Ardrossan Parish will officiate.

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Guild NewsHigh Kirk Archives

Dear Members and Friends,Our last Guild Report took us up to November 18th when our guest was Mrs Penno. I can’t believe that I’m now writing to you in the middle of February!

When I look back, we’ve had some interesting evenings. On November the 25th, two supporters of The R.N.L.I. gave us an informative talk, along with video pictures, on the valuable work The Lifeboats do around our coasts. There was also an opportunity to buy cards and gifts etc. to support this wonderful service.On December the 2nd, we had an update on the state of our Projects and Disbursement of Funds, ending with a Bring and Buy Sale.

Unfortunately, the icy weather conditions of December 9th were too treacherous for our guest and members to venture out, so our evening meeting had to be cancelled.Our Session for 2010, came to it’s very enjoyable conclusion, with the Salvation Army giving us an uplifting performance of their Band Music, Singing, thoughts on Christmas and Prayer.

So that was us until January 13th 2011, when we all got together for lunch at Highgrove House, which we enjoyed

very much. It was great to be back together again and we are very grateful to Carol and Liam for all their Arrangements.We started up properly again on the evening of February 3rd with The Von Crapp Singers. This small concert party, led by Mrs Julie Breen, delighted us with their songs, good humour and repartee. Due again, to very stormy weather conditions, some of our Members couldn’t attend, but we hope to have them back again in our 2011 – 2012 Session.

Rev. John Lafferty, the Minister of Livingston Church was our guest Speaker on the evening of 10th February, and gave us a very thoughtful talk on the theme of “Strength in God’s Presence”. We were sad to hear, he is retiring in October after 13 years in Stevenston and wish him and Mrs Lafferty, a very happy retirement.As we look forward to the rest of Session 2011, we hope that our friends Mrs Jessie Thomson and Mrs Mary Young will be feeling well enough to be with us again. Also, we warmly welcome our new friends, Mr & Mrs Oliver Clarke who have recently joined our Guild.

Grateful thanks go to Carol and Liam for Social arrangements, to Marglen and her team of ladies for our teas, to the work of the Worship Team and to our dear members and friends for their continued support.God Bless

Marie Seaton

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Precious Memories how they linger...These photos were included in a past edition of our Challenge Magazine a number of years ago. As a special request, we include them once again. Can you spot some familiar faces?

Precious Memories

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Passion Week(Monday 18th - Sunday 24th April 2011)

Have you any photos or stories to share?Please share any photos, old bulletins, and any other memorabilia from past days at the High Kirk. Items will be returned.

Please join us from Monday the 18th April through to Sunday 24th of April 2010 for a very special week of events that we believe will change your life forever. Come and find out what EASTER is REALLY about.

Stevenston High Kirk has been host to the "Passion Conference" which is now in its ninth year. Our Easter week consists of lunch time meetings with local guest speakers (Monday - Friday) and our main Conference Weekend of evening meetings.

This year we welcome the Rev Dr Tony Sargent, a well known speaker, author and academic. Currently the Principle of the International Christian College in Glasgow, he also is committed to various social ministries in India and serves as a director of several Christian organisations. So please don't miss out!!!

Friday 22nd AprilVenue: High Kirk, Schoolwell Street

Time: 7.30pm Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Sargent

Saturday 23rd AprilVenue: High Kirk, Schoolwell Street

Time: 7.30pm Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Sargent

Sunday 24th April (Easter Sunday)Venue: High Kirk, Schoolwell Street Time: 10.30am (followed by a lunch)Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Sargent

Evening CelebrationTime: 8pm

Guest Speaker: Rev Dr Tony Sargent

CHURCH OPEN DAY(Saturday 23rd April from 10am)

LUNCH TIME MEETINGS:Venue: Church Hall

Time: 12.15pm (with free soup and sandwich lunch)

Monday 18th AprilGuest: Rev James McNay

Tuesday 19th AprilGuest: Rev Sandy McCallum

Wednesday 20th AprilGuest: Rev Andrew McGurk

Thursday 21st AprilGuest: Rev Norman Cruickshank

Friday 22nd AprilGuest: Rev Martin Thomson

COMMUNION SERVICES

Thursday 21st AprilPlease join us for our Maundy Thursday Communion Service in the High Kirk at

6.30pm.

Sunday 24th April

You are very welcome to join us at Stevenston Point in Ardeer for a special Communion Service on Easter morning.

Venue: Stevenston Point Time: 6.30am

As a congregation, you have been so consistently generous in supporting this wonderful charity through our Harvest Thanksgiving appeal. In 2010 we raised £1,335 - enough to provide 217 children with a school meal for one year. This enables children in the developing word to receive an education, to relieve them from the pressures of child labour, to realise their God-given potential, to contribute in adult life to the communities they live in.

I thought you might appreciate some further information. Mary's Meals has a Statement of Values which sets out the vision of this organisation, but with a very practical application.

1 "We believe in the willingness of people to give freely of their time and skills. We are a voluntary organisation and our work will always rely on the generosity of volunteers."

So Maria, a volunteer in Malawi, rises early to start work at 6am. She draws water, cooks porridge, serves the children, cleans the utensils and the shelter, where the children eat. She finishes at 1pm.

2 "We believe in the willingness of people to give freely of their money and

goods to those living in poverty, and so we aim to provide a variety of effective ways to do this."

Mary's Meals, as an organisation, has supporters in most European countries. As well as donations of money, vehicles and fuel have been given. Numerous fund-raising events take place. Because of volunteers like Maria in Malawi, 93p out of every £1 given goes directly to provide school meals.

3 "We believe that those who require our aid should be seen, not as the problem, but as people who can become the principal builders of a new, more humane future for everyone."

The Mary's Meals project now feeds nearly half a million children worldwide. Some of them will become doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, giving back to others so much more than we ever had the privilege to give to them.

May God bless you all for your contributions.

With sincere best wishes,

Maureen KilpatrickChristian Aid Convener

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Passion Week Speakers

Rev Dr Tony Sargent is a graduate of London Bible College and for nearly thirty years was the senior minister of Worthing Tabernacle in South-east England. He did his Doctorate of Ministry at Westminster Theological Seminary. In 2008 Tony was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Strathclyde. He serves as Principal Emeritus at the International Christian College in Glasgow, and as director of several Christian organisations.

Rev Sandy McCallum was born and brought up in Largs and began his working life in Hotel and Catering. Sandy experienced God’s call to the Ministry within the Church of Scotland, and after graduating from his theological training, he was ordained in 1987. After a fruitful ministry at Kilberry linked with Tarbert, he came to be Minister at Saltcoats New Trinity, where once again he had a wonderfully blessed and fruitful ministry. Sandy is married to Josephine and they now live back in Sandy’s home town of Largs.

Rev Andrew McGurk was born in Linlithgow and brought up in the village of Rhu on the Gareloch. He began his working life in lab work at the Clyde Iron Works. During his time as a Quality Control Chemist with Roche in Dalry, and through the ministry of well-loved preacher - Rev David Grant, he experienced the call of God upon his life to preach the gospel. After graduating from Glasgow University (BD) he assisted at Clark Memorial Church for his probationary year followed by fruitful ministries at New Cumnock Parish Church (1983-93) and St John’s Church in Largs (1993-present). Andrew has faithfully preached the gospel for over 28 years, and with his wife Sheila have celebrated 41 years together in marriage.

Rev Martin Thomson, originally from Bell- shill in Glasgow, is a rare combination of teacher, pastor, evangelist, and leader. He has clearly and consistently proclaimed the Gospel of Christ in a wonderfully engaging pastoral ministry for over twenty years. After a time in teaching, he went on to serve as an assistant in Chryston under Rev Martin Allen, followed by 16 years as Minister of Kirkcowan & Wigtown until he received a call to Dalry Trinity in 2004. Martin is married to Lorna and they have three children; Philip, Jonathan and Lewis.

Rev James McNay has a contagious passion for God and a deep love for the Word of God. James was born in Northallerton in North Yorkshire, although being brought up in Torrance (near Glasgow) where he came to faith in Christ. He received a call in 2008 to the ordained pastoral ministry at Overton Church in West Kilbride and more recently was inducted to the united parish of West Kilbride. James is married to Anna and have a baby boy John.

Rev Norman Cruickshank, originally from Glasgow, has been faithfully declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ for over 25 years. He is a passionate preacher, teacher and pastor. Before entering the pastoral ministry, Norman was a senior lecturer of Engineering. He was ordained and inducted to Overton Church, West Kilbride, in 1983. After retiring in 2006, he and his wife Jennifer now worship at Stevenston High Kirk where Norman‘s ministry continues to be a great blessing as he assists the Rev Scott Cameron. They have a son and daughter, and six grand children.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah”.The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”The little girl replied, “Then you ask him”.

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.The girl replied,” I’m drawing God.”The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.”Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.After explaining the commandment to “honour” thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?”Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?”Her mother replied,” Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.”The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?”

CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS

The low self esteem group will meet on Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.

Weight watchers will meet at 7pm in the church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

Senior pupils will be presenting "hamlet" in the church on Friday. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

The minister would be grateful if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

(Submitted by Dan McNeil)

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Mission & Prayer NetworkDan’s Fun CornerJANNIE & MARNA THEUNISSEN

(from South Africa)

Jannie and Marna were each called by the Lord to be missionaries even before they became engaged and married. All their married life has been that of missionary work.They live in Bangkok, Thailand, where Jannie runs an OMF Thai Christian Publishing Company and an internet Bible Study programme.The family is now back in South Africa for a year of home assignment.They praise God for good closure in Bangkok and, despite a chaotic time, were able to pack up and hand over in time to catch the flight home.Nerina and Cobus, their 2 children, have already started school there, with Nerina in her first year of High School and Cobus in grade 6. Pray that they will continue to enjoy school there and make friends.Pray for God’s leading in all Jannie & Marna’s deputation meetings and that He will use them to inspire others for mission work.

Pray for Jannie & Marna as they seek the Lord’s will for their future and for their family.

HELEN SCOTT (from North Ayrshire, Scotland)

Helen is a missionary school teacher in the north part of Malawi, in Africa.She is most concerned at the politically-inspired proposition to change Ekwendeni School from a free school to a private school. With such a change most of the poorer pupils will have to do without their education.

Please pray.Helen’s mother, Mrs Marie Scott of Dalry, is visiting her in Malawi at the present time, together with four or five friends from Dalry Trinity Church.

Pray that the time together may be mutually refreshing and a real blessing.Pray that God’s will may be done with regard to the future status of the school.

SUMMER MISSION 2011Saturday 23rd - Friday 29th July

The Three Churches in Stevenston are working together again this year as we prepare for our Summer Mission Week. We would like to reach out to people in our community and provide a week for all the family.We will start off our week this year on Saturday with a Prayer Breakfast before we get ready for our 'Fun Day'. Events are being planned for Saturday and Sunday evenings and there will be a Congregational Lunch on Sunday after the Service.

The Kid's Club will run from Monday 25th - Thursday 28th July. We will also have some Games Afternoons, hopefully outdoors, in the Ardeer area of the town. Liv ingstone Church wi l l host an 'Afternoon Tea' with a speaker and we will finish with a party night for all the family on Friday.If you would like to help out in any way and are free that week, then please contact Margaret Durham on 601322.

FAITH SHARE Cont’d...If only I had learnt earlier what a deep, deep blessing it is to simply worship God, to have Him right beside me – and to enjoy His love and Presence!!

One morning I was reading in the Epistle of James (chapter 4, verse 8);

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"That verse is so true, and such a comfort in bad times!

I happened to look up the meaning of the Greek word (eggizo) for “draw near”, and found that it means “communion with God in prayer, and the desired and cherished fellowship with Him.”My word – the joy of real communion with God in prayer and being in fellowship with Him!I pray that we all will be able to give more of our time to God in personal worship and prayer, that will enable us to live with Him every day - every minute and every hour of every day.

“How’s Your Prayer Life?”Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones

What is the place of prayer in your life? What prominence does it have in our lives? It is a question that I address to all. It is as necessary that it should reach the man who is well versed in the Scripture, and who has a knowledge of its doctrine and its theology, as that it

should reach anyone else. What part does prayer play in our lives and how essential is it to us? Do we realize that without it we faint?

Our ultimate position as Christians is tested by the character of our prayer life. It is more important than knowledge and understanding. Do not imagine that I am detracting from the importance of knowledge. I spend most of my life trying to show the importance of having a knowledge of truth and an understanding of it. That is vitally important. There is only one thing that is more important, and that is prayer. The ultimate test of my understanding of the Scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer. As theology is ultimately the knowledge of God, the more theology I know, the more it should drive me to seek to know God. Not to know about Him, but to know Him. The whole object of salvation is to bring me to a knowledge of God. I may talk learnedly about regeneration, but what is eternal life? It is that they might know Thee, the only true God in Jesus Christ whom God has sent. If all my knowledge does not lead me to prayer there is something wrong somewhere. It is meant to do that. The value of the knowledge is that it gives me such an understanding of the value of prayer, that I devote time to prayer and delight in prayer. If it does not product these results in my life, there is something wrong and spurious about it, or else I am handling it in a wrong manner.

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The Prodigal Son in the key of “F”How's Your Prayer Life?Feeling footloose, frisky and fancy free, a feathered brained fellow forced his fond father to fork over the farthings and flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune, feasting fabulously with faithless friends.

Fleeced by his fellows in folly and facing famine, he found himself a feed flinger in a filthy farm. Fairly famishing, he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from fodder fragments.

Phooey, my father’s flunkies fare finer, the frizzled fugitive forlornly fumbled, frankly facing fact. Frustrated by failure and filled with foreboding, he fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father's feet he forlornly fumbled, “Father, I've flunked and fruitlessly forfeited my family fellowship favour”. The farsighted father, forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch a fatling from the flock and fix a feast.

(By kind permission from St. John’s Largs Church Bulletin)

Word Search

Stated Annual Meeting

The Stated Annual Meeting shall be held on Sunday 27th March after the morning service. The agenda shall include presentation of Statistical Accounts, Abstract of Accounts (Financial, Budget, Fabric Update), General Remarks and Chairperson‘s (Minister‘s) Remarks.

Unlike the old fashioned AGMs, we have no open floor question sessions. Written questions are invited from the congregation in the weeks prior to the meeting and will be timely answered by the Minister or Session Clerk.

Many years ago it was the role of a general meeting to approve accounts, and therefore members would often save up questions all year to ask on the day. Nowadays our accounts and records are all approved by outside Presbytery auditors, etc, due to the new charity laws.

The Kirk Session would therefore like to remind members and adherents that questions are still invited at any time of the year. We also make our financial accounts available bi-monthly, which we hope will help members & adherents seek further clarification on any part of the church‘s financial ministry.

Who do I speak / write to?Worship matters: Rev Scott Cameron Financial matters: Mrs Mary Blair General matters: Mr Stewart McLellan

Word Alive22nd February - 29th March

Manse 2.30pmBy the time you read this, we will have begun our new 'Word Alive' series, meeting for six Tuesday afternoons in the Manse. We are looking at the Book of Ruth, under the title 'Love changes everything'.

Someone wrote of this short O.T. book, 'No poet in the world has written a more beautiful short story.' As we meet on those Tuesday afternoons, we will learn about very ordinary people facing very ordinary events. We meet Naomi, who experienced hardship in famine and bereavement but eventually won peace and security. We meet Ruth, a very young foreign woman from Moab, who attaches herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi and to Naomi's God. Lastly we meet Boaz who, by marrying Ruth, fitted into God's purposes for history. Fascinating that both King David and our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, are numbered among their Descendants.

Please make an effort to join us on those Tuesday afternoons as we seek to learn from Ruth. We will be reminded of a God who loves and cares for His children - who constantly watches over us, ruling over all and bringing blessing to those who trust Him. In a sense the Book of Ruth is not about Naomi, Ruth or Boaz - ultimately it is about God. Perhaps the key verse is Ch 2:12 ' May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.'

We look forward to seeing you on those Tuesdays. All you need is a Bible and a desire to learn. Hopefully the word will come alive to all of us as we enjoy friendship around God's word.

See you there!

Norman Cruickshank

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Devotional ThoughtsHigh Kirk News“Bitterness”

Sam Rogers

“Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble.” (Hebrews 12:15)

Bitterness has a tenacious way of taking root deep within the soul and resisting all efforts to weed it out. Bitterness occurs for many reasons. It might come from deep hurts you received as a child, hurts you cannot forget. Time, rather than diminishing the hurt, only seems to sharpen the pain.

Bitterness can result from the hurtful words of a friend or co-worker. Often the person who hurt you is unaware of the extent of your bitterness. You find yourself rehearsing the offense over and over again, each time driving the root of bitterness deeper within your soul. Bitterness can derive from a sense of being unjustly treated. Bitterness is easy to justify. You can get so used to a bitter heart that you are even comfortable with it, but it will destroy you.

Only God is fully aware of its destructive potential. There is nothing so deeply imbedded in your heart that God's grace cannot reach down and remove it. No area in your life is so painful that God's grace cannot reach down and remove it to bring total healing. No offence committed against you is so heinous that God's love cannot enable you to forgive.

When you allow bitterness to grow in your life, you reject the grace of God that

can free you. If you are honest before God, you will admit the bitterness and allow God to forgive you. Bitterness enslaves you, but God is prepared to remove your bitterness and replace it with his peace and joy.

Please tune into 3TFM on 103.1FM from 7th to 11th March at 9.10am each morning where you can hear Sam Rogers share some thoughts for the week.

“Faith Share”Dorothy Rose

I was brought up in a Christian home, and from childhood had the habit of reading from the Bible every morning, followed by a time of prayer. As time went by, I confess that sometimes my reading and prayers became mechanical, or even rushed. At times my devotional times took only five or ten minutes out of my day – too perfunctory for me to receive any real blessing.

Little by little my morning time with the Lord became more and more meaningful, as I learned more about Him and His ways with us mortals.

In my later years I have been waking up much earlier than usual – or than necessary. Once awake, I get out of bed and go into the sitting room, where my Bible is beside my chair. There, with no one else about me awake, there are no distractions or noises to hinder my quiet time. No telephone, no hooting, no voices. Just God and me!

...cont’d on page 14

spring 2011

Documents

march1 corinthians

manse church hall

church register

high kirk manse

school bobby

rev john miller scott

unemployed school

family home