Service Times
Dalserf Church
Every Sunday 11:30am
Rorison Church
1st Sunday in month 3:30pm
Events Calendar
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February 2012 |
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Registered Charity
Dalserf Parish Church of Scotland
Registered Charity SCO16156
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Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
 I will be on study leave for six weeks from 27 April. I will be studying "Healing Ministries". I do not expect to be away from the Manse for more than two weeks in total. During this period the Rev. Jim Todd who retired early from the ministry on health grounds will occupy the pulpit and carry out some pastoral duties. I trust you will welcome him and where possible offer him hospitality. Jim and I studied together in the science faculty at Strathclyde University in the early 70’s. Jim is married with seven of a family ranging from 10 to 24 years of age. Jim is originally from Larkhall with the result that the Larkhall area was not totally unknown territory to me as it would have been when I was called to Dalserf in 1982. On several occasions I came out to Larkhall to see Jim on my ancient Panther 600 motorbike although I have no recollection of being aware of the existence of Dalserf Church at that time. In those days the ministry was not on the horizon for either of us. If only we had known then what lay ahead? None of us know what the future holds and we don’t need to know as far as this earthly life is concerned. We know that as Christians with faith in Jesus Christ we have a glorious future in heaven but we also know that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us no matter what happens in this life (see Heb. 13;5 and Rom. 8; 38,39) and that he is in ultimate control of our lives. We can therefore face life with confidence rather than with trepidation. God knows what the future holds for us and that is all that matters.
I commend to you the joint Easter services and in particular this year the Palm Sunday Pilgrimage from Chalmers Church to St. Mary’s. This is a highly significant event for Larkhall with its reputation for sectarianism. It is to be hoped that whatever reservations we may have with regard to Roman Catholic doctrine we will recognise the need to unite for this event for the sake of the witness of the Christian church in our area.
Happy Easter,
Yours sincerely,
D. Cameron McPherson
Beautiful One-liners
1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
The Legend of the Dogwood
 Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.
"Something wonderful is going to happen to me," it said to anyone who would listen. "I'll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house."
Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards from its trunk were nailed together.
Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. "You will never be put to such use again," He told it. "From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns, you will bear flowers in the shape of a cross... with
two long and two short petals. In the centre of the outer edge of each petal, there will be nail prints... brown with rust and red with bloodstains to show the world how you have suffered."
 "Last of all, the centre of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together." And so it was. And so it is.
‘The Silent One’
I was there for His trial and His scourging,
When they accused Him of crimes He'd not done;
But I spoke not a word in His defence,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there as He struggled up Calvary,
As dark clouds covered the sun;
And when they nailed His torn flesh to the cross,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there when they cast lots for His garment,
As they jeered and heckled in fun;
And when the spear was thrust deep in His side,
I was "The Silent One."
I saw Him die for all mankind,
And when it was "finished" and done;
He raised Himself up as He promised,
yet-I was "The Silent One."
And now, everyday I encounter,
lost souls sent my way by God's Son;
Still I act as though I don't know Him,
I am "The Silent One."
Rededication of Rorison
The rededication of Rorison Memorial Church took place on Friday 20th March. The evening began with a service at which the Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton Mr. David Watt gave an inspiring address and offered a prayer of rededication. A celidh occupied the remainder of the evening with a buffet supper served at 8.30. The music was supplied by John Blackwood his daughter Lesley on bass guitar, and two of his friends on keyboard and drums. We are grateful to all who provided food and who helped with preparations and on the night. I will single out Kay Blair because Kay, one of the keenest advocates of the Rorison Renovation Project, along with Helen Knox, helped to organise the catering, but due to a prior engagement of delivering the Immortal Memory at a Rotary Burns Supper, was unable to be present on the night - poor Kay , thanks Kay!
A booklet entitled "The Rorison Story" is now available. There are some copies left and if you would like one, please ask the minister.
MAD Ministries
MAD Ministries with the support of some dedicated members of the congregation are leading a weekly "Kidz Club" immediately after school on Tuesdays at Netherburn school. They are leading monthly assemblies in both schools and although it hasn’t been possible so far they have agreed to take devotions occasionally for the BB and GB. By the time you have received the newsletter they will have been involved in the Mothering Sunday Family Service, other services they will be involved in are 17th May (see separate notice), Harvest Thanksgiving (4th October) And Advent Sunday (29th November). Brian will be speaking about the challenge of youth work today to the Kirk session on Saturday 4th April. In addition they will have occasional class contact in both schools and possibly some input to the Scripture Union at Dalserf which now meets at lunchtime on Mondays.
Thank You
Many thanks for your prayers, cards and flowers prior to and following my recent operation. It means a lot to know you are thinking of me.
Janet Tennant
Sunday Service Switch (May 17th)
On 17th May both the time and the venue of the service will be changed. The service on that day will be in Rorison Church and the time will be 3 o’clock. This will be the end of Session service for the BB and GB. MAD Ministries will be involved in the service. There will be no Dalserf Service that Sunday.
Palm Sunday Pilgrimage
“The Way of the Cross”
Sunday 5th April, 2.00pm
Assemble at Chalmers Parish Church
A mini pilgrimage will take place from Rorison Church assembling at 1.15—1.25pm for a short act of worship, departing for Chalmers Church at 1.30pm
NOTE: There will be no service at Rorison on Palm Sunday due to the Ecumenical Palm Sunday Procession.
Joint Service & BBQ
Sunday 5th April, 4.30pm
St. Mary’s Parish Church
Following Services are all at Congregational Church, 7.30pm:
Ecumenical Service, Wednesday 8th April
Maundy Thursday Communion, Thursday 9th April
Good Friday Service, Friday 10th April
Easter Sunday Service
Sunday 12th April, 6.30pm
Trinity Parish Church
Deaths
January27th William (Billy) Templeman
February28th Nan Airey (David Aireys mother)
March10th Annie Cameron
Elders Rota
April
05 D. Manson, J. Grove, J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
12 R Fairley, A. Carson, A. Brown, M. Letham, E. Budgell
19 I. Kennedy, R. Clarkson, W. Callan, l. Eathorne, H. Brady, G. Stewart
26 D. Manson, J. Grove, J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
May
05 R Fairley, A. Carson, A. Brown, M. Letham, E. Budgell
Creche
April
05 Palm Sunday
12 Easter Sunday
19 The Humes
26 Mrs. Price & Miss Rodger
May
03 Miss Hoey & Miss Hume
Flower Rota
April
05 Mrs. Watt, Rowan Bank
12 Mrs. Paul, Stonehouse
19 Mrs. Jones, Larkhall
26 Mrs. Marshall, Ashgill
May
03 Mrs. Baillie, Over Dalserf
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